Seismic expression of channel outcrops: Offset stacked versus amalgamated channel systems

Forward seismic models of two ‘seismic scale’ outcrops of different style channel systems have been made to investigate their seismic signature. These two outcrops illustrate the geometric end members of channel stacking architecture in response to low- and high-accommodation space. The Eocene Nohut Tepe channel system of the Elaziğ Basin in eastern Turkey was deposited in an area of high accommodation resulting in an aggradational geometrical offset stacking of channels up against a slope. The Eocene Ainsa II Channel system of the Tremp-Pamplona Basin in the Spanish Pyrenees was deposited in an area of low accommodation resulting in a tabular, compound sheet geometry, with amalgamated channel bodies separated by clay drapes.Depth models were drawn from outcrop photos and converted to impedance models by assigning acoustic impedance properties to the sand filled channels and surrounding and interbedded mud and clay layers. These were the input for the forward seismic models, which constructed various frequency synthetic seismic sections of the two outcrops. Analysis of the outcrop synthetic seismic identified three distinct reflection configurations. Type I is characterised by a strong black peak and white trough reflection, which is due to a discrete channel body. Type II is characterised by multiple offset, time ‘stepped’ black peak reflections that are underlain by one continuous, strong white trough reflection, which is due to offset stacked channel bodies. Type III is characterised by strong black peaks which onlap an underlying, continuous white trough reflection, caused by the lateral amalgamation of channel bodies.These three types of reflection configurations observed on the outcrop synthetic seismic can also be found on actual seismic from channelised turbidite systems, which aids in interpreting channel stacking architecture, accommodation space prediction and depositional styles from the actual seismic data. Channel stacking architecture is clearly an important aspect which needs to be considered when making channel system interpretations based on seismic data.