砂泥岩薄互层储层预测方法与应用研究

With the deeply development of exploration and development in petroleum in China, new increasing reserves are found in old oil fields and the verge of the old ones through re-study of geological property. It is more and more important to discovery and develop thin layer or thin inter-bedded layers reservoirs. All of the targets are thin sand-shale inter-bedded reservoirs and the core technology is reservoir predictions between wells in thin sand-shale inter-bedded layers. The continuity of the thin sand-shale inter-bedded layers in space or separating and heterogeneity is the key of reservoir geology research. The seismic reflection, high resolution analysis method and inversion method to thin sand-shale inter-bedded layers are thorough discussed and deeply studied in this paper to try to find the methods and resolutions of reservoir geology research. The below is followed. 1. Based on the pre-research of other people, five models are created: the sand sphenoid body, interlay sandstone and interlay shale of the equal thickness, interlay sandstone of the equal thickness and interlay shale of the unequal thickness, interlay sandstone of the unequal thickness and interlay shale of the unequal thickness, interlay sandstone of the changing thickness in sequence and interlay shale of the changing thickness in sequence. Then the study of the forward modeling are conducted on the thin layer and thin inter-bedded layers geological characters and seismic reflections including amplitude, frequency, phase, wave shape and time-frequency responding in the domains of time and frequency. The affect of petro-physics difference of layers, single thin layer thickness, thickness of inter-bedded, layer number of inter-bedded, incident wavelet domain frequency and types, sample interval to seismic reflection characters, frequency spectrum and time-frequency respond of reflectivity is theoretically discussed. 2. Qualitatively analyzing the sedimentary rhythm of the thin inter-bedded layers in vertical orientation and computing the single layer thickness or the average thickness with the method of generalized S transform. Identifying the reflecting interface or lithology interface using the amplitude value of amplitude spectrum domain frequency. 3. Based on the seismic respond of thin sand-shale inter-bedded layers, bring out the high resolution analysis method of seismic data in thin sand-shale inter-bedded layers using wavelet analysis and the idea of affecting low and high frequency with middle frequency. Then analyzing the effect to the method and testing some wavelets in the method. This method is applied to the theoretical models and the field data. 4. Bring forward one improved very fast simulated annealing method (IVFSA) to resolve the problem nonlinearity and multi-parameters of the inversion in thin inter-bedded layers. And IVFSA is more productive and higher precision than general ways. 5. New target constrained function is used in the inversion based on the property of the inversion in thin inter-bedded layers. 6. Making the full use of geological and logging information, IVFSA and the new function are applied in the non-linear inversion to improve reservoir prediction and evaluation in thin inter-bedded formations combined with the idea of logging and seismic inversion. This method was applied to the field data and got good results.

有源电磁扩散场克希霍夫积分偏移

As active electromagnetic method, field data of CSAMT method follow the equation of diffusion. Propagting in solid earth media, diffusion EM signal has strong attenuation and dispersion, otherwise seismic wave shows weak attenuation and dispersion, therefore the resolution power of CSAMT method is not better than seismic reflection method. However, there is consistence and similarity between EM signal and seismic wave in wave equation, we can apply Kirchhoff integral migration technique, a proven one in seismic method in time domain, to carry out seduo-seismic processing for CSAMT signal in frequency domain so that the attenuation and dispersion could be made compensated in some extent, and the resolution power and interpretation precision of active EM wave could be improved. Satisfying passive homogeneous Helmholtz quation, we proceed with Green theorem and combine the active inhomogenous Helmholtz quation, the Kirchhoff integral formula could be derived. Given practical problems, if we only consider the surface integral value, and assume that the intergral value in other interface is zero, combined with Green theorem in uniform half space, the expression could be simplified, and we can obtain frequency-domain Kirchhoff integral formula in surface, which is also called downward continuation of EM field in frequency domain. With image conditions and energy compensation considered, in order to get image conditions in time domain Fourier inverse transformation in frequency domain can be performed, so we can formulate the active Kirchhoff integral migration expression. At first, we construct relative stratified model, with different frequency series taken into account, then we change the distances between transmitter and reciever, the EM response can be obtained. Analyzing the EM properties, we can clarify near and far zone that can instruct us to carry out transmitter layout in practical application. Combined with field data surveyed in far zone, We perform Kirchhoff integral migration and compare the results with model to interpret. Secondly, with far field EM data, we apply TM mode to get EM response of given 2D model, then apply Kirchhoff integral migration on modelling data and interpret the results.

