Geological Characteristics of Mud Volcanoes and Diapirs in the Northern Continental Margin of the South China Sea: Implications for the Mechanisms Controlling the Genesis of Fluid Leakage Structures

<div>(a) Seismic profile over the Qiongdongnan Basin. Mud diapirs puncture into the Neogene strata in a vertical columnar or chimney-like form. Diapir intrusions caused arch-up deformation of the overlying strata and “uplift” of the wall layers. The interior of the diapirs is characterized by blank, clutter, bright spots and other abnormal seismic reflection characteristics. (b) Instantaneous frequency distribution map. The blank or cluttered reflection area presents a low instantaneous frequency from the deep to shallow part on the instantaneous frequency distribution profile, which is significantly different from the higher instantaneous frequency value of the surrounding rock.</div>

Geofluids

fig4

Figure 4

Figure 4: Geological Characteristics of Mud Volcanoes and Diapirs in the Northern Continental Margin of the South China Sea: Implications for the Mechanisms Controlling the Genesis of Fluid Leakage Structures 

Figure 4 | Geological Characteristics of Mud Volcanoes and Diapirs in the Northern Continental Margin of the South China Sea: Implications for the Mechanisms Controlling the Genesis of Fluid Leakage Structures 