Erosion-accumulative activity of the bottom currents on the continental rise of Brazil

Several high-resolution “SES 2000 deep” seismic profiles and a core of bottom sediments were obtained in cruises 33, 35, and 37 of the R/V Akademik Ioffe in the area of the Columbia channel (continental rise of Brazil, South America). The analysis of seismic facies and direct correlation of acoustic and lithological data indicates that sedimentation in this area is mostly controlled by the contour current of the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). The gravity flows from seamounts and continental slope only episodically contributed coarser material to the deposition of the muddy contourites. The mixed gravitite-contourite systems consisting of accumulative bodies (drifts) and erosion channels are the results of interaction of these sedimentation processes.     

Control of active faults and sea level changes on the distribution of shallow gas accumulations and gas-related seismic structures along the central branch of the North Anatolian Fault,southern Marmara shelf,Turkey

Detailed reviews of multichannel seismic reflection, sparker, chirp and multibeam data that were collected on the southern Marmara Sea shelf revealed various shallow gas indicators and related sedimentary structures, including enhanced reflections, seismic chimneys, acoustic blanking, bright spots, pockmarks, mound-like features and seeps. Seismic attribute analyses were applied to characterise the existence of gas-bearing sediments. The distribution of shallow gas indicators provides important insights into their origin and the geological factors that control them. Prominent gas accumulations and seeps are observed along the profiles that cross the branches of the central segment of the North Anatolian Fault Zone, which indicates that the gas seeps are controlled by active faulting. This indicates that the faults act as conduits through the sedimentary column. The dense occurrences of gas directly off the river mouths along the shallow bays provide clues about the organic-rich carbon content of the sediments and biogenic methane generation. In some areas, the gas-related acoustic anomalies are mostly located in the upper sediments below the marine unit, which indicates that the gas emissions in these areas were terminated as a result of the increased overburden pressure after the Holocene sea level rise and the deposition of the marine unit.     

The deep thermal field of the Glueckstadt Graben

With this paper, we assess the present-day conductive thermal field of the Glueckstadt Graben in NW Germany that is characterized by large salt walls and diapirs structuring the graben fill. We use a finite element method to calculate the 3D steady-state conductive thermal field based on a lithosphere-scale 3D structural model that resolves the first-order structural characteristics of the graben and its underlying lithosphere. Model predictions are validated against measured temperatures in six deep wells. Our investigations show that the interaction of thickness distributions and thermal rock properties of the different geological layers is of major importance for the distribution of temperatures in the deep subsurface of the Glueckstadt Graben. However, the local temperatures may result from the superposed effects of different controlling factors. Especially, the upper sedimentary part of the model exhibits huge lateral temperature variations, which correlate spatially with the shape of the thermally highly conductive Permian salt layer. Variations in thickness and geometry of the salt cause two major effects, which provoke considerable lateral temperature variations for a given depth. (1) The “chimney effect” causes more efficient heat transport within salt diapirs. As a consequence positive thermal anomalies develop in the upper part and above salt structures, where the latter are covered by much less conductive sediments. In contrast, negative thermal anomalies are noticeable underneath salt structures. (2) The “thermal blanketing effect” is caused by thermally low conductive sediments that provoke the local storage of heat where these insulating sediments are present. The latter effect leads to both local and regional thermal anomalies. Locally, this translates to higher temperatures where salt margin synclines are filled with thick insulating clastic sediments. For the regional anomalies the cumulative insulating effects of the entire sediment fill results in a long-wavelength variation of temperatures in response to heat refraction effects caused by the contrast between insulating sediments and highly conductive crystalline crust. Finally, the longest wavelength of temperature variations is caused by the depth position of the isothermal lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary defining the regional variations of the overall geothermal gradient. We find that a conductive thermal model predicts observed temperatures reasonably well for five of the six available wells, whereas the steady-state conductive approach appears not to be valid for the sixth well.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112000849

