forcing in collisional belts/subduction zones, are scarce or
absent; naturally, the height of these features is low and
depressions from degassing (formerly organic-rich sediment) are commonly observed.
Landforms derived from the same processes
Onshore examples versus offshore examples, difference in
rate of erosion/ longevity between the two; sand volcanoes
(Burne, 1970) in delta settings, restricted to rapid sediment
accumulation and/or excess overburden stress as a trigger.
Similar landforms derived from different processes
The term “sedimentary volcanism” refers to the similar
geometry of many mud extrusions and igneous volcanoes,
and only very rarely are MVs connected with igneous
activity (e.g., von Gumbel, 1879; White, 1955; Chiodini
et al., 1996). Magmatic volcanoes show fairly similar
shapes (shield vs. cone), but comprise totally different
material. Often the two are associated, e.g., hydrothermal
fluids of arc volcanoes feed mud pools/volcanoes in
Costa Rica.
Essential concepts and significance
The process of mud volcanism provides possible models
for the origin of pitted cones and domes with various morphology on Earth (Kopf, 2002) as well as those on Mars,
Venus, and several icy moons (Bradak and Kereszturi,
2003).
Mud volcanoes contribute significantly to the global
fluid reflux from the geosphere to the hydrosphere,
Mud Volcano, Figure 3 Variable feeder geometries and associated surface topography of mud extrusive phenomena, assuming
otherwise identical physical properties and buoyancy forces. Note the “negative” topography (i.e., depression) in case of high
discharge rates, which often are associated with a depleted (or drained) reservoir at depth. Such mud domes or diatremes are difficult
to distinguish from pockmarks and may actually be identical except that pockmarks do not involve upward transport of a solid phase.
Figures illustrating the various features onshore are from (left to right): Appenines/Italy (A. Kopf/Univ. Bremen) 2 x; Georgia
(V. Lavrushin/RAS Moscow).
532
MUD VOLCANO
absent; naturally, the height of these features is low and
depressions from degassing (formerly organic-rich sediment) are commonly observed.
Landforms derived from the same processes
Onshore examples versus offshore examples, difference in
rate of erosion/ longevity between the two; sand volcanoes
(Burne, 1970) in delta settings, restricted to rapid sediment
accumulation and/or excess overburden stress as a trigger.
Similar landforms derived from different processes
The term “sedimentary volcanism” refers to the similar
geometry of many mud extrusions and igneous volcanoes,
and only very rarely are MVs connected with igneous
activity (e.g., von Gumbel, 1879; White, 1955; Chiodini
et al., 1996). Magmatic volcanoes show fairly similar
shapes (shield vs. cone), but comprise totally different
material. Often the two are associated, e.g., hydrothermal
fluids of arc volcanoes feed mud pools/volcanoes in
Costa Rica.
Essential concepts and significance
The process of mud volcanism provides possible models
for the origin of pitted cones and domes with various morphology on Earth (Kopf, 2002) as well as those on Mars,
Venus, and several icy moons (Bradak and Kereszturi,
2003).
Mud volcanoes contribute significantly to the global
fluid reflux from the geosphere to the hydrosphere,
Mud Volcano, Figure 3 Variable feeder geometries and associated surface topography of mud extrusive phenomena, assuming
otherwise identical physical properties and buoyancy forces. Note the “negative” topography (i.e., depression) in case of high
discharge rates, which often are associated with a depleted (or drained) reservoir at depth. Such mud domes or diatremes are difficult
to distinguish from pockmarks and may actually be identical except that pockmarks do not involve upward transport of a solid phase.
Figures illustrating the various features onshore are from (left to right): Appenines/Italy (A. Kopf/Univ. Bremen) 2 x; Georgia
(V. Lavrushin/RAS Moscow).
532
MUD VOLCANO