Seismic Reflection Analysis Research Articles

A Quaternary carbonate contourite drift system on the Eyre Terrace, Great Australian Bight: implications for the origin of prograding shelf-edge–upper slope clinoforms, southern Australian passive margin

An appraisal of the Quaternary shelf-margin succession in the western Great Australian Bight has yielded new insights into the development of this prograding passive margin. Our analysis of seismic reflection and sedimentary data from the Eyre Terrace and adjacent outer shelf challenges the established view that this shelf-margin wedge represents a prograding carbonate ramp. Instead, we identify separate outer shelf and upper slope depositional systems: the outer shelf comprises an aggrading to prograding succession whereas the upper slope was constructed and shaped predominantly by alongslope processes driven by the major boundary currents that form the Southern Australia Current System. The latter resulted in the formation of a spectacular 500 m thick, basin-scale, elongate-mounded carbonate contourite drift (the ‘Eyre Terrace Drift’) and associated sediment waves. Sheeted drift and infill drift geometries are also observed. Key sedimentary attributes include fine-grained sediment, multi-scale gradational bed contacts and pervasive bioturbation. The upper flank of the drift provided a platform across which the prograding outermost-shelf facies progressively migrated. The resulting stratigraphic pattern of the Quaternary shelf-margin clinoforms was formed by a combination of ‘conventional’ clinoform progradation from the outer shelf and ‘contouritic clinoform’ progradation and drift accretion on the upper slope.

Lunar active seismic profiler for investigating shallow substrates of the Moon and other extraterrestrial environments

To investigate the structures and properties of shallow material in extraterrestrial environments, we have developed a lunar active seismic profiler (LASP), which integrates active seismic sources and receivers in a short (~1 m) array that can be deployed on a rover. The small active source generates a chirp waveform that sweeps over a wide frequency range (20–250 Hz). The receivers are coupled to the ground by their own weight, but nevertheless deliver acceptable performance. We improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the seismic signal by stacking waveforms, enabling a minimal source to support the exploration of geological substrates. By processing shot gather of the LASP data, we calculated a dispersion curve of surface waves and obtained an accurate S-wave velocity profile from surface to 1 m depth. The results suggest that regions with even small amounts of subsurface ice (~0.5 wt%) can be identified in LASP results by their anomalously high S-wave velocity. Field experiments demonstrate that the LASP can support estimates of 3D S-wave velocity distributions and the identification of a buried geological boundary. The LASP also detected different degrees of compaction at the experimental site. If two rovers carry these profilers, or if a single rover combines one with a separately deployed receiver or active seismic source, seismic refraction and seismic reflection analyses can be conducted simultaneously in addition to surface wave analyses. These seismic surveys for longer-offset data achieve the exploration of deeper substrates in extraterrestrial settings such as the Moon, Mars, and other solid bodies.

Failing Subduction Initiation in an Opposing Pair of Incipient‐Diffuse Subduction Margins: A Case From the East Sea (Japan Sea)

AbstractThis study reports a rare case of failing incipient subduction found in the East Sea (Japan Sea), a back‐arc basin in the western circum‐Pacific, where an opposing pair of incipient‐diffuse subduction margins competes to attain self‐sustainability. Seismic reflection analysis of the post‐4 Ma structural components around the western East Sea margin revealed three juxtaposed compressional neotectonic components: (a) the Ulleung Major Thrust, (b) the Ulleung Syncline, and (c) the East Korean Thrust Belt. The Ulleung Major Thrust, marked by the NS‐elongated west‐dipping reverse tri‐shear zone along the continent–back‐arc transition boundary, is interpreted as an embryonic subduction interface that began to guide the underthrust of the Ulleung back‐arc crust below the Korean continental block. With the growth of the Ulleung Major Thrust, the crustal downbuckle on the western end of the Ulleung Basin became progressively asymmetric and formed the Ulleung Syncline, a proto‐trench. Underthrusting of the Ulleung Basin crust induced regional uplift over the eastern Korean margin, accommodated by arrays of east‐dipping thrust faults referred to as the East Korean Thrust Belt. The east‐upward thrust movements formed NS‐elongated thrust‐bounded sedimentary basins, classified as piggyback basins. The subduction initiation on the western East Sea margin appears destined to fail, because a convergent proto‐plate boundary is now nucleating on its opposing side. However, lines of evidence, such as marine terraces and frequent compressional earthquakes on Quaternary faults along the eastern Korean margin imply that the subduction initiation on the western East Sea is failing but has not yet failed.

