Cite this paper:
JIN Jiapeng, WANG Xiujuan, HE Min, LI Jie, YAN Chengzhi, LI Yuanping, ZHOU Jilin, QIAN Jin. Downward shift of gas hydrate stability zone due to seafloor erosion in the eastern Dongsha Island, South China Sea[J]. Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 2020, 38(4): 1188-1200

Downward shift of gas hydrate stability zone due to seafloor erosion in the eastern Dongsha Island, South China Sea

JIN Jiapeng1,2,3, WANG Xiujuan1,2,3,4, HE Min5, LI Jie5, YAN Chengzhi5, LI Yuanping5, ZHOU Jilin1,3, QIAN Jin1,2,4
1 Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment & Center of Deep-Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China;
2 Laboratory for Marine Mineral Resources, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266071, China;
3 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China;
4 Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China;
5 Shenzhen Branch of China National Offshore Oil Corporation Ltd, Shenzhen 518054, China
Abstract:
New acquired and reprocessed three-dimensional (3D) seismic data were used to delineate the distribution and characterization of bottom simulating reflections (BSRs) in the Chaoshan Sag, in the eastern part of Dongsha Island, South China Sea. Three submarine canyons with different scales were interpreted from the 3D seismic data, displaying three stages of canyon development and are related with the variation of BSR. Abundant faults were identified from the coherence and ant-tracing attributions extracted from 3D seismic data, which provide the evidence for fluid migration from deeper sediments to the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). The uplift of Dongsha Island created a large number of faults and leads to the increased seafloor erosion. The erosion caused the cooling of the seafloor sediments and deepening of the base of the gas hydrate stability zone, which is attributed to the presence of paleo-BSR and BSR downward shift in the study area. Hence, methane gas may be released during the BSR resetting and gas hydrate dissociation related with seafloor erosion.
Key words:    bottom simulating reflections (BSRs)|downward shift|seafloor erosion|gas hydrate dissociation   
Received: 2020-01-22   Revised: 2020-02-21
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Articles by JIN Jiapeng
Articles by WANG Xiujuan
Articles by HE Min
Articles by LI Jie
Articles by YAN Chengzhi
Articles by LI Yuanping
Articles by ZHOU Jilin
Articles by QIAN Jin
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