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3D Geospatial and Structural Modeling of a Structurally Complex Deep-Water Basin; The Gosau Group, Western Calcareous Alps Austria

 

Paton, Douglas1, Bruce Trudgill2, Hugo Ortner3, Donald A. Medwedeff4, Estelle Mortimer5, Mary Carr2, David, R. Pyles2 (1) Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (2) Colorado School of Mines, (3) University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (4) Basin Analysis Team, ChevronTexaco Energy Technology Company, San Ramon, CA (5) University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

 

The deep water Muttekopf Gosau Group, western Austria, provides an exceptional setting to study the interaction of structural deformation, stratigraphy and stratal architectures. The nature of the field area exposure, coupled with the complex structural configuration, provides a challenging location to derive a 3D understanding of the basin using conventional mapping techniques. The aims of this project are to combine 3D geospatial modeling (including structural, stratigraphic and stratal architecture data), with structural restorations and forward modeling to investigate the basin's 4D evolution.

 

The basin's principle controlling structure, on the southern margin, comprises two structural domains: a western fold domain and an eastern thrust domain. This change in structural style has a pronounced influence on the basin fill. Strata in the fold domain are not dissected by faults, are laterally continuous, and the axis of accumulation migrates towards the north through time. This migration is interpreted to reflect progressive growth on the confining structure. In contrast, strata within the thrust domain are dissected by a number of faults that compartmentalize the basin and result in significant local sand body thickness variations. We propose that the fold domain is underlain by a blind thrust, and that similar folding existed prior to thrusting in the east. The study provides insights into the temporal evolution of a fold to thrust progression and the associated variations in basin fill stratigraphy and stratal architecture. Only through this combined 3D approach of basin analysis can the importance of structural controls on 4D basin development be established.

 

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90063©2007 AAPG Annual Convention, Long Beach, California