scholarly journals Eustatic, Climatic, and Oceanographic Influences on Geomorphology and Architecture of Isolated Carbonate Platforms: Miocene, Northwest Shelf, Australia

Lithosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene C. Rankey
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Seismic Facies ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Carbonate Platforms ◽  
Stratigraphic Subdivision ◽  
Complex Architecture ◽  
Stacking Patterns ◽  
3D Seismic Data

Abstract The Miocene represents an interval of marked global change, and this evolution is reflected in carbonate platforms from this epoch. Seismic stratigraphic characterization of high-resolution (ca 60 Hz) 3D seismic data from the Browse Basin, offshore Australia, reveals a middle to upper Miocene three-part seismic stratigraphic subdivision. Each unit consists of several seismic sequence sets and their component sequences. Seismic stratal geometries and seismic facies define a prograding shelf (Langhian and older), a barrier-reef complex with scattered platforms (upper Langhian–early Tortonian), and aggrading and prograding isolated platforms (early Tortonian–Messinian). The data permit description and interpretation of high-fidelity stratigraphic details of the initiation, expansion, termination, and geomorphology of over 100 platforms in this interval. The results reveal that the isolated platforms initiated following the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum. The succession includes major seismic stratigraphic boundaries and overall patterns of platform growth and demise that correspond roughly with periods of pronounced eustatic change associated with initiation of eastern Antarctic ice sheets. Although invoking a eustatic control for coarse trends may be tempting, mismatch between the numbers and ages of sequences, as well as the variable stacking patterns among contemporaneous platforms regionally, precludes such an interpretation; conversely, some globally recognized eustatic changes do not have a pronounced manifestation in this area. Thus, it appears that the eustatic signal combined with dynamic physical regional processes such as waves, currents, and variable subsidence creates the complex architecture and geomorphology of platforms. These results illustrate how global changes can interact with local controls to create diverse patterns of birth, growth, and demise of carbonate platforms and drive local stratal heterogeneity.

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.

3D seismic data attribute-based characterization of volcanic reservoirs in the BZ34-9 Block, Bohai Bay Basin, eastern China

Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. IM1-IM13
Author(s):  
Hongtao Zhu ◽  
Zhiwei Zeng ◽  
Hongliu Zeng ◽  
Changgui Xu
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Seismic Facies ◽  
Bohai Bay ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Bohai Bay Basin ◽  
Eruption Style ◽  
Volcanic Facies ◽  
3D Seismic Data

Volcanic effusive facies (VEF) and volcanic conduit facies (VCF) are two important facies units that can be found in a volcanic reservoir or edifice. Because VEF and VCF generally exhibit opposing seismic reflection characteristics, few studies have been applied to simultaneous characterization of the two facies in seismic data. We have developed an integrated 3D seismic data attribute-based characterization technique of VEF and VCF in the BZ34-9 Block, Bohai Bay Basin, eastern China. Our method is based mainly on the 3D visualization of a thresholding display so as to separately describe the strong-amplitude reflection of the VEF with its original amplitude attribute and the weak-amplitude chaotic reflection of the VCF with its variance-cube attribute. The detailed workflow comprises four steps, including seismic facies analysis, characterization of the VEF, characterization of the VCF, and merging a display of the two volcanic-facies units. The resulting 3D image of the different volcanic facies described in the BZ34-9 Block should be able to be viewed from any perspective for a better understanding of the related genesis mechanisms of the first and second members of the Shahejie (Es12) and Dongying Formations (Ed). In total, 28 volcanic edifices have been identified on the basis of the proposed method, among which three volcanic edifices exhibited inherited eruptions, in the Es12 and the Ed. Volcanic edifices in the Es12 are distributed locally in the central part of the BZ34-9 Block, showing a central eruption style, whereas those of the Ed are characterized by a widespread distribution in the southern gentle slope of the BZ34-9 Block, revealing a composite, center-fissure eruption style. The approach should be convenient to operate and would be effective in characterizing different volcanic facies simultaneously. This application can serve as a useful reference for other basins or regions with obvious volcanic influence.

