Mud Volcanoes, Geodynamics and Seismicity: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Mud Volcanism, Geodynamics and Seismicity, Baku, ... Series: IV: Earth and Environmental Sciences)

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.

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.

cover-large......Page 1 front-matter......Page 2 00......Page 22 01......Page 37 02......Page 48 03......Page 54 04......Page 68 05......Page 96 06......Page 107 07......Page 123 09......Page 129 10......Page 140 11......Page 146 12......Page 152 13......Page 163 14......Page 174 15......Page 183 16......Page 189 17......Page 202 18......Page 211 19......Page 221 20......Page 227 21......Page 238 22......Page 249 23......Page 261 back-matter......Page 282