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.     

Analysis of the relationship between displacements and dimensions of faults

Displacement gradients on single fault surfaces are a function of the maximum displacement on a fault and the dimensions of the fault surface. Data on the maximum lateral dimensions (widths) and maximum displacements on normal faults and thrusts, with maximum displacements from 4 mm to 40 km, are used to derive an expression relating width, displacement and material properties. The basis of this expression is a fault growth model in which width is proportional to the square root of displacement. Width/displacement ratios vary systematically with the size of a fault from values of ca 30,000, which are characteristic of a single slip event, to about 10 in the case of thrusts with displacements of 40 km. Rocks from which the fault data are derived have a likely range of shear moduli from ca 0.1 to ca 30 GPa, which is sufficient to account for the range of data.Data on widths and maximum displacements of 308 fault traces recorded on British coalmine plans are shown to be consistent with variation of shear modulus of about half an order of magnitude. Data on 58 further fault traces are shown to be consistent with the fault growth model. Synsedimentary faults may have growth curves characteristically different from those of other faults.It is suggested that the increase in dimensions of a fault is a postseismic process of subcritical crack propagation for which the significant material property is fracture toughness.     

Can pseudotachylytes be used to infer earthquake source parameters? An example of limitations in the study of exhumed faults

Tectonic pseudotachylytes might be used to constrain earthquake source parameters, such as dynamic shear stress resistance, average dynamic friction and slip-weakening distance. Estimation of dynamic shear stress resistance and dynamic friction from field studies is based on the assumption that the volume of melt produced during coseismic slip is proportional to the frictional work converted to heat on the fault surface. Conditions conducive to a realistic estimate of dynamic shear resistance are: (i) the presence of large outcrop exposures that allow for estimation of the volume of pseudotachylyte; (ii) the presence of structural markers offset by faults in order to relate the displacement accommodated by the fault with the volume of melt produced; (iii) data that provide an estimate of the initial melt temperature; and (iv) determination of host-rock temperature and pressure conditions that may have existed during seismic faulting. An independent indication that steady-state friction in the presence of melts might be achieved during coseismic slip arises from the dependence of the fractal dimension of the fault profile (intersection of the fault surface with the outcrop surface) with displacement. This relation could also indicate the slip-weakening distance (Hirose, T., Shimamoto, T., 2003. Fractal dimension of molten surfaces as a possible parameter to infer the slip-weakening distance of faults from natural pseudotachylytes. Journal of Structural Geology 25, 1569–1574).The above conditions are all satisfied in the case of the Gole Larghe Fault Zone, which consists of hundreds subparallel strike-slip faults that cut tonalites of the Adamello batholith (Italy). The thickness of pseudotachylyte-bearing faults increases with displacement. From displacement/thickness ratios and energy balance calculations, we determined the dynamic shear resistance for several pseudotachylyte-bearing faults. In the same faults, the fractal dimension of the fault profile increases from 1.0 to 1.16 with displacement. This was also observed in experiments where steady-state friction in the presence of melt was achieved (Hirose, T., Shimamoto, T., 2003. Fractal dimension of molten surfaces as a possible parameter to infer the slip-weakening distance of faults from natural pseudotachylytes. Journal of Structural Geology 25, 1569–1574). However, we will show that the estimate of the dynamic shear stress resistance, average dynamic friction and slip-weakening distance in the studied faults is limited by the uncertainties to attribute the measured displacement to a single seismic rupture. Since many pseudotachylytes in the upper seismogenic crust overprint preexisting cataclasites, it is suggested that future field and experimental work should be addressed to determine microstructural indicators (i.e. evolution of cataclastic fabric with displacement) within cataclasites, which might constrain the contribution of the cataclastic, pre-pseudotachylyte displacement to the total displacement accommodated by the fault.     

Strain compatibility and fault linkage in relay zones on normal faults

Relay zones on normal faults are unlikely to have tabular geometries as depicted in idealised models. Rotation of a relay ramp between non-parallel and non-planar relay-bounding faults will inevitably lead to strain compatibility problems causing open gaps or overlaps within the relay zone. Linkage of relay-bounding faults does not evolve from a single branch point. Rather, linkage occurs at multiple points along the fault tip lines giving rise to initially discontinuous branch lines. Where linkage occurs along a discontinuous slip-aligned branch line, displacement at different levels within the relay zone is partitioned between variable amounts of ramp rotation and slip across the branch line. The linking fault propagates when strain compatibility can no longer be maintained by continuous deformation processes, such as thickening or thinning of incompetent layers within the relay ramp. Step-like changes in vertical displacement vs. distance (d − x) profiles on horizons containing apparently intact relay ramps are probably indicative of incipient breaching and can be used predict the presence of a slip-aligned branch line in the sub-surface. Despite the complexity of the strain distribution within relay zones, the total vertical displacement across the relay remains geometrically coherent at all levels.     

