29.12.2013 Views

A Deterministic Evaluation of eismic Fidelity using Velocity Modeling ...

A Deterministic Evaluation of eismic Fidelity using Velocity Modeling ...

A Deterministic Evaluation of eismic Fidelity using Velocity Modeling ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

<strong>of</strong> the upper Frio. Overlying the lower portion <strong>of</strong> the upper Frio are two thick sand beds<br />

separated by a shale bed (Tabbi-Anneni, 1975).<br />

At the upper Oligocene series, the Anahuac Formation overlies the Frio Formation and<br />

underlies the lower Miocene. Deposition <strong>of</strong> the 1400 feet thick Anahuac occurred in an<br />

outer neritic environment. Sediments are composed <strong>of</strong> calcareous shales with sporadic<br />

alternating sand (Tabbi-Anneni, 1975). There are three biostratigraphic units in the<br />

Anahuac. In ascending order, these include the Marginulina, the Heterostegina, and the<br />

Discorbis zones (Tabbi-Anneni, 1975).<br />

Overlying the Anahuac formation is the Miocene Series. Deltaic and continental<br />

environments typify this 7000 - 7500 feet thick interval. Sediments are composed mainly<br />

<strong>of</strong> massive sands with periodic shale breaks. Common micr<strong>of</strong>ossils found in the Miocene<br />

are Operculinoides sp. and Amphistegina sp. (Tabbi-Anneni, 1975).<br />

2.4 Salt Tectonics<br />

Understanding mechanisms for salt emplacement and movement are important to<br />

understanding the formation and dynamics <strong>of</strong> individual salt bodies such as Vinton<br />

Dome. Developing a comprehensive model requires accurate evaluation <strong>of</strong> events that<br />

led to the current salt geometry. Another important aspect <strong>of</strong> model development is<br />

proper identification <strong>of</strong> key stress, loading, tectonic mechanisms, and ways to distinguish<br />

which mechanisms were factors at what times. Geologic processes such as depositional<br />

15

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!