Sediment undulations induced by free gas in muddy marine sediments: A modeling approach

Sediment undulations observed on the continental shelf in muddy prodeltas are often marked by the presence of gas in the upslope location. The growth and migration of bubbles within fine-grained muddy sediments are associated with sediment fracturing that damages the sediment and changes its effective mechanical properties. The presented theoretical investigation demonstrates by modeling that undulations may be induced by creep deformations downslope from the region with gas presence. Comparison of the dimensions of the modeled undulations with the observed ones suggests that the undulations may be enhanced over time by different processes, e.g., by the different types of the sediment deposition. Key Points Free gas in muddy sediment may induce sediment undulations down-slope Fracturing changes sediment properties and creates a nonuniform stress field Once originated by the creep, undulations can be enhanced by sediment deposition