Spatial distribution of deformation bands in damage zones of extensional faults in porous sandstones: Statistical analysis of field data

The distribution of deformation bands in damage zones of extensional faults in porous sandstones has been analyzed using 106 outcrop scanlines along which the position and frequency of deformation bands have been recorded. The analysis reveals a non-linear relationship between damage zone width and fault throw, a logarithmic decrease in deformation band frequency away from the fault core, as well as a fractal spatial distribution associated with clustering of the deformation bands. Furthermore, damage zones appear wider in the hanging wall than in the footwall, although the deformation band density is similar on both sides. Statistical trends derived from the database imply that fault growth in porous sandstones can be considered as a scale invariant process. From an initial process zone, the damage zone grows by a constant balance between the development of new deformation bands in the existing damage zone and the creation of new bands outside. Moreover, as the width of the damage zone increases throughout the active lifetime of a fault, the distribution of the deformation bands in the damage zone remains self-similar. Hence band distribution and damage zone width for seismically mapped faults can be predicted from the relationships found in this paper.     

碳酸盐岩断裂相分类特征——以新疆塔里木盆地柯坪露头为例

断裂相的概念为断裂带的内部结构研究提供了新的思路与建模方法,通过塔里木盆地柯坪露头断裂带的分析,碳酸盐岩断裂相特征有别于碎屑岩.柯坪露头碳酸盐岩断裂带不连续构造以滑动面、裂缝带和变形带发育为特征.根据形态识别出平直截切型、弯曲起伏型、渐变条带型三种类型滑动面.破碎带中裂缝带发育,裂缝充填少,是良好输导通道;断层核部存在...     

塔里木盆地走滑带碳酸盐岩断裂相特征及其与油气关系

通过露头与井下资料的综合分析,塔里木盆地奥陶系碳酸盐岩走滑断裂带断裂相具有多样性,根据内部构造发育程度可以分为断层核发育、断层核欠发育两类。露头走滑带断层核部以裂缝带、透镜体、滑动面等断裂相发育为特征,断裂边缘的破碎带发育裂缝带、变形带。裂缝带主要分布在断层核附近50m的破碎带内,裂缝多开启,渗流性好。断裂核部透镜体发育,在破碎带也有分布,破碎角砾组合的透镜体多致密。滑动面具有平直截切型、渐变条带型等两种类型,多为开启的半充填活动面。变形带多为方解石与碎裂岩充填,破碎带局部部位裂缝与溶蚀作用较发育。利用地震剖面、构造图、相干图等资料可以判识塔里木盆地内部奥陶系碳酸盐岩走滑断裂相的特征及其发育程度,沿走滑断裂带走向上断裂相具有分段性与差异性,根据渗流性可以定性区分高渗透相、致密相区。沿断裂带高渗透相区是碳酸盐岩缝洞体储层发育的有利部位。断裂相的横向变化造成油气分布的区段性,形成高渗透相输导模式、致密相遮挡模式等两类成藏模式。走滑断裂带碳酸盐岩断裂相的特征及其控藏作用对油气勘探开发储层建模具有重要意义。     

Damage zone and slip-surface evolution over μm to km scales in high-porosity Navajo sandstone, Utah

Detailed mapping of throw variations and deformation along two km-scale normal faults in the high-porosity Navajo sandstone, Utah, has been used to investigate fault growth in this lithology. The faults consist of one or more through-going, striated, slip-surfaces, accommodating the greater part of the offset surrounded by a damage zone consisting of deformation band clusters and short, unconnected slip-surfaces. In contrast to previous models for deformation in this lithology, we find that the nucleation of slip-surfaces begins where measurable throw is negligible and deformation bands are forming and increasing in number. The microstructure and porosity of deformation bands and slip surfaces are distinct and independent of the amount of offset that they accommodate, i.e. they represent different and yet contemporaneous deformation mechanisms. The point where measurable throw begins to accumulate (the fault tip) is marked by the first through-going connected slip-surface. Increase in throw towards the centre of the fault results in a three-dimensional strain field, producing orthorhombic structural geometries within the damage zone. We find that the total width of the damage zone increases as offset is accumulated. For these faults, the damage zone width is approximately 2.5 times the total fault throw.     

