Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1249
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1249
13 May 2024
 | 13 May 2024

Geophysical downhole logging analysis within the shallow depth ICDP STAR drilling project (Central Italy)

Paola Montone, Simona Pierdominici, Maria Teresa Mariucci, Francesco Mirabella, Marco Urbani, Assel Akimbekova, Lauro Chiaraluce, Wade Johnson, and Massimiliano Rinaldo Barchi

Abstract. The ICDP STAR drilling project aims to study the seismic and aseismic fault slip behaviour of the active low-angle Alto Tiberina normal Fault (ATF) in the Northern Apennines, Central Italy, drilling and instrumenting six shallow boreholes with seismometers and strainmeters. During the STAR field work, a geophysical downhole logging campaign was carried on defining the optimal target depth for instrument deployment and formation rock characterization. In particular, the main objectives of this study were to define in situ physical properties of the rocks and the tectonic discontinuity geometry along the boreholes. The downhole logging data provide new findings and knowledge especially with regards to the physical properties such as resistivity, gamma ray and wave velocity. The collected parameters were compared to the results of literature data collected in similar lithologies, as well as with the results of logging performed in deeper wells drilled for commercial purposes. The physical properties of the Mesozoic-Early Tertiary calcareous formations show low Gamma Ray values and high compressional (Vp) and shear wave (Vs) velocities (up to 5.3 km/s and 2.9 km/s, respectively), whereas the overlying clay-rich Late Tertiary formations exhibit high Gamma Ray and low resistivity and relatively low Vp and Vs values (up to 3.5 km/s and 2.0 km/s, respectively). The results obtained from the analysis of the orientations of the tectonic structures, measured along the six boreholes, show a good agreement with the orientations of the present-day extensional stress field, NE-SW oriented. Our study allowed to bridge the gap between the physical properties obtained from literature data and those obtained from the deep wells measurements, representing a possible case history for future projects. These new data will contribute to the advancement of knowledge of the physical properties of the rocks at shallow depths, typically overlooked.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

27 Nov 2024
Geophysical downhole logging analysis within the shallow-depth ICDP STAR drilling project (central Italy)
Paola Montone, Simona Pierdominici, M. Teresa Mariucci, Francesco Mirabella, Marco Urbani, Assel Akimbekova, Lauro Chiaraluce, Wade Johnson, and Massimiliano Rinaldo Barchi
Solid Earth, 15, 1385–1406, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1385-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-1385-2024, 2024
Short summary
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
The STAR project set out to drill 6 shallow holes and use geophysical logging to figure out the...
Share