Mud volcanoes discovered offshore Sicily

摘要: Abstract Numerous active mud volcanoes have been recognized for the first time from seismic reflection and sidescan surveys carried out in 2002 over Hyblean–Malta Plateau, 10 miles southern coast of Sicily (Southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea), along faults adjacent to Scicli fracture zone. Our geophysical data show clearly presence several tens at water depths between 70 170 m. They scales order m diameter meters height. Gas apparently vents most is detected acoustically sediments around cones distances about 50 This discovery represents a new important step study volcanism distribution highlights potential Sicilian shelf as hydrocarbon-prone area natural source greenhouse gases.