Style Of Faulting Research Articles

Evaluation of directionality in physics-based ground motion simulations of strike-slip earthquakes

Recent advances in engineering seismology and computing power have led to the development of realistic physics-based ground motion simulations. The use of these simulations for engineering applications requires that the ground motions exhibit characteristics consistent with those of recorded ground motions. While several studies have evaluated the intensity, frequency content, duration, and other characteristics of ground motion simulations for their possible use in engineering applications, few have focused on directionality. This article evaluates directionality in the response of single-degree-of-freedom oscillators when subjected to CyberShake Study 15.12 simulated ground motions from strike-slip earthquakes, by carefully comparing it to the directionality in recorded ground motions having the same style of faulting. Physics-based ground motion simulations at 334 stations from 5 different rupture variations in two large-magnitude earthquake scenarios on the Elsinore fault are evaluated. The orientation of maximum oscillator response and its spatial distribution are studied for each rupture. The orientation of maximum oscillator response is found to occur systematically close to the epicentral transverse orientation at all rupture distances, consistent with recent findings for ground motions recorded during strike-slip earthquakes. In addition, the orientation-specific spectral accelerations, when computed as a function of angular distance from the epicentral transverse orientation, are found to exhibit a variation consistent with the overall trend observed in records from the next-generation attenuation (NGA)-West2 database. However, the level of polarization at short periods in the simulated hybrid broadband waveforms used in this study is larger than that in recorded ground motions.

Morphometry and kinematics correlation of wrinkle ridges on Mars: Insights from Trishear modelling

Wrinkle ridges are among the most common and controversial compressional tectonic structures on terrestrial planets. While their origins are well inferred to be related to crustal shortening driven by compressional stress, their subsurface characterization is still a matter of debate. Open questions remain about the geometry, number, structural style and kinematics of faults promoting wrinkle ridges. We use the Trishear and Fault-Parallel-Flow integrated forward kinematic modelling to model wrinkle ridges related faults. This is achieved through a series of balanced cross sections and a consequent set of narrow 3D models. We perform a detail kinematic analysis on nine wrinkle ridges: six are located in the circum-Tharsis regions of Lunae Planum and Solis Planum, while three are located in the Hellas Planitia, Hesperia Planum and Syrtis Major Planum, respectively. The applied methodology allows us to quantitatively assess wrinkle ridges geometry and kinematics, and to correlate them with morphometric parameters (i.e., width and relief). Our results indicate how wrinkle ridges tectonics can be characterized by a more complex array of faults than previously modelled. This leads to a total amount of horizontal shortening accommodated differently depending on the number and type of faults (i.e., main fault, backthrust, synthetic faults). The location and geometry of the modelled faults suggest the presence of multiple detachments at different depths and with different mechanical behaviors such as weaker and more frictional décollements, which are likely found within sedimentary interlayers. The amount of shortening, the fault geometry and spacing, as well as the upper faults tips depth are positively correlated with major morphometric parameters of wrinkle ridges topography.

Differential Characteristics of Conjugate Strike-Slip Faults and Their Controls on Fracture-Cave Reservoirs in the Halahatang Area of the Northern Tarim Basin, NW China

The X-type strike-slip fault system and weathering crust karst fracture-cave and channel reservoirs were developed in the Halahatang area of the northern Tarim Basin. However, the relationship between the reservoir and the strike-slip fault remains controversial. Based on the core data, and taking an NE-striking strike-slip fault as an example, this paper dissects the karst reservoir from wells along the strike-slip fault damage zone and analyzes the control of scales, properties, and segmentation styles of strike-slip faults on karst reservoirs. The results show that (1) the scale of the strike-slip fault controls the distribution of the reservoir—the wider the fault damage zone, the wider the fracture-cave reservoirs; (2) the transtensional segments of the strike-slip fault are more likely to produce karstification, and the buried-hill area and the interbedded area are controlled by different hydrodynamic conditions to form different types of karst reservoirs; (3) six different parts of the strike-slip fault are conducive to the formation scale of fault fracture zones. This research provides new insight into recognizing karst reservoirs within strike-slip fault damage zones, which can be further applied to predict karst reservoirs controlled by strike-slip faults.