北方岩溶区断裂带水文地质性质及结构模型

断层带结构和内部流体流动特性是水文地质研究领域的难点问题。石油地质领域,在油气运移与成藏方向已形成较成熟的断层封闭性定量评价技术手段。相比较,断裂的水文地质性质研究尚停留在断裂的力学性质对断层导水、阻水特性的定性评价阶段,尚未详细开展断裂带结构、渗透性各向异性等方面的研究工作。文章梳理总结国外断裂带水文地质性质研究中关于结构组成、断裂带演化、渗透率影响因素等方面的研究成果,引入断裂带渗透率结构模型,并以中国北方岩溶区碳酸盐岩与碎屑岩互层含水岩组为例,构建断裂带水文地质结构模型。断裂带研究尺度和精度不同、断裂带发育部位不同,导致其结构及水文地质性质亦不相同,如何建立起精确、典型的断裂带水文地质结构模型,需要各领域数据共享及多学科融合共同开展研究工作。      

Impact of single inclined faults on the fluid flow and heat transport: results from 3-D finite element simulations

The impact of inclined faults on the hydrothermal field is assessed by adding simplified structural settings to synthetic models. This study is innovative in carrying out numerical simulations because it integrates the real 3-D nature of flow influenced by a fault in a porous medium, thereby providing a useful tool for complex geothermal modelling. The 3-D simulations for the coupled fluid flow and heat transport processes are based on the finite element method. In the model, one geological layer is dissected by a dipping fault. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to quantify the effects of the fault’s transmissivity on the fluid flow and thermal field. Different fault models are compared with a model where no fault is present to evaluate the effect of varying fault transmissivity. The results show that faults have a significant impact on the hydrothermal field. Varying either the fault zone width or the fault permeability will result in relevant differences in the pressure, velocity and temperature field. A linear relationship between fault zone width and fluid velocity is found, indicating that velocities increase with decreasing widths. The faults act as preferential pathways for advective heat transport in case of highly transmissive faults, whereas almost no fluid may be transported through poorly transmissive faults.     

High resolution facies architecture and digital outcrop modeling of the Sandakan formation sandstone reservoir,Borneo:Implications for reservoir characterization and flow simulation

Advances in photogrammetry have eased the acquisition of high-resolution digital information from outcrops, enabling faster, non-destructive data capturing and improved reservoir modeling. Geocellular models for flow dynamics with in the virtual outcrop in siliciclastic deposits at different sets of sandstone facies architecture remain, however, a challenge. Digital maps of bedding, lithological contrast, spatial-temporal variations of bedding and permeability characteristics make it more easy to understand flow tortuosity in a particular architecture. An ability to precisely model these properties can improve reservoir characterization and flow modeling at different scales. Here we demonstrate the construction of realistic 2 D sandstone facies based models for a pragmatic simulation of flow dynamics using a combination of digital point clouds dataset acquired from LiDAR and field investigation of the Sandakan Formation, Sabah, Borneo.Additionally, we present methods for enhancing the accuracy of outcrop digital datasets for producing high resolution flow simulation. A well-exposed outcrop from the Sandakan Formation, Sabah, northwest Borneo having a lateral extent of 750 m was chosen in order to implement our research approach. Sandstone facies and its connectivity are well constrained by outcrop observations, data from air-permeability measurements, bilinear interpolation of permeability, grid construction and water vector analysis for flow dynamics.These proportions were then enumerated in terms of static digital outcrop model(DOM) and facies model based on sandstone facies bedding characteristics. Flow simulation of water vector analysis through each of the four sandstone facies types show persistent spatial correlation of permeability that align with either cross-bedded orientation or straight with more dispersion high quality sandstone(porosity 21.25%-41.2%and permeability 1265.20-5986.25 mD) and moderate quality sandstone(porosity 10.44%-28.75% and permeability 21.44-1023.33 mD). Whereas, in more heterolithic sandstone(wavy-to flaser-bedded and bioturbated sandstone), lateral variations in permeability show spatially non-correlated patterns over centimeters to tens of meters with mostly of low quality sandstone(porosity 3.4%-12.31% and permeability < 1 mD to 3.21 mD). These variations reflect the lateral juxtaposition in flow dynamics. It has also been resulted that the vertical connectivity and heterogeneities in terms of flow are mostly pragmatic due to the interconnected sandstone rather than the quality of sandstone.     

