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.     

Age constraints on faulting and fault reactivation: a multi-chronological approach

Movement within the Earth’s upper crust is commonly accommodated by faults or shear zones, ranging in scale from micro-displacements to regional tectonic lineaments. Since faults are active on different time scales and can be repeatedly reactivated, their displacement chronology is difficult to reconstruct. This study represents a multi-geochronological approach to unravel the evolution of an intracontinental fault zone locality along the Danube Fault, central Europe. At the investigated fault locality, ancient motion has produced a cataclastic deformation zone in which the cataclastic material was subjected to hydrothermal alteration and K-feldspar was almost completely replaced by illite and other phyllosilicates. Five different geochronological techniques (zircon Pb-evaporation, K–Ar and Rb–Sr illite, apatite fission track and fluorite (U-Th)/He) have been applied to explore the temporal fault activity. The upper time limit for initiation of faulting is constrained by the crystallization age of the primary rock type (known as “Kristallgranit”) at 325 ± 7 Ma, whereas the K–Ar and Rb–Sr ages of two illite fractions <2 μm (266–255 Ma) are interpreted to date fluid infiltration events during the final stage of the cataclastic deformation period. During this time, the “Kristallgranit” was already at or near the Earth’s surface as indicated by the sedimentary record and thermal modelling results of apatite fission track data. (U–Th)/He thermochronology of two single fluorite grains from a fluorite–quartz vein within the fault zone yield Cretaceous ages that clearly postdate their Late-Variscan mineralization age. We propose that later reactivation of the fault caused loss of helium in the fluorites. This assertion is supported by geological evidence, i.e. offsets of Jurassic and Cretaceous sediments along the fault and apatite fission track thermal modelling results are consistent with the prevalence of elevated temperatures (50–80°C) in the fault zone during the Cretaceous.     

Late Alpine brittle faulting in the Rotondo granite (Switzerland): deformation mechanisms and fault evolution

The unlined Bedretto tunnel in the Central Swiss Alps has been used to investigate in detail the fault architecture and late Alpine brittle faulting processes in the Rotondo granite on macroscopic and microscopic scales. Brittle faults in the late Variscan Rotondo granite preferentially are situated within the extent of preexisting ductile shear zones. Only in relatively few cases the damage zone extends into or develops in the previously undeformed granite. Slickensides suggest a predominant (dextral) strike-slip movement along these steeply dipping and NE–SW-striking faults. Microstructures of these fault rocks illustrate a multi-stage retrograde deformation history from ductile to brittle conditions up to the cessation of fault activity. In addition these fabrics allow identifying cataclastic flow, fluid-assisted brecciation and chemical corrosive wear as important deformation mechanisms during this retrogressive deformation path. Based on the analysis of zeolite microfabrics (laumontite and stilbite; hydrated Ca–Al- and Na–Ca–Al–silicate, respectively) in fault breccias, cataclasites and open fractures we conclude, that the main phase of active brittle faulting started below 280°C and ceased ca. 14 Ma ago at temperatures slightly above 200°C. This corresponds to a depth of approx. 7 km.     

Structure of a normal seismogenic fault zone in carbonates: The Vado di Corno Fault,Campo Imperatore,Central Apennines (Italy)

The Vado di Corno Fault Zone (VCFZ) is an active extensional fault cutting through carbonates in the Italian Central Apennines. The fault zone was exhumed from ∼2 km depth and accommodated a normal throw of ∼2 km since Early-Pleistocene. In the studied area, the master fault of the VCFZ dips N210/54° and juxtaposes Quaternary colluvial deposits in the hangingwall with cataclastic dolostones in the footwall. Detailed mapping of the fault zone rocks within the ∼300 m thick footwall-block evidenced the presence of five main structural units (Low Strain Damage Zone, High Strain Damage Zone, Breccia Unit, Cataclastic Unit 1 and Cataclastic Unit 2). The Breccia Unit results from the Pleistocene extensional reactivation of a pre-existing Pliocene thrust. The Cataclastic Unit 1 forms a ∼40 m thick band lining the master fault and recording in-situ shattering due to the propagation of multiple seismic ruptures. Seismic faulting is suggested also by the occurrence of mirror-like slip surfaces, highly localized sheared calcite-bearing veins and fluidized cataclasites. The VCFZ architecture compares well with seismological studies of the L'Aquila 2009 seismic sequence (mainshock M_W 6.1), which imaged the reactivation of shallow-seated low-angle normal faults (Breccia Unit) cut by major high-angle normal faults (Cataclastic Units).     

