The growth of normal faults by segment linkage

Abstract

Fault growth is widely described using a scaling law between maximum displacement ( D ) and length ( L ), of the form D = cL n . This expression defines a model of fault growth by radial propagation from a single seed fracture or fault. This paper presents geometrical and kinematic evidence from a set of exceptionally well exposed normal faults in Utah for an alternative model of fault growth. This model is referred to as growth by segment linkage, and involves the propagation and linkage of independent fault segments on ascending length scales. The evidence presented focuses on the geometry and displacement variation in the region of relay structures, and on local scaling relationships between D and L . The D - L data from 97 faults in the study area range over three orders of magnitude, and show a general trend to increasing D for increasing L . There is a large scatter in the data, similar to that recognized in previous D - L compilations. It is argued that the scatter cannot be attributed either to measurement errors or to variation in mechanical properties. Instead, we argue that the model of growth by segment linkage provides a simple explanation of this scatter, and propose that the process of segment linkage may explain scatter in other datasets.

Dynamic investigation of the effect of a relay ramp on simulated fluid flow: geocellular modelling of the Delicate Arch Ramp, Utah

“…This study has demonstrated successfully that relay ramps represent conduits for fluid flow, which has been suggested previously by several authors (Peacock & Sanderson 1991;Peacock & Sanderson 1994;Trudgill & Cartwright 1994;Childs et al 1995;Cartwright et al 1996;McGill et al 2000;Imber et al 2004;Hus et al 2006, amongst others). Although some works exist that have documented fluid flow across relay ramps (Bense & Baalen 2004;Micarelli et al 2006), the effects of fault damage in relay ramps has not been quantified to date in the existing literature.…”

Faulting, fault sealing and fluid flow in hydrocarbon reservoirs: an introduction

“…The information contained in Fig. 2 reinforces the results of other recent studies which have noted different fault architecture associated with fault segment structures or domains (Cartwright et al 1996), relay zones (Peacock & Sanderson 1994), and tip zones (McGrath & Davison 1995). It is also clear that attribute mapping from high-quality 3D seismic surveys offers an important direction for the future characterization of fault segment and damage zone geometries (see Jones & Knipe 1996).…”

Evolution of a fault surface from 3D attribute analysis and displacement measurements

“…An ideal self-similar growth is rarely observed; in general, there is a lot of scatter in throw or heave vs. length correlation plots, which is caused by the process of segment linkage (Cartwright et al, 1996;Mansfield and Cartwright, 2001), and partly also due to the use of throw and heave values rather than the real displacement. Because of strong differences in real displacement, vertical and horizontal displacement, and even throw and heave of mature, high undulated faults, it is necessary to use real displacement values as they represent the true movement along the fault.…”