Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Seismic Atlas of Structural and Stratigraphic Features (W. Goudswaaro, M.K. Jenyon)

    Uploaded by

    Ruth Santos Naranjo
    202 views293 pages
    Seismic interpretation, structural, seismic imagen, folds, faults

    Original Title

    Seismic Atlas of Structural and Stratigraphic Features [W. Goudswaaro, M.K. Jenyon]

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    Seismic interpretation, structural, seismic imagen, folds, faults

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    202 views293 pages

    Seismic Atlas of Structural and Stratigraphic Features (W. Goudswaaro, M.K. Jenyon)

    Uploaded by

    Ruth Santos Naranjo
    Seismic interpretation, structural, seismic imagen, folds, faults

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 293
    ‘SEISMIC ATLAS OF STRUCTURAL AND STRATIGRAPHIC FEATURES edited by W. Goudswaard and M.K. Jenyon [EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICISTS STRUCTUHAL AND STRATIGRAPHIC FE Xi uae, ede ny CoE HE FER IU SEISMIC ATLAS. STRUCTURAL AND'STRATIGRAPHIC FEATURES IC ATLAS OF 8 e pares) aint 5 MAK: JENYON 6 + _ Manager, interpretation Séisciogtepin Service (England) Lined Sov" eterpretabon, Sewmagray' Sa Tes (Engl | EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICISTS = TRAORARONCEOPHVSKISTS ight EAEG 1988 Urrechtsewog 62 et UpeibenDes? P S7OpaGreist fidNetherands Tne Hethcrswds PREFACE. ‘This Alla is designed to be a useful work of reference in an easiy-andled format amenable to future expansion both by the E.A.E.G. and the users themsoives. tis intended for gooscientsts in both the industral and academic spheres who are at an eary career stage, and who woUld find it of value to See how the interpretation ofa wide variety of types of structure is ‘approached on actual examples. The notes accompanying the examples have been kepl as concise as is consistent with Clarity, and some guidance for futher study has been given inthe form of aIist of Key words, and brief references with each 9°oup of examplas; these in turn will open up the erature. ‘The examples have been received from many diferent sources, and wherever possible, acknowledgements have been ‘made to the various donor companies. We would, however, tke to express our sincere thanks here on behait of ourselves ‘and the E.A.E.G. to those who took the trouble to select the examples, and in many cases accompany them wit invaluable notes and interpretations that greatly assisted in the task of eclting the work. ‘As willbe seen in thelist of contents that folows, the examples have been arranged in groups into which they fall naturally. ‘Aword should perhaps be said to geoscientists who read the Atlas, and who are not used to examining seismic data. should be remembered thatthe vertical resolution of most seismic data is, at best, about 20m; this means that many of the dolls described in geological textbooks cannot be seen on seismic sections. On the other hand, the outcrop does not exist ‘here one can see ata glance the overall tectonic style in an area asit can be seen on aseismic section. ‘The attempt has been made to put together a work that willbe of real value and interest to its readers, both as a training aid, ‘and as a quick and convenient reference book for the working interpreter. tis hoped that it wil also provide the groundwork for future expansion and revisions that will keep i up-to-date. Time wil tll whether our attompt has been success ‘The Hague, 6th June 1988 ‘The Editors () Examples ftom CONTENTS (") + Anticinal Structures: + Normal and Grow Faults + Reverse and Thrust Faults + Stke-Siip (Wrench) Fauts +Detaic Features + Carbonates and Carbonate Buildups + Fan Deposits and Turbicites + Salt Tactonies + ShalelClay Diapirs + Direct Hycrocarbon Incicators + Igneous Features + Buried Topography + Miscellaneous Structures and Effects SHELL (SIPM), SS(E)L, TOTALIFP, NOPEC, MERLIN, AGIP, NORSK HYDRO, BP., PREUSSAG, BEB. page no, AO - AS Bo - Bi co - 65 Do - 07 FO - EB Fo - FB Go - G4 Ho - HIB b - 2 os ko - 13 lo - 4 Mo - Mo A. ANTICLINAL STRUCTURES ‘The antici is the classical rapping structure for hydrocarbons and as such receives much attention trom the ‘explorationst. tis ether a fold caused by layer parallel compressional forcas or an arch of sediments covering an uphtt caused by diferental vertcal forces. ‘Key words (*:antcine, aliasing, axial plane, box foi, concentric fold, crestal plane, décolement, dome. graviy skiing, hinge, mb, mutiple, onlgp, plunge, percine, pillow, similar fold, synciine, synsedimentary, trough plane, truncated, ‘unconformity, up ‘Recommended iherature; ‘Any good text book on siructural geology, to cover point in the whole Aas, (Odor texts stil worth studying are: Busk, HG. Earth Flexures. Cambridge U.P., New York, USA 1967 Sherbon His, E. Elements of Sirctural Geology, Chapman & Hall, London, 1972 * NB. The key words Isted in each part are