Subsurface resistivity in combination with hyperspectral field and satellite data for mud volcano dynamics, Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan oil mud volcanoes form on the surface as expressions of the vertical migration of oil and gas as a result of gravitational loading of largely unconsolidated sediments in combination with structure control and stress regime. Through typical geomorphologic mud volcano vents called gryphons and salses, mud volcanoes eject argillaceous material (breccia) and build up their topography. In 2002 a field survey was carried out on two onshore mud volcanoes and mud volcano vents are analysed using subsurface resistivity measurements in combination with imaging spectroscopy. Preliminary 2D and 3D subsurface electric surveys using pole-dipole configuration show an irregular mud volcano architecture in terms of oil migration pathways, mud chamber connectivity, faults, and symmetric mud volcano eruption through time. At the same time imaging spectroscopy shows significant absorption at 2.20 um as indication of venting argillaceous material above mud volcano cones.