USING UAV PHOTOGRAMMETRY TECHNOLOGY TO EXTRACT INFORMATION OF TECTONIC ACTIVITY OF COMPLEX ALLUVIAL FAN——A CASE STUDY OF AN ALLUVIAL FAN IN THE SOUTHERN MARGIN OF BARKOL BASIN

Alluvial fans that are in the process of development always show complex geomorphic features due to natural modification. Accordingly, analyzing these fans whether to be influenced by tectonic deformation is one of the technique difficulties in active tectonic studies. Complex alluvial fans are the focus of the study of active tectonics such as fracture mapping and activity behavior analysis, for they have often retained important structural information. Traditional measurement methods, such as satellite remote sensing, RTK GPS and Lidar, are difficult to meet the demand for the study of micro tectonic deformation because of the reason of accuracy or cost performance. The recent UAV photogrammetry technology, due to its many advantages such as low cost, high resolution, and efficiency of exporting DEM and DOM data, has been widely used in three-dimensional modeling, ground mapping and other fields. In the quantitative study of active tectonics, this technology fills up the deficiency in the research of the micro structure of the traditional measurement. Through detailed field investigations and paleoseismic trenching, we further used this technology to obtain the topographic data of a complex alluvial fan located at the southern marginal fault of Barkol Basin, Xinjiang. Pointing at the alluvial fans that are in the process of development, and on the basis of topographic analysis and image processing for DEM, we take the research method of secondary partitions of the geomorphic surface and cut the alluvial fans longitudinally according to the difference of its age. Through the establishment of profile cluster within each partition, separate analysis and data contrast with the adjacent partitions, we acquired the tectonic activity information during the development of alluvial fan. The tectonic vertical deformation of this alluvial fan is about 2.5m.     

Impact of a pre-existing transverse drainage system on active rift stratigraphy: An example from the Corinth Rift,Greece

Models to explain alluvial system development in rift settings commonly depict fans that are sourced directly from catchments formed in newly uplifted footwalls, which leads to the development of steep-sided talus-cone fans in the actively subsiding basin depocentre. The impact of basin evolution on antecedent drainage networks orientated close to perpendicular to a rift axis, and flowing over the developing hangingwall dip slope, remains relatively poorly understood. The aim of this study is to better understand the responses to rift margin uplift and subsequent intrabasinal fault development in determining sedimentation patterns in alluvial deposits of a major antecedent drainage system. Field-acquired data from a coarse-grained alluvial syn-rift succession in the western Gulf of Corinth, Greece (sedimentological logging and mapping) has allowed analysis of the spatial distribution of facies associations, stratigraphic architectural elements and patterns of palaeoflow. During the earliest rifting phase, newly uplifted footwalls redirected a previously established fluvial system with predominantly southward drainage. Footwall uplift on the southern basin margin at an initially relatively slow rate led to the development of an overfilled basin, within which an alluvial fan prograded to the south-west, south and south-east over a hangingwall dip slope. Deposition of the alluvial system sourced from the north coincided with the establishment of small-scale alluvial fans sourced from the newly uplifted footwall in the south. Deposits of non-cohesive debris flows close to the proposed hangingwall fan apex pass gradationally downstream into predominantly bedload conglomerate deposits indicative of sedimentation via hyperconcentrated flows laden with sand- and silt-grade sediment. Subsequent normal faulting in the hangingwall resulted in the establishment of further barriers to stream drainage, blocking flow routes to the south. This culminated in the termination of sediment supply to the basin depocentre from the north, and the onset of underfilled basin conditions as signified by an associated lacustrine transgression. The evolution of the fluvial system described in this study records transitions between three possible end-member types of interaction between active rifting and antecedent drainage systems: (a) erosion through an uplifted footwall, (b) drainage diversion away from an uplifted footwall and (c) deposition over the hangingwall dip slope. The orientation of antecedent drainage pathways at a high angle to the trend of a developing rift axis, replete with intrabasinal faulting, exerts a primary control on the timing and location of development of overfilled and underfilled basin states in evolving depocentres.     

Effect of different span heights on the pipeline impact forces induced by deep-sea landslides

With the development of marine energy in full swing, an increasing number of pipelines are being installed in deep-sea areas, which inevitably pass through extremely complex topographic conditions, to form natural sections of suspension over submarine canyons. The seabed is easily eroded and shaped by active deep-sea bottom currents and watercourses, resulting in different span heights for pipelines originally laid on the seabed. In particularly, deep-sea geological hazards frequently occur, and submarine landslides seriously threaten the safe operation of the pipelines. To address these problems, an improved numerical analysis method combined with low-temperature rheological models of landslides and the optimization design method of the geometric model, is developed to simulate the landslides’ impacts on pipelines. Based on these, the effect of the span heights on the pipelines’ impact forces induced by deep-sea landslides is systematically investigated, and three modes of the forces on pipelines under the impact of landslides and related mechanism are proposed. Further, the span height ratio is put forward, and four formulas for evaluating the forces on pipeline are established. Through the analysis of calculation results, the lift force coefficient even increases nearly 20 times considering different span heights. This research provides a theoretical basis for the design and protection of deep-sea pipelines.     

