Characteristics and origins of ridges and troughs on the top of the Middle Miocene strata in the Beijiao sag of the Qiongdongnan basin, northern South China Sea

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-57
Author(s):  
Yufeng Li ◽  
Renhai Pu ◽  
Gongcheng Zhang ◽  
Hongjun Qu
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Northern South China Sea ◽  
Qiongdongnan Basin ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Bottom Currents ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Sediment Waves ◽  
History Of

Sedimentary structures generated by bottom currents are poorly understood worldwide. Ridges and troughs are imaged for the first time by 3D high-resolution seismic data and drilled by a well, YL19-1-1, in the Beijiao sag of Qiongdongnan basin (QDNB). Combined with 2D high resolution seismic data, they are analyzed in detail. The results show that ridges and troughs occur on the top of the Middle Miocene, dominantly present a wave-shaped structure. Their magnitudes are larger on the middle (regional) slope than on the upper and lower slope. They extend for tens of kilometers, dominantly parallel to one another, evenly spaced and nearly E-W directed distribution, some of which locally merge and bifurcate. They are aligned oblique to the regional slope. Both internal mounded reflections and parallel underlying-strata reflections, occur within ridges. The presence of polygonal faults and weak-to-moderate amplitudes within the ridges and troughs, suggests that they consist of fine-grained mudstones, as confirmed by well YL19-1-1. High amplitudes filled within troughs are probably composed of coarse-grained turbidite sandstones where polygonal faults are inhibited. Truncated reflections and onlaps occur along the thalweg of a trough, and are also clearly observed on the sides of ridges and troughs. We conclude the troughs are a product of erosion of bottom currents, and ridges are remnant underlying (sediment waves) strata as a result of this erosion. Besides, troughs are filled by turbidite sandstones with high amplitudes in the southwestern part of the study area, where ridges and troughs a combined result of early erosion by bottom currents and later reworking by turbidity flows. Conceptual schematic models are proposed to show the evolutionary history of ridges and troughs. This study provides new insights into further understanding of erosion and deposition of bottom currents.

Crystallisation of fine- and coarse-grained A-type granite sheets of the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen, U.S.A.

2000 ◽  
Vol 91 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 139-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Hogan ◽  
M. Charles Gilbert ◽  
Jon D. Price
Keyword(s):  
Solidus Temperature ◽  
Direct Consequence ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Mafic Complex ◽  
Southern Oklahoma ◽  
History Of ◽  
Volcanic Pile ◽  
Crustal Magma

A-type felsic magmatism associated with the Cambrian Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen began with eruption of voluminous rhyolite to form a thick volcanic carapace on top of an eroded layered mafic complex. This angular unconformity became a crustal magma trap and was the locus for emplacement of later subvolcanic plutons. Rising felsic magma batches ponding along this crustal magma trap crystallised first as fine-grained granite sheets and then subsequently as coarser-grained granite sheets. Aplite dykes, pegmatite dykes and porphyries are common within the younger coarser-grained granite sheets but rare to absent within the older fine-grained granite sheets. The older fine-grained granite sheets typically contain abundant granophyre.The differences between fine-grained and coarse-grained granite sheets can largely be attributed to a progressive increase in the depth of the crustal magma trap as the aulacogen evolved. At low pressures (<200MPa) a small increase in the depth of emplacement results in a dramatic increase in the solubility of H2O in felsic magmas. This is a direct consequence of the shape of the H2O-saturated granite solidus. The effect of this slight increase in total pressure on the crystallisation of felsic magmas is to delay vapour saturation, increase the H2O content of the residual melt fractions and further depress the solidus temperature. Higher melt H2O contents, and an extended temperature range over which crystallisation can proceed, both favour crystallisation of coarser-grained granites. In addition, the potential for the development of late, H2O-rich, melt fractions is significantly enhanced. Upon reaching vapour saturation, these late melt fractions are likely to form porphyries, aplite dykes and pegmatite dykes.For the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen, the progressive increase in the depth of the crustal magma trap at the base of the volcanic pile appears to reflect thickening of the volcanic pile during rifting, but may also reflect emplacement of earlier granite sheets. Thus, the change in textural characteristics of granite sheets of the Wichita Granite Group may hold considerable promise as an avenue for further investigation in interpreting the history of this rifting event.

