Acoustic and Visual Imaging of Active Seafloor Seepage in Various Deep-sea Environments

Abstract

Cold seeps were surveyed by multibeam echo sounder, side scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, TV-sled, and ROV. Asphalt volcanism at Chapopote Knoll was explained as an special case of heavy oil seepage by an conceptual model. An according model was developed for an purely gas driven seep, Batumi Seep, where gas flow shapes the seafloor. A section of the Makran margin was systematically seached for seeps. Important factors governing the appearance of a seep on the seafloor had been defined and discussed.