intended to identify subjects and concepis related either closely or tenuously to the group of features under consideration. Many ofthe key words ara explained in the Glossary, although words that ‘re not thought to require explanation hava been omitted. The intention behind the listing ofthe key words here isto ‘promote futher study, STPM/EABG A Concentric synsedimentary fold as shown by onlap of sediments. The anticiine was growing until recent time Lm as indicated by the thinning of sediments towards the crest. Décollement is required to accommodate the shortening at depth. The horizontal events are seabottom multiples. (Courtesy S.LP.M) At Sea floor /enes AL Anticlinal structure caused by the rise of a salt pillow (cross symbol). Configuration of truncated stratal Feflections at the two unconformities shows that the pillow began to form inthe period prior to the erosional phase of the lower unconformity, and continued to rise throughout the interval between the two unconformities, ‘The main uplift was completed before deposition ofthe units above the upper unconformity (Courtesy S.L.P.M) A2 ame Ll in ra ae es ihn TT A onl 43 Typical box fold due to layer-parallel compression caused by gravity sliding. Note the effects of spatial aliasing = con the chevron shaped flanks. Eanc/si it uc ‘Another example of a box fold with steep limbs having a dip of some 60°, The core of this anticine is cracked bby numerous faults, which are difficult to delineate. Migration is necessary to bring out this structure. Aa AA VERT. SCALE. a0e(2-wArTME) WOR SeALE 1: 25000 _ sImm/ensc = = 5 : AS a SrPn/Eaet Large anticlinal structure with less than 100 ms closure over a distance of 70 kms. Note the banded ‘appearance (tram rails) of the data which is typical for the limestone deposits in the Middle East. This small portion of a very large structure brings home the importance of the use of accurate velocities in ‘any depth conversion which is carried out, in order to avoid either exaggerating or losing the structure. AS B. NORMAL AND GROWTH FAULTS: ‘A normal faut occurs when the hanging wal block has moved downwards relative tothe foot wall block. When the throw of the faut increases with depth the fault is caled a growth fault or synsedimentary faut ‘Key words: antihetc taut, apex, restal collapse, ditraction curves, downthrow, faut plane, foot wal, growth fault, had, hanging wall, normal fault, palingpastic restoration, reactivated faut, retrochartiage, reverse faut istic fault, rolover e ‘Sucre, sait flow, salt witidrawal, weaonic, Ijaciurivs, upllnuw, volume (rom) problem. Becommended Iterature: rans, W., & Mandi, G., On the theory of growth faulting. Journal of Petr: Geol, v.2, Pt 3( 1880) and v.9, Pts. 20 4, (1980- ai) ae ao = EZ Se Fae " see =e *ibc 2 Sh ail ae cee This is a typical example of a growth fault. As the markers are clearly correlatable on either side of the fault the increasing throw with depth is quite obvious. On this old unmigrated section the position of the fault can be traced by marking the tops of the diffraction curves emanating from the reflector terminations. (Courtesy S.1.P.M.) Bt pole ree i me tae | hihi rel meena NnneRger ttn ont etal he a ee ee : a FS i = tara ie i alae r orn i Lal tant ide One i tant oe ; yi SIPH/EREG B2 Normal fault forming a basin edge. The envelope of the diffraction curves (dashed line) represents the - LUnmigrated position of the fault. The true position is through the apexes ofthe diffraction curves (sold line). ‘Many minor compaction faults occur in the horizontally stratified overburden. (Courtesy $.|.P.M.) B2 ‘A classic example of a istic growth fault, The principal characteristics of his type of fait can be clearly seen e ~ (i) the concave-upwards curvature of the fault piane, (i) the increase in throw with depth, and (i) the rollover structure on the downthrow side, dipping towards the fault plane with thickening intervals. The fauling is probably a direct consequence of lateral flow of salt to the right, the salt layer being located within the lowest. interval marked. (Courtesy Merlin Geophysical Co, Ltd) 83 ‘A classic lstric normal growth faut. At the top of the interpreted part of the section a compressional {deformation pattern can be seen. This is due to rotation of the hanging wall block against the foot wall block causing a volume problem. (Courtesy TotalIFP) ‘Alistrc normal growth fault with an anomalous surtace. Slip of the hanging wall block will cause a local ‘compression resulting in bending or reverse faulting. (Courtesy TotallFP) CC/8,1983 5 TOTAL/FP Another example of a normal fault, which is not planar. Such an irregularity in the fault plane may be due to ‘compaction in the foot-wall block, causing a compressional feature in the hanging wall block. (Courtesy TotaliFP) €C/8,1983 55 87 A rollover structure caused by salt withdrawal. Note the major growth fault (unmigrated) bounding the structure and the crestal collapse