Passing gas through the hydrate stability zone at southern Hydrate Ridge,offshore Oregon

We present an equilibrium model of methane venting through the hydrate stability zone at southern Hydrate Ridge, offshore Oregon. Free gas supplied from below forms hydrate, depletes water, and elevates salinity until pore water is too saline for further hydrate formation. This system self-generates local three-phase equilibrium and allows free gas migration to the seafloor. Log and core data from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1249 show that from the seafloor to 50 m below seafloor (mbsf), pore water salinity is elevated to the point where liquid water, hydrate and free gas coexist. The elevated pore water salinity provides a mechanism for vertical migration of free gas through the regional hydrate stability zone (RHSZ). This process may drive gas venting through hydrate stability zones around the world. Significant amount of gaseous methane can bypass the RHSZ by shifting local thermodynamic conditions.     

Magnetic and Electric Fields Produced in the Sea During Geomagnetic Disturbances

— To understand geomagnetic effects on systems with long conductors it is necessary to know the electric field those systems experience. For surface conductors such as power systems and pipelines this can easily be calculated from the magnetic field variations at the surface using the surface impedance of the earth. However, for calculating the electric fields in pipelines and submarine cables at the seafloor it is necessary to take account of the attenuating effect of the conducting seawater. Assuming that the fields are vertically propagating plane waves, we derive the transfer functions between the electric and magnetic fields at the seafloor and the magnetic field variations at the sea surface. These transfer functions are then used, with surface magnetic field data, to determine the power spectra of the seafloor magnetic and electric fields in a shallow sea (depth 100 m) and in the deep ocean (depth 5 km) for different values of the Kp magnetic activity index. For the period range considered (2 min to 3 hrs) the spectral characteristics of the seafloor magnetic and electric fields for a 100 m deep sea are very similar to those of the surface fields. For the deep ocean the seafloor spectra show a faster decrease in spectral density with increasing frequency compared to the surface fields. The results obtained are shown to be consistent with seafloor observations. Assessment of the seafloor electric fields produced by different levels of geomagnetic activity can be useful in the design of the power feed equipment for submarine cables and cathodic protection for undersea pipelines.     

A first application of a marine inductive source electromagnetic configuration with remote electric dipole receivers: Palinuro Seamount,Tyrrhenian Sea

We study a new marine electromagnetic configuration that consists of a ship‐towed inductive source transmitter and a series of remote electric dipole receivers placed on the seafloor. The approach was tested at the Palinuro Seamount in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, at a site where massive sulphide mineralization has been previously identified by shallow drilling. A 3D model of the Palinuro study area was created using bathymetry data, and forward modelling of the electric field diffusion was carried out using a finite volume method. These numerical results suggest that the remote receivers can theoretically detect a block of shallowly buried conductive material at up to ～100 m away when the transmitter is located directly above the target. We also compared the sensitivity of the method using either a horizontal loop transmitter or a vertical loop transmitter and found that when either transmitter is located directly above the mineralized zone, the vertical loop transmitter has sensitivity to the target at a farther distance than the horizontal loop transmitter in the broadside direction by a few tens of metres. Furthermore, the vertical loop transmitter is more effective at distinguishing the seafloor conductivity structure when the vertical separation between transmitter and receiver is large due to the bathymetry. As a horizontal transmitter is logistically easier to deploy, we conducted a first test of the method with a horizontal transmitter. Apparent conductivities are calculated from the electric field transients recorded at the remote receivers. The analysis indicates higher apparent seafloor conductivities when the transmitter is located near the mineralized zone. Forward modelling suggests that the best match to the apparent conductivity data is obtained when the mineralized zone is extended southward by 40 m beyond the zone of previous drilling. Our results demonstrate that the method adds value to the exploration and characterization of seafloor massive sulphide deposits.     

