New seismo-stratigraphic and marine magnetic data of the Gulf of Pozzuoli (Naples Bay, Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy): inferences for the tectonic and magmatic events of the Phlegrean Fields volcanic complex (Campania)

A detailed reconstruction of the stratigraphic and tectonic setting of the Gulf of Pozzuoli (Naples Bay) is provided on the basis of newly acquired single channel seismic profiles coupled with already recorded marine magnetics gathering the volcanic nature of some seismic units. Inferences for the tectonic and magmatic setting of the Phlegrean Fields volcanic complex, a volcanic district surrounding the western part of the Gulf of Naples, where volcanism has been active since at least 50 ka, are also discussed. The Gulf of Pozzuoli represents the submerged border of the Phlegrean caldera, resulting from the volcano-tectonic collapse induced from the pyroclastic flow deposits of the Campanian Ignimbrite (35 ka). Several morpho-depositional units have been identified, i.e., the inner continental shelf, the central basin, the submerged volcanic banks and the outer continental shelf. The stratigraphic relationships between the Quaternary volcanic units related to the offshore caldera border and the overlying deposits of the Late Quaternary depositional sequence in the Gulf of Pozzuoli have been highlighted. Fourteen main seismic units, both volcanic and sedimentary, tectonically controlled due to contemporaneous folding and normal faulting have been revealed by geological interpretation. Volcanic dykes, characterized by acoustically transparent sub-vertical bodies, locally bounded by normal faults, testify to the magma uprising in correspondence with extensional structures. A large field of tuff cones interlayered with marine deposits off the island of Nisida, on the western rim of the gulf, is related to the emplacement of the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff deposits. A thick volcanic unit, exposed over a large area off the Capo Miseno volcanic edifice is connected with the Bacoli-Isola Pennata-Capo Miseno yellow tuffs, cropping out in the northern Phlegrean Fields.     

On the geologic structure of the Explora Escarpment (Weddell Sea,Antarctica) revealed by satellite and Shipboard data evaluation

Bathymetric, gravity, and magnetic data from Antarctic expeditions with RV POLARSTERN and satellite altimeter data from the Geosat Geodetic Mission are analysed using methods from geostatistics and geophysical inverse theory.The Explora Escarpment represents the edge between the Antarctic Continental Shelf and the Weddell Abyssal Plain. It is an important link in the reconstruction of Gondwana breakup, but a feature as large as the 2000 m deep Wegener Canyon was only discovered in 1984, when extensive bathymetric, gravimetric, and magnetic surveys with RV POLARSTERN began.Geostatistics, the theory of regionalized variables, is applied to integrate dense surveys of Wegener Canyon and sparse observations in adjacent areas into maps with full coverage of the 230 km by 330 km area at 10°–20° W/70°–72° S. The resultant highresolution bathymetric and gravity maps reveal detailed structures of the Explora Escarpment. Using geophysical inversion, the gravity terrain effect is calculated. Satellite data are used for their better coverage, but have much lower resolution. Nevertheless, the structures of Wegener Canyon and other more prominent features appear with surprisingly good correlation also in the Geosat altimeter data. While it was initially supposed that Wegener Canyon is purely an erosional structure, the magnetic map now provides evidence of the canyon's tectonic origin.     

胶州湾地磁场特征及其工程地质意义

通过对胶州湾进行大比例尺磁力测量,绘制了胶州湾磁力异常图。胶州湾磁异常呈以下特征：在胶州湾中北部为变化较平缓的正磁异常区,梯度变化较小。西部则是NW向条带状强磁变化异常区,磁异常正负变化剧烈,呈明显的条带状展布。胶州湾东北角磁异常则表现为团块状分布,并以正异常为主。南部表现为混合异常,上部(大致为胶州湾最中间地带)磁异常为近东西向条带状展布,而胶州湾南部基本呈NE向正负相间分布。上述磁异常现象表明,胶州湾的断裂构造比较发育,在NE向断裂构造大背景下,从磁异常分布图上可以清楚地判别出NW向及近东西向断裂分布,这些断裂对胶州湾的工程建设将产生不利的影响。     

