Natural recession of the eastern margin of the Leofnard salt in western Canada

Geophysics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 222-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil L. Anderson ◽  
R. James Brown ◽  
Dale A. Cederwall
Keyword(s):  
Rock Salt ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
High Viscosity ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
Active Dissolution ◽  
Contour Maps ◽  
The North ◽  
Salt Dissolution ◽  
Reservoir Facies

The Lloydminster area (T35-65, R15W3M-10W4M) of east‐central Alberta and west‐central Saskatchewan, Canada, is dissected by the north‐northwest trending updip active dissolution margin, of the Devonian Leofnard Member rock salt. West of this margin, up to 150 m of rock salt is preserved; updip and to the east, the salt has mostly been leached from the rock record. The margin is up to 40 km wide and characterized by extreme local variations in net salt thickness. The dissolution of the Leofnard rock salt in the Lloydminster area has resulted in the entrapment of significant hydrocarbon accumulation. Stratigraphic traps, for example, have formed where reservoir facies were either preferentially deposited or preserved in salt‐dissolution lows. Structural traps, in contrast, have formed where reservoir facies are draped across residual salt or collapse features. It has been estimated that three trillion barrels of oil (mostly of high viscosity and unrecoverable) are entrapped along the eastern dissolution margin of the Leofnard rock salt in western Canada. A record of the westward progression of the dissolutional edge of the Leofnard salt is locked in the stratigraphic column. This progression is recorded as localized interval thickening in areas where dissolution and deposition were contemporaneous. The horizontal positioning of these interval thicks as a function of their geologic age provides a time record for the positioning of the salt edge. To further explain the process of salt dissolution in the Lloydminster area, we present a suite of contour maps, geologic cross‐sections, and seismic profiles. These data depict the present‐day distribution of the Leofnard salt in the Lloydminster study area. They support the theses that: (1) the dissolution margin of the Leofnard rock salt originated along the Elk Point outcrop to the east of the study area during the pre‐Cretaceous; and (2) the margin receded into the northeastern part of the Lloydminster study area during earliest Cretaceous or pre‐Cretaceous time and migrated progressively thereafter into its current position. From the perspective of the explorationist, such information is important because it identifies prospective play areas with high potential for the formation of salt‐related stratigraphic traps and/or structural traps.

GEOPHYSICAL HISTORY OF PARENTIS OIL FIELD, FRANCE

Geophysics ◽  
1956 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 815-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raoul Vajk ◽  
George Walton
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Gravity Anomalies ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
Contour Maps ◽  
History Of ◽  
Standard Oil Company ◽  
Aquitaine Basin ◽  
Surface Geology ◽  
Gravity Map

In 1951, the French Government granted an exclusive exploration permit to the Esso R.E.P. (a Standard Oil Company affiliate) over an area of 4,357,980 acres around Bordeaux in the northern part of the Aquitaine Basin, France. This area was investigated first by surface geology; then it was surveyed by the gravity meter. In checking the gravity anomalies by the reflection seismograph, a subsurface structure was found at Parentis in 1953, which was drilled in 1954, and was proved to be oil bearing. The Parentis oil field is the most important oil field, not only in France, but in all Europe outside the Iron Curtain. Gravity map, seismograph map, seismic profiles, telluric map and geological contour maps, and cross sections of the Parentis structure are presented.

scholarly journals Chronology of thrust propagation from an updated tectono-sedimentary framework of the Miocene molasse (western Alps)

Solid Earth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 2735-2771
Author(s):  
Amir Kalifi ◽  
Philippe Hervé Leloup ◽  
Philippe Sorrel ◽  
Albert Galy ◽  
François Demory ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
The North ◽  
Deformation Kinematics ◽  
Westward Migration ◽  
And Migration

