Sedimentary architecture of submarine channel-lobe systems under different seafloor topography:Insights from the Rovuma Basin offshore East Africa

Seafloor topography plays an important role in the evolution of submarine lobes.However,it is still not so clear how the shape of slope affects the three-dimensional(3-D)architecture of submarine lobes.In this study,we analyze the effect of topography factors on different hierarchical lobe architectures that formed during Pliocene to Quaternary in the Rovuma Basin offshore East Africa.We characterize the shape,size and growth pattern of different hierarchical lobe architectures using 3-D seismic data.We find that the relief of the topographic slope determines the location of preferential deposition of lobe complexes and single lobes.When the topography is irregular and presents topographic lows,lobe complexes first infill these depressions.Single lobes are deposited preferentially at positions with higher longitudinal(i.e.across-slope)slope gradients.As the longitudinal slope becomes higher,the aspect ratio of the single lobes increases.Lateral(i.e.along-slope)topography does not seem to have a strong influence on the shape of single lobe,but it seems to affect the overlap of single lobes.When the lateral slope gradient is relatively high,the single lobes tend to have a larger overlap surface.Furthermore,as the average of lateral slope and longitudinal slope gets greater,the width/thickness ratio of the single lobe is smaller,i.e.sediments tend to accumulate vertically.The results demonstrate that the shape of slopes more comprehensively influences the 3-D architecture of lobes in natural deep-sea systems than previously other lobe deposits and analogue experiments,which helps us better understand the development and evolution of the distal parts of turbidite systems.

Distribution and influencing factors of acoustic characteristics of seafloor sediment in the Sunda Shelf

To understand the acoustic and physical properties of piston core samples collected from the Sunda continental shelf and analyze their distribution patterns,the samples were analyzed in laboratory,from which three provinces were divided in sound speed,sound speed ratio,porosity,wet bulk density,and maximum shear strength.ProvinceⅠhad lower sound speed and sound speed ratio(<1.04),high porosity,and low wet bulk density.ProvinceⅡhad higher sound speed and sound speed ratio(>1.04),low porosity,and high wet bulk density.ProvinceⅢhad the lowest sound speed and sound speed ratio(0.99),highest porosity(81%),and lowest wet bulk density(1.34 g/cm^(3)).The distribution pattern indicates that sediment movement,sediment source,topography,and hydrodynamic conditions influenced the distribution of acoustic and physical properties.Furthermore,we investigated the relationship of the maximum shear strength to the porosity and wet bulk density,and found that the maximum shear strength was proportional to both the porosity and wet bulk density.This finding has significant implications for ocean engineering applications.

An improved positioning model of deep-seafloor datum point at large incidence angle

The inhomogeneous sound speed in seawater causes refraction of sound waves,and the elimination of the refraction effect is essential to the accuracy of underwater acoustic positioning.The raytracing method is an indispensable tool for effectively handling problems.However,this method has a conflict between localization accuracy and computational quantity.The equivalent sound speed profile(ESSP)method uses a simple sound speed profile(SSP)instead of the actual complex SSP,which can improve positioning precision but with residual error.The residual error is especially non-negligible in deep water and at large beam incidence angles.By analyzing the residual error of the ESSP method through a simulation,an empirical formula of error is presented.The data collected in the sailing circle mode(large incidence angle)of the South China Sea are used for verification.The experiments show that compared to the ESSP method,the improved algorithm has higher positioning precision and is more efficient than the ray-tracing method.

Interaction between internal solitary waves and the seafloor in the deep sea

Internal solitary wave(ISW),as a typical marine dynamic process in the deep sea,widely exists in oceans and marginal seas worldwide.The interaction between ISW and the seafloor mainly occurs in the bottom boundary layer.For the seabed boundary layer of the deep sea,ISW is the most important dynamic process.This study analyzed the current status,hotspots,and frontiers of research on the interaction between ISW and the seafloor by CiteSpace.Focusing on the action of ISW on the seabed,such as transformation and reaction,a large amount of research work and results were systematically analyzed and summarized.On this basis,this study analyzed the wave–wave interaction and interaction between ISW and the bedform or slope of the seabed,which provided a new perspective for an in‐depth understanding of the interaction between ISW and the seafloor.Finally,the latest research results of the bottom boundary layer and marine engineering stability by ISW were introduced,and the unresolved problems in the current research work were summarized.This study provides a valuable reference for further research on the hazards of ISW to marine engineering geology.

