Three-dimensional P-wave model of the shallow crustal structure, a complementary method for detecting a trapped hydrocarbon: a case study in the DehDasht region, SW Iran

Abstract

Abstract Local P-wave tomography is an efficient method to study geologically complex areas where the seismic exploration methods are not ideal for unraveling the shallow crustal heterogeneity due to the great thickness of evaporitic deposits. Despite the complex geological features in the salt-rich DehDasht region, SW Iran, we used >11 000 micro-earthquake events, which have been recorded by a temporary seismic network (deployed between 18 October 2016 and 1 July 2017), to derive the three-dimensional velocity structure based on the first arrival time. We selected a subset of events (1571 micro-earthquakes) by various strict criteria for our processing, and then the 1D velocity model was calculated by the computer program VELEST. Afterward, the 3D initial model of the inversion procedure with 1.5-km horizontal and 1-km deep intervals was parametrized using the calculated 1D model. Finally, the observed data (first arrival P-wave traveltimes and events locations) was inverted with an optimum regularization parameter and iteration using the computer program SIMULPS14. Our tomographic results indicate the DehDasht Basin as a relatively low-velocity zone filled out dominantly by the Gachsaran Formation and surrounded by the high-velocity Asmari-Pabdeh-Sarvak Formations. The basin has a bowl shape that is elongated in the NW–SE direction or an oval on a horizontal view. The depth of the basin varies between 3 and 5 km and contains many folding-faulting systems, which lead to locally low-velocity patches. Moreover, some evaporate deposits, which are overlying the Gachsaran Formation, emerge as a thin low-velocity layer (e.g. Aghajari, etc.).