Crustal velocity structure off SW Taiwan in the northernmost South China Sea imaged from TAIGER OBS and MCS data

During TAiwan Integrated GEodynamics Research of 2009, we investigated data from thirty-seven ocean-bottom seismometers (OBS) and three multi-channel seismic (MCS) profiles across the deformation front in the northernmost South China Sea (SCS) off SW Taiwan. Initial velocity-interface models were built from horizon velocity analysis and pre-stack depth migration of MCS data. Subsequently, we used refracted, head-wave and reflected arrivals from OBS data to forward model and then invert the velocity-interface structures layer-by-layer. Based on OBS velocity models west of the deformation front, possible Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, revealed by large variation of the lateral velocity (3.1–4.8 km/s) and the thickness (5.0–10.0 km), below the rift-onset unconformity and above the continental crust extended southward to the NW limit of the continent–ocean boundary (COB). The interpreted Mesozoic sedimentary rocks NW of the COB and the oceanic layer 2 SE of the COB imaged from OBS and gravity data were incorporated into the overriding wedge below the deformation front because the transitional crust subducted beneath the overriding wedge of the southern Taiwan. East of the deformation front, the thickness of the overriding wedge (1.7–5.0 km/s) from the sea floor to the décollement decreases toward the WSW direction from 20.0 km off SW Taiwan to 8.0 km at the deformation front. In particular, near a turn in the orientation of the deformation front, the crustal thickness (7.0–12.0 km) is abruptly thinner and the free-air (?20 to 10 mGal) and Bouguer (30–50 mGal) gravity anomalies are relatively low due to plate warping from an ongoing transition from subduction to collision. West of the deformation front, intra-crustal interfaces dipping landward were observed owing to subduction of the extended continent toward the deformation front. However, the intra-crustal interface near the turn in the orientation of the deformation front dipping seaward caused by the transition from subduction to collision. SE of the COB, the oceanic crust, with a crustal thickness of about 10.0–17.0 km, was thickened due to late magmatic underplating or partially serpentinized mantle after SCS seafloor spreading. The thick oceanic crust may have subducted beneath the overriding wedge observed from the low anomalies of the free-air (?50 to ?20 mGal) and Bouguer (40–80 mGal) gravities across the deformation front.     

Estimating the diffuse attenuation coefficient from optically active constituents in UK marine waters

We report a study of the attenuation of submarine Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) in relation to the concentrations of Optically Active Constituents (OACs) in a range of water types around the United Kingdom. 408 locations were visited between August 2004 and December 2005. The diffuse attenuation coefficient (K_d) was estimated from profiles of downwelling PAR. Concentrations of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) were measured gravimetrically and concentrations of phytoplankton chlorophyll (chl) were measured by fluorometrically. Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) was measured either by fluorescence or as its proxy, salinity.     

Low energy, low latitude wave-dominated shallow marine depositional systems: examples from northern Borneo

The depositional environments of the wave-dominant successions in the middle to late Miocene Belait and Sandakan Formations in northwestern and northern Borneo, respectively, were determined based on grain size distributions, sedimentary structures and facies successions, as well as trace and microfossil assemblages. Generally, progradational shoreface successions in the Belait Formation were deposited in very low wave energy environments where longshore currents were too weak to generate trough cross-bedding. Shoreface sands are laterally continuous for several km and follow the basin contours, suggesting attached beaches similar to the modern Brunei coastline. In contrast, trough cross-bedding is common in the coarser Sandakan Formation and back-barrier mangrove swamp deposits cap the progradational succession as on the modern northern Dent Peninsula coastline, indicating barrier development and higher wave energy conditions than in the Belait Formation. The Borneo examples indicate that barrier systems that include significant tidal facies form under higher wave energy conditions than attached beaches with virtually no tidal facies. Also, Borneo’s low latitude climate promotes back-barrier mangrove which reduces tidal exchange and reduces tidal influence relative to comparable temperate climate systems. The results of the study indicate that depositional systems on low energy, wave-dominated coasts are highly variable, as are the sand bodies and facies associations they generate.     