Stratigraphic complexity in fluvial fans: Lower Eocene Green River Formation,Uinta Basin,USA

In this study, measured outcrop sections and geolocated photomosaics are integrated with areal mapping of channel dimensions, degree of amalgamation, calculations of channel‐to‐floodplain ratios and sedimentary facies variability to study and quantify the channel and floodplain deposits in the Sunnyside Delta Interval of the Lower Eocene Green River Formation in the Uinta Basin, Utah. Vertically, sand content and bed thickness increases, due to an increase in the channel‐to‐floodplain ratio, channel size and the degree of channel amalgamation. Laterally, the channel‐to‐floodplain ratio, channel size, the degree of channel amalgamation and the sand content in channel facies decreases in the paleo‐downstream direction. Such vertical and lateral transitions identify the Sunnyside Delta Interval as a fluvial fan (or distributive fluvial system). However, the vertical and lateral transitions occur at multiple spatial scales, demonstrating considerable stratigraphic complexity as compared to the existing facies and architectural models suggested for fluvial megafans and distributive fluvial systems. The smallest‐scale transitions are identified as avulsion‐related packages that form the building blocks of the stratigraphy, whereas the intermediate‐ and largest‐scale transitions are suggested to be related to lobe and whole fan progradation respectively. This documented complexity indicates the significance of self‐organization in building fluvial fan stratigraphy, and demonstrates that changes in the degree of channel amalgamation or in channel‐to‐floodplain ratio are not linked to accommodation changes. On facies scale, an abundance of Froude supercritical‐flow and high‐deposition‐rate facies, in‐channel mud deposits, and in‐channel bioturbation and desiccation indicate deposition in rivers with highly variable discharge. Such discharge conditions suggest seasonally and inter‐annually variable precipitation conditions in the US Western Interior in the Early Eocene.     

Sedimentology, stratigraphic occurrence and origin of linked debrites in the West Crocker Formation (Oligo-Miocene), Sabah, NW Borneo

The West Crocker Formation (Oligocene–Early Miocene), NW Borneo, consists of a large (>20 000 km²) submarine fan deposited as part of an accretionary complex. A range of gravity-flow deposits are observed, the most significant of which are mud-poor, massive sandstones interpreted as turbidites and clast-rich, muddy sandstones and sandy mudstones interpreted as debrites. An upward transition from turbidite to debrite is commonly observed, with the contact being either gradational and planar, or sharp and highly erosive. Based on their repeated vertical relationship and the nature of the contact between them, these intervals are interpreted as being deposited from one flow event which consisted of two distinct flow phases: fully turbulent turbidity current and weakly turbulent to laminar debris flow. The associated bed is called a co-genetic turbidite–debrite, with the upper debrite interval termed a linked debrite. Linked debrites are best developed in the non-channellised parts of the fan system, and are absent to poorly-developed in the proximal channel-levee and distal basin floor environments. Due to outcrop limitations, the genesis of linked debrites within the West Crocker Formation is unclear. Based on clast size and type, it seems likely that a weakly turbulent to laminar debris-flow flow phase was present when the flow event entered the basin. A change in flow behaviour may have led to deposition of a sand-rich unit with ‘turbidite’ characteristics, which was subsequently overlain by a mud-rich unit with ‘debrite’ characteristics. Flow transformation may have been enhanced by the disintegration and incorporation into the flow of muddy clasts derived from the upstream channel floor, channel mouth or from channel-levee collapse. Lack of preservation of this debrite in proximal areas may indicate either bypass of this flow phase or that the available outcrops fail to capture the debris flow entry point. Establishing robust sedimentological criteria from a variety of datasets may lead to the increasing recognition of co-genetic turbidite-debrite beds, and an increased appreciation of the importance of bipartite flows in the transport and deposition of sediments in deepwater environments.     

Characterisation of a Campanian deep-sea fan system in the Norwegian Sea by means of ichnofabrics

Ichnofabrics are applied in concert with sedimentological data to discriminate sub-environments within a Campanian deep-sea fan system in the Norwegian Sea. Seven ichnofabric types are recognised in the studied cores, which correspond to specific architectural elements of the fan system, including amalgamated channels, lobate sand sheets, proximal and distal overbank, fan fringe, and hemipelagic basin plain environments. A unique observation is an ultra-deep Chondrites ichnofabric, interpreted to result from the activity of a chemosymbiotic tracemaker, possibly utilising hydrothermal vents or hydrocarbon seeps in the near vicinity of an active rift system. Mapping and inter-well correlation of ichnofabrics allow a better control of lateral and vertical facies changes, which are important to exploration and production strategies. This study demonstrates that ichnofabric analysis is proving to be a valuable tool for the characterisation and prediction of reservoir quality, the recognition of potential flow barriers and prediction of lateral depositional trends in deep-sea fan deposits.     