Can we use seismic reflection data to infer the interconnectivity of fracture networks?

Summary While variations of seismic reflection amplitudes with incidence angle (AVA) and azimuth have been widely used to provide information on geometric characteristics of fractures, this attribute has, as of yet, not been linked to fracture interconnectivity, which tends to govern the hydraulic property of the affected formation. This is due to limitations of the forward models considered to represent the corresponding seismic responses. Based on a poroelastic upscaling procedure and a subsequent plane-wave analysis, we show for the first time that seismic reflection coefficients are highly sensitive to fracture interconnectivity. Moreover, our results suggest that crossplots of commonly used AVA coefficients can be used to delineate regions of fractured formations with higher or lower fracture interconnectivity. This sensitivity is due to changes of the stiffening effect of the fluid contained within interconnected fractures in response to wave-induced fluid-pressure diffusion, a physical process that has not been previously accounted for in seismic reflection analyses.

Seismic reflection analysis of the deeply buried Neoproterozoic rift basin beneath Sichuan Basin, southern China

Seismic reflection analysis of the deeply buried Neoproterozoic rift basin beneath Sichuan Basin, southern China

Impact of Timanian thrust systems on the late Neoproterozoic–Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of the Barents Sea and Svalbard

Abstract. The Svalbard Archipelago consists of three basement terranes that record a complex Neoproterozoic–Phanerozoic tectonic history, including four contractional events (Grenvillian, Caledonian, Ellesmerian, and Eurekan) and two episodes of collapse- to rift-related extension (Devonian–Carboniferous and late Cenozoic). Previous studies suggest that these three terranes likely accreted during the early to mid-Paleozoic Caledonian and Ellesmerian orogenies. Yet recent geochronological analyses show that the northwestern and southwestern terranes of Svalbard both record an episode of amphibolite (–eclogite) facies metamorphism in the latest Neoproterozoic, which may relate to the 650–550 Ma Timanian Orogeny identified in northwestern Russia, northern Norway, and the Russian Barents Sea. However, discrete Timanian structures have yet to be identified in Svalbard and the Norwegian Barents Sea. Through analysis of seismic reflection, as well as regional gravimetric and magnetic data, this study demonstrates the presence of continuous thrust systems that are several kilometers thick, NNE-dipping, deeply buried, and extend thousands of kilometers from northwestern Russia to northeastern Norway, the northern Norwegian Barents Sea, and the Svalbard Archipelago. The consistency in orientation and geometry, as well as apparent linkage between these thrust systems and those recognized as part of the Timanian Orogeny in northwestern Russia and Novaya Zemlya, suggests that the mapped structures are likely Timanian. If correct, these findings would imply that Svalbard's three basement terranes and the Barents Sea were accreted onto northern Norway during the Timanian Orogeny and should hence be attached to Baltica and northwestern Russia in future Neoproterozoic–early Paleozoic plate tectonics reconstructions. In the Phanerozoic, the study suggests that the interpreted Timanian thrust systems represent major preexisting zones of weakness that were reactivated, folded, and overprinted by (i.e., controlled the formation of new) brittle faults during later tectonic events. These faults are still active at present and can be linked to folding and offset of the seafloor.