Crustal Structures of the Northernmost South China Sea: Seismic Reflection and Gravity Modeling

The South China Sea (SCS) is a marginal sea off shore Southeast Asia. Based on magnetic study, oceanic crust has been suggested in the northernmost SCS. However, the crustal structure of the northernmost SCS was poorly known. To elaborate the crustal structures in the northernmost SCS and off southwest Taiwan, we have analyzed 20 multi-channel seismic profiles of the region. We have also performed gravity modeling to understand the Moho depth variation. The volcanic basement deepens southeastwards while the Moho depth shoals southeastwards. Except for the continental margin, the northernmost SCS can be divided into three tectonic regions: the disturbed and undisturbed oceanic crust (8–12 km thick) in the southwest, a trapped oceanic crust (8 km thick) between the Luzon-Ryukyu Transform Plate Boundary (LRTPB) and Formosa Canyon, and the area to the north of the Formosa Canyon which has the thickest sediments. Instead of faulting, the sediments across the LRTPB have only displayed differential subsidence offset of about 0.5–1 s in the northeast side, indicating that the LRTPB is no longer active. The gravity modeling has shown a relatively thin crust beneath the LRTPB, demonstrating the sheared zone character along the LRTPB. However, probably because of post-spreading volcanism, only the transtension-shearing phenomenon of volcanic basement in the northwest and southeast ends of the LRTPB can be observed. These two basement-fractured sites coincide with low gravity anomalies. Intensive erosion has prevailed over the whole channel of the Formosa Canyon.     

Validation of ERS-1 and High-Resolution Satellite Gravity with in-situ Shipborne Gravity over the Indian Offshore Regions: Accuracies and Implications to Subsurface Modeling

Geoid and gravity anomalies derived from satellite altimetry are gradually gaining importance in marine geoscientific investigations. Keeping this in mind, we have validated ERS-1 (168 day repeat) altimeter data and very high-resolution free-air gravity data sets generated from Seasat, Geosat GM, ERS-1 and TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeters data with in-situ shipborne gravity data of both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea regions for the purpose of determining the consistencies and deviations. The RMS errors between high resolution satellite and ship gravity data vary from 2.7 to 6.0 mGal, while with ERS-1 data base the errors are as high as 16.5 mGal. We also have generated high resolution satellite gravity maps of different regions over the Indian offshore, which eventually have become much more accurate in extracting finer geological structures like 85° E Ridge, Swatch of no ground, Bombay High in comparison with ERS-1satellite-derived gravity maps. Results from the signal processing related studies over two specific profiles in the eastern and western offshore also clearly show the advantage of high resolution satellite gravity compared to the ERS-1 derived gravity with reference to ship gravity data.     

胶州湾基岩类型与分布特征研究

基于钻孔岩心、浅层地震剖面和海洋磁力等资料,研究了胶州湾内海底基岩的类型、分布、埋深和工程力学性质等特征.结果表明,胶州湾基岩类型与相邻陆域基本一致,主要包括中生界莱阳群粗粒碎屑岩、青山群火山岩、王氏群细粒碎屑岩以及燕山晚期花岗岩类.各种类型基岩的分布大致是周边陆域基岩向海域的延伸,其中莱阳群分布在湾中西部;青山群分布较为分散,包括红岛以南、大沽河口外以及团岛和薛家岛之间的湾口地区;王氏群主要分布在湾北部和西部;花岗岩类分布在青岛-黄岛渡口一带和黄岛前湾.大部分区域基岩埋深在30 m以上,总体呈现东深西浅、南深北浅的格局.湾内基岩埋深变化特征表现出与陆地基岩的延续性,是构造和岩性等因素共同作用的结果,并影响了现今的湾底地貌形态.基岩的岩性和风化程度是决定其物理力学性质的主要因素.     

