A multi-channel approach for automatic microseismic event association using RANSAC-based Arrival Time Event Clustering(RATEC)

In the presence of background noise,arrival times picked from a surface microseismic data set usually include a number of false picks that can lead to uncertainty in location estimation.To eliminate false picks and improve the accuracy of location estimates,we develop an association algorithm termed RANSAC-based Arrival Time Event Clustering(RATEC)that clusters picked arrival times into event groups based on random sampling and fitting moveout curves that approximate hyperbolas.Arrival times far from the fitted hyperbolas are classified as false picks and removed from the data set prior to location estimation.Simulations of synthetic data for a 1-D linear array show that RATEC is robust under different noise conditions and generally applicable to various types of subsurface structures.By generalizing the underlying moveout model,RATEC is extended to the case of a 2-D surface monitoring array.The effectiveness of event location for the 2-D case is demonstrated using a data set collected by the 5200-element dense Long Beach array.The obtained results suggest that RATEC is effective in removing false picks and hence can be used for phase association before location estimates.

Effects of igneous bodies on modification of modern slope morphology: Insights from the continental slope offshore Dongsha Islands, South China Sea

A statistical analysis for the morphological parameters extracted from numerous seismic profiles, and a highresolution seismic study of the southeastern slope of the Dongsha Islands(South China Sea) with water depth between approximately 500 and 3 100 m, has revealed the variation of morphological features due to the intrusion of igneous bodies and associated sedimentary processes. Three types of the continental slope are distinguished:(1) a rough and steep slope with multiple igneous bodies(Type 1),(2) a relatively smooth and gentle slope with the single igneous body(Type 2), and(3) a smooth and gentle slope without igneous bodies(Type 3). These igneous bodies, formed in the post-seafloor spreading of the South China Sea, are often characterized by high positive seismic amplitudes, and chaotic reflections with complex shapes. The igneous bodies in Type 1 separated the slope into two or more upper sub-sags and a lower main-sag, in which the sub-sags and main-sag could be filled with sediments transported by alongslope bottom currents at the same time. Whereas, the igneous body in Type 2 just separated the slope into an upper sub-sag and a lower main-sag, in which the sediments could be transported into the lower main-sag only after the upper sub-sag has been filled up. Type 3 represents a normal slope with common clinoform progradation. The modern slope morphologies in the study area are the results of adjustments of the continental slope due to the intrusion of igneous bodies and associated sedimentary processes. The distinctions among three types of modern slope morphologies indicate different depositional conditions and adjustments of slope morphologies.

In-situ U-Pb Dating of Quartz:A Preliminary Study

CHALLENGES AND RESEARCH PROGRESS Recent advancements in analytical capabilities and the precision of measuring instruments in in-situ laser ablation mass spectrometry(LA-MC-ICPMS)have markedly broad ened the utility of the U-Pb isotopic geochronometer.This progress has paved the way for accurately determining the ab solute ages of minerals with low uranium concentrations.In re cent years,in-situ U-Pb dating has witnessed rapid advance ments across diverse mineral types,encompassing calcite,dolo mite,fluorite,nacrite,anatase,and wolframite(Roberts et al.,2020).

Paleogene Tectonic Evolution Controls on Sequence Stratigraphic Patterns in the Fushan Sag, Northern South China Sea

Tectonism is of extreme importance to sequence stratigraphic patterns in continental sedimentary basins, affecting both the architectures and internal makeup of sequences. Sequence stratigraphic framework of the Paleogene system in the Fushan sag, northern South China Sea, was built using 3D and 2D seismic data, complemented by drilling cores and well logs data. One first-order, three second-order and seven third-order sequences were identified. Analysis of paleotectonic stress field, unconformities and subsidence history showed that the Paleogene tectonic evolution presented significant characteristics of multistage and episode, and can be divided into three stages： rifting stage I（initial rifting period）, rifting stage II（rapid subsidence period）, rifting stage III（fault-depressed diversionary period）. Partition of the west and east in tectonic activity was obvious. The west area showed relatively stronger tectonic activity than the east area, especially during the rifting stage II. Episodic rifting and lateral variations in tectonic activity resulted in a wide variety of structural slope break belts, which controlled both the sequence architectures and interval makeup, and strongly constrained the development of special facies zones or sand bodies that tended to form hydrocarbon accumulation. This paper classifies the genetic types of slope break belts and their relevant sequence stratigraphic patterns within the Fushan sag, and further discusses the tectonic evolution controls on sequence stratigraphic patterns, which suggests that vertical evolution paths of structural slope break belts and relevant sequence stratigraphic patterns as a response to the Paleogene tectonic evolution were strongly controlled by sag margin types and lateral variations of tectonic activity.

LA-ICPMS in-situ U-Pb Geochronology of Low-Uranium Carbonate Minerals and Its Application to Reservoir Diagenetic Evolution Studies

Reconstruction of the diagenetic evolution of reservoirs is one of the most significant tasks in oil and gas exploration and development.Assessing the accurate timing of diagenetic events is critical to better understand the process of reservoir evolution,but the isotope dating of diagenetic events is technically challenging.This paper uses three case studies in the sedimentary basins in China to demonstrate the promising application of recently developed LA-(MC)-ICPMS in-situ U-Pb geochronology.Our results show that the new U-Pb dating method provides a reliable and efficient chronological approach to determine the absolute ages of diagenetic events.For example,the U-Pb age data of the Cambrian carbonate reservoir in the Tarim Basin reveals three diagenetic events at 526±14,515±21,and 481±4.6 Ma,respectively.It is worth noting that microscopic observations are particularly important for improving the success rate of U-Pb dating.In addition,the recent progress and future prospects in the in-situ U-Pb dating method are also discussed in this study,suggesting that this method is currently hindered by the lack of international carbonate standards for data correction.

What Caused the Inconsistency between Rb-Sr and^(40)Ar-^(39)Ar Ages of Authigenic Illites?

Radiogenic isotope dating of illitic clays has been widely used to reconstruct thermal and fluid flow events in siliciclastic sedimentary basins,the information of which is critical to investigate mechanisms of hydrocarbon maturation.This study carried out Rb-Sr and^(40)Ar-^(39)Ar dating of authigenic illitic clay samples separated from the Palaeogene sandstone in the northern South China Sea.Our Rb-Sr data further confirm the previously reported three periods of fluid flow events(at 34.5±0.9,31.2±0.6,and 23.6±0.8 Ma,respectively)in the northern South China Sea,which are related to regional episodic tectonism.However,^(40)Ar-^(39)Ar ages of illite obtained in this study are significantly younger than the corresponding Rb-Sr ages.The significantly younger^(40)Ar-^(39)Ar ages were probably due to ^(40)Ar loss caused by later dry heating events on the Hainan Island that have not affected the Rb-Sr isotopic systematics.The inconsistency between Rb-Sr and^(40)Ar-^(39)Ar data should be attributed to different isotopic behaviors of K-Ar and Rb-Sr isotopic systematics in illite.Our results indicate that Rb-Sr isotopic dating method may be a preferential approach for clay dating in geological settings where exist younger dry heating events.