Permeability upscaling of fault zones in the Aztec Sandstone,Valley of Fire State Park,Nevada, with a focus on slip surfaces and slip bands

The effect of open and filled slip surfaces on the upscaled permeability of two fault zones with 6 and 14 m strike-slip in an eolian Aztec Sandstone, Nevada, USA is evaluated. Each fault zone is composed of several fault components: a fault core, bounded by filled through-going slip surfaces referred to as slip bands, and a surrounding damage zone that contains joints and deformation bands. Slip band geometry, composition, and petrophysical properties are characterized. Measurements and modeling show that slip band permeabilities can vary over 12 orders of magnitude depending on the degree of fill within the slip bands. The slip bands along with other fault zone components are represented in finite volume numerical calculations and the impact of various slip-band representations on upscaled fault zone permeability is tested. The results show 2 orders of magnitude variation in upscaled fault zone permeability in the fault-normal direction and a factor of 2 variation in the fault-parallel direction. The numerical results presented here are compared to the earlier numerical results in which structured Cartesian grids were used for the numerical simulations, and are in qualitative agreement with earlier calculations but use about a factor of 250–400 fewer numerical cells.     

Influence of carbonate facies on fault zone architecture

Normal faults on Malta were studied to analyse fault propagation and evolution in different carbonate facies. Deformation of carbonate facies is controlled by strength, particle size and pore structure. Different deformation styles influence the damage characteristics surrounding faults, and therefore the fault zone architecture. The carbonates were divided into grain- and micrite-dominated carbonate lithofacies. Stronger grain-dominated carbonates show localised deformation, whereas weaker micrite-dominated carbonates show distributed deformation. The weaker micrite-dominated carbonates overlie stronger grain-dominated carbonates, creating a mechanical stratigraphy. A different architecture of damage, the ‘Fracture Splay Zone’ (FSZ), is produced within micrite-dominated carbonates due to this mechanical stratigraphy. Strain accumulates at the point of juxtaposition between the stronger grain-dominated carbonates in the footwall block and the weaker micrite-dominated carbonates in the hanging wall block. New slip surfaces nucleate and grow from these points, developing an asymmetric fault damage zone segment. The development of more slip surfaces within a single fault zone forms a zone of intense deformation, bound between two slip surfaces within the micrite-dominated carbonate lithofacies (i.e., the FSZ). Rather than localisation onto a single slip surface, allowing formation of a continuous fault core, the deformation will be dispersed along several slip surfaces. The dispersed deformation can create a highly permeable zone, rather than a baffle/seal, in the micrite-dominated carbonate lithofacies. The formation of a Fracture Splay Zone will therefore affect the sealing potential of the fault zone. The FSZ, by contrast, is not observed in the majority of the grain-dominated carbonates.     

断裂在纯净砂岩中的变形机制及断裂带内部结构

以纯净砂岩为对象,考虑了影响断裂变形的主要因素,包括成岩阶段、孔隙度、温度和围压,系统剖析了不同性质砂岩的断裂变形机制、微构造特征及形成断裂带的内部结构,对研究砂岩内断裂封闭性具有重要的指导意义。研究表明：纯净的砂岩在未固结-半固结成岩阶段发生断裂,变形机制为颗粒边界摩擦滑动,导致颗粒旋转和滚动,即为颗粒流,形成的微构造为解聚带,孔渗性同母岩比没有明显降低,断裂带尽管具有断层核和破碎带二分结构,但渗透率比母岩高,为流体垂向运移的通道;在固结成岩阶段（孔隙度大于15%）发生断裂,变形机制为碎裂作用,颗粒边界摩擦滑动导致颗粒旋转,即为碎裂流,形成的微构造为碎裂带,渗透率同母岩比一般降低1～3个数量级,形成侧向有一定封闭能力、垂向渗透的断裂带;固结阶段（孔隙度小于15%）发生断裂,开始由于破裂作用,形成断层角砾岩,伴随着碎裂流发生,形成碎裂岩,因此早期形成高渗透断裂带,后期断层逐渐封闭。固结成岩的砂岩在抬升过程发生断裂,变形机制为破裂作用,形成无内聚力的角砾岩,为高渗透断裂带。在不同成岩阶段发生变形,形成多类型变形构造的叠加,对于一条晚期形成的断层而言,由于不同深度变形机制及微构造类型不同,导致油气选择性充注,碎裂带和压溶胶结碎裂带阻止油气向高孔隙度砂岩中充注,解聚带会成为油气运移的通道,裂缝有利于油气优先充注。因此,高孔隙性砂岩中孔隙度较低的储集层由于碎裂带不发育常常含油气性最好,而低孔隙性砂岩由于裂缝产生含油气性较好。     

