The Lyell Collection uses cookies

The Lyell Collection uses cookies. By continuing to use it you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more.

Accept
×

Abstract

Understanding the 3D geometry and evolution of extension-related folds is important because they may document the geometry and evolution of the associated faults, influence sediment routing and accommodation development, and may represent targets for hydrocarbon exploration or CO2 storage. Previous work on extension-related folds has largely been restricted to a 2D plane of observation; in this study we use 3D seismic reflection data from the Gulf of Suez, Egypt to determine the 3D geometry and evolution of fault-parallel folds during dip linkage of a vertically segmented extensional fault array that is locally decoupled across a salt-bearing interval. The 3D geometry of individual faults in the array and adjacent hanging-wall folds varies along strike; rollover structures occur above listric faults, whereas fault-bend folds occur above faults that have a ramp–flat–ramp geometry. Quantitative analysis of fault–fold attributes (e.g. fold amplitude) and the growth history of the fault array indicate that fault shape is controlled by the style of dip linkage, which in turn is controlled by the lateral separation of sub- and supra-salt segments prior to linkage. Small lateral separation yields a relatively subtle change in the overall convexity of the listric fault, whereas larger lateral separation results in a ramp–flat–ramp fault geometry, with the layer-parallel detachment lying within the salt. This study provides a link between fault spacing, style of dip linkage, final fault shape and, ultimately, the style of hanging-wall folding in mechanically layered stratigraphy. Our study indicates that 3D seismic reflection data have the ability to provide us with new 3D insights into the variability of, and controls on, the geometry and evolution of fault-related folds.

Get full access to this article

Purchase, subscribe or recommend this article to your librarian.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Journal of the Geological Society
Journal of the Geological Society
Volume 171Number 6November 2014
Pages: 821 - 829

History

Received: 25 April 2014
Accepted: 2 July 2014
Published online: 29 September 2014
Published: November 2014

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Atle Rotevatn* [email protected]
Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway
Christopher A.-L. Jackson
Basins Research Group (BRG), Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BP, UK

Notes

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Article Usage

Downloaded 46 times

Citations

Export citation

Select the format you want to export the citation of this publication.

Citing Literature

  • Structural conditions for relay ramp fault development on the edge of the collision wedge: a case study from the East Slovak Basin, Comptes Rendus. Géoscience, 10.5802/crgeos.262, 356, G1, (31-56), (2024).
  • Geometry and evolution of polygonal fault systems under a regionally anisotropic stress field: Insights from 3D seismic analysis of the Qiongdongnan Basin, NW South China Sea , Basin Research, 10.1111/bre.12855, 36, 1, (2024).
  • Regional significance of normal fault systems in the western Canadian Beaufort Sea (Mackenzie delta), Tectonophysics, 10.1016/j.tecto.2023.229767, 850, (229767), (2023).
  • Lateral and vertical growth and linkage of normal faults in Bozhong8-4 structure of Western Bozhong Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China, Journal of Structural Geology, 10.1016/j.jsg.2022.104731, 164, (104731), (2022).
  • Case Study on Geoscience Teaching Innovation: Using 3D Printing to Develop Structural Interpretation Skill in Higher Education Levels, Frontiers in Earth Science, 10.3389/feart.2020.590062, 8, (2021).

View Options

Login Options

Restore your content access

Enter your email address to restore your content access:

Note: This functionality works only for purchases done as a guest. If you already have an account, log in to access the content to which you are entitled.

View options

PDF/EPUB

View PDF/EPUB

Full Text

View Full Text

Figures

Tables

Media

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share on social media

Suggested Content