New methods are presented for processing and interpretation of shallow marine differential magnetic data,including constructing maps of offshore total magnetic anomalies with an extremely high resolution of up to 1-2 nT,mapping weak anomalies of 5-10 nT caused by mineralization effects at the contacts of hydrocarbons with host rocks,estimating depths to upper and lower boundaries of anomalous magnetic sources,and estimating thickness of magnetic layers and boundaries of tectonic blocks. Horizontal dimensions of tectonic blocks in the so-called "seismic gap" region in the central Kuril Arc vary from 10 to 100 km,with typical dimensions of 25-30 km.The area of the "seismic gap" is a zone of intense tectonic activity and recent volcanism.Deep sources causing magnetic anomalies in the area are similar to the "magnetic belt" near Hokkaido. In the southern and central parts of Barents Sea,tectonic blocks with widths of 30-100 km,and upper and lower boundaries of magnetic layers ranging from depths of 10 to 5 km and 18 to 30 km are calculated.Models of the magnetic layer underlying the Mezen Basin in an inland part of the White Sea-Barents Sea paleorift indicate depths to the lower boundary of the layer of 12-30 km.Weak local magnetic anomalies of 2-5 nT in the northern and central Caspian Sea were identified using the new methods,and drilling confirms that the anomalies are related to concentrations of hydrocarbon.Two layers causing magnetic anomalies are identified in the northern Caspian Sea from magnetic anomaly spectra.The upper layer lies immediately beneath the sea bottom and the lower layer occurs at depths between 30-40 m and 150-200 m.     

南海北部天然气水合物富集特征及定量评价

为寻找有资源前景的高富集天然气水合物及水合物储层的精细刻画方法,利用南海6次钻探发现的高饱和度水合物层的测井、岩心和三维地震数据,分析水合物富集层测井与地震异常特征.发现:（1）不同饱和度的孔隙与裂隙充填型水合物层的测井和地震异常不同,裂隙充填型水合物层具有各向异性;（2）受高通量流体运移的影响,在粉砂沉积物的水合物稳定带底界附近能形成中等饱和度的水合物层,识别标志为稳定带内极性与海底一致的强振幅反射,而非BSR和振幅空白;（3）裂隙充填型中等饱和度水合物层在地震剖面上表现为地层上拱和弱-中等强度振幅反射.储层-疏导-气源的耦合控制着水合物的富集特征和分布,断层与流体运移控制着细粒粉砂质沉积物中水合物的富集与厚度.基于饱和度岩相的统计学反演,能识别3 m非水合物和低饱和度水合物层及空间分布.      

Acoustic evidence for shallow gas accumulations in the sediments of the Eastern Black Sea*

ABSTRACT The Black Sea contains immense gas accumulations. Exploration of gas accumulations is geologically and economically important because migration of methane in sediments may cause massive slope failures and the methane seeps may indicate deeper hydrocarbon reservoirs. Human activity both in and on the seafloor (oil industry) and natural activity (earthquakes, cyclones) trigger mechanisms for seafloor failure and gas release that may have a local and possibly global environmental impact. Recently, sonar and high‐resolution seismic surveys were carried out to obtain information about the effects of gas and gas‐filled sediments throughout the Turkish margin of the Eastern Black Sea, and shallow gas was detected on the subbottom profiler records. It continues about 25–65 m below the sea floor and is marked by bright and cloudy spots, sometimes pockmarks and acoustic voids. The lower section of the Turkish shelf is an extensive pockmarked plateau. The pockmarks are seen as circular structures with high backscattering on the sonar records.     

Sedimentary architecture and growth pattern of turbidite systems in distal part of a median fan; example of the Upper Miocene sedimentary sequence of the Lower Congo basin

The understanding of deep-water turbidite systems implies a preliminary detailed analysis of the architectural elements which compose them. Using 3D seismic data, three architectural elements are recognized including a new one: the “meandering erosional nested channels”. The spatial organisation and the relative stratigraphic position of these “elementary bricks” allow to define four stages which form the sedimentary history of the distal part of a upper Miocene turbidite system of the Lower Congo basin: 1, depositional stage with frontal splay development; 2, erosional channel and prograding system; 3, depositional stage with vertical aggradation of the channel and 4, abandonment phase with channel avulsion.     

