Mud Volcanoes, Geodynamics and Seismicity : Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Mud Volcanism, Geodynamics and Seismicity, Baku, Azerbaijan, from 20 to 22 May 2003

1. PURPOSE OF PRESENT BOOK During the period May 19-26, 2003 the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) “Mud volcanism, Geodynamics and Seismicity” was held in Baku. Participants coming from USA, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Romania, Georgia, UK, Israel, Azerbaijan, Tunisia have discussed about different geodynamic features of mud volcanism and participated to field trips oriented to a better knowledge of mud volcanic features. The Meeting focused on many features of mud volcanism occurrence and related geodynamic topics. The purpose of present book is to collect contributions discussed during the Meeting and to fill a marked editorial gap on mud volcanism. Mud volcanism was to date described by local monographies or by articles published by scientific journals. In particular no books were published on topics able to highlight the link among mud volcanism, geodynamics and seismicity. Mud volcano of Nirano (Northern Italy). Engraving from Stoppani A. (1871), Corso di Geologia, Milan, Bernardoni G. and Brigola G. Publishers. 2. WHY MUD VOLCANOES ARE GEOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT ? Mud volcanoes have attracted the attention of earth scientists for many years. Due to their importance in hydrocarbon research, a consistent progress in the knowledge of mud volcanism took place in the past twenty years. Mud extrusion is a well-known phenomenon occurring in geological environments where fluid-rich, fine grained sediments ascend within a lithologic succession due to their buoyancy. New Seismic Neogene Clay Diapirs and Hydrocarbon Implications in the North-Eastern African Margin of Tunisia....Pages 1-15 Seismic Signature of Gas Hydrate and Mud Volcanoes of the South African Continental Margin....Pages 17-27 Global Distribution of Mud Volcanoes and Their Significance in Petroleum Exploration as a Source of Methane in the Atmosphere and Hydrosphere and as a Geohazard....Pages 29-34 Styles and Productivity of Mud Diapirism along the Middle American Margin....Pages 35-48 Styles and Productivity of Mud Diapirism along the Middle American Margin....Pages 49-76 Mud Volcanoes and Seismicity in Romania....Pages 77-87 Mud Volcanism, Geodynamics and Seismicity of Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea Region....Pages 89-104 Mud Volcanic Manifestations in the Maximum Shaking Areas of Strong Earthquakes....Pages 105-110 The Areas of Mud Volcanism in the South Caspian and Black Sea: Seismicity and New Technology for Seismic Risk Estimation....Pages 111-121 Recent Seismic Activity in Albania and its Features....Pages 123-133 Assessment of Seismic Hazard in Areas of Mud Volcano Location on the Basis of Geophysical Data....Pages 135-140 Methane Emission from Mud Volcanoes....Pages 141-146 Gas Emissions from Mud Volcanoes....Pages 147-157 Mud Volcanoes of Pakistan — an Overview....Pages 159-169 Monitoring of Deformation Processes by Means of Electric Field Observation....Pages 171-179 Mud Volcano: Methods, Apparatus — Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Research....Pages 181-186 Mud Volcano Monitoring and Seismic Events....Pages 187-199 Insar Analysis of the Absheron Peninsula and Nearby Areas, Azerbaijan....Pages 201-209 Geochemical Model of Mud Volcanoes from Reviewed Worldwide Data....Pages 211-220 Biosensor Control of Acute Total Toxicity of Water and Soil Polluted by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons....Pages 221-226 Yeh,^Gau-Hua....Pages 227-237 Mud Volcanoes as Natural Strainmeters....Pages 239-249 Mud Volcano Model Resulting from Geophysical and Geochemical Research....Pages 251-262 Physical Properties of Muds Extruded from Mud Volcanoes: Implications for Episodicity of Eruptions and Relationship to Seismicity....Pages 263-283

The purpose of the book is to link together knowledge obtained in the observation of mud volcanism and local seismicity. Geological, Seismological, Geophysical and Geochemical parameters are considered. The book represents the modern state of the art after many decades of observations. The book fills an editorial gap and improves knowledge in the fields of natural risks and energy resources. Mud volcanism occurs both onshore and offshore in many places of the world. Mud volcanic phenomena have been to date described by local monographs or by articles published in scientific journals and no books were published on topics highlighting the link between mud volcanism, geodynamics and seismicity. Mud volcanism has been recognized to be generally related to hydrocarbon deposits, seismotectonic activity and to orogenic belts. In spite of the large amount of data collected by scientists working in different disciplines - geophysics, geochemistry, structural geology, marine geology, hydrocarbon geosciences etc., a comprehensive and complete understanding of mud volcanic phenomena is hard to find in current scientific literature. Finally a book that presents up-to-date knowledge breaking traditional disciplinary walls.