Dugan, Brandon1, Jack Germaine2, William Winters1,
Peter Flemings3
(1) U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA
(2) MIT, Cambridge, MA
(3) Pennstate University, University Park, PA
ABSTRACT: Laboratory Constraints and Models of Pressure, Hydrate, and Stability in Shallow Mississippi Canyon Sediments (MC 855), Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
Fluid pressure and stress history influence hydrate and slope stability. Shallow water
flows (SWF) document shallow (<1000 m below seafloor, mbsf) overpressure in the Gulf of
Mexico, but pore pressure observations in shallow silt/clay are rare. We use constant rate
of strain (CRS; 0.5%/hr) consolidation experiments to interpret overpressure equaling 50%
of the hydrostatic effective stress at 6.8 and 19.2 mbsf in 1318 m water (Marion Dufresne
giant piston core MD02-2567, Mississippi Canyon Block 855). Experimentally determined
permeability of these sediments is 1x10-16m2 at 6.8 mbsf and decreases to
1x10-17m2 at 19.2 mbsf is sufficiently low to prevent drainage to hydrostatic
conditions. Specimens deformed along the virgin compression curve for void ratio < 1.1,
indicating high in situ porosity and low effective stress. Grain size variation between
6.8 and 19.2 mbsf has minor effects on consolidation behavior but large effects on
permeability. Higher overpressure in the past may have driven failure along a regional
detachment surface at 125 mbsf. Overpressure also increases the theoretical thickness of
the hydrate stability zone.
We hypothesize that pressure dissipation and flow in permeable conduits from a SWF sand at
250 mbsf at this location contributes to near-seafloor overpressure. Ongoing experiments
from nearby locations will characterize how depth to the sand influences fluid pressure
and strength of overlying sediments. Depositional models simulate fluid pressure evolution
relative to the SWF sand, track heat and chemical transport during deposition, and provide
estimates of hydrate formation/dissociation and slope instability, which are active
processes in this region.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.