3-D gravity and magnetic interpretation for the Haifa Bay area (Israel)

Recently observed features in the subsurface geology of the Haifa Bay area (northern Israel) have been evaluated using 3-D forward gravity and magnetic modeling and inversion schemes. The interpretation is based on updated petrophysical data of the Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary layers and volcanics. It has been shown that the Bouguer gravity anomalies correspond mainly to thickness variations in the Senonian to Tertiary sediments. The gravity effect of these sediments was calculated using their actual densities and structural setting as interpreted from seismic reflection data. This effect was removed from the Bouguer gravity in order to study the pre-Senonian geological structures. The pattern of residual gravity anomalies (named “stripped gravity”) is essentially different from the pattern of the Bouguer gravity. The prominent Carmel gravity high, clearly seen on the Bouguer gravity map, completely vanishes on the “stripped” gravity map. That suggests that this relatively positive anomaly is caused by the considerable thickness of the low-density young sediments in the surrounding areas and does not correspond to high-density magmatic rocks or crystalline basement uplift as previously suggested. The average densities of the Jurassic and Cretaceous volcanics are generally lower then those of the background sedimentary rocks. Volcanics are the main cause for magnetic anomalies onshore and offshore northern Israel. The magmatic root of the Asher volcanics is, most probably, located close to the Yagur fault. A large, deep-seated gabbroic intrusion is assumed to be located under the Mediterranean abyssal plain in the NW part of the study area. The Atlit marine gravity low appears to be caused by a thick Mesozoic and Tertiary sedimentary accumulation. The results presented should be of considerable assistance in delineating some aspects of hydrocarbon exploration in the area.     

Detailed investigation of preserved maar structures by combined geophysical surveys

The detection of completely preserved maar structures is important not only for underground mapping but also for paleoclimate research because laminated maar lake sediments may contain a very detailed archive of climate history. Objective evidence for the existence of such structures can only be provided by geophysics and boreholes. The combination of gravity and magnetic ground surveys appears to be an excellent tool to detect and identify buried maar structures. Their prominent properties are an almost circular gravity minimum corresponding to a crater filled with limnic sediments of low density, and a magnetic anomaly caused by a pyroclastic or basaltic body in the diatreme which indicates the volcanic character. Seismic measurements provide the most detailed information about the internal structure of the maar sediments. Zones of low seismic reflectivity and very low density represent sediments of the late maar-lake period. The early lake period is indicated by debris flow deposits and turbidites represented by seismic reflectors. The seismic sections clearly reveal the bowl-like structure of the maar. Outside this bowl-like structure, there are only a few reflections, which represent the basement. Taking into account the shape of the gravity anomaly, seismic information allows geometrical modelling of the maar structure. Optimal drilling sites can be selected based on the results of geophysical surveying. Comparing the results of combined geophysical surveys above two maar structures of different ages yields a marked similarity in their geophysical pattern.Editorial responsibility: J McPhie     

Characteristics of gravity anomalies and prediction of volcanosedimentary boron deposit distribution in the Xiongba area,Tibet

Volcanosedimentary boron deposits are present within Tertiary lacustrine sediments and volcanic rocks in Xiongba, Tibet. Boron deposits are characterized by low density relative to country rocks; thus, it is possible to locate them by gravity measurements. We conducted a 1:50000 high-precision gravity survey in the Xiongba area, Tibet, and obtained the Bouguer and residual gravity anomalies. We analyzed fault systems and the distribution of sedimentary and volcanic rocks and their relation to the volcanosedimentary boron deposits. The processing of the gravity data revealed local gravity variations and fault structures. We applied preferential downward continuation and wavelet transform to the gravity data, and in conjunction with geological data, we predicted the distribution of volcanosedimentary boron deposits.     

