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Evidence of mud diapirism and coral colonies in the ionian sea (central mediterranean) from high resolution chirp sonar survey
Issued date
March 20, 2006
Issue/vol(year)
2-3/49(2006)
Language
English
Abstract
A chirp sonar survey in the Ionian Sea investigated the Calabrian margin, the Calabrian accretionary wedge, the Taranto Trench and the Apulian foreland. Shallow tectonics structures have been related to deeper ones, recognised on CROP seismic profiles. The identified echo characters
have been compared with those described in the modern literature and have been related to different kinds of sediments, on the basis of core samples. Based on echo character and morphology we have recognised: 1) A widespread presence of mounds, up to 50 m high, occurring on the Apulian plateau as isolated mounds in the deepest zones (1600-800 m) and in groups in the shallower ones (800-600 m); they have been interpreted as coral mounds, according to a recent discovery of living
deep water coral colonies in this zone. 2) Some mud diapirs, isolated or in groups of two or three elements, widespread in the whole study area. In analogy of what has been observed on the Mediterranean Ridge, their presence suggests the activity of deep tectonic structures (thrusts and
faults) and a reduced thickness (or absence) of Messinian evaporites in this part of the Ionian Sea.
have been compared with those described in the modern literature and have been related to different kinds of sediments, on the basis of core samples. Based on echo character and morphology we have recognised: 1) A widespread presence of mounds, up to 50 m high, occurring on the Apulian plateau as isolated mounds in the deepest zones (1600-800 m) and in groups in the shallower ones (800-600 m); they have been interpreted as coral mounds, according to a recent discovery of living
deep water coral colonies in this zone. 2) Some mud diapirs, isolated or in groups of two or three elements, widespread in the whole study area. In analogy of what has been observed on the Mediterranean Ridge, their presence suggests the activity of deep tectonic structures (thrusts and
faults) and a reduced thickness (or absence) of Messinian evaporites in this part of the Ionian Sea.
References
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epicentral region of the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, Annali di Geofisica, 36, 3-15
BOCCALETTI, M., CIARANFI, N., COSENTINO, D., DEIANA, G., GELATI, R., LENTINI, F., MASSARI, F.,
MORATTI, G., PESCATORE, T., RICCI LUCCHI, F. AND TORTORICI, L. (1990): Palinspastic restoration
and paleogeographic reconstruction of the peri-tyrrhenian area durino the Neogene, Paleocl.,
Paleoec., Paleogeog., 77, 41-50.
CAMERLENGHI, A., CITA, M.B., HIEKE, W. AND RICCHIUTO, T.S., (1992): Geological evidence of
mud diapirism on the Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex, Earth and Planet. Sci. Lett., 109,
493-506.
CAMERLENGHI, A., CITA, M.B., DELLA VEDOVA, B., FUSI, N., MIRABILE, L. AND PELLIS, (1995):
Geophysical evidence of mud diapirism on the Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex, Mar.
Geophys. Res., 17, 115-141.
CASERO, P. (2004): Structural setting of petroleum exploration plays in Italy, In U. Crescenti, S.
D’Offizi, S. Merlino, L. Sacchi (Editors): Geology of Italy, Spec. Vol. It. Geol. Soc. for the IGC 32, 189-199.
CRISTOFOLINI, R., GHISETTI, F., SCARPA, R AND VEZZANI, L. (1985): Character of the stress field
in the Calabrian arc and the Southern Apennines (Italy) as deduced by geological, seismological
and volcanological information. Tectonophysics, 117, 39-58.
DAMUTH, J. E., (1980): Use fo high-frequency (3.5-12 kHz) echograms in the study of near-bottom
sedimentation processes in the deep-sea: a review, Mar. Geol., 38, 51-75.
DAMUTH, J. E., Hayes, D.E., (1977): Echo character of the East Brazilian continental margin and
its relationship to sedimentary processes, Mar. Geol., 24, 73-95.
DOGLIONI, C.,(1991): A proposal of kinematic modelling for W-dipping subductions: possibile
applications to the Tyrrhenian-Apennjnes system, Terra Nova, 3: 423-434.
DOGLIONI, C., HARABAGLIA, P., MARTINELLI, G., MONGELLI, F., AND ZITO, G., (1996): A
geodynamic model of the Southern Apennines, Terra Nova, 8, 540-547.
DOGLIONI, C., MONGELLI, F. AND PIERI, P., (1994): The Puglia uplift (SE Italy): an anomaly in the
foreland of the Apenninic subduction due to buckling of a thick continental lithosphere, Tectonics,
13 (5), 1309-1321.
DOGLIONI, C., MERLINI, S. AND CANTARELLA, G., (1999): Foredeep geometries at the front of the
Apennines in the Ionian Sea (central Mediterranean), Earth and Planet. Sc. Lett., 168: 243-254.
FERRUCCI, F., GAUDIOSI, G., HIRN, A. AND NICOLICH, R., (1991): Ionian Basin and Calabrian Arc:
new elements by DSS data, Tectonophysics, 195: 411-419.
FUSI, N. AND KENYON, N.H., (1996): Distribution of mud diapirism and other geological structures
from long-range sidescan sonar (GLORIA) data, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Mar. Geol.,
132: 21-38.