The abyssal giant sinkholes of the Blake Bahama Escarpment: evidence of focused deep-ocean carbonate dissolution

This study reports the discovery of abyssal giant depressions located at the toe of the Bahamian carbonate platform, along the Blake Bahama structurally-controlled Escarpment (BBE) that exhibits up to 4 km of submarine elevation above the San Salvador Abyssal Plain (SSAP). Analysis of seismic reflection and bathymetric data collected during the CARAMBAR 2 cruise revealed the presence of 29 submarine depressions; their water depths range from 4584 m to 4967 m whereas their negative reliefs are elliptical in shape, range in diameter from 255 m to 1819 m, and in depth from 30 m to 185 m. The depression alignment trends are parallel to the BBE as well as to structural lineaments of the area, exclusively between 2200 and 5000 m from its toe, and overlies a buried carbonate bench in which a high-amplitude seismic anomaly has been detected. The depression density interestingly increases where the recognized structural lineaments intersect the BBE. Based on their physical attributes (i.e. location, jagged morphologies, water depths), we interpret these depressions as collapse sinkholes rather than pockmarks or plunge pools. The aforementioned observations suggest an atypical relationship between the spatial occurrence of the giant abyssal sinkholes, the carbonate platform tectonic structures, the buried carbonate bench that underlies the hemipelagites in the SSAP and the geomorphology of the area. According to the wider literature that reports fluid seepages along submarine carbonate escarpments, we propose that the ground water entrance during low sea-level stands, the dissolution of evaporites by meteoric water, the platform-scale thermal convection and the seawater entrance at the platform edge most probably collectively act in concert to favor the circulation of brines and therefore the corrosion within the Bahamian carbonate platform. These mechanisms are particularly efficient along the structural heterogeneities (e.g. the Sunniland Fracture Zone, SFZ) which act as fluid conduits localizing the dissolution and control the physiography of the area by maintaining the location of the sedimentary pathways. The dense fluids would migrate along the faults towards the BBE free edge and are subsequently trapped into the buried carbonate bench that laterally disappears below the low-permeability deep-sea hemipelagites of the SSAP. In consequence, the trapped corrosive fluids dissolve the carbonates preferentially along the tectonic structures such as the SFZ. They are this way at the origin of the BBE curvature and generate collapse-structures in the overlying fine-grained deposits finally resulting in the formation of giant abyssal sinkholes. This structurally-directed process of dissolution seems efficient to provide a brines density head to move out down to >4.5 km of water depth and is believed to have played a major role in the BBE 5–6 km erosional retreat.

Identification of submarine landslides in the Colombian Caribbean Margin (Southern Sinú Fold Belt) using seismic investigations

Submarine landslides can be triggered by several processes and involve a variety of mechanisms. These phenomena are important sediment transport processes, but they also constitute a significant geohazard. Mapping of the southwestern Caribbean Sea using 3D seismic data has allowed identification of several submarine landslides in the Colombian Margin in the area dominated by the Southern Sinú Fold Belt (SSFB). A poststack depth-migrated seismic cube survey with a 12.5 by 12.5 m bin spacing was used to identify landslides in an area covering 5746 km2. Landslides were interpreted using a seafloor morphologic parameter identification process and the internal deformation of the slope-forming material, as seen from seismic data. A total of 93 landslides were identified and classified based on their movement styles as follows: 52 rotational, 29 translational, and 12 complex landslides. In addition, 12 distinct deformational zones and a zone of mass transport complex (MTC) were identified. Five different ground condition terrains were interpreted based on landslide type and distribution as well as in geologic structures and seismic reflection analysis. Two main processes seem to influence landslides in the study area. First is the folding and faulting involved in the SSFB evolution. This process results in oversteepened slopes that start as deformational zones and then fail as translational or rotational slides. Those individual landslides progressively become complex landslide zones that follow geologic structural orientation. Second is the continental shelf break erosion by debris flows, which fills in intraslope subbasins and continental rise with several MTCs. According to the results, risk of damage by landslides increases in distances shorter than 4 km along structural ridge foothills in the study zone.