Constraining landscape development of the Sri Lankan escarpment with cosmogenic nuclides in river sediment

Escarpments are prominent morphological features along high-elevation passive margins. Recent studies integrating geomorphology, thermochronology, and cosmogenic nuclide-based denudation rate estimates suggest a rapid phase of denudation immediately after the earliest stages of seafloor spreading, and subsequent slow denudation rates since. To constrain the geomorphic evolution of passive margins, we have examined the development of the Sri Lankan escarpment. Cosmogenic nuclide data on river sediment along a north–south transect across the southern escarpment reveal that the landscape is eroding ten times more rapidly in the escarpment zone (26 to 71 mm kyr^− 1) than in the high-elevation plateau above it and in the lowland plain beneath it (2.6 to 6.2 mm kyr^− 1). Unlike these low denudation rate areas, the escarpment denudation is strongly and linearly hill slope-dependent. This shows that denudation and retreat are tightly interlinked within the escarpment, which suggests that the escarpment is evolving by rift-parallel retreat, rather than by escarpment downwearing. Supporting evidence is provided by the morphology of rivers draining the escarpment zone. These have steep bedrock channels which show sharp and prominent knickpoints along their longitudinal profiles. It appears that fluvial processes are driving escarpment retreat, as rivers migrate headwards were they incise into the high-elevation plateau. However, the average catchment-wide denudation rates of the escarpment zone are low compared to the denudation rates that are estimated for constant escarpment retreat since rifting. In common with other escarpments worldwide, causes for this slow down can be tectonic change related to flexural bending of the lithosphere, climate change that would vary the degree of precipitation focused into the escarpment, or the decrease in the contributing catchment area, which would reduce the stream power available for fluvial erosion.     

Seafloor spreading history of the Agulhas Basin

Data gathered by recent “Islas Orcadas” cruises reveal the seafloor spreading pattern for a region south of the Agulhas/Falkland fracture zone system. The presence of a magnetic anomaly bight about the Agulhas Plateau indicates that the Agulhas Plateau may have developed at the site of a tectonic plate triple junction during the Late Cretaceous. A westward jump in the seafloor spreading center during the Late Maestrichtian (anomaly 34?31) reduced the offset across the Falkland/Agulhas fracture zone system and resulted in the formation of two conjugate aseismic ridges here described as the Meteor and Islas Orcadas Rises. The magnetic lineation pattern in the Agulhas Basin suggests that a tectonic plate (Malvinas Plate) existed during Campanian to Maestrichtian times. Relative rates of motion are calculated for Antarctica, South America, and Africa for the Late Cretaceous.     

Emplacement processes of proto-arc basalt in the Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc system

Ascertaining the emplacement mechanism of oceanic basaltic lavas is important in understanding how ocean floor topography is produced and oceanic plates evolve, particularly during the early stages of crustal development of a supra-subduction zone. A detailed study of the volcanic stratigraphy at International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Site U1438 in the Amami Sankaku Basin, west of the Kyushu–Palau Ridge, has revealed the development of lava accretion and ridge topography on the Philippine Sea plate at about 49 Ma. Igneous basement rocks penetrated at Site U1438 are the uppermost 150 m of ~6 km-thick oceanic crust, and comprise, in a downhole direction, sheet flows (12.6 m), lobate sheet flows (61.3 m), pillow lavas (50.7 m), and thin sheet flows (25.3 m). The lowermost sheet flows are intercalated with layers of limestone and epiclastic tuff. Lithofacies analysis reveals that the lowermost sheet flows, limestone, and tuff formed on an axial rise, the pillow lavas were emplaced on a ridge slope, and the lobate sheet flows formed off ridge on an abyssal plain. The lithofacies of the basement basalt corresponds to the upper portions of fast-spreading oceanic crust, suggesting that subduction initiation was associated with intermediate to fast rates of seafloor spreading. The surface sheet flows are olivine–clinopyroxene-phyric basalt and differ from the lower basalt flows that contain phenocrysts of olivine and plagioclase, with or without clinopyroxene. The depleted chrome-spinel composition and olivine–clinopyroxene phenocryst assemblage in the surface sheet flows suggests a slight contribution of water for magma generation not present for the lower basalt flows. Considering the lithological difference between the backarc and forearc oceanic crust in the Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc, with sheet flow dominant in the former, seafloor spreading occurred faster in the later stage of subduction initiation.     