Seismic features and origin of sediment waves in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 281-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Jiang ◽  
Xinong Xie ◽  
Zhenfeng Wang ◽  
Xushen Li ◽  
Yingzhao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
South China ◽  
Northern South China Sea ◽  
Qiongdongnan Basin ◽  
China Sea ◽  
Sediment Waves

scholarly journals Thrust Faults Promoted Hydrocarbon Leakage at the Compressional Zone of Fine-Grained Mass-Transport Deposits

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiliang Sun ◽  
Xinong Xie ◽  
Shiguo Wu ◽  
Guorui Yin
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Mass Transport ◽  
Northern South China Sea ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Thrust Faults ◽  
Borehole Data ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Hydrocarbon Reservoir ◽  
Effective Seal ◽  
Mass Transport Deposits

Fine-grained mass-transport deposits (MTDs), especially their compressional toe zones, are traditionally considered as effective seal in constraining the vertical fluid migration underneath. However, this study documents thrust faults at the compressional toe zone of fine-grained MTDs that could disaggregate the seal competence and promote vertical fluid flow. The investigated MTD referred to as MTD-a lies directly over a large hydrocarbon reservoir that is located within the Central Canyon of northern South China Sea, which is examined by using high-resolution 3D seismic and borehole data. Thrust faults and irregular blocks composed of coarse-grained sandstones are observed in the compressional zone of the MTD-a’s toe. More importantly, seismic evidence (e.g., enhanced seismic reflections) suggests that a large amount of hydrocarbons from the underlying reservoir penetrated through the MTD-a along these thrust faults and charged into the coarse-grained sandstone blocks. This clear evidence of thrust faults compromising the MTD’s seal effectiveness and thus facilitating the vertical fluid flow through the non-permeable strata demonstrate the importance of reassessing the seal capacity of MTD.

The high resolution sedimentary filling in Qiongdongnan Basin, Northern South China Sea

2015 ◽  
Vol 361 ◽  
pp. 11-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongxian Zhao ◽  
Zhen Sun ◽  
Zhenfeng Wang ◽  
Zhipeng Sun ◽  
Jianbao Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
South China Sea ◽  
South China ◽  
Northern South China Sea ◽  
Qiongdongnan Basin ◽  
China Sea

Morphology, architecture, and evolutionary processes of the Zhongjian Canyon between two carbonate platforms, South China Sea

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. SO1-SO15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yintao Lu ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Shiguo Wu ◽  
Bryan T. Cronin ◽  
Fuliang Lyu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Sedimentary Environment ◽  
Submarine Canyon ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Seismic Facies ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Carbonate Platforms ◽  
Depositional Processes

Two isolated Neogene carbonate platforms (Xisha and Guangle carbonate platforms) have developed in the rifted uplifts since the Early Miocene. A large-scale submarine canyon system, the Zhongjian Canyon (ZJC), has developed in the tectonic depression between the two platforms since the Middle Miocene. High-resolution bathymetry data and 2D and 3D seismic data reveal the existence of the ZJC on the present seafloor, as well as in Neogene intervals. It exhibits typical characteristics of deepwater canyons that cut the surrounding rocks and indicate strong erosional features. The ZJC resulted from northwest–southeast strike-slip fault activities during synrift and postrift stages, and it periodically grew during the development of carbonate platforms since the Middle Miocene. We identified four cycles of parallel to subparallel high amplitude and dim reflectors in seismic data, which we interpreted as alternating canyon fill, based on the interpretation of seismic facies. Thus, the sedimentary evolution of the ZJC can be divided into four typical stages, which were in the Middle Miocene, Late Miocene, Early Pliocene, and Pleistocene. Considering the tectonic background of the carbonate platforms, as well as the on-going igneous activities, the sediment filling the canyon could be derived from a mixture of carbonate clasts, igneous clasts, mud, and silt. The laminar high-amplitude reflectors and dim-reflector package represented a fining-upward sedimentary cycle. The coarse-grained sediment in canyon fillings could be turbidites, carbonate debrites, and even igneous clasts. In contrast, the fine-grained sediment is likely to be dominated by pelagic to hemipelagic mud, and silt. This case study describes a deepwater canyon under a carbonate-dominated sedimentary environment and has significant implications for improving our knowledge of periplatform slope depositional processes. Furthermore, the insight gained into periplatform slope depositional processes can be applied globally.