A seafloor electromagnetic receiver for marine magnetotellurics and marine controlled-source electromagnetic sounding

In planning and executing marine controlled-source electromagnetic methods, seafloor electromagnetic receivers must overcome the problems of noise, clock drift, and power consumption. To design a receiver that performs well and overcomes the abovementioned problems, we performed forward modeling of the E-field abnormal response and established the receiver＇s characteristics. We describe the design optimization and the properties of each component, that is, low-noise induction coil sensor, low-noise Ag/AgCI electrode, low-noise chopper amplifier, digital temperature-compensated crystal oscillator module, acoustic telemetry modem, and burn wire system. Finally, we discuss the results of onshore and offshore field tests to show the effectiveness of the developed seafloor electromagnetic receiver and its performance： typical E-field noise of 0.12 nV/m/rt（Hz） at 0.5 Hz, dynamic range higher than 120 dB, clock drift lower than 1 ms/day, and continuous operation of at least 21 days.

Influence of Microstructure Change of Seafloor Sediments on the Sound Velocity in them in the Course of Stress-strain

Test tools and methods for synchronizing acoustic measurements in the course of stress-strain for seafloor sediment are elaborated and the test data of 45 sediment samples from the seafloor in the South China Sea are analysed. The result shows that the coarser the sediment grains are, the smaller the porosity is and the larger the unconfined compression strength is, the higher the sound velocity is. In the course of stress-strain, the sediment sound velocity varies obviously with the stress. Acoustic characteristics of sediment in different strain phases and the influence of sediment microstructure change on its sound velocity are discussed. This study will be of important significance for surveying wells of petroleum geology and evaluating the base stabilization of seafloor engineering.

Seafloor Asymmetry in the Atlantic Ocean

Measurements of seafloor asymmetry at about 360 000 pairs of conjugate points along 1250 profiles across the mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) provide new constraints on models for the upwelling of the buoyant asthenosphere. The sign and amplitude of the asymmetry vary systematically and are functions of the distance between the spreading center and the location of the inferred location of maximum regional buoyancy (LMRB) in the asthenosphere. The LMRB is a smooth line derived from the observed asymmetry and is more centered at the regional topographic high than the spreading center. These observations are best explained by active upwelling of the underlying buoyant asthenosphere rather than by pressure-release melting.

Development of Mining Technology and Equipment for Seafloor Massive Sulfide Deposits

Seafloor massive sulfide（SMS） deposits which consist of Au, Ag, Cu, and other metal elements, have been a target of commercial mining in recent decades. The demand for established and reliable commercial mining system for SMS deposits is increasing within the marine mining industry. The current status and progress of mining technology and equipment for SMS deposits are introduced. First, the mining technology and other recent developments of SMS deposits are comprehensively explained and analyzed. The seafloor production tools manufactured by Nautilus Minerals and similar mining tools from Japan for SMS deposits are compared and discussed in turn. Second, SMS deposit mining technology research being conducted in China is described, and a new SMS deposits mining tool is designed according to the environmental requirement. Finally, some new trends of mining technology of SMS deposits are summarized and analyzed. All of these conclusions and results have reference value and guiding significance for the research of SMS deposit mining in China.

New discovery of seafloor hydrothermal activity on the Indian Ocean Carlsberg Ridge and Southern North Atlantic Ridge-progress during the 26th Chinese COMRA cruise

The 26th Chinese COMRA （China Ocean Mineral Resources Research ＆ Development Association） cruise was an important cruise. The Carlsberg Ridge （CR） of the Northwest Indian Ocean and the North Atlantic Ridge （NAR）, in which less investigation has been carried out for hydrothermal activities, were investigated and studied during the first two legs of the 26th COMRA cruise. During the first leg, we found one hydrother- mal activity field located in the CR at 3.5^-3.8~ N on the Northwest Indian Ocean Ridge （NWIR）, and sampled seafloor polymetallic sulfide deposits where only abnormalities were found before. During the second leg, we found a new hydrothermal anomaly field located in the NAR at 4^-7~N. The discovery of two hydrother- real and anomaly fields filled in the gap of hydrothermal investigation and study in the corresponding re- ~ions for China.

