Lithological and stress anisotropy control large-scale seismic velocity variations in tight carbonates

Abstract Our knowledge of subsurface structures often derives from seismic velocities that are measured during seismic acquisition surveys. These velocities can greatly change due to lithological, fracture frequencies and/or effective pressure/temperature variations. However, the influence of such i...

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Autores principales:	F. Trippetta, M. R. Barchi, E. Tinti, G. Volpe, G. Rosset, N. De Paola
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Nature Portfolio 2021
Materias:	Medicine R Science Q
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/9ecc51bb13384778a0386ade5a3a2632
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:9ecc51bb13384778a0386ade5a3a26322021-12-02T14:49:26ZLithological and stress anisotropy control large-scale seismic velocity variations in tight carbonates10.1038/s41598-021-89019-42045-2322https://doaj.org/article/9ecc51bb13384778a0386ade5a3a26322021-05-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89019-4https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322Abstract Our knowledge of subsurface structures often derives from seismic velocities that are measured during seismic acquisition surveys. These velocities can greatly change due to lithological, fracture frequencies and/or effective pressure/temperature variations. However, the influence of such intrinsic lithological properties and environmental conditions at the large scale is poorly understood due to the lack of comprehensive datasets. Here, we analyze 43 borehole-derived velocity datasets of 3 end-member tight carbonate sequences from Central Italy, including massive pure limestone (Calcare Massiccio, CM), thick-layered (20–50 cm) pure limestone (Maiolica, MA), and thin-layered (2–20 cm) marly limestone (Calcareous Scaglia, CS). Our results show that the main rock parameters and environmental conditions driving large scale velocity variations are bedding and paleostresses, while mineralogical composition and current tectonic stress also play a role. For each of the 3 end-members, measured VP values vary differently with depth, as the thin-layered CS units show a clear increase in Vp, while velocity slightly increases and remains constant for the thick-layered MA and massive CM units, respectively. Such observations show that velocities are affected by specific characteristics of lithological discontinuities, such as the thickness of bedding. Counterintuitively, larger Vp values were recorded in the deformed mountain range than in the undeformed foreland suggesting that higher paleo-stresses increase velocity values by enhancing diagenesis and healing of discontinuities. Our results thus demonstrate that large scale velocity variations are strictly related to variation of lithological properties and to the geological and tectonic history of an area. We suggest that such lithological and environmental controls should be taken into account when developing velocity and mechanical models for tectonically active regions of the Mediterranean Area, where earthquakes mostly nucleate and propagate through carbonate formations, and for resource exploration in fractured carbonate reservoirs.F. TrippettaM. R. BarchiE. TintiG. VolpeG. RossetN. De PaolaNature PortfolioarticleMedicineRScienceQENScientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-14 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Medicine R Science Q
spellingShingle	Medicine R Science Q F. Trippetta M. R. Barchi E. Tinti G. Volpe G. Rosset N. De Paola Lithological and stress anisotropy control large-scale seismic velocity variations in tight carbonates
description	Abstract Our knowledge of subsurface structures often derives from seismic velocities that are measured during seismic acquisition surveys. These velocities can greatly change due to lithological, fracture frequencies and/or effective pressure/temperature variations. However, the influence of such intrinsic lithological properties and environmental conditions at the large scale is poorly understood due to the lack of comprehensive datasets. Here, we analyze 43 borehole-derived velocity datasets of 3 end-member tight carbonate sequences from Central Italy, including massive pure limestone (Calcare Massiccio, CM), thick-layered (20–50 cm) pure limestone (Maiolica, MA), and thin-layered (2–20 cm) marly limestone (Calcareous Scaglia, CS). Our results show that the main rock parameters and environmental conditions driving large scale velocity variations are bedding and paleostresses, while mineralogical composition and current tectonic stress also play a role. For each of the 3 end-members, measured VP values vary differently with depth, as the thin-layered CS units show a clear increase in Vp, while velocity slightly increases and remains constant for the thick-layered MA and massive CM units, respectively. Such observations show that velocities are affected by specific characteristics of lithological discontinuities, such as the thickness of bedding. Counterintuitively, larger Vp values were recorded in the deformed mountain range than in the undeformed foreland suggesting that higher paleo-stresses increase velocity values by enhancing diagenesis and healing of discontinuities. Our results thus demonstrate that large scale velocity variations are strictly related to variation of lithological properties and to the geological and tectonic history of an area. We suggest that such lithological and environmental controls should be taken into account when developing velocity and mechanical models for tectonically active regions of the Mediterranean Area, where earthquakes mostly nucleate and propagate through carbonate formations, and for resource exploration in fractured carbonate reservoirs.
format	article
author	F. Trippetta M. R. Barchi E. Tinti G. Volpe G. Rosset N. De Paola
author_facet	F. Trippetta M. R. Barchi E. Tinti G. Volpe G. Rosset N. De Paola
author_sort	F. Trippetta
title	Lithological and stress anisotropy control large-scale seismic velocity variations in tight carbonates
title_short	Lithological and stress anisotropy control large-scale seismic velocity variations in tight carbonates
title_full	Lithological and stress anisotropy control large-scale seismic velocity variations in tight carbonates
title_fullStr	Lithological and stress anisotropy control large-scale seismic velocity variations in tight carbonates
title_full_unstemmed	Lithological and stress anisotropy control large-scale seismic velocity variations in tight carbonates
title_sort	lithological and stress anisotropy control large-scale seismic velocity variations in tight carbonates
publisher	Nature Portfolio
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/9ecc51bb13384778a0386ade5a3a2632
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Lithological and stress anisotropy control large-scale seismic velocity variations in tight carbonates

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