Marine Clay

Marine clay is a type of clay found in coastal regions around the world. In the northern, deglaciated regions, it can sometimes be quick clay, which is notorious for being involved in landslides.

Clay particles can self-assemble into various configurations, each with totally different properties.

When clay is deposited in the ocean, the presence of excess ions in seawater causes a loose, open structure of the clay particles to form, a process known as flocculation. This open framework means that such clay is open to water infiltration. Once stranded and dried by ancient, changing ocean levels, it becomes a geotechnical engineering challenge.

Where clay overlies peat, a lateral movement of the coastline is indicate and shows a rise in relative sea level

When investigating the market, the potential homeowner should always be on the lookout for geologic hazards. Marine clay (swelling clay) has the potential to destroy the foundation in only a few years. Some simple precautions, however, can reduce the hazard significantly.

During the construction of Marina Barrage in Singapore, marine clay was found at the site. Since marine clay was the cause of Nicoll Highway's collapse years ago, the construction team had to remove all the marine clay to ensure the stability of Marina Barrage. Later on, they found marine clay mixed with seawater even in the deeper underground.