Epigenesis of Sediments in the Cascadia Accretionary Prism, Western Continental Margin of United States

Upper Miocene to Holocene sediments from the Cascadia accretionary prism and its oceanic surroundings drilled during ODP Leg 146 are studied in order to reveal their alteration during the accretion. The conclusion is made that methane-bearing solutions play a leading role in the transportation of material and the formation of mineralogical-geochemical zonality within the prism. A considerable intensity and high rates of epigenetic alteration are noted. It is shown that low heat flow, absence of progressive subsidence of the accretionary prism, open character of the system relative to water circulation, and heterogeneity of the sedimentary sequence hindered the successive development of epigenesis.