3-DIMENSIONAL VISUALIZATION OF SALT WALLS AND ASSOCIATED FAULT SYSTEMS

Abundant three-dimensional (3-D) seismic data from salt provinces have been acquired over the past two decades. These data have been interpr eted partly using concepts based on analysis of two-dimensional (2-D) sections through physical and numerical models. Three-dimensional comp uter visualization of physical models is a recent development that exp loits the full potential of model data by displaying even highly irreg ular geological structures such as convolute salt contacts, strata dis rupted by salt tectonics, discontinuous faults, and bedding traces on fault surfaces. We used computer visualization techniques to display a nd analyze a physical model simulating salt-related structures produce d during gravity spreading and gliding. The visualization shows, in re alistic 3-D detail, that (1) structures change seaward from tall steep -sided diapirs to squat salt rollers; (2) salt walls change markedly a long strike and form branches and relays; (3) subsidence of underlying salt ridges produces irregular turtle-structure closures that tend to have multiple seals; (4) links that laterally connect reservoirs in a djacent rafts are most common in upper stratigraphic levels and seawar d positions; and (5) traps adjacent to curved salt walls in map view b ecome increasingly asymmetric with depth, and inner are traps tend to have smaller area but larger closure compared to outer are traps, Thes e observations can be applied to exploration of salt-related structura l traps on the shelf and slope of divergent continental margins.