Mud diapirs of the Mediterranean Ridge: Sedimentological and micropaleontological study of the mud breccia

Two recent sea-going expeditions showed that mud diapirism is a common feature in the accretionary wedge of the Mediterranean Ridge, but unlike in other prisms, it is well expressed exclusively in the most elevated areas of the Ridge. Three diapiric fields were discovered on the Mediterranean Ridge and informally called, from west to east, Pan di Zucchero, Prometheus 2 and Olimpi. They are located on the crestal part of the Mediterranean Ridge between Creta and the Cirenaic Promontory. Sedimentological, micropaleontological, and mineralogic investigations were performed on the mud breccia recovered in 15 cores raised during cruises BAN88 and BAN89.