Structural analysis underpins all of Eslan Labs capabilities: structural analysis of gravity and magnetic fields, tectonic and structural modeling, and basin analysis. We produce robust structural interpretations at regional to sub-basin scales.

We produce structural analysis interpretations from fusion of gravity and magnetic databases with Landsat, digital topography and bathymetry, and other data such as spectrometry. Our structural analysis interpretations are the result of years of development combined with an in-house structural and tectonic R&D expertise keeping up-to-date with current science.

At regional scales, structural analysis of faults, folds, lineaments, and ductile shears is used to define plate boundaries, with the additional integration of crustal types using 2D gravity and magnetic profiles.

Structural analysis enable phases of activity to be linked to activation histories providing information on mapping, age confidence, and a full explanation of the basis of each feature.

Eslan Labs’s expertise can be used in the identification of structural hydrocarbon traps. Structural analysis and integration of proprietary seismic data including horizon and fault interpretations with gravity and magnetic interpretation enables details obtained from seismic data to be inferred over wider areas.

Distribution of folds, faults lineaments

  • Kinematics & Relative timing
  • Development of tectonic models for predictive targeting:
  • Direct structural analogy; and Indirect structural targeting (new models?)
  • Extension of models to other terranes.

Fusion of structural features

  • geophysics,  geology, digital terrane, LANDSITE
  • 3-D – fault dips (field data, magnetic profiles);
  • Fault displacement vectors, relative displacements; kinematic indicators;
  • associated structures (veins, faults & fractures);
  • fault – fault relative timing relationships;

Fault characteristics:

  • Brittle Failure – shallow, thin, straight
  • Brittle-Ductile Fault Zone with discrete breaks (brittle-ductile zone)
  • Ductile Shear Zones – deep basement, high T&P

The fundamental concept of structural analysis is that descriptions of geometry leads to interpretation of kinematics and the dynamics of geological systems.

Controls of structures at all scales depend on the starting material heterogeneity, and the anisotropy and time dependence mechanical response of the materials. Processes that control mechanical response at the small scale (~1cm) may be quite different to those at the regional scale (>1km), the flow fields and structures that develop can be similar and therefore can be interpreted in similar ways

Geophysical data sets are increasingly used in conjunction with structural analysis to resolve regional crustal architecture and geological evolutions, particularly in remote regions and areas of limited outcrop, or where there is some ambiguity in how structure can be determined in the third dimension.

Importantly, magnetic data is also effective in the  interpretation of regional kinematics of major shear zones and high strain zones at different scales. Applying structural kinematic analysis to regional geophysical datasets informs a broad range of disciplines including structural analysis, plate reconstruction, tectonic analysis, and prediction of mineral systems in exploration.

In the context of resource exploration 3D and kinematic analysis allows determination of Earth structuring that controls mineralization, but more importantly allows prediction of favorable sites of dilation and fluid flow.

Important Capabilities

Associated features:

  • Folds (parallel / oblique);
  • 2nd order sediments / basins;
  • Associate intrusives / extrusives;
  • Veins / mineralization
  • Recognition of fault hierarchy (1st order, 2nd order etc).

Strain variations inferred from block geometries:

  • Structures at block margins; strain within blocks, and stress fields

Regional context:

  • Structural setting (e.g. basin, mobile belt, arc etc.)
  • Orogenic events and inferred relative timing of faulting
  • Reactivation of pre-existing structures