EARTHQUAKE-CAUSED SEISMIC VOLCANIC ROCKS AND THIXOTROPIC DEFORMATION OF SOFT SEDIMENTS IN THE UPPER CRETACEOUS SHIJIATUN MEMBER,JIAOZHOU CITY

A lot of seismic volcanic rocks and strong earthquake-induced thixotropic deformation structures in soft mud-sandy sediments(seismites)were identified from the Upper Cretaceous Shijiatun Member of the Hongtuya Formation for the first time in Jiaozhou City of the Zhucheng Sag, eastern China. Seismic volcanic rocks are volcanic rocks with co-seismic deformation structures which were produced by major earthquakes destroying volcano ejecta. Seismites are sediment layers with soft-sediment deformation structures formed by strong earthquake triggering saturated or semi-consolidated soft sediments to produce liquefaction, thixotropy, faults, cracks and filling and so forth. The Shijiatun Member of the Hongtuya Formation mainly consists of basaltic volcano rocks interbedded with mud-sandy(muddy sand and sandy mud)deposition layers of the river-lake facies. In the Shijiatun Member, main types of seismic volcanic rocks are shattered basalts with co-seismic fissures and seismic basaltic breccias. The thixotropic deformations of soft mud-sandy sediments mainly include thixotropic mud-sandy veins and thixotropic mud-sandy layers with tortuous boundaries. Under the strong earthquake action, saturated mud-sandy sediments could not be liquefied, instead resulting in thixotropy, i.e. their texture can be damaged and their flow-ability or rheology becomes strong. Because basaltic volcano rocks were damaged(shattered, seismic broken), a major earthquake can lead to thixotropic mud-sandy sediments flowing along seismic fissures in basalts, resulting in the formation of deformation structure of thixotropic veins, and boundaries between volcano rock and mud-sand layer became quite winding. Under the koinonia of gravity and vibration force, seismic breccia blocks sunk into thixotropic mud-sandy layers, resulting in the formation of inclusions of thixotropic mud-sandy sediments. Seismic intensity reflected by these strong earthquake records during the end stage of the Late Cretaceous was about Ⅶ to more than X degrees. The Shijiatun Member is mainly distributed in the south of the Baichihe fault in the northern Zhucheng Sag, and the fault has generated many strong tectonic and earthquake activities at the end of the late Cretaceous, also provided the channel for intrusion and eruption of basaltic magma then. At the end of the late Cretaceous, intermittent intrusion and eruption of basaltic magma took place along the Baichihe fault, meanwhile the volcano earthquakes took place or tectonic earthquakes were generated by the Baichihe fault which caused the deformation of the volcano lava and underlying strata of red saturated muddy-sand, resulting in the formation of various seismo-genesis deformations of volcanic rocks interbedded with mud-sandy sediment layers. Therefore, strong seismic events recorded by them should be responses to strong tectonic taphrogenesis of the Zhucheng Sag and intense activity of the Baichihe fault in the end of Late Cretaceous. In addition, these seismogenic deformation structures of rock-soil layers provide new data for the analysis of the failure effect produced by seismic force in similar rock-soil foundations.     

地质观测、地震剖面和重力测量的综合方法在前陆褶皱冲断带的应用：以天山北麓呼图壁河剖面为例

褶皱逆冲带的几何学研究是造山带研究的热点,但是无论是传统构造地质学方法还是地球物理学方法都在研究褶皱逆冲带几何特征时存在多解性.为了制约这种多解性,本文以天山北麓的呼图壁河剖面为列,介绍一种地质与地球物理相结合的研究方法.该方法首先沿呼图壁河剖面进行详细的地表观测,获取地表的构造地质数据形成初步的地质模型,其次结合地表构造和钻井分层数据,对收集到的石油地震剖面进行重新解释.然而,地震反射数据只分布在盆地内部,在盆山结合带缺失或者不清晰,因此对该剖面进行了重力测量并计算出布格重力异常.结合盆地各沉积地层和基底密度值,用重力正演方法模拟呼图壁河剖面的密度结构.研究结果显示沿呼图壁河剖面并不存在天山北缘断裂,盆地的沉积盖层可以从准噶尔盆地连续过度到天山内部并不整合覆盖在天山古生代基底之上.这一结果与西段金钩河剖面的天山基底逆冲到准噶尔盆地显然不同,说明了天山北缘盆山结合带构造的多样性.利用平衡剖面技术,恢复的呼图壁河平衡剖面缩短量约为4.8 km,对比前人研究,说明了天山北缘的缩短量沿东西方向存在显著的不均一性.本研究也说明这种构造地质与地震及非震地球物理相结合的方法可以广泛地被应用于褶皱逆冲带.     

