Distribution of gassy sediments and mud volcanoes offshore southwestern Taiwan

This study presents the results of recent intense submarine geophysical surveys conducted offshore southwestern Taiwan. Mud volcanoes and gassy sediments have been identified from chirp sonar and seismic reflection profile data. The distribution of gassy sediments and mud volcanoes have been compiled which shows that they extend from the accretionary wedge province to the passive China continental margin province. Submarine mud volcanoes could be grouped into four main clusters in the accretionary wedge province: offshore Kaohsiung, Kaoping Submarine Canyon, Fenliao Submarine Canyon and Yung-An Lineament. Each cluster is composed of several to more than 10 submarine mud volcanoes. Their origin could be related to the gas hydrate dissociation with the rising of high-pressure fluid along faults or the mud diapir pierced the sea floor.