地震资料叠前储层预测综合研究--以辽中凹陷东二下段浊积扇气藏为例

Reservoir prediction techniques from prestack seismic are among the most important ones for exploration of lithologic hydrocarbon reservoir. In this paper, we set the turbidite fan sandstone reservoir in Liao-Zhong depress as our researching target, and aims to solve the apllication difficulties on pre-stack inversion in the area, where the drilling data is scarce and the reservoir is lateral varied. Meanwhile, AVO analysis and pre-stack inversion for gas-bearing detection is systematically researched. The seismic reflection characters of gas-bearing sandstone in turbidite fan with different fluid content are defined, after analyzing results from AVO seismic simulation and porous fluid replacement of real log data, and under the guides of the seismic characters from classical gas-bearing sandstone reservoir and numerical simulation for complicate gas-bearing sandstone. It is confirmed that detecting gas-bearing sandstone in turbidite fan via AVO technologies is feasible. In terms of AVO analysis, two AVO characters, fluid detection factor and product of intercept and gradient, can effectively identify top and bottom boundaries and lateral range of tuibidite gas sand by comparing real drilling data. Cross-plotting of near and far angle stack data could avoid the correlation existing in P-G analysis. After comparing the acoustic impedance inversions with routine stacked data and AVO intercept, impedance derived from AVO intercept attribute could reduce the acoustic impedance estimating error which is caused by AVO. On the aspect of elastic impedance inversion, the AVO information in the pre-stack gathers is properly reserved by creating partial angle stack data. By the far angle elastic impedance alone, the gas sand, with abnormally low range of values, can be identified from the background rocks. The boundary of gas sand can also be clearly determined by cross-plotting of near and far angle elastic impedances. The accuracy of far angle elastic impedance is very sensitive to the parameter K, and by taking the statistical average of Vp/Vs on the targeted section in key wells, the accuracy of low frequency trends is gurranteed; the intensive absorsion within the area of the gas sand, which tends to push the spectral of seismic data to the lower end, will cause errors on the inversion result of elastic impedance. The solution is to confine the inversion on the interested area by improving the wavelet. On the aspect of prestack AVA simultaneous inversion, the constraint of local rock-physical trends between velocities of P-wave、S-wave and density successfully removes the instability of inversion, thus improves the precision of the resulting elastic parameters. Plenty of data on rock properties are derived via AVO analysis and prestack seismic data inversion. Based on them, the fluid anomaly is analysized and lithological interpretation are conducted. The distribution of gas sand can be consistently determined via various of ways, such as cross-plotting of P and G attributes, near and far partial angle stack data, near and far angle elastic impedances, λρ and Vp/Vs, etc. The shear modulo and density are also reliable enough to be used for lithological interpretation. We successfully applied the AVO analysis and pre-stack inversion techniques to gas detecting for turbidite fan sand reservoir in Liao-Zhong depression.

井约束外推反演可信度与井震相关性关系研究

With the deepening development of oil-gas exploration and the sharp rise in costs, modern seismic techniques had been progressed rapidly. The Seismic Inversion Technique extracts seismic attribute from the seismic reflection data, inverses the underground distribution of wave impedance or speed, estimates reservoir parameters, makes some reservoir prediction and oil reservoir description as a key technology of Seismic exploration, which provides a reliable basic material for oil-gas exploration. Well-driven SI is essentially an seismic-logging joint inversion. The low, high-frequency information comes from the logging information, while the structural characteristics and medium frequency band depend on the seismic data. Inversion results mainly depend on the quality of raw data, the rationality of the process, the relativity of synthetic and seismic data, etc. This paper mainly research on how the log-to-seismic correlation have affected the well-driven seismic inversion precision. Synthetic, the comparison between middle –frequency borehole impedance and relative seismic impedance and well-attribute crossplots have been taken into account the log-to-seismic correlation. The results verify that the better log-to-seismic correlation, the more reliable the seismic inversion result, through the analysis of three real working area (Qikou Sag, Qiongdongnan basin, Sulige gas field).