华熊地块马超营断裂走滑特征及演化

对华熊地块南部的马超营断裂带的几何样式、组成特征及其变形特点等研究结果表明,马超营断裂带经历了韧性变形和脆性变形期。韧性变形分布于该断裂带的南侧,并发生了绿片岩相的动力变质作用,其中的S-C组构特征所指示的运动方向在其南北两侧,分别为向南和向北逆冲,呈现正花状特点,反映了该断裂带具有走滑逆冲性质的断裂。韧性变形主要发生于前印支期。燕山期,全面陆-陆碰撞期间其主要表现为脆性变形特征。脆性变形主要发育于其北侧,北东向的康山-七里坪断裂、红庄-陶村断裂是其次一级的派生断裂。通过对北东向断裂运动方向和前人的成果分析,以及这些构造的平面分布样式对比认为该断裂为一条左行走滑特征的断裂带。在此基础上,结合区域动力学背景,进而讨论了它的演化特征。     

Spatial variations in damage zone width along strike-slip faults: An example from active faults in southwest Japan

Field investigations reveal spatial variations in fault zone width along strike-slip active faults of the Arima–Takatsuki Tectonic Line (ATTL) and the Rokko–Awaji Fault Zone (RAFZ) of southwest Japan, which together form a left-stepping geometric pattern. The fault zones are composed of damage zones dominated by fractured host rocks, non-foliated and foliated cataclasites, and a fault core zone that consists of cataclastic rocks including fault gouge and fault breccia. The fault damage zones of the ATTL are characterized by subsidiary faults and fractures that are asymmetrically developed on each side of the main fault. The width of the damage zone varies along faults developed within granitic rocks of the ATTL and RAFZ, from ∼50 to ∼1000 m. In contrast, the width of the damage zone within rhyolitic tuff on the northwestern side of the ATTL varies from ∼30 to ∼100 m. The fault core zone is generally concentrated in a narrow zone of ∼0.5–∼5 m in width, consisting mainly of pulverized cataclastic rocks that lack the primary cohesion of the host rocks, including a narrow zone of fault gouge (<0.5 m) and fault-breccia zones either side of the fault. The present results indicate that spatial variations in the width of damage zone and the asymmetric distribution of damage zones across the studied strike-slip faults are mainly caused by local concentrations in compressive stress within an overstep area between left-stepping strike-slip faults of the ATTL and RAFZ. The findings demonstrate that fault zone structures and the spatial distribution in the width of damage zone are strongly affected by the geometric patterns of strike-slip faults.     

闽—粤东南沿海大陆边缘韧性剪切带的基本特征

东南沿海大陆边缘剪切带是西太平洋活动大陆边缘构造带的组成部分,它是一条具有多次活动的左旋韧性平移剪切带。在本剪切带中可以观察到3种类型的构造:（1）规模巨大的呈北北东—北东向展布的糜棱岩带以及山拉伸线理组成的线状构造带。它们在平面上有明显的从断目两侧向中心递进变形特征;（2）呈北东走向陡倾角的糜棱叶理（Sa）、应变滑劈理或破劈理（Sb）、小型剪切带（Sc）;（3）由西到东断层作用样式和断层岩具有明显的递进变化特点。西部（浅部）断层作用以脆性剪切滑动为主,其断层岩则由假玄武玻璃及镜面糜棱岩组成;中部断层作用以跪—韧性剪切为主,为断层泥—碎裂岩—超碎裂岩;东部(深部,以韧性剪切作用为主,其断层岩为暖棱岩—花岗糜桂片麻岩—眼球状糜棱岩系列。以上特点表明在本剪切带内透入性和非透入性变形之间有着密切的关系,反映出在变形过程中具有由韧性变形逐渐向脆性变形的发展趋势。     