Seismic Wavefields in the Deep Seafloor Area from a Submarine Landslide Source

We use the finite difference method to simulate seismic wavefields at broadband land and seafloor stations for a given terrestrial landslide source, where the seafloor stations are located at water depths of 1,900–4,300 m. Our simulation results for the landslide source explain observations well at the seafloor stations for a frequency range of 0.05–0.1 Hz. Assuming the epicenter to be located in the vicinity of a large submarine slump, we also model wavefields at the stations for a submarine landslide source. We detect propagation of the Airy phase with an apparent velocity of 0.7 km/s in association with the seawater layer and an accretionary prism for the vertical component of waveforms at the seafloor stations. This later phase is not detected when the structural model does not consider seawater. For the model incorporating the seawater, the amplitude of the vertical component at seafloor stations can be up to four times that for the model that excludes seawater; we attribute this to the effects of the seawater layer on the wavefields. We also find that the amplification of the waveform depends not only on the presence of the seawater layer but also on the thickness of the accretionary prism, indicating low amplitudes at the land stations and at seafloor stations located near the trough but high amplitudes at other stations, particularly those located above the thick prism off the trough. Ignoring these characteristic structures in the oceanic area and simply calculating the wavefields using the same structural model used for land areas would result in erroneous estimates of the size of the submarine landslide and the mechanisms underlying its generation. Our results highlight the importance of adopting a structural model that incorporates the 3D accretionary prism and seawater layer into the simulation in order to precisely evaluate seismic wavefields in seafloor areas.     

Local Tsunamis and Distributed Slip at the Source

—Variations in the local tsunami wave field are examined in relation to heterogeneous slip distributions that are characteristic of many shallow subduction zone earthquakes. Assumptions inherent in calculating the coseismic vertical displacement field that defines the initial condition for tsunami propagation are examined. By comparing the seafloor displacement from uniform slip to that from an ideal static crack, we demonstrate that dip-directed slip variations significantly affect the initial cross-sectional wave profile. Because of the hydrodynamic stability of tsunami wave forms, these effects directly impact estimates of maximum runup from the local tsunami. In most cases, an assumption of uniform slip in the dip direction significantly underestimates the maximum amplitude and leading wave steepness of the local tsunami. Whereas dip-directed slip variations affect the initial wave profile, strike-directed slip variations result in wavefront-parallel changes in amplitude that are largely preserved during propagation from the source region toward shore, owing to the effects of refraction. Tests of discretizing slip distributions indicate that small fault surface elements of dimensions similar to the source depth can acceptably approximate the vertical displacement field in comparison to continuous slip distributions. Crack models for tsunamis generated by shallow subduction zone earthquakes indicate that a rupture intersecting the free surface results in approximately twice the average slip. Therefore, the observation of higher slip associated with tsunami earthquakes relative to typical subduction zone earthquakes of the same magnitude suggests that tsunami earthquakes involve rupture of the seafloor, whereas rupture of deeper subduction zone earthquakes may be imbedded and not reach the seafloor.     

A geoelectric model for the area of the Tolbachik eruption (named after the 50 year anniverary of the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology)

We consider the methods and results of magnetotelluric sounding in the AMTS and MTS modifications. Audiomagnetotelluric sounding (AMTS) was carried out for the first time in the area of a recent Tolbachik eruption. The results from our analysis of the magnetotelluric parameters show that the geoelectric medium involving a regional fault can be fitted by a 2D inhomogeneous model. The longitudinal and transverse sounding curves were assumed as the leading elements for interpretation. A joint analysis of these curves and of pseudo-sections of impedance phases provides evidence of a geoelectric inhomogeneity in the area where the Naboko Vent is situated. A bimodal inversion of the AMTS curves yielded a geoelectric section that contains a conductive inhomogeneity that is possibly related to a fault that carried fluids up to the ground surface. Along with AMTS, we used MTS curves in a broader range to identify a crustal conductive anomaly at depths of 15–35 km. The data from AMTS, MTS, and other geological and geophysical information were used to develop a conceptual model for the area of study that characterizes a possible origin of the anomalous zones. We obtained approximate estimates of rock porosity in the fault zone that transported magma melts upward into the overlying rocks in the area of the Naboko Vent.     

Geochemical and lead isotope evidence for a mid-ocean ridge type mineralization within a polymetamorphic ophiolite complex (Monte del Forno, North Italy/Switzerland)

Major, trace element and Pb isotope investigations show the presence of a mid-ocean ridge-type mineralization within the polymetamorphic Monte del Forno Unit. Detailed analysis of the lithostratigraphy of the amphibolites demonstrates a close similarity to recent oceanic crust: a dyke zone at the bottom, a hydrothermally altered zone with a stockwork-type FeCuZn mineralization and a pillow zone at the top. Effects of hydrothermal seafloor alteration are restricted to an approximately 50 m thick horizon. Sulfide mineralization is accompanied by Ca and Sr depletion and Mn and minor Na and Mg enrichments. Mineralogically the horizon distinguishes itself from the unmineralized amphibolites by the presence of chlorite and contact metamorphic magnesio-cummingtonite. The chemical imprint of the hydrothermal seafloor alteration survived a regional greenschist and an upper amphibolite facies contact metamorphism.

