Effects of fracture lineaments and in-situ rock stresses on groundwater flow in hard rocks: a case study from Sunnfjord, western Norway

Systematic field mapping of fracture lineaments observed on aerial photographs shows that almost all of these structures are positively correlated with zones of high macroscopic and mesoscopic fracture frequencies compared with the surroundings. The lineaments are subdivided into zones with different characteristics: (1) a central zone with fault rocks, high fracture frequency and connectivity but commonly with mineral sealed fractures, and (2) a damage zone divided into a proximal zone with a high fracture frequency of lineament parallel, non-mineralized and interconnected fractures, grading into a distal zone with lower fracture frequencies and which is transitional to the surrounding areas with general background fracturing. To examine the possible relations between lineament architecture and in-situ rock stress on groundwater flow, the geological fieldwork was followed up by in-situ stress measurements and test boreholes at selected sites. Geophysical well logging added valuable information about fracture distribution and fracture flow at depths. Based on the studies of in-situ stresses as well as the lineaments and associated fracture systems presented above, two working hypotheses for groundwater flow were formulated: (i) In areas with a general background fracturing and in the distal zone of lineaments, groundwater flow will mainly occur along fractures parallel with the largest in-situ rock stress, unless fractures are critically loaded or reactivated as shear fractures at angles around 30° to σ_H; (ii) In the influence area of lineaments, the largest potential for groundwater abstraction is in the proximal zone, where there is a high fracture frequency and connectivity with negligible fracture fillings. The testing of the two hypotheses does not give a clear and unequivocal answer in support of the two assumptions about groundwater flow in the study area. But most of the observed data are in agreement with the predictions from the models, and can be explained by the action of the present stress field on pre-existing fractures.     

Structural geochemistry of gold mineralization in the Linglong-Jiaojia district, Shandong Province, China

The Linglong-Jiaojia district is one of the most important regions containing gold deposits in China. These gold deposits can be divided into: a) the pyrite-gold-quartz vein type (Linglong type), which is controlled by brittle-ductile to ductile deformation structures, and b) the alteration-zone type (Jiaojia type), characterized by small veinlets, or the disseminated type recognized in brittle shear zones. Lode gold deposits in the Jiaojia area occur in NE brittle fracture zones, formed in a dominantly simple shear deformation regime, mainly in thrust attitude with a minor sinistral strike slip component. In the Linglong area, the lode gold deposits are located at the intersection of three types of structures: NNE and NE brittle-ductile fault zones and the ENE ductile reverse shear zone in the south of the area. The structural characteristics of these brittle shear zones are consistent with a tectonic NNW-SSE principal stress field orientation. Similar stresses explain the ENE Qixia fold axes, the Potouqing and several other ENE reverse ductile shear zones elsewhere in the region, the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone and its subsidiaries in the vicinity of the Linglong-Jiaojia district, as well as the southern ENE suture zone north of Qingdao. Therefore these structural systems occurred as part of different major tectonic events under NNW-SSE compression principal stress fields in the area. Gold deposits are hosted in smaller-scale structures within the brittle fault zones and brittle-ductile shear zones. Although ore bodies and, on a smaller scale, quartz ore veins often seem to be randomly oriented, it is possible to explain their distribution and orientation in terms of the simple shear deformation process under which they were developed. The progressive simple shear failure is characterized by various fracture modes (tension and shear) that intervene in sequence. The tension and shear fractures are influenced by the stress level (depth of burial beneath the paleosurface) in their structural behavior, show variable dilatancy (void openings) and extend on all scales. By making use of these characteristics, a progressive failure analysis can be applied to predicting the shape and extent of ore bodies as well as the styles of mineralization at any given location.     

Modeling hydraulic fracture propagation using cohesive zone model equipped with frictional contact capability

We present a new pore pressure cohesive element for modeling the propagation of hydraulically induced fracture. The Park-Paulino-Roesler cohesive zone model has been employed to characterize the fracturing behavior. Coulomb’s frictional contact model has been incorporated into the element to model the possible shear reactivation of pre-existing natural fractures. The developed element has been validated through a series of single-element tests and an available analytical solution. Furthermore, intersection behaviors between the hydraulic fracture and the natural fracture under various conditions have been predicted using the present element, which shows good agreement with experimental results.     