松散沉积物中天然气水合物生成、分解过程与声学特性的实验研究

为了解松散沉积物中天然气水合物的生成和分解规律以及水合物对沉积物声学特性的影响,在粒径为0.18~0.28mm天然沙中进行了甲烷水合物的生成和分解实验,并利用超声波探测技术和时域反射技术实时测量了反应体系的声学参数与含水量。结果表明:根据水合物的生成和分解速率,可将水合物的生成过程分为初始生长期、快速生长期和稳定期3个阶段,分解过程可分为初始分解期和样品表层水合物快速分解期以及样品内、外层水合物均快速分解期3个阶段;由温度和压力数据的分析,得出水合物先在沉积物表层生长,然后在沉积物内、外层迅速生成;由水合物分解过程3个阶段的平均分解率,得出水合物的分解是一个由慢到快的过程。对声学参数的研究表明:水合物在松散沉积物中先胶结骨架颗粒而生成,使纵波速度和声波衰减在饱和度0~1%之间陡然增大;随后水合物开始在沉积物孔隙中形成悬浮粒子,造成超声波信号在饱和度1%~90%间淬熄,声波速度无法获取。研究结果在揭示沉积物中水合物与颗粒间接触机制的同时,为海上地球物理勘探中地震信号的解释提供了新的思路。     

New high-resolution 2D seismic imaging of fluid escape structures in the Makran subduction zone,Arabian Sea

Seabed fluid escape is active in the Makran subduction zone, Arabian Sea. Based on the new high-resolution 2D seismic data, acoustic blanking zones and seafloor mounds are identified. Acoustic blanking zones include three kinds of geometries: Bell-shaped, vertically columnar and tilted zones. The bell-shaped blanking zone is characterized by weak and discontinuous reflections in the interior and up-bending reflections on the top, interpreted as gas chimneys. Vertically columnar blanking zone is interpreted as side-imaged gas chimneys associated with focused fluid flow and topped by a seafloor anomaly expressed as a localized reflection discontinuity, which may together serve as a vent structure. Tilted acoustic blanking zone could be induced by accretionary thrust activity and rapid sedimentation surrounding slope. Seafloor mounds occur at the sites of bell-shaped acoustic blanking zone and may be associated with the material intrusion. Bottom simulating refectors (BSRs) are widely distributed and exhibit a series of characteristics including diminished amplitude, low continuity as well as local shoaling overlapping with these acoustic blanking zones. The large amount of gases dissociated from the gas hydrates migrated upwards and then arrived at the near-seafloor sediments, followed by the formation of the gas hydrates and hence the seafloor mound.     

Microseismic and acoustic emission effect on gas outburst hazard triggered by shock wave: a case study

It has a significant and practical meaning for warning precisely gas outburst to reveal microseismic (MS) and acoustic emission (AE) effect of gas outburst precursor. It was thoroughly investigated and discussed on MS and AE effect on an abnormal gas outburst triggered by a strong rockburst using MS- and AE-monitoring systems through spectral analysis technique. We obtained main conclusions are as: (1) MS amplitude prominently decreased prior to outburst, the spectrum significantly moved from extremely low-frequency to high-frequency band, and evolved from “single-peak type” (the center frequency was about 1.5–3.5 Hz) to “multi-peak type” (the peak frequencies were about 25, 50, 75 and 125 Hz, respectively). (2) During the initiative stage of outburst, MS spectrum manifested the broadband distribution, and the predominant frequency was about 20–35 Hz. The high-frequency portion was generated by micro-cracks, and the low-frequency part attributed to macro-fracture for gas outburst channel. (3) The rockburst stimulated micro-fissures formation for gas emission channels, and maintained the event count of MS and AE signals in a relatively higher level, which is a major discrepancy to the common belief that both the total energy and event count should simultaneously and suddenly reduce to the lowest value in a non-outburst coal seam.     

Seismic stratigraphy based chronostratigraphy (SSBC) of the Serbian Banat region of the Pannonian Basin

