Mud Cones Research Articles

Geomorphology of subaerial mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan: Issues about edifice construction and degradation

Mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan present some of the largest and most well-preserved edifices among all the onshore examples. We examined their morphology based on remote sensing and field observations. We classify the general shapes of the edifices into Type 1 (conical edifice), Type 2 (shield-like edifice), Type 3 (domed edifice) and Irregular (or compound). The associated landforms of the examined mud volcanoes are wide-ranging: mud flows, summit mud pies, summit craters/areas, gryphons and mud cones (small- and medium-scale vent structures), and salses (ponds of watery mud). The variety of such constructional landforms testify to the complex processes of mud emplacement modulated by the presence of fluids such as saline/connate waters and hydrocarbons. Degradation features include gullies, aeolian forms, steep slopes at lower flanks and reduced edifice sections due to human exploitation. The steep slopes at lower flanks are interesting since they may represent evidence for wave-cut erosion. The complex interplay of edifice construction and degradation is an important area of future study.

Gas hydrate versus seabed morphology offshore Lebu (Chilean margin)

Gas-hydrate occurrences along the Chilean margin have been widely documented, but the processes associated with fluid escapes caused by the dissociation of gas hydrates are still unknown. We report a seabed morphology growth related to fluid migration offshore Lebu associated with mud cones by analysing oxygen and deuterium stable water isotopes in pore water, bathymetric, biological and sedimentological data. A relief was observed at − 127 m water depth with five peaks. Enrichment values of δ18O (0.0–1.8‰) and δD (0.0–5.6‰) evidenced past hydrate melting. The orientation of the relief could be associated with faults and fractures, which constitute pathways for fluid migration. The benthic foraminifera observed can be associated with cold seep areas. We model that the mud cones correspond to mud growing processes related to past gas-hydrate dissociation. The integration of (i) the seismic data analysis performed in the surrounding area, (ii) the orientation of our studied relief, (iii) the infaunal foraminifera observed, (iv) the grain size and (v) the total organic matter and isotope values revealed that this area was formerly characterised by the presence of gas hydrates. Hence, this part of the Chilean margin represents a suitable area for investigating fluid-migration processes.

Geologically controlled intermittent gas eruption and its impact on bottom water temperature and chemosynthetic communities—A case study in the “HaiMa” cold seeps, South China Sea

In 2018, the Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering investigated the “HaiMa” cold seeps in the northwestern part of the South China Sea using R/V “TanSuoYiHao” with manned submersible “ShenHaiYongShi.” Ten dives were conducted to make seafloor observations at six cold seeps (HM‐1 to HM‐6). By combining multibeam echosounder data and seismic profiles, a systematic study was made to understand fluid migration, accumulation, and eruption and their impact on the ecosystem. Location of gas flares observed in the multibeam echosounder data obtained in 2016 and 2018 is different, indicating a year‐level spatiotemporal variation of the cold seep activities. Seafloor observation shows that massive carbonates occur in HM‐1 and HM‐5, indicating two long‐term existed cold seeps (several thousands of years). Mussels covered large areas of HM‐2, HM‐3, and HM‐6, suggesting young active seeps. Elevated seabed with broken edges, mud cones, clay pools, and sudden increased water turbidity and temperature was encountered in multiple areas, which are inferred to be associated with shallow gas accumulation and eruption. Methane content of the headspace gas from shallow sediment at HM‐2 is higher than 99.5% with δ13C‐CH4 of −71.5‰ to 72.3‰, indicating a biogenic gas origin. It is inferred that the gas is sourced by reservoirs at ~1,280 mbsf, which are characterized by low frequency in the seismic profiles. Gas migrates from the gas reservoir to the top of the Basel uplift along the slope. High‐angle faults are widely developed between 800 and 240 mbsf, facilitating gas migration from the top of the Basel uplift to the shallow sediment. Most of the faults did not reach the seafloor; therefore, gas accumulated at shallow depth exhibits bright spots in the seismic profiles. When the pore pressure overcomes the overburden sediment, fractures will be created for gas entering the water column. Gas emission provides a pressure release mechanism; therefore, most fractures did not reach the seafloor as observed in the seismic profiles. However, it is speculated that gas emission will stop with growth of gas hydrates and authigenic carbonates, which continuously decrease the permeability of the original fractures. Pressure will be built up, and new fractures will be generated, leading to the formation of new seeps. This mechanism is inferred to result in the spatiotemporal variation of cold seep activity and affects the development of the cold seep ecosystem.

