Formation mechanism of fault accommodation zones under combined stress in graben basin:Implications from geomechanical modeling

A fault accommodation zone is a type of structure that is defined as regulating displacement and strain between faults structure.Increasing numbers of fault accommodation zones are being identified in graben basins,indicating the potential exploration target and petroleum accumulation areas.This study aims to analyze the formation mechanism and development of fault accommodation zones under combined stress by a numerical simulation method considering geomechanical modeling.Using three-dimensional(3-D)seismic interpretation and fractal dimension method,exampled with the Dongxin fault zone,the fault activity and fault combination pattern were conducted to quantitatively characterize the activity difference in fault accommodation zones.Combined with mechanical experiment test,a geomehcanical model was established for fault accommodation zones in a graben basin.Integrating the paleostress numerical simulations and structural physical simulation experiment,the developmental characteristics and genetic mechanism of fault accommodation zones were summarized.Influenced by multi movements and combined stresses,three significant tectonic evolution stages of the Dongxing Fault Zone(DXFZ)were distinguished:During the E_(s)^(3)sedimentary period,the large difference in the stress,strain,and rupture distribution in various faults were significant,and this stage was the key generation period for the prototype of the DXFZ,including the FAZ between large-scale faults.During the E_(s)^(2)sedimentary period,the EW-trending symmetric with opposite dipping normal faults and the NE-SW trending faults with large scale were furtherly developed.The junction area of two secondary normal faults were prone to be ruptured,performing significant period for inheriting and developing characteristics of fault accommodation zones.During the Es1 sedimentary period,the high-order faults in the DXFZ exhibited the obvious fault depressions and strike-slip activity,and the fault accommodation zones were furtherly inherited and developed.This stage was the molded and formative period of the FAZ,the low-order faults,and the depression in the DXFZ.

Geological Conditions and Petroleum Exploration Potential of the Albertine Graben of Uganda

The Albertine Graben in western Uganda is a Mesozoic-Cenozoic rift basin with petroleum exploration potential. A fundamental evaluation of petroleum potential of the graben is given based on field research, data processing of gravity and magnetism, analysis of graben structure, geochemistry, reservoir and composition research. The basin has a double-layered framework and a large thickness of sediments. Gravity highs shown in a residual anomaly map might indicate central uplift zones. There exist at least two sets of mature or low-maturity source rocks corresponding to a certain source rock in the Cretaceous or Paleogene and Neogene strata. The graben has basement rock with potential reservoirs and Tertiary sandstone reservoirs and thus has petroleum exploration potential.

Late Quaternary Activity of the Huashan Piedmont Fault and Associated Hazards in the Southeastern Weihe Graben,Central China

The Weihe Graben is not only an important Cenozoic fault basin in China but also a significant active seismic zone. The Huashan piedmont fault is an important active fault on the southeast side of the Weihe Graben and has been highly active since the Cenozoic. The well–known Great Huaxian County Earthquake of 1556 occurred on the Huashan piedmont fault. This earthquake, which claimed the lives of approximately 830000 people, is one of the few large earthquakes known to have occurred on a high–angle normal fault. The Huashan piedmont fault is a typical active normal fault that can be used to study tectonic activity and the associated hazards. In this study, the types and characteristics of late Quaternary deformation along this fault are discussed from geological investigations, historical research and comprehensive analysis. On the basis of its characteristics and activity, the fault can be divided into three sections, namely eastern, central and western. The eastern and western sections display normal slip. Intense deformation has occurred along the two sections during the Quaternary; however, no deformation has occurred during the Holocene. The central section has experienced significant high–angle normal fault activity during the Quaternary, including the Holocene. Holocene alluvial fans and loess cut by the fault have been identified at the mouths of many stream valleys of the Huashan Mountains along the central section of the Huashan piedmont fault zone. Of the three sections of the Huashan piedmont fault, the central section is the most active and was very active during the late Quaternary. The rate of normal dip–slip was 1.67–2.71±0.11 mm/a in the Holocene and 0.61±0.15 mm/a during the Mid–Late Pleistocene. As is typical of normal faults, the late Quaternary activity of the Huashan piedmont fault has produced a set of disasters, which include frequent earthquakes, collapses, landslides, mudslides and ground fissures. Ground fissures mainly occur on the hanging–wall of the Huashan piedmont fault, with landslides, collapses and mudslides occurring on the footwall.

