Extrusion dynamics of mud volcanoes on the Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex
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Published:January 01, 1999
Abstract
Drilling of two submarine mud domes situated in the Olimpi field on the northern flank of the Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex has documented episodic eruptive activity over the last 1 to >1.5 Ma. Mud extrusion is related to plate convergence between Africa and Eurasia, having caused backthrust faulting of accreted strata containing overpressured mud at depth. The domes mainly consist of mud breccia with up to 65% of polymictic clasts embedded in a clayey matrix. On the basis of modifications of Poiseuille’s and Stokes’ laws, mud extrusion rates were calculated for Milano and Napoli mud domes. Mud ascent velocities...
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Contents
Salt, Shale and Igneous Diapirs in and around Europe

The ten articles in this book describe the mode of emplacement of various types of intrusions (salt diapirs, mud volcanoes and magmatic bodies) by means of theoretical reasoning, analogue and analytical modelling, interpretation of seismic and field data, and geodetic surveying. All the articles emphasize the role of regional tectonics in driving or controlling the emplacement of the intrusions. The selection of articles includes examples from Spain, Romania, onshore and offshore Italy, the Eastern Mediterranean, Israel and iran.
Better understanding of the mode of emplacement of these intrusions has applications in hydrocarbon exploration (e.g., where salt structures or mud diapirs are present) and in the mining industry (where mineralization is related to the emplacement of batholiths).