Distribution and geological control of mud volcanoes and other fluid/free gas seepage features in the Mediterranean Sea and nearby Gulf of Cadiz

Existing knowledge on the distribution of mud volcanoes (MVs) and other significant fluid/free gas-venting features (mud cones, mud pies, mud-brine pools, mud carbonate cones, gas chimneys and, in some cases, pockmark fields) discovered on the seafloor of the Mediterranean Sea and in the nearby Gulf of Cadiz has been compiled using regional geophysical information (including multibeam coverage of most deepwater areas). The resulting dataset comprises both features proven from geological sampling, or in situ observations, and many previously unrecognized MVs inferred from geophysical evidence. The synthesis reveals that MVs clearly have non-random distributions that correspond to two main geodynamic settings: (1) the vast majority occur along the various tectono-sedimentary accretionary wedges of the Africa-Eurasia subduction zone, particularly in the central and eastern Mediterranean basins (external Calabrian Arc, Mediterranean Ridge, Florence Rise) but also along its westernmost boundary in the Gulf of Cadiz; (2) other MVs characterize thick depocentres along parts of the Mesozoic passive continental margins that border Africa from eastern Tunisia to the Levantine coasts, particularly off Egypt and, locally, within some areas of the western Mediterranean back-arc basins. Meaningfully accounting for MV distribution necessitates evidence of overpressured fluids and mud-rich layers. In addition, cross-correlations between MVs and other GIS-based data, such as maps of the Messinian evaporite basins and/or active (or recently active) tectonic trends, stress the importance of assessing geological control in terms of the presence, or not, of thick seals and potential conduits. It is contended that new MV discoveries may be expected in the study region, particularly along the southern Ionian Sea continental margins.

Mud volcanoes in the Khar Argalantyn Nuruu, NW Gobi Altay, Mongolia as manifestation of recent seismic activity

* �Correspondingauthor A group of mud volcanoes was discovered in the NW part of the Gobi Altay on a northern foothill of the Khar Argalantyn Nuruu Mts. Several mud cones and mud mounds with elevation up to 0.8 m, as well as pools with muddy water and mud outflows were encountered. Jurassic to Quaternary sedimentary successions provide the source for the mud volca - noes. Jurassic sediments cover transgressively Permian volcanics forming several confined aquifers within a subsided, triangle shaped block. The aquifers are saturated with groundwater derived from the Khar Argalantyn Nuruu Mts. To the northwest and to the east this block is bordered by sealed faults. The significant recent seismic activity occurring in the area is related to Cenozoic faults as a response to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian continental plates. The mud volcanoes originated probably as a result of the Gobi-Altay Earthquake in 1957. The earthquake of magnitude 8.3 generated new fractures or reactivated existing fractures. The impulse of the earthquake exceeding the thixotropy of fine-grained sediments initiated the rise of the mud volcanoes. The recent equilibrium of pressure conditions in the area is labile. Earthquakes or increase in piezometric level of groundwater caused by heavy rainfalls can trigger activity of the mud volcanoes. A high content of smectites in sediments and loss of binding of clay particles due to soluble salts support mud outflows during such starting events.

Distribution and morphology of mud volcanoes and other fluid flow-related lake-bed structures in Lake Baikal, Russia

New high-resolution multibeam bathymetry data recorded in 2009 in the deepest lake in the World, Lake Baikal, Siberia, enabled a better understanding of the morphology of ten known lake-bed structures—the Bolshoy, Malenki, Malyutka and Stari mud volcanoes in the South Baikal Basin, the K1–4 structures in the Selenga delta, and the Novosibirsk and St. Petersburg structures in the Central Baikal Basin—and also the discovery of 29 new lake-bed structures. These new structures are the S1, Tolstiy, mTSG and S2 in the South Baikal Basin, the P1–P4, P6–P19 and K5–K8 in the Selenga delta accommodation zone, and the C1, C3 and C4 edifices in the Central Baikal Basin. In all, 39 positive relief structures were identified and their large-scale distribution mapped. Based on their typical shape, the observation of high-reflectivity areas on side-scan sonar data records, and evidence of feeder channels on subsurface data, these structures can be classified as mud volcanoes. This has already been confirmed in other publications for the Bolshoy, Malenki and K2 structures, by the recovery of mud breccias in sediment cores. Most structures occur on or near faults and have orientations parallel with the major faults and main stress orientations in the basins, suggesting a strong structural control on the formation of the mud volcanoes. Their slopes are generally steeper than 5°, consistent with interpretation as mud cones formed by high-viscosity, stiff mud plugs. Only few structures appear to be characterised by a crater, in which case this apparent crater seems to be formed by the coalescence of several single cones, leaving a depression in the centre. Some structures have a moat, which has probably an erosional origin. Furthermore, three depressions have been found, named P5, P20 and C2, which are suggested to be pockmarks.