隐伏金矿床预测中的地震勘探险方法

Based on brief introduction of seismic exploration and it's general developing situation, the seismic exploration method in field work implementation and some problems frequently encountered in field, which should be pay attention to, are analyzed in detail. The most economic field work techniques are emphasized. Then the seismic data processing flow and it's interpretation technique about the processing results are presented. At last four examples of seismic prospecting in gold deposits are showed. The main conclusions of our research are: 1. Seismic prospecting technique is a very efficient method in the prediction of concealed gold deposits. With appropriate application, it can absolutely reflect the detail underground geological structure in the condition of rugged area and complicated geological environment. 2. The field geometry should be designed and changed according to different kinds of objective exploration depth and ground situation. The best field implementing parameters which include offset, the distance between two adjacent traces, the quantity of dynamite and the depth of hole for explosion, should be determined with examination. Only this way, the high quality original seismic data can be gotten. 3. In seismic data processing, the edition of invalid trace and source gather, signal enhancement, velocity analysis and migration are the key steps. It has some different points with conventional processing and needs a new processing flow and methods which is suitable to the data acquired in rugged area and complicated geological environment. 4. The new common reflection area stacking method in crooked line data processing is an efficient method to improve the signal to noise ratio of seismic data The innovations of our research work are: 1. In the areas which were considered to be forbidden zone, we implement the seismic exploration in several gold deposits in China through our application. All acquire distinguished effects. This show the seismic exploration method is a new effective method in the prediction of concealed gold deposits. 2. We developed a set of seismic field work techniques and data processing which is suitable to complex environment, especially find a effective method in stacking and noise elimination in crooked line data processing. 3. In the field of seismic profile interpretation, through our research work, we are convinced of that: in different kinds of geological condition, the seismic reflection character are not same. For example the lava, the intrusion rock and sediment layers are different in the character of reflection structure and strength. So we accumulate some experience about seismic data interpretation in the area of gold deposits.

山西堡子湾金矿角砾岩带控矿规律、成矿时代及隐伏矿体定位预测

The Puziwan gold deposit is located at the northern boundary of the North China platform where there are very favorable ore-forming conditions. The deposit is a medium-sized gold deposit associated with silver and copper polymetallic minerallization which were closely related to cryptoexplosive processes and fluidization and underwent multi-epoch superposition of mineralization. The mineralization consists of cryptoexplosive breccia-type, fluidizing-type, porphyry-type, quartz vein-type, etc. The ore-controlling law of ore-bearing brecciated zone is systematically studied in the paper. The shape, scale and attitude of ore bodies are dominat in the upper, the ore bodies of fluidizing breccia-type are dominant in the upper and the middle part, the porphyry-type ore bodies are dominant in the bottom. The quartz vein-type ore bodies are impenetrated in all the brecciated zone. The metallogenic epoch of Puziwan gold deposit is collated and stipulated. The Rb-Sr isochron age of quartz porphyry (wall rock) is 233 Ma, refering to the Ar-Ar age of gold-bearing quartz, excluded the former conclusion that the so-called metallogenic epoch (245.9Ma) is in Indosinian epoch. The nonage metallogenic age of Buziwan gold deposit shoule be in the Yanshanian epoch (142.5Ma). By applying the sub-specimen sampling technique, the Rb-Sr isochron age of gold-bearing pyrites in late mineralization epoch is dated to be 64 Ma. In conclusion, the metallogenetic epoch of Puziwan gold deposit is in late Yanshanian-early Himalayan epoch. On the above basis, the metallogenic model of the "train type" and new texture model of ore deposit are established. by applying the methods of geology, shallow seismic exploration, remote sensing, partial geochemical extraction and the study of inclusions in the late granite porphyry, the author has made the metallogenic progosis in the depth and the prephery of Puziwan gold deposit and eight prospecting targets are proposed.

