Tectonics
ahmad lashgari; magmodreza Hayhat; mohammd mahdi khatib; Mahdi Najafi; Jaume Verges
Abstract
Determining the geometry and folding mechanism in Dezful embayment in the southwest of Iran due to the inclusion of a large amount of Iran's hydrocarbon reserves, also its role in the process of structural evolution of Zagros fold- belt, is important. In present study, structural evolution of Jarik anticline ...
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Determining the geometry and folding mechanism in Dezful embayment in the southwest of Iran due to the inclusion of a large amount of Iran's hydrocarbon reserves, also its role in the process of structural evolution of Zagros fold- belt, is important. In present study, structural evolution of Jarik anticline in the northwest of Dezful embayment have been studied based on 3D seismic data, drilling data that has been provided National Iranian Oil Company remote sensing, and the field observations. According to the provided structural cross sections, geometric variations of Jarik anticline across and along the anticline axis, has been investigated. Gachsaran formation as an upper detachment horizon, causes geometric and structural changes along the anticline axis. It seems that, in the nose of anticline, occurred the detachment folding mechanism associated with concentric geometry. And in the middle section of the anticline,that folding process is more advanced, faulted detachment folding mechanism has acted.
E Tavakolian; A Yassaghi
Abstract
The Zagros fold-thrust belt has been cut out by various transverse faults with segments displaying en-echelon pattern. Depending on the type of overlapping and fault mechanisms, restraining and releasing zones have been developed between these en-echelon segments. The NW-trending dextral Sabzpushan fault ...
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The Zagros fold-thrust belt has been cut out by various transverse faults with segments displaying en-echelon pattern. Depending on the type of overlapping and fault mechanisms, restraining and releasing zones have been developed between these en-echelon segments. The NW-trending dextral Sabzpushan fault is one of these transverse strike-slip faults located in the Fars province of the Zagros belt. Since the Sabzpushan fault zone consists of several en-echelon segments of clockwise pattern, restraining zones have been generated between them. One of these restraining zones is developed on the NW nose of the Chaghal anticline. Detailed field studies and interpretation of satellite images resulted in identification of several dextral en-echelon faults in the western part of the Chaghal anticline. This fault zone consists of two en-echelon faults called Qir and Harm. Different kinds of structures such as dextral faults with reverse component, thrust faults, minor duplexes and young minor folds were mapped in these restraining zones. These structural assemblages are similar to those that are developed in the restraining zones produced in physical models of en-echelon strike-slip faults. In addition, similar restraining zones which are also observed across the Ghol Ghol and Sefidar anticlines to the south and north of the Chaghal anticline, respectively, are attributed to other en-echelon segments of clockwise array along the Sabzpushan fault zone. These dextral en-echelon faults along the Sabzpushan fault, which are interpreted as surface ruptures in the sedimentary cover with basal detachment zone, formed as a result of the activity of Sabzpushan fault in the basement.
M Najafi; A Yassaghi; A Bahroudi; SH Sherkati; J Vergés
Abstract
The long-lived Fars paleo-high, located in SE Zagros Mountains is a prolific hydrocarbon province as it contains 15% of the world’s proven gas reserves. Subsurface data sets acquired during the recent hydrocarbon exploration in the region indicated fold style variation and structural complexity ...