Recent advances in characterizing the crustal stress field and future applications of stress data: perspectives from North America

Abstract The stress field controls patterns of crustal deformation, including which faults are likeliest to cause earthquakes or transmit fluids. Since the 1950s, maps of maximum horizontal stress ( S Hmax ) orientations have advanced dramatically, and the style of faulting (relative principal stress magnitudes) has recently been mapped in some regions as well. This perspectives paper summarizes developments in characterizing stress orientations and (relative) magnitudes, including new seismic and borehole methods, as well as progress in identifying the causes of stress variations. Despite these advances, adding far more spatiotemporal detail would allow geoscientists to address many of today's key challenges regarding natural hazards, energy development, and geodynamics. In particular, it is critically important to characterize stress heterogeneity at multiple scales while also recognizing the coherent variability of the stress field. The second part of the paper considers how more detailed stress datasets could prove essential to addressing some of the grand questions in geoscience, including deciphering the poorly understood feedbacks between crustal dynamics and surface processes, improving earthquake and eruption forecasts, and determining the origins and shared properties of plate boundaries.

Thick- and thin-skinned contractional styles and the tectonic evolution of the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado, USA

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, USA, contain an unusual combination of thick- and thin-skinned contractional structures involving both basement and cover rocks in the Laramide Rocky Mountain foreland. These structures are truncated by down-faulted extensional basins to the east and west. Together with synorogenic sediments, these structures preserve a record of the rise of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains, the Laramide orogeny, and Rio Grande rifting. Laramide structures within the mountains provide clues to processes that link the three events and to necessary conditions for thin-skinned and thick-skinned contractional structures to form together in continental interiors. To examine the full variety of structural styles, a portion of the northern Sangre de Cristo fold-and-thrust belt in Colorado was described and interpreted using geologic maps and structural cross-sections. Stratigraphic relations of the Ancestral Rocky Mountain highlands and basin fill were reconstructed from existing maps. These relations allow identification of faults inherited from the Ancestral Rocky Mountains, differentiation of thrust sheets, and in some cases, estimation of the magnitude of displacement. To examine relations between Laramide thrusts and Rio Grande rifting, kinematic data were collected from a thrust fault adjacent to rift faults. Three thrust fault styles were recognized: thin-skinned basement, thin- skinned cover rocks, and thick-skinned basement. Thin-skinned thrusts arising from a hinterland beneath the present San Luis Valley carried sheets of Proterozoic basement rocks northeast over a Laramide foreland. These basement thrusts are interpreted to be faults of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains that reactivated during the Laramide orogeny. The Laramide foreland consists of thin-skinned thrusts and folds in sedimentary cover rocks as young as 49 Ma. Both thin-skinned thrusts in basement and cover rocks are bounded by thick-skinned basement thrusts that moved intermittently throughout the Laramide orogeny. We infer that thin-skinned thrusts form in continental interiors where deformation is focused in weak strata of thick basin fill and in fluid-reaction weakened preexisting faults in basement rocks. Both conditions are met in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Basement thrusts adjacent to the San Luis Valley contain evidence of plastic contractional microstructures overprinted by extensional microstructures that may record the transition from Laramide contraction to Rio Grande extension of the crust.

Dynamical Modeling of Fault Slip Rates at the New Zealand Plate Boundary Indicates Fault Weakness

AbstractWe construct a thin‐sheet dynamical model of the New Zealand plate boundary that includes faults. Our model fits fault slip rates, style of distributed deformation, and is constrained by relative plate boundary motion. We assume a pseudo‐plastic rheology and achieve a best fit to slip rate observations with a deviatoric stress magnitude of 20 MPa. Modeled local forces are significant at Puysegur and Hikurangi subduction zones, and smaller forces are related to mantle downwelling beneath South Island and Havre Trough mantle upwelling. Modeled tractions on faults are mostly 5–20 MPa, similar to or slightly smaller than stress magnitudes adjacent to faults. Modeled shear tractions are generally 2–10 MPa, comparable to stress drops during earthquakes. Modeled stress orientations and fault dips suggest that many faults are not optimally oriented for their style of faulting. Notably small traction magnitudes of <5 MPa and shear tractions of <0.5 MPa are modeled for faults in the central North Island Dextral Fault Belt (NIDFB), which we infer to be very poorly oriented. Friction coefficients on faults (ratio of shear stress to effective normal stress) are in the range 0.1–0.3 for major crustal faults such as the Alpine Fault and Marlborough faults, but subduction zones and the NIDFB have values <0.1. We propose that low values of long‐term fault strength, shear stress resolved onto the fault, and overall magnitudes of deviatoric stress in the crust are a consequence of dynamic weakening of faults during fault slip.

