Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Structural Validation, Restoration, and Prediction
11.1
Introduction
This chapter presents techniques for validating structural interpretations and for ex-
tracting additional information, such as the shape of the structure beyond the data,
predicting the presence of structures too small to be seen at the resolution of the data,
and determining the structural evolution. Most of the techniques of structural resto-
ration, balance and prediction are related to one another by use of a common set of
kinematic models, which is why they will be discussed together here.
A restorable structure can be returned to its original, pre-deformation geometry with
a perfect or near-perfect fit of all the segments in their correct pre-deformation order
(Fig. 11.1). Restoration is a fundamental test of the validity of the interpretation. A restor-
able structure is internally consistent and therefore has a topologically possible geometry.
An unrestorable structure is topologically impossible and therefore is geologically not
possible (Dahlstrom 1969). An interpretation based on a large amount of hard data, such
as a complete exposure, many wells, or good seismic depth sections controlled by wells,
is nearly always restorable, whereas interpretations based on sparse data are rarely restor-
able. This is the empirical evidence that validates restoration as a validation technique.
Fig. 11.1.
A three-dimensional struc-
tural interpretation ( a ) and its
restoration ( b ). The shaded
surface is a fault
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