Fault zone characteristics,fracture systems and permeability implications of Middle Triassic Muschelkalk in Southwest Germany

Fault zone structure and lithology affect permeability of Triassic Muschelkalk limestone-marl-alternations in Southwest Germany, a region characterized by a complex tectonic history. Field studies of eight fault zones provide insights into fracture system parameters (orientation, density, aperture, connectivity, vertical extension) within fault zone units (fault core, damage zone). Results show decreasing fracture lengths with distances to the fault cores in well-developed damage zones. Fracture connectivity at fracture tips is enhanced in proximity to the slip surfaces, particularly caused by shorter fractures. Different mechanical properties of limestone and marl layers obviously affect fracture propagation and thus fracture system connectivity and permeability. Fracture apertures are largest parallel and subparallel to fault zones and prominent regional structures (e.g., Upper Rhine Graben) leading to enhanced fracture-induced permeabilities. Mineralized fractures and mineralizations in fault cores indicate past fluid flow. Permeability is increased by the development of hydraulically active pathways across several beds (non-stratabound fractures) to a higher degree than by the formation of fractures interconnected at fracture tips. We conclude that there is an increase of interconnected fractures and fracture densities in proximity to the fault cores. This is particularly clear in more homogenous rocks. The results help to better understand permeability in Muschelkalk rocks.     

甘孜嘎拉脆—韧性剪切带的构造变形特征及对金矿的控制

本文阐述了甘孜嘎拉脆—韧性剪切带的构造变形特征、运动学标志及对金矿的控制,提出甘孜嘎拉金矿床主要的控矿构造为与甘孜—理塘断裂带平行展布的、具多期活动复合叠加的次级脆—韧性剪切变质带。     

藏南折木朗造山型金矿成矿流体地球化学和成矿机制

折木朗金矿位于青藏高原雅鲁藏布江缝合带东段的南侧,矿体受大型脆-韧性剪切带的次级断裂控制。系统的显微测温和激光拉曼测定显示折木朗金矿矿石中存在3类流体包裹体: NaCl-H₂O溶液包裹体(类型Ⅰ);含CO₂盐水溶液包裹体(类型Ⅱ),此类包裹体又分为两相(Ⅱa)和三相(Ⅱb)2个小类;Ⅲ纯气相包裹体。折木朗金矿床中流体包裹体显微测温显示该矿成矿流体的盐度范围为2.31%~7.39% NaCleqv,平均值为5.33%% NaCleqv,峰值为4.0%~7.0% NaCleqv;均一温度的范围为164.5~273.1℃,峰值为220~240℃,平均值为221.0℃。相对应的密度范围为0.82~0.93g·cm^-3,峰值为0.84~0.90g·cm^-3,平均值为0.88g·cm^-3。折木朗金矿床成矿流体具有富含CO₂、低盐度、低密度、中低温度的特征,与造山型金矿成矿流体相似。此外,同位素测定显示成矿流体的氢氧碳同位素组成分别为δD_H2O=-36.7‰~-107.5‰,δ¹⁸O_H2O=4.1‰~5.5‰,δ¹³C=-9.6‰~-11.5‰,说明成矿流体主要为变质水,但有地幔流体的加入。综合成矿地质特征和成矿流体的证据,提出折木朗金矿为陆陆碰撞造山型金矿。     

Kinematic significance of fold- and fault-related fracture systems in the Zagros mountains, southern Iran

Initiation and formation of folds and the Kazerun high-angle fault zone, in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt, were related to the continuing SW–NE oriented contraction that probably initiated in the Late Cretaceous, and intensified, starting in Miocene, when the Arabian and Eurasian plates collided. The contraction that led to folding and thrusting of the Phanerozoic sequence in the belt has led to the strike–slip reactivation of basement faults that formed during the Precambrian. Two major systems of fractures have developed, under the same regional state of contraction, during the folding and strike–slip faulting processes. Folding led to the formation of a system of fold-related fractures that comprises four sets of fractures, which include an axial and a cross-axial set that trend parallel and perpendicular to the confining fold axial trace, respectively, and two oblique sets that trend at moderate angles to the axial trace. Slip along high-angle, strike–slip faults formed a system of fractures in the damage zone of the faults (e.g., Kazerun), and deformed folds that existed in the shear zone by rotating their axial plane. This fault-related fracture system is made of five sets of fractures, which include the two sets of Riedel shear fractures (R and R′), P- and Y-shear fractures, and an extensional set.

