Structural style and stratigraphic architecture of fault propagation folding in extensional settings: a seismic example from the Smørbukk area, Halten Terrace, Mid‐Norway

Abstract

A number of recent papers have stressed the importance of lateral and vertical fault propagation on sediment geometries in active rift settings. However, the majority of these studies have been based on outcrop data. This contribution addresses the evolution of a single, major normal fault and its interaction with adjacent active faults using high‐resolution 3D seismic data from the Smørbukk and Smørbukk South hydrocarbon fields, Halten Terrace, Mid‐Norway. The major fault dividing the two fields, the Trestakk–Smørbukk fault, evolves from a southern segment with a well‐defined set of rift wedges in its hangingwall to a northern segment where the fault tip is buried and a fault‐tip fold is developed. Isochore maps of three Jurassic intervals illustrate a south to north evolution where, initially, Early Jurassic fault activity is limited to the southern part of the study area. Middle to Upper Jurassic intervals display a northwards migration in activity and linkage with two other major faults in the study area. This northwards migration had a profound effect on sediment geometries and depocentres in an area where previously only Late Jurassic rift activity has been recognized.