New evidence of extensive active mud volcanism in the Anaximander mountains (Eastern Mediterranean): The 'ATHINA' mud volcano

摘要

A 3000 km(2) stop multibeam survey was carried out on the eastern Anaximander Mountains (Mts), (Eastern Mediterranean). The objective was to obtain detailed bathymetry of known mud volcanoes and identify new sites of active mud volcanism in the area. N-NW of the Amsterdam Mud-Volcano (MV) several mounds and cone-like morphological irregularities with a height of few tens of meters to about one hundred meters were detected and considered as potential MVs on the basis of their distinctive backscattered character. A group of two mounds was selected, the northern mound was sampled, documented as active, and named accordingly "Athina MV". These new findings strongly support the presence of extensive active mud volcanism in the Anaximander Mountains especially in the area north of the Amsterdam MV.