Extension modes and breakup processes of the southeast China-Northwest Palawan conjugate rifted margins

Abstract Our understanding of continent-ocean transition structures and magmatism in the absence of excessive magmatic additions has been guided by the observations and models developed at the magma-poor Iberia-Newfoundland conjugate margins. Recently these models have been challenged in the South China Sea in light of new IODP Expeditions 367-368-368X. We have used an integrated analysis of high quality seismic reflection and gravity anomaly data, calibrated against recent deep sea drilling results, to investigate margin structure and tectono-magmatic interplay during continental breakup and early seafloor spreading between the SE China-NW Palawan conjugate margins. The Eocene-Oligocene South China Sea rifting initiates in a heterogeneous and likely thermally un-equilibrated lithosphere formed by the Mesozoic Yenshanian orogeny. Gravity and joint inversion methods confirm lateral variation of basement densities across the conjugate margins. Lithospheric and basement heterogeneities induced a rifting style characterized by a series of highly thinned rift basins associated with extensional faulting soling out at various crustal levels. Final rifting in late Eocene triggered decompression melting forming mid-ocean ridge type magmatism, which emplaced within thinned continental crust as deep intrusions and shallow extrusive rocks. This initial magmatic activity was concomitant with continued deformation of continental crust by extensional faulting. Integrated analysis of seismic reflection profiles and gravity anomaly data combined with deep-sea boreholes accurately locate the continent-ocean boundary. We show that the initial igneous crust, continentward of oceanic magnetic anomaly C10n, is asymmetric in width and in morphology for the conjugate margins. The wider and faulted newly accreted domain on the SE China side indicates that magmatic accretion is associated with tectonic faulting during the formation of initial oceanic lithosphere. We suggest that deformation was not symmetrically distributed between the conjugate margins during the initiation of seafloor spreading but evolved asymmetrically until the stabilisation of the spreading ocean ridge around C10n. The analysis of the South China Sea breakup reveals a transient interplay between faulting, magmatic budget and extension rates during the formation of the continent-ocean transition and initial emplacement of igneous crust.

Seismic reflection features and analysis of hydrocarbon accumulation of reversed anticlines in complicated mountainous areas

Seismic reflection features and analysis of hydrocarbon accumulation of reversed anticlines in complicated mountainous areas

Application of zero phase wavelet on synthetic seismic signals with noise

Detection of time of occurrences of different phases and frequencies is of highest importance in seismic reflected signals. Seismic reflection analysis gives us accurate information about the event detection, source acquisition of triggered seismic data and its mechanisms. In the present work an attempt is made to generate a synthetic seismic with noise generally present in the seismograph using. The synthetic seismic signal is extracted by zero phase wavelet. Crews software is used in this extraction. The zero phase wavelet could efficiently extract the seismic signal present in the reflected wave.

Lateral shear-moraines and lateral marginal-moraines of palaeo-ice streams

Abstract An understanding of the nature of sedimentation at ice-stream lateral margins is important in reconstructing the dynamics of former ice sheets and modelling the mechanisms by which sediment is transported beneath contemporary ice streams. Theories of the formation of ice-stream lateral moraines (ISLMs) have hitherto been based on a relatively limited number of terrestrial and marine examples. Here, an inventory of ISLMs is compiled from available studies, together with independent analysis of seismic-reflection and bathymetric datasets. The locations and dimensions of 70 ISLMs, alongside a synthesis of their key architectural and geomorphic characteristics, are presented. Two different types of ISLMs are identified. Type 1 ISLMs are up to 3.5 km wide and 60 m thick. They maintain a constant width, thickness and cross-sectional shape along their length. Type 1 ISLMs are interpreted and referred to as ice-stream lateral shear-moraines that form subglacially in the shear zone between ice streams and slower-flowing regions of an ice sheet. In contrast, Type 2 ISLMs are up to 50 km wide and 300 m thick. They are only identified close to the shelf break in the marine environment. Type 2 ISLMs exhibit an increase in width and thickness along their length and their distal slopes become steeper in a seaward direction. They contain internal dipping reflections that indicate sediment progradation away from the former ice stream. Type 2 ISLMs are interpreted and referred to as ice-stream lateral marginal-moraines that were formed at the lateral boundary between ice streams and seafloor terrain that was free of grounded ice. We suggest that, using bathymetric images and acoustic profiles, it is possible to differentiate between ice-stream lateral shear-moraines and lateral marginal-moraines in the geological record. This distinction is important for understanding the mechanisms of sediment transfer beneath ice streams and for making inferences about the conditions that existed beyond the lateral ice-stream margin at the time of lateral-moraine formation: slow-moving ice beyond lateral shear-moraines, and ocean water rather than ice beyond lateral marginal-moraines.