Abstract. After more than a century of research, the chronology of the deformation of the external part of the western Alpine belt (France) is still controversial for the Miocene epoch. In particular, the poor dating of the foreland basin sedimentary succession hampers a comprehensive understanding of the deformation kinematics. Here we focus on the Miocene molasse deposits of the northern subalpine massifs, southern Jura, Royans, Bas-Dauphiné, Crest, and La Bresse sedimentary basins through a multidisciplinary approach to build a basin-wide tectono-stratigraphic framework. Based on sequence stratigraphy constrained by biostratigraphical, chemostratigraphical (Sr isotopes), and magnetostratigraphical data between the late Aquitanian (∼ 21 Ma) and the Tortonian (∼ 8.2 Ma), the Miocene molasse chronostratigraphy is revised with a precision of ∼ 0.5 Ma. The Miocene molasse sediments encompass four different paleogeographical domains: (i) the oriental domain outlined by depositional sequences S1a to S3 (∼ 21 to ∼ 15 Ma), (ii) the median domain characterized by sequences S2 to S5 (∼ 17.8 to ∼ 12 Ma), (iii) the occidental domain in which sequences S2a to S8 (∼ 17.8 to ∼ 8.2 Ma) were deposited, and (iv) the Bressan domain where sedimentation is restricted to sequences S6 to S8 (∼ 12 to ∼ 8.2 Ma). A structural and tectono-sedimentary study is conducted based on new field observations and the reappraisal of regional seismic profiles, thereby allowing the identification of five major faults zones (FZs). The oriental, median, and occidental paleogeographical domains are clearly separated by FZ1, FZ2, and FZ3, suggesting strong interactions between tectonics and sedimentation during the Miocene. The evolution in time and space of the paleo-geographical domains within a well-constrained structural framework reveals syntectonic deposits and a westward migration of the depocenters, allowing for proposing the succession of three deformation phases at the western Alpine front. (i) The first is a compressive phase (P1) corresponding to thrusting above the Chartreuse oriental thrust (FZ1), which was likely initiated during the Oligocene and rooted east of Belledonne. This tectonic phase generated reliefs that limited the Miocene transgression to the east. (ii) The second is a ∼ WNW–ESE-directed compressive phase (P2) lasting between 18.05 ± 0.25 Ma and ∼ 12 Ma, with thrusts rooted in the Belledonne basal thrust. Thrusts were activated from east to west: the Salève (SAL) and Gros Foug (GF) thrusts and then successively FZ2, FZ3, FZ4, and FZ5. Along two WNW–ESE balanced cross sections the amount of horizontal shortening is of ∼ 6.3 to 6.7 km, corresponding to average shortening rates of ∼ 1.2 km Myr−1 and migration of the deformation toward the west at a rate of ∼ 2.9 km Myr−1. During ∼ 6 Myr, the Miocene Sea was forced to regress rapidly westwards in response to westward migration of the active thrusts and exhumation of piggyback basins atop the fault zones. Phase P2 thus deeply shaped the Miocene paleogeo-graphical evolution of the area and appears as a prominent compressive phase at the scale of the western Alps from the Swiss molasse basin to the Rhodano–Provencal one. (iii) The third is a ∼ 300 m phase of uplift in the Bas-Dauphiné (P3) of probable Tortonian age (∼ 10 Ma), which would have induced southward sea retreat and been coeval with the folding of the Jura in the north and possibly with back-thrusting east of the Chartreuse massif.

scholarly journals Stratigraphy and geothermal assessment of Mesozoic sandstone reservoirs in the Øresund Basin – exemplified by well data and seismic profiles

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
pp. 123-149
Author(s):  
M. Erlström ◽  
L.O. Boldreel ◽  
S. Lindström ◽  
L. Kristensen ◽  
A. Mathiesen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Lower Triassic ◽  
Lower Jurassic ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
Geothermal Reservoirs ◽  
The North ◽  
Sandstone Reservoirs ◽  
Distribution Composition