Broadband Ground-Motion Synthesis via Generative Adversarial Neural Operators: Development and Validation

ABSTRACT We present a data-driven framework for ground-motion synthesis that generates three-component acceleration time histories conditioned on moment magnitude (M), rupture distance (Rrup), time-average shear-wave velocity at the top 30 m (VS30), and style of faulting. We use a Generative Adversarial Neural Operator (GANO)—a resolution invariant architecture that guarantees model training independent of the data sampling frequency. We first present the conditional ground-motion synthesis algorithm (cGM-GANO) and discuss its advantages compared to the previous work. We next train cGM-GANO on simulated ground motions generated by the Southern California Earthquake Center Broadband Platform (BBP) and on recorded the Kiban–Kyoshin network (KiK-net) data, and show that the model can learn the overall magnitude, distance, and VS30 scaling of effective amplitude spectra (EAS) ordinates and pseudospectral accelerations (PSA). Results specifically show that cGM-GANO produces consistent median scaling with the training data for the corresponding tectonic environments over a wide range of frequencies for scenarios with sufficient data coverage. For the BBP dataset, cGM-GANO cannot learn the ground-motion scaling of the stochastic frequency components (f > 1 Hz); for the KiK-net dataset, the largest misfit is observed at short distances (Rrup<50 km) and for soft-soil conditions (VS30<200 m/s) due to the scarcity of such data. Except for these conditions, the aleatory variability of EAS and PSA are captured reasonably well. Finally, cGM-GANO produces similar median scaling to traditional ground-motion models (GMMs) for frequencies greater than 1 Hz for both PSA and EAS but underestimates the aleatory variability of EAS. Discrepancies in the comparisons between the synthetic ground motions and GMMs are attributed to inconsistencies between the training dataset and the datasets used in GMM development. Our pilot study demonstrates GANO’s potential for efficient synthesis of broadband ground motions.

The implications of structural control on the miocene carbonate reservoirs of Bakr-Al Hamd oil fields, Gulf of Suez

The present work aims to provide a tectonostratigraphic model of the Miocene carbonate reservoirs accumulated in Bakr-Al-Hamd ridge to help unlock an estimated statistical yet-to-find over 10 MMbbl of oil. The structural ridge is located in the western central Gulf of Suez and the hydrocarbon exploration within this NE-dipping structural high began in 1951. The model integrated several interpreted 3-D seismic volumes and their attributes, a complete set of well-log data, borehole images, and the resultant extensional structures from the natural and physical models. The structural model proposed the following: (1) a major gulf-parallel curved and faulted detachment between the two differentially strained sections of Miocene and Pre-Miocene sediments which were distinguished by seismic attributes and confirmed by borehole images, (2) the synthetic Gulf-parallel faults which represent footwall collapsing structural style of extensional faults, delineated Al Hamd Miocene Nullipore carbonate reservoir, (3) south-westward dislocation of the western gulf-parallel boundary fault of Al Hamd Nullipore facies and its allocation at the present-day shoreline, (4) three classification of the Miocene carbonate reef were interpreted; fringe reef in Bakr ridge, barrier reef in Al-Hamd, and patch reef in the intra-field. The achievements of the present study prompted exploration activity and two discoveries were announced in 2021 and 2022 in the vicinity of Bakr and Al-Hamd intra-fields. The recent discoveries penetrated more than 200 m of Miocene carbonate reef and dolomitic reservoirs accumulated on the detachment surface. The present study workflow could be used in similar petroliferous rift basins to maximize hydrocarbon resources, enhance production performance, and revive brownfields.