沾化凹陷泥质岩油气藏成藏特征研究

Mudstone reservoir is a subtle reservoir with extremely inhomogeneous, whose formation is greatly related to the existence of fracture. For this kind of reservoir, mudstone is oil source rock, cover rock and reservoir strata, reservoir type is various, attitude of oil layer changes greatly, and the distribution of oil and gas is different from igneous or clastic rock reservoir as well as from carbonate reservoir of self-producing and self-containing of oil and gas. No mature experience has been obtained in the description, exploration and development of the reservoir by far. Taking Zhanhua depression as an example, we studied in this thesis the tectonic evolution, deposit characteristics, diagenesis, hydrocarbon formation, abnormal formation pressure, forming of fissure in mudstone reservoir, etc. on the basis of core analysis, physical simulation, numerical simulation, integrated study of well logging and geophysical data, and systematically analyzed the developing and distributing of mudstone fissure reservoir and set up a geological model for the formation of mudstone fissure reservoir, and predicted possible fractural zone in studied area. Mudstone reservoir mainly distributed on the thrown side of sedimentary fault along the sloping area of the petroleum generatiion depression in Zhanhua depression. Growing fault controlled subsidence and sedimentation. Both the rate of subsidence and thickness of mudstone are great on the thrown side of growing fault, which result in the formation of surpressure in the area. The unlocking of fault which leads to the pressure discharges and the upward conduct of below stratum, also makes for the surpressure in mudstone. In Zhanhua depression, mudstone reservior mainly developed in sub-compacted stratum in the third segment of Shahejie formation, which is the best oil source rock because of its wide spread in distribution, great in thickness, and rich in organic matter, and rock types of which are oil source mudstone and shale of deep water or semi-deep water sediment in lacustrine facies. It revealed from core analysis that the stratum is rich in limestone, and consists of lamina of dark mudstone and that of light grey limestone alternately, such rock assemblage is in favor of high pressure and fracture in the process of hydrocarbon generation. Fracture of mudstone in the third segment of Shahejie formation was divided into structure fracture, hydrocarbon generation fracture and compound fracture and six secondary types of fracture for the fist time according to the cause of their formation in the thesis. Structural fracture is formed by tectonic movement such as fold or fault, which develops mainly near the faults, especially in the protrude area and the edge of faults, such fracture has obvious directivity, and tend to have more width and extension in length and obvious direction, and was developed periodically, discontinuously in time and successively as the result of multi-tectonic movement in studied area. Hydrocarbon generation fracture was formed in the process of hydrocarbon generation, the fracture is numerous in number and extensively in distribution, but the scale of it is always small and belongs to microfracture. The compound fracture is the result of both tectonic movement and hydrocarbon forming process. The combination of above fractures in time and space forms the three dimension reservoir space network of mudstone, which satellites with abnormal pressure zone in plane distribution and relates to sedimentary faces, rock combination, organic content, structural evolution, and high pressure, etc.. In Zhanhua depression, the mudstone of third segment in shahejie formation corresponds with a set of seismic reflection with better continuous. When mudstone containing oil and gas of abnormal high pressure, the seismic waveform would change as a result of absorb of oil and gas to the high-frequency composition of seismic reflection, and decrease of seismic reflection frequency resulted from the breakage of mudstone structure. The author solved the problem of mudstone reservoir predicting to some degree through the use of coherent data analysis in Zhanhua depression. Numerical modeling of basin has been used to simulate the ancient liquid pressure field in Zhanhua depression, to quantitative analysis the main controlling factor (such as uncompaction, tectonic movement, hydrocarbon generation) to surpressure in mudstone. Combined with factual geologic information and references, we analyzed the characteristic of basin evolution and factors influence the pressure field, and employed numerical modeling of liquid pressure evolution in 1-D and 2-D section, modeled and analyzed the forming and evolution of pressure in plane for main position in different periods, and made a conclusion that the main factors for surpressure in studied area are tectonic movement, uncompaction and hydrocarbon generation process. In Zhanhua depression, the valid fracture zone in mudstone was mainly formed in the last stage of Dongying movement, the mudstone in the third segment of Shahejie formation turn into fastigium for oil generation and migration in Guantao stage, and oil and gas were preserved since the end of the stage. Tectonic movement was weak after oil and gas to be preserved, and such made for the preserve of oil and gas. The forming of fractured mudstone reservoir can be divided into four different stages, i.e. deposition of muddy oil source rock, draining off water by compacting to producing hydrocarbon, forming of valid fracture and collecting of oil, forming of fracture reservoir. Combined with other regional geologic information, we predicted four prior mudstone fracture reservoirs, which measured 18km2 in area and 1200 X 104t in geological reserves.