Nondestructive density determination on marine sediment cores from gamma-ray attenuation measurements

We describe an improved nondestructive technique for density measurement based on gamma-ray absorption that permits construction of high-resolution density profiles of marine sediment cores. The system is capable of resolving vertical density variations with a spatial resolution of 4 mm and absolute accuracy of ± 1%. Comparison with conventional density determination on samples confirms the absolute accuracy. In addition to standard vertical profiling, a core rotation option is included to measure density as a function of rotation angle. This allows the quantification of the variability of density within a layer and detection of inhomogenities like icerafted debris or biogenic structures.     

Correction for water depth variations of marine crustal reflection seismic data using refraction statics

Water depth variations in marine reflection seismic profiling cause velocity push-down and, in regions of rapid fluctuations of the water-bottom slope, stack degradation. Static corrections are a very satisfactory and practical solution to these problems under typical survey conditions with water depths not exceeding a few hundred metres and relatively hard water bottoms. Static time shifts are best derived from a refraction analysis of first arrivals rather than from fathometer data, especially over underwater valleys where unconsolidated sediment of velocity close to that of water has been deposited unconformably onto the underlying lithified rocks. These points are illustrated by a field example from the GLIMPCE survey in Lake Superior. The availability of computer-effective algorithms such as the generalized linear inversion method allows the implementation of refraction statics during the initial processing of regional marine crustal surveys.LITHOPROBE Publication No. 263.     

Phase-reversed seabed reflections in seismic data: examples related to mud volcanoes from the South Caspian Sea

The sediment–water interface is usually marked by an increase in acoustic impedance and is therefore displayed in a seismic section as a positive polarity reflection. Here, we use the term “seabed phase reversal” to describe areas of seafloor which are instead expressed as a negative polarity reflection in seismic data. We describe in detail a number of examples of seafloor phase reversals and use a simple one-dimensional geophysical model to test the hypothesis that they are the result of the presence of gas within the seafloor sediment. Our examples are all related to seismically imaged mud volcanoes located within the South Caspian Sea. Sections of phase-reversed seafloor at the summit area of these volcanoes have been mapped to reveal the existence of seafloor mud pools (salses) and recently erupted mud flows which show a strong similarity to smaller-scale features at onshore volcanoes in Azerbaijan. Synthetic geophysical modelling indicates that under the physical conditions likely to occur when the seabed sediment is gas-bearing, the seafloor will be expressed as a strong negative polarity reflection. Unlike other indicators of seafloor gas, such as pockmarks, which merely record the transient expulsion of fluids from sedimentary basins, seafloor phase reversals indicate the presence of gas in marine sediment at the time of survey acquisition. They therefore are of significance to engineering and site survey operations as well as the identification of biological communities and gas flux calculations.     

海洋短排列多道反射地震数据观测系统重定义与沉放深度校正

短排列多道反射地震接收缆较短,无水鸟、磁罗经、尾标等定位定深设备,给常规数据处理带来诸如观测系统定义等棘手问题;另外,无定深设备会造成接收缆不同接收段的沉放深度不同,破坏反射数据理论双曲线时距曲线关系。针对短排列多道反射地震数据,本文充分利用现场导航数据,计算实际激发点轨迹,再通过反距离比线性插值算法计算检波点的轨迹坐标,获得整个排列的实际观测系统参数。对因沉放深度不一致造成的扭曲时距曲线反射波,文中利用理论双曲线先计算共中心点道集的理论反射波位置,再推算排列中各接收道不同沉放深度处的静校正量,通过静校正拟合运算,消除接收排列非一致深度引起的反射波同相轴扭曲现象。将上述处理方法应用于南极海域短排列多道反射地震数据,最终获得了高分辨率叠加剖面,为后续地质解释提供了保障。     