南海重力异常的沉积层密度改正及其对区域构造特征分析的意义

南海位于太平洋板块、印澳板块和欧亚板块交汇处,自晚中生代以来历经张裂作用、海底扩张以及印藏碰撞、菲律宾海板块西向运动等构造事件的叠加改造,不仅形成了复杂多样的构造格局,而且堆积了厚薄不均的沉积层.为了考察沉积层密度改正对利用重力资料分析南海不同尺度构造特征的影响,本文利用南海各区域不同深度沉积层的地震波速度及钻孔密度等数据,建立了沉积层与沉积基底密度差随深度变化的二次函数关系式,并基于该关系式,计算了南海沉积层相对基底密度低而产生的重力异常值.结果显示,南海沉积层的重力异常值在海盆区介于-40~-60 mGal,而在堆积巨厚沉积物的莺歌海盆地可达到-135 mGal;相对于空间重力异常、布格重力异常,经沉积层重力异常改正后的地壳布格重力异常更能突出深部不同尺度的密度结构和莫霍面的起伏特征,其总水平导数模更突显了南海西北部红河断裂带的海上延伸;利用谱分析技术估算岩石圈强度时,经沉积层重力异常改正的地壳布格重力异常数据获得的岩石圈有效弹性厚度值更为符合地质实际,特别是在长条形的巨厚沉积区如莺歌海盆地和马来盆地.分析表明,重力异常的沉积层密度改正对揭示南海构造特征具有重要的意义.

     

BOREHOLE SEISMIC PROFILING AND TUBE WAVE APPLICATIONS IN A DAM SITE INVESTIGATION*

Continuous, single-channel reflection profiling has been carried out in PVC-lined boreholes, primarily with the aim of ascertaining the position of an old subsurface gas storage tunnel on a proposed dam site. Tube wave reflection patterns thus generated have been interpreted in terms of sediment rigidity and shear wave velocity, and these results could be compared with some independent data. It is interesting to note that, within the well section penetrating Tertiary clays, the velocity of the hydraulic transients apparently was not affected by the PVC casing, which might be explained by a tight coupling between casing and clay wall. In such situations, tube waves turn out a straightforward tool for the determination of shear wave velocity and the derivation of dynamic elastic moduli of unconsolidated sediments. Further applications of the study of the distribution of seismic velocities on the dam site dealt with the consolidation history of the clays. A level of abnormally low P-wave velocities has been detected and interpreted as a gas-charged horizon which, by its coincidence with the base level of clay diapirs, might be considered to have contributed to clay flowage in past geological times. Data about maximum past burial depth, derived from shear wave velocities, turned out to be in agreement with results from consolidation testing.     

THREE-DIMENSIONAL INTERPRETATION OF GRAVITY DATA FROM SEDIMENTARY BASINS USING AN EXPONENTIAL DENSITY-DEPTH FUNCTION*

In mapping the topography of the basement of deep sedimentary basins by gravity modelling, the accuracy can be improved by incorporating an exponential increase in density with depth. For calculating the gravity effect of a three-dimensional (3D) structure with such an exponential density-depth relation a frequency-domain forward algorithm based on series expansion is presented, the numerical evaluation of which can be performed efficiently by fast Fourier transform. The algorithm can be applied in a recursive procedure to give the inverse solution in terms of basement relief. The inversion procedure is satisfactorily tested on a 2D synthetic example and a 3D field example of gravity data from the western margin of the Pannonian Basin in eastern Austria, where up to 2.2 km of Tertiary sediments overlie an igneous or metamorphic basement. The results are confirmed by basement intersections in several wells.     

