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

Figure 13

Development mechanism model of mud diapirs/mud volcanoes in the background of transtension. (a) The top view of the strata after the development of mud diapirs/mud volcanoes in the background of transtension. It can be observed that a stratigraphic uplift is on the position where mud diapir or mud volcano develops. There are nearly centrosymmetric 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 transtension. The faults on both sides of mud diapir/mud volcano are well developed. Along the faults, muddy fluid intrudes into the fault planes, and the top stratum is uplifted.