Remote sensing analysis of both fracture systems, in a GIS environment, reveals a related kinematic history for folding outside of the Kazerun shear zone and faulting and deformation (fracturing and rotation of folds) within the Kazerun fault zone. Rotation of the folds and formation of the five sets of the fault-related fractures in the Kazerun shear zone are consistent with a dextral motion along the fault. The mean trends of the shortening directions, independently calculated for the fold- and fault-related fracture systems, are remarkably close (N53 ± 4°E and N50 ± 5°E, respectively), and are perpendicular to the general NW–SE trend of the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt. Although segments of the Kazerun fault are variably oriented within a narrow range, the angular relationships between sets of fault-related fractures and these segments remain constant.     

Structural analysis of a transform fault-rift zone junction in North Iceland

On the north coast of Iceland, the rift zone in North Iceland is shifted about 120 km to the west where it meets with, and joins, the mid-ocean Kolbeinsey ridge. This shift occurs along the Tjörnes fracture zone, an 80-km-wide zone of high seismicity, which is an oblique (non-perpendicular) transform fault. There are two main seismic lineaments within the Tjörnes fracture zone, one of which continues on land as a 25-km-long WNW-trending strike-slip fault. This fault, referred to as the Husavik fault, meets with, and joins, north-trending normal faults of the Theistareykir fissure swarm in the axial rift zone. The most clear-cut of these junctions occurs in a basaltic pahoehoe lava flow, of Holocene age, where the Husavik fault joins a large normal fault called Gudfinnugja. At this junction, the Husavik fault strikes N55°W, whereas Gudfinnugja strikes N5°E, so that they meet at an angle of 60°. The direction of the spreading vector in North Iceland is about N73°W, which is neither parallel with the strike of the Husavik fault nor perpendicular to the strike of the Gudfinnugja fault. During rifting episodes there is thus a slight opening on the Husavik fault as well as a considerable dextral strike-slip movement along the Gudfinnugja fault. Consequently, in the Holocene lava flow, there are tension fractures, collapse structures and pressure ridges along the Husavik fault, and pressure ridges and dextral pull-apart structures subparallel with the Gudfinnugja fault. The 60° angle between the Husavik strike-slip fault and the Gudfinnugja normal fault is the same as the angle between the Tjörnes fracture zone transform fault and the adjacent axial rift zones of North Iceland and the Kolbeinsey ridge. The junction between the faults of Husavik and Gudfinnugja may thus be viewed as a smaller-scale analogy to the junction between this transform fault and the nearby ridge segments. Using the results of photoelastic and finite-element studies, a model is provided for the tectonic development of these junctions. The model is based on an analogy between two offset cuts (mode I fractures) loaded in tension and segments of the axial rift zones (or parts thereof in the case of the Husavik fault). The results indicate that the Tjörnes fracture zone in general and the Husavik fault in particular, developed along zones of maximum shear stress. Furthermore, the model suggests that, as the ridge-segments propagate towards a zero-underlapping configuration, the angle between them and the associated major strike-slip faults gradually increases. This conclusion is supported by the trends of the main seismic lineaments of the Tjörnes fracture zone.     

Lithostratigraphic contact – a significant site for hydrogeological investigation in crystalline fractured-rock terrains

Estimating the hydrogeologic control of fractured aquifers in hard crystalline and metamorphosed rocks is challenging due to complexity in the development of secondary porosity. The present study in the Precambrian metamorphic terrain in and around the Balarampur of Purulia district, West Bengal, India, aims to estimate the hydrogeologic significance of lithostratigraphic contacts using fracture characteristics obtained from surface bedrock exposures supported by hydrological data from the existing dugwells. This study involves the domain-wise analysis of the frequencies of fractures that control the fracture-porosity. The domain-wise study reveals higher fracture-frequencies adjacent to the lithostratigraphic contacts. The concurrence of lithostratigraphic contacts with the occurrences of high-discharging wells and also with the deep weathered zone in low-lying areas is clearly established, thus assigning the lithostratigraphic contact as hydrogeologically significant. An increase in frequencies of the fractures within the ‘influence zone’ of the lithocontact, is clearly visible. Among those fractures, particularly, which make the angle greater than the ‘limiting angle’ with the lithocontact are characterised by increased frequencies. However, brittle rocks like quartz biotite granite gneisses, phyllite and epidiorite show high porosity of fracture, within the ‘influence zone’ of the lithostratigraphic contact. Enhanced deepening of the weathered-zone at lower topographic region may perhaps be a plausible explanation for this increased fracture-porosity at lithocontact to assign it as a hydrogeologically significant transmissive zone within fractured rocks.     