包头地区重力场变化与阴山带中强地震关系的初步分析

本文对包头地区的重力复测资料及重力变化、地震活动特征进行了分析，讨论了重力观测对阴山带地震监测的意义。     

利用数值计算方法（Lagrange）研究伽师及邻近地区重力场变化特征

利用数值计算的方法（Lagrange）,结合近4期流动重力资料,分析伽师及邻近地区的重力场时空动态变化特征,初步研究了该区的重力变化与地震活动及构造的关系。结果表明：重力场变化与构造环境变化有关。在地震孕育过程中,重力场出现有规律的变化并伴随重力变化密集区,地震往往多发于重力场变化正负值交替的零线附近。     

邯郸、汤阴断陷地质结构及其活动性

根据人工地震及部分钻井资料研究,邯郸、汤阴断陷是太行山南段东麓的北北东向箕状断陷,邯郸断陷形成于早第三纪,主要受其东缘的邯东铲式正断裂控制。汤阴断陷形成于第三纪,其北部主要受东缘的汤东铲式正断裂控制,南部受东、西边缘的汤东、汤西铲式正断裂控制。两个断陷均为浅源震区,近几年来时有小震出现。邯东断裂没有明显的新活动,地震活动也较微弱,而汤阴断陷的汤东、汤西断裂,新活动明显,推测南部地震活动水平较高,是更应注意的地段     

时变重力场球面模型反演算法和模拟实验

时变重力场是研究地球内部介质物性变化的重要手段。本文提出了一种适用于地面流动重力测量获得的时变重力信号的场源反演方法,该方法采用球坐标系下的六面体单元来模拟场源介质,适合大尺度地震流动重力测量数据的等效源模型构建。通过引入重力时变信号的一阶光滑先验条件,压制了时变重力信号中的短周期高频分量,可用于提取与地震孕育相关的长周期信号。通过理论和模型实验证明了本文算法的可靠性和稳定性,并使用南北地震带南段2014—2017年的流动重力实测数据进行了反演解释,获得了地壳内部等效场源的视密度时变信号,变化量级在正常地壳密度的±0.7‰之间,其空间形态受川滇菱形块体边界控制。研究成果可用于时变重力场模型解释和深部场源特征提取,可为地震重力前兆信号分析和相关研究提供完备的方法保障。     

Electrical Conductance Map for the Kachchh Rift Basin: Constraint on Tectonic Evolution and Seismotectonic Implications

Geomagnetic field variations recorded by an array of magnetometers spread across the Kachchh Rift basin are reduced to a set of induction arrows as a diagnostic of lateral electrical conductivity variations. A non-uniform thin-sheet electrical conductance model is developed to account for the salient induction patterns. It indicates that the imaged conductivity anomalies can be related to the sediment-filled structural lows in between the fault bounded uplifts. It is suggested that sagging structural lows preserved the marine sediments deposited during the Mesozoic sea transgression and later developed into first order embayment basins for the deposition of sediments in association with Late Eocene transgression. Depth integrated electrical conductance helped in mapping two depo-centres: along the ENE-WSW trending Banni half-Graben bounded by the Kachchh Main fault on the south and, second, along the Vinjan depression formed in response to the subsidence between the Vigodi fault and westward extension of the Katrol Hill fault together with the westward bending of the Median High. Presence of metamorphosed graphite schist clasts in shale dominated Mesozoic sequence and/or thin films of carbon resulting from the thermal influence of Deccan activity on Carbonate-rich formations can account for the high electrical conductivity anomalies seen in the depo-centres of thick Mesozoic and Tertiary sediments. Additionally two high conductivity zones are imaged encompassing a block defined by the 2001 Bhuj earthquake and its aftershocks. In agreement with gravity, magnetic and seismic velocity signatures, aqueous fluids released by recrystallizing magmatic bodies intruded in association with Deccan trap activity account for mapped high conductivity zones. High fluid pressure in such a fractured domain, surrounding the intruded magmatic plugs, perturb the regional stress concentrations to produce frequent and low magnitude aftershocks in the shallow section of the epicentral track of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake.     