Crustal thickness and v_P/v_S ratio in Shanxi Graben, China

Shanxi Graben is in the middle part of the North China Craton, from south to north. With the teleseismic data recorded by Regional Seismograph Networks and the temporary ZBnet-W Seismic Array around east part of Shanxi Graben, we measured the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio beneath each station using the H-K stack of receiver functions. The observed crustal thickness shows obvious lateral variation, increasing gradually from east to west in the Shanxi Graben. Beneath the Shanxi Graben the crust is relatively thicker than both sides of the south and the north. In addition, the Vp/Vs ratio in the north of study zone is higher than that in the south. The highest Vp/Vs ratio exists in the crust of the Xinding basin and the Datong basin. Our study also suggests that high velocity ratio might result from the strong activities of the magmation and volcanism.

Depositional Model and Tectonic Evolution of Tertiary Transform-Extensional Basins in Northeast China: Case Study on Yitong and Damintun Grabens

? The formation and evolution of the Tertiary transformextensional basins in Northeast China are controlled by extensional and strikeslidding combinational processes because the giant strikeslip fault system, TanchengLujiang fault, cut through the basement or margin. Two kinds of structural styles have been identified in Northeast China: Yitong and Damintun styles. The former shows a clear asymmetry, in which sediments came mainly from two lateral sides and thick filling sediments were adjacent to the main strikeslip fault. The latter shows symmetry filling, in which sediments came from the long axial ends in addition to from two lateral sides. The tectonic evolution of Tertiary transformextensional basins in Northeast China underwent three stages: Eocene extensional, Oligocene transformextensional and Neogene transpressional stages.

Depositional Sequences of Yitong Graben (Eastern China) and Its Response to Transform-Extensional Processes

The Yitong graben is located in the northeastern segment of the Tertiary rift system in East China. The graben is bounded by a steep dipping transform fault on the northwestern side and subparallel normal faults on the southeastern side, with very thick marginal fan complexes indicating syntectonic sedimentation. The graben is infilled with Tertiary sediments up to 6 000 m thick, in which a series of different scaled hiatuses and tectonic inversion events have been discerned during hydrocarbon exploration. According to regional and local conformities, the basin infill may be divided into three tectonic sequences, among which the major sequence TS2 is further subdivided into three sequence sets and fourteen subsequences. Based on the sequence stratigraphic framework, depositional system tracts which are characterized by marginal fan complexes on both sides of basin and deep or shallow lacustrine deposits in the central part are reconstructed. The subsidence curves show that the graben had undergone several rapid subsidence episodes, which is interpreted to have been caused by multiple stretching of the lithosphere. Integrative analysis of the depositional structural features shows that the regional tectonic stress system experienced a transformation from dextral transformational shear through thermal subsidence to sinistral compressional shear with a general extensional setting. Extension and wrenching dominated the graben evolution and affected the depositional style in different evolutionary stages, the spatial configuration of depositional system and its relationship with unconformities. The conclusions have been applied with some successes to studying the reservoir and hydrocarbon source rock distribution and lithologic stratigraphic traps in this basin.

Miocene stratigraphic characteristics of Semliki basin in Albertine Graben

For the purpose of reservoir characterization of oilfields discovered in Albertine Graben, it is necessary to study the regional stratigraphy and sedimentary characteristics. The Semliki outcrops display a complete stratigraphy of Miocene, and the sediments are likely to provide valuable analogues for the reservoirs at Albertine Graben oilfields. The outcrops were observed and described in detail, mainly including lithology, colour, thickness, grain size and sedimentary structure. The sedimentology, depositional environment, climate, reservoir geometries and dimensions were analyzed. The Miocene stratigraphic section of Semliki basin was finally established, with lithology, sedimentary structure, sedimentary cycle, interpretation and climate information on it. It provides an analogy for the reservoir characterization, especially provides a basis for appropriate prediction of reservoir geometries in the field.