夹皮沟剪切带化学成分演化研究

野外地质填图及室内工作表明,夹皮沟剪切带可以划分为早期韧性剪切带(>2500Ma)和晚期脆—韧性剪切带(2000～1600Ma).韧性剪切作用是在角闪岩相条件下形成,以位错、扩散蠕变变形为主,体系内岩石成分与体积基本保持不变,为封闭体系,与矿化关系不密切.脆—韧性剪切作用形成一系列片糜岩,岩石以微破裂及溶解—沉淀变形为主,体系内岩石成分与体积都发生变化,为开放体系,与矿化关系密切.韧性及脆—韧性剪切带的基础岩石是长英质片麻岩,但脆—韧性剪切带被韧性剪切带所限定,并在韧性剪切带基础上形成.     

八卦庙金矿控矿构造研究

陕西风县八卦庙金矿是近期探明的特大型金矿。经研究发现它的成因与脆韧性剪切和岩浆热液蚀变有关。在八卦庙矿区至二里河铅锌矿一带发育了一条脆韧性剪切带，它控制了金矿体在走向（NWW－SEE）上的分布。金矿主要产在剪切带的脆韧性剪切条带和后期脆性剪切形成的碎裂告内；NE向在行小型断裂及其NE向节理控制了后期岩浆热液蚀变形成的矿脉的分布。在北矿带这些矿脉叠加在脆韧性剪切形成的NWW向展布的金矿体之上，形成富矿带。     

伸展型脆-韧性剪切带对沃溪钨锑金矿床的构造控制

湖西沃溪钨锑金矿床受控于一条伸展型顺层脆-韧性剪切带。带内岩石在非共轴顺层剪切构造动力作用下发生变形分解，形成泥质构造根岩强变形带和砂质构造根岩弱变形域。泵吸中心-弱变形城中的承压矿液沿砂质构造根岩的ab面发生水力压裂而产生“D”型张剪裂隙。构造-流体双重动力系统的周期性振荡使主裂隙系统发生周期性的破裂-愈合作用而形成条带状复脉。矿液是通过隐蔽的低角度正断层、强变形带内的构造面理及弱变形城中的微裂隙系统运移的，说明在靠近滑脱面的弱变形城中水力压裂作用会增强，其矿化类型将以蚀变岩型为主、脉型为辅。     

甘肃华家岭-葫芦河一带韧性剪切带的发现及其地质意义

华家岭—葫芦河韧性剪切带呈NWW走向，属北祁连造山带与中祁连地块分界断裂，通过对其几何学、运动学、动力学等分析研究，认为峰期变形系加里东末期南北两大板块汇聚碰撞，拼合于华北板块南缘的软质陆壳(北祁连)向南侧刚性的中祁连地块斜向逆冲叠覆，从而产生自NEE向SWW兼右行走滑的逆冲式韧性剪切活动。     

四川康定四家寨金矿地质特征及找矿标志

四家寨金矿是康定杂岩内典型的石英脉-蚀变岩型金矿床,金矿（化）石英脉呈似层状,透镜状充填于构造破碎带中,硅化、黄铁矿化与金矿关系密切,脆-韧性剪切带是本区重要的找矿标志.     

The relationship between regional stress field,fracture orientation and depth of weathering and implications for groundwater prospecting in crystalline rocks

In a uniform granite gneiss study area in central Zimbabwe, lineaments oriented parallel to the maximum regional compressive stress orientation exhibit the thickest regolith development, while lineaments oriented perpendicular to the maximum compressive stress show the shallowest development of weathered regolith. The principal fracture set orientations were mapped using aerial imagery. The regional stress field, estimated from global stress maps, was used to determine the stresses acting on each principal lineament orientation. Multi-electrode resistivity profiling was carried out across fractures with different orientations to determine their subsurface regolith conditions. The results indicate that the 360 and 060° lineaments, which are sub-parallel to the principal compressive stress orientation (σ₁) exhibit maximum development of the regolith, while 130° lineaments perpendicular to σ₁ do not exhibit significant regolith development. Since regolith thickness has been positively correlated with groundwater resources, it is suggested that fractures with orientations sub-parallel to the principal compressive stress direction constitute favourable groundwater targets. Knowledge of the regional stress field and fracture set orientations can be used as an effective low cost tool for locating potentially higher yielding boreholes in crystalline rock terrains.     

