Potential geological risks from mud diatremes in the orogen regime of Southwestern Taiwan

Abstract In orogenic regions, faults from plate collisions are the main cause of earthquakes. Recent studies have found that underground mudstone structures and intrusions can accompany fault development, causing surface deformation and geological hazards. In southwestern Taiwan, geodetic evidence h...

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Main Authors: Hung-Yu Wu, Hou-Chun Liu, Li-Cheng Kao, Kuo-En Ching, Chien-Chih Chen, Chen-Feng You, Te-Cheng Yi, Yan-Hong Chen, Bo-Lin Wu, Chun-Jung Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91915-y
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author Hung-Yu Wu
Hou-Chun Liu
Li-Cheng Kao
Kuo-En Ching
Chien-Chih Chen
Chen-Feng You
Te-Cheng Yi
Yan-Hong Chen
Bo-Lin Wu
Chun-Jung Chen
author_facet Hung-Yu Wu
Hou-Chun Liu
Li-Cheng Kao
Kuo-En Ching
Chien-Chih Chen
Chen-Feng You
Te-Cheng Yi
Yan-Hong Chen
Bo-Lin Wu
Chun-Jung Chen
author_sort Hung-Yu Wu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In orogenic regions, faults from plate collisions are the main cause of earthquakes. Recent studies have found that underground mudstone structures and intrusions can accompany fault development, causing surface deformation and geological hazards. In southwestern Taiwan, geodetic evidence has detected underground mudstone structures, but their mechanisms of influence remain unclear. This study conducted cores drilling at a hotspot showing positive gravity anomaly. Multi-disciplinary analyses confirmed that sediments came from mudstone at least 3 km in depth. The observed compression validated surface-reaching mudstone intrusions. Electrical resistivity tomography revealed scattered mud intrusions cause localized uplift, potentially damaging structures. This suggests the large mud intrusion/mud diapir extends to shallow depth below the surface, with fractures acting as conduits to the ground (mud diatreme). Mud structures have been found in both collisional and extensional regions, suggesting they influence fault development and surface deformation widely, raising safety concerns in urban due to these geological risks.
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issn 2045-2322
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spelling doaj-art-e8ad4e9e04d84838bfac959c1b28816e2025-08-20T02:59:20ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-91915-yPotential geological risks from mud diatremes in the orogen regime of Southwestern TaiwanHung-Yu Wu0Hou-Chun Liu1Li-Cheng Kao2Kuo-En Ching3Chien-Chih Chen4Chen-Feng You5Te-Cheng Yi6Yan-Hong Chen7Bo-Lin Wu8Chun-Jung Chen9Department of Resources Engineering, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Resources Engineering, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Geomatics, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, Graduate Institute of Applied Geology and Earthquake-Disaster and Risk Evaluation and Management Center, National Central UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, National Cheng Kung UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, National Cheng Kung UniversityArchaeo Cultures CO., LTDNational Museum of Natural ScienceAbstract In orogenic regions, faults from plate collisions are the main cause of earthquakes. Recent studies have found that underground mudstone structures and intrusions can accompany fault development, causing surface deformation and geological hazards. In southwestern Taiwan, geodetic evidence has detected underground mudstone structures, but their mechanisms of influence remain unclear. This study conducted cores drilling at a hotspot showing positive gravity anomaly. Multi-disciplinary analyses confirmed that sediments came from mudstone at least 3 km in depth. The observed compression validated surface-reaching mudstone intrusions. Electrical resistivity tomography revealed scattered mud intrusions cause localized uplift, potentially damaging structures. This suggests the large mud intrusion/mud diapir extends to shallow depth below the surface, with fractures acting as conduits to the ground (mud diatreme). Mud structures have been found in both collisional and extensional regions, suggesting they influence fault development and surface deformation widely, raising safety concerns in urban due to these geological risks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91915-y
spellingShingle Hung-Yu Wu
Hou-Chun Liu
Li-Cheng Kao
Kuo-En Ching
Chien-Chih Chen
Chen-Feng You
Te-Cheng Yi
Yan-Hong Chen
Bo-Lin Wu
Chun-Jung Chen
Potential geological risks from mud diatremes in the orogen regime of Southwestern Taiwan
Scientific Reports
title Potential geological risks from mud diatremes in the orogen regime of Southwestern Taiwan
title_full Potential geological risks from mud diatremes in the orogen regime of Southwestern Taiwan
title_fullStr Potential geological risks from mud diatremes in the orogen regime of Southwestern Taiwan
title_full_unstemmed Potential geological risks from mud diatremes in the orogen regime of Southwestern Taiwan
title_short Potential geological risks from mud diatremes in the orogen regime of Southwestern Taiwan
title_sort potential geological risks from mud diatremes in the orogen regime of southwestern taiwan
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91915-y
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