Tectonics
Reza Alipoor; Ali Jahangiri; Zahra Ghasemi
Abstract
The Ghalajeh anticline with about 60 km length and NW-SE trend is located in Lurestan sub-zone and the Zagros fold and thrust belt. Geometry and kinematic of the folds of this zone are controlled by thrust faults and detachment levels. In this research, geometry and deformational style analysis of the ...
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The Ghalajeh anticline with about 60 km length and NW-SE trend is located in Lurestan sub-zone and the Zagros fold and thrust belt. Geometry and kinematic of the folds of this zone are controlled by thrust faults and detachment levels. In this research, geometry and deformational style analysis of the Ghalajeh anticline and the role of the detachment levels on folding style have been investigated interpreting well data and construction of three cross-sections and calculation of geometric parameters. The structure of this anticline is affected by two detachment levels, which include the Pabdeh and Garu formations as the upper and middle detachment levels. Detachment levels and deep-seated and surface thrust faults in the southwestern limb affected the folding geometry and have caused the high thickness of the middle detachment level and inversion of the southern limb which waning southwestern part of the anticline, and the dip of the layers are normal which in turn caused fracturing. Analysis of geometrical parameter along the Ghalajeh anticline indicate that this anticline is an asymmetrical, cylindrical fold is an open half-angle round fold.
M Baghernejhad; M.R Ghassemi; B Oveisi
Abstract
There is a close relationship between resistance to slip along decollement surfaces and presence of deep and shallow decollement levels in thin-skinned fold and thrust wedges. Decollement units in lower (Upper Red Formation) stratigraphic levels in Mianeh-Mahneshan fold belt have an effective role onthe ...
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There is a close relationship between resistance to slip along decollement surfaces and presence of deep and shallow decollement levels in thin-skinned fold and thrust wedges. Decollement units in lower (Upper Red Formation) stratigraphic levels in Mianeh-Mahneshan fold belt have an effective role onthe geometry and kinematics of deformation of the area. In order to understand the fold geometry and folding mechanisms, and to exploredepth-to-the-decollement surface, we carried out data collection and field study in an area between Mianeh and Mahneshan cities. Folded structures in the study area are different from other structures within the area, as well as from the structures in the neighboring Alborz Mountains.The rise of salt domes along with the plasticity of marls in the Upper Red Formation have resulted in extreme complexities in folding pattern. In order to analyze syn-sedimentary structural features and interpret the geological evolution of the area, we used detailed structural measurements, sedimentological and sedimentary environment features, sedimentary rock studies, and paleogeography.One of the results of this study was the interpretation of syn-sedimentary growth structures in the Mianeh-Mahneshan area, which helped us to construct six structural cross-sections (AA’, BB’, CC’, DD’, EE’ and FF’)across the folded structures. Measured shortening along two Sections AA’ and DD’is 46.65% and 38.05%, respectively, with an average of 42.3%. These values are different from those estimated forthe neighboring Alborz and Zagros Orogens, where shortening ranges between 16-30%. We attribute this difference to local intense shortening in the study area caused by several factors such as basin slope, deep faults and weak beds along decollement surfaces. This study indicates that dominant folding mechanisms in the study area are detachment folding, and fault-propagation or fault-bend folding. The presence of evaporitic material (gypsum and salt) within the succession has played a major role in the kinematics of folding.
F Mesbahi; M Mohajjel; M Moazzen; L Namaki
Abstract
In the east of Tabriz city, south of Eskandar village, Upper Cretaceous rock units are exposed. The structures in these rock units include meso-scale folds inclined towards NNE, and a thrust system which has transported Upper Cretaceous units in three thrust sheets towards NW. This thrust system has ...
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In the east of Tabriz city, south of Eskandar village, Upper Cretaceous rock units are exposed. The structures in these rock units include meso-scale folds inclined towards NNE, and a thrust system which has transported Upper Cretaceous units in three thrust sheets towards NW. This thrust system has cut the NNE-verging folds in Upper Cretaceous units. These deformed rock units are unconformably overlain by the Miocene beds. The vergence of folds in the Miocene units is toward SSW. There are SW-verging thrust faults and right-lateral strike-slip faults parallel to the North Tabriz fault in the study area. We conclude that the N-verging structures in Upper Cretaceous rock units has been formed in the time interval between Upper Cretaceous and Miocene and were cut by the North Tabriz fault. The structural characteristics of the Upper Cretaceous rocks as the remnants of the Upper Cretaceous oceanic crust in the Neotethyan marginal basin indicate that the probable subduction direction of this basin was towards south.
