T H E AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PETROLEUM GEOLOGISTS BULLETIN

V. 52, NO. 11 (NOVEMBER. 1968). P. 2197-2207. 10 FIGS

DIAPIRIC INTRUSIONS IN FORESET SLOPE S E D I M E N T S

OFF MAGDALENA DELTA, COLOMBIA'

FRANCIS P. SHEPARD,' ROBERT F. DILL,' AND BRUCE C. HEEZEN*

La JoUa, California 92037, San Diego, California 92152, and Palisades, Nfew York 10964

ABSTRACT
The Magdalena River of Colombia is prograding its delta rapidly onto the slope that leads north into
Colombian basin of the Caribbean. Results of this encroachment are intermittent slope failures that break
the jetties at the river mouth and sever the cables on the sea floor outside. Another possible result of the
delta encroachment was indicated from the work of a Scripps Institution expedition which led to the dis-
covery of steep-sided domes rising as much as 200 m above the sea floor in water depths of 900-1,200 m.
Subbottom profiling showed that these domes, about 1 km wide, have intrusive relations to the foreset beds
and can be traced down to at least 700 m below the bottom. The profiles indicate that the domes generally
are flanked with ring depressions, which are underlain by downbent strata, in contrast to the usual upbend-
ing of strata flanking salt domes. One explanation for these diapirs is that they are giant mudlumps some-
what akin to those off the passes of the Mississippi. Alternatively, they may be mud volcanoes such as are
found on the adjacent lands.

INTRODUCTION

I n J a n u a r y 1966, the Scripps I n s t i t u t i o n R / V

Thomas Washington spent 10 days investigating
the delta-front slope off Barranquilla, Colombia
(Fig. 1). There, deposition has built a delta across
the entire continental shelf, a n d the delta is en-
croaching onto the continental slope. T h e original
purpose of the work was to investigate the marine
valleys of this area described b y Heezen (1956)
a n d Elmendorf and Heezen (1957). T h e repeated
surveys by E . Rico-Pulido, a Colombian engineer,
had shown t h a t valleys off t h e Magdalena River
m o u t h were very unstable a n d changed positions
a t times. Very rough seas, which were almost con-
tinuous during the writers' work, made it imprac-
tical to p u t down marker buoys for detailed ac-
curate surveying. Sampling of the sea floor was
virtually impossible, p a r t l y because of defects in
the newly installed equipment on the ship. Hence,

' Manuscript received, June 9, 1967; accepted, Sep-

tember 18, 1967.
This work was supported in part by the Office of
Naval Research under contract Nonr-2216(23).
^ Professor Emeritus, Scripps Institution of Oceanog- FIG. L - -Location and setting of Magdalena delta,
raphy, University of California. Colombia, South America,
' Geologist, Navy Electronics Laboratory.
* Associate Professor, Lamont Geological Observa- the work was limited to running rather widely
tory. spaced sounding lines a n d taking a series of con-
The writers appreciate the active help of Captain
Terry Hansen and the crew of the R/V Thomas Wash- tinuous-reflection profiles. These profiles proved
ington, and the cooperation and advice of the scientific very effective in obtaining subsurface structure
party during the trip that included, in addition to the sections, which were especially good when lines
writers, K. E. Chave, J. J. H. C. Houbolt, R. J. G.
Lewis, N. F. Marshall, D. A. Muus, W. E. Perkins, were run before the wind. T h e most significant,
J. E. RamJrez, Eduardo Rico-Pulido, Harold Sammuli, discoveries came from the subsurface profiling
Elizabeth B. Shepard, and Fred Vine. Helpful sugges-
tions for the manuscript have been made by J. R. Cur- b u t , additionally, it was possible to reconstruct
ray. the contours of the sea floor. T h e picture pro-
2197
2198 FRANCIS P. SHEPARD, ROBERT F. DILL, AND BRl'CF': C. HEEZEN

DEPTH IN rATHOWS
.• ^ 1 "?• • . CONTOUR INTFRVAL •lO Fflf HOW

% - -^
BARRANOUILLft V'

74*50 " yrw' ~" Wstf' '

FIG. 2.—Bathymetry of slope off Magdalena delta. Dashed lines indicate continuous-reflection profiles; letters give
location of lines shown in Figures 3, 4, 6, and 7

duced was rather difiCerent from that which had
been shown previously.
TOPOGRAPHY OF FORE SET SLOPE
The contour map (Fig. 2) is the result of a co-
ordination of the sounding lines run in 1966 on
the R/V Thomas Washington with those of Heezen
on the R/V Vema in 1956. Both surveys used
radar for locations. Considerable adjustment was
necessary to fit these lines together, and there is
no assurance that the details of the topography
are depicted correctly. The writers had hoped to
be able to use the soundings of the U.S.S. Nokomis
made in 1935-1936 but, like many other early
echo-sounding surveys, these proved to be almost
completely impossible to coordinate with the

FIG. 3.—East-west continuous-reflection profiles off Magdalena delta.