Relative role of accommodation zones in controlling stratal architectural variability and facies distribution: Insights from the Fushan Depression, South China Sea

In sedimentary basins, a better understanding of the controlling effect of accommodation/transfer zones on stratal architecture and facies distribution can improve the success rate of locating hydrocarbon reservoirs. The Fushan Depression is a half-graben rift sub-basin located in the southeast of the Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea. In this study, comparative analysis of seismic reflection, palaeogeomorphology, fault activity and depositional facies distribution indicates that three different types of inner-basin slopes (i.e. multi-level step-fault slope in the western area, slope flexure zone in the accommodation zone area and gentle slope in the eastern area) were developed along the southern slope of the Fushan Depression, together with a large-scale accommodation zone located at the intersection of the western and eastern fault systems. Further analysis shows that the accommodation zone played an important role in controlling not only stratal architectural variability in the southern slope but also depositional facies distribution in the accommodation zone area. During the high-stand stage, the deposition of depositional systems was mainly controlled by sediment supply and the NW-trending transfer faults. Major drainage systems entered the Fushan Depression through the accommodation zone along the direction of sediment supply, and sedimentary flow paths were parallel to the accommodation zone axis with sedimentary flows constrained to the adjacent areas of the NW-trending transfer faults. By contrast, during the low-stand stage, the transfer faults had little control over depositional facies distribution, and the sublacustrine fan sediments diverted away from the accommodation zone and flew down along the northeast, oblique to the accommodation zone axis. The flow division in the lowstand stage might be greatly influenced by flow type and topography. In addition, the accommodation zone area demonstrated unique hydrocarbon accumulation models different from the western and eastern areas, suggesting that the future exploration should be conducted at different levels in the Fushan Depression.

Characteristics of the Incised Valley in the Jurassic of the West Junggar Basin and Its Prospect Direction, NW China

Incised valley is an important kind of depositional system in the Chepaizi area, west Junggar Basin. In this paper, incised valley depositional system and its prospect direction in the area were obtained with the analysis of seismic reflection, depositional and logging characters. The results show that the Chepaizi uplift Jurassic developed four kinds of filling modes including vertical aggradation, side aggradation, disorder and compound mode and three kinds of distribution type including unitary type, multiple branch type and disorder type. The fault-lithological trap can be easily formed in the updip direction of the valley with the seal of thrown side of fault, which is the main trap type in the area. Incised valley system has been confirmed to have well hydrocarbon shows, yet no industrial output was gotten. The LST fan in the underwater zone of the incised valley system in the east and south margin of the Chepaizi uplift is the important prospect direction.

Detection of hidden faults beneath Khlong Marui fault zone using seismic reflection and 2-D electrical imaging

The Khlong Marui fault zone is a major fault located in the southern part of Thailand extending across the peninsula. In spite of the available information on fault segments and tectonic activity associated with faulting, the local scale fault characteristics are currently barely known and are often difficult to detect in areas where surface displacement has not occurred. The present geological field investigation reveals that the study area in Surat Thani province possibly contains more minor faults where the shallow faulting is evident. To detect fault locations and to study fault characteristics, seismic reflection analysis and 2-D electrical imaging were applied along the three survey lines as a case study. After data processing, an interpretation was proposed based on the correlation of geophysical results with the geological information. Discontinuities in the main horizons in seismic sections and correlatable zones in resistivity imaging indicate that faulting is present in a Permian-Carboniferous unit and may extend to the shallow subsurface in Quaternary sediments.

Chapter 15 The SEA-CALIPSO volcano imaging experiment at Montserrat: plans, campaigns at sea and on land, scientific results, and lessons learned

