USE OF THE DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF REFLECTED WAVES TO STUDY THE POSTSEDIMENTATIONAL EVOLUTION OF MARINE SEDIMENTS

Abstract

The possibility of using seismoacoustic data to study the postsedimentational alteration of marine sediments is of interest both in the theory of lithogenesis and in practical problems associated with efficient utilization of marine resources. Miocene-Quaternary, predominantly clayey deposits more than 1000 m thick in the southwestern Black Sea are a suitable subject for determining the capabilities of such seismoacoustic studies. The composition, structure and physical and mechanical properties of the sediments, which were penetrated by drillholes 380 to 380A of the Glomar Challenger, were studied in detail. The characteristics of these sediments and rocks most sensitive to postsedimentational alteration were their microstructure and physical and mechanical properties, in terms of which five lithification zones, combined into lithogenetic stages, were identified in the section. The unique combination of lithological and geophysical work that was performed enable the authors to evaluate the effectiveness of seismoacoustic study for the purpose of determining the degree of lithification of marine sediments.