Inverting Geodetic Strain Rates for Slip Deficit Rate in Complex Deforming Zones: An Application to the New Zealand Plate Boundary

AbstractThe potential for future earthquakes on faults is often inferred from inversions of geodetically derived surface velocities for locking on faults using kinematic models such as block models. This can be challenging in complex deforming zones with many closely spaced faults or where deformation is not readily described with block motions. Furthermore, surface strain rates are more directly related to coupling on faults than surface velocities. We present a methodology for estimating slip deficit rate directly from strain rate and apply it to New Zealand for the purpose of incorporating geodetic data in the 2022 revision of the New Zealand National Seismic Hazard Model. The strain rate inversions imply slightly higher slip deficit rates than the preferred geologic slip rates on sections of the major strike‐slip systems including the Alpine Fault, the Marlborough Fault System and the northern part of the North Island Fault System. Slip deficit rates are significantly lower than even the lowest geologic estimates on some strike‐slip faults in the southern North Island Fault System near Wellington. Over the entire plate boundary, geodetic slip deficit rates are systematically higher than geologic slip rates for faults slipping less than one mm/yr but lower on average for faults with slip rates between about 5 and 25 mm/yr. We show that 70%–80% of the total strain rate field can be attributed to elastic strain due to fault coupling. The remaining 20%–30% shows systematic spatial patterns of strain rate style that is often consistent with local geologic style of faulting.

Influence of mantle plume on continental rift evolution: A case study of the East African rift system

Mantle plume is an essential component of the mantle convection system, and its influence on the geodynamics of continental rifts is of great significance for understanding the crust–mantle interaction. The East African Rift System, as the largest continental rift in the Cenozoic and in the initial stage, provides an excellent option for studying the interaction between the mantle plume and the continental crust. Based on the data such as GPS, seismic tomography, and global crustal model, a viscoelastic-plastic 2D thermodynamic numerical model is established to reconstruct the evolution of the Afar depression, Ethiopian Rift, and Kenyan Rift. By comparing the differences between the models of the Afar depression, Ethiopian Rift, and Kenyan Rift, the relationship between the mantle plume and pre-existing structures and their influence on the evolution of continental rifts are discussed. The results show that the mantle plume can increase the depth of the rift faults, concentrate the distribution of the faults, and strengthen the control of main faults on the rifts, allowing the possibility of narrow rifts. Pre-existing structures control the fault styles and symmetry of the rifts and also the morphology of the mantle plume.

Properties of the Petrinja (Croatia) earthquake sequence of 2020–2021 – Results of seismological research for the first six months of activity

We present locations of almost 14,000 events from the first six months of the Petrinja (Croatia) earthquakes sequence (mainshock 29 December 2020, Mw 6.4). The catalogue is estimated complete for ML ≥ 1.20. Initially sparse local seismograph network was densified a week after the mainshock, which reduced uncertainties of focal locations by about 75%. Source-specific station corrections were used in an iterative location scheme. The hypocentres were located with 30 different sets of velocity models and program control parameters in order to gain insight into the epistemic uncertainty of each earthquake location. The bulk of epicentres are located close to, and to the SE of the causative, dextral strike-slip Petrinja fault, but considerable activity has been triggered on smaller faults, up to 25 km away. About a half of the 78 first-motion polarity focal mechanism solutions (FMS) from the full first year of activity were found to have mechanisms similar to the foreshock, the mainshock and the largest of aftershocks, while the rest indicated almost pure reverse faulting. Strike-slip mechanisms occurred more often close to the main fault. The P-axes of FMS for aftershocks were found to be on the average rotated by 16° clockwise with respect to the P-axis of the mainshock, regardless of the style of faulting. The spatial distribution of aftershocks coincides very well with the areas of positive Coulomb stress change caused by the mainshock rupture. The inferred cut-off seismogenic depth in the area (7–10 km), estimated on the basis of published values of the geothermal gradient and the assumption of predominantly granitic upper crust, is considerably shallower than the depth of the deepest reliably located aftershocks (16–18 km). This fact may be explained by considering ophiolite-dominated crust, and by increased strain rate during the sequence, which raises the ability of crustal rocks for brittle failure.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Hydrocarbon Preservation Conditions in the Complex Tectonic Area of the Southwestern Sichuan Basin, China