features which are also characteristic for deltaic structures. The salt has flowed into a pillow and has probably been partly dissolved and moved along the fault plane. (Courtesy S.L.P.M.) 87 pa & al oe Zo a aro Mite A Tae if hy aa Seen ‘Sepa ye 87 Bs Listric faults above a normally block-faulted basement. Salt directly overlying the basement causes the slip. Palinspastic reconstruction may show that the extension of the overburden does not match the extension of the basement. Its possible that the listrc faults are formed in response to the normal faulting in the basement. (Courtesy Norsk Hydro) 88 TAN CTSA ES aces TOTAL/IFP In many cases of step, or imbricate faulting of a repetitive nature, the fault planes show a listric curvature © which becomes asymptotic to some deeper detachment surface. In other cases, however, as in this example, the fault zones are planar. In both types of faulting, there is a “room problem, the solution to which wil depend on the exact lthostratigraphic and tectonic environment. (Courtesy totaliFP) Bo TOTAL/IFP cora,1989 Bo oo B10 TOTAL/IFP ‘An example showing what may happen when a normal fault hading in one direction intersects an earlier Normal fault hading in the opposite direction. An interesting point to note is how the two main fault segments "A" and "B" in depth show steep, shallow and again steep trajectories in passing through the same zones of lithology. (Courtesy TotalIFP) Bio B10 TOTAL/FP AERO TROUGH MERE BASIL NoRoFiORD Won ace TOU This example shows a large rotated fault block of Paleozoic rocks separating a deeper basin to the north from a trough to the south. The major fault forming the northem edge of the block has a throw of at least 4000 m. into the basin. The flanks of the structure are onlapped by Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous sediments and the block is comprehensively faulted by what seems to be a series of "down-to-basin’ step faults. The upper surface of the block has probably been deeply eroded. Truncation/onlap of the flank ‘sediments in such situations should have high exploration potential. There have already been discoveries in the area. (Courtesy NOPEC) Bi Bt REVERSE AND THRUST FAULTS ‘A reverse fault ocours when due to compressional forces the hanging-wall block has moved upwards relative to the foot- ‘wall block. When the angle of dp of the faut plane is smal the faultis known asa thrust. Oten the thrust planes have very low op angles and are therefore ccul to recognise on a seismic section with near-horizontal reflections. High angle reverse faults, sometimes with Estric curvature, oftn originate from a trust plane. Key word: angular unconformity, antithetic reverse fault, backthrust, blind faut, convergence, decoupling zone, detachment zone, decollement, erosion, evaporite, high angle reverse faut, horizontal cisplacoment,imbricat thrusts, incompetent formation, interval velocity, low angle reverse fauit, modeling, onlap, overpressure, pop-up structure, pull: ‘down anomaly, pulLup anomaly, raypath, reverse faut, splay, shale, thrust ‘Recommended iterature: Butler, RW.H. The terminology of structures in thrust bets. Journal of Structural Geology, v4, 239-245, 1982 Mortey, C.K ‘Aclassttcation of thrust fronts. APG Bulletin, v.70, p.12-25, 1986 Pomy,J., Roeder, D.H., & Lageson, DR. (Eds:) "North American thrust fauited terrains. APG Reprint Series, No. 27, 1984 ‘Two reverse faults, probably both splaying from the same thrust plane. The dipping horizons ‘below the angular unconformity converge towards the right. There is a tendency for intervals to become thinner with increasing depth on a time section, as interval velocities increase with depth due to compaction. However, in this case the convergence is large enough to assume that tectonic inversion has occured. (Courtesy S.LP.M.) ct SIPH/EAEG Looking at the unmigrated section (top) one is tempted to draw a normal fault assuming that the right half of the anticlinal feature merely consists of diffraction curves. However, the configuration of the sediments on the right hand side above the fault would plead against a normal fault. The migrated time section nicely ilustrates a low angle reverse fault, although the exact position of the thrust plane cannot be established. Comparing the migrated with the unmigrated sections note the considerable horizontal displacement Caused by migration, especially the shift in the position of the backthrust. (Courtesy AGIP) High angle reverse fault. Note the expression of channeling at approx. 