Difference between revisions of "Magnetotellurics case history: Precambrian overthrust (Northwestern Colorado)"

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  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps
 
  | part    = Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps
 
  | chapter = Applying magnetotellurics
 
  | chapter = Applying magnetotellurics
  | frompg  = 16-1
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  | frompg  = 16-10
  | topg    = 16-12
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  | topg    = 16-10
 
  | author  = Arnie Ostrander
 
  | author  = Arnie Ostrander
 
  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch16/ch16.htm
 
  | link    = http://archives.datapages.com/data/specpubs/beaumont/ch16/ch16.htm
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  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X
 
  | isbn    = 0-89181-602-X
 
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MT can be used in an overthrust environment to delineate conductive sediments beneath a resistive thrust plate. It is often difficult to acquire good-quality seismic data in an overthrust area where high-velocity (high-resistivity) rocks overlie low-velocity (low-resistivity) sediments.
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Magnetotellurics (MT) can be used in an [[overthrust]] environment to delineate [[Wikipedia:Electrical resistivity and conductivity|conductive]] sediments beneath a [[Wikipedia:Electrical resistivity and conductivity|resistive]] thrust plate. It is often difficult to acquire good-quality [[seismic data]] in an overthrust area where high-velocity (high-resistivity, low-conductivity) rocks overlie low-velocity (low-resistivity, high-conductivity) sediments.
  
The Precambrian overthrust in the Bear Springs area of northwestern Colorado is an example.<ref name=ch16r5>Mills, A., 1994, Zephyr Geophysical Services, personal communication.</ref>
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The [[Precambrian]] overthrust in the Bear Springs area of northwestern Colorado is an example.<ref name=ch16r5>Mills, A., 1994, Zephyr Geophysical Services, personal communication.</ref>
  
 
==Survey results==
 
==Survey results==
  
[[file:applying-magnetotellurics_fig16-7.png|thumb|{{figure number|1}}An 11-station MT profile across the thrust. Drafted from data from Mills.<ref name=ch16r5 />]]
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[[file:applying-magnetotellurics_fig16-7.png|thumb|500px|{{figure number|1}}An 11-station MT profile across the thrust. Drafted from data from Mills.<ref name=ch16r5 />]]
  
The MT station near the drill hole (see diagram below) shows a thin, near-surface conductor on top of the resistive Precambrian thrust sheet. This is a wedge of Quaternary and [[Tertiary]] sediments. Beneath the thrust, a thick conductive section of Cretaceous sediments is observed.
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The MT station near the drill hole (see diagram [[:file:applying-magnetotellurics_fig16-7.png|Figure 1]]) shows a thin, near-surface conductor on top of the resistive Precambrian thrust sheet. This is a wedge of [[Quaternary]] and [[Tertiary]] sediments. Beneath the thrust, a thick conductive section of [[Cretaceous]] sediments is observed.
  
[[:file:applying-magnetotellurics_fig16-7.png|Figure 1]] below is an 11-station MT profile across the thrust.
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[[:file:applying-magnetotellurics_fig16-7.png|Figure 1]] is an 11-station MT profile across the thrust.
  
 
==Structural details==
 
==Structural details==
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* Thickness of Precambrian thrust sheet
 
* Thickness of Precambrian thrust sheet
 
* Thinning of Cretaceous sediments to the south
 
* Thinning of Cretaceous sediments to the south
* Depth to top of Paleozoic sediments
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* Depth to top of [[Paleozoic]] sediments
* No differentiation between Paleozoic and basement
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* No differentiation between Paleozoic and [[basement]]
  
A very detailed subsurface structural map could be obtained in this area using a 3-D grid, controlled-source MT survey depicting the Precambrian/Cretaceous thrust contact and the top of the Paleozoic section.
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A very detailed subsurface structural map could be obtained in this area using a 3-D grid, controlled-source MT survey depicting the Precambrian-Cretaceous thrust contact and the top of the Paleozoic section.
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
* [[What is magnetotellurics?]]
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* [[Magnetotellurics]]
* [[What does an MT survey measure?]]
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* [[Magnetotellurics survey measurements]]
* [[How are MT data acquired?]]
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* [[Magnetotelluric data acquisition]]
* [[Case history: frontier basin analysis (Amazon Basin, Colombia)]]
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* [[Magnetotellurics case history: frontier basin analysis (Amazon Basin, Colombia)]]
* [[Case history: rugged carbonate terrain (Highlands of Papua New Guinea)]]
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* [[Magnetotellurics case history: rugged carbonate terrain (Highlands of Papua New Guinea)]]
* [[Case history: volcanic terrain (Columbia River Plateau)]]
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* [[Magnetotellurics case history: volcanic terrain (Columbia River Plateau)]]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  
 
[[Category:Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps]]  
 
[[Category:Applying magnetotellurics]]
 
[[Category:Applying magnetotellurics]]
 +
[[Category:Treatise Handbook 3]]

Latest revision as of 15:13, 31 January 2022

Exploring for Oil and Gas Traps
Series Treatise in Petroleum Geology
Part Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps
Chapter Applying magnetotellurics
Author Arnie Ostrander
Link Web page
Store AAPG Store

Magnetotellurics (MT) can be used in an overthrust environment to delineate conductive sediments beneath a resistive thrust plate. It is often difficult to acquire good-quality seismic data in an overthrust area where high-velocity (high-resistivity, low-conductivity) rocks overlie low-velocity (low-resistivity, high-conductivity) sediments.

The Precambrian overthrust in the Bear Springs area of northwestern Colorado is an example.[1]

Survey results[edit]

Figure 1 An 11-station MT profile across the thrust. Drafted from data from Mills.[1]

The MT station near the drill hole (see diagram Figure 1) shows a thin, near-surface conductor on top of the resistive Precambrian thrust sheet. This is a wedge of Quaternary and Tertiary sediments. Beneath the thrust, a thick conductive section of Cretaceous sediments is observed.

Figure 1 is an 11-station MT profile across the thrust.

Structural details[edit]

These data provide the following structural details:

  • Thickness of Quaternary and Tertiary cover
  • Thickness of Precambrian thrust sheet
  • Thinning of Cretaceous sediments to the south
  • Depth to top of Paleozoic sediments
  • No differentiation between Paleozoic and basement

A very detailed subsurface structural map could be obtained in this area using a 3-D grid, controlled-source MT survey depicting the Precambrian-Cretaceous thrust contact and the top of the Paleozoic section.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Mills, A., 1994, Zephyr Geophysical Services, personal communication.

External links[edit]

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Magnetotellurics case history: Precambrian overthrust (Northwestern Colorado)
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