There are various styles of faults, folds, and unconformity structures in the southwestern Sichuan Basin, which have an important impact on hydrocarbon preservation. Based on the data of regional geological, seismic, formation water characteristics, caprock characteristics, and production, the hydrocarbon preservation conditions of the key horizons (Cambrian, Upper Permian, and Triassic) were analyzed. Southwestern Sichuan Basin margin structure has two obvious tectonic layers (the upper and lower). The upper tectonic layer is dominated by Middle Triassic detachment faults and derived thrust faults, while the lower tectonic layer has concealed structures composed of basement detachment faults and derived thrust faults. There are mainly NE, near-SN, NW, and near-EW faults. The outcrops are in the Middle-Cenozoic strata, changing from old to new from outside the Basin to inside the Basin. There are three main sets of high-quality caprocks, i.e., the mudstone of the bottom of the Xujiahe Formation, the gypsum-salt rocks of the Middle-Lower Triassic, and the Lower Cambrian mudstone. Based on the faults, outcrops, formation water type, mineralization, and caprock characteristics, the hydrocarbon preservation evaluation system was established, which divides into the areas of Class I, II, and III. The distribution range of the favorable areas of different horizons has good inheritance, and the hydrocarbon preservation conditions gradually improve from outside the basin to inside the basin. Class I favorable areas are the most widely distributed and are mainly located within the basin, with the characteristics of a low degree of fault development, relatively new outcropping strata, CaCl2 formation water type, and large caprock thickness.

Analyzing the Formation and Evolution of Strike-Slip Faults and Their Controlling Effects on Hydrocarbon Migration and Charging: A Case Study of Tahe Area, Tarim Basin

The Ordovician strike-slip faults system in the Tahe area of the Tarim Basin provides an important opportunity for using 3D seismic data to document the structural characteristics, formation, and evolution of strike-slip faults and their relationship with oil and gas. With high-resolution 3D seismic data, the strike-slip faults are interpreted, classified, and described using the seismic coherence technique. The geometric characteristics, active periods, formation, and evolution process of strike-slip faults are analyzed, and the relationship between strike-slip faults and hydrocarbon accumulation and charging is discussed in this research project. On the map, the primary strike-slip faults on the east and west sides of the Tahe area are relatively sheared to each other, showing an “X” type conjugate fault, and the secondary strike-slip faults are scattered. In the cross-section, the primary strike-slip faults are inserted downward into the Cambrian basement and up to Devonian, and “Single line”, “Y”, “Flower”, and “Parallel lines” structures are observed. Bounded by the top of Ordovician, the deep and shallow parts are vertically segmented, with different structure styles. The switch of the structural style of strike-slip faults is attributed to principal stress. A deep “positive flower” shape of faults was developed in the mid-Ordovician period under the effect of compressive stress. Meanwhile, a shallow “negative flower” shape of faults was developed from the late Ordovician to the mid-Devonian period under tensile stress. The “Compound Flower” shape of deep “positive flower” shape and shallow “negative flower” shape formed by compressive and tensile activities has a wider fracture range, which leads to deep fluid migration and shallow karstification. There are two combinations of deep Ordovician strike-slip faults in the section: “Lower single branch-upper flower type” and “lower single branch-upper single branch type”. The primary faults of the former insertion into the Cambrian basement are associated with homologous secondary faults, while the latter has no derived secondary faults. It has an important impact on reservoir reconstruction and distribution, and the reservoir is controlled by faults. Strike-slip faults not only control the channel of oil and gas migration, but also the horizontal and vertical distribution of oil and gas. The closer the carbonate reservoir is to the primary fault, the more likely it is to form a high yield area. There are four types of oil and gas charging models controlled by strike-slip faults. In the area where the structure is high and the strike-slip faults are sheared relatively to each other, the larger the scale of faults, the more conducive it would be to oil and gas migration and accumulation. Among them, the charging model related to the primary fault has higher oil and gas migration efficiency. This research contributes to analyzing the relationship between strike-slip faults and oil and gas as well as playing a significant role in applications of oil and gas exploration in practical works.

Contrasting faulting styles of salt domes and volcanoes: Can unsupervised learning techniques differentiate fault styles?

