Calculation of elastic properties in lower part of the Kola borehole from bulk chemical compositions of core samples

In-situ elastic properties in deep boreholes are controlled by several factors, mainly by lithology, petrofabric, fluid-filled cracks and pores. In order to separate the effects of different factors it is useful to extract lithology-controlled part from observedin-situ velocities. For that purpose we calculated mineralogical composition and isotropic crack-free elastic properties in the lower part of the Kola borehole from bulk chemical compositions of core samples. We use a new technique of petrophysical modeling based on thermodynamic approach. The reasonable accuracy of the modeling is confirmed by comparison with the observations of mineralogical composition and laboratory measurements of density and elastic wave velocities in upper crustal crystalline rocks at high confining pressure. Calculations were carried out for 896 core samples from the depth segment of 6840–10535m. Using these results we estimate density and crack-free isotropic elastic properties of 554 lithology-defined layers composing this depth segment. Average synthetic P- wave velocity appears to be 2.7% higher than the velocity from Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP), and 5% higher than sonic log velocity. Average synthetic S-wave velocity is 1.4 % higher than that from VSP. These differences can be explained by superposition of effects of fabric-related anisotropy, cracks aligned parallel to the foliation plain, and randomly oriented cracks, with the effect of cracks being the predominant control. Low sonic log velocities are likely caused by drilling-induced cracking (hydrofractures) in the borehole walls. The calculated synthetic density and velocity cross-sections can be used for much more detailed interpretations, for which, however, new, more detailed and reliable seismic data are required.     

Results of the study of anisotropy of elastic properties of rocks from the Luchlompolo fault zone (Pechenga region,Kola Peninsula)

Elastic characteristics of rock samples from the Luchlompolo fault zone taken from outcrop surfaces are compared with elastic characteristics of core samples of the Kola ultradeep borehole taken in an analogous interval. An inversion consisting of a discrepancy between the schistosity levels of rocks in the borehole (below the Luchlompolo fault) and their analogues at the surface (above the fault) is explained by a considerable difference in the force actions that caused the schistosity and layering of rocks in the borehole and at the surface. A kinematic scheme of the fault is constructed, and a hypothesis about the existence of an inversion point (region) in the fault zone and its probable collecting properties is put forward.An inverse dependence of variations in density characteristics of rocks on acoustic dichroism and their elastic anisotropy coefficient for transverse waves is established for the first time.     

Study the elastic properties and the anisotropy of rocks using different machine learning methods

This paper aims to demonstrate that the elastic stiffnesses and the anisotropic parameters of rocks can be accurately predicted from geophysical features such as the porosity, the density, the compression stress, the pore pressure and the burial depth using relevant machine learning methods. It also suggests that the extreme gradient boosting method is the best method for this purpose. It is more accurate, extremely faster to train and more robust than the artificial neural networks and the support vector machine methods. Very high R-squared scores was obtained for the predicted elastic stiffnesses of a relevant dataset that is available in the literature. This dataset contains different types of rocks, and the values of the features are in large ranges. An optimal set of parameters was obtained by considering an appropriate sensitivity analysis. The optimized model is very easy to implement in Python for practical applications.     

Estimation of the deep density distribution in the lithosphere of central and Southern Asia using data about free mantle surface depth

The results of the selection of a model of the deep density distribution in the lithosphere of Central and Southern Asia, which explains the previously revealed dependence of the free mantle surface depth on the thickness of the crust [Artemjev, 1975], are described. It is shown that this dependence can be caused by variations in the mantle’s density with depth. Models of the continental and oceanic mantles with an increase in the linear density over depth are selected for the region of Asia. The level of the free surface depth in the oceanic mantle is higher than in the continental mantle. The observed dependence on the crustal thickness can also be used for determining nonlinear density variations with depth under the assumption that lateral density variations in this dependence are of a random character.     