Cenozoic mud volcano activity along the Indus Fan: offshore Pakistan

ABSTRACTThis study documents the tectono‐stratigraphic setting and expulsion history of a major, previously undescribed mud volcano (MV) province in the Indus Submarine Fan, offshore Pakistan. A buried MV field of nine composite MVs has been recognized using two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D seismic reflection data in a confined area of 50 × 65 km2. Conduits are recognized on each of these MVs connecting the pre‐Eocene parent beds to the stacked mud cones. The buried MVs are up to 8.4 km wide (4.5 km average) with a central conduit of 1.23 km average diameter and an average mud cone thickness of 0.33 km. Three major phases of fluid and mud remobilization occurred in the Early to Middle Miocene, intra‐Middle Miocene and in the Late Miocene to Plio‐Pleistocene transition. Most of the mud source (parent beds) seems to be of pre‐Eocene origin. Geometrical information from 21 mud cones allows an estimate of the volume required to build these fluid escape features. The calculated volume of remobilized sediments is 71.5±9 km3. The location of the MV field is limited to the pre‐Eocene main depocentre, with major tectonic deformation occurring along the wrench system of the Indo–Arabian plate boundary, i.e. the southern edge of the Murray Ridge. The Indus MV field is, to our knowledge, the longest lived (∼22 Myr) remobilized, Cenozoic sedimentary system observed worldwide. No evidence of present‐day mud flow activity is seen on the seabed seismic reflection in the study area.

A geological study of the epicentral area of the April 20(21), 2006 Olyutorskii earthquake

Primary and secondary earthquake effects were investigated (surface breakage and felt effects in the villages of Tilichiki, Korf, and Khailino) in the epicentral area of a large earthquake occurring in northern Kamchatka Krai. The primary effects include an extended surface break that can be followed for a length of about 140 km. The secondary (gravitational and vibrational) effects include soil slides and minor rockfalls, snow flows on slopes, resonant cracks, soil liquefaction phenomena consisting of mud cones, mud gryphons, and discharges of soil from cracks. Detailed maps showing the main types of earthquake surface effects have been made. Paleoseismic data show traces of several large earthquakes that have occurred in the Olyutorskii earthquake zone. Radio carbon dating of soil samples from these paleoseismic scarps revealed a history of great earthquakes occurring in Koryakia. In all, four seismic events with magnitudes about that of the 2006 Olyutorskii earthquake have occurred there during 8000 years, the return period of such events being 1000–2500 years.

Tectonically-driven mud volcanism since the late Pliocene on the Calabrian accretionary prism, central Mediterranean Sea

Mud volcanoes recently discovered on the offshore Calabrian Arc are investigated at two sites 60 km apart, in water depths of 1650--2300 m, using swath bathymetry, 2D&3D multichannel seismic and cores. The seabed and subsurface data provide information on their formation and functioning in relation to tectonic activity during the rapid Plio-Quaternary advance of the accretionary prism. Fore-arc extension and thrust-belt compression are seen to have involved two main phases of activity, separated by a regional unconformity recording a mid-Pliocene (3.5–3.0 Ma) tectonic reorganization. The two sites of mud volcanism lie in contrasting tectonic settings (inner fore-arc basin vs central fold-and-thrust belt) and record differing forms of seabed extrusive activity (twin mud cones and a caldera vs a broad mud pie). At both sites, subsurface data show that mud volcanism took place throughout the second tectonic phase, since the late Pliocene; differing forms of mud extrusion were accompanied by subsidence to form depressions beneath and within extrusive edifices up to 1.5 km thick. The basal subsidence depressions point to sources within the succession of thrusts underlying the inner to central Arc, consistent with microfossils within cored mud breccias from both sites that are derived from strata as old as Late Cretaceous. These results are argued to support a model of mud volcanism in which deeply-rooted fluid conduits drive a process of near-surface sediment mobilization. The onset of extrusive activity is inferred to have been triggered by the mid-Pliocene tectonic reorganization, the change in stress fields (which post-dates the migration of frontal compression across the area by >4 Ma) opening pathways for the release of overpressured fluids from deep within the accretionary prism. The rising fluids interacted with shallow (<2 km) geological structures (thrusts, basins) to cause the formation and progressive evacuation of mud chambers, resulting in the growth of mud volcanoes within subsidence depressions. It is hypothesised that lowering of the base of the extrusive edifices by subsidence and thickening led to the formation of internal mud chambers that remobilized previously extruded material, a process that could account for the common lack of internal structure observed on seismic profiles. Differing forms of mud extrusion (mud pie, mud cones, caldera) are attributed to episodic activity driven by the evolving dynamics of the mud chambers over the last ≥3 Ma.

