Evolution of a Normal Fault System, Northern Graben, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand
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EVOLUTION OF A NORMAL FAULT SYSTEM, NORTHERN GRABEN, TARANAKI BASIN, NEW ZEALAND Hamish Ewan Cameron A thesis submitted to Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science In Petroleum Geoscience School of Geography, Environment, and Earth Sciences Victoria University of Wellington 2016 Abstract This study investigates the evolution (from initiation to inactivity) of a normal fault system in proximity to active petroleum systems within the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. The aim of this research is to understand the evolution, interaction, and in some cases, death of normal faults in a region undergoing progressive regional extension. This research provides insight into the geometry, development, and displacement history of new and reactivated normal fault evolution through interpretation of industry standard seismic reflection data at high spatial and temporal resolution. Insight into normal fault evolution provides information on subsidence rates and potential hydrocarbon migration pathways. Twelve time horizons between 1.2 and 35 Ma have been mapped throughout 1670 square kilometres of the Parihaka and Toro 3D seismic reflection surveys. Fault displacement analysis and backstripping have been used to determine the main phases of fault activity, fault growth patterns, and maximum Displacement/Length ratios. The timing, geometry, and displacement patterns for 110 normal faults with displacements >20 m have been interpreted and analysed using Paradigm SeisEarth and TrapTester 6 seismic interpretation and fault analysis software platforms. Normal faults within the Parihaka and Toro 3D seismic surveys began developing at ~11 Ma, with the largest faults accruing up to 1500 m of displacement in <10 Myr (mean throw displacement rate of 0.15mm/yr). Approximately 50% of the 110 mapped faults are associated with pre-existing normal faults and have typical cumulative displacements of ~20 – 1000 m, with strike parallel lengths of <1 – 23 km. In contrast, new faults have typically greater displacements of 20 – 1400 m, and are generally longer with, with strike parallel lengths of ~1 – 33 km. New faults were the first faults within the system to become inactive when strain rates decreased from 0.06 – 0.03 between 3.6 and 3.0 Ma. Eight of the largest faults with > 1000 m cumulative displacement reach the seafloor and are potentially active at present day. An earthquake on one of these faults could be expected to produce MW 2.2 based on the maximum strike-parallel length of the fault plane. i Acknowledgements The past 2 years have been some of the most memorable of my life so far. Here I will attempt to thank everyone that has had an impact on this thesis – without you it would not have been possible. First I must thank my wonderful and immensely patient supervisors from both Victoria and GNS Science. Tim Little, thank you for your brutal yet constructive criticisms, and ruthless dissection of written work. Thanks for always having an open door when I needed assistance, and putting me right when I wandered off course. Your vast scientific knowledge, and impeccable ability for logical, concise writing, has been inspirational throughout the writing of this thesis. Hannu Seebeck, thank you for your technical assistance with this project. You have taught me invaluable skills with seismic interpretation that formed the basis of this thesis, and I will value them for life. Thanks for getting me started on the project, even when it had shaky beginnings. Thanks for being so incredibly patient, and always being there to assist with my infinite questions, no matter how stupid they may have been. Andy Nicol, thanks for introducing me to Hannu, and suggesting I undertake this project in the first place. To the staff at GNS Science, thanks for making me feel so at home during my time there. It has been an awesome experience working and conversing with scientists at the forefront of their fields, and I feel truly privileged to have been accepted into your community. Special thanks must also go to Mark Lawrence and Suzanne Bull, who introduced me to the wonderful world of Petroleum Geoscience. Mark, thank you for overstepping your role and helping me obtain the contacts within GNS that led to this project getting off the ground. Finally, I must thank my friends and family for being so supportive during my time at University. To my parents, thank you for infinite support, hot meals, and never giving up on me through my constant indecision about my future. Without you I would never even be close to where I am today. Thanks to my loving partner Lucy, for always being there for me, and staying supportive no matter how much of our time this thesis ate into. I will always be thankful for you sticking with me through the good and the bad. ii Finally, thanks to my friends and fellow students at Vic, for helping me take much needed breaks from writing. “A learning experience is one of those things that says, 'You know that thing you just did? Don't do that.” - Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt iii Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................. i Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. iv Table of Figures ............................................................................................................... vii Table of Tables .................................................................................................................. x Table of Appendix Figures ................................................................................................. x Table of Appendix Tables ................................................................................................ xii Chapter 1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Study Area ............................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Petroleum System in the Study Area ...................................................................... 5 1.4 Petroleum Exploration in the Study Area – Past and Present................................ 8 1.5 Petroleum Exploration Permits in the Study Area .................................................. 8 1.6 Existing Research on Normal Fault Evolution and the Petroleum Systems of the Taranaki Basin ............................................................................................................... 9 1.7 Goals – How Will This Thesis Improve Research? ................................................. 13 1.8 Thesis Structure ..................................................................................................... 14 1.9 Nomenclature ........................................................................................................ 15 Chapter 2 Geologic setting .............................................................................................. 17 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Geologic Setting..................................................................................................... 17 2.3 Present Day New Zealand Plate Kinematics .......................................................... 18 2.4 Taranaki Basin Development ................................................................................. 20 iv 2.4.1 Taranaki Basin Structural Components .......................................................... 21 2.4.2 Western Stable Platform ................................................................................ 21 2.4.3 Eastern Mobile Belt ........................................................................................ 21 2.4.4 Northern Graben ............................................................................................ 23 2.4.5 Taranaki Basin Tectonic and Stratigraphic Summary ..................................... 24 2.5 North Island Miocene Arc Volcanism .................................................................... 26 2.5.1 North Island Miocene Volcanic Arc Migration ............................................... 27 2.5.2 North Island Volcanic Arc Migration - Slab Rollback ...................................... 28 2.5.3 North Island Volcanic Arc Migration - Mantle Instability ............................... 30 Chapter 3 Data and Methods .......................................................................................... 33 3.1 Seismic Data in the Study Area.............................................................................. 33 3.1.1 Parihaka 3D Seismic Reflection Survey ........................................................... 33 3.1.2 Toro 3D Seismic Reflection Survey ................................................................. 35 3.1.3 Uncertainties and Margins of Error ................................................................ 35 3.2 Well Data in the Study Area .................................................................................. 37 3.2.1 Taranaki Basin Stratigraphy and Biostratigraphy