3D seismic imaging of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in the Flin Flon mining camp, Canada: Part 2 — Forward modeling

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. WC81-WC93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Malinowski ◽  
Ernst Schetselaar ◽  
Donald J. White

We applied seismic modeling for a detailed 3D geologic model of the Flin Flon mining camp (Canada) to address some imaging and interpretation issues related to a [Formula: see text] 3D survey acquired in the camp and described in a complementary paper (part 1). A 3D geologic volumetric model of the camp was created based on a compilation of geologic data constraints from drillholes, surface geologic mapping, interpretation of 2D seismic profiles, and 3D surface and grid geostatistical modeling techniques. The 3D modeling methodology was based on a hierarchical approach to account for the heterogeneous spatial distribution of geologic constraints. Elastic parameters were assigned within the model based on core sample measurements and correlation with the different lithologies. The phase-screen algorithm used for seismic modeling was validated against analytic and finite-difference solutions to ensure that it provided accurate amplitude-variation-with-offset behavior for dipping strata. Synthetic data were generated to form zero-offset (stack) volume and also a complete prestack data set using the geometry of the real 3D survey. We found that the ability to detect a clear signature of the volcanogenic massive sulfide with ore deposits is dependent on the mineralization type (pyrite versus pyrrhotite rich ore), especially when ore-host rock interaction is considered. In the presence of an increasing fraction of the host rhyolite rock within the model volume, the response from the lower impedance pyrrhotite ore is masked by that of the rhyolite. Migration tests showed that poststack migration effectively enhances noisy 3D DMO data and provides comparable results to more computationally expensive prestack time migration. Amplitude anomalies identified in the original 3D data, which were not predicted by our modeling, could represent potential exploration targets in an undeveloped part of the camp, assuming that our a priori earth model is sufficiently accurate.

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. E293-E299
Author(s):  
Jorlivan L. Correa ◽  
Paulo T. L. Menezes

Synthetic data provided by geoelectric earth models are a powerful tool to evaluate a priori a controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) workflow effectiveness. Marlim R3D (MR3D) is an open-source complex and realistic geoelectric model for CSEM simulations of the postsalt turbiditic reservoirs at the Brazilian offshore margin. We have developed a 3D CSEM finite-difference time-domain forward study to generate the full-azimuth CSEM data set for the MR3D earth model. To that end, we fabricated a full-azimuth survey with 45 towlines striking the north–south and east–west directions over a total of 500 receivers evenly spaced at 1 km intervals along the rugged seafloor of the MR3D model. To correctly represent the thin, disconnected, and complex geometries of the studied reservoirs, we have built a finely discretized mesh of [Formula: see text] cells leading to a large mesh with a total of approximately 90 million cells. We computed the six electromagnetic field components (Ex, Ey, Ez, Hx, Hy, and Hz) at six frequencies in the range of 0.125–1.25 Hz. In our efforts to mimic noise in real CSEM data, we summed to the data a multiplicative noise with a 1% standard deviation. Both CSEM data sets (noise free and noise added), with inline and broadside geometries, are distributed for research or commercial use, under the Creative Common License, at the Zenodo platform.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 629
Author(s):  
Olga Yakubovich ◽  
Mary Podolskaya ◽  
Ilya Vikentyev ◽  
Elena Fokina ◽  
Alexander Kotov

We report on the application of the U-Th-He method for the direct dating of pyrite and provide an original methodological approach for measurement of U, Th and He in single grains without loss of parent nuclides during thermal extraction of He. The U-Th-He age of ten samples of high-crystalline stoichiometric pyrite from unoxidized massive ores of the Uzelga volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, South Urals, is 382 ± 12 Ma (2σ) (U concentrations ~1–5 ppm; 4He ~10−4 cm3 STP g−1). This age is consistent with independent (biostratigraphic) estimations of the age of ore formation (ca, 389–380 Ma) and is remarkably older than the probable age of the regional prehnite-pumpellyite facies metamorphism (~340–345 Ma). Our results indicate that the U-Th-He dating of ~1 mg weight pyrite sample is possible and open new perspectives for the dating of ore deposits. The relative simplicity of U-Th-He dating in comparison with other geochronological methods makes this approach interesting for further application.


Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. WB21-WB26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatmir Hoxha ◽  
Jacqueline O’Connor ◽  
Jeff Codd ◽  
David Kessler ◽  
Alex Bridge ◽  
...  

