The faulting of the Colombian Frente Llanero: a review of thin-skinned vs. thick-skinned interpretations based on Anderson's Law and analog models
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Abstract
The Frente Llanero of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia exhibits a great remaining hydrocarbon potential based on the interpretation of exploratory objectives essentially controlled by the morphology of its various tectonic traps. These structures recognized on surface and subsurface suffered the effects of Andean transpressional inversion of normal faulting associated with the accommodation of Mesozoic depocenters. Based on limited surface and subsurface information, the balanced cross sections are the widely used technique for interpretation based mainly on subhorizontal faulting placed subparallel to compression. Basic mechanics and geometric principles are simplified to facilitate their making. These include considering the involved sequences as perfectly tabular with uniform deformation responses, despite their heterogeneous lithologies with different rheologies. Additionally, the spatial relationships between the dominant stress field and the fractures (joints and faults) established by Anderson's Law are not contemplated. Furthermore, multiple evolution sequences with inversions or transcurrent components are not allowed since the previous discontinuities of the underlying basement located in a preferred orientation for their reactivation are not considered. This paper summarizes the main tectonic characteristics of the Colombian Frente Llanero, and structural aspects of faulting based on analog models, mechanical principles of deformation, the influence of pre-existing discontinuities, and the postulates and limitations of analog modeling concepts are discussed. In this way, alternative and less subjective tectonic interpretations are proposed to study the exploratory potential of the hydrocarbon resources of the Colombian Frente Llanero and similar tectonic regions.
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