Tomographic seismic studies of the methane hydrate stability zone in the Cascadia Margin

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Abstract
A seismic study in the Cascadia Margin in June 1993 focused upon the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) around Hole 889B of the Ocean Drilling Program. Extensive wide-angle and normal-incidence data were collected during two deployments of five ocean bottom hydrophones (OBHs). We have applied a new two-dimensional travel-time inversion method to data from one line within the survey. Data from four OBHs and normal-incidence arrivals are inverted simultaneously, and a distribution of P-wave velocities above the BSR is obtained. These velocities are found to be slightly higher than those given by vertical seismic profile (VSP) and sonic log data from Hole 889B, with velocities of 1.83–1.95 km s −1 occurring immediately above the BSR. Estimates of hydrate concentration derived using two different methods range from 2 to 24% of the pore space. The velocity model provides some support for the existence of a correlation between BSR strength and hydrate concentration above the BSR in this region.