地球化学新方法在隐状矿床找矿预测中的应用研究

With the progress of prospecting, the need for the discovery of blind ore deposits become more and more urgent. To study and find out the method and technology for the discovery of blind and buried ores is now a priority task. New geochemical methods are key technology to discover blind ores. Information of mobile components related to blind ores were extracted using this new methods. These methods were tested and applied based on element' s mobile components migrating and enriched in geophysical-geochemical process. Several kinds of partial extraction techniques have tested based on element' s occurrence in hypergenic zone. Middle-large scale geochemical methods for exploration in forest and swamp have been tested. A serious of methods were tested and applied effetely about evaluation of regional geochemical anomaly, 1:25000 bedrock or soil geochemical methods sampling based on the net in dendritic water system instead of the normal net. 1. Element related with ores can be mobiled to migrate upwards and be absorpted by surface soil. These abnomal components can be concentrated by natural or artificial methods. These trace metalic ions partially exist in dissovlvable ion forms of active state, and partially have been absorbed by Fe-Mn oxide, soil and organic matter in the soil so that a series of reaction such as complex reaction have take place. Employing various partial extraction techniques, metallic ions related with the phase of the blind ores can be extracted, such as the technique of organic complex extraction, Fe-Mn oxide extraction and the extraction technique of metallic ions of various absorption phases. 2.1:200000 regional geochemical evaluation anomaly methods: Advantageous ore-forming areas were selected firstly. Center, concentration, morphological feature, belt of anomaly were choosed then. Geological and geochemical anomalies were combined. And geological and geochemical background information were restrained. Xilekuduke area in Fuyun sheet , Zhaheba area in Qiakuerte sheet, the west-north part in Ertai sheet and Hongshanzui anomaly in Daqiao sheet were selected as target areas, in Alertai, in the north of Xinjiang. in Xilekuduke area, 1:25000 soil geochemical methods sampling based on the net in dendritic water system was carried out. Cu anomaly and copper mineralization were determined in the center area. Au , Cu anomalies and high polarization anomaly were determined in the south part. Prospecting by primary halo and organic complex extraction were used to prognosis blind ore in widely rang outcrop of bedrock. 1:25000 bedrock or soil geochemical methods sampling based on the net in dendritic water system were used in transported overburden outside of mining area. Shallow seismic method and primary halo found a new blind orebody in mining area. A mineralization site was fou and outside of Puziwan gold mine, in the north of Shanxi province. Developing middle-large scale geochemical exploration method is a key technique based 1:200000 regional geochemical exploration. Some conditions were tested as Sampling density , distribution sites of sample, grain size of sample and occurrence of element for exploration. 1:50000 exploration method was advanced to sample clast sediment supplement clast sediment in valley. 1:25000 bedrock or soil geochemical methods sampling based on the net in dendritic water system was applied to sample residual material in A or C horizon. 1:2000 primary or soil halo methods used to check anomalies and determine mineralization. Daliang gold mineralization in the northern Moerdaoga was found appling these methods. Thermomagnetic method was tested in miniqi copper-polymetallic ore. Process methods such as grain size of sample, heated temperature, magnetic separating technique were tested. A suite of Thermomagnetic geochemical method was formed. This method was applied in Xiangshan Cu~Ni deposit which is cover by clast or Gobi in the eastern Xinjiang. Element's content and contrast of anomaly with Thermomagnetic geochemical method were higher than soil anomaly. Susceptibility after samples were heated could be as a assessment conference for anomaly. In some sectors thermo-magnetic Cu, Ni, Ti anomalious were found outside deposits area. There were strong anomal ies response up ore tested by several kind of partial extraction methods include Thermomagnetic, enzyme leach and other partial extractions in Kalatongke Cu-Ni deposit in hungriness area in the northern of Xinjiang. Element's anomalies of meobile were mainly in Fe-Mn oxide and salt. A Copper mineralization site in Xilekuduke anomaly area had been determined. A blind ore was foung by shallow seismic and geochemical method and a mineralization site was found outside this mining area in Puziwan gold deposit in shanxi province. A Gold mineralization site was found by 1:50000 geochemical exploration in Daliang, Inner Mongolia.