Dolomitization of the lower cretaceous carbonate reservoir in the Euphrates Graben,Syria

Results of this study are based on core materials description,thin sections,Cathodoluminescence(CL),and Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM)examinations.The Lower Cretaceous over the Euphrates Graben area was characterized by carbonate sedimentation in shallow marine environments.The low energy lagoonal to inner shelf sediments of the Judea Formation includes micritic mudstone to wackestone texture,dolomitic limestones and dolostones.Two types of dolomites recognized in the carbonates of the Judea Formation,the preserving microcrystalline dolomites which commonly founded in the partially dolomitized micritic limestones,and the destructive coarsely crystalline dolomites which commonly founded in the dolostones and dolomitic limestones.Petrographic examinations indicate that the preserving microcrystalline dolomites represent subtidal cycles developed in a shoal to open marine depositional environments,they probably formed under conditions of the shallow burial diagenesis.The destructive coarsely crystalline dolomites may develop in more basinward,open marine environments under conditions of the deep burial diagenesis that accompanied by rising in temperature,pressure,and burial depth.It is believed that evolution of the diagenetic history of the Judean Formation sediments occurred in two diagenetic stages;the shallow burial diagenesis,and the deep burial diagenesis.Compaction processes,early fracturing,micritization,early calcite,and the early phase of dolomitization were part of the multiple diagenetic alterations during the shallow burial diagenesis.The deep burial diagenesis was marked by dissolution,late stage of dolomitization and replacement,mechanical and chemical compaction,and the late calcite precipitation.It is believed that dolomitization of the Judea Formation carbonates in the Euphrates Graben has contributed to improving the reservoir properties by increasing the porosity and thus the permeability.

Control of relay structure on mineralization of sedimentary-exhalative ore deposit in growth faults of graben systems

Based on the study of ore deposits and orebody structures of two sedimentary-exhalative ore deposits, i.e., Changba and Xitieshan Ore Deposits, it is found that the structural patterns of metallogenic basin of seafloor exhalative sulfide deposits in the ancient graben systems are controlled by relay structures in normal faults. The shapes of metallogenic basins are composed of tilting ramp, fault-tip ramp and relay ramp, which dominate migration of gravity current of ore-hosted fluid and shape of orebody sedimentary fan in the ramp. By measuring and comparing the difference of length-to-thickness ratios of orebody sedimentary fan, the result shows that the occurrence of the ramp has a remarkable impact on the shape of orebody.

Anomalous Geomagnetic Field Modeling for Crustal Structure of a Graben in West Siberia

An intensive magnetic anomaly within the limits of West Siberia Danilov graben-rift indicates magnetic rocks while numerous wells encountered only weakly magnetized Triassic basalts and liparites in the basement covered by thick loose Jurassic and younger sediments. The wells penetrated only the first tens meters of the basement and could not tell us about the liparites structure at depth where supposedly they may form a big single body and magnetic rocks may be situated deeper. Geological ideas on a graben-rift structure may be proved (or rejected) by a computer modeling of its magnetic properties. For the anomalous geomagnetic field interpretation, a method of volume integral equations taking into account demagnetization effect was employed. To fit a model a trial-and-error procedure was utilized. The results show that 1) at the depth some rocks are magnetized in opposite direction to the present field;2) highly magnetized rocks (magnetic susceptibility 0.06 - 0.1SI) coming up continuously from the bottom of the model and situated under the graben;3) the studied structure is not a graben but the rift because the continental light crust is absent.

