Formation Mechanism of Mud Volcanoes/Mud Diapirs Based on Physical Simulation

Figure 12

Development mechanism model of mud diapirs/mud volcanoes under extensional background. (a) The top view of the strata after the development of mud diapirs/mud volcanoes in the background of extension. It can be observed that a stratigraphic uplift is on the position where mud diapir or mud volcano develops. There are nearly symmetrical fault zones in the strata on both sides. (b) Three-dimensional map of the development mechanism of mud diapirs/mud volcanoes under the background of extension. The faults developed on both sides of mud diapir/mud volcano are symmetrically distributed and form grabens. In the mud diapir/mud volcano development position, the strata are obviously pulled up, and the top strata are uplifted.