Controls on the deep thermal field: implications from 3-D numerical simulations for the geothermal research site Groß Schönebeck

The deep thermal field in sedimentary basins can be affected by convection, conduction or both resulting from the structural inventory, physical properties of geological layers and physical processes taking place therein. For geothermal energy extraction, the controlling factors of the deep thermal field need to be understood to delineate favorable drill sites and exploitation compartments. We use geologically based 3-D finite element simulations to figure out the geologic controls on the thermal field of the geothermal research site Groß Schönebeck located in the E part of the North German Basin. Its target reservoir consists of Permian Rotliegend clastics that compose the lower part of a succession of Late Carboniferous to Cenozoic sediments, subdivided into several aquifers and aquicludes. The sedimentary succession includes a layer of mobilized Upper Permian Zechstein salt which plays a special role for the thermal field due to its high thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the salt is impermeable and due to its rheology decouples the fault systems in the suprasalt units from subsalt layers. Conductive and coupled fluid and heat transport simulations are carried out to assess the relative impact of different heat transfer mechanisms on the temperature distribution. The measured temperatures in 7 wells are used for model validation and show a better fit with models considering fluid and heat transport than with a purely conductive model. Our results suggest that advective and convective heat transport are important heat transfer processes in the suprasalt sediments. In contrast, thermal conduction mainly controls the subsalt layers. With a third simulation, we investigate the influence of a major permeable and of three impermeable faults dissecting the subsalt target reservoir and compare the results to the coupled model where no faults are integrated. The permeable fault may have a local, strong impact on the thermal, pressure and velocity fields whereas the impermeable faults only cause deviations of the pressure field.     

Hydrodynamic response of subduction zones to seismic activity: A case study for the Costa Rica margin

Thermal anomalies in tectonically active areas are often attributed to sub-seafloor fluid circulation and faulting mechanisms, particularly in subduction zones where the largest thrust earthquakes occur. Postseismic fluid flow is enabled by the poroelastic response of the fault system to the earthquake's strain field, as well as by the rupturing of permeability barriers in the vicinity of the fault zone. We investigated the relative importance of these mechanisms on postseismic pore-pressure diffusion and advective heat transport in the subduction zone setting. A two-dimensional numerical fluid flow and heat transport model was developed for the Costa Rica subduction zone offshore of the Nicoya Peninsula. The flow and transport model was coupled with an earthquake strain model to quantify the effects of coseismic strain and permeability enhancement on fluid pressures and temperatures within the Costa Rica margin. Coseismic changes in pore pressure and postseismic pore-pressure diffusion were found to be sensitive to the compressibility of the porous medium, and patterns of pore-pressure recovery were more complex than that predicted by theoretical faulting models. Coseismic contraction and extension of the crust produced high fluid pressures close to the fault, while the inflow of fluid from depth increased fluid pressures several years following the simulated fault slip. Crustal deformation alone was not observed to perturb the temperature field. Laterally extensive permeability increases of two orders of magnitude along the décollement were required to produce small changes in heat flow. Local permeability changes in the upper slope region of least five orders of magnitude were necessary to noticeably affect heat flow. The results of the numerical simulations may help to refine conceptual faulting models and provide guidance for locating long-term hydrologic monitoring sites at Costa Rica and other subduction zones.     

Modelling of fractured carbonate reservoirs: outline of a novel technique via a case study from the Molasse Basin, southern Bavaria, Germany

Fluid flow in low-permeable carbonate rocks depends on the density of fractures, their interconnectivity and on the formation of fault damage zones. The present-day stress field influences the aperture hence the transmissivity of fractures whereas paleostress fields are responsible for the formation of faults and fractures. In low-permeable reservoir rocks, fault zones belong to the major targets. Before drilling, an estimate for reservoir productivity of wells drilled into the damage zone of faults is therefore required. Due to limitations in available data, a characterization of such reservoirs usually relies on the use of numerical techniques. The requirements of these mathematical models encompass a full integration of the actual fault geometry, comprising the dimension of the fault damage zone and of the fault core, and the individual population with properties of fault zones in the hanging and foot wall and the host rock. The paper presents both the technical approach to develop such a model and the property definition of heterogeneous fault zones and host rock with respect to the current stress field. The case study describes a deep geothermal reservoir in the western central Molasse Basin in southern Bavaria, Germany. Results from numerical simulations indicate that the well productivity can be enhanced along compressional fault zones if the interconnectivity of fractures is lateral caused by crossing synthetic and antithetic fractures. The model allows a deeper understanding of production tests and reservoir properties of faulted rocks.     

