Visualization, quantification, and automation of gradient defined features

New automation, visualization, and quantification methodologies are presented and applied to the rheology and morphology of serpentinite mud volcanoes in the Mariana Forearc. The methods can be used in submarine and subaerial settings to characterize surface features of mud or lava flows, mass-wasting deposits, slump scars, and fault scarps. Three sequential mudflows are characterized for Big Blue Seamount, for which we define surface morphology, distal edges of flows, corrected thickness, underlying slopes, flow directions, and volumes. Results indicate a significant increase (from upper to lowermost flows) in distal edge thickness (13 m, 30 m, 62 m), volume (6.4x10 7 m3, 4.0x108 m3, 6.7x109 m3), and mean yield strength (36 kPa, 80 kPa, 170 kPa). We also calculate the volumes of five mud volcanoes using bathymetric and multichannel seismic data (where available). The application of these volume calculations to estimates of the amount of source protolith (peridotite) required to form the seamounts indicates that the serpentinite must derive from a continually renewed conduit.