Geotechnical properties of two siliceous cores from the central Indian Ocean

Abstract

Physical properties of the siliceous sediments from the Central Indian Basin are measured on two short cores. The properties such as water content, Atterberg limits, porosity specific gravity, wet density show the medium to high plastic sediment nature with low strength at the surface (less than 1 kPa). Grain size study indicates silty clay to clayey silt composition. The cores are of same age and shown wide variation in properties within small depth and close geographical spacing. Among clay minerals, illite is dominant over montmorillonite, chlorite and kaolinite. Montmorillonite of both detrital and volcanic origin is present. Textural analysis shows one core has more Lerrigenous influx from the North than the other