Sedimentary Processes and Depositional Characteristics of Coarse-grained Subaqueous Fans along Steep Slopes in a Lacustrine Rift Basin: A Case Study from the Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Coarse-grained subaqueous fans are vital oil and gas exploration targets in the Bohai Bay basin, China. The insufficient understanding of their sedimentary processes, depositional patterns, and controlling factors restricts efficient exploration and development. Coarse-grained subaqueous fans in the Yong′an area, Dongying Depression, are investigated in this study. These fans include nearshore subaqueous fans, and sublacustrine fans, and their sedimentary processes, depositional patterns and distribution characteristics are mainly controlled by tectonic activity and paleogeomorphology. Nearshore subaqueous fans developed near the boundary fault during the early–middle deposition stage due to strong tectonic activity and large topographic subsidence. Early sublacustrine fans developed at the front of the nearshore subaqueous fans in the area where the topography changed from gentle to steep along the source direction. While the topography was gentle, sublacustrine fans did not develop. During the late weak tectonic activity stage, late sublacustrine fans developed with multiple stages superimposed. Frequent fault activity and related earthquakes steepened the basin margin, and the boundary fault slopes were 25.9°–34°. During the early–middle deposition stage, hyperpycnal flows triggered by outburst floods developed. During the late deposition stage, with weak tectonic activity, seasonal floods triggered hyperpycnal flows, and hybrid event beds developed distally.     

差异胶结作用引起的储层物性差异成因分析：以白音查干凹陷达尔其扇三角洲为例

扇三角洲为陆相沉积盆地中的一个重要沉积体系,多数具有良好的油气储集能力。通常情况下,盆地中发育的扇三角洲具有相近的物性,扇三角洲前缘分流河道储层物性好,席状砂物性较差。然而,达尔其油田相邻的2个扇三角洲的物性出现了较大差异,达尔其西扇三角洲出现了分流河道物性差异与相控储层理论相悖的现象。利用偏光显微镜镜下薄片观察、岩芯物性分析与测井等资料,研究了该区储层岩石的孔隙类型以及成岩过程中压实和胶结作用对储层物性的影响,分析2个相邻扇三角洲储层物性差异及达尔其西扇三角洲河道物性差的原因,认为干旱气候和地壳抬升作用、盐湖沉积阶段和盐类沉积时间差异是形成2个扇三角洲物性差异的关键因素。研究成果为解释达尔其油田2个扇三角洲储层物性剧烈变化和差异提供了重要依据。     

济阳坳陷沾化凹陷陡坡带始新统沙三段扇三角洲储层成岩作用与有利储层成因

15口井岩芯和众多储层实验资料研究表明,沾化凹陷北部陡坡带始新统沙河街组扇三角洲砂体由长石砂岩、岩屑长石砂岩等构成。在埋藏成岩演化过程中,该砂岩储层经历了多种成岩作用,现储层埋深1800~4000m,处于中成岩演化阶段,总体形成了中孔中渗储层(平均孔隙度为19.7%,平均渗透率为111.5×10-3μm2)。但在成岩演化过程中,溶蚀作用对于改善储层质量起到了重要作用,主要在2800~3300m深度段,有机酸对长石颗粒的溶蚀,形成的粒间和粒内孔隙不仅增加了孔隙度,而且提高了储层渗透率,改善了储层质量(孔隙度可达到30%,渗透率达到1000×10-3μm2)。可以看出,确定次生孔隙发育深度段有利于有利储层和油气富集层段预测。     

砂砾岩沉积特征分析及有利储集相带确定--以玛北斜坡区百口泉组为例

为明确砂砾岩复杂储层的沉积特征及有利储集相带分布,通过岩心、测井、地震、实验分析等资料综合研究,认为玛北斜坡区百口泉组属近源快速堆积的扇三角洲沉积体系,主要发育扇三角洲平原辫状河道、扇三角洲平原/前缘砂质碎屑流、扇三角洲前缘近岸水下分流河道、远岸水下分流河道、河口坝五种主要沉积微相类型。发育牵引流、重力流两种搬运机制。主要发育夏子街扇、黄羊泉扇二大主扇体,夏子街扇细分为风南10、夏72、玛7三条支扇,西部的风南10支扇、东部的玛7支扇发育重力流(砂质碎屑流)沉积。夏72支扇位于玛北鼻状凸起上,鼻状凸起背景下发育的低缓沟槽控制着牵引流水系的展布。储层的成岩作用(压实、胶结)强度与沉积作用(泥杂基含量、粒度)关系密切,泥杂基含量、粒度为储层储集性能的主控因素。有利储集相带受沉积机制、沉积微相双重控制,重力流(砂质碎屑流)沉积整体物性最差;牵引流沉积视不同沉积相带,扇三角洲平原辫状河道、扇三角洲前缘远岸水下分流河道物性较差;扇三角洲前缘近岸水下分流河道、河口坝物性最优,优质储层主要分布在扇三角洲前缘近岸水下分流河道相带内。