GASPARINI, C., SCARPA, R. AND VEZZANI, L. (1982): Seismotecotnics of the Calabrian Aec.
Tectonophysics, 84: 276-286.
HOVLAND, M. AND THOMSEN E., (1997): Cold-water corals – are they hydrocarbon seep related?,
Mar. Geol., 137: 159-164.
LEE, S.H., CHOUGH, S.K., BACK, G.G, KIM, Y.B., (2002): Chirp (2-7 kHz) echo characters of the
South Korea Plateau, East Sea: styles of mass movement and sediment gravity flow, Mar. Geol.,
184: 227-247.
LIMONOV, A.F., WOODSIDE, J.M. AND IVANOV, M.K. (Editors), (1994): Mud volcanism in the
Mediterranean and Black Seas and shallow structure of the Eratosthenes Seamount. Initial results
of the geological and geophysical investigation during the third UNESCO-ESF “Training Through
Research” Cruise of R/V Gelendzhik (June-July 1993), UNESCO Rep. Mar. Sci., 64, 173 pp.
MALINVERNO, A. AND RYAN, W.B.F., (1986): Extension in the Tyrrhenina Sea and shortening
in the Apennines as a result of arc migration driven by sinking of the lithosphere, Tectonics, 5, 227-
245.
MERLINI, S., CANTARELLA, G. AND DOGLIONI, C., (2000): On the seismic profile Crop M5 in the
Ionian Sea, Boll. Soc. Geol. It., 119: 227-236.
MOSTARDINI, F. AND MERLINI, S. (1986): Appennino centro-meridionale. Sezioni geologiche e
proposta di modello strutturale, Agip, 59 p.
PATACCA, E. AND SCANDONE, P., (1989): Post-Tortonian mountain building in the Apennines. The
role of the passive sinking of a relic lithosphere slab, In: A. Boriani, M. Bonafede. G.B. Piccardo
and G.B. Vai (Editors), The lithosphere in Italy. Acc. Naz. dei Lincei, Atti dei Convegni Lincei, 80:
157-176.
PATACCA, E. AND SCANDONE, P., (2004): The Plio-Pleistocene thrust belt – foredeep system in the
Southern Apennines and Sicily (Italy), In U. Crescenti, S. D’Offizi, S. Merlino, L. Sacchi (Editors):
Geology of Italy, Spec. Vol. It. Geol. Soc. for the IGC 32, 93-129.
PATACCA, E., SARTORI, R. AND SCANDONE, P., (1990): Tyrrhenian basin and Apenninic arcs,
kinematic relations since late Tortonian times, Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital., 45: 425-451.
ROYDEN, L., PATACCA, E.. AND SCANDONE, P., (1987): Segmentation and configuration of
subducted lithosphere in Italy: An important control on thrust-belt and foredeep -basin evolution,
Geology, 15, 714-717.
SELLA, M., TURCI, C. AND RIVA, A. (1988): Sintesi geopetrolifera della fossa Bradanica, Mem. Soc.
Geol. It., 41, 87-108.
SELVAGGI, G. AND CHIARABBA, C. (1995): Seismicity and p-wave velocity image of the Southern
Tyrrhenian subduction zone, Geophys. J. Int., 121, 818-826.
SHIPBOARD SCIENTIFIC PARTY (1996) – Site 964. In K. C. Emeis, A.H.F. Robertson, C. Richter et
alii (Editors): Proc. ODP, Init. Repts., 160, College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program).
epicentral region of the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, Annali di Geofisica, 36, 3-15
BOCCALETTI, M., CIARANFI, N., COSENTINO, D., DEIANA, G., GELATI, R., LENTINI, F., MASSARI, F.,
MORATTI, G., PESCATORE, T., RICCI LUCCHI, F. AND TORTORICI, L. (1990): Palinspastic restoration
and paleogeographic reconstruction of the peri-tyrrhenian area durino the Neogene, Paleocl.,
Paleoec., Paleogeog., 77, 41-50.
CAMERLENGHI, A., CITA, M.B., HIEKE, W. AND RICCHIUTO, T.S., (1992): Geological evidence of
mud diapirism on the Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex, Earth and Planet. Sci. Lett., 109,
493-506.
CAMERLENGHI, A., CITA, M.B., DELLA VEDOVA, B., FUSI, N., MIRABILE, L. AND PELLIS, (1995):
Geophysical evidence of mud diapirism on the Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex, Mar.
Geophys. Res., 17, 115-141.
CASERO, P. (2004): Structural setting of petroleum exploration plays in Italy, In U. Crescenti, S.
D’Offizi, S. Merlino, L. Sacchi (Editors): Geology of Italy, Spec. Vol. It. Geol. Soc. for the IGC 32, 189-199.
CRISTOFOLINI, R., GHISETTI, F., SCARPA, R AND VEZZANI, L. (1985): Character of the stress field
in the Calabrian arc and the Southern Apennines (Italy) as deduced by geological, seismological
and volcanological information. Tectonophysics, 117, 39-58.