Architecture of fault zones determined from outcrop, cores, 3-D seismic tomography and geostatistical modeling: example from the Albalá Granitic Pluton, SW Iberian Variscan Massif

The 3-D seismic tomographic data are used together with field, core and well log structural information to determine the detailed 3-D architecture of fault zones in a granitic massif of volume 500×575×168 m at Mina Ratones area in the Albalá Granitic Pluton. To facilitate the integration of the different data, geostatistical simulation algorithms are applied to interpolate the relatively sparse structural (hard) control data conditioned to abundant but indirect 3-D (soft) seismic tomographic data. To effectively integrate geologic and tomographic data, 3-D migration of the velocity model from the time domain into the depth domain was essential. The resulting 3-D model constitutes an image of the fault zone architecture within the granitic massif that honours hard and soft data and provides an evaluation of the spatial variability of structural heterogeneities based on the computation of 3-D experimental variograms of Fracture Index (fault intensity) data. This probabilistic quantitative 3-D model of spatially heterogeneous fault zones is suitable for subsequent fluid flow simulations. The modeled image of the 3-D fault distribution is consistent with the fault architecture in the Mina Ratones area, which basically consists of two families of subvertical structures with NNE–SSW and ENE–WSW trends that displaces the surfaces of low-angle faults (North Fault) and follows their seismically detected staircase geometry. These brittle structures cut two subvertical dykes (27 and 27′ Dykes) with a NNE–SSW to N–S trend. The faults present high FI (FI>12) adjacent bands of irregular geometry in detail that intersect in space delimiting rhombohedral blocks of relatively less fractured granite (FI<6). Both structural domains likely correspond with the protolith and the damaged zone/fault core in the widely accepted model for fault zone architecture. Therefore, the construction of 3-D grids of the FI in granitic areas affected by brittle tectonics permits the quantitative structural characterization of the rock massif.     

Theoretical and numerical analyses of pore-fluid flow focused heat transfer around geological faults and large cracks

In this paper, theoretical and numerical methods are used to investigate pore-fluid flow focused temperature distribution patterns around geological faults and cracks of any length-scales in hydrothermal systems. If the far field inflow is uniform and the long axis of an elliptical fault of any length-scale is parallel to the far field inflow direction, a complete set of analytical solutions has been presented for the pore-fluid velocity, stream function and excess pore-fluid pressure around the elliptical fault embedded in fluid-saturated porous media. Because the analytical solutions are explicitly expressed in the conventional Cartesian coordinate system, not only can they be used to gain a theoretical insight into the pore-fluid flow patterns around geological faults and large cracks, but also they can be used as valuable benchmark solutions for validating any numerical methods. After a finite element computational model is validated by comparing the numerical solutions with the present analytical solutions, it is used to investigate pore-fluid flow focused heat transfer around geological faults in hydrothermal systems. Some interesting conclusions in relation to the effects of geological faults on pore-fluid flow focused heat transfer have been made through both the theoretical and the numerical analyses.     