In situ cone penetration tests at the active Dashgil mud volcano, Azerbaijan: Evidence for excess fluid pressure, updoming, and possible future violent eruption

Active mud volcanism is a global phenomenon that represents a natural hazard by self-igniting eruptions and the continuous emission of methane gas in both marine and continental settings. Mud domes are often found in compressional tectonic settings such as the Caucasus orogenic wedge. Dashgil mud volcano, the most prominent of >200 features in Azerbaijan, has erupted vigorously in historic times. For several years, we have observed variations in the activity of Dashgil dome, including transients in methane flux, build-up of extrusive mud cones on the main feature, and flexural polygonal cracks adjacent to the main crater lake and new mud cones. In spring 2007, we carried out in situ CPTU (Cone Penetration Testing with Pore Pressure measurement) experiments in the crestal area of Dashgil. Our data suggest that the central portion of the crater lake, which hosts the conduit for gas (and possible mud) ascent, shows both low sediment shear strength (<5–20 kPa) and excess pore fluid pressures between 15 and 30 kPa supra-hydrostatic at 1 m sub-bottom depth. In situ cone resistance as a measure for undrained shear strength is as low as 150 kPa in the conduit, whereas the mud is found rather stiff in all other testing locations (300–700 kPa, probably a result of deeply buried shales of the Maikop formation parts of which now liquefy and ascend). Pore pressure is low in the centre of the conduit, probably because of rapidly migrating gas. It increases to 30 kPa at the lake bottom and deep flank, then decreases upslope on the lake flank, and reaches hydrostatic values at the crater rim. From the overpressured region beneath the fluid-filled crest of Dashgil dome, combined with the other observations, we suspect to currently witness an ongoing period of updoming. The presence of sintered mudstones from explosive eruptions in 1908 and 1928 (and most likely before) suggests that a similar violent activity may occur in the near future.

Internal structure and eruptive history of a kilometre‐scale mud volcano system, South Caspian Sea

ABSTRACTWe describe the internal structure of a multi‐kilometre scale mud volcano edifice from the South Caspian Sea using three‐dimensional (3D) seismic reflection data leading to a reconstruction of the volcano system's eruptive history. By adapting elements of classic seismic stratigraphy to the study of this volcano, we have found its edifice to consist of a series of stacked mud cones. This internal architecture is most likely to have formed as a result of repeated episodes of expulsion of a fluid‐mud mix. Underlying the stack of cones is an asymmetric fault‐bounded caldera measuring approximately 2 km in diameter. This caldera shows close structural similarity to the trapdoor type of magmatic caldera. Based on the geometrical relationships of individual mud cones to this caldera, we conclude that caldera‐like collapse of the edifice floor initiated following the deposition of the first mud cone (the pioneer cone). Growth of the caldera continued until the later stages of edifice evolution when it eventually abated. This eruptive history shows strong similarities to recent models for magmatic caldera eruption cycles. The study therefore highlights the potential analogue value of mud volcano systems to the study of igneous volcanism. Furthermore, it identifies 3D seismic data as a potentially useful tool in reconstructing the history of mud volcanic eruption and fluid and sediment expulsion from sedimentary basins.

