A joint electromagnetic and seismic study of an active pockmark within the hydrate stability field at the Vestnesa Ridge, West Svalbard margin
| Type | Article | ||||||||
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| Date | 2015-10 | ||||||||
| Language | English | ||||||||
| Author(s) | Goswami Bedanta K.1, Weitemeyer Karen A.1, Minshull Timothy A.1, Sinha Martin C.1, Westbrook Graham1, 2, 3, Chabert Anne1, 4, Henstock Timothy J.1, Ker Stephan 3 |
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| Affiliation(s) | 1 : Univ Southampton, Ocean & Earth Sci, Natl Oceanog Ctr Southampton, Southampton, Hants, England. 2 : Univ Birmingham, Sch Geog Earth & Environm Sci, Birmingham, W Midlands, England. 3 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, Geosci Marines, Plouzane, France. 4 : Fugro EMU Ltd, Southampton, Hants, England. |
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| Source | Journal Of Geophysical Research-solid Earth (0148-0227) (Amer Geophysical Union), 2015-10 , Vol. 120 , N. 10 , P. 6797-6822 | ||||||||
| DOI | 10.1002/2015JB012344 | ||||||||
| WOS© Times Cited | 50 | ||||||||
| Keyword(s) | gas hydrate, Svalbard, CSEM, saturation, pockmark, Vestnesa | ||||||||
| Abstract | We acquired coincident marine controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM), high-resolution seismic reflection and ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS) data over an active pockmark in the crest of the southern part of the Vestnesa Ridge, to estimate fluid composition within an underlying fluid-migration chimney. Synthetic model studies suggest resistivity obtained from CSEM data can resolve gas or hydrate saturation greater than 5% within the chimney. Acoustic chimneys imaged by seismic reflection data beneath the pockmark and on the ridge flanks, were found to be associated with high-resistivity anomalies (+2-4 m). High-velocity anomalies (+0.3 km/s), within the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ) and low-velocity anomalies (-0.2 km/s) underlying the GHSZ, were also observed. Joint analysis of the resistivity and velocity anomaly indicates pore saturation of up to 52% hydrate with 28% free gas, or up to 73% hydrate with 4% free gas, within the chimney beneath the pockmark assuming a non-uniform and uniform fluid distribution respectively. Similarly, we estimate up to 30% hydrate with 4% free gas or 30% hydrate with 2% free gas within the pore space of the GHSZ outside the central chimney assuming a non-uniform and uniform fluid distribution respectively. High levels of free-gas saturation in the top part of the chimney are consistent with episodic gas venting from the pockmark. | ||||||||
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