The MORB signature of the Pb isotopes is preserved in the central parts of the approximately 300 m thick amphibolite sequence. During the regional greenschist facies metamorphism the isotope characteristics of the amphibolites were almost completely changed at the contact to the metasediments. The contact metamorphism of the Bregaglia Intrusion produced no obvious Pb contamination even within amphibolite xenoliths in the granodiorite.     

Bubble populations and acoustic interaction with the gassy floor of Eckernförde Bay

Anomalies in data taken with acoustic profiling systems often have been interpreted as indications of the widespread occurrence of free gas (gaseous state compounds) in the continental margins of the world’s oceans. Direct demonstration of the correlation between seafloor free gas and such acoustic anomalies has been rare. Interpretations have relied on occasional measurements of gas concentration in recovered seafloor samples, indirect indicators of in situ seafloor free gas and presumed analogous dynamic response of bubbles in sediments to the response of gas bubbles in water. Here, examples are provided of the measurement of free gas bubbles under in situ conditions for samples from the floor of Eckernförde Bay on the Baltic coast of Germany. The occurrence of this population of sediment gas bubbles has been related to the measured acoustic response of the region’s seafloor via model calculations. Indications of volume scattering of the acoustic energy by bubbles in a buried gassy layer are contrasted with evidence of possible gas bubble returns from a thin surficial gassy zone.     

Inversion of Scholte wave dispersion and waveform modeling for shallow structure of the Ninetyeast Ridge

The construction of S-wave velocity models of marine sediments down to hundreds of meters below the seafloor is important in a number of disciplines. One of the most significant trends in marine geophysics is to use interface waves to estimate shallow shear velocities which play an important role in determining the shallow crustal structure. In marine settings, the waves trapped near the fluid–solid interface are called Scholte waves, and this is the subject of the study. In 1998, there were experiments on the Ninetyeast Ridge (Central Indian Ocean) to study the shallow seismic structure at the drilled site. The data were acquired by both ocean bottom seismometer and ocean bottom hydrophone. A new type of seafloor implosion sources has been used in this experiment, which successfully excited fast and high frequency (>500 Hz) body waves and slow, intermediate frequency (<20 Hz) Scholte waves. The fundamental and first higher mode Scholte waves have both been excited by the implosion source. Here, the Scholte waves are investigated with a full waveform modeling and a group velocity inversion approach. Shear wave velocities for the uppermost layers of the region are inferred and results from the different methods are compared. We find that the full waveform modeling is important to understand the intrinsic attenuation of the Scholte waves between 1 and 20 Hz. The modeling shows that the S-wave velocity varies from 195 to 350 m/s in the first 16 m of the uppermost layer. Depths levels of high S-wave impedance contrasts compare well to the layer depth derived from a P-wave analysis as well as from drilling data. As expected, the P- to S-wave velocity ratio is very high in the uppermost 16 m of the seafloor and the Poisson ratio is nearly 0.5. Depth levels of high S-wave impedance contrasts are comparable to the layer depth derived from drilling data.     

BSR热流的三维地貌校正和流体汇聚探测(英文)

从天然气水合物稳定区底界的地震似海底反射BSR(Bottom Simulating Reflector)深度计算得到的BSR热流包含了海底地貌(热流在凹地型会聚,在凸地形发散)和增生楔内部流体活动的影响。从BSR热流中移除地貌效应的贡献就能揭示出流体是否发生了汇聚。在难以使用解析方法计算地貌效应的复杂海底区域,三维有限元方法可以高精度的模拟地貌对背景热流的影响,从而可以对BSR热流进行地貌效应校正,得到平坦地形条件下的BSR热流,并进一步通过与背景热流值的对比,识别目前仪器所不能探测的流体汇聚区。在北卡斯卡底(Cascadia)俯冲边缘陆坡中部的研究区应用该方法,显示黄瓜岭(Cucumber Ridge)高地及其周围的海底热流正异常显著(高出背景热流值10-20%),同时这些区域在地震成像上与海底的裂隙系统相对应,指示了流体沿着这些高渗透率通道进行汇聚,并且很可能导致较高的水合物富集度。     

