Reflection attributes of paragneiss in the upper crust

Abstract

The integrated study of the geological and seismic reflection data from the drilling area of CCSD has discovered that the density and the P-wave velocity of orthogneiss are almost the same as that of the paragneiss in the area; but the orthogneiss and the paragneiss hold different reflection attributes. The strong seismic reflector packes coinciding spatially with the paragneiss suites have implied that the paragneiss buried in the metamorphic crust itself can cause bone-like seismic reflector sets. The P-wave velocity of paragneiss shows little apparent difference with that of the orthogneiss; but its transverse wave velocity is lower, with the Vp/Vs ratios being high. The paragneiss has partially inherited the layering structures and textures of the protolithe of sedimentary rocks, hence shows strong heterogeneity and anisotropy, that is why the paragneiss are able to produce the bone-like reflectors in the upper crust. The low transverse wave velocity of paragneiss often means weak shear resistance, which will further cause cracks or fractures in the rock, consequentially increase its porosity and permeability during tectonic movements, and form the paragneiss reservoirs of low-permeability zones for gases uplifted from the deeper crust. Because the paragneiss in the crustal metamorphic basement can cause the seismic reflectors, seismic reflection sections are able to provide information about the paragneiss under certain prerequisites.