Y Jalili; M.M Khatib; E Gholami; M.R Ghassemi
Abstract
The Chelounak area in northwest of Birjand located in the Sistan suture zone extremity with middle-upper Eocene sedimentary and pyroclastic rocks, folded with different axes and exposed between the Chahak-mosavieh and Mohammadieh-Hessarsangi faults. These folds have a dominant characteristic of the dispersion ...
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The Chelounak area in northwest of Birjand located in the Sistan suture zone extremity with middle-upper Eocene sedimentary and pyroclastic rocks, folded with different axes and exposed between the Chahak-mosavieh and Mohammadieh-Hessarsangi faults. These folds have a dominant characteristic of the dispersion axis trends of NE-SW, NW-SE, and N-S. Geometric-Kinematic Analysis of these folds was carried out by data that taken from the structural interpretations, satellite images, geological maps, structural cross sections and mathematical functions. Aspect ratio, percent shortenings and the rotation folds axes are respectively for folds with NE-SW axis, 0.356-1.6, 20-77% and 28-40°; for folds with NW-SE axes0.352-0.620, 25-41% and 25-40°; and for folds with N-S axes 0.352, 25% and 24°. In this analysis the Chahak and Chelounak synclines and the Chahak anticline with NE-SW axis have maximum shortening and the Shavangan syncline with NW-SE axis has minimum shortening. This Study demonstrated the aspect ratio rises with increasing of shortening. Analysis of the structural elements demonstrates axis change of the Chelounak, Chahak and Hoj noj synclines and the Chahak and Chelounak anticlines with NE-SW Dominant axes affected by the Chahak-Mosavieh fault (~N-S trend) as well as the axis change of the Taj kouh, Shavangan and Hessar sangi synclines with NW-SE dominant axes affected by the Mohammadieh-Hessar sangi fault (~N-S trend). Dispersion of folds axial respect to compressive component has caused difference in aspect ratio, shortening and rotation of fold axes values.
Kh Noraei Nezhad; H Amiri Bakhtiar; R Mohammadian; A Azizi
Abstract
Marun Oil Field is located in the southern part of Dezful embayment, in the mid part of the zagros simple folded mountain range and along the Ramin and Aghajari anticlines. In this study, based on the subsurface data and using subsurface analytical methods the folding mechanism and fractures of this ...
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Marun Oil Field is located in the southern part of Dezful embayment, in the mid part of the zagros simple folded mountain range and along the Ramin and Aghajari anticlines. In this study, based on the subsurface data and using subsurface analytical methods the folding mechanism and fractures of this anticline has been studied. In this research, using the primary results of geophysical data, analysis methods, geometric curvature changes, mud loss and reservoir engineering data, geometry of anticline and fractures associated with folding have been analyzed. Folding mechanisms in this anticline is a combination of flexural-sliding folding and folding with neutral surface. In other words, the Marun subsurface anticline is a thrust fault- related fold and also a faulted detachment fold. Seismic profiles showthat the Marun anticline as a concentric fold that from surface to depth space has been decreased. This decrease of space associated with faulting in the southern flank and these faults disappear in the Gachsaran formation. A good conformity among geometric analytical methods, mud loss data, index productivity on bending region in the Marun anticline and presence of fractures in this region exist. The data analysis shows that the highest density of fractures is related to the bending region in the Marun Oil Field. Finally, using these parameters, it is recommended that for further drilling of development and production wells these parameters must be regarded and the northeastern part of the Oil Field as well as southern flank of the anticline must be given full consideration.
M Mohajjel; S Niroomand
Abstract
Structural analysis of folds in the Kharapeh area clears tow co-axial folding stages in the Cretaceous metamorphic rocks, in this part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. First stage folds are tight to isoclinal recumbent folds that were co-axially refolded by second stage upright open to close folds. Normal ...
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Structural analysis of folds in the Kharapeh area clears tow co-axial folding stages in the Cretaceous metamorphic rocks, in this part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. First stage folds are tight to isoclinal recumbent folds that were co-axially refolded by second stage upright open to close folds. Normal faults, mafic dykes and abundant quartz veins oriented sub-parallel to the axial surface of the kharapeh antiform implying that the extensions were synchronous with folding perpendicular to the fold axis, during second stage folding process in the area. This is well concordant with tangential longitudinal strain folding mechanism for the second stage folding. By this folding mechanism, tension was produced at the outer arc of the Kharapeh anticline and quarts veins were generated by compression in the core area and filled in the tension fractures that were mostly produced in the fold hinge area during the folding process. In fractures where it was accompanied with shearing, some clasts from wall rocks were engaged in the fault zone breccias. The field observations reveal that the fractures were produced synchronous with the second folding stage in the Kharapeh anticline and filled by the gold bearing quartz veins.
