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.     

塔里木盆地库车坳陷致密砂岩-膏泥岩储盖组合断裂带内部结构及与天然气成藏关系

本文在野外观察描述基础上,系统分析了库车坳陷致密砂岩-膏泥岩储盖组合内断裂变形机制,研究表明:断裂在膏泥岩内变形机制取决于埋藏深度决定的脆塑性,膏泥岩在浅埋条件下处于脆性变形阶段,形成断层泥充填的贯通型断裂,垂向封闭能力很差;膏泥岩在较深埋条件下处于脆-塑性变形阶段,形成涂抹型断裂带,伴随断距增加,涂抹逐渐失去连续性,连续的膏岩涂抹形成有效封闭,一旦失去连续性,油气将穿越盖层垂向散失;膏泥岩在深埋条件下处于塑性变形阶段,膏泥岩限制断裂穿层。因此,塑性膏泥岩和脆-塑性膏泥岩在涂抹连续情况下,能够形成有效封闭。断裂变形时储层已经致密化,抬升作用和储层超压导致断裂变形机制以破裂为主,断层核为断层角砾岩,破碎带发育大量裂缝,为油气垂向运移通道,侧向封闭依靠岩性对接。这种岩性对接封闭导致天然气聚集模式具有3个典型特征:一是天然气紧邻区域性盖层分布,即天然气层之上为区域性盖层;二是区域性盖层与储层对接形成有效封闭,因此天然气主要分布在气源断裂上升盘;三是烃柱高度取决于断距大小,圈闭范围内最小断距决定烃柱高度和气-水界面分布。     

广西防城-灵山断裂带北东支灵山段活动性初探

防城-灵山断裂北东支灵山段为北部湾经济区内地震活动最为频繁的地区。为了查明防城-灵山断裂带北东支灵山段的断裂活动变形特征,尤其是在活动性特征的关键部位控制断裂构造的产状特征,断裂产状深部变化、断裂带规模及展布方向,本文通过遥感解译、地质地貌调查以及浅层地震和地质雷达勘探等物探方法对广西防城-灵山断裂带北东支灵山段的平面展布特征以及活动性进行了初步探讨。结果表明该断裂带呈北东向展布并被多条北西向断裂错断,东西边界分别为灵山断裂和石塘断裂。灵山断裂错断了晚更新世洪积扇阶地,河流流经灵山断裂后发生右旋偏转;石塘断裂表现为宽约250 m的破碎带,次级断裂密集发育。物探结果显示防城-灵山断裂北东支灵山段的东西两支在晚更新世以来均具有较强的活动性。     

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.     

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.     

Polygonal deformation bands

We report for the first time the occurrence of polygonal faults in sandstone, which is compelling given that layer-bound polygonal fault systems have been observed so far only in fine-grained sediments such as clay and chalk. The polygonal faults are shear deformation bands that developed under shallow burial conditions via strain hardening in dm-wide zones. The edges of the polygons are 1–5 m long. The shear deformation bands are organized as conjugate faults along each edge of the polygon and form characteristic horst-like structures. The individual deformation bands have slip magnitudes ranging from a few mm to 1.5 cm; the cumulative average slip magnitude in a zone is up to 10 cm. The deformation bands heaves, in aggregate form, accommodate a small isotropic horizontal extension (strain <0.005). The individual shear deformation bands show abutting T-junctions, veering, curving, and merging where they mechanically interact. Crosscutting relationships are rare. The interactions of the deformation bands are similar to those of mode I opening fractures. The documented fault networks have important implications for evaluating the geometry of km-scale polygonal fault systems in the subsurface, top seal integrity, as well as constraining paleo-tectonic stress regimes.     

Strain variation with progressive deformation in basement-involved trishear structures

Basement-involved structures associated with reverse, vertical and normal faults commonly involve non-parallel shear within a triangular deformation (trishear) zone located on the front limbs of the structures. Deformation within the trishear zone is characterized by shear gradients and an associated decrease in the dips of the beds in stratigraphically higher units. Geometric models suggest that the layer-parallel strain within the trishear zone depends on the type of fault (normal, reverse, or vertical), the dip and throw of the fault, the dip of the anticlinal or synclinal axial surfaces, and the distance of any unit above the initial tip of the trishear zone, located at the basement-sediment contact. At any given location, reverse faults typically show increasing layer parallel shortening, followed by decreasing layer parallel shortening and a transition to extension, with increasing throw. The transition from contraction to extension occurs at lower values of throw for stratigraphically lower units and also for faults with smaller dips. Vertical and normal faults exhibit increasing layer-parallel extension of all units with increasing throw, with larger extension for stratigraphically lower units. Experimental models suggest that the trishear zone can expand with increasing fault throw. The strain within the trishear zones is accommodated largely by secondary faults, which are rotated with progressive deformation. The strain variations in the experiments closely mimic those predicted by the geometric models for reverse, vertical, and normal faults.     