Seabed morphology and hydrocarbon seepage in the Gulf of Cádiz mud volcano area: Acoustic imagery, multibeam and ultra-high resolution seismic data

Extensive mud volcanism, mud diapirism and carbonate chimneys related to hydrocarbon-rich fluid venting are observed throughout the Spanish–Portuguese margin of the Gulf of Cádiz. All the mud volcanoes and diapirs addressed in this paper lie in the region of olistostrome/accretionary complex units which were emplaced in the Late Miocene in response to NW-directed convergence between the African and Eurasian plates. The study area was investigated by multibeam echo-sounder, high and ultra-high resolution seismic profiling, dredging and coring. The structures observed on multibeam bathymetry, at water depths between 500 and 1300 m, are dominated by elongate mud ridges, mud cones, mud volcanoes and crater-like collapse structures ranging in relief from 50 to 300 m and size from 0.8 to 2 km in diameter. The main morphotectonic features, named the Guadalquivir Diapiric Ridge (GDR) and the Cádiz Diapiric Ridge (CDR), are longitudinally shaped diapirs which trend NE–SW and consist of lower–middle Miocene plastic marly clays. The GDR field and the TASYO field, which consist of mud volcanoes and extensive fluid venting related to diapiric ridge development, are described in this paper. The GDR field is characterised by numerous, single, sub-circular mud volcanoes and mud cones. The single mud volcanoes are cone-shaped features with relatively gentle slopes of 3°–6°, consisting of several generations of mud breccia deposition with indications of gas-saturation, degassing structures and the presence of H 2S. The mud cones have asymmetric profiles with steep slopes of up to 25° and contain large surficial deposits of hydrocarbon-derived carbonate chimneys and slabs. The TASYO field is characterised by an extensive concentration of small, sub-circular depressions, oval and multi-cone mud volcanoes and large sediment slides. Mud volcanoes in this area are characterised by moderate slopes (8°–12°), have bathymetric relief ranging from 100 to 190 m and consist of sulphide-rich mud breccia, calcite chimneys, carbonate crusts and chemosynthetic fauna (Pogonophora tube worms). We propose that all these hydrocarbon seepage structures are related to lateral compressional stress generated at the front of the olistostromic/accretionary wedge. This stress results in the uplifting and squeezing plastic marly clay deposits. Additionally, the compressional stress at the toe of the olistostrome forms overpressurised compartments which provide avenues for hydrocarbon-enriched fluids to migrate.

Near-surface sediment mobilization and methane venting in relation to hydrate destabilization in Southern Lake Baikal, Siberia

Abstract Four seeps and mud extrusion features at the lake floor were discovered in August 1999 in the gas hydrate area in Lake Baikal’s South Basin. This paper describes these features in detail using side-scan sonar, detailed bathymetry, measurements of near-bottom water properties, selected seismic profiles and heat flow data calculated from the depth of the hydrate layer as well as obtained from in situ thermoprobe measurements. The interpretation of these data is integrated with published geochemical data from shallow cores. The seeps are identified as methane seeps and appear as mud cones (maximum 24 m high, 800 m in diameter) or low-relief craters (maximum 8 m deep, 500 m in diameter) at the lake floor. Mud cones (estimated to be approximately 50–100 ka old) appear to be older than the craters and have a different structural setting. Mud cones occur at the crest of rollover structures, in the footwall of a secondary normal fault, while the craters occur at fault splays. The seeps are found in an area of high heat flow where the base of the gas hydrate layer shallows rapidly towards the vent sites from about 400 m to about 160 m below the lake floor. At the site of the seep, a vertical seismic chimney disrupts the sedimentary stratification from the base of the hydrate layer to the lake floor. Integration of these results leads to the interpretation that focused destabilization of gas hydrate caused massive methane release and forced mud extrusion at the lake floor and that the gas seeps and mud diapirs in Lake Baikal do not have a deep origin. This is the first time that methane seeps and/or mud volcanoes associated with gas hydrate decomposition have been observed in a sub-lacustrine setting. The finding suggests that gas hydrate destabilization can create large pore fluid overpressures in the shallow subsurface (&lt;500 m subsurface) and cause mud extrusion at the sediment surface.

Deformational styles of the eastern Mediterranean Ridge and surroundings from combined swath mapping and seismic reflection profiling