Migration of hydrothermal systems in an evolving collisional orogen, New Zealand

The Pacific–Australian tectonic plate boundary through the South Island of New Zealand consists of the transpressional Southern Alps mountain belt and the transcurrent Marlborough Fault System, both of which have active tectonically driven hydrothermal systems, with topographically driven meteoric incursion and warm springs. The Southern Alps hydrothermal system is relatively diffuse, with little or no fault control, and is channelled through scattered extensional sites beneath the mountains, where gold mineralisation is occurring locally. The hydrothermal activity along the Marlborough Fault System is controlled by the principal faults in well-defined valleys separated by narrow high ridges. Lateral evolution of Marlborough fault strands southwestwards into the Southern Alps has caused diversion of diffuse Southern Alps hydrothermal activity into the structural superimposition zone, where fluid flow is increasingly being controlled by faults. This hydrothermal diversion was accompanied by major topographic reorientation and river drainage reversal in the late Quaternary. Vein swarms now exposed in the remnants of the Southern Alps north of the superimposition zone formed at shallow levels, with some evidence for fluid boiling, from a mixture of meteoric and deep-sourced fluid. These veins, some of which contain gold, are part of an abandoned <1 million-year-old hydrothermal zone beneath the fossil topographic divide of the Southern Alps that has now been dismembered by lateral incursion of the Marlborough fault strands. Observations on this active plate boundary provide some insights into processes that controlled orogenic gold mineralisation in ancient belts, particularly with respect to relationships between hydrothermal fluid flow, structure and topography.     

断层导波研究加利福尼亚兰德斯和海克特曼恩地震断层带的四维特征(英文)

美国加利福尼亚州兰德斯和海克特曼恩地区于1992年和1999年先后发生7.4级和7.1级地震,分别在地面产生80km和40km长的断裂带。震后在断裂带布置的密集地震站台记录到明显的断层导波(fault-zone guided waves)。这些导波由断层带内的余震和人工震源激发产生,走时在S波之后,但具有比体波更强的振幅和更长的波列,并具有频散特征。通过对2～7 Hz断层导波的定量分析和三维有限差分数字模拟,获得了震深区断裂带的高分辨内部构造图像以及岩石的物理特性。数字模拟结果表明这些断裂带上存在被严重破碎了的核心层,形成低速、低Q值地震波导。核心破碎带宽约100～200 m,其内地震波波速降为周围岩石的40％～50％,Q值约为10～50。根据岩石断裂力学观点,这一低速、低Q值带可被解释为地震过程中处于断层动态断裂前端的非弹性区(或称之为破碎区,相干过程区)。在兰德斯和海克特曼恩断裂带测得的破碎区宽度与断裂带长度之比约为0.005,基本上符合岩石断裂力学预期的结果。观察到的断层导波还显示兰德斯和海克特曼恩地震中多条断层发生滑移和破碎。兰德斯地震时多条阶梯形断层相继断裂;而在海克特曼恩地震中,断裂带南北两端均出现分枝断裂,深处的分枝断裂较地表出现的破裂状况更为复杂。由三维有限元模拟的动态断裂过程表明,?     

Numerical modeling of hydrothermal fluid flow coupled with mass transport: An example from the Devonian Wabamun Group, northeast British Columbia, Canada

Several researchers have suggested that upward and lateral hydrothermal fluid flow was responsible for dolomitization of various Devonian and Mississippian reservoirs in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) based on sedimentological, geochemical and diagenetic evidence. In this study, a numerical model was applied to investigate hydrothermal fluid flow in the Wabamun Group, Parkland field, northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Our numerical results indicate that faults play the most critical role in controlling hydrothermal fluid flow. They provide a pathway connecting the basement of the basin and overlying sedimentary layers. Upwelling fluid flow via faults may bring reactants and heat from underlying strata to shallow formations for diagenetic reactions (e.g. dolomitization and/or chertification) or forming ore deposits. Salinity distribution of formation water, permeability configuration of host rock and regional fluid flow are also important factors affecting hot and brine fluid flow and accompanying heat and mass distribution.     

