M. Talebian; M. Ghorashi; E. Kosari
Abstract
On 1-12 December 2017 three earthquakes (Mw 5.9 -6.1) shake Hojedk region in Kerman province. We used satellite images, radar interferometry and field investigation to examine the sourceprocesses of these earthquakes in south–central Iran. The epicenter of first two events located near northern ...
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On 1-12 December 2017 three earthquakes (Mw 5.9 -6.1) shake Hojedk region in Kerman province. We used satellite images, radar interferometry and field investigation to examine the sourceprocesses of these earthquakes in south–central Iran. The epicenter of first two events located near northern boundary of the Miankuh, a major topographic feature of the region. No surface rupture has been seen with these events and InSAR results show semi symmetric uplift of the region. Therefore, two scenarios of faulting with dip to the SW or NE are possible. Epicenter of the third event located further north within the alluvial plane. Evidence for coseismic surface rupture associated with this event was first observed on Sentinel satellite image and InSAR analysis. It was then confirmed by field investigation. The event produced a coseismic scarps with more than 1 m vertical displacement over a total distance of∼6 km, along a fault with reverse mechanism and dip to the SW. Any signs of earlier coseismic ruptures along this fault had been obliterated by the time of the 2017 earthquake, probably by occasional flash floods, so that the fault could not been identified beforehand. However, there is evidence of young alluvial offsets further to the NW along strike of the fault, suggesting existence of active structures in the region. Reactivation of blind faults have caused other major earthquakes such as 1978 Mw 7.4 Tabas, 2003 Mw 6.6 Bam, and 2017 Mw 7.3 Sarpol Zahab earthquakes in the past. The Hojedk earthquakes remind us about importance of recognizing and studying blind faults, especially if they are close to population centers.
E. Kosari; A. Bahroudi; M. Talebian; A. Chehrazi
Abstract
One of the essential studies in exploration, exploitation and development of hydrocarbon fields is to evaluate the fault and fracture systems and the role that they can play in reservoir quality and geometry. If the hydrocarbon reservoir is a fractured carbonate reservoir, assessing the mentioned properties ...
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One of the essential studies in exploration, exploitation and development of hydrocarbon fields is to evaluate the fault and fracture systems and the role that they can play in reservoir quality and geometry. If the hydrocarbon reservoir is a fractured carbonate reservoir, assessing the mentioned properties is of great importance. Assessment of the structures should be done simultaneously because of their close relations, and the their probable genesis connection should be revealed. In this research, subsurface data including 2D seismic profiles, underground contour maps and FMI log and eventually analogue modeling have been used for evaluation of probable scenarios explaining formation of faults and fractures. The studied area is located at the front of Zagros deformation belt and the Zagros stresses have apparently not affected it. Two sets of faults of different geometry and role have been detected; the first reverse set (N-S trending) was apparently controller of the reservoir geometry in the structure; the second normal set (NW-SE trending) are most likely causative of the main fractures in the field. It is likely that positive inversion tectonic of the basin led to the development of this field in form of a pop-up structure. Based on the interpretations, the internal normal faults have been formed probably by the rise of Hormuz salt or by local stretching due to left-lateral component of the boundary reverse faults. Using interpretation of drilling-induced fractures and break-outs derived from FMI, trends of the Shmax and Shmin are determined. Also it was revealed that the natural fractures and the main set 2 of faults are sub-parallel with the fractures induced by drilling. Therefore, the compatibility between trends of the natural fractures, breakouts and local normal faults can suggest a tectonic origin for the natural fractures.
