Interpretation of Late Carboniferous Thin-Skinned Structures on a Seismic Image

Abstract

Summary Thin-skinned tectonics is related to the shallow crust imbrication structures separated from the basement by basal sole thrust or decollement. Their origin is mainly connected with contractional regimes. Such deformation are common in the foreland of orogenic belts, contractional parts of delta deposits or areas influenced by basin inversion. As an example late-Carboniferous thin-skinned structures from Lublin Basin, Poland were considered. Due to complex geological background exact origin and architecture of tectonic structure is still the subject of research. Interpretation of the structures was conducted on the basis of several 2D seismic lines. For faults and folds identification improvement several seismic attributes were calculated: Similarity, Cosine Phase, Instantaneous Frequency. As a result they give information about lateral continuity of reflections and coherence. Clear changes on the sections of these parameters indicate places where faults exist. Geophysical data were supplied by geological information (e.g. core analysis data). Thanks to the well-tie a few horizons were picked. Discontinuity of horizons was also clear evidence of fault existence. Combination of seismic data with its attributes and geological information leads to more accurate interpretation.