scholarly journals The Billund delta: a possible new giant aquifer in central and western Jutland

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 21-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik S. Rasmussen ◽  
Karen Dybkjær ◽  
Stefan Piasecki
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Sequence Stratigraphic ◽  
Drinking Water Resources ◽  
Stratigraphic Model

The search for new, deep-seated drinking water resources in Denmark has increased significantly during the past five years as a result of the discovery of excessive amounts of nitrate, pesticides and other pollutants in shallow groundwater boreholes (e.g. Nygaard et al. 2004, this volume). To find and map these aquifers, a multidisciplinary sequence stratigraphic approach has successfully been applied to the Miocene deposits of southern Jutland, where especially the Odderup and Ribe Formations are known as a main aquifer for drinking water from several test wells (Rasmussen et al. 2002). Recently, a more systematic study of the Miocene succession in central and western Jutland has been initiated by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) under contract with local authorities. It includes detailed sedimentological descriptions of outcrops, sedimentological andlog-interpretations of new stratigraphic boreholes and interpretation of new high-resolution seismic data (Fig. 1). A number of outcrops and wells have been studied palynologically, resulting in a detailed dinoflagellate cyst stratigraphy and in palynofacies interpretations. The results of these studies have been integrated in the regional geological and stratigraphic model (Fig. 2). Two new aquifers have been discovered: the Bastrup sand and the Billund sand. The Bastrup sand has already been exploited as a main aquifer in central and southern Jutland, and has been referred to either the Ribe or Odderup Formations. However, new stratigraphic results reveal that the Bastrup sand is a separate unit in the Miocene succession. The Billund sand is a deep-seated aquifer located more than 100 m and often more than 150 m deep, and is therefore not penetrated by standard water supply wells which rarely reach c. 100 m. The Billund sand was first revealed by multichannel seismic data deriving from former oil-exploration carried out in the Billund area (Fig. 3A). The resolution of these seismic data is very poor, but one interpretation of the dipping reflectors (clinoforms) seen in Fig. 3A was of a delta complex. This agrees with outcrop studies along the fjords of eastern Jutland which suggest that a spit complex was deposited in this area during the Early Miocene. The Billund sand was tested by the Vandel Mark well in 2001, which penetrated c. 40 m of sand at a depth of 200 m. The presence of a regional major sand body was later confirmed by new high-resolution seismic data and by the Billund and Løvlund wells in 2002. The Billund well penetrated 50 m of medium- to coarse-grained sand, and chemical tests of the water quality were good. However, a water supply well at Fjand in western Jutland has had problems with so-called ‘brown water’ – water enriched in organic matter (humus). Saline water may also be expected close to older deep-seated faults. This paper summarises the results of a mapping programme of the Billund sand initiated in the summer of 2003.

scholarly journals EFEITO DO TAMANHO DOS SEDIMENTOS SOBRE A ÁREA ATINGIDA POR FLUXOS DE DETRITOS: ESTUDO DE CASO DA BACIA DO ARROIO BÖNI, SERRA GAÚCHA.

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 299
Author(s):  
Maurício Andrades Paixão ◽  
Masato Kobiyama
Keyword(s):  
Debris Flow ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Sediment Size ◽  
History Of

The present paper aimed to evaluate the size sediment effects on runout area damaged by debris flow by using Kanako-2D in Böni Watershed, Serra Gaucha. This watershed presents a vast history of natural disasters, highlighting the events occurred in 1982 and 2000. The sediment sizes considered in the simulations and evaluated in terms of erosion, deposition and reached area were 0.15, 0.30, 0.50, 1.0, 1.3, 2.0 and 3.0 m. The sediment size strongly influenced on the erosion, deposition and total area reached by debris flow. Fine-grained sediments presented higher mobility, traveling greater distances and reaching larger areas than coarse-grained sediments. The obtained results confirm that Kanako-2D can be an important tool to predict susceptible areas to debris flow.