A COMBINATION OF GRAVITY AND SEISMIC REFRACTION MEASUREMENTS,APPLIED TO GROUNDWATER EXPLORATIONS NEAR TALTAL,PROVINCE OF ANTOFAGASTA,CHILE*

In northern Chile, which is part of the Atacama Desert, groundwater supply and storage are controlled by deep structural phenomena. Several geophysical exploration techniques were used to determine the structure and depth of the basement of a broad valley filled with unconsolidated alluvial deposits. The gravity method was applied to obtain a general picture of the basement. This was followed by seismic refraction measurements along two traverse lines which appeared to be of major interest. Additional experiments with the magnetic and the telluric methods supplemented the geophysical investigations. In this paper the results of the different geophysical methods are presented, compared, and evaluated with respect to the usefulness in arid regions. It is concluded that a complementary use of the gravity method and the seismic refraction method is a very fruitful and efficient approach for the geophysical reconnaissance of water-bearing basins in flat and arid zones like the Atacama Desert.     

华北盆地地震构造与重力变化

华北盆地自晚第三纪末期或第四纪以来,地壳拉张速率逐渐减弱,相继转为北东东向水平挤压和上下运动。夏垫、唐山-宁河断裂为深切地壳的断裂。唐山震区震前重力变化约为正200微伽(76年3月—76年7月)。依据北京—乐亭重力变化曲线,推断引起唐山重力变化的密度界面深度约为36公里,上隆约1米,而夏垫相应下降。同时根据密度界面公式来估算震源附近密度变化量,唐山为2.17×10-4克/厘米3,夏垫为-1.46×10-4克/厘米3     

SHIP-TOWED MAGNETICS IN PETROLEUM EXPLORATION*

In one geophysical survey over a salt dome in the Gulf of Mexico, data taken from a single magnetic and seismic shipborne traverse demonstrated significantly the importance of magnetic measurements. The reduced magnetic and seismic profiles were integrated with gravity measurements from an earlier survey demonstrating the value of obtaining simultaneous geophysical data. The traverse was approximately 25 miles in length, 135 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas. The observed gradient averaged approximately 2 gammas per 1000 feet and crosses the southwest corner of a large shallow salt dome called the Way Dome. The recorded magnetic profile over the salt dome shows a negative magnetic anomaly extending for approximately 12 miles with a maximum amplitude of approximately 20 gammas. This negatively anomaly is due to the negative susceptibility contrast between the salt and cap rock that truncates the surrounding parent sediments. The shape of the negative anomaly correlates well with the continous seismic record and clearly delineates the topographical and structural features of the salt dome. The recorded analog magnetic profile was replotted, with both the regional gradient and time variations removed, which makes the observed anomaly much sharper than is noticeable on the original recorded strip chart record. A theoretical magnetic anomaly was calculated using a computer program for comparison to the observed anomaly. The results showed good correlation.     

起伏地形条件下流动重力数据处理方法研究

以地震监测为目的流动重力重复测量获取的重力年变信号通常在十几到几十微伽量级.但由于重力测点所处的地形高程不同,将空间测点直接插值得到的重力异常空间图像会叠加由于地形起伏引起的异常畸变.本文通过6面体模型定量计算了不同规模和埋深场源的地形效应;对青藏高原东缘地区测网的重力观测数据进行了分析处理,并通过位场曲面延拓校正技术消除了地形影响.结果表明,位场曲面延拓校正技术可以有效地改善重力数据质量,有利于更准确地圈定和认识异常的空间形态特征.     

