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STUDYING THE ZONE OF MUD VOLCANISM MANIFESTATION ON THE KERCH PENINSULA BY ENGINEERING-SEISMIC METHODS

B. A. Kanareikin 1, A. I. Maltsev 2, A. S. Kharlamov 2

1 Siberian Research Institute of Geology, Geophysics and Mineral Resources, Novosibirsk, Russia; 2 Sibirskaya geofizicheskaya sluzhba, Novosibirsk, Russia

According to CDP seismic data obtained within the Zsypnoy anti cline, the geological structure of the shallow subsurface has been established down to depths of 150–200 m at the site of the designed railway tunnel (approach lines towards the Kerch Bridge). This structure is determined by tectonics of an ancient (extinct?) mud volcano. Its structural model is developed. In the sediments underlying the ground mud volcanic construction (gryphon), a “depressed” syncline – one of the main signs of mud volcanism – is identified. The seismic tomography constructions with respect to the velocity parameters of longitudinal and transverse waves and their relationships show a significant heterogeneity of the shallow subsurface associated with the structural features of the mud volcano. On the flanks of mud volcanic deposits (mud volcanic breccias) a dense network of faults is identified that constitutes a danger of a possible methane breakthrough during drivage.

Keywords: engineering seismology, Kerch Peninsula, mud volcano, compressional-wave reflection, seismic tomography, Maikop clay, depressed syncline.

DOI 10.20403/2078-0575-2019-1-35-46