Deformation mechanisms and hydraulic properties of fault zones in unconsolidated sediments; the Roer Valley Rift System,The Netherlands

In general, faults cutting through the unconsolidated sediments of the Roer Valley Rift System (RVRS), The Netherlands, form strong barriers to horizontal groundwater flow. The relationships between deformation mechanisms along fault zones and their impact on the hydrogeological structure of the fault zone are analyzed in a shallow (0–5 m below land surface) trench over one of the faults in the study area. Recently developed digital-image-analysis techniques are used to estimate the spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity at the millimeter-scale and to describe the micromorphologic characteristics of the fault zone. In addition, laboratory measurements of hydraulic conductivity on core-plug samples show the larger-scale distribution of hydraulic conductivity in the damage zone flanking the main fault plane. Particulate flow is the deformation mechanism at shallow depths, which causes the damage zone around the fault, in the sand-rich parts, to have a relatively enhanced hydraulic conductivity. The fault core is characterized by reduced hydraulic conductivity due to clay smearing, grain-scale mixing, and iron-oxide precipitation. Electronic Publication     

Fracture analysis in the south-western Corinth rift (Greece) and implications on fault hydraulic behavior

This paper reviews the data concerning the fracture network and the hydraulic characteristics of faults in an active zone of the Gulf of Corinth. Pressure gap measured through fault planes shows that in this area the active normal faults (Aigion, Helike) act, at least temporarily and locally, as transversal seal. The analysis of the carbonate cements in the fractures on both the hangingwall and the footwall of the faults also suggests that they have acted as local seals during the whole fault zone evolution. However, the pressure and the characteristics of the water samples measured in the wells indicate that meteoric water circulates from the highest part of the relief to the coast, which means it goes through the fault zones. Field quantitative analysis and core studies from the AIG-10 well have been performed to define both regional and fault-related fracture networks. Then laboratory thin section observations have been done to recognize the different fault rocks characterizing the fault zone components. These two kinds of approach give information on the permeability characteristics of the fault zone. To synthesize the data, a schematic conceptual 3D fluid flow modeling has been performed taking into account fault zone permeability architecture, sedimentation, fluid flow, fault vertical offset and meteoric water influx, as well as compaction water flow. This modeling allows us to fit all the data with a model where the fault segments act as a seal whereas the relays between these segments allow for the regional flow from the Peloponnese topographic highs to the coast.     

Structure and flow properties of syn-rift border faults: The interplay between fault damage and fault-related chemical alteration (Dombjerg Fault,Wollaston Forland,NE Greenland)

Structurally controlled, syn-rift, clastic depocentres are of economic interest as hydrocarbon reservoirs; understanding the structure of their bounding faults is of great relevance, e.g. in the assessment of fault-controlled hydrocarbon retention potential. Here we investigate the structure of the Dombjerg Fault Zone (Wollaston Forland, NE Greenland), a syn-rift border fault that juxtaposes syn-rift deep-water hanging-wall clastics against a footwall of crystalline basement. A series of discrete fault strands characterize the central fault zone, where discrete slip surfaces, fault rock assemblages and extreme fracturing are common. A chemical alteration zone (CAZ) of fault-related calcite cementation envelops the fault and places strong controls on the style of deformation, particularly in the hanging-wall. The hanging-wall damage zone includes faults, joints, veins and, outside the CAZ, disaggregation deformation bands. Footwall deformation includes faults, joints and veins. Our observations suggest that the CAZ formed during early-stage fault slip and imparted a mechanical control on later fault-related deformation. This study thus gives new insights to the structure of an exposed basin-bounding fault and highlights a spatiotemporal interplay between fault damage and chemical alteration, the latter of which is often underreported in fault studies. To better elucidate the structure, evolution and flow properties of faults (outcrop or subsurface), both fault damage and fault-related chemical alteration must be considered.     

