THE GEOMETRICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FORMATION MECHANISM OF POLYGONAL FAULTS IN DEEP-WATER BASIN

WU Shi-guo; SUN Qi-liang; DONG Dong-dong

2008 Vol. 14, No. 3

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WU Shi-guo, SUN Qi-liang, DONG Dong-dong. THE GEOMETRICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FORMATION MECHANISM OF POLYGONAL FAULTS IN DEEP-WATER BASIN[J]. Journal of Geomechanics, 2008, 14(3): 231-240.

Citation:

WU Shi-guo, SUN Qi-liang, DONG Dong-dong. THE GEOMETRICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FORMATION MECHANISM OF POLYGONAL FAULTS IN DEEP-WATER BASIN[J]. Journal of Geomechanics, 2008, 14(3): 231-240.

THE GEOMETRICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FORMATION MECHANISM OF POLYGONAL FAULTS IN DEEP-WATER BASIN

1.
Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
2.
Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

Received Date: 24 January 2008

Publish Date: 25 September 2008

Abstract

Abstract

Polygonal fault system is a tensional fault system with small throws.Because of their polygonal shape on plan, they are named polygonal faults.They have been studied for more than ten years since they were defined in North Sea in 1994, and from then on, they have been recognized in more than fifty passive basins worldwide.Research on polygonal fault needs high-resolution 3D seismic data, so, until now no research on polygonal fault has been made in China.The mechanism of polygonal fault is the focus of preliminary studies.Many experts think that the volumetric contraction induced by syneresis during the early-stage compaction of fine sedimentation is the mechanism for the development of polygonal fault systems.Many polygonal faults formed in continental slope, so some scholars believe that gravitational spreading is the mechanism for the polygonal fault formation.Polygonal faults affect the attributes and distribution of deep-water hydrocarbon reservoir which provide pathway for fluid, so they are important for migration and accumulation of hydrocarbon and gas hydrate.
- polygonal fault /
- syneresis /
- gravitational spreading /
- channel sandstone /
- deep-water basin

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References

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