Dynamic Analysis of the Seafloor Pilot Miner Based on Single-Body Vehicle Model and Discretized Track-Terrain Interaction Model

In order to achieve the complex dynamic analysis of the self-propelled seafloor pilot miner moving on the seafloor of extremely cohesive soft soil and further to make it possible to integrate the miner system with some subsystems to form the complete integrated deep ocean mining pilot system and perform dynamic analysis, a new method for the dynamic modeling and analysis of the miner is proposed and developed in this paper, resulting in a simplified 3D single-body vehicle model with three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom, while the track-terrain interaction model is built by partitioning the track-terrain interface into discrete elements with parameterized force dements built on the theory of terramechanics acting on each discrete dement. To evaluate and verify the correctness and effectiveness of this new modeling and analysis method, typical comparative studies with regard to computational efficiency and solution accuracy are carried out between the traditional modeling method of building the tracked vehicle as a multi-body model and the new modeling method. In full consideration of the particMar structure design of the pilot miner, the special characteristics of the seafioor soil and the hydrodynamic force of near-seafloor currnt, the dynamic simulation analysis of the miner is performed and discussed, which can provide useful guidance and reference for the practical miner system in design and operation. This new method can not only realize the rapid dynamic simulation analysis of the miner but also make possible the integration and rapid dynamic analysis of the complete integrated deep ocean mining pilot system in further researches.

Sulfur isotopic composition of seafloor hydrothermal sediment from the Jade hydrothermal field in the central Okinawa Trough and its geological significance

Eighteen samples of hydrothermal sediments from the Jade hydrothermal field in the central Okinawa Trough have been analyzed. Sulfur isotopic values for 10 sulfide samples vary from 5.2× 10^(-3)to 7.2× 10^(-3), δ^(34)S values for 7 sulfate samples vary from 16.3 × 10^(-3) to 22.3 × 10^(-3), and 1 native sulphur sample has a δ^(34)S value of 8.2 × 10^(-3). The major sources of sulfur for hydrothermal sediment are intermediate to acid volcanic rocks and sea water sulfate, and it is possible that the partial sulfur of hydrothermal sediment is from the pelagic sediment by the interaction between hydrothermal fluid and sediment. The reasons of causing the distinct differences in sulfur isotopic values for sulfide samples from hydrothermal sediment ( compared with other hydrothermal fields), are the differences in the sources of sulfur, the magmatic activity and the tectonic evolution in different hydrothermal fields. The sulfur evolution is a long and complex process in the seafloor hydrothermal system, involving the ascending of heating sea water, the interaction between fluid and volcanic rocks, the mixing of sea water sulfate and sulfur from intermediate to acid volcanic rocks, and the fluid/pelagic-sediment interaction. And the interaction between sea water and intermediate to acid volcanic rocks is an important mechanism for the sulfur evolution in the Jade hydrothermal field.

Downward shift of gas hydrate stability zone due to seafloor erosion in the eastern Dongsha Island,South China Sea

New acquired and reprocessed three-dimensional(3D)seismic data were used to delineate the distribution and characterization of bottom simulating reflections(BSRs)in the Chaoshan Sag,in the eastern part of Dongsha Island,South China Sea.Three submarine canyons with different scales were interpreted from the 3D seismic data,displaying three stages of canyon development and are related with the variation of BSR.Abundant faults were identified from the coherence and ant-tracing attributions extracted from 3D seismic data,which provide the evidence for fluid migration from deeper sediments to the gas hydrate stability zone(GHSZ).The uplift of Dongsha Island created a large number of faults and leads to the increased seafloor erosion.The erosion caused the cooling of the seafloor sediments and deepening of the base of the gas hydrate stability zone,which is attributed to the presence of paleo-BSR and BSR downward shift in the study area.Hence,methane gas may be released during the BSR resetting and gas hydrate dissociation related with seafloor erosion.