Tectonic implications of damage zone-related fault-fracture networks revealed in drill core through the Nojima fault, Japan

1800 m of drill core through the Nojima fault zone, Japan, reveals subsidiary fault and fracture networks that developed in the fault zone that triggered the 1995 Ms 7.2 Kobe earthquake. The subsidiary fault zones contain a fault gouge of < 1 cm bounded by thin zones of foliated cataclasite or breccia. Fractures are filled with calcite veins, calcite-cemented breccias, clay, and iron-oxide and carbonate alternation of the granitic host rock. These features are typical of extensional fractures that form the conduit network for fluid flux close to a major fault zone. The zone of distributed deformation surrounding the main fault is 50 m in width, and the dip of the Nojima fault at > 1 km depth is 75°. The fault-fracture networks associated with the Nojima fault zone are coseismic and were filled with carbonate and fine-grained material during repeated seismic-related infiltration of the fault zone by carbonate-bearing subsurface water. This study shows that fault-related fracture networks plays an important role as fluid flow conduits within seismically active faults, and can change in character from zones of high permeability to low permeability due to cementation and/or pore collapse.     

Reverse drag revisited: Why footwall deformation may be the key to inferring listric fault geometry

Although reverse drag, the down warping of hanging wall strata toward a normal fault, is widely accepted as an indicator of listric fault geometry, previous studies have shown that similar folding may form in response to slip on faults of finite vertical extent with listric or planar geometry. In this study we therefore seek more general criteria for inferring subsurface fault geometry from observations of near-surface deformation by directly comparing patterns of displacement, stress, and strain around planar and listric faults, as predicted by elastic boundary element models. In agreement with previous work, we find that models with finite planar, planar-detached, and listric-detached faults all develop hanging wall reverse-drag folds. All of these model geometries also predict a region of tension and elevated maximum Coulomb stress in the hanging wall suggesting that the distribution and orientation of near-surface joints and secondary faults may also be of limited utility in predicting subsurface fault geometry. The most notable difference between the three models, however, is the magnitude of footwall uplift. Footwall uplift decreases slightly with introduction of a detachment and more significantly with the addition of a listric fault shape. A parametric investigation of faults with constant slip ranging from nearly planar to strongly listric over depths from 1 to 15 km reveals that footwall fold width is sensitive to fault geometry while hanging wall fold width largely reflects fault depth. Application of a graphical approach based on these results as well as more complete inverse modeling illustrates how patterns of combined hanging wall and footwall deformation may be used to constrain subsurface fault geometry.     

The permeability of fault zones: a case study of the Dead Sea rift (Middle East)

Fault zone architecture plays an important role in flow regimes of hydrological systems. Fault zones can act as conduits, barriers, or conduits/barrier systems depending on their spatial architecture. The goal of this study is to determine the fault-zone permeability structure and its effect on the local hydrogeological system in the Dead Sea fault system. Permeability was measured on small-scale outcrop plug samples at four faults along the Dead Sea fault system, and large-scale slug tests in four boreholes, in different parts of the fault, at Yair fault in Israel. The research results show that values in the damage zone are two to five orders of magnitude higher than those of the fault core (~3.5?×?10^?10, 1?×?10^?15 m² respectively), resulting in an anisotropic permeability structure for the overall fault zone and preferable flow parallel to the fault. A set of injection tests in the Yair fault damage zone revealed a water-pressure-dependent behavior. The permeability of this zone increases when employing a higher water pressure in the fault fracture-dominated damage zone, due to the reopening of fractures.     

龙门山断裂带横断层成因类型及地质意义

目前,对龙门山冲断带内横断层研究较为薄弱.在综合分析区域地质和地球物理资料的基础上,利用野外考察和构造物理模拟等方法,对龙门山冲断带横断层成因类型及地质意义进行了探析.研究表明:(1) 龙门山断裂带中北段主要发育6条横向断层,其中虎牙横断层为中段与北段的分界,卧龙-怀远横断层为中段与南段的分界;(2) 横向断层主要有3种成因类型:先存北西向断裂或薄弱带再活化、主断裂带差异逆冲产生的撕裂(调节)断层、X共轭剪切断层和横张断裂;(3) 横断层调节了冲断带各段构造活动性、构造变形强度等多方面的差异,其可以独立发震、使龙门山主断裂带分段发震、与主逆冲断裂联合发震、在主震发生后控制余震分布、引发余震等.