Architecture, deformation style and petrophysical properties of growth fault systems: The Late Triassic deltaic succession of southern Edgeøya (East Svalbard)

Kei Ogata*, Mark J. Mulrooney, Alvar Braathen, Harmon Maher, Per Terje Osmundsen, Ingrid Anell, Aleksandra Anna Smyrak-Sikora, Fabrizio Balsamo

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The Late Triassic outcrops on southern Edgeøya, East Svalbard, allow a multiscale study of syn-sedimentary listric growth faults located in the prodelta region of a regional prograding system. At least three hierarchical orders of growth faults have been recognized, each showing different deformation mechanisms, styles and stratigraphic locations of the associated detachment interval. The faults, characterized by mutually influencing deformation envelopes over space-time, generally show SW- to SE-dipping directions, indicating a counter-regional trend with respect to the inferred W-NW directed progradation of the associated delta system. The down-dip movement is accommodated by polyphase deformation, with the different fault architectural elements recording a time-dependent transition from fluidal-hydroplastic to ductile-brittle deformation, which is also conceptually scale-dependent, from the smaller- (3rd order) to the larger-scale (1st order) end-member faults respectively. A shift from distributed strain to strain localization towards the fault cores is observed at the meso to microscale (<1 mm), and in the variation in petrophysical parameters of the litho-structural facies across and along the fault envelope, with bulk porosity, density, pore size and microcrack intensity varying accordingly to deformation and reworking intensity of inherited structural fabrics. The second- and third-order listric fault nucleation points appear to be located above blind fault tip-related monoclines involving cemented organic shales. Close to planar, through-going, first-order faults cut across this boundary, eventually connecting with other favourable lower-hierarchy fault to create seismic-scale fault zones similar to those imaged in the nearby offshore areas. The inferred large-scale driving mechanisms for the first-order faults are related to the combined effect of tectonic reactivation of deeper Palaeozoic structures in a far field stress regime due to the Uralide orogeny, and differential compaction associated with increased sand sedimentary input in a fine-grained, water-saturated, low-accommodation, prodeltaic depositional environment. In synergy to this large-scale picture, small-scale causative factors favouring second- and third-order faulting seem to be related to mechanical-rheological instabilities related to localized shallow diagenesis and liquidization fronts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1042-1073
Number of pages32
JournalBasin Research
Volume30
Issue number5
Early online date7 May 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2018

Funding

This study is part of the Petromaks Trias North Project (grant 234152/E30); we extend gratitude to the projects financial supporters, the Research Council of Norway and industry partners, Edison Norway, Lundin Norway, RWE Dea Norge, Statoil and Tullow Oil. Our many discussions with Snorre Olaussen, Kim Senger, Elisabeth Miller, Elisabeth Olsen, Luka Bla≤zic, Beyene Haile, Tore Grane Klau-sen and Helge Hellevang during the field campaigns enriched the work. Moreover, we would like to deeply thank the Editor Atle Rotevatn and the referees Jack Williams, Thibault Cavailhes and Tore Grane Klausen for their accurate and constructive reviews. This study is part of the Petromaks Trias North Project (grant 234152/E30); we extend gratitude to the projects financial supporters, the Research Council of Norway and industry partners, Edison Norway, Lundin Norway, RWE Dea Norge, Statoil and Tullow Oil. Our many discussions with Snorre Olaussen, Kim Senger, Elisabeth Miller, Elisabeth Olsen, Luka Bla?i?, Beyene Haile, Tore Grane Klausen and Helge Hellevang during the field campaigns enriched the work. Moreover, we would like to deeply thank the Editor Atle Rotevatn and the referees Jack Williams, Thibault Cavailhes and Tore Grane Klausen for their accurate and constructive reviews. Petromaks Trias North Project, Grant/ Award Number: 234152/E30; Research Council of Norway; Edison Norway; Lundin Norway; RWE Dea Norge; Statoil and Tullow Oil

FundersFunder number
Edison Norway
Lundin Norway
Petromaks Trias North Project234152/E30
RWE Dea Norge
Tullow Oil
Lundin Energy Norway
Statoil
Norges forskningsråd
Tullow Oil

    Keywords

    • Detachment
    • Fault zone architecture
    • Listric growth faulting
    • Strain partitioning
    • Structural diagenesis
    • Syn-sedimentary tectonics

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