Deep and shallow structures of large pockmarks in the Turkish shelf, Eastern Black Sea

ÇİFCİ G., DONDURUR D., Ergun M.

GEO-MARINE LETTERS, vol.23, pp.311-322, 2003 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 23
  • Publication Date: 2003
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00367-003-0138-x
  • Journal Name: GEO-MARINE LETTERS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.311-322
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Circular and elongated pockmarks are present between 180- and 300-m water depths in the Eastern Black Sea shelf. The circular pockmarks have diameters of 50-120 m and the elongated pockmarks are 150-200 m wide with crater depths of 10-25 m. In deeper sediments, buried pockmarks were 'vertically stacked', indicating that the pockmarks developed under periodically varying overpressure conditions driven by the seismologically active North Anatolian Fault. Linear elongated pockmarks were formed by downslope tensional stretching, which caused linear weak zones together with strong seafloor currents acting as a connector of circular pockmarks.