Mud volcanoes of the Orinoco Delta, Eastern Venezuela

摘要: Abstract Mud volcanoes along the northwest margin of Orinoco Delta are part a regional belt soft sediment deformation and diapirism that formed in response to rapid foredeep sedimentation subsequent tectonic compression Caribbean–South American plate boundary. Field studies five mud show such structures consist central mound covered by active inactive vents. Inactive vents flows densely vegetated, whereas sparsely vegetated. Four out studied currently active. clayey silt matrix surrounding lithic clasts varying composition. Preliminary analysis suggests volcano is derived from underlying Miocene Pliocene strata. Hydrocarbon seeps associated with several volcanoes. overlie crest mud-diapir-cored anticline located axis Eastern Venezuelan Basin. Faulting flank Pedernales fluidized hydrocarbons migrate surface faults produced tensional stresses anticline. highlight proximity this major delta an importance influences on its development. Evaluation those elsewhere indicates these features important indicators compressional tectonism fronts margins.