Structural controls on carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn mineralization in the Dongmozhazhua deposit,central Tibet

Fault zones control the locations of many ore deposits, but the ore-forming processes in such fault zones are poorly understood. We have studied the deformation and ore textures associated with fault zones that controlled the lead–zinc mineralization of the Dongmozhazhua deposit, central Tibet, ∼100 km southwest of Yushu City. Geological mapping shows that the structural framework of the Dongmozhazhua area is defined by NW–SE-trending reverse faults and superposed folds that indicate at least two stages of deformation. The first stage is characterized by tight nearly E–W-striking folds that formed during the closure of the Jinshajiang Paleo-Tethyan Ocean in the Triassic. The second stage of deformation produced NW–SE-trending reverse faults and related structures of the Fenghuoshan–Nangqian fold-and-thrust belt associated with India–Asia collision in the late Eocene to Oligocene. Scanline surveys along the ore-controlling fault zones show an internal structure that comprises a damage zone, a breccia zone with clasts that have become rounded, and a breccia zone with lenticular clasts, and this complex architecture was formed during at least two compressional substages of deformation. The Pb–Zn mineralization in the Dongmozhazhua area occurs exclusively close to NW–SE-trending reverse fault zones. Microtextural observations reveal that mineralization occurred as veinlets and disseminated blebs in limestone clasts, and as continuous bands and cements in fractured rocks. Cataclastic sulfide grains also can be seen in the matrix of some fault zones. The types of mineralization differ with structural position. The fillings of the ore-bearing veinlets typify the products of hydraulic fracture and both types of mineralization took place concurrently with regional contraction. We consider, therefore, that the ore-bearing fluids in the Dongmozhazhua deposit were concentrated in fault zones during regional compression and that the ore minerals were precipitated during hydraulic fracturing of host rocks. Subsequent fault activity pulverized some pre-existing sulfide material into cataclastic grains in the matrix of a tectonic breccia that developed in the same faults.     

Migration of geothermal fluids in extensional terrains: the ore deposits of the Boccheggiano-Montieri area (southern Tuscany, Italy)

An integrated study based on fluid inclusion, δ¹⁸O composition and structural analyses was carried out on a Pliocene fossil hydrothermal system, located to the South of the present active Larderello geothermal field, in the Boccheggiano-Montieri area. The study area is typified by mineralized cataclastic levels related to Late Oligocene–Early Miocene thrust surfaces, and to the following two generations of normal faults of Miocene and Pliocene ages, respectively. Within the damage zone of the Pliocene Boccheggiano fault, the mineralization is mainly made up of quartz and pyrite. Quartz + Pb–Zn sulfides, or quartz + Pb–Zn sulfides + fluorite + carbonates assemblages occur instead in the older cataclastic levels. Two generations of liquid-rich fluid inclusions were recognized in quartz and fluorite: the first one, with homogenization temperatures ranging between 172 and 331°C and salinity between 0.0 and 8.8 wt.% NaCl_equiv., records the early stage of hydrothermal activity. The second generation of fluid inclusions documents a later stage, with homogenization temperature from 124 to 288°C and salinity from 0.2 to 1.9 wt.% NaCl_equiv.. Fluid inclusions analyses also indicate that mixing of fluid with distinct salinities and/or temperatures was a widespread process during the early stage, and that fluid temperatures decreased moving from the Boccheggiano fault toward the more distal and older cataclastic levels. The δ¹⁸O values of water in equilibrium with hydrothermal quartz, which range from −5.7 to −0.1‰, are related to the circulation of meteoric water mixed with saline water that leached the evaporite level and enriched in δ¹⁸O through water–rock interaction, and/or with magmatically derived fluids. Results indicate that the damage zone of the Pliocene Boccheggiano fault represented the main channel for the flow of meteoric water, which was heated at depth, then mixed with high salinity fluids, and finally ascend to infiltrate along the older cataclastic levels. Our results, based on fluid inclusions, oxygen isotopic compositions and structural analyses indicate that a single fluid flow path run through the damage zone of the Boccheggiano fault and the older cataclasites, which were thus hydraulically connected.     

