Miko Fohrmann

Investigation of the role of gas hydrates in continental slope stability west of Fiordland, New Zealand

Abstract Sediment weakening due to increased local pore fluid pressure is interpreted to be the cause of a submarine landslide that has been seismically imaged off the southwest coast of New Zealand. Data show a distinct and continuous bottom‐simulating reflection (BSR)—a seismic phenomena indicative of the presence of marine gas hydrate—below the continental shelf from water depths of c. 2400 m to c. 750 m, where it intersects the seafloor. Excess pore fluid pressure (EPP) generated in a free gas zone below the base of gas hydrate stability is interpreted as being a major factor in the slopes destabilisation. Representative sediment strength characteristics have been applied to limit‐equilibrium methods of slope stability analysis with respect to the Mohr‐Coulomb failure criterion to develop an understanding of the features sensitivity to EPP. EPP has been modelled with representative material properties (internal angle of friction, bulk soil unit weight and cohesion) to show the considerable effect it has on stability. The best estimate of average EPP being solely responsible for failure is 1700 kPa, assuming a perfectly elastic body above a pre‐defined failure surface in a static environment.

EROSION OF SEAFLOOR RIDGES AT THE TOP OF THE GAS HYDRATE STABILITY ZONE, HIKURANGI MARGIN, NEW ZEALAND – NEW INSIGHTS FROM RESEARCH CRUISES BETWEEN 2005 AND 2007.

It was proposed that erosion of subsea ridges on the Hikurangi margin may be linked to a fluctuating level of the top of gas hydrate stability in the ocean. Since publication of this hypothesis, three field campaigns were conducted in the study area. Here we summarize relevant results from these cruises. We found that water temperature fluctuations occur at lower frequencies and higher amplitudes than previously thought, making it more likely that temperature changes reach sub-seafloor gas hydrates. Dredge samples encountered numerous consolidated mudstones. We speculate that gas hydrate “freeze-thaw” cycles may lead to dilation of fractures in mudstones due to capillary forces, weakening the seafloor. Ubiquitous gas pockets beneath the ridge may lead to overpressure that may also contribute to seafloor fracturing.

Seismic Characterization of the Fiordland Gas-hydrate Province, New Zealand

Occurrences of bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs), related to the presence of gas hydrates, previously have been observed across a widespread zone on the active continental margin associated with the incipient Puysegur subduction zone, southeast of the South Island of New Zealand. However, unlike New Zealands other large gas-hydrate province located on the active Hikurangi margin, east of the North Island, the Fiordland BSRs have not been described in terms of their seismic characteristics or distribution. Five seismic reflection data sets are analyzed here to identify a region of BSRs covering approximately 2200 km2 (849 mi2). The BSRs identified in this region exhibit classic characteristics indicative of a reflector at the base of the gas-hydrate stability zone: (1) they predominantly have a negative polarity, implying a decrease in acoustic impedance; (2) they crosscut strata; and (3) they have a variable amplitude-versus-offset response, indicating the presence of free gas below the reflector. Localized regions of acoustic blanking may be observed at some points above strong BSRs. The lack of information on the sedimentary characteristics of the Fiordland margin limits our ability to quantify the gas-hydrate deposits in this province. However, a significant proportion (16%) of the mapped region contains structural and stratigraphic features that can focus the upward flow of fluids and may therefore correspond to regions of increased hydrate concentrations.