New data about the structure of the anomalous magnetic field in the central part of the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc

New data about the structure of the anomalous magnetic field in the central part of the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc were obtained during cruise 37 of R/V Akademik Lavrent’ev in 2005. In order to study the deep geological and tectonic structure of this seismically hazardous area, calculations of the depths of the sources of magnetic anomalies with the use of the method of space-frequency analysis of the field were carried out. Transformations of the magnetic field were executed and a part of the samples dredged were petromagnetically examined. An analysis of the data obtained suggests the mainly block-wise structure of the research area. The fracture zones that border the blocks were recognized; the width of the tectonic blocks varies from 10 to 100 km. The most typical extension of the blocks is 25–30 km. In the central part of the region, an extensive V-shaped zone of a negative anomalous field is distinguished together with conjugated intensive positive magnetic anomalies that represent the boundaries of a tentative zone of extension. At the flanks of this zone and on its central rise, areas of manifestations of volcanic activity are outlined.     

Investigation of Fethiye-Marmaris Bay (SW Anatolia): seismic and morphologic evidences from the missing link between the Pliny Trench and the Fethiye-Burdur Fault Zone

New (2009) multi-beam bathymetric and previously published seismic reflection data from the NE-SW-oriented Fethiye Bay and the neighboring N-S-oriented Marmaris Bay off SW Anatolia were evaluated in order to interpret the seafloor morphology in terms of the currently still active regional tectonic setting. This area lies between the Pliny Trench, which constitutes the eastern sector of the subduction zone between the African and Eurasian plates in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Fethiye-Burdur Fault Zone of the Anatolian Plate. The bathymetric data document the very narrow shelf of the Anatolian coast, a submarine plain between the island of Rhodes and Marmaris Bay, and a large canyon connecting the abyssal floor of the Rhodes Basin with Fethiye Bay. The latter are here referred to as the Marmaris Plain and Fethiye Canyon, respectively. Several active and inactive faults have been identified. Inactive faults (faults f1) delineate a buried basin beneath the Marmaris Plain, here referred to as the Marmaris Basin. Other faults that affect all stratigraphic units are interpreted as being active. Of these, the NE-SW-oriented Marmaris Fault Zone located on the Marmaris Plain is interpreted as a transtensional fault zone in the seismic and bathymetric data. The transtensional character of this fault zone and associated normal faults (faults f3) on the Marmaris Plain correlates well with the Fethiye-Burdur Fault Zone on land. Another important fault zone (f4) occurs along the Fethiye Canyon, forming the northeastern extension of the Pliny Trench. The transpressional character of faults f4 inferred from the seismic data is well correlated with the compressional structures along the Pliny Trench in the Rhodes Basin and its vicinity. These observations suggest that the Marmaris Fault Zone and faults f3 have evolved independently of faults f4. The evidence for this missing link between the Pliny Trench and the Fethiye-Burdur Fault Zone implies possible kinematic problems in this tectonic zone that deserve further detailed studies. Notably, several active channels and submarine landslides interpreted as having been triggered by ongoing faulting attest to substantial present-day sediment transport from the coast into the Rhodes Basin.     

A buried submarine canyon in the northwest South China Sea:architecture,development processes and implications for hydrocarbon exploration

High-resolution multichannel seismic data enables the discovery of a previous, undocumented submarine canyon(Huaguang Canyon) in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northwest South China Sea. The Huaguang Canyon with a NW orientation is 140 km in length, and 2.5 km to 5 km in width in its upper reach and 4.6 km to 9.5 km in width in its lower reach. The head of the Huaguang Canyon is close to the Xisha carbonate platform and its tail is adjacent to the central canyon. This buried submarine canyon is formed by gravity flows from the Xisha carbonate platform when the sea level dropped in the early stage of the late Miocene(～10.5 Ma). The internal architecture of the Huaguang Canyon is mainly characterized by high amplitude reflections, indicating that this ancient submarine canyon was filled with coarse-grained sediments. The sediment was principally scourced from the Xisha carbonate platform. In contrast to other buried large-scale submarine canyons(central canyon and Zhongjian Canyon) in the Qiongdongnan Basin, the Huaguang Canyon displays later formation time, smaller width and length, and single sediment supply. The coarse-grained deposits within Huaguang Canyon provide a good environment for reserving oil and gas, and the muddy fillings in Huaguang Canyon have been identified as regional caps. Therefore, Huaguang Canyon is potential area for future hydrocarbon exploration in the northwest South China Sea. Our results may contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of submarine canyons formed in carbonate environment.     