1.7 seconds. The fault has stil been e active after the erosion, as can be inferred from the onlaps.. (Courtesy S..P.M,) 3, ‘Section showing a high angle reverse fault wth back thrust, The sag (‘pulldown’) in the shadow zone below the fold is most likely a distortion due to ray bending aoross the fault. (Only modelling can give the answer. (Counesy AGIP) C4 cs A sequence of thrusts. Thrusting usually occurs on a décollement plane, which is dificult to trace on this section. Normally it follows incompetent formations (shales or evaporities). Note the steep reverse faults and also the ‘antithetic reverse fault’ or backthrust. (Courtesy 8.P.) cs STRIKE-SLIP (WRENCH) FAULTS ‘Strike-sip faulting is where the relative movement othe faut blocks is horizontal - i.e. along the srke of the fault. The ‘terms ‘wrench faut! and transcurrent faut are effectively synonymous withthe term strike-slip faut. The presence of so- called "lower structures’ on seismic sections can be an important ciagnostc ofthe ooourence of sirke-stp fauitng. ‘Key words: antform, basement rocks, bulge, clastic roc, cip-stp faut, ower, indurated rock, oblique-sip faut, overburden, ‘palmtree, iedel shear, srke-sp faut, synform, tear faut, tulip, ranscurent faut, transform faut, wrench faut ‘Recommended iteraura: Harding, TP. Seismic characteristics and identicaion of negative flower structures, postive flower structures, and positive structural inversion. AAPG Bulletin v.63, p. 582-600, 1986. Reversal of throw direction along the same fault plane and the antiform structure above the location of the ‘apparent normal faut are diagnostic of wrench (strike-slip or oblique-slip) faulting. (Courtesy S.1LP.M.) D1 SIPH/EREG ec se ioe D1 D2 ‘A‘tulip' or lower’ structure, characteristic of wrench fault tectonics. Such deformation usually occur in less indurated elastic sediments overlaying a zone of strike-slip faults. (Courtesy $.1.P.M.) 2 2 i D3 The palmtree structure on this section is also a typical expression of a wrench fault system. The strike-slip ‘movement causing this structure occurs below the base of the Zechstein. Such fault systems usually originate in deep-seated shears affecting highly indurated basement rocks beneath less indurated clastic overburden Units. A possible salt diapir occurs just above a major normal fault which strongly downthrows the Zechstein tothe left, (Counesy 8.P.) D3 sonenas MI aR D3 A strike-slip fault system of the ‘lower type affecting the basal confining sequence of a salt layer, 8 -T. Where this occurs, and the salt is in a mobile state, the evaporite layer will act as a detachment zone, ‘insulating’ the upper section from the effects of the strike-slip movements of the fault. As seen here, in spite of the large apparent throw of the fault element the top of the evaporite sequence, 'T,, shows no evidence of any disturbance; this is diagnostic of strike-slip faulting. Sometimes, the horizontal movements of the fault blocks is such that instant’ bed thickness changes can be seen across the fault zone - another pointer to this, type of faulting. (Courtesy SS. (E).L.) This section obliquely cuts the Great Glen fault, which has been the location of episodic lateral wrench movements throughout geological times. The fault ies along an old line of weakness along which there were sinistral movements during the early Permian. The major dextral movement, apparent today in the 60 to 80 mile shift to the NNE of the whole Northem Highland block, occurred after the early Cretaceous and probably during the Tertiary. Major tearing caused the uplift of the SW side of the fault zone and subsequent erosion ‘removed all sediments down to the Base Cretaceous on this side ofthe fault. Strke-slip fault characteristics are seen, including the typical antiform shape above the fault zone. (Courtesy NOPEC) Indefatigable indefatigable Two major strike-slip fault systems present in the Southern North Sea basin, indefatigable Gas Field area. e ‘The mobile Zechstein salt has undoubtedly had considerable influence on the details of the tectonics caused by the strike-slip movements in the area. The large fault to the right ofthe section is particularly interesting since at first sight it appears to be a thrust fault. (Courtesy NOPEC) D6 eae = A system of tited fault blocks after rifting. In a later stage some of the normal faults were reactivated by wrench movements, as shown by the reversal of throw of the fault to the left and the flower structure on the right hand side of the section. (Courtesy Merlin Geophysical Co, Ltd.) or E._ DELTAIC FEATURES ‘Types of datas vary widely, bt forthe seismic interpreter there are certain basic characteristics that are common to all deltas. 1), Seen in longitudinal profil, dei deposits consist of a sandwich of sadiment groups (sae figure next pag). From the lowest part ofthe sequence upwards these are the botiomset, the foreset and the topset beds. “The bottomset bods tond to contain Ite or no sands, as these deposits have been carried furthest nto the basin. "The foreset beds in the middle ofthe sequence represent he bulk of the sediments inthe system. The more or less ‘stoop inlined seismic events (cinoform) inbetween almost horizontal reflections are the most characteristic features of an outbuilding dota. * Inthe topset beds upwards into the deta plain, infiled distrbutary channels occur that can sometimes be seen on. seismic sections. 