The paper is devoted to one of the phenomena in young sedimentary basins related to their disequilibrium and the consequent formation of subvertical sedimentary structures. We propose the term "sedimentary plume" for such structures. The paper presents descriptions of the probable forms of sedimentary plumes, as well as their reflection in seismic data, age, stratigraphic features, and formation conditions. Their formation is likely related to processes of the deconsolidation of sedimentary piles because of phase transitions. According to this concept, the formation of hydrocarbon pools is attributed to a series of sequential processes including the convective dislocation of matter along with the floating of unconsolidated clay bodies, phase transitions and conjugated processes of the HC generation, migration, and accumulation.