Elastic-anisotropic properties of garnet granulites from the lower crust of the belomorian mobile belt: Results of experimental study

The elastic-anisotropic properties of fifteen samples of garnet granulites from xenoliths in the diatreme on Elovyi Island, in Kandalaksha Bay in the White Sea are investigated. The PT-conditions of the formation of these rocks correspond to a depth of 25–40 km, which is the current depth of the lower crust in the region. According to acoustopolariscopy, the elastic anisotropy of these deep rocks is relatively low. The average seismic P and S velocities corresponding to the in-situ PT-conditions are 6.5–6.7 km/s and 3.7–3.8 km/s, respectively. It is shown that the garnet content in the deep-seated rocks can be estimated from the seismic data. According to the obtained results, the formation of the structural and textural pattern of the lower crustal rocks in the region was poorly affected by the paleotectonic factors.     

Temperature and Pressure Dependencies of Thermal Transport Properties of Rocks: Implications for Uncertainties in Thermal Lithosphere Models and new Laboratory Measurements of High-Grade Rocks in the Central Fennoscandian Shield

Measurements on thermal conductivity and diffusivity as functions of temperature (up to 1150 K) and pressure (up to 1000 MPa) are presented for Archaean and Proterozoic mafic high-grade rocks metamorphosed in middle and lower crustal pressures, and situated in eastern Finland, central Fennoscandian Shield. Decrease of 12–20% in conductivity and 40–55% in diffusivity was recorded between room temperature and 1150 K, which can be considered as typical of phonon conductivity. Radiative heat transfer effects were not detected in these samples. Pressure dependencies of the samples are weak if compared to crystalline rocks in general, but relatively typical for mafic rocks.The temperature and pressure dependencies of thermal transport properties (data from literature and the present study) were applied in an uncertainty analysis of lithospheric conductive thermal modellings with random (Monte Carlo) simulations using a 4-layer model representative of shield lithosphere. Model parameters were varied according to predetermined probability functions and standard deviations were calculated for lithospheric temperature and heat flow density after 1500 independent simulations. The results suggest that the variations (uncertainties) in calculated temperature and heat flow density values due to variations in the temperature and pressure dependencies of conductivity are minor in comparison to the effects produced by typical variations in the room temperature value of conductivity, heat production rate or lower boundary condition values.     

Rocks and minerals as objects of geophysical studies

Results derived from the study of petrophysical properties and mineralogy of rocks, minerals, and model objects differing in formation conditions and composition are presented. Petromagnetic and paleomagnetic characteristics of rock samples are examined and modeling experiments on crystallization of ferromagnetic minerals are carried out in a wide region of pressures and temperatures. Minerals of rocks of different origins and ages (igneous and metamorphic rocks, xenoliths, and megacrystals) are studied, and the physicochemical conditions of their formation are reconstructed. Constraints are obtained on redox conditions of occurrence of rocks, the depth of magma chambers, and implications of secondary superimposed processes of metasomatism and metamorphism for variations in physical properties of Earth’s interior substance with depth. The structural factor is shown to be of great significance for the formation of magnetic properties of iron oxides. Using mineral geothermobarometry, the deep distributions of temperature and oxygen fugacity beneath volcanically active regions are estimated.     

Quantifying Damage, Saturation and Anisotropy in Cracked Rocks by Inverting Elastic Wave Velocities