The Øresund Basin in the transnational area between Sweden and Denmark forms a marginal part of the Danish Basin. The structural outline and stratigraphy of the Mesozoic succession is described, and a novel interpretation and description of the subsurface geology and geothermal potential in the North Sjælland Half-graben is presented. The subsurface bedrock in the basin includes several Mesozoic intervals with potential geothermal sandstone reservoirs. Parts of the succession fulfill specific geological requirements with regard to distribution, composition and quality of the sandstones. A characterisation of these is presently of great interest in the attempt to identify geothermal reservoirs suitable for district heating purposes. The results presented in this paper include for the first time a comprehensive description of the stratigraphic intervals as well as the characteristics of the potential Mesozoic geothermal reservoirs in the Øresund region, including their distribution, composition and physical properties. This is illustrated by seismic cross-sections and well sections. In addition, results from analyses and evaluations of porosity, permeability, formation fluids and temperature are presented. Six potential geothermal reservoirs in the Mesozoic succession are described and assessed. Primary focus is placed on the characteristics of the reservoirs in the Lower Triassic and Rhaetian–Lower Jurassic succession. The study shows that the Mesozoic reservoir sandstones vary considerably with respect to porosity and permeability. Values range between 5–25% for the pre-Rhaetian Triassic sandstones and are commonly >25% for the Rhaetian–Lower Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sandstones. The corresponding permeability rarely reaches 500 mD for the pre-Rhaetian Triassic reservoirs, while it is commonly above one Darcy for the Rhaetian–Lower Jurassic and the Lower Cretaceous sandstones. The interpreted formation temperatures are 45–50°C at 1500 m, 60–70°C at 2000 m and 70–90°C at 2500 m depth. The combined results provide a geological framework for making site-specific predictions regarding appraisal of viable geothermal projects for district heating purposes in the region as well as reducing the risk of unsuccessful wells.

scholarly journals Comparison of Quantitative Morphology of Layered and Arbitrary Patterns: Contrary to Visual Perception, Binary Arbitrary Patterns Are Layered from a Structural Point of View

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6300
Author(s):  
Igor Smolyar ◽  
Daniel Smolyar
Keyword(s):  
Boolean Function ◽  
Layer Structure ◽  
Central Element ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
Contour Maps ◽  
Anisotropic Layers

Patterns found among both living systems, such as fish scales, bones, and tree rings, and non-living systems, such as terrestrial and extraterrestrial dunes, microstructures of alloys, and geological seismic profiles, are comprised of anisotropic layers of different thicknesses and lengths. These layered patterns form a record of internal and external factors that regulate pattern formation in their various systems, making it potentially possible to recognize events in the formation history of these systems. In our previous work, we developed an empirical model (EM) of anisotropic layered patterns using an N-partite graph, denoted as G(N), and a Boolean function to formalize the layer structure. The concept of isotropic and anisotropic layers was presented and described in terms of the G(N) and Boolean function. The central element of the present work is the justification that arbitrary binary patterns are made up of such layers. It has been shown that within the frame of the proposed model, it is the isotropic and anisotropic layers themselves that are the building blocks of binary layered and arbitrary patterns; pixels play no role. This is why the EM can be used to describe the morphological characteristics of such patterns. We present the parameters disorder of layer structure, disorder of layer size, and pattern complexity to describe the degree of deviation of the structure and size of an arbitrary anisotropic pattern being studied from the structure and size of a layered isotropic analog. Experiments with arbitrary patterns, such as regular geometric figures, convex and concave polygons, contour maps, the shape of island coastlines, river meanders, historic texts, and artistic drawings are presented to illustrate the spectrum of problems that it may be possible to solve by applying the EM. The differences and similarities between the proposed and existing morphological characteristics of patterns has been discussed, as well as the pros and cons of the suggested method.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Moisture Sources in two Extreme Landfalling Atmospheric River Events using an Eulerian WRF-Tracers tool

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Eiras-Barca ◽  
Francina Dominguez ◽  
Huancui Hu ◽  
A. Daniel Garaboa-Paz ◽  
Gonzalo Miguez-Macho
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Cold Front ◽  
Wrf Model ◽  
Atmospheric River ◽  
The North ◽  
Northern Latitudes ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Low Level Jet ◽  
Tropical Moisture