Fault deformation mechanisms and fault rocks in micritic limestones: Examples from Corinth rift normal faults

A multidisciplinary study investigates the influence of different parameters on fault rock architecture development along normal faults affecting non-porous carbonates of the Corinth rift southern margin. Here, some fault systems cut the same carbonate unit (Pindus), and the gradual and fast uplift since the initiation of the rift led to the exhumation of deep parts of the older faults. This exceptional context allows superficial active fault zones and old exhumed fault zones to be compared.Our approach includes field studies, micro-structural (optical microscope and cathodoluminescence), geochemical analyses (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, trace elements) and fluid inclusions microthermometry of calcite sin-kinematic cements.Our main results, in a depth-window ranging from 0 m to about 2500 m, are: i) all cements precipitated from meteoric fluids in a close or open circulation system depending on depth; ii) depth (in terms of P/T condition) determines the development of some structures and their sealing; iii) lithology (marly levels) influences the type of structures and its cohesive/non-cohesive nature; iv) early distributed rather than final total displacement along the main fault plane is the responsible for the fault zone architecture; v) petrophysical properties of each fault zone depend on the variable combination of these factors.     

西藏羌塘裂谷带假玄武玻璃的发现及其岩石学特征与构造意义

假玄武玻璃是地震过程中断层滑动产生摩擦熔融并快速冷却的产物，被誉为"地震化石"，记录了断层带内地震发生时的物理-化学过程的相关信息，是认识断裂活动历史的重要物质组成。本文以青藏高原腹地羌塘地块SN向正断层——东依布茶卡断层中的假玄武玻璃和碎裂岩等为研究对象，借助偏光显微镜、扫描电镜、粉末X射线衍射分析、原位XRF分析等多种方法对其进行了详细的结构、构造、矿物成分及化学元素分布的分析。野外调查表明该断裂带中假玄武玻璃呈深灰-褐色，与超碎裂岩和碎裂岩相伴生，以断层脉、注入脉和网状脉的形式产出，厚度由几毫米至一厘米不等。显微结构观察显示，假玄武玻璃中残留有摩擦熔融形成的特征构造，如石英的港湾状熔蚀边、蜂窝状气孔构造以及局部发育的长柱状微晶、束状微晶集合体等，指示其为断层滑动摩擦熔融的产物。此外可见假玄武玻璃作为碎屑出现在碎裂岩和角砾岩中，且后期的碎裂岩中包含早期形成的碎裂岩的角砾等，这些特征表明在该断裂带内大地震事件多次重复发生。以该地区正断层初始活动时限13.5Ma、碎裂岩和假玄武玻璃形成深度为10km以下计算，这些断裂岩石从地下深部折返的速率至少为~0.74mm/yr。目前国际上鲜有报导正断层形成的假玄武玻璃，这是我们首次在羌塘地块SN向裂谷正断层中发现熔融成因的假玄武玻璃，对认识区域地震活动及断裂带演化过程具有重要意义。     

Seismic slip recorded in tourmaline fault mirrors from Elba Island (Italy)

