A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF SUBMARINE COLD SEEPS BY SEISMIC OCEANOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Submarine cold seeps are widely distributed in the continental margin seas around the world. In this study, we apply a conventional multichannel seismic reflection (seismic oceanography) method to image the water column near the seafloor in order to detect cold seeps. In addition to analyzing the fluid escape structures, we also describe and discuss the development positions, seismic reflection characteristics as well as features of the cold seeps. The seismic reflection from the water column is very weak; therefore, the seismic sections above and below the seafloor are processed in two different sequences as follows:(1) geometry definition, direct wave attenuation and amplitude recovery, high-pass filter, common midpoint sorting, constant velocity (seawater sound velocity) stack, and post-stack FK filter in some sections; and (2) data quality control, amplitude recovery, 6~100 Hz bandpass filter, multiple attenuation, deconvolution, velocity analysis, normal move-out correction, common midpoint stack, post-stack noise attenuation, 4~70 Hz bandpass filter, and FX migration. The processed sections are then assembled together along the seafloor after carefully adjusting the color scale. The analysis shows that active cold seeps primarily present plume, broom, and/or irregular shapes that have weak and chaotic seismic reflections in the water column. The seismic reflection amplitude is enhanced at times; this could be attributed to the suspension of mud or particles in the water column. Cold seepage activities are typically associated with fluid escape structures, including mud diapirs, pipes, faults, fractures, gas chimneys, seabed pockmarks, and mud volcanoes. This indicates fluid migration from deep to shallow strata, fluid seepage or escape at the seafloor, as well as the formation of widespread cold seep activities. All the results herein are derived from a comprehensive interpretation of the seismic sections of the water columns and strata; however, further field studies, theoretical simulations, and experiments are required to confirm these conclusions.