Processing and attenuation of noise in deep seismic-reflection data from the Gulf of Maine

The U.S. Geological Survey deep crustal studies reflection profile across the Gulf of Maine off southeastern New England was affected by three sources of noise: side-scattered noise, multiples, and 20-Hz whale sounds. The special processing most effective in minimizing this noise consisted of a combination of frequency-wavenumber (F-K) filtering, predictive deconvolution, and spectral whitening, each applied in the shot domain (prestack). Application of the F-K filter to remove side-scatter noise in the poststack domain resulted in a much poorer quality profile. The prestack noise suppression processing techniques resulted in a reflection profile with good signal-to-noise ratios and reliable strong reflections, especially at depths equivalent to the lower crust (24–34 km). Certain geologic features, such as a buried rift basin and a crustal fault are resolved much better within the upper crust after this processing. Finite difference migration of these data using realistic velocities produced excellent results. Migration was essential to distinguish between abundant dipping and subhorizontal reflections in the lower crust as well as to show an essentially transparent upper mantle.     

Tectonics related to the North Anatolian Fault in the Sea of Marmara: evidence from seismic reflection data

The North Anatolian Fault crosses the Sea of Marmara from east to west. Tectonic features of the Sea of Marmara were studied using multi-channel deep seismic reflection data. The northern branch of the North Anatolian Fault is active as a right lateral strike-slip fault zone and indicates both negative and positive flower structures. The North Anatolian Fault splays into two faults at the Sea of Marmara as a northern branch and north segment of the southern branch. The northern branch named the Main Marmara Fault extends in a complicated manner from the north of the Kapıdağı Peninsula to westward in the Sea of Marmara. The north segment of southern branch extends between the Gemlik and Bandırma gulfs in the south of the Sea of Marmara. In addition, uplift areas arose by compression and a push-up style in between the Kapıdağı Peninsula and the Main Marmara Fault. The North Anatolian Fault is characterized by a negative flower structure in basins and push-up style in uplift areas in the Sea of Marmara. An uplift area arose between the north segment of the southern branch and the northern branch of the North Anatolian Fault. The north segment of the southern branch of the North Anatolian Fault is a strike-slip fault and displays a pull-apart style in the seismic reflection data.     

Dereverberation of marine reflection seismic data by a spatial combination of predictive deconvolution and velocity filtering

Contamination of seismic reflection records at early times by first-order water reverberations can be especially severe during survey operations over hard and flat sea floors on the continental shelf or in lake environments. A new dereverberation scheme based on two classical techniques — predictive deconvolution and velocity filtering — has been developed to address this problem. The techniques are combined spatially to take advantage of their complementary offset- and time-dependent properties. Stage I of the scheme consists of applying predictive deconvolution at short offset. The data are previously conditioned by a normal moveout correction with the water velocity which restores the periodicity of the reverberations in the offset-time plane and enhances the performance of deconvolution. Stage II of the scheme involves velocity filtering in the common-midpoint domain which is particularly effective at long offset where the moveout difference between primary reflections and reverberations is largest. The dereverberation scheme is well suited for the initial processing of large volumes of data due to the general availability of cost-effective deconvolution and velocity filtering algorithms in seismic processing software packages. Practical implementation issues are illustrated by a field example from the GLIMPCE survey in Lake Superior.Lithoprobe Publication No. 475.     

Fast static correction methods for high-frequency multichannel marine seismic reflection data: A high-resolution seismic study of channel-levee systems on the Bengal Fan