Magnetic signature of the Sicily Channel volcanism

Widespread Late Miocene to Quaternary volcanic activity is know to have occurred in the Sicily Channel continuing up to historical time. New magnetic anomaly data acquired in the Pantelleria Graben, one of the three main tectonic depressions forming the WNW-trending Sicily Channel rift system, integrated with available profiles, are used to identify and map volcanic bodies in this sector of the northern African margin. Some of these manifestations, both outcropping at the sea-floor or buried beneath a variable thickness of Plio-Quaternary sedimentary cover, have been imaged by seismic reflection profiles. Three main positive magnetic anomalies have been found: to the S–E of the Pantelleria Island, the largest emerged caldera of the Sicily Channel, along the eastern margin of the Nameless Bank, and at the north–western termination of the Linosa Graben. Only the anomaly located off the south–eastern coast of the Pantelleria Island, associated with a large outcropping body gradually buried beneath a substantially undisturbed Upper Pliocene-Quaternary sediments, aligns with the trend of the tectonic depression. 2-D geophysical models produced along seismic transects perpendicularly crossing the Pantelleria Graben have allowed to derive its deep crustal structure, and detect the presence of buried magmatic bodies which generate the anomalies. Marginal faults seem to have played a major role in focussing magma emplacement in this sector of the Sicily Channel. The other anomalies represent off-axis volcanic episodes and generally do not show evident magmatic manifestations at the sea-floor. These magnetic maxima seem to follow a NNE-SSW-trending belt extending from Linosa Island to the Nameless Bank, where pre-existing crustal anisotropies may have conditioned magma emplacement both at deep and shallow crustal levels. In general, data analysis has shown that there is a structural control on magma emplacement, with the major magmatic features located in specific locations like boundary faults and transfer zones, in a manner similar to that found along several segments of the East African Rift system.     

总磁异常△T与油气田火山岩展布研究

东海某油气田研究区分布有火山岩。鉴于火山岩具有磁性这一特征,基于总磁异常△T成果,采用总磁异常△T变倾角化极技术、小波多尺度分解技术,研究了火山岩在该区的展布与厚度。研究结果表明,具备必需的物性、磁性体分布规模等条件,在油气田开发中采用磁测成果研究磁性体展布是可行的。     

Marine magnetic anomalies off Ratnagiri,western continental shelf of India

Total magnetic intensity and bathymetric surveys were carried out in the offshore area of Ratnagiri on the western continental shelf of India and an isomagnetic anomalies map at a contour interval of 50 nT was prepared which reveals N-S trends of magnetic anomalies. Two-dimensional model and spectral studies of these anomalies were carried out, and subsurface models of the geology in the area have been derived from anomalies at a number of places. The results suggest that the anomalies occur over a magnetic crystalline basement at a depth of 1–1.2 km which is similar (in magnetization) to onshore basalts of northwest India. These anomalies are believed to be an expression of a considerable thickness (around 1.7 km) of basalt, underlain by sediments. Identification of these basalts in offshore areas along the northwestern continental shelf of India would support (1) the idea that the onshore Deccan basalts of western India and the rhyolitic tuffs at the Laccadive ridge system (DSDP Site 210) are related to the same volcanic events, and (2) subsequent downfaulting of onshore Deccan basalts into the Arabian Sea and submergence below the Tertiary sediments.     

