Coincident sediment slump/clathrate complexes on the U.S. Atlantic continental slope

High-resolution seismic reflection data recorded on the continental slope off the east coast of the United States have revealed instances of sediment mass movement (slumps) which appear to occur above clathrate accumulations. The slumping is believed to be related to the liberation of free gas by clathrate decomposition and consequent weakening of unconsolidated sediments above the clathrate. Pleistocene sea-level lowering and/or post-Pleistocene bottom water temperature increases may have had a significant role in this process.