Very high-frequency marine multichannel seismic reflection data generated by small-volume air- or waterguns allow detailed, high-resolution studies of sedimentary structures of the order of one to few metres wavelength. The high-frequency content, however, requires (1) a very exact knowledge of the source and receiver positions, and (2) the development of data processing methods which take this exact geometry into account. Static corrections are crucial for the quality of very high-frequency stacked data because static shifts caused by variations of the source and streamer depths are of the order of half to one dominant wavelength, so that they can lead to destructive interference during stacking of CDP sorted traces. As common surface-consistent residual static correction methods developed for land seismic data require fixed shot and receiver locations two simple and fast techniques have been developed for marine seismic data with moving sources and receivers to correct such static shifts. The first method – called CDP static correction method – is based on a simultaneous recording of Parasound sediment echosounder and multichannel seismic reflection data. It compares the depth information derived from the first arrivals of both data sets to calculate static correction time shifts for each seismic channel relative to the Parasound water depths. The second method – called average static correction method – utilises the fact that the streamer depth is mainly controlled by bird units, which keep the streamer in a predefined depth at certain increments but do not prevent the streamer from being slightly buoyant in-between. In case of calm weather conditions these streamer bendings mainly contribute to the overall static time shifts, whereas depth variations of the source are negligible. Hence, mean static correction time shifts are calculated for each channel by averaging the depth values determined at each geophone group position for several subsequent shots. Application of both methods to data of a high-resolution seismic survey of channel-levee systems on the Bengal Fan shows that the quality of the stacked section can be improved significantly compared to stacking results achieved without preceding static corrections. The optimised records show sedimentary features in great detail, that are not visible without static corrections. Limitations only result from the sea floor topography. The CDP static correction method generally provides more coherent reflections than the average static correction method but can only be applied in areas with rather flat sea floor, where no diffraction hyperbolae occur. In contrast, the average static correction method can also be used in regions with rough morphology, but the coherency of reflections is slightly reduced compared to the results of the CDP static correction method.     

Kinematics of breaking tsunami wavefronts: A data set from large scale laboratory experiments

This paper provides an overview of a new large scale laboratory data set on the kinematics of breaking tsunami wavefronts. The aim of the experiments was to provide an open access data set for model testing, calibration and verification, with particular emphasis on fluid kinematics in the wave breaking and run-up (swash) zones. The experiments were performed over a composite slope in the tsunami wave basin at the O. H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory at Oregon State University. Data for ten different wave conditions were collected, including non-breaking and breaking waves, and both shore breaks and fully developed long bores.Surface elevation and fluid kinematics were measured with a closely spaced array of surface piercing wave gauges, non-contact ultrasonic wave gauges and four 3-D side-looking Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters. The array was traversed from the nearshore (depth = 0.2 m) to the middle and upper run-up zone, providing kinematic data at 30 cross-shore locations. Video was also recorded from 4 cameras covering the propagation, breaking and run-up zones. Surface elevation, flow velocities and the wave maker displacement were also recorded to provide offshore boundary conditions.The experiments include conditions with wave heights up to 0.55 m, notional wave periods up to 20 s and run-up lengths of up to 15.2 m on a 1/30 slope. In terms of the slope in the shoaling and breaker zones, the data correspond to Iribarren numbers in the range of 0.26–5.6. Raw, calibrated and processed data are stored with open access within the OSU Tsunami Wave Basin Experiment Notebook, which provides full access to all the wave maker control signals, data, instrument coordinates, and processing and plotting software. This paper serves as an introduction to the data set, demonstrates data quality and provides an initial analysis of some key parameters that govern the impact of tsunami events, including run-up versus offshore wave conditions and nearshore bore height, the maximum inundation depths at the original shoreline position, and the time to maximum inundation depth and flow reversal. Examples of temporal and convective accelerations and turbulent flow components are also presented to illustrate further details of the kinematics.     