Abstract Since 1995 the eruption of the andesitic Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV), Montserrat, has been studied in substantial detail. As an important contribution to this effort, the Seismic Experiment with Airgunsource-Caribbean Andesitic Lava Island Precision Seismo-geodetic Observatory (SEA-CALIPSO) experiment was devised to image the arc crust underlying Montserrat, and, if possible, the magma system at SHV using tomography and reflection seismology. Field operations were carried out in October–December 2007, with deployment of 238 seismometers on land supplementing seven volcano observatory stations, and with an array of 10 ocean-bottom seismometers deployed offshore. The RRS James Cook on NERC cruise JC19 towed a tuned airgun array plus a digital 48-channel streamer on encircling and radial tracks for 77 h about Montserrat during December 2007, firing 4414 airgun shots and yielding about 47 Gb of data. The main objecctives of the experiment were achieved. Preliminary analyses of these data published in 2010 generated images of heterogeneous high-velocity bodies representing the cores of volcanoes and subjacent intrusions, and shallow areas of low velocity on the flanks of the island that reflect volcaniclastic deposits and hydrothermal alteration. The resolution of this preliminary work did not extend beyond 5 km depth. An improved three-dimensional (3D) seismic velocity model was then obtained by inversion of 181 665 first-arrival travel times from a more-complete sampling of the dataset, yielding clear images to 7.5 km depth of a low-velocity volume that was interpreted as the magma chamber which feeds the current eruption, with an estimated volume 13 km 3 . Coupled thermal and seismic modelling revealed properties of the partly crystallized magma. Seismic reflection analyses aimed at imaging structures under southern Montserrat had limited success, and suggest subhorizontal layering interpreted as sills at a depth of between 6 and 19 km. Seismic reflection profiles collected offshore reveal deep fans of volcaniclastic debris and fault offsets, leading to new tectonic interpretations. This chapter presents the project goals and planning concepts, describes in detail the campaigns at sea and on land, summarizes the major results, and identifies the key lessons learned.

Anomalous passive subsidence of deep‐water sedimentary basins: a prearc basin example, southern New Caledonia Trough and Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

AbstractStratigraphic data from petroleum wells and seismic reflection analysis reveal two distinct episodes of subsidence in the southern New Caledonia Trough and deep‐water Taranaki Basin. Tectonic subsidence of ~2.5 km was related to Cretaceous rift faulting and post‐rift thermal subsidence, and ~1.5 km of anomalous passive tectonic subsidence occurred during Cenozoic time. Pure‐shear stretching by factors of up to 2 is estimated for the first phase of subsidence from the exponential decay of post‐rift subsidence. The second subsidence event occured ~40 Ma after rifting ceased, and was not associated with faulting in the upper crust. Eocene subsidence patterns indicate northward tilting of the basin, followed by rapid regional subsidence during the Oligocene and Early Miocene. The resulting basin is 300–500 km wide and over 2000 km long, includes part of Taranaki Basin, and is not easily explained by any classic model of lithosphere deformation or cooling. The spatial scale of the basin, paucity of Cenozoic crustal faulting, and magnitudes of subsidence suggest a regional process that acted from below, probably originating within the upper mantle. This process was likely associated with inception of nearby Australia‐Pacific plate convergence, which ultimately formed the Tonga‐Kermadec subduction zone. Our study demonstrates that shallow‐water environments persisted for longer and their associated sedimentary sequences are hence thicker than would be predicted by any rift basin model that produces such large values of subsidence and an equivalent water depth. We suggest that convective processes within the upper mantle can influence the sedimentary facies distribution and thermal architecture of deep‐water basins, and that not all deep‐water basins are simply the evolved products of the same processes that produce shallow‐water sedimentary basins. This may be particularly true during the inception of subduction zones, and we suggest the term ‘prearc’ basin to describe this tectonic setting.

Gravity and seismic reflection imaging of a deep aquifer in an arid region: Case history from the Jeffara basin, southeastern Tunisia

