Geometry and 3D seismic characterisation of post-rift normal faults in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea
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Abstract: Based on high-resolution 3D seismic data acquired in the Pearl (Zhujiang) River Mouth Basin of the northern South China Sea, this study investigated the geometry, spatial extension, and throw distribution of the post-rift normal fault through detailed seismic interpretation and fault modeling. A total of 289 post-rift normal faults were identified in the study area and can be classified into four types: (1) isolated normal faults above the carbonate platform; (2) isolated normal faults cutting through the carbonate platform; (3) conjugate normal faults, and (4) connecting normal faults. Throw distribution analysis on the fault planes show that the vertical throw profiles of most normal fault exhibit flat-topped profiles. Isolated normal faults above the carbonate platform exhibit roughly concentric ellipses with maximum throw zones in the central section whereas the normal faults cutting through the carbonate platform miss the lowermost section due to the chaotic seismic reflections in the interior of the carbonate platform. The vertical throws of conjugate normal faults anomalously decrease toward their intersection region on the fault plane whereas the connecting normal faults present two maximum throw zones in the central section of the fault plane. According to the symmetric elliptical distribution model of fault throw, an estimation was made indicating that normal faults cutting through the carbonate platform extended downward between −1 308 s and −1 780 s (two-way travel time) in depth and may not penetrate the entire Liuhua carbonate platform. Moreover, it is observed that the distribution of karst caves on the top of the carbonate platform disaccord with those of hydrocarbon reservoirs and the post-rift normal faults cutting through the carbonate platform in the study area. We propose that these karst caves formed most probably by corrosive fluids derived from magmatic activities during the Dongsha event, rather than pore waters or hydrocarbons.
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Key words:
- Post-rift normal faults /
- fault throw /
- Karst caves /
- Corrosive fluids /
- Pearl River Mouth Basin /
- South China Sea
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Figure 1. Structural units in the Pearl River Mouth Basin (modified from Wu et al., 2014) (a); distribution of normal faults around the study area (modified from Li et al., 2004 and Hu, 2016) (b). The yellow area marks the location of the 3D seismic data used in this study. NFT: Northern Fault Terrace; Zhu ⅠD : Zhu Ⅰ Depression; Zhu Ⅱ D: Zhu Ⅱ Depression; Zhu Ⅲ D: Zhu Ⅲ Depression; SHASR: Shenhu-Ansha Rise; PYS: Panyu Swell; DSR: Dongsha Rise; CSD: Chaoshan Depression; SR: Southern Rise.
Figure 2. Cenozoic stratigraphic column with formations, main seismic reflections, and tectonic events of the Pearl River(Zhujiang) Mouth Basin (modified from Wu et al., 2014 and Gao et al., 2015).
Figure 3. Geometric aspects of a normal fault. a. Cross section of a normal fault. b. Corresponding T-z plots showing variations of the vertical throw from shallow to deep (modified from Hu et al., 2021). c and d. Ideal elliptical distribution model of a normal fault displaying distribution of vertical throws on the fault plane (modified from Fossen et al., 2016). Zi represents the top depth of a sedimentary layer located at the footwall of a normal fault. Ti represents the vertical throw at each sedimentary layer. The T-z plots show the relationship between Zi and Ti.
Figure 4. Coherent variance time-slice at 1199 ms (TWT) showing that distributions of normal faults and karst caves (a), 3D spatial distribution of post-rift normal faults and the contours of Reflector T40 (b), the rose map showing the predominant NWW−SEE and E−W orientation of the normal faults interpreted in b. c, and d. Interpreted seismic profile crosses the study area highlighting the normal faults, seismic stratigraphic units, and seismic characteristics of carbonate platform.
Figure 6. 3D spatial distribution (a), continuous seismic profiles (b), and throw distribution (c, d) of fault 17. Fig. 6a illustrates relationship between the normal fault and top of carbonate platform. Fig. 6b shows the extended variation of fault 17 from shallow to deep on continuous seismic profiles. Fig. 6c presents the T-z plots every 10 cross-lines. Fig. 6d shows vertical throw contours based on the Fig. 6c. Throw contours are spaced every 3 ms (TWT). Greater displacement values (>9 ms TWT) are indicated as dark colours.
Figure 7. 3D spatial distribution (a), continuous seismic profiles (b), and throw distribution (c, d) of fault 19. Fig. 7a illustrates relationship between the normal fault and top of carbonate platform. Fig. 7b shows the extended variation of fault 19 from shallow to deep on continuous seismic profiles. Fig. 7c presents the T-z plots every 10 cross-lines. Fig. 7d shows vertical throw contours based on the Fig. 7c. Throw contours are spaced every 3 ms (TWT). Greater displacement values (>12 ms TWT) are indicated as dark colours.
Figure 8. 3D spatial distribution (a), throw distribution (b, c), and continuous seismic profiles (d) of fault 276. Fig. 8a illustrates fault 276 conjugates with another normal fault. Fig. 8b presents the T-z plots every 10 cross-lines. Fig. 8c shows vertical throw contours based on the Fig. 8b. Fig. 8d shows the extended variation of fault 276 from shallow to deep on continuous seismic profiles. Throw contours are spaced every 3 ms (TWT). Greater displacement values (>9 ms TWT) are indicated as dark colours.
Figure 9. 3D spatial distribution (a), continuous seismic profiles (b), and throw distribution (c, d) of fault 13. Fig. 9b shows the extended variation of fault 13 from shallow to deep on continuous seismic profiles. Fig. 9c presents the T-z plots every 10 cross-lines. Fig. 9d shows vertical throw contours based on the Fig. 9c, which two maximum throw zones in the central section on the fault plane. Throw contours are spaced every 3 ms (TWT). Greater displacement values (>9 ms TWT) are indicated as dark colours.
Figure 13. Distribution (translucent grass green region) of oil and gas accumulation area in the study area (modified from Chai, 2014) (a). Green arrows indicate the migration direction of oil and gas. Extents of late Cenozoic and late Miocene magmatic activities in the Liuhua area (modified from Yan et al., 2006 and Zhao et al., 2021) (b).
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