Seabed fluid flow happens due to the complex interactionamong the accumulation, migration and escape of hydrocarbon and/or fluids. As shallow gas accumulations are anomalously developed in Bohai Bay, studying fluid flow features provides insights for understanding environment fluid in the Bohai Sea. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to make practical and effective use of single‐channel seismic reflection data to delineate and interpret subsurface fluid flow features by analysing the variance, sweetness, instantaneous frequency, and root mean square amplitude of seismic attributes. Four types of submarine fluid escape features, including pockmarks, mounds, fluid vents, dimmed or chaotic seafloor reflections, and two shallow fluid migration pathways (gas chimneys and faults) are distinguished on the single‐channel seismic reflection profiles. Gas chimneys are divided into strict columnar and irregular columnar chimneys, fluid migration along faults is critically dependent on the activity of faults. Enhanced reflections and bright spots may be good indicators of lateral fluid migration and accumulation of fluids in porous formations. We propose a shallow fluid flow model in the study area that illustrates the dynamic fluid migration process in terms of possible fluid sources, shallow migration pathways, and submarine fluid escape features.
IntroductionThe seafloor is an important interface between the lithosphere and the hydrosphere, where processes related to circulation and energy exchange happen along with various marine processes widely developed in the water column near the seafloor. These processes are still not yet completely understood as there are constraints of submarine detection technology and the interdisciplinary nature of these complex environments. Seismic reflection data have been a preferable tool to study and image these processes due to their characteristics in terms of spatial resolution. In seismic reflection data, submarine sand waves show hair-like reflection configurations with low continuity and wearing-hair style, appearing with an angle with the seafloor. Investigation of the relationship between the characteristics of submarine sand waves induced hair-like reflection configuration and hydrodynamics is crucial for understanding hair-like reflection configuration generation and spatiotemporal evolution. MethodsThis study combines fluid dynamics numerical simulation and seismic oceanography to discuss the seismic response characteristics and formation mechanisms of the hair-like reflection configuration. First, we create a seawater time-variant fluid-dynamical model followed by the numerical simulation of seismic oceanography data. This procedure results in seismic oceanography numerical simulation sections with hair-like reflection configurations for different constant flow conditions forced on the boundary. Optimal matching method is then applied to interpret field seismic reflection sections given the results obtained with the numerical experiments. Results and discussionAs consequence, the fluid dynamic explanation for the formation mechanism of the hair-like reflection configuration due to differences in seawater thermohaline is proposed. The study provides additional comprehension and further insights into the dynamic process of submarine sand waves induced hair-like reflection configuration using the seismic oceanography method.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.