The continental margin of Uruguay: Crustal architecture and segmentation

The Uruguayan continental margin comprises three sedimentary basins: the Punta del Este, Pelotas and Oriental del Plata basins, the genesis of which is related to the break-up of Gondwana and the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. Herein the continental margin of Uruguay is studied on the basis of 2D multichannel reflection seismic data, as well as gravity and magnetic surveys. As is typical of South Atlantic margins, the Uruguayan continental margin is of the volcanic rifted type. Large wedges of seaward-dipping reflectors (SDRs) are clearly recognizable in seismic sections. SDRs, flat-lying basalt flows, and a high-velocity lower crust (HVLC) form part of the transitional crust. The SDR sequence (subdivided into two wedges) has a maximum width of 85 km and is not continuous parallel to the margin, but is interrupted at the central portion of the Uruguayan margin. The oceanic crust is highly dissected by faults, which affect post-rift sediments. A depocenter over oceanic crust is reported (deepwater Pelotas Basin), and volcanic cones are observed in a few sections. The structure of continental crust-SDRs-flat flows-oceanic crust is reflected in the magnetic anomaly map. The positive free-air gravity anomaly is related to the shelf-break, while the most prominent positive magnetic anomaly is undoubtedly correlated to the landward edge of the SDR sequence. Given the attenuation, interruption and/or sinistral displacement of several features (most notably SDR sequence, magnetic anomalies and depocenters), we recognize a system of NW-SE trending transfer faults, here named Río de la Plata Transfer System (RPTS). Two tectono-structural segments separated by the RPTS can therefore be recognized in the Uruguayan continental margin: Segment I to the south and Segment II to the north.     

Tephra layers in Bannock Basin (Eastern Mediterranean)

Several volcanic ash layers were identified in cores collected in the Bannock Basin (Eastern Mediterranean) during cruises BAN-84, BAN-86 and BAN-88 of the R.V. Bannock. Lithological, microscopic, mineralogical and chemical analyses together with stratigraphic position help in identifying them as tephra layers Y-1, Y-5, X-2 and W-1 of Keller et al. (GSA Bull. 89, 1978).

Tephra layer Y-1 is stiff and usually deformed, and is black to very dark brown in colour. It is mainly composed of highly vesicular micropumice with dark brown and colourless limpid glass and it has a benmoritic chemical composition, which is typical of Mt. Etna material.

Tephra layer Y-5 is composed of soft, limpid vitric shards and subordinate micropumice ranging in composition from alkaliphonolitic trachyte to latite and may be correlated with the Campanian Ignimbrite eruption which occurred about 35,000 years ago in the Phlegrean Fields (the Campanian volcanic area in Italy).

Tephra layer X-2 is olive-grey in colour, and is composed of micropumice and glass shards with a chemical composition ranging from alkali-phonolitic trachyte to latite; its source is probably the Campanian volcanic area.

Tephra layer W-1 is dark grey and made up of micropumice and glass shards with a chemical composition ranging from tephrite-phonolite to alkali-phonolitic trachyte; its source is probably the Roman volcanic area in Italy.

The volcanic layers have been identified in cores of the basin sill, in the central bulge of the basin and on the basin flanks leading up to the “cobblestone topography” of the Mediterranean Ridge; they could not, however, be identified in any core raised from beneath the anoxic hypersaline brines.

Important volcanological results are: (a) an extension of the areal distribution of Y-1, X-2 and W-1, (b) correlation of Y-1 with the Biancavilla Ignimbrite of Mt. Etna dated in previous works at about 14,000 yrs B.P., and (c) determination of the bimodal chemical composition of Y-5 showing that the latter has a composition in accordance with that of the Campanian Ignimbrite in the Phlegrean Fields.     

胶州湾口海区磁力异常特征及构造解释

通过对胶州湾湾口海区磁力异常进行的定性和定量解释,并结合其它地质地球物理资料的综合分析认为,测区内存在1条NW向断裂、2条WNW向断裂及3条NE向断裂。其中NW向断裂(F3断裂)是1条新发现的断裂,属右旋断裂构造,并被多种中基性岩脉所填充。根据区内断裂构造的组合交切关系推定,F3断裂比沧口断裂活动时代要早,为非全新世活动断层。     

A buried submarine canyon in the northwestern South China Sea: architecture,development processes and implications for hydrocarbon exploration