An attractive feature seen on seismic data, also known as funny-looking thing (FLT), has a wide range of interpretations, from noise patterns to amplitude anomalies. An example of an FLT is the similar faulting patterns between a volcanic intrusion and a salt intrusion from the point of view of a machine learning (ML) algorithm. Oftentimes, seismic interpreters do not have a complete data set or geologic background to determine the genesis of the observed features. This can be particularly perplexing when trying to determine if an intrusion is volcanic or halokinetic in origin because they exhibit similar geomorphologies. Examining the differences in these features in the Gulf of Mexico, a well-documented salt basin, and the Taranaki Basin in New Zealand, which is igneous prone, can help to understand the differences. The analysis aims to discern geologic features based on the geometries and attributes shared by seismic data and remote sensing tools. Seismic attributes and ML techniques highlight differences and similarities between the intrusions, including the discussion of using ML techniques, such as self-organized maps (SOMs), an unsupervised ML technique, and cluster fault systems, without regard to the geologic context. The attributes used in the SOM are fault probability, fault dip azimuth, fault dip magnitude, and thin-bed detector. Fault probability is performed through a combination of convolutional neural network fault prediction and a skeletonization process. Once the faults are clustered using SOM, the visualization of fault architecture due to the existing mount (either volcano or salt dome) is done considering high fault probabilities (>75%). The methodology consists of selecting the neurons from the SOM grid corresponding to the presence of faults and combining them with fault probability and a fault dip azimuth using a crossplot. The crossplot product assists in the automatic extraction of the fault planes using: (1) a voxel representation of the fault planes and (2) fault patches representing the fault planes. Moreover, the visualization technique defined demonstrates that the crossplot product yields better-defined fault planes. With the fault system characterized, compared horizon slices using coherence, fault dip magnitude, and azimuth against remote sensing images with similar attributes. In conclusion, our methodology combines technologies to differentiate the genesis of intrusion — salt or igneous — using the fault presence and could be helpful in frontier exploration or planetary exploration. Geologic feature: Comparison of extensional faults due to salt and igneous intrusions Seismic appearance: In the symmetric salt dome, crown faulting style with a set of synthetic and antithetic faults around the salt dome; for the igneous systems, symmetric radial faults Formation: Upper and Lower Wilcox (Gulf of Mexico); Ariki Formation — Mo hakatino Formation (Taranaki) Age: Upper Miocene and Lower Pliocene (Gulf of Mexico); Mid Pliocene (Taranaki) Location: Offshore Gulf of Mexico and Offshore Northeast New Zealand Seismic data: From the Gulf of Mexico: B-78-89-LA-3D, B-69-94-LA-3D, B-54d-94-LA-3D, and B-69a-94-LA-3D. From New Zealand: Nimitz and Kora 3D Analysis tools: Structural-oriented filter, Sobel similarity, fault dip magnitude and azimuth, CNN automatic fault prediction, and SOM classification

Variations of the seismic b-value along the Dead Sea transform

The frequency-magnitude distribution follows the Gutenberg-Richter empirical law, in which the scaling between small and large earthquakes is represented by the b-value. Laboratory experiments have shown that the b-value is related to fault mechanics with an inverse dependency to the differential stress, as was also inferred from observational datasets through relations with earthquake depth and style of faulting. In this study, we aim to obtain a better understanding of the geological structure and tectonics along the Dead Sea transform (DST), by examining relations of the b-value to three source parameters: the earthquake depth, the seismic moment release, and the predominant style of faulting. We analyse a regional earthquake catalogue of ∼20,300 earthquakes that were recorded between 1983 and 2020 in a regional rectangle between latitudes 27.5°N−35.5°N and longitudes 32°E−38°E. We convert the duration magnitudes, Md, to moment magnitudes, Mw, applying a new regional empirical relation, by that achieving a consistent magnitude type for the entire catalogue. Exploring the variations in the b-value for several regions along and near the DST, we find that the b-value increases from 0.93 to 1.19 as the dominant style of faulting changes from almost pure strike-slip, along the DST, to normal faulting at the Galilee, northern Israel. Focusing on the DST, our temporal analysis shows an inverse correlation between the b-value and the seismic moment release, whereas the spatial variations are more complex, showing combined dependencies on seismogenic depth and seismic moment release. We also identify seismic gaps that might be related to locking or creeping of sections along the DST and should be considered for hazard assessment. Furthermore, we observe a northward decreasing trend of the b-value along the DST, which we associate to an increase of the differential stress due to structural variations, from more extensional deformation in the south to more compressional deformation in the north.