For locations, see Figure 2. Depths in fathoms.
 00

< —

o
ID T1

O
<\J

O -

O I
2200 FRANCIS P. SHEPARD, ROBERT F. DILL, AND BRUCE C. HEEZEN

»li|:-3l;lfc-:A}.:#,ti.i..^Bs».-8t »il J***

 D I A P I R I C INTRUSIONS IN FORESPrr SLOPE S E D I M I > : N IS, COLOMBIA 2201

FIG. 4.—Continuous-reflection profile of eastern part of line A-A'. Diapiric intrusion shown on left; doming in center
may he of same origin. Depths in fathoms.

^ ^ ^ NAUT,
' ' ' ' ' ' MILES
I'lG. 6.—Three continuous-reflection profiles across dome in vicinity of point f in I'igure 2. Kote depressions and
downbending of strata along margin of diapiric intrusion. Depth? in fathoms.

newer surveys except in shallow water near shore.
T h e combined surveys of the R / V Thomas Wash-
ington a n d R / V Vema give a result t h a t differs
from the earlier interpretation of the slope valleys,
b u t is much more in agreement with the n a t u r e of
what has been called "foreset-slope gulhes" sur-
veyed on other delta fronts (Shepard and Dill,
1966, chap, 12), T h u s the valleys proved to be
discontinuous, they lack tributaries, and are es-
pecially well de\el<>ped around the forward-build-
ing delta near Barran(|uilla, There was no verifica-
tion of the earliir interpretation of an extensive

-<^<&
\'K.5. —Fxho-sounding profileacross dome northeast of point V in Figure 2. This dome is umloul)tedly of same origin
as those in Figures 4, 6, and 7, Depths hi fathoms.
2202 FRANCIS P. SHEPARU, ROBERT F. DILL, AND BRUCE C. HEEZEN

valley with many tributaries extending down the
slope into deep water east of the main delta. In-
stead, the writers found a broad, flat-floored
trough that varied considerably in character as it
was traced seaward.
The most surprising topographic feature was
the dome-shaped hills, most of which were along
a line on the west side of the broad trough. These
domes clearly are related to the subsurface struc-
ture.
STRUCTURAL SECTIONS UNDER FORESET
SLOPE
The R/V Thomas Washington was equipped
with a modified Rayflex Arcer reflection-profiling
system. The outgoing signal is created by the dis-
charge of a 40,()00-jou)e electric arc into the sea-
water through three electrodes. The returning re-
flections from subbottoni discontinuities are
filtered to 7,5-120 Hz and recorded graphically.
This provides cross sections of the sea floor over
which the \'esscl is proceeding.
Most 01 the reflection profiles were run from
east to west because there is less interference of
background noisi' from the wave action on the
ship while running before the sea. These east-
west lines are >lu)wii in the photographic repro-
duction of the actual records (Fig. 3), and their
location is indicated on the topographic map
(Fig. 2). It will t)e noted that generally the under-
lying beds are roughly parallel with the surface
slopes. However, distinct valleys have been cut

4 0 0 r-

500 -

600

700
CO

o
X
h- 800
<
u_

900 -
0
L.
-L
nout. miles
1
XI2
1000 L
I'lG. 7.--Continuous-reflection profile along line X-X' (Fig. 2) showing two <lia]>iric intrusions south of that shown
in Figure 6. Depths in fathoms.
 DIAPIRIC INTRUSIONS IN FORESET SLOPE SEDl.M KNl S, COLOMBIA 22().5

HORIZONTAL SCALE
SIA Pl.0#{ 0 I 2 3 I
soo .»/.. KILOMETERS
Wl
m !•!
m **%i^;.
e%
I-
Z
o
1000 -^'

1500«
FIG. 8.' -Continuous-reflection profile across probable salt dome on slope otf i-astern Louisiana.
(From Moore and Curray, 1963.)

