3D Numerical Modeling of Listric Faults as a Tool in Sesmic Interpretation

Through Three·Dimensional numerical modeling of listric fault surfaces, this paper discusses hanging wall rollover geometry as seen on seismic reflection date and 3D cubes. One of the major assumptions of 2D cross section restoration and balancing techniques is that the direction of the section has to be parallel to the direction of extension, which is not always known. Kinematics analysis based solely on fault trends are common, particularly in extensional submerged basins, but not always corroborated by kinematic and dynamic graphical methods of fault slip analysis in emerged basins. This work describes key 3D aspects of listric fault surfaces in orthogonal and oblique·slip deformation, where the strained hanging wall is adequately described by a process of simple shear during hanging wall collapse, incorporating inclined simple shear to dip·slip end oblique·slip extensional fault surfaces. This technique helps to constrain seismic interpretation of faults, as well as helps to constrain tectonic kinematics and the process of internal daformation mechanisms associated to 3D variations in fault geometry.