This paper reports the first example of fault mirrors developed in an unusual protolith, consisting of tourmaline crystals with interstitial goethite. The deformation mechanisms active in the fault zone have been investigated from the outcrop to the nanoscale, aiming to identify possible traces of frictional heating at seismic slip rate, as observed for other fault mirrors in different protoliths. The investigation revealed the superposition of two main deformational stages. The first was dominated by brittle processes and produced a cataclastic/ultracataclastic principal slip zone, a few mm thick; the second was associated with seismic slip and produced a sharp discontinuity (the principal slip surface) within the cataclastic/ultracataclastic zone. The mirror-like coating, a few microns thick, occurs on the principal slip surface, and is characterized by 1) absence of interstitial goethite; 2) occurrence of truncated tourmaline crystals; 3) highly variable grain size, from 200 μm to 200 nm; 4) tourmaline close packing with interlobate grain boundaries, and 5) tourmaline random crystallographic orientation.Micro and nanostructural investigations indicate the occurrence of thermally-activated processes, involving both interstitial goethite and tourmaline. In particular, close to the principal slip surface, goethite is completely decomposed, and produced an amorphous porous material, with local topotactic recrystallization of hematite. Tourmaline clasts are typically characterized by strongly lobate boundaries, indicative of reaction and partial decomposition at grain boundaries. TEM observations revealed the occurrence of tourmaline nanograins, a few tens of nm in size, characterized by rounded shape and fading amorphous boundaries, that cannot be obtained by brittle processes. Lastly, the peculiar interlobate microstructure of the mirror surface is interpreted as the result of grain boundary recrystallization processes taking place by deformation at high-T conditions. Our results show that tourmaline fault mirrors recorded localized high-T processes triggered by frictional heating and can be therefore considered as reliable traces of ancient earthquakes.     

Repeated seismic slips recorded in ultracataclastic veins along active faults of the Arima–Takatsuki Tectonic Line,southwest Japan

Field investigations, combined with meso- and microstructural analyses, reveal that numerous ultracataclastic veins are widely developed within a fault zone (<150 m wide) as simple veins, complex lenses, and networks, along active faults of the Arima–Takatsuki Tectonic Line, southwest Japan. These veins comprise mainly pseudotachylyte-like vein and weakly consolidated to unconsolidated fault gouge that is black, dark-brown, brown, gray, and brownish-red in color. Meso- and microstructural features show that these pseudotachylyte-like and fault gouge veins and networks formed during multiple stages, as earlier veins are generally cut and overprinted by younger veins, indicating that the vein-forming events occurred repeatedly and that ultracataclastic material was injected into networks of faults and fractures in the fault zone. The pseudotachylyte-like and fault gouge veins are characterized by an ultrafine- to fine-grained matrix and angular to subangular fragments of host granitic rocks of various sizes, ranging from submicron to millimeters. SEM–EDS (Scanning Electronic Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray) and powder X-ray diffraction analyses show that all the ultracataclastic veins are characterized by crystalline materials composed mainly of quartz and feldspar, similar to the host granitic rocks.The present results support the existing hypothesis that ultrafine- to fine-grained materials formed by comminution can be fluidized and injected rapidly into fracture networks located far from the source fault plane in a solid–fluid–gas system during seismic slip; therefore, such materials provide a record of paleoseismic faulting events that occurred repeatedly within the seismogenic fault zone.     

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

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

北京“洼里砾岩”的成因及时代探讨

关于北京“洼里砾岩”成因的争议由来已久,主要有构造成因和沉积成因两种不同的观点。在以往资料的基础上,结合近年来新的地热钻井资料,绘制了地质剖面图,进行了地层比对与构造分析,发现剖面中存在数条、多期、规模不一的逆断层,存在相互切割,这使得地层受到较大扰动,体现出八宝山断裂的逆冲作用非常强烈,且具有多期性;并在构造分析的基础上,结合砾岩的成分、结构、岩溶发育及出现层位等岩性特征,以及北京凹陷的形成过程,分析了其形成机制,提出“洼里砾岩”属于八宝山断裂带断层角砾岩雾迷山组内的部分,形成时代大约是在中生代中晚期。      

