Distribution of Gassy Sediments and Mud Volcanoes Offshore Southwestern Taiwan
Resource
Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 17 (4): 703-722
Journal
Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Journal Volume
17
Journal Issue
4
Pages
703-722
Date Issued
2006
Date
2006
Author(s)
Abstract
This study presents the results from recent intense marine geophysical surveys conducted offshore of southwestern Taiwan.Mud volcanoes and gassy sediments have been identified along chirp sonar and seismic reflection profile data.The distribution of gassy sediments and mud volcanoes has been compiled, showing these features extending from the accretionary wedge to the passive China continental margin.Submarine mud volcanoes could be grouped into four main clusters in the accretionary wedge province: offshore Kaohsiung, adjacent to the Kaoping Submarine Canyon, near the head of the Fangliao Submarine Canyon and along the Yung-An Lineament.Each cluster is composed of a few to more than 10 submarine mud volcanoes.Their origin could be related to gas hydrate dissociation with rising highpressure fluid along faults or mud diapir piercing the seafloor.These gassy sediments and mud volcanoes could be formed by fluids escaping from dewatering sedimentary layers of mud diapirs, or along faults and fractures where free gases or gases dissociating from hydrates migrate to the seafloor.
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Type
journal article
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