One Dimensional Evolution Modeling of Source Rocks in the Chaluhe Basin, Yitong Graben

Chaluhe Basin is in Jilin Province of China with a cumulative sedimentary rock thickness of about 6000 meters and has four subdivisions: Wanchang Structural High, Bo-Tai Sag, Xinanpu Sag, Liangjia Structure High and the Gudian Slope. The basin with its better source rock distribution and more favorable maturation indicators than the adjacent Moliqing and Luxiang Basins is expected to be a potential hydrocarbon-producing basin. Four (4) wells were used in determining the maturation hydrocarbon generating potential of the mudstone beds present in the Eocene Formations (Shuangyang, Sheling and Yongji). Obtained result revealed heat flow average of 71.8 mW/m2, oil generation between 3.15 mg/g TOC and 39.49 mg/g TOC with gas generation of 6.98 mg/g TOC to 92.83 mg/g TOC. In conclusion the Eocene Shuangyang mudstone is the main petroleum source rock.

Application of Multi-well Subsidence Analysis of the Beryl Embayment,Viking Graben,Northern North Sea

The Beryl Embayment is situated at the south end of the North Viking Graben in the North Sea. Three sets of normal faults, with N-S, NW-SE and NE-SW orientations, have been recognized in the Beryl Embayment. High-resolution subsidence analysis of 73 wells, combined with some seismic data, has been used to document Middle to Late Jurassic subsidence patterns in this area. The high temporal resolution achieved （1 to 2 million years per data point） has also allowed an assessment to be made of temporal evolution of faults with different orientations, and a study made of how and when the East Shetland Fault was linked and controlled sedimentary facies distributions. The results indicate that the East Shetland Fault can be divided into northern and southern parts which were linked together during the Early-Mid Oxfordian. The Mid-Late Jurassic syn-rift phase can be divided into four stages： minor active extension stage during the Bathonian-Middle Callovian, early syn-rotational stage during the Late Callovian-Early-Mid Oxfordian, syn-rotational climax stage during the Late Oxfordian-Early Volgian, and late syn-rotational stage during the Mid-Late Volgian. The results also show that there was a sequential variation of extension direction of active normal faults with different orientations, with an overall shift in the dominant orientation of active normal faults from N-S in the Bathonian-Middle Oxfordian, through NNW-SSE in the Late Oxfordian-Early Volgian （≈N30°E）, to NW-SE （≈N45°E） in the Mid-Late Volgian.

Structural and Sedimentary Characteristics of Hydrocarbon-Rich Sags in Lacustrine Sub-Basin of Half Graben Type, Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea

Pearl River Mouth Basin undergoes complex tectonic evolution processes and forms lacustrine,transitional and marine sediments.Drilling shows that there exist large petroleum reserves in the hydrocarbon-rich sags of Pearl River Mouth Basin,South China Sea.To reduce the risk,the exploration,structural and sedimentary characteristics of the hydrocarbon-rich sags should be identified and described.Drilling,seismic,and microfossil data are integrated to interpret the structural and sedimentary evolution of the hydrocarbon-rich sags in Pearl River Mouth Basin.By analyzing the tectonic and sedimentary evolutionary characteristics,three conclusions may be drawn:1、The present regional tectonic characteristics of the PRMB are formed by mutual interactions of the Eurasian Plate,Pacific Plate,Philippine Plate and Indian Plate.During the Paleocene to early Eocene and late Eocene and early Oligocene,the PRMB is at the rifting stage.During the late Oligocene,the PRMB was at the rifting-depression transitional stage.After the Oligocene,the PRMB is at the depression stage.2、Tectonic conditions control the sedimentation process in the hydrocarbon-rich sags.During the lacustrine sedimentation stage,synsedimentary faults and intense faulting control the sedimentation.During the transitional sedimentation stage,weak fault activity influences the deposition process in the hydrocarbon-rich sags.During the marine sedimentation stage,weak fault activity and depression activity control the deposition process in the hydrocarbon-rich sags.3、Tectonic evolution affects the deposition process.The lacustrine,transitional and marine sedimentation corresponds to different tectonic conditions.The lacustrine sedimentation is formed under fault activity during the rifting stage.The transitional sedimentation is formed under weak fault activity during the late rifting stage.The marine sedimentation is formed under weak fault activity and depression activity during the rifting-depression and depression stages.4、The half graben is beneficial for the formation of lacustrine source rocks,which is responsible for the hydrocarbon-rich sag.Therefore the half graben mode contributes to the hydrocarbon-rich sags.