碳酸盐岩内断裂带结构及其与油气成藏

以野外观察描述为手段,系统研究了碳酸盐岩断裂变形机制的影响因素及断裂带结构演化过程,剖析了碳酸盐岩地层中断裂带结构与流体运移的关系。研究表明,影响碳酸盐岩内断裂变形机制的因素包括岩性、孔隙度、变形深度、温度、胶结作用、先存裂缝等,控制断裂带结构形成的因素包括滑动位移和破裂模式等。低孔隙度碳酸盐岩以裂缝发育为主,高孔隙度碳酸盐岩变形早期产生变形带,带内裂缝联接逐渐发育成断层带。随着埋藏深度的增加,断裂带结构不同：埋藏深度小于3 km,断层核主要发育无内聚力的断层角砾岩和断层泥;埋藏深度大于3 km,断层核普遍发育有内聚力的断层角砾岩和碎裂岩,破碎带发育多种成因的裂缝。随着位移的增加,破裂模式从早期的破裂作用变为后期的碎裂作用,最终形成碎裂流。断裂带演化是一个四维过程,断层核和破碎带发育情况直接影响断层对油气的运移和封闭的作用。断裂变形机制、断裂带内部结构以及与流体运移关系的研究,都可为封闭性提供重要的理论依据。     

Weakness and mechanical anisotropy of phyllosilicate-rich cataclasites developed after mylonites of a low-angle normal fault (Simplon Line,Western Alps)

The Simplon Fault Zone is a late-collisional low-angle normal fault (LANF) of the Western Alps. The hanging wall shows evidence of brittle deformation only, while the footwall is characterized by a c. 1 km-thick shear zone (the Simplon Fault Zone), which continuously evolved, during exhumation and cooling, from amphibolite facies conditions to brittle-cataclastic deformations. Due to progressive localization of the active section of the shear zone, the thermal-rheological evolution of the footwall resulted in a layered structure, with higher temperature mylonites preserved at the periphery of the shear zone, and cataclasites occurring at the core (indicated as the Simplon Line). In order to investigate the weakness of the Simplon Line, we studied the evolution of brittle/cataclastic fault rocks, from nucleation to the most mature ones. Cataclasites are superposed on greenschist facies mylonites, and their nucleation can be studied at the periphery of the brittle fault zone. This is characterized by fractures, micro-faults and foliated ultracataclasite seams that develop along the mylonitic SCC′ fabric, exploiting the weak phases mainly represented by muscovite and chlorite. Approaching the fault core, both the thickness and frequency of cataclasite horizons increase, and, as their thickness increases, they become less and less foliated. The fault core itself is represented by a thicker non-foliated cataclasite horizon. No Andersonian faults or fractures can be found in the footwall damage zone and core zone, whilst they are present in the hanging wall and in the footwall further from the fault. Applying a stress model based on slip tendency, we have been able to calculate that the friction coefficient of the Simplon Line cataclasites was <0.25, hence this fault zone is absolutely weak. In contrast with other fault zones, the weakening effect of fluids was of secondary importance, since they accessed the fault zone only after an interconnected fracture network developed exploiting the cataclasite network.     

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.     

Are feldspar-to-mica reactions necessarily reaction-softening processes in fault zones?

Reaction-softening by mineralogical changes from feldspars to sericite has been documented from many fault zones. During external crystalline basement deformation in the Alpine orogeny, the Ser Barbier thrust and splay faults in the Pelvoux Massif experienced ultracataclasis and sericitisation. Microstructural information and geochemical data from the fault rocks suggest that different muscovitisation reactions occurred at different times within the evolution of the fault zone, and each reaction had its own impact on fault rheology. Early cataclasis aided chemical breakdown of orthoclase feldspars to muscovite, yet quartz release accompanying this process resulted in local cementation and consequent hardening of the ultracataclasite. Continued deformation was accompanied by muscovitisation of the albite feldspar, and resulted in the formation of mica-rich fault rocks which experienced progressive silica removal by the fluid with increasing deformation. At this stage, reaction-enhanced ductility dominated. Much of the early cemented ultracataclasites escaped later deformation, and their low permeability allowed preservation of their early geochemical characteristics by preventing later fluid access. Such findings demonstrate how the complex interplay between deformation processes and geochemical reactions may result in a changing rheology during fault zone evolution.     

