Submarine canyon systems focusing sub-surface fluid in the Canterbury Basin, South Island, New Zealand

Abstract This work uses a high-quality 3D seismic volume from offshore Canterbury Basin, New Zealand, to investigate how submarine canyon systems can focus sub-surface fluid. The was structurally conditioned improve the contrast in reflections, preserving their lateral continuity. It reveals multiple pockmarks, eroded gullies and intra-slope lobe complexes occurring association with Waitaki Submarine Canyon. Pockmarks are densely clustered on northern bank of occur at water depth 500–900 m. In parallel, near-seafloor strata contain channel-fill deposits, channel lobes, meandering belts overbank sediments deposited downslope canyon. We propose that subsurface fluid migrates relatively deep Cretaceous through shallow deposits lobes latter seep out associated gullies. new, reprocessed Fluid Cube meta-attribute confirms fluids have seeped walls Canyon, such seepage generating seafloor depressions its bank. Our findings stress importance reservoirs (channel-fill lobes) as potential repositories for fluid, hydrocarbons, or geothermal energy continental margins across world.