2) Inadolta vast quantities of sediments have been deposited ina relative short time. Such rapid secimentation has lod 10 he ocaurrence of ovorprossurod shales at greater depth, causing sliding ofthe overburden seciments along lstric faults. These faults and the associated rol-over structures with crestal collapse are typical deltaic features on. seismic soctions. ‘Kay words: bottomset beds, foreset beds, topset beds, distibutary channel, crestal collapse, crevasse splay, clinoform ‘event, overpressure, roltover structure. ‘Becommencied terature: Borg, O.R. _Soismic detection and evaluation of deta and turbidte sequences: their appfcaton to the exploration for the subtle tap. In: MT. Halbouty (Ed), The Deliberate Search for the Subtle Trap. AAPG Memoir 92, 1982. £0 DELTAPLAIN e DELTA FRONT DISTAL TURBIDITES DISTRIBUTARY ‘CHANNELS ON DELTA PLAIN OLD. BURIED DISTRIBUTARY (CHANNELS TOPSETS BoTToMseTs AG /S 10% a ‘A group of reflection facies patterns typical for a prograding, deltaic environment. On this section, which is parallel to the direction of deposition, we can clearly recognize the foreset stratal reflections between horizons ‘and B, with sigmoid and tangential oblique clinoforms. Near the top ofthe foreset zone, at level A, sedimentary bypass and minor truncation effects can be seen in the toplapping events, whilst offlap and downlap events are seen deeper and at the lower boundary of the foreset zone. Below event B are bottomset events underlain by a karstic limestone whose top is at C. Topset events occur above level A, and at this level in sections normal to this example, infled distributary channels are sometimes seen in cross-section; clearly, these will be less apparent in sections parallel to the depositional direction. (Courtesy S.L.P.M.) aL EAEc/st, ‘This section represents the same depositional sequence as the previous example, but with the profile now e running perpendicularly to the direction of deposition. Note thatthe foreset zone of clinoforms between horizons ‘A and B now appears as a lenticular or hummocky reflection pattern. Also, as mentioned inthe previous ‘example, inflled distrbutary channels can be seen in cross section on profiles with this orientation, Note: this section and the previous example are not the same scale. (Courtesy S.L.P.M) E3 Interval C-D is a distal lobe ofthe large Palaeocene detta located in the northern part of the North Sea. The deltaic deposits in this location may consist of deep-water turbidite sands rather than of the coarser shallow- water sands which occurs further north. Clear clinoform events of sigmoid and tangential-oblique type can be ‘seen in this wedge of foreset bedding, which is thinning rapidly to its termination on the right. (Courtesy $.S.(E).L.) E3 3 Ea This section shows a low angle fault plane. We are dealing here with a growth fault and the associated roll-over structure, which is broken by crestal collapse faults, The fault plane is concave upwards its dip varying from more than 60° near the surface to less than 8 at its deepest part. ‘As the section is processed using ‘horizontal stacking velocities pertaining to horizontal layering, only the ‘deeper and subhorizontal pat of the fault plane is visible asa reflection. Note the thickening of the downthrown intervals towards the fault plane. This is characteristic of roll-over structures associated with most growth faults. (Courtesy S..P.M.) Ea Eaec/stmM ui 4 TOTAL/IFP ec /a,1988 65 ‘The effects in seismic data of faults crossing the line at different angles. The example gives some idea of the e adverse nature of the interfering noise which can arise where a seismic line runs parallel and close to a ‘major fault. (Courtesy TotalIFP) Es TOTAL/FP cova, 1989 5 SIPM/EAEG Es Toe thrusts at the distal end ofthe delta. The distance between the toe thrust and the normal deltaic growth e faults is generally vary large. Note the expression ofthe thrusts atthe seabottom. (Courtesy S.1.P.M) 6 i i il HL 6 7 ee er ee ‘A dlassic example of a roll-over structure in a thick deltaic sequence. Note the major listric growth fault bounding the structure tothe right and the crestal collapse pattem of synthetic and antithetic faults (Courtesy S.1.P.M.) &7 E7 ‘Aback-to-back structure bounded by two conjugate normal faults. The one to the lett is a normal lstric growth fault and the one to the right is a counterregional fault. The latter arises in a situation where the rate of deposition is more or less equal to the rate of subsidence. (Courtesy S.LP.M.) £8 F. CARBONATES AND CARBONATE BUILD-UPS ‘The term “carbonates" refers principally to tho mestone and dolomitc rock types found in various depositonal environments. They are generally dence, compact rocks with usualy high seismic veloc, causing substantial acoustic impedance contrasts with other sedimentary rocks. The resulting strong retletion bands are characteristic for recognizing