Articles | Volume 17, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-17-923-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-17-923-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
05 Aug 2026
Research article |
| 05 Aug 2026
| 05 Aug 2026
Gas migration and slope instability in the Danube Fan: insights from integrated OBS-MCS seismic analysis
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD Marine Geodynamics, Kiel, Germany
Anke Dannowski
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD Marine Geodynamics, Kiel, Germany
Jörg Bialas
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD Marine Geodynamics, Kiel, Germany
Felix Gross
Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Institute of Geosciences, Kiel, Germany
Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Centre for Ocean and Society, Kiel, Germany
Jasper Hoffmann
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD Marine Geodynamics, Kiel, Germany
Alfred-Wegener-Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research Sylt, Department Coastal Ecology, List, Germany
Dirk Klaeschen
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD Marine Geodynamics, Kiel, Germany
Christian Berndt
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, RD Marine Geodynamics, Kiel, Germany
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The Ligurian Sea opened ~30–15 Ma during SE migration of the Calabrian subduction zone. Using ambient seismic noise from stations on land and at the ocean bottom, we calculated a 3D shear-velocity model of the Ligurian Basin. In keeping with existing 2D studies, we find a shallow crust–mantle transition at the SW basin centre that deepens towards the northeast, Corsica, and the Liguro-Provençal coast. We observe a separation of SW and NE basins. We do not observe high crustal vP/vS ratios.
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Yueyang Xia, Jacob Geersen, Dirk Klaeschen, Bo Ma, Dietrich Lange, Michael Riedel, Michael Schnabel, and Heidrun Kopp
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The 2 June 1994 Java tsunami earthquake ruptured in a seismically quiet subduction zone and generated a larger-than-expected tsunami. Here, we re-process a seismic line across the rupture area. We show that a subducting seamount is located up-dip of the mainshock in a region that did not rupture during the earthquake. Seamount subduction modulates the topography of the marine forearc and acts as a seismic barrier in the 1994 earthquake rupture.
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Short summary
This study investigates gas hydrate distribution in the Danube Fan, NW Black Sea. Using seismic data and drilling results, we analysed the structure, composition, and gas content of underconsolidated sediments. Gas hydrates are present in low concentration and patchy distribution. Free gas is trapped beneath the hydrate stability zone. The area shows signs of past slope failures linked to weak sediments and gas accumulation. The study provides insights into how gas hydrate systems evolve.
This study investigates gas hydrate distribution in the Danube Fan, NW Black Sea. Using seismic...