Recent tectonic stress field research in Shanxi graben system

By comprehension of earthquake focal mechanism solutions and the data of in-situ stress measurements, the tectonic stress field in Shanxi region has been summarized, which indicate that the stress state in this region is different from that of its eastern surrounding regions. The next, by fitting the measured data, the boundary forces that influenced the distribution of the stress field in this region has been studied using inversion method. The inversion results showed the following messages: the effect of the boundary force between the blocks is the main determinative factor for the recent tectonic stress field in Shanxi and the regional material and its property is a secondary factor; the horizontal main stress of tectonic stress field in Shanxi region is consistent with the stretch of fault basins.

Geometric and Dynamical Characteristics of Sequences in Yitong Graben

Yitong graben belongs to the north segment of the Tanlu fault belt .It was infilled with Eogene, Neogene and Quaternary clastic deposits, each Of them represents a distinct tectonic sequence.Six types of systems association characteristics of distinct depositional systems and spatial disposition are identified in different evolutionary period of the graben.Sequence Stratigraphic framework of the graben is mainly controlled by structural framework,tectonic movement, sources supply, expanding and contracting cycle of lake, position of depositional center. The key factors are structural framework and tectonic movemeat.Through systematic analysis Of regional tectonic settings, it is recognized that Eogene tectonic sequence of Yitong graben was formed under tenso-shear regime. It includes four sequences indicating four tectonic events attributed to tectonic movement of marginal faults.Neogene tectonic sequence was formed under compresso-shear regime, which includes coarse clastic deposits with a thicknessof 0-500m.Pattern of in the Yitong graben indicates the asymmetrical subsisence of marginal faults along two sides and the complicated structural framework.

Two Dimensional Evolution Modeling of Source Rocks in the Chaluhe Basin, Yitong Graben

Yitong Graben in Jilin Province of China, hosts three basins, namely: Chaluhe, Luxiang and Moliqing basins. The Chaluhe basin, as the focal point of this study has five subdivisions, thus, Bo-Tai sag, Wanchang Structural high, Liangjia Structure high Xinanpu sag, and the Gudian slope, with a cumulative sedimentary rock thickness of about 6000 metres. The basin is supposed to be a potential hydrocarbon-producing basin with its better source rock distribution and more favorable maturation indicators than the adjacent Luxiang and Moliqing Basin. Determining whether the mudstone beds present in the Eocene Formations are matured enough to generate hydrocarbons, three (3) wells with Seismic Lines (clh02, clh05 and clh07) were used for the study. It is observed that the entire region from NW to SE in the source rocks is mature to produce oil and gas. At depths of about 2400 m and below show good maturity with vitrinite reflectance values averaging 1.02% Ro. The Eocene Shuangyang mudstone is the main petroleum source rock.

Thermal History and Potential of Hydrocarbon Generated from Jurassic to Early Cretaceous Source Rocks in the Malita Graben, Northern Bonaparte Basin, Australia