Lessons from inlet relocation: examples from Southern Portugal

Inlet relocation is a coastal management tool that, when applied to a migrating inlet, involves the artificial opening of a new tidal inlet along the historic migration path of the inlet. The old inlet is then artificially closed, or it is left open and will eventually close if the new inlet captures the entire tidal prism. Two inlets were relocated in such a manner in Southern Portugal and then were the subject of a monitoring program that included the acquisition of quantitative (topo-bathymetric surveys) data. Data was acquired for 4 years after the relocation at one of the inlets (Ancão Inlet) and for 2 years at the other (Fuzeta Inlet). The data obtained from the monitoring program were analysed together with the wave climate and then compared with historical information on the natural inlets, in order to assess the degree of success of the relocation actions. One of the relocations studied, Ancão Inlet, was considered to be successful even though an initial unexpected behaviour produced some material damage to property. On the contrary, the relocation of Fuzeta Inlet did not have the expected results, and the new inlet was affected by the same problems as the old one.It was found that the most important factor for a relocation action to succeed is the correct choice of the opening location. A theoretical procedure to enhance the possibilities of relocation success is suggested. (1) Hydrodynamic studies are needed in order to determine if the present conditions are similar to the historical ones. (2) The position for the inlet opening is chosen according to the hydrodynamic conditions, but there are other factors to be taken into account, i.e., the historical migration paths and typical inlet width of the natural inlet; the hydrodynamics of the backbarrier; the morphology of the backbarrier and, for multi-inlet barrier island systems, the proximity to adjacent inlets. (3) Once the position is chosen, environmental impact studies should be made in order to assess the risk of the relocation for the ecosystems of the area. Only if the environmental impact studies are favourable should a relocation action be performed.     

Structure of the Sunda Trench lower slope off sumatra from multichannel seismic reflection data

Multichannel seismic reflection profiles across the Sunda Trench slope off central Sumatra reveal details of subduction zone structure. Normal faults formed on the outer ridge of the trench offset deep strate and the oceanic crust, but die out upsection under the trench sediments. At the base of the inner trench slope, shallow reflectors are tilted seaward, while deeper reflectors dip landward parallel to the underlying oceanic crustal reflector. Intermediate depth reflectors can be traced landward through a seaward-dipping monocline. We interpret this fold as the shallow expression of a landward-dipping thrust fault at depth. Landward of this flexure, relatively undeformed strata have been stripped off the oceanic plate, uplifted 700 meters, and accreted to the base of the slope. The oceanic crust is not involved in the deformation at the toe of the slope, and it can be observed dipping landward about 25 km under the toe of the accretionary prism.The middle portion of the trench slope is underlain by deformed accreted strata. Shallow reflectors define anticlinal structures, but coherent deep reflectors are lacking. Reflectors 45 to 55 km landward of the base of the slope dip 4°-5° landward beneath a steep slope, suggesting structural imbrication.A significant sediment apron is absent from the trench slope. Instead, slope basins are developed in 375–1500 m water depths, with an especially large one at about 1500 m water depth that is filled with more than 1.1 seconds of relatively undeformed sediments. The seaward flank of the basin has recently been uplifted, as indicated by shallow landward-dipping reflectors. Earlier periods of uplift also appear to have coincided with sedimentation in this basin, as indicated by numerous angular unconformities in the basin strata.Contribution of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, new series.     

Implications of spatial heterogeneity for management of marine protected areas (MPAs): examples from assemblages of rocky coasts in the northwest Mediterranean

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly used as a management tool to preserve species and habitats. Testing hypotheses about the effectiveness of MPAs is important for their implementation and to identify informative criteria to support management decisions. This study tested the general proposition that MPAs affected assemblages of algae and invertebrates between 0.0 and 0.5 m above the mean low water level of rocky coasts on two islands in the Tuscan Archipelago (northwest Mediterranean). Protection was concentrated mainly on the west coasts of the islands, raising the possibility that neither the full range of assemblages nor the relevant scales of variation were properly represented within MPAs. This motivated the comparison of assemblages on opposite sides of islands (habitats). The effects of MPAs and habitat were assessed with a multifactorial sampling design; hypotheses were tested about differences in structure of assemblages, in mean abundance of common taxa and in univariate and multivariate measures of spatial variation. The design consisted of three replicate shores for each condition of protected and reference areas on the west side of each island and three unprotected shores on the eastern side. Assemblages were sampled independently four times on each island between June 1999 and January 2001. At each time of sampling two sites were selected randomly at each of two tidal heights to represent midshore and lowshore assemblages on each shore. Estimates of abundance were obtained using non-destructive sampling methods from five replicate 20x20 cm quadrats at each site. Results indicated differences among habitats in structure of assemblages, in mean abundance of common taxa and in univariate and multivariate measures of spatial variation at the scale of shores. Most of these patterns were inconsistent with the predicted effect of management through MPAs. The data suggest that designation of MPAs in the Tuscan Archipelago should proceed through management of multiple shores and types of habitat selected to guarantee protection to a representative sample of assemblages and to the processes responsible for maintenance of spatial patchiness at different scales. This study also shows that considerations of spatial heterogeneity are important to underpin management decisions about the number, size and location of MPAs.     