through these beds in places, and the valleys ap-
pear to have been partly filled, producing erosional
unconformities (Shepard, 1967).
The valleys are obviously the result of slides
and associated turbidity currents such as break
the cables on the delta-front slope (Elmendorf
and Heezen, 1957). The same slides are respon-
sible for removing sections of the outer jetty at
BarranquUla Harbor, as shown by comparative
surveys of Rico-Pulido, formerly Chief Engineer
of the harbor department.
The most significant features of the profiles in
Figure 3 are the diapiric intrusions, best shown on
larger scale reproductions of the same east-west
profiles and on one north-south profile (Figs. 4,
6, 7). The first diapirs discovered by the writers
have little surface relief but, as indicated on the
left of Figure 4, they cut across the deltaic beds
and are accompanied by a slight surface bulge.
It is impossible to be sure that the dome in the
center of Figure 4 is of similar origin, although it
obviously does not cut acri)ss the Ijeds.
The diapirs that are particularly striking be-
cause of their high relief above the sea floor were
discovered on the last night of the operation and,
because of time limitations, more detailed develop-
ment was impossible. One of the hills (Fig. .S) is
shown only by a fathogram because the Arcer was
not in operation when the hill was crossed. This
profile shows that it lias the greatest relief of any
of the hills, rising M)0 m on one side and 175 m on
the other. A hill vvith almost as much relief was
found just south, and I hrec continuous-reflection
profiles were made across it along three widely
different courses (Fig. 6), It was impossible to tell
whether any of the lines actually crossed the
summit, but it seems likely that two of the pro-
files were at least near the top. Each of these
profiles suggests that surface depressions are ad-
jacent to the dome, and that under this ring de-
pression there i^- a ;-,ul)surfacc ilown flexure.
After the tfu-ee crossings of one dome, a i)rc)file
2204 I'RANCIS P. SHEPARD, ROBERT F. DILL, AND BRUCE C. HEEZEN
S «S-
was run up the slope on the south (Fig. 7). Along
it were two more hills, both with high relief and
with structures similar to those found previously.
Three of the four margins of these two hills show
downbent structures in the underlying beds and
a surface depression. Other structures along this
line indicate operation of the same forces al-
though breakthroughs have not occurred.
All of the diapiric intrusions shown by the pro-
files are devoid of continuous underlying beds.
Therefore, the writers suggest that the diapirs
probably come from a depth of more than 0.7 km
below the surface, because that is the minimum
extent of the subsurface profile (not allowing for
a travel speed somewhat higher in the subsurface
than in water). The writers cannot be sure that
more than one of the diapirs has a dome shape,
but the Arcer crossings of ridges do not show dia-
piric intrusions; thus, there is some assurance of
a circular shape in addition to the dome outlined
by three crossings. The other characteristic
shown repeatedly is the marginal depression ad-
jacent to the domes and underlying synclines or
down-bends of strata next to the intrusions.
ORIGIN OF DIAPIRS
More information concerning the diapirs off the
Magdalena delta would be desirable before their
origin is discussed.' However, the area is rather
remote from marine laboratories and is subject
to almost continuously rough seas. Because there
is no immediate prospect of making a more com-
plete investigation, tentative conclusions are
presented with the hope that they will stimulate
further study of the features.
Diapiric structures are relatively common, and
continuous-reflection profiling is leading to the
discovery of many new examples. The continental
slope west of the Mississippi delta contains many
interesting diapirs that generally are interpreted
as salt domes (Murray, 1966). One dome dis-
covered by Moore and Curray (1963) is shown in
Figure 8. It differs from the Magdalena diapirs in
having adjacent beds bending upward along both
sides. Another type of diapir is found directly off
the actively advancing Mississippi delta passes.
These are referred to as "mudlumps" (Morgan,
1952). An interpretative cross section (Fig. 9)
suggests that these are basically folds cut by small
thrust faults (Morgan et al., 1963). These struc-
tures also have little in common with the Magda-
lena domes. The diapiric hills found in the abyssal
' Dale Krause (personal commun.), during a trip with
the R/V Trident, was able to take cores on one of these
domes and obtained only muddy sediments.
 D I A P I R I C I N T R U S I O N S I N F O R E S R T SLOPF, Sl'.DIM F N I S , C o L O M H I A
tc^^-:r--%^j^^
plain of the Gulf of Mexico m a y be more like
those off the Magdalena delta, because some of
t h e m are bordered by downbent s t r a t a (Ewing
et al., 1962). However, t h e profiles crossing the
diapirs (Fig. 10) indicate only u p b e n t layers
next to the diapirs.
T h e r e is a possibility t h a t the oval hills off the
Orinoco and Niger deltas have diapiric cores.
T h e y are described as drowned coral reefs ( N o t a ,
1958; Allen, 1964). I t is notable, however, tliat
some profiles m a d e across these hills show de-
pressions adjacent to them. Similarly, depressions
border some of the definitely diapiric hills off the
coast of southwestern Louisiana and adjacent
Texas ( P a r k e r and Curray, 1956). T h e depres-
sions in these places very Ukely represent scour
a r o u n d shelf hills, where strong currents have
been reported.
Another possibility is t h a t t h e diapiric hills
represent intrusive stocks of igneous rock t h a t
have been p a r t l y buried by the foreward-building
delta deposits. Ordinarily, deposition on the sides
of old hills shows a n initial dip a w a y from Ihe
hills, b u t t h e ring depressions could have been
maintained by marginal scour during deposition.
T h e adjacent lands are n o t known t o have stocks
of this type, although the outhers of the Andes
with igneous rocks are rather close (Fig. 1).
2205
FIG. 9.—Interpretive cross sec-
tions of mud lumps off Missis-
sippi delta. Scales in feet. (From
Morgan el al, 1963.)
M u d volcanoes might develop under water a n d
account for the diapirs. T h e north coast of South
America has a considerable number of these small
volcanoes. I t is not known whether the margins
of the mud volcanoes contain ring depressions,
b u t this seems possible. Mud volcanoes are in
eruption off the south r o a - t of T r i n i d a d (Higgins
and Saunders, 1967).
On the basis of available information, the dia-
pirs on the slope in deep water off the Magdalena
delta appear to be some sort of m u d intrusion
rather t h a n salt domes. Salt domes are unknown
along the nortlicrn South American coast. In-
trusions of mud may account for the downbending
of the marginal strata because of undermining by
the introduction of nmd from the sides.
REFERENCES CITED
Allen, J. R. L., 1964, The Nigerian continental margin:
bottom sediments, submarine morphology, and geo-
logical evolution: Marine Geology, v, 1, p. 289-332.
Elmendorf, C. H., and B C. Heezen, 1957, Oceano-
graphic information for engineering submarine cable
systems: Bell Svstcni Ttich, Jour., v. 36, no. S, p.
1047-1093.
Ewing, J. I., J. L. Worzei, and M. Ewing, 1962, Sedi-
ments and oceanic structural history of the Gulf of
Mexico; Jour. Geophys. Research, v. 67, p. 2509-
2527.
Heezen, B. C , 1956, Corrientes de turbidez del Rfo
Magdalena: Soc. Geografica Colombia Bol., Bogota,
ves. 51, 52, p. 135-143
 2206 FRANCIS P. SHEPARD, ROBERT F. DILL, AND BRUCE C. HEEZEN

