Structural and geophysical characterization of the Messinian evaporites and their tectonic evolution in the Levant Basin

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This project aims on the advanced understanding of the structure and dynamics of the massive Messinian evaporites in the eastern Mediterranean. Owing to its well known geometry the solitary Levant Basin can be considered as a natural laboratory, where the deposition and initial tectonics of evaporites and the early development of potential hydrocarbon reservoirs, respectively, can be investigated. Previous studies pointed towards a complex evaporite stratigraphy and both syn- and post-depositional deformation. Furthermore, there are hints for coupled fluid flow through or out of the evaporitic succession, which apparently contradicts the established assumption of impermeable salts. In the past, any advanced analysis of the observed features has been prevented since no appropriate geophysical data were accessible to the scientific community. Recently, industrial multi-channel seismic data of outstanding quality (7.35 km offset, 144 fold, 9.1s TWT) have been released to the University of Hamburg. With this data we intend to parameterize the individual evaporitic sequences and fluid related features by means of seismic attributes and, consequently, unravel the evolutional history of the evaporites and related processes like fluid flow and intense mass wasting. From this project and together with international partners who hold 3D- seismic data from the same area, possible drill sites will be determined for a future IODP proposal.