Crack damage results in a decrease of elastic wave velocities and in the development of anisotropy. Using non-interactive crack effective medium theory as a fundamental tool, we calculate dry and wet elastic properties of cracked rocks in terms of a crack density tensor, average crack aspect ratio and mean crack fabric orientation from the solid grains and fluid elastic properties. Using this same tool, we show that both the anisotropy and shear-wave splitting of elastic waves can be derived. Two simple crack distributions are considered for which the predicted anisotropy depends strongly on the saturation, reaching up to 60% in the dry case. Comparison with experimental data on two granites, a basalt and a marble, shows that the range of validity of the non-interactive effective medium theory model extends to a total crack density of approximately 0.5, considering symmetries up to orthorhombic. In the isotropic case, Kachanov's (1994) non-interactive effective medium model was used in order to invert elastic wave velocities and infer both crack density and aspect ratio evolutions. Inversions are stable and give coherent results in terms of crack density and aperture evolution. Crack density variations can be interpreted in terms of crack growth and/or changes of the crack surface contact areas as cracks are being closed or opened respectively. More importantly, the recovered evolution of aspect ratio shows an exponentially decreasing aspect ratio (and therefore aperture) with pressure, which has broader geophysical implications, in particular on fluid flow. The recovered evolution of aspect ratio is also consistent with current mechanical theories of crack closure. In the anisotropic cases—both transverse isotropic and orthorhombic symmetries were considered—anisotropy and saturation patterns were well reproduced by the modelling, and mean crack fabric orientations we recovered are consistent with in situ geophysical imaging. Our results point out that: (1) It is possible to predict damage, anisotropy and saturation in terms of a crack density tensor and mean crack aspect ratio and orientation; (2) using well constrained wave velocity data, it is possible to extrapolate the contemporaneous evolution of crack density, anisotropy and saturation using wave velocity inversion as a tool; 3) using such an inversion tool opens the door in linking elastic properties, variations to permeability.     

月球表层及月壳物质密度分布特征

月球表层与月壳岩石密度的横向与径向的变化,反映了月表及内部成分以及月球演化等特征.本文利用月球勘探者号伽马射线谱仪探测的月表Fe, Th与Mg元素分布数据,依据前人给出的元素含量与岩石类型的关系,对月球表层进行了岩性填图,并结合岩石样品与陨石的密度测试数据建立初始密度模型,采用铁元素与岩石密度的关系对其进行修正,从而建立了月表物质密度分布模型.基于嫦娥一号激光测高数据和日本SELENE计划发布的月球重力模型,计算出月球布格重力异常,进而反演得到月壳0~40 km深度范围内岩石平均密度分布模型.分析表明,大部分区域上,月壳至少月壳上部岩石成分主要以轻质的富含铝、钙、镁质的硅酸盐类岩石为主.由此推测,原始月壳极有可能是由轻质的、富含钙、镁质硅酸盐类岩石构成的全球性月壳.现今的玄武岩与克里普岩只是覆盖于原始的月壳之上的岩层,且厚度不大.     

Analytic Expressions for the Gravity Gradient Tensor of 3D Prisms with Depth-Dependent Density

Variable-density sources have been paid more attention in gravity modeling. We conduct the computation of gravity gradient tensor of given mass sources with variable density in this paper. 3D rectangular prisms, as simple building blocks, can be used to approximate well 3D irregular-shaped sources. A polynomial function of depth can represent flexibly the complicated density variations in each prism. Hence, we derive the analytic expressions in closed form for computing all components of the gravity gradient tensor due to a 3D right rectangular prism with an arbitrary-order polynomial density function of depth. The singularity of the expressions is analyzed. The singular points distribute at the corners of the prism or on some of the lines through the edges of the prism in the lower semi-space containing the prism. The expressions are validated, and their numerical stability is also evaluated through numerical tests. The numerical examples with variable-density prism and basin models show that the expressions within their range of numerical stability are superior in computational accuracy and efficiency to the common solution that sums up the effects of a collection of uniform subprisms, and provide an effective method for computing gravity gradient tensor of 3D irregular-shaped sources with complicated density variation. In addition, the tensor computed with variable density is different in magnitude from that with constant density. It demonstrates the importance of the gravity gradient tensor modeling with variable density.     

Studying Long-term Variations in the Caspian Sea with the Use of the Theory of Stochastic Differential Equations

Nonlinear mechanisms of long-term variations in the Caspian Sea level are described. It is shown that with account taken of the dependence of the evaporation depth from the Volga basin surface on soil moisture content and the dependence of the evaporation depth from the sea surface on its level, we obtain a fundamentally new (chaotic) oscillation mechanism with several attraction levels. The stochastic differential equations describing the water budget of the sea basin and the sea proper and the respective solutions of the Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov equation are shown to have stationary bimodal density of the level probability. The random process, characterizing the sea level variations at a nonlinear dependence between the evaporation rate and the level is found to be non-Gaussian. Noise-induced transitions, caused by nonlinear evaporation processes are described. A new nonlinear stochastic theory describing the Caspian Sea level variations and based on predicted physical effects is suggested.     

