Defining a deep fault network for Australia, using 3D “worming”

Des FitzGerald; Peter R. Milligan

doi:10.1071/ASEG2013ab135

ISSN: 2202-0586
E-ISSN:

oa Defining a deep fault network for Australia, using 3D “worming”
Authors Des FitzGerald^a and Peter R. Milligan^b
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^a Intrepid Geophysics, Brighton, , Victoria, , Australia, [email protected] ^b Geoscience Australia, Canberra, , ACT, , Australia, [email protected]
Publisher: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Source: ASEG Extended Abstracts, Volume 2013, Issue ASEG2013 - 23rd Geophysical Conference, Dec 2013, p. 1 - 4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/ASEG2013ab135
- Published online: 01 Dec 2013

Abstract

Australia, via the efforts of the Government geological surveys, has a program of releasing ever bigger, higher- resolution, continental-scale datasets. The recently released isostatically corrected gravity data images many deep and large-scale crustal features. This is a key dataset for understanding the primary structure of the deep crust across thousands of kilometres. Direct “inversion” of this dataset to a consistent 3D fault surfaces network explains more than 50% of the primary information.

The method of choice relies on multi-scale edge detection or “worming”. This continues to prove effective in the regional mapping domain. Large-scale minerals and oil exploration mapping often make use of this technique. With the current shift to 3D geology modelling, issues arise to improve/generalise the worming technology to produce 3D contacts that can be interpreted, particularly the sub-set that indicates a primary fault network.

The new method allows the gathering of related worms to rapidly compute a consistent 3D fault network for the entire Australian continent by linking the dominant 30 km deep features back to the surface. If measured gravity curvature gradients are available, an improved and more detailed use of the method is now available at the prospect scale.

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References

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Milligan, P., Lyons, P. and Direen, N., 2003, Spatial and directional analysis of potential field gradients - new methods to help solve and display three-dimensional crustal architecture: ASEG Extended Abstracts, Adelaide.
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/content/journals/10.1071/ASEG2013ab135

Article Type: Research Article

Keyword(s): 3D; continental; faults; gravity; tensor; worms

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