地震反射界面形态与介质各向异性属性联立成像：地震反射波旅行时与偏振信息综合反演

It has been a difficult problem faced by seismologists for long time that how exactly to reconstruct the earth's geometric structure and distribution of physical attributes according to seismic wave's kinematical and dynamic characteristics, obtained in seismological observation. The jointing imaging of seismic reflector and anisotropy attributes in the earth interior is becoming the research hot spot. The limitation of shoot and observation system makes that the obtained seismic data are too scarce to exactly reconstruct the geological objects. It is popular that utilizing only seismic reflection traveltimes or polarizations information make inversion of the earth's velocity distribution by fixing seismic reflector configuration (vice versa), these will lead to the serious non-uniqueness reconstruction due to short of effective data, the non-uniqueness problem of reconstructing anisotropy attributes will be more serious than in isotropy media. Obviously it is not enough to restrict the media structure only by information of seismic reflection traveltimes or polarizations, which even sometimes will lead to distorted images and misinterpretation of subsurface structure. So we try to rebuild seismic reflection structure (geometry) and media anisotropic structure (physics) in the earth interior by jointing data of seismic wave kinematics and dynamics characteristics, we carry out the new experiment step by step, and the research mainly comprises of two parts: one is the reconstruction of P-wave vertical velocity and anisotropic structure(Thomsen parameter s and 8) in the transversely isotropic media with vertical symmetrical axis(VTI) by fixing geometrical structure, and the other is the simultaneous inversion of the reflector surface conformation and seismic anisotropic structure by jointing seismic reflection traveltimes and polarizations data. Simulated annealing method is used to the first research part, linear inversion based on BG theory and Simulated annealing are applied to the second one. All the research methods are checked by model experiments, then applied to the real data of the wide-angle seismic profile from Tunxi, Anhui Province, to Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. The results are as following The inversion results based on jointing seismic PP-wave or PSV-wavereflection traveltimes and polarizations data are more close to real model than themodels based simply on one of the two data respectively. It is shown that the methodwe present here can effectively reconstruct the anisotropy attributes in the earth'sinterior when seismic reflector structure is fixed.The layer thickness, P-wave vertical velocity and Thomsen anisotropicparameters {s and 8) could be resolved simultaneously by jointing inversion ofseismic reflection traveltimes and polarizations with the linear inversion methodbased on BG theory.The image of the reflector structure, P-wave vertical velocity and theanisotropy parameters in the crust could be obtained from the wide-angle seismicprofile from Tunxi (in Anhui Province), to Wenzhou (in Zhejiang Province). Theresults reveal the difference of the reflector geometrical structure and physicalattributes in the crust between Yangtze block and Cathaysia block, and attempt tounderstand the characteristics of the crustal stress field in the areas.

金属矿集区深层结构高分辨率地震探测——以安徽铜陵金属矿为例

The reflection seismic prospecting technique is an important and a widely used method in the petroleum and coal surveying, and has been developed to a perfectly mature technique from the aspects of data acquisition, data processing to data interpretation. However, the metallic mine seismic prospecting, especially the high resolution seismic prospecting technique are being still in the course of studying and probing up to now. In this paper, the basic theory and the present situation of study on metallic mine seismic reflection are expatiated, the basic theory, the improving measure, the converging velocity and the ability on the integrating global optimization method are also illuminated in detail at first. Then the basic theory, the realization process and the practicing effects of the vector suppressing noise algorithm are also introduced. On the basis of studying of applying the integrating global optimization method to static correction and the vector suppressing noise algorithm, we elaborate processed the seismic data of Tongling metallic mine. We introduced the processing flow, the key steps and the processing effects. Basing on the processing results, we analyzed the major reflection characteristics, the geological interpretation results and the earth's crust top reflection structure and the space distribution status of Wutong set, the space shape of part lithological body and the contacting relations of horizonsunveiled.

Half-precessional dynamics of monsoon rainfall near the East African Equator

External climate forcings-such as long-term changes in solar insolation-generate different climate responses in tropical and high latitude regions(1). Documenting the spatial and temporal variability of past climates is therefore critical for understanding how such forcings are translated into regional climate variability. In contrast to the data-richmiddle and high latitudes, high-quality climate-proxy records from equatorial regions are relatively few(2-4), especially from regions experiencing the bimodal seasonal rainfall distribution associated with twice-annual passage of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Here we present a continuous and well-resolved climate-proxy record of hydrological variability during the past 25,000 years from equatorial East Africa. Our results, based on complementary evidence from seismic-reflection stratigraphy and organic biomarker molecules in the sediment record of Lake Challa near Mount Kilimanjaro, reveal that monsoon rainfall in this region varied at half-precessional (similar to 11,500-year) intervals in phase with orbitally controlled insolation forcing. The southeasterly and northeasterly monsoons that advect moisture from the western Indian Ocean were strengthened in alternation when the inter-hemispheric insolation gradient was at a maximum; dry conditions prevailed when neither monsoon was intensified and modest local March or September insolation weakened the rain season that followed. On sub-millennial timescales, the temporal pattern of hydrological change on the East African Equator bears clear high-northern-latitude signatures, but on the orbital timescale it mainly responded to low-latitude insolation forcing. Predominance of low-latitude climate processes in this monsoon region can be attributed to the low-latitude position of its continental regions of surface air flow convergence, and its relative isolation from the Atlantic Ocean, where prominent meridional overturning circulation more tightly couples low-latitude climate regimes to high-latitude boundary conditions.

