Gas and seismicity within the Istanbul seismic gap

Understanding micro-seismicity is a critical question for earthquake hazard assessment. Since the devastating earthquakes of Izmit and Duzce in 1999, the seismicity along the submerged section of North Anatolian Fault within the Sea of Marmara (comprising the “Istanbul seismic gap”) has been extensively studied in order to infer its mechanical behaviour (creeping vs locked). So far, the seismicity has been interpreted only in terms of being tectonic- driven, although the Main Marmara Fault (MMF) is known to strike across multiple hydrocarbon gas sources. Here, we show that a large number of the aftershocks that followed the M 5.1 earthquake of July, 25th 2011 in the western Sea of Marmara, occurred within a zone of gas overpressuring in the 1.5–5 km depth range, from where pressurized gas is expected to migrate along the MMF, up to the surface sediment layers. Hence, gas-related processes should also be considered for a complete interpretation of the micro- seismicity (~M < 3) within the Istanbul offshore domain

Gas and seismicity within the Istanbul seismic gap

Understanding micro-seismicity is a critical question for earthquake hazard assessment. Since the devastating earthquakes of Izmit and Duzce in 1999, the seismicity along the submerged section of North Anatolian Fault within the Sea of Marmara (comprising the “Istanbul seismic gap”) has been extensively studied in order to infer its mechanical behaviour (creeping vs locked). So far, the seismicity has been interpreted only in terms of being tectonic-driven, although the Main Marmara Fault (MMF) is known to strike across multiple hydrocarbon gas sources. Here, we show that a large number of the aftershocks that followed the M 5.1 earthquake of July, 25th 2011 in the western Sea of Marmara, occurred within a zone of gas overpressuring in the 1.5–5 km depth range, from where pressurized gas is expected to migrate along the MMF, up to the surface sediment layers. Hence, gas-related processes should also be considered for a complete interpretation of the micro-seismicity (~M < 3) within the Istanbul offshore domain

Anomalously deep BSR related to a transient state of the gas hydrate system in the western Black Sea

A comprehensive characterization of the gas hydrate system offshore the western Black Sea was performed through an integrated analysis of geophysical data. We detected the Bottom Simulating Reflector (BSR), which marks, in this area, the base of gas hydrate stability. The observed BSR depth does not fit the theoretical steady-state base of gas hydrate stability zone (BGHSZ). We show that the disparity between the BSR and predicted BGHSZ is the result of a transient state of the hydrate system due to the ongoing re-equilibrium since the Last Glacial Maximum. When gas hydrates are brought outside the stability zone due to changes in temperature and sea level, their dissociation generates an increase in interstitial pore pressure. This process is favorable to the re-crystallization of gas hydrates and delays the upward migration of the hydrate stability zone explaining the anomalously deep BSR. The BSR depth, which is commonly used to derive geothermal gradient values by assuming steady state conditions, is used here to derive the maximum excess pore pressure at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone. Derived excess pore pressure values of 1-2 MPa are probably the result of the low permeability of hydrate-bearing sediments. Higher pore pressure values derived at the location of a fault system could cause hydro-fracturing enabling the free gas to cross the gas hydrate stability zone and emerge at the seafloor, forming the flares observed in close vicinity to where the shallow gas hydrates were sampled

Modern submarine landslide complexes

Submarine landslides have been identified in almost all ocean basins worldwide. The largest submarine landslides occur on very shallow slopes and can be far larger than any terrestrial landslide. Submarine landslides can produce tsunami whose far‐reaching effects can rival those produced by earthquake‐tsunamis and threaten increasingly populated coastlines. Even small landslides can damage very expensive and critically important offshore infrastructure, such as pipelines used for oil and gas recovery, and telecommunication cables that now carry over 95% of digital data traffic. A better understanding of submarine landslide processes, including triggering mechanisms, preconditioning factors, timing, and frequency as well as dynamics of submarine landslide, and their consequences are of clear societal and economic importance. Despite their importance, many fundamental submarine landslide processes are still poorly understood. We currently have many studies that have mapped and sampled submarine landslide deposits; however, in order to fill outstanding but key knowledge gaps, future studies may have to go beyond this in order to unravel processes governing submarine landslides with even more interdisciplinary approaches. This chapter provides a very short review about submarine landslide studies, with emphasis on the emerging needs in future landslide research

Cold Seep Systems

‘Cold’ seeps (or cold vents) are seafloor manifestations of fluid migration through sediments from the subsurface to the seabed and into the water column, and may reach the atmosphere. They are an important but not fully understood process in our oceans that has important repercussions on human society and on the climate. Modern sonar systems can obtain seafloor images of cold seep features from tens to thousands of meters wide with metric resolution, providing key information on the formation and evolution of the various seabed expressions of cold seeps. In this chapter we attempt to address cold seep systems with an emphasis on their origin, evolution, form, and occurrence, approaching them primarily from their morphologies and the acoustic character of the seafloor and near bottom erupted sediments. We address morphological characteristics of mud volcanoes, pockmarks, carbonate-related structures including MDAC, AOM and giant carbonate mounds and ridges, offering various examples mainly from recent discoveries in Mediterranean region which are among the most spectacular and most frequently cited examples. Detailed focus on topics such as acoustic backscatter, brine pools, etc. have been described in separate gray boxes of text with the aim to highlight their particular significance. Finally, gaps in knowledge and key research questions on cold seep studies have been outlined with the aim of orienting young researchers and students towards those topics that deserve the highest attention as they are still unresolved.Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, ItaliaFREMER Laboratoire Aléas géologiques et Dynamique Sédimentaire Centre Bretagne, FranciaÁrea de Geología Marina, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, EspañaLyngby Marine Geophysical Research, Países BajosPeer reviewe

Gas and seismicity within the Istanbul seismic gap

Understanding micro-seismicity is a critical question for earthquake hazard assessment. Since the devastating earthquakes of Izmit and Duzce in 1999, the seismicity along the submerged section of North Anatolian Fault within the Sea of Marmara (comprising the “Istanbul seismic gap”) has been extensively studied in order to infer its mechanical behaviour (creeping vs locked). So far, the seismicity has been interpreted only in terms of being tectonic-driven, although the Main Marmara Fault (MMF) is known to strike across multiple hydrocarbon gas sources. Here, we show that a large number of the aftershocks that followed the M 5.1 earthquake of July, 25th 2011 in the western Sea of Marmara, occurred within a zone of gas overpressuring in the 1.5–5 km depth range, from where pressurized gas is expected to migrate along the MMF, up to the surface sediment layers. Hence, gas-related processes should also be considered for a complete interpretation of the micro-seismicity (~M &lt; 3) within the Istanbul offshore domain