A Fan Tale, Modern and Ancient Fans--A Comparison

Abstract

The Quaternary Conception fan of the Santa Barbara basin and the Upper Cretaceous Lathrop fan of the northern San Joaquin basin tell an interesting tale. Both fans show a well defined sequence stratigraphy of alternating low-stand, sand-rich units that alternate with thin high-stand silt units that drape and in-fill the surface topography of the previous sand-cycle. Isopachs made from detailed well log correlations (Lathrop) and seismic reflection data tied to borings (Conception) show that the fans are composed of a series of offset-stacked, elongate fan lobes. These lobes are similar in size. A major difference in the development of the two fans is the timing of tectonism. Concomitant tectonism uplifted the Conception fan lobes and resulted in localized erosion of high-stand silts beds and sand-on-sand lobe contacts. Tectonism and Lathrop occurred after fan deposition and provided the trapping structure-the Lathrop anticlinal fold. Following are some lessons to be learned from these and other fans the authors have studied: (1) Quaternary or modern' fans and ancient fans are similar. (2) Elongate sand-rich fan lobes separated by highstand silt units are typical of fans. (3) In addition to well-known techniques (seismic stratigraphy and detailed well log correlations), original reservoir pressures may bemore » used to differentiate sequences and lobes (e.g., Lathrop). (4) Tectonism and erosion along the margin may limit traps to the uppermost lobe sequence (e.g., Conception). (5) An offset-stacked elongate fan lobe model is a valuable exploration and production tool.« less