Application of plate tectonics concepts in hydrocarbon exploration: Hokkaido Corner
An area prospective for hydrocarbon production is located offshore from south-central Hokkaido in northern Japan. The sediments there are contained in a forearc basin associated with the Japan-Kurile subduction system to the east. At the juncture of the Japan and Kurile Trenches, a major change in direction, associated with a transverse fault, is referred to as the Hokkaido Corner. The transverse fault is known to disrupt the subducting slab from measurements and studies of earthquake foci and focal mechanisms. The prospective forearc basin overlies the disrupted subducting slab, establishing a probable wrench-fault system. The history of deformation in the basin has been related to the northwesterly movement of the Pacific oceanic plate and its subduction under the Japanese Island arc. Seaward-dipping, stacked thrust sheets were found in wells drilled in the forearc basin. These sheets have been explained as resulting as resulting from gravity sliding of mountains at the eastern basin margin. The mountains formed as an uplifted belt above the toe of the continental mass overlying the subducting slab west of the Japan-Kurile Trenches. Further complications involve a history of submarine canyon erosion, wrench faulting, volcanic activity, and rapid uplift and subsidence with consequent complex sedimentation. Gravity, magnetics, seismic, well, and petrophysics information were integrated in order to interpret this area. Several localities in and near Australia are described where an interpretation using plate tectonics concepts is indicated.
- Research Organization:
- Al Sabitay Consultants, Perth, Australia
- OSTI ID:
- 5164159
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8608105-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 70:7; Conference: 4. circum-Pacific energy and mineral resource conference, Singapore, China, 17 Aug 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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