Diagenetically induced shear failure of fine-grained sediments and the development of polygonal fault systems

Cartwright, Joseph Albert

doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2011.06.004

Cited by 169 publications

(181 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…Changes in the deep current system and/or of the supplied sediment can create changes in the impedance contrast, which yields higher amplitude reflectors like these. The faults observed within the high-reflection band surrounding R5 bear analogy to diagenetically induced polygonal fault system due to their swarm-like and apparently layer-bound appearance (Cartwright, 2011). However, diagenetic processes and their typical polygonal planform geometry (Cartwright, 2011) cannot be confirmed due to the lack of geological information and seismic 3-D data.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The faults observed within the high-reflection band surrounding R5 bear analogy to diagenetically induced polygonal fault system due to their swarm-like and apparently layer-bound appearance (Cartwright, 2011). However, diagenetic processes and their typical polygonal planform geometry (Cartwright, 2011) cannot be confirmed due to the lack of geological information and seismic 3-D data. Fluids moving within the sediment, possibly initiated by changing sedimentation rates, or varying current strength and directions, may also cause these vertical to sub-vertical small-scale faults.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A revised Early Miocene age for the instigation of the Eirik Drift, offshore southern Greenland: Evidence from high-resolution seismic reflection data

2013

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

A revised Early Miocene age for the instigation of the Eirik Drift, offshore southern Greenland: Evidence from high-resolution seismic reflection data

2013

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“…The overall vertical arrangement of the PFS is very similar to that defined as a 'complex tier' showing multiple faults orders by Cartwright (2011 and Fig. 1 therein).…”

Section: Stratigraphy and The Vertical Distribution Of The Polygonal mentioning

confidence: 65%

Secondary rock structures and the regional hydrogeology of claystone-rich cretaceous strata, Williston Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada

Szmigielski

Hendry

2017

Can. J. Earth Sci.

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The geometry and spatial distribution of a polygonal fault system (PFS) and collapse features within Cretaceous strata (predominantly mudstones and claystones) were investigated using three high-resolution three-dimensional seismic datasets of the Williston Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada. Mapping of the planform geometry and fault throw distributions (throw–depth (T–z) profiling) shows that the PFS present in the Colorado Group and Pierre Fm has a vertical extent of 200–330 m. Variation in the lateral planform geometry is attributed to the relative rates of stress accumulation during early development of the planar faults and is constrained using sequence stratigraphic principles. The mean fault dip is 60° ± 12° (number of measurements, n = 225). The T–z profiles appear as partial C-type profiles, demonstrating that at least half of the total height of the PFS was removed during post-Cretaceous erosion. The presence of polygonal faults in equivalent strata of the Western Interior Sedimentary Basin (WISB) suggests the PFS described in the current study (1510 km2) may be present across the WISB. Collapse features, formed in response to dissolution cavities within underlying strata, crosscut the entire Cretaceous sequence and are subcircular in plan view with typical diameters of 350–450 m. These features are present in each of the datasets at a rate of 0.02–0.11 collapses/km2. The prevalence of collapses in areas where faults display modified throw distributions may suggest post-Cretaceous fault reactivation associated with Pleistocene glacial periods. Although these secondary rock structures likely affect groundwater and solute transport at the basin scale, the impact remains to be determined.

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“…There is little evidence for a mechanical explanation for this distribution of upper tips because the whole of the Tertiary succession is composed of claystone. It is thus more likely that the upper tier surface defines a palaeo-seabed at which upper tips arrested and ceased vertical propagation (CARTWRIGHT, 2011;BERNDT et al, 2012;CARRUTHERS et al, 2013). We consider this to be likely also for the Lower Congo PF tier and propose that faulting ceased at the end of Pliocene before the phase of fluid flow that formed overlying linear shallow depressions and chimneys.…”

Section: Timing Of Fluid Flow Relative To Faultingmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Despite this fault pattern variation they show all the major characteristics of the 'polygonal faults' referenced in CARTWRIGHT (2011), however the exact mechanism of formation of these faults is still a matter of much debate (cf. GOULTY, 2008;CARTWRIGHT, 2011) but is beyond the scope of this paper.…”

Section: Map View Geometry Of Chimneys and Pfsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the permeability of polygonal faults from their intersection geometries with Linear Chimneys: a case study from the Lower Congo Basin

Ho¹,

Carruthers²,

Imbert³

2016

Carnets Geol.

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Layer-bound arrays of polygonal compaction faults have long been considered as important migration routes for hydrocarbon fluids leaking to the surface across thick shale sequences. A classic example is the deep offshore of the Lower Congo Basin where numerous fluid-venting structures are present above a Pliocene polygonal fault system. In this paper we present a detailed seismic analysis of a newly recognised system of Quaternary-aged Linear Chimneys and their intersection geometries with pre-existing Pliocene-aged polygonal faults (PF). Most (73%) of the 209 chimneys analysed intersect the lower portions of polygonal faults and almost half of these are rooted in strata below the PF interval. This indicates that fluid (in this case gas) migrated vertically, cross-cutting polygonal faults as it ascended through the tier. This is a strong indicator that PFs did not provide viable migration pathways otherwise chimneys would terminate at the upper tip of the fault, which would be the most likely migration exit point. Only twice in the whole system of Linear Venting Systems did this occur. A sub-set of chimneys stems from or above PF planes but these are restricted to either the lower footwall or from the apex area of hanging wall. At best they are evidence of fluids migrating up the lower part of polygonal faults and exiting deep within the tier, then migrating through most of the tier in their own vertical leakage vents. These results provide strong indicators that at least within this part of the Lower Congo Basin polygonal faults were the least effective/favoured migration pathway and that it was more energy-efficient for migrating gas to hydrofracture its fine-grained overburden than to re-open polygonal faults.Key Words: Linear chimneys; hydrocarbon; polygonal faults (PFs); permeability; methane-related carbonates; Lower Congo Basin; Angola. Résumé : La perméabilité des failles polygonales déduite de la géométrie de leurs intersections avec des cheminées linéaires : une étude de cas dans le bassin du Bas-Congo.-Les réseaux de "failles polygonales" (failles de compaction restreintes à un intervalle stratigraphique) ont été longtemps considérés comme d'importants chemins pour la migration vers la surface des hydrocarbures à travers d'épaisses séries argileuses. Un exemple classique est fourni par l'offshore profond du bassin du Bas-Congo où de nombreuses structures d'échappement de fluides sont présentes au-dessus d'un système de failles polygonales affectant l'intervalle pliocène. Ce papier présente l'analyse sismique détaillée d'un système récemment reconnu de cheminées linéaires d'âge quaternaire, ainsi que de la géométrie de leurs intersections avec des failles polygonales pliocènes (donc préexistantes). La plupart (73 %) des 209 cheminées analysées recoupent le mur des failles polygonales, et près de la moitié d'entre elles s'enracinent dans l'intervalle sous-jacent à l'intervalle faillé. Cette disposition indique que le fluide (gaz en l'occurrence) a migré verticalement, recoupant les failles pol...

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Diagenetically induced shear failure of fine-grained sediments and the development of polygonal fault systems

Cited by 169 publications

References 85 publications

A revised Early Miocene age for the instigation of the Eirik Drift, offshore southern Greenland: Evidence from high-resolution seismic reflection data

A revised Early Miocene age for the instigation of the Eirik Drift, offshore southern Greenland: Evidence from high-resolution seismic reflection data

Secondary rock structures and the regional hydrogeology of claystone-rich cretaceous strata, Williston Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada

Insights into the permeability of polygonal faults from their intersection geometries with Linear Chimneys: a case study from the Lower Congo Basin

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