Arterial faults and their role in mineralizing systems

In quartzo-feldspathic continental crust with moderate-to-high heat flow,seismic activity extends to depths of 10-20 km,bounded by isotherms in the 350-450 C range.Fluid overpressuring above hydrostatic in seismogenic crust,is heterogeneous but tends to develop in the lower seismogenic zone(basal seismogenic zone reservoir=b.s.z.reservoir) where the transition between hydrostatically pressured and overpressured crust is likely an irregular,time-dependent.3-D interface with overpressuring concentrated around active faults and their ductile shear zone roots.The term Arterial Fault is applied to fault structures that root in portions of the crust where pore fluids are overpressured(i.e.at hydrostatic pressure) and serve as feeders for such fluids and their contained solutes into overlying parts of the crust.While arterial flow may occur on any type of fault,it is most likely to be associated with reverse faults in areas of horizontal compression where fluid overpressuring is most easily sustained.Frictional stability and flow permeability of faults are both affected by the state of stress on the fault(shear stress,τ;normal stress,σ_n),the level of pore-fluid pressure,P_f,and episodes of fault slip,allowing for a complex interplay between fault movement and fluid flow.For seismically active faults the time dependence of permeability is critical,leading to fault-valve behaviour whereby overpressures accumulate at depth during interseismic intervals with fluid discharged along enhanced fault-fracture permeability following each rupture event.Patterns of mineralization also suggest that flow along faults is non-uniform,concentrating along tortuous pathways within the fault surface.Equivalent hydrostatic head above ground level for near-lithostatic overpressures at depth(1.65×depth of zone) provides a measure of arterial potential.Settings for arterial faults include fault systems developed in compacting sedimentary basins,faults penetrating zones of active plutonic intrusion that encounter overpressured fluids exsolved from magma,together with those derived from contact metamorphism of fluid-rich wallrocks,and/or from regional devolatilisation accompanying prograde metamorphism.Specially significant are active faults within accretionary prisms rooted into overpressured subduction interfaces,and steep reverse faults activated by high overpressures from b.s.z.reservoirs during compressional inversion.     

First results on the LPO-derived seismic properties of iron ores from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, southeastern Brazil

The role of hydrothermal fluids in assisting the activity of strike-slip faults is investigated using a range of new geological, geophysical, and geochemical data obtained on the Argentat fault, Massif Central, France. This fault zone, 180-km-long and 6 to 8 km-width, has experienced coeval intense channeling of hydrothermal fluids and brittle deformation during a short time span (300–295 Ma). According to seismic data, the fault core is a 4-km-wide, vertical zone of high fracture density that rooted in the middle crust (~ 13 km) and that involved fluids in its deeper parts (9–13 km depth). If stress analyses in the fault core and strain analyses in the damage zone both support a left-lateral movement along the fault zone, it is inferred that hydrothermal fluids have strongly influenced fault development, and the resulting fault has influenced fluid flow. Fluid pressure made easier fracturing and faulting in zones of competent rocks units and along rheological boundaries. Repeated cycles of increase of fault-fracture permeability then overpressure of hydrothermal fluids at fault extremity favored strong and fast development of the crustal-scale strike-slip fault. The high permeability obtained along the fault zone permitted a decrease of coupling across the weak fault core. Connections between shallower and lower crustal fluids reservoirs precipitate the decrease of fault activity by quartz precipitation and sulfides deposition. The zones of intense hydrothermal alteration at shallows crustal levels and the zones of fluid overpressure at the base of the upper crust both controlled the final geometry of the crustal-scale fault zone.     

Crustal deformation effects on the chemical evolution of geothermal systems: the intra-arc Liquiñe–Ofqui fault system,Southern Andes

A better understanding of the chemical evolution of fluids in geothermal and hydrothermal systems requires data-based knowledge regarding the interplay between active tectonics and fluid flow. The Southern Andes volcanic zone is one of the best natural laboratories to address this issue because of the occurrence of numerous geothermal areas, recent seismic activity generated by regional fault systems, and intense volcanic activity. Geothermal systems have been understudied in this area, and limited scientific information exists about the role of local kinematic conditions on fluid flow and mineralization during the development and evolution of geothermal reservoirs. In this study, we provide data for a 1:200,000 scale geological and structural map of the Villarrica–Chihuio area as a setting in which to perform a structural analysis of active geothermal areas. This structural analysis, combined with geochemical modelling of hot spring data, allows the identification of two magmatic-tectonic-geothermal domains based on fault systems, volcanic activity, and lithologies. The Liquiñe–Ofqui fault system (LOFS) domain encompasses geothermal areas located either along the master or subsidiary faults. These are favourably orientated for shear and extension, respectively. In the LOFS domain, the geochemistry of hot spring discharges is controlled by interaction with the crystalline basement, and is characterized by low B/Cl conservative element ratios and high pH. In marked contrast, the arc-oblique long-lived fault systems (ALFS) domain includes geothermal occurrences located on the flanks of volcanoes forming WNW-trending alignments; these systems are built over faults that promote the development of crustal magma reservoirs. Unlike the first domain, the fluid chemistry of these geothermal discharges is strongly controlled by volcanic host rocks, and is typified by lower pH and higher B/Cl ratios. Reaction path modelling supports our model: chemical evolution of geothermal fluids in the Villarrica–Chihuio area is strongly dependent on structurally controlled mechanisms of heat transfer. Within this framework, heat transfer by conduction is responsible for the LOFS domain, whereas magmatically enhanced advective transport dominates heat flow in the ALFS domain. Although more studies are needed to constrain the complex interplay between tectonics and fluid flow, results from this study provide new insights towards efficient exploration strategies of geothermal resources in Southern Chile.     