琼东南盆地天然气水合物及其成藏模式的海洋可控源电磁研究

南海琼东南盆地是天然气水合物重要远景区之一.由于盆地大部分地区海底地形平缓、地层近于水平,增加了利用地震反射剖面识别似海底反射（BSR,bottom simulating reflector）的难度,从而影响了对水合物的评价.为了进一步开展琼东南盆地水合物调查研究,本文在研究海域进行了海洋可控源电磁探测试验,将自主研发的10台接收机以500 m的间距,投放至水深约为1360 m的海底,完成了一条4.5 km剖面的电磁数据采集.通过对采集的数据进行处理与二维（2D）反演,获得了研究剖面海底的电阻率断面图.反演结果显示,研究区海底60~330 mbsf（meter bottom of seafloor）的地层中,存在多个横向不连续分布的高阻异常体,电阻率介于2~10 Ωm之间;在海底330 mbsf之下,横向上发育了电阻率为2~4 Ωm的3个高阻体.根据研究区热力学条件,本文估算了生物成因气与热成因天然气的水合物稳定带（GHSZ,gas hydrate stability zone）厚度,结合高阻体的分布特征推断了地震剖面上BSR的位置.在此基础上,对反演的电阻率断面进行解释,推断了研究区水合物的分布及游离气运移通道.研究表明,勘探区具有形成天然气水合物矿藏的地质与地球物理条件,其成藏模式可能属于"断层、裂隙输导的下生上储型",水合物的气源为生物成因气.     

Heat flow on the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge

Twenty-four heat flow measurements are clustered in 5–20 m.y. and 60–80 m.y. old seafloor on the crest and northern flank of the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge. The crestal heat flow stations are characterized by (1) low mean heat flow relative to that predicted by theoretical models, (2) thin sediment cover, and (3) high ratio of standard deviation to mean heat flow, all of which indicate a system dominated by convective heat transfer. The measurements made on older seafloor of the northern flank have (1) mean heat flow equal to the theoretical predictions of conductively-cooling lithospheric plate models, (2) thick sediment cover, and (3) low ratio of standard deviation to mean heat flow. Thus convective loss associated with hydrothermal circulation is not considered to be important in 60–80 m.y. old seafloor on the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge. The pattern of heat flow on this ridge is thus similar to that in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans: hydrothermal circulation is dominant on the ridge crest but is suppressed on the flanks, possibly due to a difference in the hydraulic admittance of the sediment between the two regions.     

南海北部琼东南海域活动冷泉特征及形成模式

近年来,活动冷泉的研究越来越受到关注.本文利用多波束数据、多道地震数据以及底质取样结果研究琼东南海域活动冷泉系统,分析活动冷泉的羽状流特征、海底地貌与底质特征以及流体活动构造特征.多波束水体数据上,观测到多个延伸高度超过750 m的气泡羽状流,海底流体活动非常强烈;多道地震上识别出麻坑、流体运移通道、气烟囱等流体渗漏相关的构造,与其他海域观测到的反射特征不同,羽状流的下方流体运移通道呈强振幅"串珠"反射;重力活塞取样在两个站位上获得浅表层块状天然气水合物.其中一个站位位于活动冷泉附近,天然气水合物赋存于海底以下8 m左右.基于以上三方面的数据,笔者提出了一个用于描述活动冷泉系统的形成模式,游离气通过气烟囱向上运移到达浅层,一部分在天然气水合物稳定带内形成天然气水合物,另一部分穿透天然气水合物稳定带到达海底,形成活动冷泉的羽状流.     

A fundamental dual‐zone continuum theory for dynamic soil–structure interaction

A continuum theory for an improved characterization of dynamic soil–structure interaction in the framework of three‐dimensional elastodynamics is presented. Effective in demonstrating the importance of integrating free‐field and near‐field effects under general soil and foundation conditions, a compact two‐zone delineation of the soil medium is proposed as a quintessential mechanics perspective for this class of problems. Sufficient to deliver a practical resolution of some perennial analytical and experimental conflicts, a fundamental formulation commensurate to a gradated unification of the homogenization approach and any sole free‐field inhomogeneous representation is developed and implemented computationally. Specialized to the problem of a rigid circular footing on sand, a nominal set of dynamic contact stress distributions and related impedance functions by the dual‐zone theory is included for theoretical and engineering evaluation. Through its comparison with benchmark analytical solutions and relevant physical measurements, the usage of the underlying conceptual platform as an advanced yet practical foundation for general dynamic soil–structure interaction is illustrated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

