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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
AAPG Bulletin
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Data from 16 salt structures of the Gulf Coast province have been analyzed to (1) document some of the piercement features on shallow Gulf Coast salt structures and (2) investigate some of the mechanisms and controls of the salt-piercement processes. The process of piercement by vertical displacement of overburden by salt has been the primary subject of this study. Accordingly, the investigations have concerned mainly the upper section of alternating sandstone and shale beds that are in contact with the salt and show a discordant relation with the salt core.
The two general types of piercement processes recognized on shallow Gulf Coast salt domes are (1) piercement by rupture of the overburden through fracturing, faulting, and tilting of the overburden upward and outward in segments, with rise of the salt being enhanced by erosion, and (2) piercement by vertical displacement of overburden ahead of the growing salt mass, accompanied by peripheral faulting surrounding the salt dome. The discordant relation commonly observed in the upper parts of shallow salt structures between the salt plug and the enveloping strata is the result of piercement by vertical displacement of overburden by salt. The discordant relation can be produced by piercement of each bed contemporaneously with deposition or by postdepositional piercement of a thick section of overburden. Postdepositional piercement and vertical displacement of overburden as much as 2,400 ft thick can be documented in the Gulf Coast. Piercement by vertical displacement is most likely where the salt has a plug shape and is growing by a process of plug flow. The plug shape evolves from a broad salt mound or pillow in the later stages of salt dome growth. Piercement by rupture and outward tilting of segments of overburden is most likely in the earlier stages of salt-dome growth, when the salt mass is in the broad mound or pillow shape or is changing from the pillow to the plug shape.
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