Differences of Polygonal Faults with Irregularly Polygonal Geometries: A Case Study from the Changchang Sag of Qiongdongnan Basin, Northern South China Sea

Polygonal faults(PFs)generally have a classic polygonal geometry in map view.However,under the influence of tectonic faults,diapirs,channels,and slopes,the classic polygonal geometry of PFs is not preserved,demonstrating differences(different characters)in map-view 3D seismic data covering an area of 334km^(2) of the Changchang(CC)sag,are used to document the mapview and cross-sectional characteristics of PFs.These data also help investigate the irregularly polygonal geometries of PFs due to the presence of influence factors,such as transtensional faults,submarine fans,channels,diapirs/gas chimneys,and the basal slope within the lower-middle Miocene strata.Results show that various irregularly polygonal geometries of PFs can be classified into enechelon and arcuate PFs,channel-segmenting and-bounding PFs,radial PFs,and rectangular PFs in map-view.En-echelon and arcuate PFs are induced by transtensional faults and exhibit a unique‘flower’structure in NE-and SE-trending cross-sections in the NW area of the study area.This finding is documented for the first time.Channel-segmenting PFs occur in the(northwest)low-amplitude muddy channel and are inhibited in the(southeast)high-amplitude sandy channel in the SW area.Radial PFs are radially aligned around a gas chimney/diapir containing some high-amplitude anomalies(HAAs)in the middle area.The presence of intrusive sandstones with HAAs along the periphery of the diapirs restricts the occurrence of PFs.Two high-amplitude submarine fans act as a mechanical barrier to the propagation of PFs.Meanwhile,the(moderate)slope in the NE area induces rectangular PFs.Additionally,the geneses of the PFs in the current study are comprehensively discussed.This study adds to our understanding of the differences between PFs with irregularly polygonal geometries.

Differences of polygonal faults related to upper Miocene channels:a case study from the Beijiao sag of Qiongdongnan basin,South China Sea

Deep-water coarse-grained channels are embedded within a polygonal fault tier,and the polygonal faults(PFs)present non-polygonal geometries rather than classic polygonal geometry in plan view.However,PFs present differences when they encounter deep-water(coarse-grained vs.fine-grained)channels with different lithology,which has not been further studied to date.Three-dimensional(3D)seismic data and a drilling well from Beijiao sag of Qiongdongnanbasin,South China Sea were utilized to document the plan view and cross-sectional properties of the PFs and their differences and genetic mechanism were investigated.Results show that,first,PFs can be divided morphologically into channel-segmenting PFs and channel-bounding PFs in plan view.The former virtually cuts or segments the axes of channels in highand low-amplitudes,and the latter nearly parallels the boundaries of the channels.Both are approximately perpendicular to each other.Secondly,channel-bounding PFs that related to low-amplitude channels are much longer than those of high-amplitude ones;channel-segmenting PFs related to low-amplitude channels are slightly longer than the counterparts related to high-amplitude channels.Lastly,the magnitudes(e.g.,heights)of the PFs are proportional to the scales(e.g.,widths and heights)of low-amplitude channels,whereas the magnitudes of the PFs are inversely proportional to the scales of high amplitude channels.Coarse-grained(high amplitude)channels act as a mechanical barrier to the propagation of PFs,whereas fine-grained(low-amplitude)channels are beneficial to the propagation and nucleation of PFs.Additionally,the genetic mechanism of PFs is discussed and reckoned as combined geneses of gravitational spreading and overpressure hydrofracture.The differences of the PFs can be used to reasonably differentiate coarse-grained channels from fine-grained channels.This study provides new insights into understanding the different geometries of the PFs related to coarse-grained and fine-grained channels and their genetic mechanism.