Abstract. A new 3D Tracer tool is coupled to the WRF model to analyze the origin of the moisture in two extreme Atmospheric River (AR) events: the so-called Great Coast Gale of 2007 in the Pacific Basin, and the Great Storm of 1987 in the North Atlantic. Results show that between 80 % and 90 % of the moisture advected by the ARs, as well as between 70 % and 80 % of the associated precipitation have a tropical or subtropical origin. Local convergence transport is responsible for the remaining moisture and precipitation. The ratio of tropical moisture to total moisture is maximized as the cold front arrives to land. Vertical cross sections of the moisture suggest that the maximum in humidity does not necessarily coincide with the Low-Level Jet (LLJ) of the extratropical cyclone. Instead, the amount of tropical humidity is maximized in the lowest atmospheric level in southern latitudes, and can be located above, below or ahead the LLJ in northern latitudes in both analyzed cases.

Age and growth of the Patagonian lizard Phymaturus patagonicus

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Piantoni ◽  
Victor Cussac ◽  
Nora Ibargüengoytía
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Patagonian Steppe ◽  
The North ◽  
Sigmoidal Curve ◽  
Reproductive Cycles

AbstractThe growth dynamics of Phymaturus patagonicus, a diurnal, herbivorous and viviparous lizard from the Argentinean Patagonian steppe, was studied using eight juveniles (two born in the laboratory), 11 adult females and eight adult males. Histological cross sections of femoral bones were analysed to determine if individuals show osseous growth marks and if these marks provide useful age estimates. Individual ages were assessed after estimating the reabsorbed rings in relation to snout-vent length. There was a strong relationship between body length and estimated age, modelled by a sigmoidal curve. Sexual maturity was found to be reached at seven years in females and nine in males and the maximum life span was estimated to be 16 years. No difference in body length was observed between the same-age females and males. We postulate that severe environments such as the north Patagonian steppe play a significant role in the selection of not only modes of reproduction but also delayed maturity and prolonged reproductive cycles, a combination that results in low fecundity.

scholarly journals Morphological analysis of hummocks in debris avalanche deposits around Mt Erciyes, central Turkey

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuichi S. Hayakawa ◽  
Hidetsugu Yoshida ◽  
Hiroyuki Obanawa ◽  
Ryutaro Naruhashi ◽  
Koji Okumura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Debris Avalanche ◽  
Caldera Wall ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Sector Collapse ◽  
Initial Flow ◽  
The North ◽  
Aircraft System ◽  
Central Turkey

Abstract. Debris avalanche caused by the sector collapse of a volcanic mountain often forms characteristic depositional landforms including hummocks. Not only sedimentological but also geomorphological analyses of debris avalanche deposits (DAD) are crucial to clarify the size, mechanisms, and processes of the debris avalanche. We investigate the morphology of hummocks newly identified in the DAD at the north-eastern flank of Mt. Erciyes in Kayseri, central Turkey, likely formed in the late Pleistocene. Using a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) and the structure-from-motion multi-view stereo photogrammetry (SfM), we obtained high-definition digital elevation model (DEM) and orthorectified image of the DAD surface with hummocks. Detailed geometric features of the hummocks are investigated using the RPAS-derived high-definition DEM. The source volume of the DAD was also estimated by reconstructing the original shape of the mountain body using a lower-resolution satellite-based DEM. For this, topographic cross sections are examined based on the slopes around the scar that are regarded as the remnant topography preserved since the sector collapse. The spatial distribution of hummocks shows an unusual pattern regarding the distance-size relationships, i.e., anomalously concentrated in a certain distance from the source. The hummocks are found to be aligned toward the flow direction of the debris avalanche, suggesting the extensional regime of the debris avalanche. These facts indicate that this debris avalanche did not follow the typical flow type of debris avalanches observed in the other cases. Instead, the topographic constraints by former caldera wall and fault-induced lineaments could have strongly affected the flow course and pattern in this particular case: The pre-existing caldera wall topography could have acted as the topographic barriers for the debris avalanche to force the initial flow to turn northward, and the flow regime to be once compressional followed by extensional at the narrow and steepened outlet valley. Also, the estimated volume of the DAD 12–15 × 108 m3 gives its mean thickness of 60–75 m, which is much deeper than the reported cases of other DADs. This suggests that the debris avalanche could have flown down to the far downstream areas from the presently-observed limit of the DAD extent. Assessments of the DAD including the results of this study can provide further insights into the risk and mitigation of potential disasters in the study area.

