Assessment of the effect of mass-transport deposits on fault propagation in Penobscot area, offshore Nova Scotia

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) seismic data and well logs from the Penobscot area, located within the Scotian Basin offshore Nova Scotia, are used to assess the role of mass-transport deposits (MTDs) on fault propagation. Four MTDs characterized by chaotic seismic facies were mapped, with the earliest hosted by the Late Cretaceous–Recent Dawson Canyon Formation and latest three hosted by the Banquereau Formation. Two types of faults were also mapped. R-faults are regional faults that cut across all the interpreted MTDs in the study area, while P-faults are polygonal faults that cut across MTDs 2 and 3 but tip out at the basal surfaces of MTDs 4 and 2. Representative seismic profiles and isochron maps of the MTDs and throw–depth (T–z) and throw–distance (T–x) plots allows us to distinguish the families and propagation history of the faults. Our results show that fault propagation is not affected by the presence or thickness variation of MTDs, and is also unaffected by lithological contrast in the Penobscot area of the Nova Scotian Shelf.

Advancing from subaqueous mass movement case studies to providing advice and mitigation

“…Given that MTDs are ubiquitous in sedimentary basins, various authors have shown that they can be used as structural markers by constraining the timing of fault growth and MTD emplacement (e.g. Omosanya & Alves 2014, and references cited within Omeru et al 2018). The research team tests this method to determine if MTDs can be used as markers for fault propagation on four MTDs within the Scotian Basin.…”

The complex interaction between channel–levee systems and mass transport complexes in the Pliocene–Quaternary Rakhine Basin, offshore Myanmar

“…10.3389/feart.2024.1286229 topographic highs to areas of lower gradient, where they can cover hundreds or thousands of square kilometers; therefore, they are important to act as seals in hydrocarbon exploration (Armitage et al, 2009;Omeru, 2014). However, small MTCs can also occur within large channels or canyons (Sun et al, 2011).…”