Geological,physical,and chemical characteristics of seafloor hydrothermal vent fields

Seafloor hydrothermal vent fields(SHVFs) are located in the mid-ocean ridge(MOR),backarc basin(BAB),island arc and hot-spot environments and hosted mainly by ultramafic,mafic,felsic rocks,and sediments.The hydrothermal vent fluids of SHVFs have low oxygen,abnormal pH and temperature,numerous toxic compounds,and inorganic energy sources,such as sulfuric compounds,methane,and hydrogen.The geological,physical,and chemical characteristics of SHVFs provide important clues to understanding the formation and evolution of seafloor hydrothermal systems,leading to the determination of metal sources and the reconstruction of the physicochemical conditions of metallogenesis.Over the past two decades,we studied the geological settings,volcanic rocks,and hydrothermal products of SHVFs and drawn new conclusions in these areas,including:1) the hydrothermal plumes in the Okinawa Trough are affected by the Kuroshio current;2) S and Pb in the hydrothermal sulfides from MOR are mainly derived from their host igneous rocks;3) Re and Os of vent fluids are more likely to be incorporated into Fe-and Fe-Cu sulfide mineral facies,and Os is enriched under low-temperature(<200℃) hydrothermal conditions in global SHVFs;4) compared with low-temperature hydrothermal sulfides,sulfates,and opal minerals,high-temperature hydrothermal sulfides maintain the helium(He) isotopic composition of the primary vent fluid;5) relatively low temperature(<116℃),oxygenated,and acidic environment conditions are favorable for forming a native sulfur chimney,and a "glue pudding" growth model can be used to understand the origin of native sulfur balls in the Kueishantao hydrothermal field;and 6) boron isotope from hydrothermal plumes and fluids can be used to describe their diffusive processes.The monitoring and understanding of the physical structure,chemical composition,geological processes,and diverse organism of subseafloor hydrothermal systems will be a future hot spot and frontier of submarine hydrothermal geology.

Quantitative prediction process and evaluation method for seafloor polymetallic sulfide resources

Seafloor polymetallic sulfide resources exhibit significant development potential. In 2011, China received the exploration rights for 10,000 km2 of a polymetallic sulfides area in the Southwest Indian Ocean; China will be permitted to retain only 25% of the area in 2021. However, an exploration of seafioor hydrothermal sulfide deposits in China remains in the initial stage. According to the quantitative prediction theory and the exploration status of seafloor sulfides, this paper systematically proposes a quantitative prediction evaluation process of oceanic polymetallic sulfide resources and divides it into three stages： prediction in a large area, prediction in the prospecting region, and the verification and evaluation of targets. The first two stages of the prediction process have been employed in seafloor sulfides prospecting of the Chinese contract area. The results of stage one suggest that the Chinese contract area is located in the high posterior probability area, which indicates good prospecting potential area in the Indian Ocean. In stage two, the Chinese contract area of 48^-52~E has the highest posterior probability value, which can be selected as the reserved region for additional exploration. In stage three, the method of numerical simulation is employed to reproduce the ore-forming process of sulfides to verify the accuracy of the reserved targets obtained from the three-stage prediction. By narrowing the exploration area and gradually improving the exploration accuracy, the prediction will provide a basis for the exploration and exploitation of seafloor polymetallic sulfide resources.

Influence of Environmental Conditions on the Sound Velocity Ratio of Seafloor Surficial Sediment

In this work,we investigated the influences of salinity,temperature,and hydrostatic pressure on the acoustics of seafloor surficial sediment by theoretically and experimentally analyzing the sound velocity ratio of the seafloor sediment to the bottom sea-water in typical environmental conditions.Temperature-and pressure-controlled experiments were conducted to examine the charac-teristics of the sound velocity ratio,the results of which agree with the theoretical analysis using the effective density fluid model.Of the three environmental factors considered,the sound velocity ratio was found to be sensitive to temperature and pressure but not to salinity,with the sound velocity ratio decreasing with temperature and hydrostatic pressure.With respect to surficial sediments,pore water plays a key role in the sound velocity ratio of sediment influenced by different environmental factors.The sound velocities of different types of sediments(sandy,silty,and clayey)change similarly with temperature,but change slightly differently with hydro-static pressure.The influence of environmental factors on the sound velocity ratio of seafloor sediment is independent of the detec-tion frequency.The results show that the sound velocity ratio can change up to 0.0008 per℃ when the temperature ranges from 2℃ to 25℃ and up to 0.00064MPa−1 when the seawater depth pressure ranges from 0MPa to 40MPa.