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The long-lived Fars paleo-high, located in SE Zagros Mountains is a prolific hydrocarbon province as it contains 15% of the world’s proven gas reserves. Subsurface data sets acquired during the recent hydrocarbon exploration in the region indicated fold style variation and structural complexity deep in the sedimentary cover, understanding of which is essential for petroleum system modelling and selection of new targets for gas at depth. In order to analyse the fold style in Fars paleo-high, this study presents a new regional balanced cross-section with a length of ~130 km and a depth of 12 km, across the Fars paleo-high. The section was constructed using seismic profiles, exploration wells and field data. The results show that variation of fold style happens in accordance to variation in mechanical properties of rock units across the Fars paleo-high, as well as from surface down to the depth of sedimentary cover. Detachment folding, followed by limb thrusting, which happens above 8-12 km below sea level, is the main deformation mechanism of sedimentary cover. In the middle of sedimentary cover, however, tectonically over-thickened Triassic evaporitic rocks efficiently decouple the geometry of post Triassic succession with respect to the underlying Permo-Triassic reservoir carbonates. Restoration and balancing of the regional cross-section indicated 20% of shortening across the Fars Paleo-high, accommodated by folding and thrusting. Abrupt change in the level of synclines accompanied with trends of seismicity and linear exposure of old geological units, proposes involvement of at least two main basement reverse faults in the deformation of cover sequence.
A Faghih; A Jamshidi; A Nohegar
Abstract
The existence of lateral propagation of folds above blind reverse faults is an important hypothesis and is generally accepted. In this research, the growth pattern of active folds (e.g., Herang and Kuh-e-Namaki anticlines) in the Fars Arc located in the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt is investigated from tectonic ...
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The existence of lateral propagation of folds above blind reverse faults is an important hypothesis and is generally accepted. In this research, the growth pattern of active folds (e.g., Herang and Kuh-e-Namaki anticlines) in the Fars Arc located in the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt is investigated from tectonic geomorphology point of view. The main goal of this research is to use geomorphometric indices such as drainage pattern, drainage density, drainage basin asymmetry factor and stream length-gradient to determine direction of lateral fold growth with a special focus on the process of linkage of several different fold segments. Geomorphological studies show that some folds in the Zagros did not develop from a single embryonic fold but by lateral linkage of several different fold segments. The linkage type (linear or en-echelon linkage) of different fold segments depends on the alignment of the initial embryonic folds. Investigation of geomorphometric indices in the study area shows that the Herang anticline resulted from lateral growth and en-echelon linkage of three embryonic folds while the Kuh-e-Namaki anticline resulted from linear growth of a single embryonic fold and cannot be considered as a result of linkage of several different segments.
N Sahabi-Fard; A Yassaghi; M.G Hassan-Goodarzi
Abstract
Zagros fold-thrust belt has been crossed by different transverse faults with NNW-SSE trend and dextral mechanism. These faults often show en-echelon geometries on the surface because of presence of detachment layers at base and within the cover sequence. The Karehbas fault is one these faults located ...
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Zagros fold-thrust belt has been crossed by different transverse faults with NNW-SSE trend and dextral mechanism. These faults often show en-echelon geometries on the surface because of presence of detachment layers at base and within the cover sequence. The Karehbas fault is one these faults located in Fars province about 65 km to the east of the Kazerun Fault zone. Presence of the Hormoz salt as a basal detachment and ductile horizons within the sedimentary cover have caused the fault to appear on the surface as several north-northwest-trending en echelon segments. At least six segemnts have been recognized in northern and southern parts of the Karehbas fault. In this study two southern segments, the Mengharak and Kalagh segments of the Karehbas fault zone to the south of Firuzabad are introduced and their mechanism are analyzed. Riddle and anti-riddle faults and drag folds and terminations are used to analyze the dextral kinematic for both segments. These strike-slip fault segments terminate in thrusts that are sub-parallel to the regional the Surmeh and Kalagh thrusts in the south. These fault terminations are in the hanging-wall of the Surmeh and Kalagh thrusts, and expose formations that are older than those in the hanging-wall of the latter thrusts. Therefore, the Mengharak and Kalagh segments introduced in this study have strike-slip mechanism, and according to this mechanism, their geometry and their structural position in continuation of the northern and central segments of the Karehbas fault, they are introduced as the southern segments of the Karehbas fault . Based on the thrusting of the Asmari Formation over the Bakhtiari Formation in the positive flower structure along the Mengharak segment, the minimum amount of displacement on these fault segments are evaluated equal to the thickness of the Mishan Formation.
