Detailed seismic stratigraphic analysis of 2D seismic data over the Faroe-Shetland Escarpment has identi¢ed 13 seismic re£ection units that record lava-fed delta deposition during discrete periods of volcanism. Deposition was dominated by progradation, during which the time shoreline migrated a maximum distance of $44 km in an ESE direction. Localised collapse of the delta front followed the end of progradation, as a decrease in volcanic activity left the delta unstable. Comparison with modern lavafed delta systems on Hawaii suggests that syn-volcanic subsidence is a potential mechanism for apparent relative sea level rise and creation of new accommodation space during lava-fed delta deposition. After the main phase of progradation, retrogradation of the delta occurred during a basinwide syn-volcanic relative sea level rise where the shoreline migrated a maximum distance of $75 km in a NNW direction. This rise in relative sea level was of the order of 175^200 m, and was followed by the progradation of smaller, perched lava-fed deltas into the newly created accommodation space. Active delta deposition and the emplacement of lava £ows feeding the delta front lasted $2600 years, although the total duration of the lava-fed delta system, including pauses between eruptions, may have been much longer.
Igneous sills can facilitate significant lateral magma transport in the crust, therefore it is important to constrain controls on their formation and propagation. Close spatial association between sills and dikes in layered (sedimentary) host rocks has led to a number of sill emplacement mechanisms that involve stress rotation related to layering; from horizontal extension and dike emplacement, to horizontal compression and sill emplacement. Here we use field observations in the San Rafael subvolcanic field (Utah, USA), on the Colorado Plateau, supported by mechanical modelling, to show that layering is not the dominant control in all cases of sill formation. We found no compelling evidence of large sills fed by dikes; all observed cases show that either dikes cut sills, or vice versa. Local sill contacts activate and follow host layer interfaces, but regionally, sills cut the stratigraphy at a low angle. The sills cut and are cut by reverse faults (1-3 m
Spectral decomposition analyses seismic reflectivity data in the frequency domain, providing images of the subsurface that complement conventional seismic interpretation. It is a highly visual tool that allows additional value to be extracted from seismic data, to aid in the identification of geological information and to be used in conjunction with more traditional methods such as amplitude extraction and attribute analysis. The methods of spectral decomposition chosen utilized a top reservoir seismic reflection surface, with the selected dominant frequency volumes coloured and recombined in a spatial context to produce various red–green–blue (RGB) blends. Application of spectral decomposition to the Laggan and Tormore fields revealed the varied distribution of turbiditic sands, as well as extensive east–west faults that have previously been inferred from seismic reflection data. These enhanced images of the reservoir provide a more detailed interpretation of the field architecture and have been captured in DONG E&P UK Ltd's own fault and reservoir models, leading to a greater understanding of potential field development outcomes and future well placement decisions. Attempts to distinguish hydrocarbon effects using spectral decomposition proved difficult, although interesting frequency variations around a known gas–oil contact (GOC) were noted.
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