Petrophysical properties of rocks in seismogenic crustal blocks of the southeastern Greater Caucasus and their geological and geophysical interpretation

The elastic and density properties of rocks of the Shamakha-Ismailly seismogenic blocks are studied by the ultrasonic pulse method in quasi-hydrostatic high pressure apparatuses. An attempt is made to more accurately determine the upper crustal lithology of these blocks. The observed values of the elastic and density characteristics of the rocks at high pressures suggest that the upper layers in the Ismailly and Shamakha blocks can consist of sedimentary carbonate rocks such as marls, sandstones, mudstones, and limestones. The middle layers apparently consist of volcaniclastic rocks: lithoclastic tuffs, andesites, etc. The lower layer (basement) in both blocks is likely composed of basic rocks such as basalts, trachybasalts, etc. According to the values of elastic wave velocities and densities, gabbroid rocks may compose the fourth layer of the Buinuz intrusion, identified from seismic data.     

超深层碳酸盐岩储层地震岩石物理特征和模型表征

揭示超深层碳酸盐岩储层的地震岩石物理响应机理可以为深储层测井数据解释、地球物理预测提供物理基础, 对于深层油气勘探开发、向地球深部进军都有重要意义.深层致密碳酸盐岩储层面临着高温高压、成岩作用显著、异常压力普遍等新的物理环境, 其岩石骨架、储集非均质、以及流体属性都将发生系统的变化.通过对塔里木盆地超深层(＞7000m)样品的弹性性质测量, 系统的研究了深层碳酸盐岩储层的压力效应和水饱和流体效应, 厘清了控制深层碳酸盐岩储层地震弹性性质的二元主控因素: 裂隙发育和流体类型.且这二者呈现明显的耦合关系, 裂隙越发育, 越有利于识别不同流体的弹性特征.深层碳酸盐岩样品整体显示弱VTI(垂直横向各向同性)各向异性特征(＜4%), 也反映了在微观尺度上, 水平裂隙相较于垂直裂隙对地震各向异性的影响更大.孔隙压力和气油比(GOR)对深层条件下油气流体的弹性响应也有较大影响: 油气流体的弹性模量随着气油比的增加呈现明显下降, 但随着孔隙压力的增加呈现升高趋势.在深储层地震岩石物理响应机理的基础上, 建立了表征深层碳酸盐岩储层二元主控因素的地震岩石物理模型, 该模型可以有效的刻画裂隙密度、流体类型对深层碳酸盐岩储层地震弹性特征的影响, 但用于实际饱和度的定量解释仍存在一定不确定性.

     

Electromagnetic sounding of the Earth’s crust in the region of superdeep boreholes of Yamal-Nenets autonomous district using the fields of natural and controlled sources