DAMUTH, J. E., (1980): Use fo high-frequency (3.5-12 kHz) echograms in the study of near-bottom
sedimentation processes in the deep-sea: a review, Mar. Geol., 38, 51-75.
DAMUTH, J. E., Hayes, D.E., (1977): Echo character of the East Brazilian continental margin and
its relationship to sedimentary processes, Mar. Geol., 24, 73-95.
DOGLIONI, C.,(1991): A proposal of kinematic modelling for W-dipping subductions: possibile
applications to the Tyrrhenian-Apennjnes system, Terra Nova, 3: 423-434.
DOGLIONI, C., HARABAGLIA, P., MARTINELLI, G., MONGELLI, F., AND ZITO, G., (1996): A
geodynamic model of the Southern Apennines, Terra Nova, 8, 540-547.
DOGLIONI, C., MONGELLI, F. AND PIERI, P., (1994): The Puglia uplift (SE Italy): an anomaly in the
foreland of the Apenninic subduction due to buckling of a thick continental lithosphere, Tectonics,
13 (5), 1309-1321.
DOGLIONI, C., MERLINI, S. AND CANTARELLA, G., (1999): Foredeep geometries at the front of the
Apennines in the Ionian Sea (central Mediterranean), Earth and Planet. Sc. Lett., 168: 243-254.
FERRUCCI, F., GAUDIOSI, G., HIRN, A. AND NICOLICH, R., (1991): Ionian Basin and Calabrian Arc:
new elements by DSS data, Tectonophysics, 195: 411-419.
FUSI, N. AND KENYON, N.H., (1996): Distribution of mud diapirism and other geological structures
from long-range sidescan sonar (GLORIA) data, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Mar. Geol.,
132: 21-38.
GASPARINI, C., SCARPA, R. AND VEZZANI, L. (1982): Seismotecotnics of the Calabrian Aec.
Tectonophysics, 84: 276-286.
HOVLAND, M. AND THOMSEN E., (1997): Cold-water corals – are they hydrocarbon seep related?,
Mar. Geol., 137: 159-164.
LEE, S.H., CHOUGH, S.K., BACK, G.G, KIM, Y.B., (2002): Chirp (2-7 kHz) echo characters of the
South Korea Plateau, East Sea: styles of mass movement and sediment gravity flow, Mar. Geol.,
184: 227-247.
LIMONOV, A.F., WOODSIDE, J.M. AND IVANOV, M.K. (Editors), (1994): Mud volcanism in the
Mediterranean and Black Seas and shallow structure of the Eratosthenes Seamount. Initial results
of the geological and geophysical investigation during the third UNESCO-ESF “Training Through
Research” Cruise of R/V Gelendzhik (June-July 1993), UNESCO Rep. Mar. Sci., 64, 173 pp.
MALINVERNO, A. AND RYAN, W.B.F., (1986): Extension in the Tyrrhenina Sea and shortening
in the Apennines as a result of arc migration driven by sinking of the lithosphere, Tectonics, 5, 227-
245.
MERLINI, S., CANTARELLA, G. AND DOGLIONI, C., (2000): On the seismic profile Crop M5 in the
Ionian Sea, Boll. Soc. Geol. It., 119: 227-236.
MOSTARDINI, F. AND MERLINI, S. (1986): Appennino centro-meridionale. Sezioni geologiche e
proposta di modello strutturale, Agip, 59 p.
PATACCA, E. AND SCANDONE, P., (1989): Post-Tortonian mountain building in the Apennines. The
role of the passive sinking of a relic lithosphere slab, In: A. Boriani, M. Bonafede. G.B. Piccardo
and G.B. Vai (Editors), The lithosphere in Italy. Acc. Naz. dei Lincei, Atti dei Convegni Lincei, 80:
157-176.
PATACCA, E. AND SCANDONE, P., (2004): The Plio-Pleistocene thrust belt – foredeep system in the
Southern Apennines and Sicily (Italy), In U. Crescenti, S. D’Offizi, S. Merlino, L. Sacchi (Editors):
Geology of Italy, Spec. Vol. It. Geol. Soc. for the IGC 32, 93-129.
PATACCA, E., SARTORI, R. AND SCANDONE, P., (1990): Tyrrhenian basin and Apenninic arcs,
kinematic relations since late Tortonian times, Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital., 45: 425-451.
ROYDEN, L., PATACCA, E.. AND SCANDONE, P., (1987): Segmentation and configuration of
subducted lithosphere in Italy: An important control on thrust-belt and foredeep -basin evolution,
Geology, 15, 714-717.
SELLA, M., TURCI, C. AND RIVA, A. (1988): Sintesi geopetrolifera della fossa Bradanica, Mem. Soc.
Geol. It., 41, 87-108.
SELVAGGI, G. AND CHIARABBA, C. (1995): Seismicity and p-wave velocity image of the Southern
Tyrrhenian subduction zone, Geophys. J. Int., 121, 818-826.
SHIPBOARD SCIENTIFIC PARTY (1996) – Site 964. In K. C. Emeis, A.H.F. Robertson, C. Richter et
alii (Editors): Proc. ODP, Init. Repts., 160, College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program).
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