carbonate deposits on seismic sections. “The term “bulk-up" is generally used for structures consisting of reefs and rootal debrie. The eketch (next page) shows that the actual bioherm forms only a small part ofthe entire reetal bulk-up. The principal agnostics of carbonate buil-ups on aseismic section aro: ‘Bright top in general + Carbonate platform underneath, often “pulled-up + Onlaps against the flanks. “= Drape of overaying seciments due to ditforenial compaction ‘Kay words: bioherm, biostrome, tinging ree, barrier ree, pinnacle ret, patch reef, ack-reet, fore-eot, eof, aol, eyebrow structure, reet core, karst surface. ‘Recommended iteratue: ‘Bubb, JN. & Hatleld, W.G, Seismic recognition of carbonate buiktups In: C.E. Payton (ed) Seismic Stratigraphy - ‘application to hydrocarbon exploration. AAPG Memoir 25, p.185-204 (1977) Fontaine, J.M. et al ‘Seismic interpretation of carbonate depositional saquences, Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous, Neuquon Basin, Argentina. In: Seismic Stratigraphy Il- An integrated ‘approach, O.R, Berg & D.G. Woolverton (Eds.) AAPG Memoir 39. (1985) Fo FORE-REEF REEF FLAT BACK-REEF PATCH OR PINNACLE (TALUS SLOPE) | Z REEF BACK-REEF LAGOON OR MARINE SHELF SEA, BASIN SCHEMATIC OF A SHELF-MARGIN BIOHERM (AN ALGAL OR CORAL REEF) EEE i i = ee LRU e e e STPM/EARG ° Hl 2 teens a ee Ft This section shows a carbonate build-up in the form of a "mound”. The data are rather old i.e. migrated using an Lunsophisticated diffraction stack. All seismic criteria for recognizing a build-up are present in this example. They are: + Bright top and flanks + Platform underneath, + Pull-up of platform reflection + Onlaps against the flanks + Drape of the overlaying sequence Fi ios i i Siler canoouares ja ae = ener cameron neem em emcee 'STPM/EABG + mee, o STPM/EREG Seismic expression of a pinnacle ret. The fault in the overburden can be traced clearly. e The (unweighted) diffraction stack has introduced a tendency to reinforce the amplitudes of the reflection terminations against the fault. The reflections within and at the base of the pinnacle as well as, the relection at 1.7 sec. are ‘over-migrated’, due to a migration velocity which was too high. (Courtesy S..P.M.) F2 LIRA A as , ao ce ian ERE eae ee Ss caiman i aie RS i h iri oe Mai rr ee Sacer Seine a eed A _ aoe E u ea : - HI { ani eet = - : carats i bem : if Ss pecs i = . H) fr : en i Hi seas i ‘SIPM/EAEG ; Fe A large sheet like carbonate build-up. Note the onlapping events on the flanks, and the relatively minor ‘compaction-drape effects above. There are also pull-up effects beneath the build-up which indicate an appreciable velocity differential between the carbonate build-up and the encasing sediments. (Courtesy S.LP.M) F3 SIPM/EnEG e MIGRATION STACK STPH/EAEG Fa ‘Two build-ups associated with pinnacle reefs. The whole structure consists mainly of reef debris, (fore-reef, back-reef, lagoon). The reet (bioherm) itself forms only a very small part of the entire build-up. (Courtesy S.P.M.) F4 MIGRATION STACK STPH/EAEG Fa isi aM Sail oars ‘An example ofa carbonate build-up, only one loop thick, ontop ofa limestone platiorm whichis craped over a e ‘basement horst.Itis very likely that this is simply a ‘mound! of reef debris. Such mounds are important potential HC reservoirs which could easily be overlooked on a seismic section, (Courtesy S.1.P.M.) FS ith “ee ae FS Sholf-edge carbonate build-up. One of the most remarkable features of reefal masses of this type can be their persistence in time, and in this example, progressively higher locations of the reef top can be seen over a depth interval in excess of 2,000 meters. Even more persistent examples of algal-stromatolit reefs are known. (Courtesy Merlin Geophysical Co, Ltd.) Fe ANF eyes [Semin man neh hy, ‘The features shown in this example are believed to be Zechstein carbonate build-ups. The build-up features themselves are probably quite small, and are suggested by the lenticular hatched shapes resting on the Base Zechstein (B). Much of the original Zechstein interval here is believed to have consisted of evaporites, mainly halite, which has been leached away perhaps by water percotating downwards from the Late Cimmerian Unconformity (U)as it cuts down to approach the Top Zechstein (now at P). The marked structural highs above the build-up locations consist of collapsed Mesozoic sediments draped over the features. (Courtesy SS(E)L) Fa Section of unknown origin. Diagnostic indications point to a carbonate build-up: + Bright forereef margin to the left + Onlaps against the reet margin + Slight drape of the overlaying sediments + Pull-up of the base; unfortunately due to insulfcient acoustic impedance contrast (limestone on limestone) this base is not a distinct reflector, except on the left-hand side. Note also the foresets near the top of the section. (Courtesy S.LP.M.) Fe HOO Fe G.