Displacement features associated with fault zones: a comparison between observed examples and experimental models

Fault zones commonly consist of discontinuous surfaces or are composed of different kinds of en echelon fractures (tension cracks, R or P-type fractures) which give the brittle shear zone a width. Translation along these faults and related features can occur by sliding on the elementary planes and/or by solution/deposition processes with opening of transtension zones and possible dilatation of the shear zone.In order to understand how fault planes develop and to investigate the mechanical conditions corresponding to natural configurations, displacement along an analogue fault model was examined under conditions of direct shear. The experimental fracture patterns were then compared with the natural features. The structural elements of certain faults created by testing, and showing transpression and transtension zones, were found to be similar to natural domino structures bounded by elementary shears, and could be compared with computed situations.It can be inferred that stresses are reoriented inside the shear zone; the angle between elementary fractures depends on their order of development; transpression and transtension zones occur systematically; and the shear zone undergoes dilatancy under low normal stresses.     

Lateral variation in structural style along an evaporite-influenced rift fault system in the Halten Terrace,Norway: Influence of basement structure and evaporite facies

The Halten Terrace is underlain by a Triassic evaporitic package, resulting in vertically decoupled normal fault systems following subsequent extension. Four structural domains are identified along the eastern margin of the Halten Terrace, characterised by: i) thick-skinned normal faults affecting both sub-salt and supra-salt cover, ii) basement-restricted normal faults associated with fault-propagation folds, iii) thick-skinned, distributed normal faults, and iv) thick-skinned, localised normal faults. A fault domain boundary associated with an NE–SW striking basement fault corresponds to an abrupt change in style in the north of the Halten Terrace. Summed throw and estimated strain measurements show that throw and strain accommodated by the fault system increase southward, corresponding to a transition from distributed to localised faulting. The evaporite package is variable in thickness, but those variations do not correspond spatially to variations in structural style. Wells that penetrate the evaporite package, and volume attribute analysis of 3D seismic data, suggest variable evaporite facies. A change in seismic attributes from high-amplitude, low variance to low-amplitude, high variance corresponds to a change from decoupled to thick-skinned faulting. The sub-evaporite fault template, amount of strain accommodated across the fault system, and facies variations in the evaporite package are key influences on structural style.     

Growth processes,dimensional parameters and scaling relationships of two conjugate sets of compactive shear bands in porous carbonate grainstones,Favignana Island,Italy

Three main sets of deformation bands are identified in the Lower Pleistocene carbonate grainstones of Favignana Island (Italy). A bedding-parallel set is interpreted to contain compaction bands, based on the lack of evidence for shear. The other two sets are oriented at a high-angle to bedding, forming a conjugate pair comprised of compactive strike-slip shear bands. In this study, we focus on the compactive shear bands documenting their development, as well as analyzing their dimensional parameters and scaling relationships.Single compactive shear bands are thin, tabular zones with porosity less than the surrounding host rocks, and have thicknesses and displacements on the order of a few mm. The growth process for these structures involves localizing further deformation within zones of closely-spaced compactive shear bands and, possibly, along continuous slip surfaces within fault rocks overprinting older zones of bands. During growth, single bands, zones of bands and faults can interact and link, producing larger structures. The transitions from one growth step to another, which are controlled by changes in the deformation behavior (i.e. banding vs. faulting), are recorded by different values of the dimensional parameters for the structures (i.e. length, thickness and displacement). These transitions are also reflected by the ratios and distributions of the dimensional parameters. Considering the lesser porosity values of the structures with respect to the host rock, the results of this contribution could be helpful for mapping, assessing, and simulating carbonate grainstone reservoirs with similar structures.     