Performing accurate depth-imaging is an essential part of deep-water Gulf of Mexico exploration and development. Over the years, depth-imaging technology has provided reliable seismic images below complicated salt bodies, and has been implemented in workflows for both prospect generation as well as reservoir development. These workflows include time domain preprocessing using various multiple elimination techniques, anisotropic model building, and depth-imaging using anisotropic reverse time migration (RTM). However, the accuracy of the depth-migrated volumes is basically unknown because they are tested only in the locations where a well is drilled. In order to learn about the accuracy of anisotropic deep water Gulf of Mexico model building, and depth-imaging tools which are used for processing and imaging of field acquired data, we created a 3D vertical transverse isotropic (VTI) anisotropic earth model and a 3D seismic data set representing subsalt Gulf of Mexico geology. The model and data set are referred to as the Tempest data set, the original being created several years ago. The recent model and data set were created incorporating upgraded technology to reflect recent developments in data acquisition, model building and depth-imaging. Our paper presents the new Tempest anisotropic model, data set, and RTM prestack depth-migration (PSDM) results. The Tempest RTM PSDM is being used to learn about the differences between the exact geological model and the RTM PSDM image, helping in the interpretation of real RTM prestack depth-migrated data.


Geophysics ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. T167-T174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Kosloff ◽  
Reynam C. Pestana ◽  
Hillel Tal-Ezer

A new scheme for the calculation of spatial derivatives has been developed. The technique is based on recursive derivative operators that are generated by an [Formula: see text] fit in the spectral domain. The use of recursive operators enables us to extend acoustic and elastic wave simulations to shorter wavelengths. The method is applied to the numerical solution of the 2D acoustic wave equation and to the solution of the equations of 2D dynamic elasticity in an isotropic medium. An example of reverse-time migration of a synthetic data set shows that the numerical dispersion can be significantly reduced with respect to schemes that are based on finite differences. The method is tested for the solutions of the equations of dynamic elasticity by comparing numerical and analytic solutions to Lamb’s problem.


2016 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 903-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. White ◽  
M. Malinowski ◽  
C. Devine ◽  
K. Gilmore ◽  
E. Schetselaar ◽  
...  

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. C217-C227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baoqing Tian ◽  
Jiangjie Zhang

High-resolution imaging has become more popular recently in exploration geophysics. Conventionally, geophysicists image the subsurface using the isotropy approximation. When considering the anisotropy effects, one can expect to obtain an imaging profile with higher accuracy than the isotropy approach allows. Orthorhombic anisotropy is considered an ideal approximation in the realistic case. It has been used in the industry for several years. Although being attractive, broad application of orthorhombic anisotropy has many problems to solve. We have developed a novel approach of prestack time migration in the orthorhombic case. The traveltime and amplitude of a wave propagating in orthorhombic media are calculated directly by launching new anisotropic velocity and anisotropic parameters. We validate our methods with synthetic data. We also highlight our methods with model data set and real data. The results found that our methods work well for prestack time migration in orthorhombic media.


2021 ◽  
pp. geochem2020-043
Author(s):  
Madison A. Schmidt ◽  
Matthew I. Leybourne ◽  
Jan M. Peter ◽  
Duane C. Petts ◽  
Simon E. Jackson ◽  
...  

There is increasing acceptance of the presence of variable magmatic contributions to the mineralizing fluids in the formation of volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. The world-class Windy Craggy Cu-Co-Au deposit (>300 MT @ 2.12 wt.% Cu) in northwestern British Columbia is of interest because, unlike most VMS deposits, quarts fluid inclusions from within the deposit range from relatively low to intermediate salinity (most 6-16 wt.% equivalent). In this study we used an excimer (193 nm) laser ablation system interfaced to a quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to quantify key metals and metalloids that are considered by many to be indicative of magmatic contributions to hydrothermal ore deposits. Although LA-ICP-MS signals from these low-salinity inclusions are highly transient, we were able to quantify Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Sr, Sn, Ba, Ce, Pb and Bi consistently – of the 34 elements that were monitored. Furthermore, Cl, Sb, Cd, Mo, Rb, Br, and As were also measured in a significant number of inclusions. Comparison of the fluid inclusion chemistry with unaltered and altered mafic volcanic and sedimentary rocks and mineralized samples from the deposit indicate that enrichment in the main ore metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb) in the inclusions reflects that of the altered rocks and sulfides. Metals and metalloids that may indicate a magmatic contribution typically show much greater enrichments in the fluid inclusions much greater over the host rocks at the same Cu concentration; in particular Bi, Sn and Sb are significantly elevated when compared to the host rock samples. These data are consistent with the ore-forming fluids at Windy Craggy having a strong magmatic contribution.


2016 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 817-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Ordóñez-Calderón ◽  
B. Lafrance ◽  
H. L. Gibson ◽  
T. Schwartz ◽  
S. J. Pehrsson ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Mercier-Langevin ◽  
H. L. Gibson ◽  
M. D. Hannington ◽  
J. Goutier ◽  
T. Monecke ◽  
...  

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