__ FAN DEPOSITS AND TURBIDITES ‘Marine fan deposits are deep-marine clastic deposits funneled basinward through troughs ata deta trot o through ‘submarine canyons, They normaly involve turidtes, which are sediments from turbid currents i.e. sediments keptin suspension by turbulent fui flow until the current velocity fal below some crtical value. Dependina on the direction of the seismic profile the turbiite deposits may show paral, mounciad or somotimes ehingled reflections. However, tis also important to determine from evidance avaiable the genaral depositional context andthe positon inthe basin, since otherwise turbictes may be dificult to recognize by the normal methods of stratigraphic analysis ‘Key words: turbity curent,tubicite, channel sand/channel deposi, suprafan sands, submarine canyon, ‘Recommended iteraure: ‘Mitchem, RIM. Jr, Seismic stratigraphic expression of submarine fans. In: Selamie Stratigraphy Il-an integrated approach. O.R. Berg & D.G. Woolverion (Eds.) AAPG Mamoir 29, 1985, Berg. OR, (Vide reference ited in Pant) Go SLOPE CHANNEL, CANYON DELTA AHEAD OF DELTA FRONT SCHEMATIC SHOWING TWO COMMON ENVIRONMENTS OF SUBMARINE FAN DEPOSITION. a ‘This section shows a fan depositor tubiit. n general tubites are dificult to recognize on seismic sections. e They form slongated anomalous patches as in his case. tis often dificult to mark the base of a tubidne The many depositional lobes inside a fan may cause a chaotic pattern which is an important criterion for recognizing a turbidite. (Courtesy S.1.P.M.) Gt ‘Another example of a turbiditic fan deposit. It shows again that these types of deposits are hard to recognize ‘on a seismic section. Occasionally the whole, or the lower part of a turbidite sequence shows evidence of ‘slumping/siiding due to slope instability and overburden loading. (Courtesy S.1 G2 Saree ome aa canoer LO iat an A G3 ‘Aturbiditic fan with many depositional lobes. The edges of these lobes cause a chaotic pattern which is one of the criteria for recognizing a turbidite (Courtesy S.L.P.M) Gs — cry This section shows turbidite sands of Upper Palaeocence to Lower Eocene age. They have a typical mounded, hummocky appearance with thickening in the centre of the section. The section also crosses the major faulted boundary between the Viking trough and the East Shetland platform. Within the trough there is a deep ying rotated fault block. The upper edge ofthis tited fault block is believed to have formed a bathymetric barrier, resulting in sediment load-shedding, with some later inversion, to resultin the thickened, mound:ike ‘appearance of the turbidite sands above. (Courtesy NOPEC) H. SALT TECTONICS “This chapter embraces all structural features that are related tothe plastic movement of sal. The most spectacular feature is the clap. Ona setsmic section it appears as a dome with a chaotic intemal reflection patter or with no retlections at al, ‘Oniy the top ofthe lapis characterised by a strong reflection, Due tothe high voloiy of salt the reflection atthe base is Lsualy "pulled up" and discontinuous, suggesting the occurrence of faults. Syncinal features occur on the flanks and often antiinal features (turtle backs) occur in between capi. (Other features shown inthis chapter such as overburden collapse, rolLover structures, tric faults, etc. are due to issolution and withdrawal of salt or the roe ofa salv-interval as a decouping layer. ‘Kev words: (sat) swol (ca) plow, (sll) dpi, salt wal, peripheral sink, rim syncine, tune stricture, plastic deformation inhalte. ‘Recommended Iterature: Braunstein, J, & O'Brien G.D. (Eds) _Diapirsm and Diapirs-a symposium, AAPG Memoir 8, 444 pp. 1968 Hatbouty, MT. Salt Domes, Gu Region - USA and Mexico. Fulg Pub. Co. Houston, USA 425 p. Jackson, MPA 8 Tabot C.J. Extemal shapes, strain ates, and dynamis of sak stuctures - Geol. Soo, America Blin v.97, p'305-328. 1986 senyon, MK. Sal Tectores. sever Appled Se Pub. Barking, UK. 1986, Lerche, I & Oren, J. (Eds) ‘hs Oana God Sa roe Stace. 2p, adic Ps, SA 1987 Ho SuPn/ENEC Hi eS ee ‘Seismic expression of a salt-diapir on an unmigrated section. The diapir could be either a salt dome or a salt wall. On a two dimensional cross section they generally have the shape of a mushroom. From the difraction curves the edges of the top may be inferred, but the overhang cannot be traced nor can the thinner part ‘stakc) underneath. On this time section the base is ‘pulled up’ because of the high salt velocly. Even migration wil fail o bring out the exact shape ofthe diapi. This section shows the secondary rim synciines (S) associated with the piercement phase ofthe salt dipir. inthis case the basal surface of the rim ‘synciine is an unconformity surface, as marked on the overlay. The primary rim syncline events associated i te pre-plercement(pilow) stage of salt rise, and which thins towards the diapr, are absent here, having been removed by erosion (unconformity), The diffraction curve at approx. 