High-resolution multichannel seismic data enables the discovery of a previous, undocumented submarine canyon(Huaguang Canyon) in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northwestern South China Sea. The Huaguang Canyon with a NW orientation is 140 km in length, and 2.5 km to 5 km in width in its upper reach and 4.6 km to 9.5 km in width in its lower reach. The head of the Huaguang Canyon is close to the Xisha carbonate platform and its tail is adjacent to the Central Canyon. This buried submarine canyon is formed by gravity flows from the Xisha carbonate platform when the sea level dropped in the early stage of the late Miocene(around 10.5 Ma). The internal architecture of the Huaguang Canyon is mainly characterized by high amplitude reflections, indicating that this ancient submarine canyon was filled with coarse-grained sediments. The sediment was principally scourced from the Xisha carbonate platform. In contrast to other buried large-scale submarine canyons(Central Canyon and Zhongjian Canyon) in the Qiongdongnan Basin, the Huaguang Canyon displays later formation time,smaller width and length, and single sediment supply. The coarse-grained deposits within the Huaguang Canyon provide a good environment for reserving oil and gas, and the muddy fillings in the Huaguang Canyon have been identified as regional caps. Therefore, the Huaguang Canyon is a potential area for future hydrocarbon exploration in the northwestern South China Sea. The result of this paper may contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of submarine canyons formed in carbonate environment.     

Bathymetric Map of the Gorda Plate: Structural and Geomorphological Processes Inferred from Multibeam Surveys

Full-coverage multibeam bathymetric maps of the southern section of the Juan de Fuca Plate, also known as the Gorda Plate, are presented. The bathymetric maps represent the compilation of multibeam surveys conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during the last 20 yrs, and illustrate the complex tectonic, volcanic, and geomorphologic features as well as the intense deformation occurring within this region. The bathymetric data have revealed several major, previously unmapped midplate faults. A series of gently curving faults are apparent in the Gorda Plate, with numerous faults offsetting the Gorda Plate seafloor. The multibeam surveys have also provided a detailed view of the intense deformation occurring within the Gorda Plate. A preliminary deformation model estimated from basement structure is discussed, where the southern part of the plate (south of ∼42°30′ N) seems to be deforming through a series of left-lateral strike-slip faults, while the northern section appears to be moving passively with the rest of the Juan de Fuca Plate. The bathymetry also demonstrates the Mendocino and Eel Canyons are prominent morphologic features in the northern California margin. These canyons are active depositional features with a large sediment fan present at the mouths of both the Mendocino and Eel canyons. The depositional lobes of these fan(s) are evident in the bathymetry, as are the turbidite channels that have deposited sediment along the fans over time. The Trinidad Canyon is readily evident in the margin morphology as well, with a large (∼10 km) plunge pool formed at the mouth of the canyon as it enters the Gorda Plate sediments. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

东海磁场及磁性基底特征

利用东海及邻域最新的磁力异常数据,分析东海的磁场特征,并利用该磁力数据计算东海的磁性基底界面,分析解释磁性界面的特征及地质特征。研究表明,从陆区、陆架盆地到冲绳海槽中部,磁力异常呈正负相间变化,最大值出现在福建沿海地区;磁性基底深度在4～11km之间变化。从冲绳海槽中部到琉球群岛,磁异常从正磁异常变为负磁异常;磁性基底深度为7～12km之间变化。从琉球弧前盆地到琉球海沟,磁力异常为正负相间变化,中部磁异常为负值,两侧异常为正值;磁性基底深度为7.5～11km之间变化。     

辽东湾北部浅海区海洋工程地质特征

通过对浅地层剖面仪、侧扫声纳和海底取样等实测资料的详细分析,揭示了辽东湾北部浅海区的自然地质状况和复杂的海洋工程地质特征。该海区海底地形地貌较为复杂,存在海底冲刷深槽、埋藏古河道、浅层气、潮流沙脊与潮沟、埋藏古陡坡、软弱土层及可能的砂土液化层等潜在灾害地质因素,对海上构筑物存在直接或潜在的危险性,应引起高度重视。