Variation of faulting on coastal salt basin diapiric structures
Many of the major growth faults affecting diapiric structures originate in the upper continental slope environment. They flank the diapiric ridges and massifs that subsequently segment into individual diapiric structures as continental shelf deposition commences. Upper slope sand depocenters are often associated with these faults and some of these growth faults remain active as continental shelf and alluvial plain deposition continues. Other faults are buried and become inactive. The resulting fault patterns vary with respect to the type of diapiric structure on which they occur Diapiric structures can be conveniently classified by the diapir-objective section relationship: Penetrant diapirs-pierce the entire objective section plus much or all of the overlying nonobjective alluvial strata. Many still active and unburied. Semipenetrant diapirs-pierce part but not all of the objective section, arching the shallower overlying beds. Buried and inactive. Nonpenetrant diapirs-buried in upper slope shales beneath the base of the arched objective section. Inactive. Fault patterns on Coastal Salt Basin diapiric structures fall into three basic classes: Single or multiple offset-one or more semiparallel faults downthrown in the same direction. Compensated-two or more semiparallel faults downthrown in opposite directions, forming grabens or horsts. Crossed offset-two or more faults in crossed orientation. Over 200 diapiric structures in the Coastal Salt Basin were analyzed for fault type, orientation, and pattern. These data should be useful to salt dome workers interested in diapir/diapiric structure development and/or in origination of drilling prospects on both mature and undeveloped salt domes.
- OSTI ID:
- 5968155
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9010204--
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA) Vol. 74:9; ISSN AABUD; ISSN 0149-1423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
CLAYS
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
CONTINENTAL SLOPE
DEPOSITION
EXPLORATION
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
LOUISIANA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SALT DEPOSITS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
TEXAS
USA