S Rezaei; A Yassaghi
Abstract
The aspect ratio of folds is among the most important parameters indicating geometrical features of folds. Based on the aspect ratio, folds are categorized into two groups of buckle and forced folds. The NW-SE trending Qitoleh anticline, which is located in NW of the Lurestan structural subzone and in ...
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The aspect ratio of folds is among the most important parameters indicating geometrical features of folds. Based on the aspect ratio, folds are categorized into two groups of buckle and forced folds. The NW-SE trending Qitoleh anticline, which is located in NW of the Lurestan structural subzone and in the vicinity of the High Zagros Fault, has unique structural characteristics that make it different from other folds in the Zagros Folded Belt. In rock units older than Cretaceous, the anticline consists of four en-echelon buckle folds whereas shows high aspect ratio and forced fold geometry in Tertiary units. Such a variation in the fold style from the surface down to the depth is interpreted as the imposed influence of the High Zagros Fault on intermediate detachment horizons. Such a fold style, which is also observed in other anticlines neighboring the SE part of High Zagros Fault, can be used as a model to interpret similar folds adjacent to the major reverse basement faults in other parts of the Zagros belt.
H Hajialibeigi; S.A Alavi; J Eftekharnezhad; M Mokhtari; M.H Adabi
Abstract
The Kaseh Mast anticline located in the south of the Lurestan zone, is one of the small-scale anticlines in the Lurestan (in north) and the Dezful Embayment (in south) zones in the Zagros fold-thrust belt. This anticline and the adjacent anticlines are affected by the Balarud blind thrust fault zone, ...
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The Kaseh Mast anticline located in the south of the Lurestan zone, is one of the small-scale anticlines in the Lurestan (in north) and the Dezful Embayment (in south) zones in the Zagros fold-thrust belt. This anticline and the adjacent anticlines are affected by the Balarud blind thrust fault zone, which is a part of the Mountain Front Fault. The Mountain Front Fault is a major topographic front that be traced along the Zagros fold-thrust belt in the Izeh, Fars, Lurestan and Dezful Embayment. The field observations and geometric analysis indicated that the axial trend of the Kaseh Mast anticline has been changed and shows asymmetrical, noncylindrical and disharmonic fold, with vergence to southwest. The class of folding is 1C subclass of Ramsay's classification. To determine the geometry of the fold the termsof open for tightness, wide for aspect ratio and subrounded for relative curvature are suggested. In addition, this anticline is analyzed by using of geometrical models. Basically, this model allows quantitatively predicting the Balarud blind thrust fault zone trajectory and displacement from the geometric characteristics of this anticline. The comparison of the anticline with the theoretical fault-related folding models suggests the Kaseh Mast anticline as an Asymmetrical Detachment Fold that is affected by the Balarud fault zone. It is probable that the folding process of the Kaseh Mast anticline is in early states of the formation of a detachment fold. However, the folding mechanism of the adjacent anticlines is fault-propagation folding. The changing of the folding mechanisms of this anticline and the adjacent anticlines from detachment (in Kaseh Mast anticline) to fault-propagation folding (in the Siah Kuh and Chenareh anticlines) is probably referred to several parameters. These include the effect of thrust, the position of the Kaseh Mast anticline in Zagros fold-thrust belt, the distance of the anticlines related to the Balarud fault zone and the potentiality of the changing of the folding mechanisms of triple fault-related folding to each other.
M Najafi; A Yassaghi; A Bahroudi
Abstract
Mechanical characterizations of sedimentary cover, especially presence of ductile rock units is a major controlling parameter on deformation style within fold and thrust belts. Interpretation of seismic profiles as well as scaled analogue modeling allows us to determine the influence of ductile levels ...
