Evaluating lateral compaction in deepwater fold and thrust belts: How much are we missing from “nature’s sandbox”?

[摘要] Deepwaterfold and thrust belts offer unique opportunities for evaluating deformation insedimentary successions with unrivalled seismic imaging of fold-thruststructures. A regional seismic line through the Orange Basin, offshore Namibia,reveals a classic paired, gravity-driven deformation system, over 100 kmacross, with extension high on the submarine slope and contraction toward thetoe of slope. A mismatch between the minimum estimate of extension (44 km)and slip on thrusts (18–25 km) requires an additional longitudinal straincomponent of 18%–25% to be distributed across the system, most plausibly aslateral compaction and volume loss. Strains of this magnitude raise issues forunderstanding deformation in partially lithified strata, with implications forthe applicability of theoretical fold-thrust models and the development ofhydrocarbon resources in deepwater settings.

[学科分类] 地质学

[关键词] Fire safety;fatal fires;smoke alarms