Detachment tectonics in Sadlerochit and Shublik mountains and applications for exploration beneath Coastal Plain, Arctic National Wildlife Range, Alaska
Preliminary field investigations suggest three detachments in the Sadlerochit and Shublik Mountains: (1) the Kingak Shale, (2) along the pre-Mississippian unconformity, and (3) within the pre-Mississippian basement. Thrust faults that cut the overlying Mississippian and younger section have horizontal displacements of 5-8 km and emplace pre-Mississippian rocks on Cretaceous strata. A large number of smaller thrust faults, responsible for deformation of the pre-Mississippian surface contribute to shortening. Structures involving the pre-Mississippian section trend east-west whereas earlier formed structures related to the Kingak Shale decollement trend east-northeast-to west-southwest. Possible exploration leads beneath the coastal plain include: (1) large, broad, basement involved structural culminations that may have subtle seismic expressions and (2) pre-Mississippian potential reservoirs thrust over Cretaceous source beds. Possible applications for regional seismic interpretation include: (1) a means of discriminating basement-involved structures from preexisting basement-detached structures and (2) suggestion that two broadly different structural patterns exist under the coastal plain.
- Research Organization:
- Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK
- OSTI ID:
- 6131783
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8505215-
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 69:4; ISSN AAPGB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ALASKA
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
EXPLORATION
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
MISSISSIPPIAN PERIOD
NORTH AMERICA
PALEOZOIC ERA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
SOURCE ROCKS
TECTONICS
USA