Seismic stratigraphy based chronostratigraphic (SSBC) analysis of the Serbian Banat region allows the delineation of the spatial and stratigraphic relationships of the generally regressive and shallowing upward Neogene depositional fill of a tectonically unstable central portion of the Pannonian Basin. When geometrically restored in time and space, the sediment dispersal directions, sediment source directions, types of sedimentation breaks and the tectonic events influencing basin evolution can be delineated. For such an analysis the time-transgressive lithostratigraphic units used in the neighbouring Hungarian part of the Pannonian Basin are conveniently introduced based upon their characteristic seismic facies and constrained borehole log records as mappable seismic stratigraphic sequence units, termed “seismic operational sequences”. The respective Neogene stage and operational sequence equivalents (Hungarian lithostratigraphic units or formations) are the Middle Miocene (Badenian, Sarmatian), Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene (Pannonian-Endrod and Szolnok Formations; Pontian- Algyo and Ujfalu Formations and Lower Pliocene- Zagyva Formation) and Upper Pliocene-Quaternary (Nagyalfold Formation). SSBC analysis greatly assists in the geological constraint or “geovalidation” of interpreted seismic stratigraphic relationships and provides potentially critical insight into stratigraphic and structural problems of non-unique interpretations. In the specific case, using such an approach on previously unpublished regional seismic lines, SSBC analysis reveals that the Banat region has undergone structural inversion. This may be related to changes in local stress directions along strike slip faults, which initiated in earliest Late Miocene (Endrod Formation), culminating in the reverse tilting and incipient shortening of the western graben. Therefore during the time interval that the Badenian through Endrod sediments were deposited in the graben, autocyclic progradation initiated from the Kikinda Szeged High in the East followed by Szolnok, Algyo, Ujfalu and younger units prograding from the West as the central high uplifted relative to the graben. Such tectonic inversion has substantial hydrocarbon potential implications for exploration in the region.     

Sedimentation on the Ionian active margin (Hellenic arc) — Provenance of sediments and mechanisms of deposition

Lithological, sedimentological, mineralogical and faunal analyses of twenty cores from the western Peloponnesus margin and adjacent Matapan Trench permit the origin of the sediments and the processes of sedimentation to be defined in some detail.Except for the ash layers derived from the Ischian Province, the major part of the sediment is local in origin (Peloponnesus). Analyses of heavy, light and clay minerals enable three main provinces to be distinguished. Each of these provinces includes one or more slope basins and a portion of trench, without lateral connection between them and mixing of inputs.The diversity and complexity of sedimentary structures, the granulometric characters, the mixed fauna (molluscs and ostracods) and the variability of rates of sedimentation all testify to the prevalence of reworking phenomena and gravitative processes.These data confirm and elaborate on the model of sedimentation deduced from seismic studies in which sediments are successively trapped, released by the slope basins and transferred via channels and canyons towards the underlying trench basins. This “cascade feeding” appears characteristics of this subductive sedimentary environment.     

Stratigraphische und tektonische Verknüpfungen kontinentaler Sedimente des Neogens im Ägäis-Raum

Research carried out on lacustrine Gastropods of Neogene age from sediments of continental faciès (“molasse”) on some Aegean islands (Kos, Rhodes, Naxos, Eremonisia, Makares, Paros, Anaphi, Crete, Samos, Chios, Euboea) led to the conclusion that certain strata are much older than hitherto suggested. During Serravallian and Tortonian times limnic and fluviatile sediments must have been by far more widespread in the Aegean Region than earlier supposed. It can be shown furthermore that most of these older series of sediments south of the ?Medean Christalline Belt” and on the top of the ?Attic-Cycladic Complex” are allochthonous or parautochthonous. They obviously became involved in movements of the “Central” and “Western Hellenic Nappes” as defined byJacobshagen et al., 1978. Similar events in the Northern Apennines are known by the catchword “Loiano-Effect”. During Tortonian times decoupling occured within these nappe piles. Subunits consisting in part of Neogene strata, sometimes still connected to their ophiolitic basement, started to move separately into northern (Cyclades) or southern (Kos-Island) directions. A compounded nappe, in this paper called “Aegean Nappe”, consisting of parts of the “Pelagonian Nappe”, the “Ophiolite Nappe” and slices of the “molasse”-series emerged. Locally marine sediments of Lower to Middle Miocene age suggested to be autochthonous were overthrust or cut up in front of the moving nappe (Kos, Rhodes). On some islands of the Cyclades (Naxos, Paros, Eremonisia, Makares, Mykonos) remnants of the “Aegean Nappe” rest on top of the “Lower Unit” of the “Attic-Cycladic complex” as defined byAltherr et al., 1979, and are equivalent to the “Upper Unit” of authors. The paroxysm of those decouplings happened during the upper Tortonian (8–10 Ma); it presumably influenced sedimentary processes of that time on Crete. The view is taken that the movements of nappes were caused by local crustal rising and, hence, gravity controlled.     