scholarly journals Realignments of the Colorado River by ~2 m.y. of rotational bedrock landsliding: The Surprise Valley landslide complex, Grand Canyon, Arizona

Geosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse E. Robertson ◽  
Karl E. Karlstrom ◽  
Matthew T. Heizler ◽  
Laura J. Crossey
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Colorado River ◽  
Grand Canyon ◽  
Geologic Mapping ◽  
River Level ◽  
The Past ◽  
The North ◽  
Seismic Triggering ◽  
Depositional Age ◽  
Deer Creek

The Surprise Valley landslide complex is the name used here for a group of prominent river-damming landslides in Grand Canyon (Arizona, USA) that has shifted the path of the Colorado River several times in the past 2 m.y. We document a sequence of eight landslides. Three are Toreva-block landslides containing back-rotated but only mildly disrupted bedrock stratigraphy. The largest of these landslides, Surprise Valley landslide, is hypothesized to have dammed the Colorado River, cut off a meander loop through Surprise Valley, and rerouted the river 2.5 km south to near its present course at the Granite Narrows. Another bedrock landslide, Poncho’s runup, involved a mass detachment from the north side of the river that drove a kilometer-scale bedrock slab across the river and up the south canyon wall to a height of 823 m above the river. A lake behind this landslide is inferred from the presence of mainstem gravels atop the slide that represent the approximate spillway elevation. We postulate that this landslide lake facilitated the upriver 133 Mile slide detachment and Toreva block formation. The other five landslides are subsequent slides that consist of debris from the primary slides; these also partially blocked and diverted the Colorado River as well as the Deer Creek and Tapeats Creek tributaries into new bedrock gorges over the past 1 m.y. The sequence of landslides is reconstructed from inset relationships revealed by geologic mapping and restored cross-sections. Relative ages are estimated by measuring landslide base height above the modern river level in locations where landslides filled paleochannels of the Colorado River and its tributaries. We calculate an average bedrock incision rate of 138 m/m.y. as determined by a 0.674 ± 0.022 Ma detrital sanidine maximum depositional age of the paleoriver channel fill of the Piano slide, which has its base 70 m above the river level and ~93 m above bedrock level beneath the modern river channel. This date is within error of, and significantly refines, the prior cosmogenic burial date of 0.88 ± 0.44 Ma on paleochannel cobbles. Assuming steady incision at 138 m/m.y., the age of Surprise Valley landslide is estimated to be ca. 2.1 Ma; Poncho’s runup is estimated to be ca. 610 ka; and diversion of Deer Creek to form modern Deer Creek Falls is estimated to be ca. 400 ka. The age of the most recent slide, Backeddy slide, is estimated to be ca. 170 ka based on its near-river-level position. Our proposed triggering mechanism for Surprise Valley landslides involves groundwater saturation of a failure plane in the weak Bright Angel Formation resulting from large volumes of Grand Canyon north-rim groundwater recharge prior to establishment of the modern Deer, Thunder, and Tapeats springs. Poncho’s and Piano landslides may have been triggered by shale saturation caused by 600–650 ka lava dams that formed 45 river miles (73 river km; river miles are measured along the Colorado River downstream from Lees Ferry, with 1 river mile = 1.62 river kms) downstream near Lava Falls. We cannot rule out effects from seismic triggering along the nearby Sinyala fault. Each of the inferred landslide dams was quickly overtopped (tens of years), filled with sediment (hundreds of years), and removed (thousands of years) by the Colorado River, as is also the potential fate of modern dams.

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