Acoustic pressure simulation and experiment design in seafloor mining environment

Since the suspended sediments have severe influence on acoustic radiated field of transducer, it is significant for sonar system to analyze the influence of suspended sediments on acoustic pressure in the seafloor mining environment. Based on the KZK （Khokhlov-Zabolotkaya-Kuznetsov） equation, the method of sound field analysis in turbid water is proposed. Firstly, based on the analysis of absorption in clean water and viscous absorption of suspended sediments, the sound attenuation coefficient as a function of frequency in the mining environment is calculated. Then, based on the solution of KZK equation in frequency domain, the axial sound pressure of transducer in clear water as well as turbid water is simulated using MATLAB. Simulation results show that the influence of the suspended sediments on the pressure of near field is negligible. With the increase of distance, the axial sound pressures of transducer decay rapidly. Suspended sediments seriously affect the pressure in far-field. To verify the validity of this numerical method, experiment is designed and the axial sound pressure of transducer with a frequency of 200 kHz and a beam width of 7.5~ is measured in simulated mining experiment. The results show that the simulation results agree well with the experiments, and the KZK equation can be used to calculate the sound field in turbid water.

West Pacific and North Indian Ocean Seafloor and Their Ocean-Continent Connection Zones: Evolution and Debates

The Indian Ocean and the West Pacific Ocean and their ocean-continent connection zones are the core area of ＂the Belt and Road＂. Scientific and in-depth recognition to the natural environment, disaster distribution, resources, energy potential of ＂the Belt and Road＂ development, is the cut-in point of the current Earth science community to serve urgent national needs. This paper mainly discusses the following key tectonic problems in the West Pacific and North Indian oceans and their ocean-continent connection zones （OCCZs）： 1. modern marine geodynamic problems related to the two oceans. Based on the research and development needs to the two oceans and the ocean-continent transition zones, this item includes the following questions. （1） Plate origin, growth, death and evolution in the two oceans, for example, 1） The initial origin and process of the triangle Pacific Plate including causes and difference of the Galapagos and West Shatsky microplates; 2） spatial and temporal process, present status and trends of the plates within the Paleo- or Present-day Pacific Ocean to the evolution of the East Asian Continental Domain; 3） origin and evolution of the Indian Ocean and assembly and dispersal of supercontinents. （2） Latest research progress and problems of mid-oceanic ridges： 1） the ridge-hot spot interaction and ridge accretion, how to think about the relationship between vertical accretion behavior of thousands years or tens of thousands years and lateral spreading of millions years at 0 Ma mid- oceanic ridges; 2） the difference of formation mechanisms between the back-arc basin extension and the normal mid-oceanic ridge spreading; 3） the differentials between ultra-slow Indian Ocean and the rapid Pacific spreading, whether there are active and passive spreading, and a push force in the mid-oceanic ridge; 4） mid-oceanic ridge jumping and termination： causes of the intra-oceanic plate reorganization, termination, and spatial jumps; 5） interaction of mantle plume and mid-oceanic ridge. （3） On the intra- oceanic subduetion and tectonics： 1） the origin ofintra-oceanic arc and subduction, ridge subduction and slab window on continental margins, transform faults and transform-type continental margin; 2） causes of the large igneous provinces, oceanic plateaus and seamount chains. （4） The oceanic core complex and rheology of oceanic crust in the Indian Ocean. （5） Advances on the driving force within oceanic plates, including mantle convection, negative buoyancy, trench suction and mid-oceanic ridge push, is reviewed and discussed. 2. The ocean-continent connection zones near the two oceans, including： （1） Property of continental margin basement： the crusts of the Okinawa Trough, the Okhotsk Sea, and east of New Zealand are the continental crusts or oceanic crusts, and origin of micro-continent within the oceans; （2） the ocean-continent transition and coupling process, revealing from the comparison of the major events between the West Pacific Ocean seamount chains and the continental margins, mantle exhumation and the ocean-continent transition zones, causes of transform fault within back-arc basin, formation and subduction of transform-type continental margin; （3） strike-slip faulting between the West Pacific Ocean and the East Asian Continent and its temporal and spatial range and scale; （4） connection between deep and surface processes within the two ocean and their connection zones, namely the assembly among the Eurasian, Pacific and India-Australia plates and the related effect from the deep mantle, lithosphere, to crust and surface Earth system, and some related issues within the connection zones of the two oceans under the super-convergent background. 3. On the relationship, especially their present relations and evolutionary trends, between the Paleo- or Present-day Pacific plates and the Tethyan Belt, the Eurasian Plate or the plates within the Indian Ocean. At last, this paper makes a perspective of the related marine geology, ocean-continent connection zone and in-depth geology for the two oceans and one zone.

