Herein we describe a suite of fluid escape depression features, including pockmarks and collapse structures, discovered in
the Gulf of Cádiz (Spain) during several recent cruises. We also establish an evolutionary model for these depressions and
discuss the generation of bottom undercurrent furrows from fluid-flow structures, considering the oceanographic and tectonic
framework and gas expulsion mechanisms. We describe for the first time blind valleys, which we define as giant, elongated (3 to 10 km long), collapsed and complex fault-strike features comprising mega-collapses
and mega-pockmarks, generated in gas-venting areas and not associated to the collapse of mud-volcano complexes. We detected
the blind valleys above diapiric structures. The collapse processes associated to blind valleys result from fluid escape through
migration pathways which, in turn, are created by distension due to diapiric activity or to later tectonic reactivation of
these diapirs. The evolution of these blind valleys, and their present-day morphology as furrows, derives from progressive
fluid migration as well as from interaction of Mediterranean Outflow Water with the seafloor.
Figure Mature stage of blind valley formation: collapse of seafloor, blind valley generation and channelling of bottom currents