The role of gravitational collapse in controlling the evolution of crestal fault systems (Espírito Santo Basin,SE Brazil)

A high-quality 3D seismic volume from offshore Espírito Santo Basin (SE Brazil) is used to assess the importance of gravitational collapse to the formation of crestal faults above salt structures. A crestal fault system is imaged in detail using seismic attributes such as curvature and variance, which are later complemented by analyses of throw vs. distance (T-D) and throw vs. depth (T-Z). In the study area, crestal faults comprise closely spaced arrays and are bounded by large listric faults, herein called border faults. Two episodes of growth are identified in two opposite-dipping fault families separated by a transverse accommodation zone. Statistical analyses for eighty-four (84) faults show that fault spacing is < 250 m, with border faults showing the larger throw values. Fault throw varies between 8 ms and 80 ms two-way time for crestal faults, and 60–80 ms two-way time for border faults. Fault length varies between ∼410 m and 1750 m, with border faults ranging from 1250 m to 1750 m. This work shows that border faults accommodated most of the strain associated with salt growth and collapse. The growth history of crestal faults favours an isolated fault propagation model with fault segment linkage being associated with the lateral propagation of discrete fault segments. Importantly, two episodes of fault growth are identified as synchronous to two phases of seafloor erosion, rendering local unconformities as competent markers of fault reactivation at a local scale. This paper has crucial implications for the understanding of fault growth as a means to assess drilling risk and oil and gas migration on continental margins. As a corollary, this work demonstrates that: 1) a certain degree of spatial organisation occurs in crestal fault systems; 2) transverse accommodation zones can form regions in which fault propagation is enhanced and regional dips of faults change in 4D.     

断层内部结构及其对封闭性的影响

先前的研究多考虑断层封堵和开启的2种极端状态,近来的研究认为,在多数情况下断层处于2种之间的状态,只有在静止期具有封闭能力的断层,才有可能对油气起封堵作用。分析断层对流体运移的影响,需要分析断层在演化过程中的内部结构特征。断层可以划分出破碎带、诱导裂缝带和围岩3部分,断层岩和伴生裂缝构成破碎带的主体部分。常见的断层岩包括断层角砾岩、断层泥和部分碎裂岩,它们充填在断层裂缝空间中,断层内部结构受断层形成时的构造应力性质、断层活动强度和围岩岩性因素的控制。从动态角度看,随着断距增加,断层活动伴随着裂缝的发育和岩石的破碎混杂,可用泥质源岩层厚度和断距的比值来划分不同的发育阶段。断层活动期为油气运移通道,在静止时表现出差异性的封闭,通常用断层渗透率和排替压力2个参数来定量评价断层的封闭程度。断层岩渗透率主要受断距、泥质含量、埋深等因素的控制;断层排替压力的预测方法有2种:一种是从断层岩成岩角度分析的"等效埋深法",另一种是分析实测排替压力与主控地质因素的"拟合法"。通过简化的断层模型,建立了渗透率、排替压力与主控因素的预测关系。和储层类似,流体在断层中的运移遵循多孔介质的渗流特征。利用断层两侧的流体压力和油气柱高度并不能直接评价封闭性能,还必须考虑油气充注史和流体压力变化历史。     

The corrugation and bifurcation of fault surfaces by cross-slip

The formation of corrugated and stepped fault surfaces by conservative shear is discussed. It is suggested that fault boundaries which lie parallel to the direction of shear are able to deviate from a plane as a fault spreads, like dislocations that cross-slip in a crystal. It is explained how deviations from planar shear can bifurcate fault surfaces and create en-échelon faults. The residual stresses produced by such deviations are tensions and compressions in the direction of shear.     

Geometric analysis and scaling relations of deformation bands in porous sandstone

Displacement, length and linkage of deformation bands have been studied in Jurassic sandstones in southeastern Utah. Isolated deformation bands with lengths (L) that span more than three orders of magnitude show similar displacement (D) profiles with more or less centrally located maxima and gently increasing gradient toward the tips. Soft- and hard-linked examples exhibit steeper displacement gradients near overlap zones and immature hard links, similar to previously described fault populations. The deformation band population shows power-law length and displacement distributions, but with lower exponents than commonly observed for populations of larger faults or small faults with distinct slip surfaces. Similarly, the D_max-L relationship of the deformation bands shows a well-defined exponent of ca 0.5, whereas the general disagreement for other fault populations is whether the exponent is 1 or 1.5. We suggest that this important difference in scaling law between deformation bands and other faults has to do with the lack of well-developed slip surfaces in deformation bands. During growth, deformation bands link to form zones of densely spaced bands, and a slip surface is eventually formed (when 100 m < L < 1 km). The growth and scaling relationship for the resulting populations of faults (slip surfaces) is expected to be similar to ‘ordinary’ fault populations. A change in the D_max-L scaling relationship at the point when zones of deformation bands develop slip surfaces is expected to be a general feature in porous sandstones where faults with slip surfaces develop from deformation bands. Down-scaling of ordinary fault populations into the size domain of deformation bands in porous sandstones is therefore potentially dangerous.     