Phyllosilicate injection along extensional carbonate-hosted faults and implications for co-seismic slip propagation: Case studies from the central Apennines,Italy

We document phyllosilicates occurrence along five shallow (exhumed from depths < 3 km) carbonate-hosted extensional faults from the seismically-active domain of the central Apennines, Italy. The shallow portion of this domain is characterized by a sedimentary succession consisting of ∼5–6 km thick massive carbonate deposits overlain by ∼2 km thick phyllosilicate-rich deposits (marls and siliciclastic sandstones). We show that the phyllosilicates observed within the studied carbonate-hosted faults derived from the overlying phyllosilicate-rich sedimentary deposits and were involved in the faulting processes. We infer that, during fault zone evolution, the phyllosilicates downward injected into pull-aparts (i.e., dilational jogs) that were generated along staircase extensional faults. With further displacement accumulation, the clayey material was smeared and concentrated into localized layers along the carbonate-hosted fault surfaces. These layers are usually thin (a few centimeters to decimeters thick), but can reach also a few meters in thickness. We suggest that, even in tectonic settings dominated by high frictional strength rocks (e.g., carbonates), localized layers enriched in weak phyllosilicates can occur along shallow fault surfaces thus reducing the expected fault strength during earthquakes, possibly promoting co-seismic slip propagation up to the Earth's surface.     

Fluid behaviors from the seismogenic region of Longmenshan fault zone,eastern Tibetan PlateauSCIEI北大核心CSCD

震间期、同震期和震后期流体对断裂带物质的强度和运动性质起到重要作用。前人已识别出断裂带浅部区域流体对断层的弱化以及矿物沉淀导致的断层愈合,然而对于断裂带深部流体的研究鲜有报道。为深入了解孕震区流体行为以及地震成核过程中流体对断层的影响,本文以龙门山断裂带的映秀-北川断裂南段虹口乡八角庙村附近碎裂岩滑动带中石英和方解石脉为研究对象,通过对断裂带脉体的显微构造、碳氧同位素和主量元素含量等分析,开展地震相关脉体的特征结构、流体来源和矿物沉淀环境的研究。结果表明,碎裂岩主滑移带由颜色结构不同的三层断层泥和细小的方解石条带组成,在主滑动带边部和上盘碎裂岩中则分别发育了指示震间期、同震期和震后期三个阶段断层活动的脉体:(1)沿阶步生长的纤维状方解石脉和拉伸型柱状颗粒方解石脉;(2)断层泥楔入脉;(3)近等粒状方解石脉以及具有横向竞争生长结构的非等粒状方解石脉和石英脉。它们分别代表了震间期封闭的还原环境下的微滑动、同震外源高压流体注入以及震后开放的氧化环境至还原环境下的矿物沉淀。碳氧同位素结果表明主滑动带和碎裂岩方解石脉δ^(18)O V-PDB值为-20.5‰~-20.3‰,低于围岩碳酸钙胶结物,表明方解石脉具有大气水来源特征。方解石沉淀温度结合地温梯度表明方解石脉的形成深度大于4km,与碎裂岩形成深度及龙门山断裂带震源深度一致。该地区方解石脉和石英脉的研究深化了关于龙门山断裂带孕震区流体行为的理解,并且对进一步认识震间期、同震期和震后期断层的强度变化机制具有重要意义。     

高孔砂岩断层内部微观结构及渗透性变化规律物理模拟

在油气勘探过程中,对于小位移断层分隔油水封闭能力的控制因素研究尚浅,野外也难以获得不同变形过程的断层带结构及其渗透性变化规律.因此,以高孔隙度纯净砂岩人造岩心为研究对象,采用自主研发的“高压~低速环形剪切装置”开展实验,实验后样品取心分别进行覆压孔渗测试、纳米CT扫描、铸体薄片分析等分析测试.以有效正应力和断层位移为实验变量开展了多组环剪实验,其研究结果表明:宏观上断层面上可观察到明显擦痕与粉末状碎裂岩,微观上确定了断层带内碎裂作用导致的颗粒粒度降低与颗粒的定向排列是孔渗降低的主要原因,断层带渗透率小于10 mD,较母岩降低2~3个数量级.随着断层有效正应力或断层滑动位移增加,断层带碎裂程度增大且粒径和孔径减小,断层带厚度增大,孔隙度和渗透率逐渐减小.这一结果可为小位移断层侧向封闭能力与油气勘探领域的研究奠定理论基础.