Seismic geomorphology and overpressure variation in the shallow-water-flow-prone sand units in the north-central Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

The north-central Gulf of Mexico area received rapid deposition of a basin-floor fan system consisting of interbedded muds, silts, and sandy turbidite deposits during the Pleistocene. Overpressure occurs at shallow depths when burial rates exceed the dewatering rates of sediment pore fluids. Two stratigraphic sequences in the region contain significant overpressure with elevated shallow-water flow risk within these units. We have used publicly available seismic and well data to identify the geomorphology and overpressure variation of these units. The previously described “Blue Unit” and its lateral extent, thickness, depth below sea level (BSL), and overpressure gradient have been revised. The Blue Unit extends from the northern portion of the Mississippi Canyon (MC) protraction area to as far south as the Atwater Valley (AT) protraction area. For the first time, the Green Unit’s lateral extent, thickness, depth BSL, and pore pressure are defined. The “Green Unit” was found to extend further south than the Blue Unit into the AT protraction area and further east in the Desoto Canyon protraction area. The tops of both units are highly incised by postdepositional erosional systems, whereas the base of each unit is well preserved. The top of the Blue Unit below the mud line (BML) varies from <70 m (<230 ft) in the north to as deep as 701 m (2300 ft) in the south, whereas the top of the Green Unit is as shallow as 300 m (985 ft) in the north to 901 m (2956 ft) in the south. Overpressure in the MC area has been reported just BML. The pore pressure gradient ranges from 0.47 to 0.52 psi/ft at the base of the Blue Unit and increases to 0.60 psi/ft within the Green Unit.