广东河源断裂带地热成因及与构造关系初探

广东省河源断裂带位于中国东南沿海地热异常区,地热资源十分丰富,但其形成机制和利用前景尚不确定。为此文章开展了多学科综合分析,获得以下初步认识:温泉是断裂带内深循环地下水被地温加热而成,断裂剪切热和花岗岩浆残余热的贡献基本可以排除;沿断裂展布的厚层硅化带是古水热活动的产物;硅化带形成时期的挤压应力方向为北东-南西,与河源断裂及河源盆地晚白垩世以来的伸展活动对应,现代构造应力场为北西西-南东东方向挤压,与古应力场相比发生了明显变化;现今构造应力场使得北东向河源断裂呈右旋挤压运动,而北西向断裂则发生左旋张剪,导致地下水循环格局也发生相应改变;目前温泉沿河源断裂呈带分布,沿北西向断裂呈线性溢出,断裂交汇部位是热泉上升的主要通道。总体而言,河源地区拥有令人鼓舞的地热资源及应用前景,有可能达到建设地热发电厂的目标。建议继续深入开展地质学、地球物理、水文地质学和地热成因机理等多学科综合研究,从而更好地定量评价地热潜能与开发前景。     

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。      

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.      

Numerical investigations of fault-induced seawater circulation in the Seferihisar-Bal?ova Geothermal system, western Turkey

The Seferihisar-Bal?ova Geothermal system (SBG), Turkey, is characterized by temperature and hydrochemical anomalies along the faults: thermal waters in northern Bal?ova are heated meteoric freshwater, whereas the hot springs of the southern Seferihisar region have a strong seawater contribution. Previous numerical simulations of fluid flow and heat transport indicated that focused upsurge of hot water in faults induces a convective-like flow motion in surrounding units. Salt transport is fully coupled to thermally driven flow to study whether fault-induced convection cells could be responsible for seawater encroachment in the SBG. Isotope data are presented to support the numerical findings. The results show that fault-induced convection cells generate seawater plumes that extend from the seafloor toward the faults. At fault intersections, seawater mixes with rising hot thermal waters. The resulting saline fluids ascend to the surface along the fault, driven by buoyant forces. In Bal?ova, thick alluvium, minor faults and regional flow prevent ascending salty water from spreading at the surface, whereas the weak recharge flow in the thin alluvium of the southern SBG is not sufficient to flush the ascending hot salty waters. These mechanisms could develop in any faulted geothermal system, with implications for minerals and energy migration in sedimentary basins.     

断层带中超压流体及其在地震和成矿中的作用

地震断层带中的局部存在对其力学和化学过程有着重要影响的超压流体，对这种超压流本的证据。超压机制及其在地震活动和成矿中的作用等进行了探讨。流体超压是在断层带中渗透性的构造发生强烈时空变化的前提下产生的，其主要原因是构造加压及深源高压流体的注入，当流体压力升至一临界值时，断层发生灾难性破裂，即地震，增加断层的渗透性，超压流体快速向低压带（室或域）流动，同时因减压流体所携载水溶物各（包括成矿物质）大量沉淀析出，降低断层带的渗透性，地震泵吸和流体超压机制的交替作用使得这一过程得以周期性地进行。     