Characteristic features of the occurrence of gas-fluid emanations on the northeastern slope of Sakhalin Island, Sea of Okhotsk

This paper summarizes the results of combined studies in the areas of the occurrence of gas-fluid emanations in the water column, on the seafloor, and in the upper part of the sedimentary section on the northeastern slope of Sakhalin Island (Sea of Okhotsk). The phenomena typical of methane seeps were characterized in detail: the presence of acoustic anomalies, high concentrations of methane in the water and sediments, and the specific features of the sedimentary section (the textural and structural features, the character of the mineral inclusions and gas hydrates, and the chemical composition). The component composition of the gases (including the accompanying gas hydrates), which is almost free of heavy hydrocarbon homologues of methane; the light carbon isotopic compositions of the methane and carbonate concretions; and the low temperatures of the near-bottom water and sediments suggest that the occurrence of numerous methane emanations is related to gas generation in the upper part of the sedimentary sequence. No evidence was found for the existence of a deep center of gas formation within the seafloor area considered. Typical submarine mud volcanic edifices were also not found.     

Palaeobathymetric model of the Upper Senonian Flysch sediments of a part of the Silesian Basin (Polish Carpathians)

The occurrence of redeposited sediments and foraminiferids within the Upper Senonian deposits of the Silesian Unit (Northern Carpathians) have allowed a reconstruction of a part of the southern slope of the Silesian Basin. Three main zones have been established with specific sediments and associations of foraminiferids; basin plain, slope and upper slope-shelf which correspond to part of the “Recurvoides” and “Marssonella” associations sensu Haig (1979). Nine species of Foraminiferida from the uppermost associations are described.     

Obtaining isochrones from pollution signals in a fluvial sediment record: A case study in a uranium-polluted floodplain of the Ploučnice River,Czech Republic

Uranium mining and processing in the watershed of the Ploučnice River in the Czech Republic during a well-defined time interval (1969–1989) allowed for a study of pollutant fates in sediments of a meandering river that is otherwise in a nearly natural state. A considerable part of the primary pollution is present in hotspots in the floodplain 10–15 km downstream from the mining district. One of the hotspots was characterised using geoinformatic, geophysical and geochemical means. The floodplain geomorphology and architecture and river channel dynamics were studied to develop an understanding of the formation of the hotspot and evaluate further movement of pollutants in the river system. Local background functions (with Rb or Ti as a predictor) and local enrichment factors (LEFs) were obtained for Ba, Ni, Pb, U and Zn concentrations in unpolluted sediments from the deeper strata of the active floodplain, an abandoned floodplain and an ancient terrace. The most recent (2013) overbank fines in the study area are still considerably enriched in Ni, U and Zn (LEF 3, 6 and 8, respectively), and thus pollution by heavy metals several km downstream of the hotspots continuously increases even though the primary source of pollution was terminated more than 20 years ago. The onset of the primary pollution (the base of the polluted strata) is hence clearly identified in the distal floodplain sediments as persistent and a potentially isochronous pollution signal in the fluvial record, whereas a secondary pollution signal overwrites the expected “primary pollution climax” and “pollution improvement” signals. That inertia of the fluvial system can also be expected in other river systems with both laterally and vertically deposited sediments. The Ploučnice case study allowed for further elaboration of the concept of local enrichment factors in pollution assessment of fluvial sediments, which efficiently reduces the grain-size effects (the impact of hydraulic sorting) and hence allows for reconstruction of the pollution history.     

Petrophysical Properties of Natural Gas Hydrates-Bearing Sands and Their Sedimentology in the Nankai Trough