Recent swath mapping and seismic reflection profiling across the eastern(Levantine) branch of the Mediterranean Ridge (MR), in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, illustrate a strong variability of the deformational styles that characterize this precollisional accretionary prism. Along a north–south cross-section of the MR, a structural analysis, based on surface mapping, combined with vertical seismic reflection data, reveals two main structural domains. A southern Outer Domain consists of a series of three disconnected distinct fold belts. Folding affects a sedimentary cover which includes an approximately 2-km thick Pliocene and Quaternary wedge in this domain, resting on fairly thick Messinian evaporitic sequences that act as probable decollement layers. The MR Inner Domain includes three regions showing evidences of strong internal deformations and of numerous probable mud cones and mud flows, but no seismic evidence of significant underlying Messinian evaporites can be detected. The inner sub-regions are thrusting northwards over an area made of faulted, and locally uplifted, acoustic basement blocks that constitute the southernmost extension of the Crete continental margin, acting as a continental buttress for the MR. This innermost domain is itself structurally disconnected from the Crete continental margin by the en échelon Pliny troughs system that shows evidence of left lateral displacement. Altogether, the different structural and sedimentary cover patterns reveal a strong contrast between both MR Inner and Outer Domains, and important lateral variations within the Inner MR itself. Strike-slip faulting seams to characterizes both areas, and large-scale mud accumulations potentially exist in the northern one. Our results support a model of imbricated accretionary prisms, including, at least, two stages: (1) a pre-Messinian stage during which the Inner MR probably developed in response to northward subduction of the African lithosphere beneath southern Europe, and (2) a Messinian to post-Messinian period, during which the kinematics of the Aegean–Anatolian microplates and the presence of thick Messinian deposits became prevalent and which led to the creation of the Outer MR folded wedge piling against the previous one. In our interpretation, the occurrence of thick Messinian evaporites in this area induces important local and regional modifications of the structural pattern. Strike-slip activities reflect partitioning related to oblique subduction, and likely lateral escape of the sedimentary cover in the whole studied area.

Geophysical evidence of mud diapirism on the Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex

Mud volcanoes, mud cones, and mud ridges have been identified on the inner portion of the crestal area, and possibly on the inner escarpment, of the Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex. Four areas containing one or more mud diapirs have been investigated through bathymetric profiling, single channel seismic reflection profiling, heat flow measurements, and coring. A sequence of events is identified in the evolution of the mud diapirs: initially the expulsion on the seafloor of gasrich mud produces a seafloor depression outlined in the seismic record by downward dip of the host sediment reflectors towards the mud conduit; subsequent eruptions of fluid mud may create a flat topped mud volcano with step-like profile; finally, the intrusion of viscous mud produces a mud cone. The origin of the diapirs is deep within the Mediterranean Ridge. Although a minimum depth of about 400 m below the seafloor has been computed from the hydrostatic balance between the diapiric sediments and the host sediments, a maximum depth, suggested by geometric considerations, ranges between 5.3 and 7 km. The presence of thermogenic gas in the diapiric sediments suggests a better constrained origin depth of at least 2.2 km. The heat flow measured within the Olimpi mud diapir field and along a transect orthogonal to the diapiric field is low, ranging between 16 ± 5 and 41 ± 6 mW m−2. Due to the presence of gas, the thermal conductivity of the diapiric sediments is lower than that of the host hemipelagic oozes (0.6–0.9 and 1.0–1.15 W m−1 K−1 respectively). We consider the distribution of mud diapirs to be controlled by the presence of tectonic features such as reverse faults or thrusts (inner escarpment) that develop where the thickness of the Late Miocene evaporites appears to be minimum. An upward migration through time of the position of the decollement within the stratigraphic column from the Upper Oligocene (diapiric sediments) to the Upper Miocene (present position) is identified.

Significant Role of Climatic Trends on Hydrothermal Activity Coso Hot Springs, California: ABSTRACT

The hydrothermal features of Coso Hot Springs have attracted visitors for 130 yr and scientific investigators for two decades. In 1978, anticipating effects of major geothermal developments nearby, the Naval Weapons Center (NWC) initiated a comprehensive monitoring program at a dozen hydrothermal sites in the Coso Hot Springs area. Nine years of monitoring preceded power production in the nearby Coso geothermal field in July 1987. During this period, steam was rising from numerous vents and gently boiling mud pots. Local rainfall caused increased boiling activity in several mud pots, with some overflowing during wet periods. Then in August 1988, a year after geothermal power production began major changes in hot spring activity commenced. Small mud pots and steamers started to grow and coalesce. In March 1989, mud-pot activity became more violent. Many buried wells failed causing surface activity in other areas to diminish. During ensuing months, large mud cones developed and much of the steam and boiling water occurred in a few major pots. Because the abrupt changes in hydrothermal activity followed so closely after nearby geothermal production began, the obvious cause has been attributed to geothermal developments. Studies of NWC baseline monitoring data indicate, however, that no effects ofmore » geothermal developments have been felt in the hot springs area. Rainfall and barometric effects account for most of the fluctuations in records of the past decade. Early accounts and field evidence suggest similar changes have occurred in the past.« less