Geologic Control on Hydrothermal Activities in the Okinawa Trough

Revealing the controlling effect of geological structure on seafloor hydrothermal activities is of great significance in understanding the formation mechanism of hydrothermal system and searching for seafloor sulfide resources. This article summarized the topography and faults, crustal structure, gravity and magnetic field, heat flow and magmatism in the middle and southern Okinawa Trough, as well as the general characteristics of hydrothermal field distributions and hydrothermal products. By comparing the Okinawa Trough with the Manus Basin, Mariana Trough, North Fiji Basin and Lau Basin with different rock basements and extension stages, we generalized some specific geological characteristics of the Okinawa Trough, including the transitional crustal nature, low extension degree, high heat flow value, extremely thick sediments, and bimodal volcanism. The hydrothermal activities in the Okinawa Trough are controlled by fault structures, magmatism, and spreading rate, and at the same time, are affected by basement rock types and sediment covers. In the middle and southern parts of the trough, two group of faults that are parallel and perpendicular to the strike of the back-arc basin promote the fluid circulation, and large-scale magmatic activity provides sufficient heat for the hydrothermal system. In addition, the interaction of fluids with the widespread silicic volcanic rocks and thick sediments leads to the enrichment of organic matter, CO ₂, and metals such as Ag and Au in the hydrothermal products. According to the extension rate and geological features of the Okinawa Trough, we believe that the Okinawa Trough has potential to have new hydrothermal fields discovered and we speculate that new hydrothermal fields most possibly exist in the regions influenced by ridge subduction as well as the neo-volcanic zones closed to the island arc.     

库车前陆盆地构造挤压作用下的天然气运聚效应探讨

以克拉2气田为例,探讨了喜马拉雅晚期强烈构造挤压作用下天然气的运聚效应。构造挤压引起流体压力的快速增加,打破前期相对稳定的流体势场;断裂带为相对低应力区,不增压或与周围岩层相比增压相对小,成为相对低势区,岩层中的天然气向断裂处汇聚,使断裂带势能增大;构造挤压使地层发生破裂和已有断裂开启,同时垂向上气势梯度也大幅度增大,深部天然气沿断裂的垂向运移动力得以增强,断裂带处汇聚天然气沿开启断裂向上部地层快速运移,并侧向充注区域性盖层下的砂体,最终在构造挤压作用下的相对低气势区聚集。喜马拉雅晚期以来库车前陆逆冲带盐下断背斜、背斜构造挤压作用下为相对低气势区,油源断裂发育,构造强烈活动使断裂开启,垂向上气势梯度大幅度增大,保存条件较好,为喜马拉雅晚期以来天然气有利聚集区。中西部前陆盆地构造挤压强烈,对天然气成藏具有重要影响。因此,开展前陆盆地构造挤压对天然气成藏的影响研究,对指导前陆盆地油气勘探具有重要的理论意义和应用。     

Numerical modeling of strike-slip creeping faults and implications for the Hayward fault, California

The seismic potential of creeping faults such as the Hayward fault (San Francisco Bay Area, CA) depends on the rate at which moment (slip deficit) accumulates on the fault plane. Thus, it is important to evaluate how the creep rate observed at the surface is related to the slip on the fault plane. The surface creep rate (SCR) depends on the geometry of locked and free portions of the fault and on the interaction between the fault zone and the surrounding lithosphere. Using a viscoelastic finite element model, we investigate how fault zone geometries and physical characteristics such as frictionless or locked patches affect the observed surface creep when the system is driven by far field plate motions. These results have been applied to creep observations of the Hayward fault. This analysis differs from most previous fault creeping models in that the fault in our model is loaded by a distributed viscous flow induced by far field velocity boundary conditions instead of imposed slip beneath the major faults of the region. The far field velocity boundary conditions simulate the relative motion of the stable Pacific plate respect to the Rigid Sierra Nevada block, leaving the rheology, fault geometry, and mechanics (locked or free to creep patches), to determinate the patterns of fault creep.Our model results show that the fault geometry (e.g. length and depth of creeping) and the local rheology influence the surface creep rate (SCR) and the slip on the fault plane. In particular, we show that the viscoelastic layer beneath the elastic seismogenic zone plays a fundamental role in loading the fault. Additionally, the coupling with the surrounding lithosphere results in a smooth transition from regions free to creep to locked patches.