Utilization of seismic attributes for structural pattern detection In Bualawn, Dor Mansour fields, Western Sirt Basin, Libya

An integrated approach to the study of fault patterns carried out in the complex geological structures of Bualawn, Dor Mansour fields by using multiple seismic attributes of 3-D seismic data. Each type of geological structure event usually generates a unique seismic signature that can be recognized and identified. This paper highlights the practical importance of analyze integrated attributes and interpret them within the context of an appropriate structural deformation. Many of discontinuity attributes such as variance, 3DEE (3D edge enhancement), ant tracking, chaos and structure smoothing have been selected to delineate fault styles and their displacement effectively, which cannot be fully delineated using seismic amplitude data. Conjugate growth faults in NW-SE and NE-SW direction, dipping toward SW with antithetic faults dipping in opposite direction to the growth faults and other minor faults. The faults were identified manually and then tested by discontinuity attributes. Fault system is represented by a fracture system comprising long en echelon seismic faults and several discontinuities. This system of en echelon faults was initiated by left-lateral wrenching movements. This wrenching system has been identified by negative and positive flower structure along the releasing and restraining bends. The current understanding that these faults are strike-slip faults despite the absence of extensive horizontal displacements along them as shown on different time slices. A periodic strike-slip movement along deep-seated basement faults have developed many structural features, such as horst-graben styles, which is the orientation of the transtensional movements linked to the Upper Cretaceous Succession.

Ground-Motion Predictions for California: Comparisons of Three GMPEs

We systematically evaluate data sets, functional forms, independent parameters of estimation and resulting ground motion predictions (as median and aleatory variability) of the Graizer-Kalkan [1,2] ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) with the next generation of attenuation project (NGA-West2) models of Abrahamson et al. [3] and Boore et al. [4] for application to earthquakes in California. This evaluation is performed in three stages: (1) by comparing attenuation, magnitude scaling, style-of-faulting (SOF) effects, site response, response-spectral shape and amplitude, and standard deviations, (2) by comparing median predictions, standard deviations and analyses of residuals with respect to near-field (within 20 km of the fault) and intermediate-field (50 to 70 km of the fault) records from major earthquakes in California, and (3) by comparing total, intra- and inter-event residual distributions among the GMPEs with respect to near-source—within 80 km of the fault— subset of the NGA-West2 database covering 975 ground motions from 73 events in California ranging from moment magnitude 5 to 7.36. The results reveal that the scaling features of the GK15 and the ASK14 and BSSA14 GMPEs are, in general, similar in terms of distance attenuation but differ in terms of scaling with magnitude, style of faulting and site effects. The original standard deviations of GMPEs are also different. For the near-source California subset, three GMPEs result in standard deviations close to each other. The mixed-effect residuals analysis shows that the GK15 has no perceptible trend with respect to the independent predictors.

Recognition of Petroleum Origin in the Northern Piedmont Belt of Turpan-Hami Basin and Its Significance

The Turpan-Hami Basin has been considered as the most typical coal-derived-oil basin in China for a long time. However, with the deepening exploration, this theory has caused increasing controversy and some scholars doubt that Permian or Jurassic dark mudstone may be the main source rocks. The origin uncertainty even restricts deciding the exploration direction. Taking the reservoirs of the northern piedmont belt as an example, this paper analyzed oil sources by the geochemical characteristic comparison of inclusions, crude oil, and source rocks. Combined with the previous studies, the hydrocarbon accumulation model is established. The results show that the geochemical characteristics of the inclusions and oil in most areas are obviously different. Most reservoirs are mixed-source reservoirs. The oil sources varied in different regions. In the area near Bogeda, C19+20TT and C28 sterane content in oil are high, indicating that coal and Permian lacustrine mudstone are main contributors. Far away from Bogeda, bounded by the thick coal seam of Xishanyao Formation, oil sources are quite different. Above it, C19+20TT is high and gammacerane and pregnane are low, C29>>C28>C27sterane, indicating that coal and carbonaceous mudstone are main sources. Under that, C21TT and C23TT content in the inclusions are high, C29≥C27>C28sterane, while C19+20TT and pregnane content in the oil are also high, indicating that it is a mixed oil system mainly derived from Jurassic lacustrine mudstone and coal. Lacustrine mudstone has higher contribution. This phenomenon is mainly related to different fault styles in different zones. Near Bogeda, strong stress caused vertical large faults developed, which connected Jurassic reservoirs and Permian source rocks. Far from Bogeda, the faults sliped along the thick coal seam, It is difficult for deep hydrocarbon to enter the shallow layer. In the future, it should be considered to look for the traps with relatively high-quality reservoir-cap combinations for exploration in the hydrocarbon supply window of effected hydrocarbon kitchens.