DIAPIR I DIAPIR 2 DIAPIR 3

4-T T T T

••'•^•.^...•.•y^~tf,A.r-\ -• ••'.-

mtmm
7
'• - • • ; r ' r i v e ' s . - ; • J ' • -•-" •
r^:

••*• •.-.-.v 7
LLI

, • '; ' .•^•^^r.

I
0100 0300 0500
T— I I 1 I T" T
20 40 60 80 100
DISTANCE, KM
FIG. 10.—Diapiric intrusions in Sigsbee Deep of Gulf of Mexico. (From Talwani and Ewing, 1966.)
 DIAPIRIC INTRUSIONS IN FORESET SLOPE SEDIMENTS, COLOMBIA
Higgins, G. E., and J. B. Saunders, 1967, Report on
1964 Chatham Mud Island, Erin Bay, Trinidad, West
Indies: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull., v. 51,
p. 55-64.
Moore, D. G., and J. R. Curray, 1963, Structural frame-
work on the continental terrace, northwest Gulf of
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1747.
Morgan, J. P., 1952, Mudlumps at the mouths of the
Mississippi River: 2d Conf. Coastal Engr. Proc, p.
130-144.
-J. M. Coleman, and S. M. Gagliano, 1963, Mud-
lumps at the mouth of South Pass, Mississippi River;
sedimentology, paleontology, structure, origin, and
relation to deltaic processes: Louisiana State Univ.
Coastal Studies Ser., v. 10, 143 p.
Murray, G. E., 1966, Salt structures of Gulf of Mexico
2207
basin—a review; Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists
Bull., V. 50, p. 439-478.
Nota, D. J. G., 1958, Sediments of the western Guiana
shelf. Reports of the Orinoco shelf expedition v. 2:
Wageningen, H. Veenman & Zonen, 98 p.
Parker, R. H., and J. R. Curray, 1956, Fauna and
bathymetry of banks on continental shelf, northwest
Gulf of Mexico: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists
Bull., v. 40, p. 2428-2439.
Shepard, F. P., 1967, Contemporary structures in
rapidly prograding deltas: 7th Internat. Cong. Sedi-
mentology Proc.
• and R. F. Dill, 1966, Submarine canyons and
other sea valleys: Chicago, Illinois, Rand McNally,
381 p.
Talwani, M., and M. Ewing, 1966, A continuous gravity
profile over the Sigsbee knolls: Jour. Geophys. Re-
search, v. 71, p. 4434-4438.