Architecture and growth of normal fault zones in multilayer systems: A 3D field analysis in the South-Eastern Basin,France

3D field data on mesoscale normal faults were collected to examine the geometries and growth of faults in multilayer systems. Observation and analysis of the fractures include the collection of geometric attributes such as fault dips and fault zone thicknesses, detailed mapping in cross-sections and plan views, and the construction of individual and cumulative displacement profiles. Fault zone growth is consistent with a “coherent model” and is strongly influenced by the multilayer system. In the limestone layers, faults grew in several steps, including opening and frictional sliding on 80° dipping segments. Faulting in clay layers was in the form of 40° dipping faults and sub-horizontal faults, the latter being mostly early features developed under the same extensional regime as normal faults and disturbing the fault architecture. The fault zone thickness increases with the limestone thickness and the presence of sub-horizontal faults in clay beds. Numerous connections occur in clay units. The moderate (≈0.08) and low (<0.03) mean displacement gradients in clays and in limestones respectively indicate that the vertical propagation of faults is inhibited in clay layers. Analysis of displacement along fault strike indicates that a 0.08 displacement gradient is associated with the horizontal propagation of fault segments in limestones. According to this value, the fault zones are much longer than expected. It is associated with ‘flat topped’ displacement profiles along some fault segments and connection between segments to form complex fault zones.     

A Study of Stress Change and Fault Slip in Producing Gas Reservoirs Overlain by Elastic and Viscoelastic Caprocks

Geomechanical simulations were conducted to study the effects of reservoir depletion on the stability of internal and boundary faults in gas reservoirs overlain by elastic and viscoelastic salt caprocks. The numerical models were of a disk-shaped gas reservoir with idealized geometry; they mimic the structure of a gas field in the northern Netherlands which has experienced induced seismicity during gas production. The geomechanical simulations identified the area of the internal fault most sensitive to fault reactivation as coinciding with the epicenters of the largest seismic events associated with gas production. Depletion-induced shear slip is initiated at the depth of the reservoir, in the fault areas where the vertical fault throw ranges between 0.5 and 1.5 times the reservoir thickness. The extent of reactivated area differs depending on whether the caprock is viscoelastic or elastic: when it is viscoelastic, there is more down-dip shear displacement. High initial horizontal stresses in the rock salt and lower stresses in the elastic side-seal and the reservoir promote unloading of the internal and reservoir-bounding faults even before the reservoir is depleted. Particularly prone to fault reactivation are the fault zones along the interface between the reservoir rock and the salt caprock, which may already be critically stressed before depletion and are likely to be reactivated early during gas production. Stress relaxation and associated geomechanical changes affecting fault stability and ground surface deformation may continue long after production has ceased, due to the viscous behavior of the salt.     

Fault zone development and strain partitioning in an extensional strike-slip duplex: A case study from the Mesozoic Atacama fault system, Northern Chile

Upper crustal strike-slip duplexes provide an excellent opportunity to address the fundamental question of fault zone development and strain partitioning in an evolving system. Detailed field mapping of the Mesozoic Atacama fault system in the Coastal Cordillera of Northern Chile documents the progressive development of second- and third-order faults forming a duplex at a dilational jog between two overstepping master faults: the sinistral strike-slip, NNW-striking, Jorgillo and Bolfin faults. These are constituted by a meter-wide core of foliated S-C ultracataclasite and cataclasite, flanked by a damage zone of protocataclasite, splay faults and veins. Lateral separation of markers along master faults is on the order of a few kilometers. Second-order, NW-striking, oblique-slip subsidiary fault zones do not show foliated ultracataclasite; lateral sinistral separations are in the range of  10 to 200 m with a relatively minor normal dip-slip component. In turn, third-order, east–west striking normal faults exhibit centimetric displacement. Oblique-slip (sinistral–normal) fault zones located at the southern termination of the Bolfin fault form a well-developed imbricate fan structure. They exhibit a relatively simple architecture of extensional and extensional-shear fractures bound by low displacement shear fractures. Kinematic analysis of fault slip data from mesoscopic faults within the duplex area, document that the NW-striking and the EW-striking faults accommodate transtension and extension, respectively. Examination of master and subsidiary faults of the duplex indicates a strong correlation between total displacement and internal fault structure. Faults started from arrays of en echelon extensional/extensional-shear fractures that then coalesced into throughgoing strike-slip faults. Further displacement leads to the formation of discrete bands of cataclasite and ultracataclasite that take up a significant part of the total displacement. We interpret that the duplex formed by progressive linkage of horsetail-like structures at the southern tip of the Bolfin fault that joined splay faults coming from the Jorgillo and Coloso faults. The geometry and kinematics of faults is compared with that observed in analog models to gain an insight into the kinematic processes leading to complex strike-slip fault zones in the upper crust.     