Numerical Simulation of Waves Generated by Seafloor Movements

Waves generated by vertical seafloor movements are simulated by use of a fully nonlinear two-dimensional numerical wave tank. In the souree region, the seafloor lifts to a designated height by a generation function. The numerical tests show that the linear theory is only valid for estimating the wave behaviors induced by the seafloor movements with a small amplitude, and the fully nonlinear numerical model should be adopted in the simulation of the wave generation by the large amplitude seafloor movements. Without the background surface waves, many numerical tests on the stable maximum elevations η0^max are carried out by beth the linear theory and the fully nonlinear model. The results of two models are compared and analyzed. For the fully nonlinear model, the influences of the amplitudes and the horizontal lengths on η^max are stronger than that of the characteristic duration times. Furthermore, results reveal that there are significant differences be- tween the linear theory and the fully nonlinear model. When the influences of the background surface waves are considered, the corresponding numerical analyses reveal that with the fully nonlinear model the η0^max near-linearly varies with the wave amplitudes of the surface waves, and the η0^max has significant dependences on the wave lengths and the wave phases of the surface waves. In addition, the differences between the linear theory and the fully nonlinear model are still obvious, and these differences are significantly affected by the wave parameters of the background surface waves, such as the wave amplitude, the wave length and the wave phase.

Advances in the microbial mineralization of seafloor hydrothermal systems

Research on the biomineralization in modern seafloor hydrothermal systems is conducive to unveiling the mysteries of the early Earth’s history, life evolution, subsurface biosphere and microbes in outer space. The hydrothermal biomineralization has become a focus of geo-biological research in the last decade, since the introduction of the microelectronic technology and molecular biology technology. Microorganisms play a critical role in the formations of oxide/hydroxides (e.g. Fe, Mn, S and Si oxide/hydroxides) and silicates on the seafloor hydrothermal systems globally. Furthermore, the biomineralization of modern chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms is regarded as a nexus between the geosphere and the biosphere, and as an essential complement of bioscience and geology. In this paper, we summarize the research progress of hydrothermal biomineralization, including the biogenic minerals, the microbial biodiversity, and also the interactions between minerals and microorganisms. In the foreseeable future, the research on hydrothermal biomineralization will inspire the development of geosciences and biosciences and thus enrich our knowledge of the Earth’s history, life evolution and even astrobiology.

Fuzzy ARTMAP neural network for seafloor classification from multibeam sonar data

This paper presents a seafloor classification method of multibeam sonar data, based on the use of Adaptive Resonance Theory （ART） neural networks. A general ART-based neural network, Fuzzy ARTMAP, has been proposed for seafloor classification of multibeam sonar data. An evolutionary strategy was used to generate new training samples near the cluster boundaries of the neural network, therefore the weights can be revised and refined by supervised learning. The proposed method resolves the training problem for Fuzzy ARTMAP neural networks, which are applied to seafloor classification of multibeam sonar data when there are less than adequate ground-troth samples. The results were synthetically analyzed in comparison with the standard Fuzzy ARTMAP network and a conventional Bayesian classifier. The conclusion can be drawn that Fuzzy ARTMAP neural networks combining with GA algorithms can be alternative powerful tools for seafloor classification of multibeam sonar data.