Deep-water geomorphology of the glaciated Irish margin from high-resolution marine geophysical data

The continental margin offshore of western Ireland offers an opportunity to study the effects of glacial forcing on the morphology and sediment architecture of a mid-latitude margin. High resolution multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data, combined with shallow seismic and TOBI deep-towed side-scan sonar profiles, provide the basis for this study and allow a detailed geomorphological interpretation of the northwest Irish continental margin. Several features, including submarine mass failures, canyon systems and escarpments, are identified in the Rockall Trough for the first time. A new physiographic classification of the Irish margin is proposed and linked to the impact of glaciations along the margin. Correlation of the position and dimensions of moraines on the continental shelf with the level of canyon evolution suggests that the sediment and meltwater delivered by the British–Irish Ice Sheet played a fundamental role in shaping the margin including the upslope development of some of the canyon systems. The glacial influence is also suggested by the variable extent and backscatter signal of sedimentary lobes associated with the canyons. These lobes provide an indirect measurement of the amount of glaciogenic sediment delivered by the ice sheet into the Rockall Trough during the last glacial maximum. None of the sedimentary lobes demonstrates notable relief, indicating that the amount of glaciogenic sediment delivered by the British–Irish Ice Sheet into the Rockall Trough was limited. Their southward disappearance suggests a more restricted BIIS, which did not reach the shelf edge south of 54°23′ N. The various slope styles observed on the Irish margin represent snapshots of the progressive stages of slope development for a glacially-influenced passive margin and may provide a predictive model for the evolution of other such margins.     

Estimation of compaction in marine geological formations from engineering data commonly available

The compaction of Quaternary marine formations can be estimated (under the conditions stated in this paper) by comparing values of 1 + 2.7w, where w is the water content, a figure usually provided in engineering reports for bridges, harbours and such. The procedure is to compare values for an older formation with those for a younger one in the same area, or a past formation with present sediments.     

应用剩余静校正衰减采集脚印:在南海某工区中的尝试

在海上地震拖缆施工中产生的采集脚印,对地下精细地质构造解释和储层特征及物性的描述和刻画均影响甚大.剩余静校正可以有效衰减采集脚印带来的影响,大大提高地震剖面成像质量,进而真实地反映地下深部地质构造特征,为油气勘探开发部署及油气地质综合研究提供高质量的地震剖面.文章阐述了剩余静校正及其衰减采集脚印的原理,并以南海A工区地震资料处理为例,论证了应用剩余静校正方法在海上地震数据处理中衰减采集脚印的有效性和可行性.     

珠江口外伶仃洋海底含气沉积物声波反射及衰减特征

高分辨率地震剖面显示,在珠江口外伶仃洋海底有大面积含气沉积物。根据含气沉积物地震反射特征将其分为声学空白、声学幕、声学扰动、不规则强反射顶部和相位下拉等类型。对含气沉积物声波衰减初步分析表明约在3.3kHz附近有一衰减峰值,将实际资料与理论模型计算进行对比,认为此峰值频率对应于等效半径约6mm的气泡的特征振荡频率,此等效半径气泡的阻尼振荡是引起声波衰减的主要原因。