Abstract
This work presents novel pattern recognition techniques applied on bathymetric data from two large areas in Eastern Mediterranean. Our objectives are as follows: (a) to demonstrate the efficiency of this methodology, (b) to highlight the quick and accurate detection of both hydrocarbon related tectonic lineaments and salt structures affecting seafloor morphology, and (c) to reveal new structural data in areas poised for hydrocarbon exploration. In our work, we first apply a multiple filtering and sequential skeletonization scheme inspired by the hysterisis thresholding technique. In a second stage, we categorize each linear and curvilinear segment on the seafloor skeleton (medial axis) based on the strength of detection as well as the length, direction, and spatial distribution. Finally, we compare the seafloor skeleton with ground truth data. As shown in this paper, the automatic extraction of the bathymetric skeleton allows the interpretation of the most prominent seafloor morphological features. We focus on the competent tracing of tectonic lineaments, as well as the effective distinction between seafloor features associated with shallow evaporite movements and those related to intense tectonic activity. The proposed scheme has low computational demand and decreases the cost of the marine research because it facilitates the selection of targets prior to data acquisition.
Highlights
IntroductionSubmarine geomorphology studies the landforms (i.e., relief) and processes (tectonic, sedimentary, oceanographic, and biological) in the submarine realm, many of which comprise renewable and non-renewable resources in many maritime countries
Submarine geomorphology studies the landforms and processes in the submarine realm, many of which comprise renewable and non-renewable resources in many maritime countries
The output of the multiple filtering approach for the Southern Cretan offshore and the area on, east, and southwest of the Eratosthenes Seamount is illustrated in Figures 3a and 4a, respectively
Summary
Submarine geomorphology studies the landforms (i.e., relief) and processes (tectonic, sedimentary, oceanographic, and biological) in the submarine realm, many of which comprise renewable and non-renewable resources in many maritime countries. A certain attenuation of resulting tectonic landscapes is expected as sediments fill and drape the ocean floor [7]. The degree of attenuation relates to local sedimentation rates, the degree of geodynamic activity in a certain area (earthquakes, submarine volcanism, seafloor spreading, and so on), fluid and mass transfers, slope instability processes, and the activity of gravity (gliding) tectonics as trigger for complex folding and faulting. Evaporite (salt)-bearing basins around the world, associated with either compressional or extensional tectonic regimes, are one of the most attractive areas for hydrocarbon exploration. The Mediterranean along with the North Caspian, Mexican, and East Siberian salt-bearing basins are considered the four super-giants that contain evaporite masses of about 1.5–2.5 mln. km each [8]
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