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Early Burial Mud Diapirism: Lateral Overpressure Transfer and Slope Failure in a Deformed Foredeep
Author(s) -
Oppo Davide,
Capozzi Rossella,
Tingay Mark,
Marabini Stefano
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2021gl094922
Subject(s) - diapir , geology , overpressure , mud volcano , geomorphology , submarine landslide , sediment , structural basin , sedimentary rock , geochemistry , petrology , landslide , physics , thermodynamics
Understanding triggers and evolution of post‐depositional sediment intrusion is of major importance to decrease the risk associated with hazards to infrastructure and environment from events such as submarine landslides and fluid escape. Whereas deep‐sourced intrusions (>1 km) are widely documented, early burial examples are poorly recognized and have been described only in large deltas. Their formation had not yet been documented in deformed foredeeps. Here, we show an exceptionally well‐exposed, early burial mud diapir in the Northern Apennines fold and thrust belt. Disequilibrium compaction and tectonic basin tilt led to lateral pressure migration within shallow (<200 m) sediments. As a result, near‐lithostatic overpressure developed at the basin margin causing sediment intrusion and destabilization of the slope. This work shows that early burial mud diapirs can develop in deformed foredeeps with similar characteristics to their deep‐rooted counterparts, with important implications for hazard assessment in areas non‐traditionally prone to shallow overpressure buildup.