Electromagnetic soundings with the fields of natural (magnetotelluric (MT), and audio magnetotelluric (AMT)) and high-power controlled sources have been carried out in the region of the SG-6 (Tyumen) and SG-7 (En-Yakhin) superdeep boreholes in the Yamal-Nenets autonomous district (YaNAD). In the controlled-source soundings, the electromagnetic field was generated by the VL Urengoi-Pangody 220-kV industrial power transmission line (PTL), which has a length of 114 km, and ultralow-frequency (ULF) Zevs radiating antenna located at a distance of 2000 km from the signal recording sites. In the soundings with the Urengoi-Pangody PTL, the Energiya-2 generator capable of supplying up to 200 kW of power and Energiya-3 portable generator with a power of 2 kW were used as the sources. These generators were designed and manufactured at the Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The soundings with the Energiya-2 generator were conducted in the frequency range from 0.38 to 175 Hz. The external generator was connected to the PTL in upon the agreement with the Yamal-Nenets Enterprise of Main Electric Networks, a branch of OAO FSK ES of Western Siberia. The connection was carried out by the wire-ground scheme during the routine maintenance of PTL in the nighttime. The highest-quality signals were recorded in the region of the SG-7 (En-Yakhin) superdeep borehole, where the industrial noise is lowest. The results of the inversion of the soundings with PTL and Zevs ULF transmitter completely agree with each other and with the data of electric logging. The MT-AMT data provide additional information about the deep structure of the region in the low-frequency range (below 1Hz). It is established that the section of SG-6 and SG-7 boreholes contains conductive layers in the depth intervals from 0.15 to 0.3 km and from 1 to 1.5 km. These layers are associated with the variations in the lithological composition, porosity, and fluid saturation of the rocks. The top of the poorly conductive Permian-Triassic complex is identified at a depth of about 7 km. On the basis of the MT data in the lowest frequency band (hourly and longer periods) with the observations at the Novosibirsk observatory taken into account, the distribution of electric resistivity up to a depth of 800 km is reconstructed. This distribution can be used as additional information when calculating the temperature and rheology of the lithosphere and upper mantle in West Siberia. The results of our studies demonstrate the high potential of the complex electromagnetic soundings with natural and controlled sources in the study of deep structure of the lithosphere and tracing deep oil-and-gas-bearing horizons in the sedimentary cover of the West Siberian Platform within the Yamal-Nenets autonomous district.     

红河断裂带测区古构造残余应力随深度分布X射线测量

以岩体正交各向异性弹性理论为基础,用X射线衍射法,在红河断裂带测区,选用12个大口径钻孔用金刚石钻头钻取的岩芯,测量了岩体中三维宏观残余应力和微观残余应力及其弹性应变能密度随深度的分布,分析了它们沿深度的分布规律。     

The inversion of density structure by graphic processing unit (GPU) and identification of igneous rocks in Xisha area

Organic reefs, the targets of deep-water petroleum exploration, developed widely in Xisha area. However, there are concealed igneous rocks undersea, to which organic rocks have nearly equal wave impedance. So the igneous rocks have become interference for future exploration by having similar seismic reflection characteristics. Yet, the density and magnetism of organic reefs are very different from igneous rocks. It has obvious advantages to identify organic reefs and igneous rocks by gravity and magnetic data. At first, frequency decomposition was applied to the free-air gravity anomaly in Xisha area to obtain the 2D subdivision of the gravity anomaly and magnetic anomaly in the vertical direction. Thus, the distribution of igneous rocks in the horizontal direction can be acquired according to high-frequency field, low-frequency field, and its physical properties. Then, 3D forward modeling of gravitational field was carried out to establish the density model of this area by reference to physical properties of rocks based on former researches. Furthermore, 3D inversion of gravity anomaly by genetic algorithm method of the graphic processing unit (GPU) parallel processing in Xisha target area was applied, and 3D density structure of this area was obtained. By this way, we can confine the igneous rocks to the certain depth according to the density of the igneous rocks. The frequency decomposition and 3D inversion of gravity anomaly by genetic algorithm method of the GPU parallel processing proved to be a useful method for recognizing igneous rocks to its 3D geological position. So organic reefs and igneous rocks can be identified, which provide a prescient information for further exploration.     

The inversion of density structure by graphic processing unit （GPU） and identification of igneous rocks in Xisha area

Organic reefs, the targets of deep-water petroleum exploration, developed widely in Xisha area. However, there are concealed igneous rocks undersea, to which organic rocks have nearly equal wave impedance. So the igneous rocks have become interference for future exploration by having similar seismic reflection characteristics. Yet, the density and magnetism of organic reefs are very different from igneous rocks. It has obvious advantages to identify organic reefs and igneous rocks by gravity and magnetic data. At first, frequency decomposition was applied to the free-air gravity anomaly in Xisha area to obtain the 2D subdivision of the gravity anomaly and magnetic anomaly in the vertical direction. Thus, the distribution of igneous rocks in the horizontal direction can be acquired according to high-frequency field, low-frequency field, and its physical properties. Then, 3D forward modeling of gravitational field was carried out to establish the density model of this area by reference to physical properties of rocks based on former researches. Furthermore, 3D inversion of gravity anomaly by genetic algorithm method of the graphic processing unit(GPU) parallel processing in Xisha target area was applied, and 3D density structure of this area was obtained. By this way, we can confine the igneous rocks to the certain depth according to the density of the igneous rocks. The frequency decomposition and 3D inversion of gravity anomaly by genetic algorithm method of the GPU parallel processing proved to be a useful method for recognizing igneous rocks to its 3D geological position. So organic reefs and igneous rocks can be identified, which provide a prescient information for further exploration.     

