Everything about Diapir totally explained
A
diapir (
(External Link
)) (
French, from
Greek diapeirein, to pierce through) is an
intrusion caused by
buoyancy and
pressure differentials. The term was introduced by the
Romanian geologist Ludovic Mrazek, who was the first to understand the principle of
salt intrusion and
plasticity. The term "diapir" may be applied to
igneous structures, but it's more commonly applied to non-igneous, relatively cold materials, such as
salt domes and
mud diapirs. Diapirism is thought to occur on
Enceladus. A diapir is any relatively mobile mass that intrudes into preexisting
strata. A
lava lamp is an example of a diapir.
Diapirs commonly intrude vertically upward along fractures or zones of structural weakness through more dense overlying
rocks because of
density contrast between a less dense, lower rock mass and overlying denser rocks. The density contrast manifests as a force of buoyancy. The process is known as
diapirism. The resulting structures are also referred to as
piercement structures.
In the process, segments of the existing strata can be disconnected and pushed upwards. While moving higher, they retain much of their original properties such as pressure, which can be significantly different from that of the shallower strata they get pushed into. Such overpressured
Floaters pose a significant risk when trying to
drill through them.
Rock types such as
evaporitic salt deposits, and gas charged muds are potential sources of diapirs. Diapirs also form in the
earth's mantle when a sufficient mass of hot, less dense
magma assembles. Diapirism in the
mantle is thought to be associated with the development of
large igneous provinces and some
mantle plumes.
Explosive, hot
volatile rich magma or
volcanic eruptions are referred to generally as
diatremes. Diatremes are not usually associated with diapirs, as they're small-volume magmas which ascend by volatile plumes, not by density contrast with the surrounding mantle.
Economic importance of diapirs
Diapirs or piercement structures are structures resulting from the penetration of overlaying material. By pushing upward and piercing overlying rock layers, diapirs can form
anticlines,
salt domes and other structures capable of trapping
petroleum and
natural gas. Igneous intrusions themselves are typically too hot to allow the preservation of preexisting
hydrocarbons.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Diapir'.
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