后龙门山造山带辛家咀金矿床地质特征及成因探讨

辛家咀金矿床位于后龙门山造山带北东段,是2020年新发现的一个金矿床(年度金资源量约960 kg),找矿潜力巨大.基于详细的野外露头、探槽、钻孔编录和镜下观察,发现辛家咀金矿床中矿石类型以石英脉型为主,金主要以裂隙金和包裹金的形式赋存于黄铁矿、石英和少量多金属硫化物中.结合脉体穿插关系、矿物共生组合和矿石组构,将辛家咀...     

天柱县主山冲-磨山金矿田北东段剪切带浅析

本文通过对天柱县主山冲-磨山金矿田北东段剪切带构造进行野外剖面观测及镜下变形构造研究,初步认为所见构造岩类主要为碎裂岩系列的初碎裂岩、碎裂岩、超碎裂岩,仅个别地段(主山冲剖面南部、油麻坳剖面中部)见有糜棱岩系列的糜棱岩化岩石或初糜棱岩,得出结论:该剪切带构造主要为脆性剪切带,个别地段可称为脆韧性剪切带,而尚未见到韧性剪...     

Faults in the Baikal region: morphostructural and structure-genetic features (case study of the Buguldeika fault junction)

Lineament analysis is applied to map the pattern of the Obruchev fault system in the Buguldeika Village area, where several fault zones (Olkhon, Primorsky, Prikhrebtovyi, Buguldeika, and Kurtun) make up a junction. As inferred from the predominant directions of genetically related lineaments, the Olkhon, Primorsky, and Prikhrebtovyi faults originated under NW-SE extension and compression. The extension and compression settings within these zones are reconstructed by analysis of lineaments that have prominent and poor geomorphic expression, respectively. However, the pattern of lineaments well expressed in the surface topography within a weakly deformed block corresponds to reverse slip, while that of poorly pronounced lineaments corresponds to left-lateral strike slip. The study confirms the idea that the latest extension (rifting) stage in the Baikal region reactivated fault zones but did not deform blocks. The blocks store record of residual deformation produced by previous settings of regional compression and shear. The obtained results agree with earlier tectonophysical analysis of faults and fractures in the area and prove the applicability of the suggested approach to map the fault patterns and reconstruct their respective stress settings in areas that underwent multiple deformation events of different ages.     

漠滨脆—韧性剪切带型金矿床控矿构造研究

层间右旋逆冲脆—韧性剪切带构造控制漠滨金矿床。剪切带变形过程经历了早、中、晚3个阶段。而金矿化的形成和富集又与剪切带多阶段的演化密切相关,金矿化是剪切构造作用形成的。因此,剪切带既是控矿因素,又是重要的成矿机制,属层间逆冲脆—韧性剪切带型金矿床。     

Geomechanical Properties of Shear Zones in the Eastern Aar Massif,Switzerland and their Implication on Tunnelling

Summary ¶Rock zones containing a high fracture density and/or soft, low cohesion materials can be highly problematic when encountered during tunnel excavation. For example in the eastern Aar massif of central Switzerland, experiences during the construction of the Gotthard highway tunnel showed that heavily fractured areas within shear zones were responsible for overbreaks in the form of chimneys several metres in height. To understand and estimate the impact of the shear zones on rock mass behaviour, knowledge concerning the rock mass strength and deformation characteristics is fundamental. A series of laboratory triaxial tests, performed on samples from granite- and gneiss-hosted shear zones revealed that with increasing degree of tectonic overprint, sample strength decreases and rock behaviour shows a transition from brittle to ductile deformation. These trends may be explained by increasing fracture densities, increasing foliation intensity, increasing thickness of fine-grained, low cohesion fracture infill, and increasing mica content associated with the increasing degree of tectonic overprint. As fracture density increases and the influence of discrete, persistent discontinuities on rock mass strength decreases, behaviour of the test samples becomes more and more representative of rock mass behaviour, i.e. that of a densely fractured continuum. For the purpose of numerical modeling calculations, the shear zones may be subdivided with respect to an increasing fracture density, foliation intensity and mica content into a strongly foliated zone, a fractured zone and a cohesionless zone, which in turn exhibit brittle, brittle-ductile and ductile rock mass constitutive behaviour, respectively.Received December 17, 2001; accepted January 9, 2003 Published online April 29, 2003