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.     

On the formation and growth of faults: an experimental study

By using an experimental geometry, which includes a slot loaded to produce a mode 3 shear stress concentration, shear fractures have been grown in two fine-grained rock types. The deformation is accomplished by initially generating an array of oblique, mainly tensile, cracks at the tip of the slot, which are subsequently linked to form a rupture zone. This suggests a more general model for the formation of brittle shear rupture. A through-going shear surface will form if a damage zone is concentrated enough in the appropriate orientation. This may occur at the edges of an existing shear strain discontinuity, such as a fault, particularly in a mode 3 displacement field. Thus under some conditions faults may grow or link up as true macroscopic shear ruptures. This may be part of a solution to the apparent paradox of the existence of long faults. We suggest features that would indicate this sequence of formation in the field and review some geological examples.     

张性断裂带内部结构特征及油气运移和保存研究

断裂带是一个宽度、长度和高度均与断距呈正比关系的三维地质体,具有典型的二分结构：即断层核和破碎带。断层核由多种类型的断层岩和后期胶结物组成,具有分选差,粘土含量高,颗粒粒径小等特征,表现为具有比围岩更低的孔渗性。破碎带同围岩相比发育大量的裂缝,裂缝的密度随着离断层核距离的增大而逐渐减小,孔渗性较高。断层岩类型取决于断移地层的岩性、成岩程度和断裂变形时期。对于同生断层而言,泥岩和不纯净的砂岩主要发生泥岩涂抹作用;纯净砂岩发生解聚作用,形成颗粒重排的变形带。中成岩阶段发生断裂变形,泥岩发生泥岩涂抹作用,不纯净的砂岩发生碎裂作用和层状硅酸盐涂抹作用,形成碎裂岩和层状硅酸盐 框架断层岩;纯净砂岩主要发生碎裂作用,形成碎裂岩。晚成岩阶段发生断裂变形,碎裂作用成为主要的变形机制,泥岩破碎形成大量断层泥,不纯净的砂岩和纯净的砂岩均形成碎裂岩,其中纯净砂岩形成的碎裂岩由于石英的压溶胶结变得更致密。因此不同成岩阶段、不同岩性形成的断层岩类型不同,泥岩涂抹的排替压力高于层状硅酸盐 框架断层岩和碎裂岩,即使都是碎裂岩,其渗透率相差7个数量级。从断裂带结构看油气运移和保存,断层垂向封闭主要靠剪切型泥岩涂抹的连续性,侧向封闭能力取决于断层岩物性,物性很高的碎裂岩自身封闭能力很差,依靠两盘岩性对接封闭油气,最小断距决定油水界面位置。物性很低的断层岩一般能封住一定高度的油气柱,其是断裂带中泥质含量的函数。断层在储盖层段变形机制差异,决定了断裂输导与封闭油气的耦合,即破碎带双向输导充注,盖层段剪切型泥岩涂抹顶部封闭,断层核遮挡成藏。     

阜康古牧地活动断裂变形特征研究

对大红沟沟口处河流Ⅰ级和Ⅱ级阶地断裂变形特征研究表明,古牧地断裂活动为古近系泥岩逆冲于第四系之上。断裂破碎带形变主要被两种形式吸收:一是晚第四纪地层拱曲变形作用,二是断裂断错作用。该时期断裂带平均垂直变形速率约为0.26～0.30 mm/a,断裂带内断面发育,既有低角度逆冲断层,也有高角度正断层,组成宽度超过65 m的形变带,破裂带内泥岩揉皱变形明显,最大一次逆冲断错距离为0.4 m,计算震级为M 6.5～6.8。     

Analyzing shallow faulting at a site in the Wasatch fault zone, Utah, USA, by integrating seismic, gravity, magnetic, and trench data

Gravity, magnetic, and seismic surveys were conducted across the Wasatch fault zone east of Springville, Utah, near the mouth of Hobble Creek Canyon. The geophysical data were acquired, processed, and interpreted to determine possible locations of larger [total offset greater than 6 ft (1.8 m)], shallow normal faults within the fault zone. Interpretations of the individual data sets were integrated to help eliminate spurious readings and to strengthen the interpretations. Visual methods of integration, along with computer modeling, were chosen for this study. Furthermore, the geophysical data were correlated and integrated with available trench data and surface data. In addition to verifying locations of known faults, the geophysical surveys detected numerous possible additional faults not previously mapped. Of particular interest is a newly discovered graben structure near the southern end of the site, where building of new homes has recently been proposed.

