Cross-Section Balancing in Structural Geology

ABOUT THE COURSE: Cross-section balancing is a structural geological exercise through which one can learn structural evolution of any deformed terrain. Ductile structures such as folds and brittle structures such as faults can be restored using the balancing techniques. The exercise is beneficial for industrial and especially hydrocarbon geoscience. Through this exercise, one also finds out shortening and extension percentage that the terrain underwent tectonically. INTENDED AUDIENCE: B.Sc., M.Sc. M.Tech students in geoscience, industry persons in geosciencePREREQUISITES: Introduction to Geology in B.Sc. 1st semesterINDUSTRY SUPPORT: Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, Geological Survey of India, Oil India Limited

Syllabus

Week 1:

Purpose of balancing or restoration of structural cross-sections, examples from published literature involving seismic sections
Assumptions involved in restoration, introduction to strain parameters
Finding out area of irregular geometries by various techniques
How to balance folds of different geometries- I
How to balance folds of different geometries- II

Week 2:

How to balance folds of different geometries- III
How to balance reverse faults-I
How to balance reverse faults-II
How to balance normal faults-I
How to balance normal faults-II

Week 3:

How to balance rift basins
How to find out the depth of detachment
Cross section balancing exercise when volume change happened Busk method of fold geometry extrapolation-I (Elementary)
Busk method of fold geometry extrapolation-II (Advanced)
Busk method of fold geometry extrapolation-III (Advanced)

Week 4: