Deriving Vp velocity and density properties of complex litho-structural units from the analysis of geophysical log data: A study from the Southern Apennines of Italy

Abstract

This study is aimed to define a velocity and density database for the main litho-structural units of the Val d’Agri area of the Southern Apennines (Italy). Here we analyze fifteen digital borehole data comprising sonic log, check shot and density log data with dedicated graphic and statistical tools. We compare velocities acquired with two techniques: check-shots and sonic logging, discussing factors influencing them and their variations with a depth trend. In general, we observe that the comparison between the check shots and the sonic logs velocities gives consistent results. The detailed analysis of well logs and velocity distribution histograms, allow us to distinguish the following eight litho-structural units and their representative velocities and densities: Liguride tertiary flysches; Apennine Carbonate Platform, Lagonegro - Clastics, Lagonegro -Carbonates; Irpinia 1; Irpinia 2 and 3; Volturino foredeep turbidites; Apulian Carbonate Platform. The density values were calculated through the velocity density relationship using the Gardner equation, and subsequently compared with the measured density values. The comparison shows good correlations with the adopted Gardner coefficient of a = 0.30 and an exponent m = 0.25 for carbonatic succession, while a Gardner coefficient of a = 0.25 and an exponent m = 0.28 for clastic lithologies.The obtained results represent a key input for the future velocity and gravity modellings and for the time to-depth conversion of seismic reflection profiles, describing the vertical and lateral lithological heterogeneities between carbonate platforms, deep-sea basinal units and clastic/turbidite successions in the complex tectonic settings of the Southern Apennines.The approach applied in this work, based on a shared analytical and graphical analysis of borehole data, can be readily extended to other case studies worldwide, being the analyzed formations lithologically comparable to many other fold-and-thrust belt rocks.