New structural information about fault densities and styles was also determined from the surveys. The fault concentration for this site is 1.3 faults/100 ft (30.5 m), or one fault per 77 ft (23.5 m). Interpreted antithetic faults at the Hobble Creek site account for 65% of the total, while synthetic faults account for 35% with respect to the main fault strand.

Information derived from this study should be useful during planning and development of areas within the Wasatch fault zone. The characteristics of subsurface deformation can be used to gain a better understanding of the potential for surface rupture at a given site. This is also useful in planning appropriate site development and remedial measures to help mitigate hazards associated with large-magnitude earthquakes.     

新疆巴楚地区走滑断裂对碳酸盐岩构造裂缝发育的控制

走滑断裂如何控制附近构造裂缝的发育程度是碳酸盐岩地区构造裂缝定量研究的重要内容,对碳酸盐岩裂缝油气藏的储层预测具有重要意义。通过对野外测量的测量面距断裂的距离和构造裂缝面密度的定量关系进行统计分析,发现新疆巴楚地区的2条走滑断裂(张扭性皮羌走滑断裂和压扭性西克尔走滑断裂)控制的构造裂缝的密度与距断裂的距离呈指数关系,即远离断裂,裂缝密度呈指数下降,且存在一个裂缝密度骤减的范围,这个范围内为断裂控制的裂缝带;范围以外为区域控制的裂缝带,此带裂缝密度变化缓慢,相对稳定。新疆巴楚碳酸盐岩地区压扭性走滑断裂控制的构造裂缝的带宽与走滑断距的比值是张扭性走滑断裂的10倍以上,说明碳酸盐岩地区压扭性走滑断裂控制的构造裂缝带远比张扭性断裂控制的宽,压扭性走滑断裂附近的构造裂缝相对更发育,更有利于裂缝型碳酸盐岩储层的发育。     

塔里木盆地顺北地区下古生界走滑断裂带断距分段差异与断层宽度关系

学者们对塔里木盆地顺北地区的下古生界走滑断裂带活动期次、发育时间、分段性和内部结构差异展开过一些研究,但尚未达成共识.厘清断距和断层宽度的分段差异.有助于对该地区走滑断裂展开更详细的研究.以200 m水平间距统计下古生界走滑断裂断距和断层宽度,采用线性拟合的方式落实断距与断层宽度之间的定量关系.结果表明:(1)顺北1号...     

青藏高原东缘活动断裂带地壳岩体构造损伤特征与模式讨论

活动断裂带强烈复杂的构造运动会对地壳岩体产生不同程度的损伤,这些损伤能够显著影响地震破裂、地貌演化和地质灾害等地质过程,并对工程岩体稳定有较大影响,但目前鲜见对大型活动断裂地壳岩体构造损伤的深入研究.本文首次提出地壳岩体构造损伤的科学概念,揭示其具有不可逆性、累积性、非均匀性与愈合性.通过对青藏高原东缘鲜水河断裂带等6...     

顺煤层断层的基本特征及其地质意义

顺煤层断层是指顺煤层发育的断面与煤层层面的交角较小或近于平行的断层。它的主要识别标志是断层面、构造煤和煤层厚度的强烈变化。顺煤层断层可独立存在，也可与其它地质构造相互转换，相伴出现。顺煤层断层具有特殊的选层性，这一特征与煤体较低的力学强度、煤层瓦斯压力及形变期顺煤层的剪切作用有关。顺煤层断层在煤田中分布广泛，它所产生的构造煤是瓦斯高聚集区，亦是瓦斯突出的危险区，其研究意义重大。     

Processes of normal fault evolution in a siliciclastic sequence: a case study from Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

Detailed field observations of normal faults formed at shallow depth in a deltaic sand–clay sequence near Miri, Sarawak are used to study the main structural elements during the early stages of fault development. We studied over 450 segmented faults, many of which contain clay smear, in an excellent outcrop exposing a collapsed crest structure.In agreement with previous studies we find that important elements of fault zone evolution are: (i) clay smear, (ii) telescoping on parallel strands, and (iii) preferred deformation of fault-bounded lenses. We model the consequences of telescoping on parallel strands and conclude that the reliability of juxtaposition diagrams can decrease dramatically in the presence of undetected multiple fault strands. The across fault connectivity can either increase or decrease depending on small variations in many of the input parameters.All the faults studied have a continuous clay smear over the interval studied, except for the places where a sand bed has an offset smaller than its thickness, and therefore has not moved past clay. Although on average the clay content observed correlates well with the average clay content of the faulted section, there are large variations in clay content controlled by local complexity in deformation. Understanding of this local complexity is a prerequisite for further improvement of clay smear in the subsurface.     

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...