Modelling Salt Tectonics and Sedimentary Basin

Evolution at Passive Margins.

Implications for HC Exploration on the

Scotian Shelf.Author: Sheila M BallantyneSupervisors: Dr. Juergen Adam and Dr. Djordje Grujic

Dalhousie University, Department of Earth Sciences Honours Thesishttp://www.csc.noaa.gov/benthic/mapping/applying/images/scotian.gif

The Purpose of my Honours The Purpose of my Honours ThesisThesis• To gain a better understanding To gain a better understanding

of the structural geology of of the structural geology of passive rift margins, with an passive rift margins, with an emphasis on salt tectonics and emphasis on salt tectonics and sedimentary processes.sedimentary processes.

• To relate the gravity driven To relate the gravity driven experiments to the processes experiments to the processes on the Scotian Shelf, and aid in on the Scotian Shelf, and aid in HC exploration.HC exploration.

• To improve interpretations of To improve interpretations of geologic and geophysical data.geologic and geophysical data.

Passive Salt Margin - Regional Structure US Coast GOM (Peel et al. 1995)

3D Seafloor N-S Section from Shelf to Basin

Salt

Stratigraphic and Structural Setting of the Scotian Margin after Wade et al. 1990, 1995.

Experimental Set-Experimental Set-upup

► Each model is a 3D scaled Each model is a 3D scaled representation of the shelf, representation of the shelf, using silica as sand and using silica as sand and silicone putty as salt. The silicone putty as salt. The materials have specific materials have specific rheological behaviours and rheological behaviours and physical parameters. physical parameters.

► The experiments are The experiments are monitored using hi-res. digital monitored using hi-res. digital time-series data, using time-series data, using Particle Particle Imaging VelocimetryImaging Velocimetry (PIV). (PIV).

► Each experiment will be Each experiment will be digitally analyzed and cut into digitally analyzed and cut into cross-sections for cross-sections for interpretation. interpretation.

• Displacement field data

•IW

(ti

me

t +

d

t)

Photos courtesy of Juergen Adam

Surface ViewSurface View

Shelf

3D Structure - Stagnation3D Structure - Stagnation

Shelf Slope Basin

Shelf Slope Basin

Photos courtesy of Juergen Adam

•My main focus will be experiments where the effects of varying the slope angle are explored. These experiments will be carried out over the coming months. Data from recent experiments will also be used.

Acknowledgements: Canadian Superior Energy Inc. Awards ProgramDalhousie’s Centre for Complex Geo-Systems Research teamThanks to Juergen Adam for the pretty pictures, and animations. Much thanks to Juergen Adam,Djordje Grujic, Csaba Krezsek, and Steve King for guidance!

Photo from Juergen Adam