The origin of muddy sand sediments associated with mud volcanism in the Horonobe area of northern Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

[1] The origin of muddy sand and gas in muddy sand sediments in the Horonobe area of northern Hokkaido, Japan, was investigated by analyzing the mineralogical and chemical compositions of the sediments and the chemical/isotopic compositions of the gas. X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that chemically, the muddy sand is derived from a mixing of components from the Hakobuchi and overlying formations, and that the characteristic mineral of the muddy sand is heulandite, which, in the study area, has been detected only in the Hakobuchi Formation. These results suggest that the sediments ascended from depths of at least 2200-2400 m. The d 13 C CH4 values and the methane/ (ethane 1 propane) ratios of the gas indicate that the primary origin of the methane is by thermogenic decomposition of coal-bearing beds in the Haboro or Hakobuchi formations, or further deep sources. This study provides new data on processes of onshore mud volcanism in Japan, and contributes to an understanding of processes of subsurface mass transport in regions of mud-volcanic activity.

Evidence of mud volcanism due to the rapid compaction of martian tsunami deposits in southeastern Acidalia Planitia, Mars

“…First, detectable grain-size values might not match mud particle size anymore since the material dried up and got indurated over the time. Ultimately, sandy mud volcanoes have been found on Earth (Miyakawa et al, 2013) and, thus, this phenomenon cannot be excluded either.…”

Identification of a large mud volcano field in the Hyuga-nada, northern end of the Ryukyu trench, offshore Japan

“…Knowledge of the characteristics of seismic signals (Soto et al, 2021a;Soto et al, 2021b;Hudec and Soto, 2021), which visualize conduits below the mud volcanoes, is essential to understanding the depths; however, knowledge on the origin of conduits remains limited. Several studies have discussed planar distribution and original depths of conduits by comparing sediments with geological data (Miyakawa et al, 2013). The planar distribution of mud volcanoes can be easily investigated on land, but it is difficult offshore because they sometimes display tiny geophysical features.…”

Liquefaction structures induced by the M5.7 earthquake on May 28, 2018 in Songyuan, Jilin Province, NE China and research implication

“…Liquefaction occurs mostly in clastic and carbonate sediments (Su et al 2014) and in bedrock (Friese et al 2011). Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, meteorite impacts, tsunamis and storm waves, depositional loading, thawing of ice-rich frozen soils, glacier melting, tides, flooding, slide and slump, turbidite, piping and diversion of runoff, groundwater movement, sea level changes, diapirism, gas leaks, digenesis and biological activities can trigger liquefaction (Burne 1970;Allen and Banks 1972;Owen 1987;Obermeier 1996;Harris et al 2000;Murton et al 2000;Moretti et al 2001;Mahaney et al 2004;Mazumder et al 2006Mazumder et al , 2016Zhong et al 2006Zhong et al , 2008Zhong et al , 2018Glennie and Hurst 2007;Greb and Archer 2007;Moretti 2008, 2011;Mei et al 2009;van Loon 2009;Zhong and Liang 2009;Alfaro et al 2010;Chen and Lee 2013;Li et al 2013;Miyakawa et al 2013;Phillips et al 2013;Rowe 2013;Tian et al 2014;Owen and Santos 2014;Shao et al 2014a;Ravier et al 2015;Ulvrova et al 2016;Capaccioni et al 2017;Du and Yu 2017;Feng 2017;Feng et al 2017;Hurst and Vigorito 2017;Ko et al...…”