Shallow and Deep Structure of a Supradetachment Basin Based on Geological,Conventional Deep Seismic Reflection Sections and Gravity Data in the Buyuk Menderes Graben,Western Anatolia

The Buyuk Menderes Graben is a depression in the Menderes core complex of western Turkey. The region is one of the most rapidly deforming regions of continental crust in the world and has exceptionally high seismic activity. In this study, shallow and deep seismic studies were conducted at the Buyuk Menderes graben. These studies included surface geological mapping and two seismic reflection sections. Detailed modelling was performed with the seismic study. In addition to these, a moving windows power spectrum was applied to the Bouguer gravity profile data of the study area. Since no deep well is available in this area, the geological interpretation of the seismic stratigraphy is based on the correlation with the surface geology, this was combined with the major reflections and the seismic facies observed along the profiles, and, thus, four main seismic units can be distinguished in the basin fill. Structural features of the basin is driven by a complex extensional faults system, consisting of a low-angle, S-dipping Buyuk Menderes detachment and by its synthetic and antithetic splays, bordering the opposite flanks of the basin. As a result of conventional deep seismic reflection sections and gravity data, three layers were defined in the study area. The first layer occurs at a thickness of 6 km, and the second layer is between 13 and 18 km. The third layer is at ~33 km and may also emphasize Moho depth. The Buyuk Menderes graben has three clear reflectors which are base sediments, brittle-ductile transition, Moho and faults that show a half-graben floored by a detachment. The Moho depth is comparable with previous estimates. According to the results obtained, Bouguer gravity and seismic results are very much consistent with each other. It was observed that at the depths determined from seismic and gravity data, the distribution percentage of earthquake focal depths also rises.     

Geophysical Constraints on the Location and Nature of the North Saharan Flexure in Southern Tunisia

Gravity data, integrated with seismic refraction/reflection data, well data and geological investigations, were used to determine the location of the paleogeographic boundary between the Precambrian Saharan domain and the younger Tunisian Atlas domain. This boundary (North Saharan Flexure or NSF) has not been as clearly defined as it has been to the west in Algeria and Morocco. The gravity data analysis, which included the construction of complete Bouguer and residual gravity anomaly maps, revealed that the Atlasic domain is characterized by relative negative gravity anomalies and numerous linear gravity trends implying a thick and deformed sediment cover. The Saharan domain is characterized by relatively positive gravity anomalies with few gravity trends implying a thin and relatively undeformed sediment cover. An edge-enhancement analysis of the residual gravity anomalies revealed that the NSF is characterized by a series of discontinuous east- and northwest-trending linear anomalies south of 34°N that are not related to the well-known faults within the Gafsa and Accident de Medenine regions. Based on the continuity of the amplitudes of seismic reflection data and the trends of the residual gravity anomalies, the NSF is not an abrupt discontinuity but a series of step faults dipping toward the Atlasic domain. To obtain a more quantitative representation of the southern edge of Tunisian Atlas, a regional gravity model constrained by two wells and seismic reflection/refraction data was constructed along a north-south trending profile which confirms the presence of thicker sediments north of the NSF. Our analysis shows that the NSF has controlled the depositional environment of the sedimentary rocks within the region since at least Triassic time and has acted as a barrier to Atlasic deformation south of the NSF. The NSF is considered an important tectonic feature that has controlled the paleogeographic evolution of the southern margin of the Tethys Ocean, and it continues to be active today based on seismicity hazard studies.     

Reprocessing and reinterpretation of COCORP southern Appalachian profiles

Reprocessing of COCORP southern Appalachian data was focused on basic seismic evidence for continuation of sediments beneath a master decollement. The most important evidence is a nearly continuous series of subhorizontal reflections extending from the Valley and Ridge province into the Piedmont province. Continuity of subhorizontal reflections becomes tenuous in the Inner Piedmont. Careful reprocessing has yielded evidence for termination of strong reflections beneath the allochthon and the beginning of a relatively weak and complex series of “events”. Termination of sedimentary rocks beneath the Piedmont is interpreted from true amplitude seismic data. A zone of detachment continues southeast of the sediment termination as far as the master decollement root zone. Research on stacking velocities has indicated that complex velocity structures could create apparent low stacking velocities. This phenomenon may occur in the Charlotte belt of Georgia. Bouguer gravity can be modeled as a former craton of normal density with an accreted margin of very slightly higher density. Variation in crustal thickness also contributes to the Bouguer gravity gradient. No continuous large-scale overthrust is needed southeast of the interpreted master decollement root zone located beneath the Kings Mountain belt and Charlotte belt.