Spatial Characteristics and Controlling Factors of the Strike‐slip Fault Zones in the Northern Slope of Tazhong Uplift,Tarim Basin: Insight from 3D Seismic Data

The detailed characteristics of the Paleozoic strike-slip fault zones developed in the northern slope of Tazhong uplift are closely related to hydrocarbon explorations. In this study, five major strike-slip fault zones that cut through the Cambrian-Middle Devonian units are identified, by using 3D seismic data. Each of the strike-slip fault zones is characterized by two styles of deformation, namely deeper strike-slip faults and shallower en-echelon faults. By counting the reverse separation of the horizon along the deeper faults, activity intensity on the deeper strike-slip faults in the south is stronger than that on the northern ones. The angle between the strike of the shallower en-echelon normal faults and the principal displacement zone(PDZ) below them is likely to have a tendency to decrease slightly from the south to the north, which may indicate that activity intensity on the shallower southern en-echelon faults is stronger than that on the northern ones. Comparing the reverse separation along the deeper faults and the fault throw of the shallower faults, activity intensity of the Fault zone S1 is similar across different layers, while the activity intensity of the southern faults is larger than that of the northern ones. It is obvious that both the activity intensity of the same layer in different fault zones and different layers in the same fault zone have a macro characteristic in that the southern faults show stronger activity intensity than the northern ones. The Late Ordovician décollement layer developed in the Tazhong area and the peripheral tectonic events of the Tarim Basin have been considered two main factors in the differential deformation characteristics of the strike-slip fault zones in the northern slope of Tazhong uplift. They controlled the differences in the multi-level and multi-stage deformations of the strike-slip faults, respectively. In particular, peripheral tectonic events of the Tarim Basin were the dynamic source of the formatting and evolution of the strike-slip fault zones, and good candidates to accommodate the differential activity intensity of these faults.     

Active normal faulting during the 1997 seismic sequence in Colfiorito,Umbria: Did slip propagate to the surface?

In order to determine whether slip during an earthquake on the 26th September 1997 propagated to the surface, structural data have been collected along a bedrock fault scarp in Umbria, Italy. These collected data are used to investigate the relationship between the throw associated with a debated surface rupture (observed as a pale unweathered stripe at the base of the bedrock fault scarp) and the strike, dip and slip-vector. Previous studies have suggested that the surface rupture was produced either by primary surface slip or secondary compaction of hangingwall sediments. Some authors favour the latter because sparse surface fault dip measurements do not match nodal plane dips at depth. It is demonstrated herein that the strike, dip and height of the surface rupture, represented by a pale unweathered stripe at the base of the bedrock scarp, shows a systematic relationship with respect to the geometry and kinematics of faulting in the bedrock. The strike and dip co-vary and the throw is greatest where the strike is oblique to the slip-vector azimuth where the highest dip values are recorded. This implies that the throw values vary to accommodate spatial variation in the strike and dip of the fault across fault plane corrugations, a feature that is predicted by theory describing conservation of strain along faults, but not by compaction. Furthermore, published earthquake locations and reported fault dips are consistent with the analysed surface scarps when natural variation for surface dips and uncertainty for nodal plane dips at depth are taken into account. This implies that the fresh stripe is indeed a primary coseismic surface rupture whose slip is connected to the seismogenic fault at depth. We discuss how this knowledge of the locations and geometry of the active faults can be used as an input for seismic hazard assessment.     