Multi-scale structural inheritance of fracture systems pattern in coal-bearing measures of the Lorraine-Saar coal Basin

The Lorraine-Saar Basin (LSB) is one of the major Paleozoic coalfields of Western Europe that has been shapedover two centuries as a heartland of underground coal mining and associated industrial activities in the transborderarea of France and Germany. The Basin still has considerable coal reserves accumulated in numerous laterally continuous coal seams that were affected by processes of thermogenic production of gaseous hydrocarbons during post-Carboniferous burial and related coalification. The LSB stands out by its up to 6 km sedimentary column and its inversion resulting in Paleozoic erosion in the range of 750 m (French part of the Basin) and pre-Mesozoic (Permian) erosion between 1800 and 3000 m (German part of the Basin). Historically, coal production in the Lorraine and the Saar portions of the entire Basin was associated with numerous mining hazards because of the high methane content in coal seams. The LSB has the potential to host an enormous unconventional resource base including coalbed methane (CBM). Coal mines here are no longer operated to produce coal; however, methane generated in deep compartments is venting here via fracture swarms to the Earth’s surface. Cutting natural methane emissions throughout CBM production within coal-bearing terrains is a crucial opportunity for slowing global warming rates. Nearly all CBM plays worldwide are affected in some way by natural multiscale fracture sets ranging from large fault zones to closely spaced joints, micro-shears, or cleat sets in coal seams. The LSB is not excluded indeed from this trend because of the long-term experience of geological exploration during extensive coal mining in the past. Characterization of structural patterns of fracture networks at different scales is a pragmatic process boosting the reliable perception of the performance of coalbed methane gas reservoirs. The focus of this contribution is to get an insight into the style and kinematic description of the multi-scale fault and cleat patterns in the LSB based on results of subsurface and underground geological mapping, and X-ray computer tomography. It will benefit the right mindset to ensure proper technical decisions for efficient exploration and exploitation of CBM reservoirs in the Basin.

Prediction of major source rocks distribution in the transition from depressed to rifted basin using seismic and geological data: The Guyang to Linhe Formations in the Linhe Depression, Hetao Basin, China

Source rock prediction in the Linhe Depression is exceptionally difficult owing to inadequate data, while the process by which depressed-rifted conversion influences source rock distribution remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to predict source rock distribution and demonstrate its influencing factors. Based on outcrop, geochemical, well log, and seismic information, a seismic methodology involving the prediction of organic facies distribution using seismic facies analysis and mudstone thickness via a seismic velocity-lithology model was applied to predict source rocks. Our study showed the suitability of this method for early exploration in basins with inadequate data. The correlation coefficient between the predicted and borehole values of mudstone was 0.94, and the relative error was <14.6%. The optimal source rocks in the second member of the Guyang Formation were encountered in new wells JHZK9, LHC1, and JH14 and accurately predicted, thereby validating our methodology. Furthermore, optimal source rocks transitioned from broad to limited distributions, moved closer to the boundary fault, and transferred from gentle slopes to deep sags during the depression to rift period. This transition dominated the distribution of source rocks. The basin type restricted the location of source rocks, and the transfer of lacustrine centers played a leading role in the distribution and differential superimposition of source rocks. Additionally, differential compression influenced source rock thickness in the second member of the Guyang Formation, while segmented variations in the boundary fault style and activity rate influenced the thickness in the second member of the Linhe Formation.