scholarly journals Structural Development of Jebel Abd Al Aziz, Northeast Syria

GeoArabia ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Norman Kent ◽  
Robert G. Hickman
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Northern Margin ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Topographic Features ◽  
History Of ◽  
Complex Structural ◽  
Structural Blocks ◽  
East West

ABSTRACT Jebel Abd Al Aziz, one of the most prominent topographic features in northeastern Syria, is a large surface anticline. An integrated structural and stratigraphic study conducted by Unocal from 1988 to 1995 resulted in recognition that Jebel Abd Al Aziz originated from inversion of a pre-existing graben. Understanding the complex structural and stratigraphic history of the Jebel Abd Al Aziz is important to hydrocarbon exploration and development in the northern Arabian tectonic plate. This importance is demonstrated by the strong correlation between hydrocarbon productive areas and the areas of Plio-Pleistocene structural inversion. Our study illustrates how the evolution of this structure is recorded in its local stratigraphy. Prior to the development of the Jebel Abd Al Aziz structure, Senonian shelf carbonates prograded southward from Turkey into the Palmyride-Sinjar Trough that extended from west central to northeastern Syria. The shelf edge of this carbonate system was south of and subparallel to the Syrian border. In the Jebel Abd Al Aziz area, fine-grained basinal mudstones were deposited on a thin, transgressive, rudistid, bioclastic unit. In Early Maastrichtian, an east-west-trending graben developed at the present site of Jebel Abd Al Aziz. Reactivated northwest- and northeast-striking faults bound structural blocks within the graben. Seismic data indicate that the edges of the rift basin were deeply eroded. Valleys, cut into the sides of the basin along the trend of the older cross-cutting regional faults, exposed Carboniferous and possibly older strata. Olistostromes formed along the basin-bounding fault scarps and small turbidite fans developed at the channel mouths. Paleocurrent direction data from the turbidite sand bodies corresponds well with the trends of the valleys mapped on seismic data. Maastrichtian-age sediments are largely confined to the graben proper. Early Tertiary sediments filled a wider basin, but there is evidence that minor episodic inversion on some northeast and northwest trending faults occurred during the Eocene and early Miocene. The main inversion of the Jebel Abd Al Aziz structure occurred in the Late Pliocene and Pleistocene. Inversion produced a large fault-propagation fold above east-west trending faults near the northern margin of the graben. Smaller folds developed above other graben-bounding faults and the northeast- and northwest-striking faults within the graben underwent oblique slip during the deformation.

High-resolution seismic velocity analysis as a tool for exploring gas hydrate systems: An example from New Zealand’s southern Hikurangi margin

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. SA1-SA12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth J. Crutchley ◽  
Guy Maslen ◽  
Ingo A. Pecher ◽  
Joshu J. Mountjoy
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Marine Sediments ◽  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Velocity Analysis ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
Velocity Models

The existence of free gas and gas hydrate in the pore spaces of marine sediments causes changes in acoustic velocities that overprint the background lithological velocities of the sediments themselves. Much previous work has determined that such velocity overprinting, if sufficiently pronounced, can be resolved with conventional velocity analysis from long-offset, multichannel seismic data. We used 2D seismic data from a gas hydrate province at the southern end of New Zealand’s Hikurangi subduction margin to describe a workflow for high-resolution velocity analysis that delivered detailed velocity models of shallow marine sediments and their coincident gas hydrate systems. The results showed examples of pronounced low-velocity zones caused by free gas ponding beneath the hydrate layer, as well as high-velocity zones related to gas hydrate deposits. For the seismic interpreter of a gas hydrate system, the velocity results represent an extra “layer” for interpretation that provides important information about the distribution of free gas and gas hydrate. By combining the velocity information from the seismic transect with geologic samples of the seafloor and an understanding of sedimentary processes, we have determined that high gas hydrate concentrations preferentially form within coarse-grained sediments at the proximal end of the Hikurangi Channel. Finer grained sediments expected elsewhere along the seismic transect might preclude the deposition of similarly high gas hydrate concentrations away from the channel.

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