A detailed mapping of the lateral and the vertical extension of the Upper Cretaceous units which contains aquifer bearing lithologies and may be part of the Complexe Terminal aquifer in the Jeffara basin of southeastern Tunisia using land and satellite Bouguer gravity anomaly data, eight seismic reflection profiles and two deep wells was performed. Borehole data indicated that the Upper Cretaceous unit is thickest within the Jeffara basin and thins considerably in the Dahar High. Bouguer gravity data in general confirms this result but lacks the resolution to accurately determine the thickness of the Upper Cretaceous units. Eight seismic reflection profiles constrained by borehole data indicated that the Upper Cretaceous aquifer may be present at depths greater than 500m and is up to 400m thick. The seismic reflection analysis showed that the Upper Cretaceous units contain two distinct zones. Within the northeastern portions of the Jeffara basin, the Upper Cretaceous units are influenced by horsts, grabens and tilted blocks where the Upper Cretaceous units are deeper and thicker units occur within the grabens. A second zone exits toward the basin’s southwestern section where the Upper Cretaceous units are shallower and gradually thin against the Dahar High. Structural contour maps of the top and the base of the Upper Cretaceous aquifer constructed from the seismic reflection profiles reveal the presence of fractured depressions in the northeastern part of the Jeffara basin that are favourable to the hydrogeological exploitation.

Interpretation of structures in the southeastern Nechako Basin, British Columbia, from seismic reflection, well log, and potential field data1This article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of New insights in Cordilleran Intermontane geoscience: reducing exploration risk in the mountain pine beetle-affected area, British Columbia.2Geological Survey of Canada Contribution 20100002.

The structure and stratigraphy of the southeast Nechako Basin, which are poorly understood primarily because of substantial volcanic cover, are investigated in an analysis of seismic reflection, well, and potential field data. Formation and development of the SE Nechako Basin resulted in sub-basins containing Cretaceous and Eocene rocks. Interpretation reveals that dextral transtension in the Early to Middle Eocene created NNW-trending, en echelon, strike-slip faults linked by pull-apart basins, which locally contain a thickness of Eocene volcaniclastic rocks of >3 km. This structural pattern is consistent with regional observations that suggest the transfer of slip from the Yalakom fault to the north via a series of en echelon strike-slip faults. In the Middle to Late Eocene, faults associated with a change in the direction of stress, echoed by the north-trending right-lateral Fraser fault, reactivated and cut earlier structures. A simple model agrees with local observations, that northeast-directed compression was subparallel to the relic Cretaceous grain. Cretaceous rocks are discontinuous throughout the basin and may be remnants of a broader basin, or a number of contemporaneous basins, formed in a regional transpressional tectonic setting that caused northeast-directed thrusting along the eastern side of the Coast Plutonic Complex. Results suggest that thrusting affected most of the SE Nechako Basin, as observed across the Intermontane Belt to the northwest and southeast. The pattern of deposition of Neogene volcanic rocks of the Chilcotin Group was in part controlled by the Eocene structural grain, but we find no evidence of Neogene deformation.

An energy-balance hydrologic model for the Lake Malawi Rift Basin, East Africa

An energy-balanced hydrologic model is used to quantitatively assess atmosphere–water budget relationships across the Lake Malawi catchment, a hydrologically-open lake within the East African Rift System. The model first simulates the historical lake-level record over the last 100 years using climate station and vegetation data as inputs. Atmospheric conditions required to sustain equilibrium water balance are then estimated at known critical lake-levels: modern (700 m maximum water depth), basin closure (696 m maximum water depth), 500 m, 350 m, 200 m, and 150 m maximum water depth. The critical low lake stages were determined from analysis of seismic-reflection and deep lake drill-core data. The model predicts modern precipitation rate to be 955 mm/yr, which is consistent with observed climate station precipitation records. The minimum lowstand observed in geophysical records is 150 m water depth (550 m below present lake-level), and occurred about 95,000 years before present. The precipitation rate required to sustain equilibrium conditions at this low lake stage is 557 mm/yr, assuming modern Lake Malawi temperature and vegetation, and 374 mm/yr using modern temperature and vegetation data from the Little Karoo Basin, an analogue for the Malawi paleo-environment during severe arid intervals that resulted in major lake lowstands. The latter result is consistent with the range of precipitation measured from the Little Karoo Basin (100 to 500 mm/yr), and from interpretations of drill-core data sets (Cohen et al., 2007). The time required to drop lake-level from its modern maximum to the most severe low lake stage determined from paleoclimate data sets (from 700 m to 150 m maximum water depth) is less than 2500 years, even when accounting for additional water volume loss stored as groundwater. A lake-level fall of this magnitude reduces the lake surface area by 94% and reduces the total lake volume by 99%.