S Khodaparast; M Mohajjel; S Haj-Amini
Abstract
The marine facies of the Qom Formation was deposited between two detritus continental facies of the Lower and Upper Red Formations. The type section of the Qom Formation was observed in Qom city, but its most thickness has been reported from the Dokhan area in west Saveh. Stratigraphic studies revealed ...
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The marine facies of the Qom Formation was deposited between two detritus continental facies of the Lower and Upper Red Formations. The type section of the Qom Formation was observed in Qom city, but its most thickness has been reported from the Dokhan area in west Saveh. Stratigraphic studies revealed that its thickness has sudden changes in the Dokhan area through short distances. Geometry of the structures was strongly influenced by change of thickness in different rocks of the Qom Formation. The main question that has been answered in this study is what caused change of thickness in short distances. The geometry and kinematic observations of the major faults in the Dokhan area showed that their displacement style during sedimentation influenced on change of the thickness and folding style during deformation of the Qom Formation. This study showed that the Dokhan area is located in the extension termination of the NW-SE trending major strike-slip faults such as the Tafresh, Talkhab and Indus faults.
Z. Hosseinmardi; M. Ghorashi; M. R. Ghassemi; M. Talebian
Abstract
The outcrop of northern part of North Eshtehard Thrust has been selected for study of structural evolution and geological processes. The study area includes folding structures with different scales from regional to outcrop which belong to fault related folding category. Analysis of joints in the region ...
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The outcrop of northern part of North Eshtehard Thrust has been selected for study of structural evolution and geological processes. The study area includes folding structures with different scales from regional to outcrop which belong to fault related folding category. Analysis of joints in the region among upper red formation strata shows two main sets which are usually tensional (j1 & j2). These joints are visible in sandstone units of upper red formation and most of them are filled with gypsum. It is obvious that the j1 joints are younger than j2. j1 and j2 joints are related to folding processes. The local stress field which could be measured from the joint study is σ1=337/75, σ2=189/13 and σ3=077/03 and corresponds with the given paleostress direction for southern part of central Alborz.
M. Mohajjel; M. Biralvand
Abstract
Abundant chevron folds were produced in well-bedded red thin layers radiolarites in Kermanshah area. Various fold hinge area structures were produced due to competency contrast and change of thickness in radiolarian shale and thick-bedded limestone intercalation in radiolarite sequence. Different styles ...
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Abundant chevron folds were produced in well-bedded red thin layers radiolarites in Kermanshah area. Various fold hinge area structures were produced due to competency contrast and change of thickness in radiolarian shale and thick-bedded limestone intercalation in radiolarite sequence. Different styles of folding exist in massive to thick-bedded limestone and shale where they are inter-bedded with radilarites. Unique thin layers of the radolarite layers were folded in parallel shape but change of folds shape and mechanism were produced where thick bedded limestone or thin layers of radiolarian shale intercalations exist. Fold accommodation faults were generated in cases during folding. Geometry and style of folding indicate that deformation in radiolarites was produced by parallel folding due to buckling mechanism with southwest vergence. Thrust faults were generated during later stages, displacing some parts of the folded radiolarites.
H. Sa’adatnia; A. Javaherian; I. Abdollahi Fard; M. R. Ghassemi
Abstract
One of the duties of seismic interpreter is interpretation of the geological structures likely to be found at deeper levels. Such constructions form a key to the understanding of regional tectonics and they often play a vital role in industry. The exploration for oil and gas in particular ...
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One of the duties of seismic interpreter is interpretation of the geological structures likely to be found at deeper levels. Such constructions form a key to the understanding of regional tectonics and they often play a vital role in industry. The exploration for oil and gas in particular requires the best possible control on underground structures in order to locate drill holes for exploration investigation or for producing wells. Because the primary data are always incomplete and may be in part contradictory, the final interpretation should be at least geometrically validated. A powerful and independent test for the validity of a structural interpretation is the restoration of the structure to the shape it had before deformation. Restoration is a fundamental test of the consistency of the interpretation. It is best described by transformation equations which incorporate rigid translation and rotation plus deformation. A map or cross section can usually be restored by methods based on more than one kinematic model, and different methods will produce somewhat different restored geometries. It follows that any given restoration doesn’t necessarily represent the exact pre-deformation geometry. The internal consistency of the restoration by any technique constitutes a validation of the interpretation. In this study, the main aim is introducing the balancing of seismic interpretation and its application to decrease the errors of interpretation. For this purpose, length and area balancing were done at a sample seismic cross section from 3D seismic data of two oilfields at the East of Khuzestan (SW Iran). As a result, the primary interpretation was corrected and finally the corrected interpretation was compared with primary interpretation. For balancing of seismic sections in this area, the flexural slip technique is selected as optimum technique through testing line-length, vertical simple shear and flexural slip techniques.