A simulation of large‐scale groundwater flow and travel time in a fractured rock environment for waste disposal purposes

Two‐dimensional regional groundwater flow was simulated based on a conceptual model of low‐permeability crystalline rocks of the Whiteshell Research Area (WRA) in south‐eastern Manitoba. The conceptual model consists of fracture zones that strike in different directions and dip at various angles in the background rock mass. The thickness and hydraulic properties of the fracture zones in the conceptual model were varied as were the fluid properties and the boundary conditions of the groundwater flow system. The effects of these variations on the groundwater flow pattern and on the convective travel time along pathways from a hypothetical disposal vault at 500 m depth to discharge locations at the ground surface were evaluated. The vault was located in the regional discharge area of the groundwater system. A homogeneous conceptual model of the WRA, having only freshwater flow, formed a groundwater flow pattern with a regional flow system. Local flow systems developed increasingly with the introduction of fracture zones 20 m and 3 m thick, and depth‐dependent fluid density. This indicates a reduction in groundwater residence time by fracture zones and fluid density. Flow pathways were analysed using both a stream‐function and a particle‐tracking technique. The pathways and their lengths from the location of the vault to the surface varied spatially according to the flow patterns. The minimum travel time along these pathways was less than 150 000 and greater than 4 000 000 years in models with and without fracture zones, respectively, indicating that the presence of fracture zones was the major controlling factor. A precise knowledge and refinement of conceptual model parameters is necessary during site selection for waste disposal purposes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of Atmospheric Radon Transport on a Radon Flux from the Surface

Radon-222 is inert radioactive gas with a half-life period of 3.8 days, it is a decay product of radium-226. Being escaped from minerals and underground waters into pore space of rocks and soil, it is transported to the surface by diffusion and advection and gone to the atmosphere. When modeling processes of atmosphere radon transport one sets value of radon flux from the surface, depending on contents of radium-226 in rocks and conditions of radon transport in soil, especially on soil porosity and humidity. The impact of radon turbulent transport in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) on radon flux density from the surface is estimated in this paper. It is shown that both for stationary state and for typical diurnal variations of the radon volumetric activity (VA) in the ABL, the correction to the radon flux density caused by its turbulent transport in the ABL is negligible (less than 1%) and doesn’t exceed measurement errors. Thus, when calculating radon VA in the ABL it is really possible to set an average value of the radon flux density on the surface as a boundary condition.     

Measuring the elastic properties of natural rocks and mineral assemblages under Earth's deep crustal and mantle conditions

The direct access to the interior of our planet is very limited. Scientific drilling can reach about 15 km depth. Natural exhumation processes in conjunction with orogeny bring massive rock packages from up to 100 km depth back to surface. Explosion breccia and kimberlite pipes can carry small rock and mineral fragments as xenoliths from up to 250 km depth. But all the detailed knowledge we achieved about Earth's deep interior structures and dynamics, especially during the last two decades is based on highly resolved seismic data, in particular seismic tomography. That means it is a three-dimensional distribution of elastic and inelastic data with the maximum resolution of the seismic wavelength, i.e. at great depth several kilometres in principle. Consequently any material information is a matter of interpretation. Thus a detailed knowledge about the elastic properties of rocks in dependence on pressure, temperature, mineral content, grain size, deformation, crack distribution, etc., is crucial for this interpretation.