Abstract. The Nankai Trough parallels the Japanese Island, where extensive BSRs have been interpreted from seismic reflection records. High resolution seismic surveys and drilling site-survey wells conducted by the MTI in 1997, 2001 and 2002 have revealed subsurface gas hydrate at a depth of about 290 mbsf (1235 mbsl) in the easternmost part of Nankai Trough. The MITI Nankai Trough wells were drilled in late 1999 and early 2000 to provide physical evidence for the existence of gas hydrate. During field operations, continuous LWD and wire-line well log data were obtained and numerous gas hydrate-bearing cores were recovered. Subsequence sedimentologic and geochemical analyses performed on the cores revealed important geologic controls on the formation and preservation of natural gas hydrate. This knowledge is crucial to predicting the location of other hydrate deposits and their eventual energy resource. Pore-space gas hydrates reside in sandy sediments from 205 to 268 mbsf mostly filling intergranular porosity. Pore waters chloride anomalies, core temperature depression and core observations on visible gas hydrates confirm the presence of pore-space hydrates within moderate to thick sand layers. Gas hydrate-bearing sandy strata typically were 10 cm to a meter thick. Gas hydrate saturations are typically between 60 and 90 % throughout most of the hydrate-dominant sand layers, which are estimated by well log analyses as well as pore water chloride anomalies.
It is necessary for evaluating subfurface fluid dlow behavious to know both porosity and permeability of gas hydrate-bearing sand to evaluate subsurface fluid flow behaviors. Sediment porosities and pore-size distributions were obtained by mercury porosimetry, which indicate that porosities of gas hydrate-bearing sandy strata are approximately 40 %. According to grain size distribution curves, gas hydrate is dominant in fine- to very fine-grained sandy strata.     

A modified rock physics model for analysis of seismic signatures of low gas-saturated rocks

In seismic applications, the bulk modulus of porous media saturated with liquid and gas phases is often estimated using Gassmann's fluid substitution formula, in which the effective bulk modulus of the two-phase fluid is the Reuss average of the gas and liquid bulk moduli. This averaging procedure, referred to as Wood's approximation, holds if the liquid and gas phases are homogeneously distributed within the pore space down to sizes well below the seismic wavelength and if the phase transfer processes between liquid and gas domains induced by the pressure variations of the seismic wave are negligible over the timescale of the wave period. Using existing theoretical results and low-frequency acoustic measurements in bubbly liquids, we argue that the latter assumption of “frozen” phases, valid for large enough frequencies, is likely to fail in the seismic frequency range where lower effective bulk modulus and velocity, together with dispersion and attenuation effects, are expected. We provide a simple method, which extends to reservoir fluids a classical result by Landau and Lifshitz valid for pure fluids, to compute the effective bulk modulus of thermodynamically equilibrated liquid and gas phases. For low gas saturation, this modulus is significantly lower than its Wood's counterpart, especially at the crossing of bubble point conditions. A seismic reflector associated to a phase transition between a monophasic and a two-phase fluid thus will appear. We discuss the consequences of these results for various seismic applications including fizz water discrimination and hydrocarbon reservoir depletion and CO₂ geological storage monitoring.     

Influence of Gas Hydrate on the Acoustic Properties of Sediment: A Comprehensive Review with a Focus on Experimental Measurements

In recent years, natural gas hydrate has attracted increasing attention worldwide as a potential alternative energy source due to its attributes of wide distribution, large reserves, and low carbon. Since the acoustic characteristics of hydrate-bearing reservoirs clearly differ from those of adjacent formations, an acoustic approach, using seismic and acoustic logging, is one of the most direct, effective and widely used methods among the identification and characterization techniques for hydrate reservoir exploration. This review of research on the influence of hydrate (content and distribution) on the acoustic properties (velocity and attenuation) of sediments in the past two decades includes experimental studies based on different hydrate formation methods and measurements, as well as rock physics models. The main problems in current research are also pointed out and future prospects discussed.     

Origin of the northern Indus Fan and Murray Ridge, Northern Arabian Sea: interpretation from seismic and magnetic imaging

The nature and origin of the sediments and crust of the Murray Ridge System and northern Indus Fan are discussed. The uppermost unit consists of Middle Miocene to recent channel–levee complexes typical of submarine fans. This unit is underlain by a second unit composed of hemipelagic to pelagic sediments deposited during the drift phase after the break-up of India–Seychelles–Africa. A predrift sequence of assumed Mesozoic age occurring only as observed above basement ridges is composed of highly consolidated rocks. Different types of the acoustic basement were detected, which reflection seismic pattern, magnetic anomalies and gravity field modeling indicate to be of continental character. The continental crust is extremely thinned in the northern Indus Fan, lacking a typical block-faulted structure. The Indian continent–ocean transition is marked on single MCS profiles by sequences of seaward-dipping reflectors (SDR). In the northwestern Arabian Sea, the Indian plate margin is characterized by several phases of volcanism and deformation revealed from interpretation of multichannel seismic profiles and magnetic anomalies. From this study, thinned continental crust spreads between the northern Murray Ridge System and India underneath the northern Indus Fan.