2.7 secs is side swipe' caused by a scattering object on the sea bottom. The curvature can be shown to correspond approximately with the water velocity. (Courtesy S.1.P.M.) Ht SIPH/EaRC Coie eae Ht earersi This section forms part of a typical profile through a salt basin. There are two distinct salt structures. The pull-up effects are clearly visible. The overlaying sediments are collapsed over the crest, the salt being dissolved by percolating ground water (solution sinks). The irregularity of the top salt surface seen here may ‘also be due to diapiric ‘spines’ of salt leading upwards ahead of the main salt mass. (Courtesy S.1.P.M) Ha Section (migrated) across a salt-wall diapir. Note the highly deformed competent Plattendolomite band P, the e deformation being due to lateral sat flow into the diapir within the total Zechstein salt interval B - T. The fault at F, perhaps by reactivated movement, may have been the prime cause of the development of the salt structure here. The thinning intervals marked in the upper overburden probably indicate the location of primary rim syncline deposits laid down during the pre-piercement (pillow) stage of the salt structure. (Courtesy SS(E)L) H3 anc /s 10% Ha ‘Two salt diapirs which have been growing until rather recent times as it appears from the younger sediments being draped over the crests. Note that from the configuration of the primary rim synclines (stratal events thinning towards the diapir) which indicate the pre-piercement (pillow) growth stage ofthe salt features, and the secondary rim synefines (stratal events thickening towards the diapir indicating the piercement stage, the right-hand diapir can be identified as the older one of the two. Note also the complete depletion of salt between the two features, and the "semi-turtle" structures in the same zone (a full turtle feature would have been formed only if the piercement stages of the two features were synchronous). (Courtesy S.LP.M.) This section shows a turtle-back structure flanked by two salt diapirs. The depositional pattern of the encasing sediments indicate that the pillow stage began at the same time (TRi-marker). However, the NW diapir passed into the piercement phase much earlier than the SE dlapir. Ths is clear from the termination of the primary rim syncline sediments, thinning towards the diapir at TR, adjacent to the NW diapir, above which the thickening secondary rim-syndline sediments occur. The primary rim-syncline sediments associated with the SSE diapir continue much higher up in the section than TR, before passing into the secondary rim-syncline deposits. This detay in development of the diapric stage of the SE feature is probably the reason for the asymmetry of development o! ne “turtle” structure. This asymmetrical type of feature is sometimes referred to as a "semi-turte” structure. (Courtesy NOPEC) HS Three salt diapirs of diferent age. The one to the right is the oldest, the one to the left the youngest. The difference in age can be inferred from the configuration of the reflections in between the diapirs, depending on whether they belong to the collapsed crest over the original salt pillow orto the inf of the rim syneine. (Courtesy S.1.P.M.) He H6 North German Basin: ‘Asymmetrical salt diapir initiated by a fault at Base Zechstein. Salt pillow in Lower Bunter, main salt movement ‘during Keuper generating a thick rim syneline in Mid/Up Keuper. The end of diapirism is characterized by faulting the overlaying Cretaceous and Palaeocene (Courtesy Preussag A.G.) H7 This section shows that there has been no halokinitic movement up to Keuper, as shown by the constant thickness of the Buntsandstein shales and marls overlaying the Zechstein salt. A major change took place in the period between Triassic and Cretaceous. Salt- and tectonic movements caused erosion of the Jurassic ‘and part of the Keuper sediments, The Lower Cretaceous was deposited in the rimsynclne after the diapiic hase. During the Upper Cretaceous inversion took place, caused by compressional wrenching, as demonstrated by the draping of Upper Cretaceous sediments over the pushed-up Lower Cretaceous and Keuper forming a flower structure in the wrench zone. (Courtesy B.£.8.) HB Sraver cane Hg This profile through a group of salt structures shows various aspects of plastic flow ofthe salt, including the ® results of complete withdrawal of salt and the overburden deformation effects due to extensional stress and subsidence. Enlarged portions ofthe parts ofthe section outlined A-D and E-H can be seen in the following two examples. (Courtesy TotaliFP) H9 SEE CLOSE-UP ‘SEE CLOSE-UP eed Skm cevst.1983 Ho cera,1983 TOTALAFP ‘The portion of the section marked A-B-C-D in the previous example, seen here at larger scale. The rise of the e two salt diapirs has been accompanied by marked extensional fracturing and faulting ofthe overburden above the crests. The strongly asymmetrical turtle structure between the two diapirs, together withthe

    You might also like