Physical explanation for the displacement-length relationship of faults using a post-yield fracture mechanics model

A plane strain model for a fault is presented that takes into account the inelastic deformation involved in fault growth. The model requires that the stresses at the tip of the fault never exceed the shear strength of the surrounding rock. This is achieved by taking into account a zone, around the perimeter of the fault surface, where the fault is not well developed, and in which sliding involves frictional work in excess of that required for sliding on the fully developed fault. The displacement profiles predicted by the fault model taper out gradually towards the tip of the fault and compare well with observed displacement profiles on faults. Using this model it is found that both (1) the shape of the displacement profile, and (2) the ratio of maximum displacement to fault length are a function of the shear strength of the rock in which the fault forms. For the case of a fault loaded by a constant remote stress, the displacement is linearly related to the length of the fault and the constant of proportionality depends on the shear strength of the surrounding rock normalized by its shear modulus. Using data from faults in different tectonic regions and rock types, the in situ strength of intact rock surrounding a fault is calculated to be on the order of 100 MPa (or a few kilobars). These estimates exceed, by perhaps a factor of 10, the strength of a well developed fault and thus provide an upper bound for the shear strength of the crust. It is also shown that the work required to propagate a fault scales with fault length. This result can explain the observation that the fracture energy calculated for earthquake ruptures and natural faults are several orders of magnitude greater than that for fractures in laboratory experiments.     

Structural similarity and variety at the tips in a wide range of strike–slip faults: a review

Strike–slip faults are often accompanied by a variety of structures, particularly at their tips. The zones of additional fracturing are classified as tip‐damage zones. These zones can be subdivided into several different damage patterns based on the nature and orientation of faults and fractures developed. Damage zones at the ends of small strike–slip faults (mode II tips) develop wing cracks, horsetail splays, antithetic faults, synthetic branch faults and solution surfaces. Similar tip‐damage patterns are also commonly observed at larger (regional) scales, but with a dominance of faulting over tensile cracks and solution surfaces. Wing cracks and horsetail splays developed at small‐scale faults are replaced by normal faults in large‐scale faults. Antithetic faults and synthetic branch faults are observed at small and large scales. Thrust faults are developed at large scales, in a similar pattern to solution surfaces at a small scale. All these structures may show slightly different angular relationships to the master fault at small and large scale, but develop in response similar stress distribution and mechanics around the fault. Thus, mode II tip‐damage zones show similar patterns over a wide range of fault scales.     

Scaling properties within the Gulf of Corinth, Greece; comparison between offshore and onshore active faults

The Gulf of Corinth, Greece, is a 110-km-long by 30-km-wide active graben displaying strong seismicity hosted both on north and south dipping normal faults. This complex fault pattern consists of two fault populations, offshore and onshore. The offshore fault population is investigated by densely arranged seismic reflection profiles during the last 20 years, whereas the onshore fault population displays spectacular and well exposed faults, delineated by high accuracy mapping. We analyzed fault length and throw, in order to study the scaling properties of 136 well-determined offshore and onshore faults and the comparison between the two datasets. We examined the statistical properties on both fault populations, in order to describe the role of segmentation in the growth of faults and the different stages of the evolution of the fault networks.Our results on power law relationships associated with the scaling properties of the fault zones in the Gulf of Corinth, suggest that both fault populations are bi-fractal, providing the initiation of a sature state in deformation. In addition, the vertical throw of faults shows that both fault populations have similar properties but different distributions below and above 5 km, respectively. Displacement–length ratios, show that faults larger than 9 km appear to accumulate throw without any dramatic change to their length. These observations combined with other geophysical studies within the Gulf, suggest that the characteristic fault lengths of 5 km and 9 km can be correlated to the crustal mechanical structure and the seismicity of the Gulf.     

单侯井田构造发育规律及其对煤层开采的影响

从区域构造入手,对单侯井田构造进行分析,认为井田内断层发育以走向NW—NE、落差≤5m的小型正断层为主,且主要分布于大中型构造的两侧．特别是在其弧形转折带附近往往形成“羽”状雁列的小断层密集带。断层垂向上多分布于4—7号煤层之间的厚煤层发育区,其严重破坏了煤层的连续及完整性,是影响煤层开采的最主要因素之一。井田褶皱构造相对不发育,以短轴小型背、向斜为主,均属缓波状褶曲,对煤层的开采无影响或影响较小。根据井田地质构造发育程度,对其进行预测及分区评价：井田东部为强烈的构造挤压带,以发育走向NW-近EW—NE向的大型逆掩断层为特点,构造最复杂;井田西北部是相对较轻微的构造挤压带,以发育走向NE向的逆断层为特征,构造较复杂;井田南部以发育近SN或NNW向正断层为主,构造相对简单。评价结果对矿井设计及采区与工作面布置有一定的指导作用。