Geophysical and geochemical survey of a large marine pockmark on the Malin Shelf, Ireland

Marine pockmarks are a specific type of seabed geological setting resembling craters or pits and are considered seabed surface expressions of fluid flow in the subsurface. A large composite pockmark on the Malin Shelf, off the northern coast of Ireland was surveyed and ground truthed to assess its activity and investigate fluid related processes in the subsurface. Geophysical (including acoustic and electromagnetic) data confirmed the subsurface presence of signatures typical of fluids within the sediment. Shallow seismic profiling revealed a large shallow gas pocket and typical gas related indicators such as acoustic blanking and enhanced reflectors present underneath and around the large pockmark. Sulphate profiles indicate that gas from the shallow reservoir has been migrating upwards, at least recently. However, there are no chimney structures observed in the sub-bottom data and the migration pathways are not apparent. Electromagnetic data show slightly elevated electrical conductivity on the edges of the pockmarks and a drop below regional levels within the confines of the pockmark, suggesting changes in physical properties of the sediment. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments were employed to characterize the organic component of sediments from selected depths. Very strong microbial signatures were evident in all NMR spectra but microbes outside the pockmark appear to be much more active than inside. These observations coincide with spikes in conductivity and the lateral gas bearing body suggesting that there is an increase in microbial activity and biomass when gas is present.

Contribuição dos métodos geofísicos para o modelo evolutivo da região de Santo André desde o último máximo glaciário

Tese de doutoramento, Geologia (Geologia Económica e do Ambiente), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2014

Estratigrafia sismica do cenozóico na plataforma continental algarvia: interpretação do controle tectónico da sedimentação

The interpretation of 64 seismic reflection profiles in the Algarve continental platform (36º 20'-37º 00' paralels and 7º 20'-8º 40' meridians) calibrated with five petroleum exploration wells, with the identification of the geometric relations between six Cenozoic seismic units (B to G) and tectonic structures, allowed the construction of sucessive time-isopach maps (twt/s) and detailed interpretation of the geologic evolution. Two major tectonic structures were identified: a) the Portimão-Monchique fracture zone (striking N-S); b) an off-shore NW-SE fault zone, probably the S. Marcos-Quarteira fault. This accident separates two tectonic domains: the western domain (with N-S and E-W predominant structures and, secondarily, NW-SE and NE-SW) and the eastern domain (dominated by WSW-ENE, NW-SE, NE-SW, NNE-SSW and NNW-SSE structures). A persistent halokinetic activity had two major moments: a) sin-C unit; b) sin- and post-E unit. An increasing flexuration of the margin was identified, with spacial and temporal variation of the subsidence. The tectonic regime is considered as generally compressive, but the interpretation of the successíve stress-fields is rendered dificult by the existence of tectonic sub-domains and evaporitic structures.

Geophysical Constraints on Structure and Tectonics of the Eastern Arabian Sea and the Adjoining West Coast of India with Special Reference to the Kerala Basin

The main objective of the present study is to model the gravity fields in terms of lithospheric structure below the western continental margin of India (WCMI) identify zones of crustal mass anomalies and attempt to infer the location of Ocean Continent transition in the Arabian Sea. In this study, the area starting from the western shield margin to the region covering the deep oceanic parts of the Arabian Sea which is bounded by Carlsberg and Cerg and Central Indian ridges in the south, eastern part of the Indus Cone in the west and falling between 630E and 800E longitudes, and 50N - 240N latitudes has been considered. The vast amount of seismic reflection and refraction data in the form of crustal velocities, basement configuration and crustal thicknesses available for the west coast as well as the eastern Arabian Sea has been utilized for this purpose