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Mechanical characterizations of sedimentary cover, especially presence of ductile rock units is a major controlling parameter on deformation style within fold and thrust belts. Interpretation of seismic profiles as well as scaled analogue modeling allows us to determine the influence of ductile levels on structural style in the Central Zagros folded belt. Seismic interpretation indicates that the Miocene Gachsaran Formation forms a major median detachment level decoupling fold geometry in surface structures from Pre-Miocene units below it. In addition, the Infra-Cambrian Hormoz salt or equivalents decouple the folded sedimentary cover from basement. To evaluate the significance of multiple detachment levels, a scaled analogue model was set. Two layers of silicon putty, with thicknesses equal to 15% of total cover thickness, were placed at the base and in the middle of sedimentary cover. The rest of the sedimentary cover was simulated using dry loose sand. The result of modeling supports seismic interpretation of the Central Zagros proposing that thick middle detachment layer totally decouples structural style at surface from depth. However, the open synclines with long wavelength and low angle thrusting are developed at surficial levels, and duplex thrust systems are formed between two detachment levels. Therefore, the role of ductile detachment levels should be obtained before exploring deep hydrocarbon targets in the Zagros fold belt.
A. Yassaghi; H. Narimani; M. Gh. Hasan goodarzi
Abstract
Structures in fold-thrust belts such as Zagros which are developing mainly along the belt strike often terminate at the transverse structures. The Zagros Mountain Front Fault has cut and displace at different parts by transverse structures. At Dowgonbadan area this fault is intersected by the Kharg-Mish ...
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Structures in fold-thrust belts such as Zagros which are developing mainly along the belt strike often terminate at the transverse structures. The Zagros Mountain Front Fault has cut and displace at different parts by transverse structures. At Dowgonbadan area this fault is intersected by the Kharg-Mish transverse structure. The Mish anticline has transported fault propagation geometry and located on hanging wall of the Mountain front fault. The anticline plunges and rotates when it reaches to the Kharg-Mish transverse fault to the west. In the fault footwall, however, the Dil, Pahn, Sarab and Jafarabad anticlines have rounded geometry and low amplitude show characteristics of the Dezful Embayment zone folds. The Dil and Pahn anticlines with bifurcate geometry and outcrop of Asmari Formation develop parallel to the frontal ramp strike and show footwall anticlines that propagated from the frontal ramp at Dashtak formation as delay structures with respect to the hanging wall structures. The Kharg-Mish fault identify as a lateral ramp on the surface by termination of longitudinal structures and at the depth with thickness and facies changes of the Ilam Formation. The structural characteristics of the Dowghonbadan area in the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt are analyzed as the interaction of the Mountain Front fault and the Kharg-Mish transverse fault as the frontal and lateral ramps, respectively.
A. Aflatounian; A. Yassaghi; A.H. Ahmadnia
Abstract
Soltan anticline is located in northwest of the Zagros fold-thrust belt in the LorestanProvince. Geometric and kinematic analyses of the anticline have been carried out to estimate the closure of the Dehram Group in order to evaluate its potential for gas reservoirs. Geometric ...
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Soltan anticline is located in northwest of the Zagros fold-thrust belt in the LorestanProvince. Geometric and kinematic analyses of the anticline have been carried out to estimate the closure of the Dehram Group in order to evaluate its potential for gas reservoirs. Geometric analyses of the Soltan anticline indicate that the fold geometry is rather similar to that of the Trishear type of fault propagation folds. However, considering the competency contrasts between various rock units in the anticline that control the fold’s geometry, together with the rounded and relatively wide outline of the anticline at surface, the Soltan anticline can also be compared to faulted detachment folds that hold the same geometry as the fault propagation folds. On the other hand, the very low values of finite strain measured on clastic rocks collected from the anticline and its typical smaller scale fold constraint, and the low values of the layer parallel shortening are comparable to the kinematics of fault propagation folds. Based on the data from the geometric and kinematic analyses, seven structural cross sections across the anticline are drawn, and using the cross sections, a structural contour map and a 3D model for Dehram Group are constructed. The calculated values for the anticline closure prohibits this structure as an appropriate host to gas reservoirs, unless the Soltan anticline is connected to the adjacent, Rit, anticline.