Miocene start of modern carbonate platforms

Geology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 771-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Betzler ◽  
Gregor P. Eberli
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Middle Miocene ◽  
Carbonate Platforms ◽  
Deep Time ◽  
Particle Sorting ◽  
Circulation Patterns ◽  
The World ◽  
Stacking Patterns ◽  
Extract Information

Abstract The middle Miocene onset of modern ocean circulation patterns changed the growth style of isolated tropical carbonate platforms because surface and contour currents began shaping the flanks of these edifices. Since then, ocean currents have redistributed the off-bank–transported sediment, reduced sedimentation by particle sorting or winnowing, and even eroded slopes. As a result, the flanks of isolated carbonate platforms around the world after 13–10 Ma have not only been constructed by mass gravity deposits, but equally by contourites with distinct drift and moat geometries. These produce specific stacking patterns of platform flank deposits. This flank architecture, produced by combined current and gravity processes, is typical of tropical carbonate platforms growing in the Neogene icehouse world. Comparison of this architecture with geometries in older platforms also has the potential to extract information about the rigor of ocean circulation in deep time where the deep-sea record is missing.

3D seismic volume visualization and interpretation: An integrated workflow with case studies

Geophysics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. W1-W12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dengliang Gao
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Volume Visualization ◽  
Seismic Facies ◽  
Data Selection ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Well Bore ◽  
Stratigraphic Architecture ◽  
Facies Characterization ◽  
3D Seismic Data

One of the major problems in subsurface seismic exploration is the uncertainty (nonuniqueness) in geologic interpretation because of the complexity of subsurface geology and the limited dimension of the data available. Case studies from worldwide exploration projects indicate that an integrated, three-dimensional (3D) seismic volume visualization and interpretation workflow contributes to resolving the problem by mining and exposing critical geologic information from within seismic data volumes. Following 3D seismic data acquisition and processing, the interpretation workflow consists of four integrated phases from data selection and conditioning, to structure and facies characterization, to prospect evaluation and generation, to well-bore planning. In the data selection and conditioning phase, the most favored and frequently used data are the full-angle, limited-angle, and limited-azimuth stack amplitude with significant structure and facies enhancements. Signal-to-noise ratio, color scheme, dynamic range, bit resolution, and visual contrast all affect thevisibility of features of interest. In the structure and facies characterization phase, vertical slicing along arbitrary traverses demonstrates structure styles, stratigraphic architecture, and reservoir geometry in the cross-sectional view. Time/depth slicing defines lateral and vertical variability in the structural trend and areal extent in the map view. Stratal slicing and fault slicing map chronostratigraphic seismic facies and cross-stratal, along-fault seismic signature. Volume flattening and structure restoration aid in unraveling paleostructural framework and stratigraphic architecture and their growth histories. In the prospect evaluation and generation phase, a combination of volume trimming, co-rendering, transparency, attribute analysis, and attribute-body detection is instrumental in delineating volumetric extent and evaluating spatial connectivity of critical seismic features. Finally, in the well-bore planning phase, informed decision-making relies on the integration of all the information and knowledge interrogated from 3D seismic data. Most importantly, interpreters’ geologic insight and play concept are crucial to optimal well-bore planning with high geologic potential and low economic risk.

A comparison of classification techniques for seismic facies recognition

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. SAE29-SAE58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Zhao ◽  
Vikram Jayaram ◽  
Atish Roy ◽  
Kurt J. Marfurt
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Gaussian Mixture ◽  
Seismic Facies ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Generative Topographic Mapping ◽  
Learning Methods ◽  
Facies Classification ◽  
Data Volume ◽  
3D Seismic Data

During the past decade, the size of 3D seismic data volumes and the number of seismic attributes have increased to the extent that it is difficult, if not impossible, for interpreters to examine every seismic line and time slice. To address this problem, several seismic facies classification algorithms including [Formula: see text]-means, self-organizing maps, generative topographic mapping, support vector machines, Gaussian mixture models, and artificial neural networks have been successfully used to extract features of geologic interest from multiple volumes. Although well documented in the literature, the terminology and complexity of these algorithms may bewilder the average seismic interpreter, and few papers have applied these competing methods to the same data volume. We have reviewed six commonly used algorithms and applied them to a single 3D seismic data volume acquired over the Canterbury Basin, offshore New Zealand, where one of the main objectives was to differentiate the architectural elements of a turbidite system. Not surprisingly, the most important parameter in this analysis was the choice of the correct input attributes, which in turn depended on careful pattern recognition by the interpreter. We found that supervised learning methods provided accurate estimates of the desired seismic facies, whereas unsupervised learning methods also highlighted features that might otherwise be overlooked.

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