波形曲线特征在天然气水合物资源量研究中的地质意义

地震反射波形特征对判断地层中是否存在天然气水合物及其下伏游离气层具有重要指示意义。BSR波形极性与海底反射相反,它大致代表含水合物层的底界;当地层中富含水合物及下伏游离气时,其波形特征亦有明显的反映,据此可推断水合物成矿带顶界和游离气层底界的大致位置。     

Trans‐dimensional Bayesian inversion of controlled‐source electromagnetic data in the German North Sea

This paper presents the first controlled‐source electromagnetic survey carried out in the German North Sea with a recently developed seafloor‐towed electrical dipole–dipole system, i.e., HYDRA II. Controlled‐source electromagnetic data are measured, processed, and inverted in the time domain to estimate an electrical resistivity model of the sub‐seafloor. The controlled‐source electromagnetic survey targeted a shallow, phase‐reversed, seismic reflector, which potentially indicates free gas. To compare the resistivity model to reflection seismic data and draw a combined interpretation, we apply a trans‐dimensional Bayesian inversion that estimates model parameters and uncertainties, and samples probabilistically over the number of layers of the resistivity model. The controlled‐source electromagnetic data errors show time‐varying correlations, and we therefore apply a non‐Toeplitz data covariance matrix in the inversion that is estimated from residual analysis. The geological interpretation drawn from controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion results and borehole and reflection seismic data yield resistivities of ～1 Ωm at the seafloor, which are typical for fine‐grained marine deposits, whereas resistivities below ～20 mbsf increase to 2–4 Ωm and can be related to a transition from fine‐grained (Holocene age) to unsorted, coarse‐grained, and compacted glacial sediments (Pleistocene age). Interface depths from controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion generally match the seismic reflector related to the contrast between the different depositional environments. Resistivities decrease again at greater depths to ～1 Ωm with a minimum resistivity at ～300 mbsf where a seismic reflector (that marks a major flooding surface of late Miocene age) correlates with an increased gamma‐ray count, indicating an increased amount of fine‐grained sediments. We suggest that the grain size may have a major impact on the electrical resistivity of the sediment with lower resistivities for fine‐grained sediments. Concerning the phase‐reversed seismic reflector that was targeted by the survey, controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion results yield no indication for free gas below it as resistivities are generally elevated above the reflector. We suggest that the elevated resistivities are caused by an overall decrease in porosity in the glacial sediments and that the seismic reflector could be caused by an impedance contrast at a thin low‐velocity layer. Controlled‐source electromagnetic interface depths near the reflector are quite uncertain and variable. We conclude that the seismic interface cannot be resolved with the controlled‐source electromagnetic data, but the thickness of the corresponding resistive layer follows the trend of the reflector that is inclined towards the west.     

The marine controlled source electromagnetic response of a steel borehole casing: applications for the NEPTUNE Canada gas hydrate observatory

Gas hydrates are a potential energy resource, a possible factor in climate change and an exploration geohazard. The University of Toronto has deployed a permanent seafloor time‐domain controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) system offshore Vancouver Island, within the framework of the NEPTUNE Canada underwater cabled observatory. Hydrates are known to be present in the area and due to their electrically resistive nature can be monitored by 5 permanent electric field receivers. However, two cased boreholes may be drilled near the CSEM site in the near future. To understand any potential distortions of the electric fields due to the metal, we model the marine electromagnetic response of a conductive steel borehole casing. First, we consider the commonly used canonical model consisting of a 100 Ωm, 100 m thick resistive hydrocarbon layer embedded at a depth of 1000 m in a 1 Ωm conductive host medium, with the addition of a typical steel production casing extending from the seafloor to the resistive zone. Results show that in both the frequency and time domains the distortion produced by the casing occurs at smaller transmitter‐receiver offsets than the offsets required to detect the resistive layer. Second, we consider the experimentally determined model of the offshore Vancouver Island hydrate zone, consisting of a 5.5 Ωm, 36 m thick hydrate layer overlying a 0.7 Ωm sedimentary half‐space, with the addition of two borehole casings extending 300 m into the seafloor. In this case, results show that the distortion produced by casings located within a 100 m safety zone of the CSEM system will be measured at 4 of the 5 receivers. We conclude that the boreholes must be positioned at least 200 m away from the CSEM array so as to minimize the effects of the casings.