Mud volcanoes (MVs), key features for the discharge of solids and fluids from depth, represent prominent manifestations of cold seep phenomena on the seafloor. These geological structures are located predominantly along convergent plate margins, regions characterized by dynamic mass transfer processes and intense tectonic activity. One of the regions most affected by MVism can be found in the Mediterranean Sea, which is remarkably characterized by the presence of giant salt bodies buried from a few to thousands of meters below the subsurface. However, the role of the evaporites in the genesis of MVs remains unassessed. To address this gap, the proposed research will explore the influence of the evaporites on the formation of MVs and examine how these salt bodies interacts with the fluids within the MVs. The study will focus on the Olimpi MV field, which is notable for its high density of MVs in the Mediterranean region, and employ a multi-methodological approach, combining seismic interpretation, laboratory experiments, and numerical modeling. Seismic profiles will provide insights into the presence, extent, and thickness of the evaporites. By conducting laboratory tests for permeability and employing numerical models to simulate pore pressure evolution, this research will quantify the influence of evaporite seals on episodic venting phenomena. Additionally, through chemical and isotopic analyses of pore waters from MVs, the geochemical contribution of salt in mud volcanic and seepage processes will be evaluated, and the underlying mechanism of contrasting pore water salinity patterns in different cold seep structures will be revealed. While the proposed research is centered on the eastern Mediterranean region, its findings are expected to have global implications as evaporites associated with MVs are found in various geological settings worldwide, e.g. in the Gulf of Mexico.
DFG Programme
Infrastructure Priority Programmes
International Connection
Italy, Spain