The Malita Graben is located in the northern Bonaparte Basin, between the Sahul Platform to the northwest and the Petrel Sub-basin and Darwin Shelf to the south. The wells Beluga 1, Heron 1, Evans Shoal 1, Evans Shoal 2 and Seismic Line N11805 are selected to determine the thermal history and potential of hydrocarbon generated from the Plover, Elang, Frigate Shale (Cleia and Flamingo), and Echuca Shoals formations source rocks. The modeling was performed by using Basin Mod 1-D and 2-D techniques. The model results show that the geothermal gradients range from 3.05 to 4.05°C/100 m with an average of 3.75°C/100 m and present day heat flow values from 46.23 to 61.99 mW/m2 with an average of 56.29 mW/m2. The highest geothermal gradient and present-day heat flow values occurred on a terrace north of the Malita Graben. These most likely indicate that hot fluids are currently variably migrating into this structure. The lower geothermal gradient and heat flow values have been modeled in the southeast sites in the well Beluga 1. The northern Bonaparte Basin experienced several deformation phases including lithospheric thinning;hence, heat flow is expected to vary over the geological history of the basin. The higher paleo-heat flow values changing from 83.54 to 112.01 mW/m2 with an average of 101.71 mW/m2 during Jurassic rift event (syn-rift) were sufficient for source rocks maturation and hydrocarbon generation during Cretaceous post-breakup sequence (post-rift) in the study area. The Tuatara (Upper Frigate Shale) Formation source rock with type II & III kerogen dominantly showing mixed oil- and gas-prone, and Plover Formation with type III and gas prone have never reached the peak mature oil window in the well Beluga 1. This area indicates that the maturity of source rocks is low and considered to be from poor-to-good organic richness with poor-to-fair potential for hydrocarbons generation. The post mature Cleia (Lower Frigate Shale) and Echuca Shoals formations source rocks in the well Evans Shoal 1 and an early mature oil window Echuca Shoals formation source rock in the well Evans Shoal 2, characterized by type III kerogen dominantly showing gasprone are a fair-to-very good source richness with poor potential for hydrocarbons generation. The low to high maturity of Echuca Shoals and Petrel (Frigate Shale) formations source rocks in the well Heron 1, Plover Formation source rock in the Evans Shoal 1 well, and Cleia (Lower Frigate Shale) and Plover formations in the well Evans Shoal 2, showing gas-prone with type III and II & III kerogens predominantly, have reached the late mature oil and wet gas generation stages at present day. These last five formations source rocks are seen from poor-to-very good organic richness with poor-to-very good potential for hydrocarbons generation in the Malita Graben.

Modeling of Source Rocks in Moliqing Basin of Yitong Graben, Northeast China

Moliqing basin is a continental sedimentary basin in the northeast of China, between Changchun and Jilin. The source rocks characterization was done using the data of three wells to define the generative potential, kerogen type and thermal maturity. Basin Mod software was used for the models. The three Eocene source rock formations in the basin are Shuangyang, Sheling and Yongji. Shuangyang is the most important due to its quantity and maturity levels of kerogen with very good generative potential (TOC between 2% - 4%) towards the southern region of the basin. According to the Tmax values, all three source rocks reached the mature stage, and the levels increased from early mature for the Yongji formation, to late mature for some locations of the Shuangyang formation. The 1D and 2D modeling reconstructed shows that the heat flow developed in the basin laid between 64 and 78.1 mW/m2 and had maximum heat flow location towards the center of the basin.

Integrating Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques with Conventional Methods to Assess and Characterize Surface and Groundwater Resources of Tendaho Graben, Ethiopia

The study focused on water resource assessment through utilization of remote sensing, which is a powerful technique for the collection of multi-temporal synoptic data sets. Geographic Information System (GIS) has been also used for turning large volumes of spatial data into useful information by integrating spatial data such as topography, geology, precipitation, land cover, satellite images etc. for joint analysis. In this study Remote sensing techniques have offered useful information on regional geology, geomorphology, hydrology, soils and land use. Using Landsat 7 ETM+ path 167, row 52 drainage conditions, land use/cover, drainage patterns, lineaments and geomorphology (relief, morphology) analysis and interpretation have been made, all of which have influences on the movement and occurrence of groundwater. The interpretation of satellite data in conjunction with sufficient ground truth has made it possible to identify and outline various ground features that serve as direct or indirect indicators of the occurrence of groundwater. Different image processing techniques have been deployed to extract specific information for required analyses. Spatial filtering for tectonic structures identification, False Color Composite for identification of lithology, drainage etc. have been deployed. Through the spatial integration, it is observed that tectonic structures have controlled surface and sub surface water availability of the area. The present works in general have focused on the role of remote sensing and GIS techniques in surface and groundwater resources assessment with limited application of conventional methods. Remote sensing has invaluable capability in groundwater and surface water assessment of an area like this Graben where there is accessibility problem and challenging hot climatic conditions which hinders ground investigations.

Graben on the Lunar Nearside: Do Dikes Lie Beneath?

On the Moon,tectonic structures are concentrated on the nearside,spatially associated with the maria(e.g.,Watters and Johnson,2010),or basalt-filled impact structures.Lunar graben(or rilles)are long,narrow troughs up to