Development of schistosity by dissolution–crystallization in a Californian serpentinite gouge

To understand the behaviour and deformation mechanisms of serpentinites in the seismogenic zone we study the deformation macro- and microstructures of serpentinites along the Santa Ynez Fault in the San Andreas System. At the outcrop scale, deformation is localized in a gouge zone that shows three different structures: (1) micrometric undeformed fragments (clasts) of the previously serpentinized peridotite, (2) localized shear planes (Y and R) and (3) a penetrative schistosity (S). Observations under SEM and TEM reveal that the schistosity corresponds to serpentine fibres, parallel to each other, and whose orientation varies as they wrap around clasts. TEM micro-textures indicate that these long fibres result from continuous syntectonic growth rather than from reorientation of pre-existing fibres implying a slow transfer process that occurs at short distances. We propose a dissolution–diffusion–crystallization process for the formation of the schistosity that corresponds to a low strain-rate creeping process of deformation that can be effective in aseismic fault segments.     

The role of bedding in the evolution of meso- and microstructural fabrics in fault zones

To investigate the role of bedding in the evolution of meso- and microstructural fabrics in fault zones, detailed microscopic, mineralogical, and geochemical analyses were conducted on bedding-oblique and bedding-parallel faults that cut a folded Neogene siliceous mudstone that contains opal-CT, smectite, and illite. An analysis of asymmetric structures in the fault gouges indicates that the secondary fractures associated with each fault exhibit contrasting characteristics: those of the bedding-oblique fault are R₁ shears, whereas those of the bedding-parallel fault are reactivated S foliation. The bedding-oblique fault shows the pervasive development of S foliation, lacks opal-CT, and has low SiO₂/TiO₂ ratios only in gouge, whereas the bedding-parallel fault exhibits these characteristics in both gouge and wall rocks. The development of S foliation and the lack of silica can result from local ductile deformation involving the sliding of phyllosilicates, coupled with pressure solution of opal-CT. Although such deformation can occur in gouge, the above results indicate that it may occur preferentially along bedding planes, preceding the formation of a gouge/slip surface. Thus, in sedimentary rocks that contain phyllosilicates and soluble minerals, bedding can influence the rheological evolution of meso- and microstructural fabrics in fault zones.     

黏土涂抹充填方法评价断层封闭性研究

断层封闭性的评价是研究控制油气运聚的断裂输导体系的核心问题.黏土涂抹充填评价方法是评价断层封闭性的方法之一.断层封闭与否的机理是断裂带及断层两盘存在排驱压力差,黏土涂抹充填方法将断裂带中的泥质百分含量与排驱压力差的相关关系很好地反映出来.列举影响断层封闭性的诸多要素,探讨因黏土涂抹充填封闭断层的机理,进而总结了国内外用黏土涂抹充填方法研究断层封闭性的进展,重点讨论了断层泥比率法（SGR）及与其相关的定量评价方法.     

Effect of mineralogy on friction-dilation relationships for simulated faults:Implications for permeability evolution in caprock faults

This paper experimentally explores the frictional sliding behavior of two simulated gouges:one,a series of quartz–smectite mixtures,and the other,powdered natural rocks,aiming to evaluate and codify the effect of mineralogy on gouge dilation and frictional strength,stability,and healing.Specifically,velocity-stepping and slide-hold-slide experiments were performed in a double direct shear configuration to analyze frictional constitutive parameters at room temperature,under normal stresses of 10,20,and 40 MPa.Gouge dilation was measured based on the applied step-wise changes in shear velocity.The frictional response of the quartz–smectite mixtures and powdered natural rocks are affected by their phyllosilicate content.Frictional strength and healing rates decrease with increasing phyllosilicate content,and at 20 wt.%a transition from velocity-weakening to velocity-strengthening behavior was noted.For both suites of gouges,dilation is positively correlated with frictional strength and healing rates,and negatively correlated with frictional stability.Changes in the permeability of gouge-filled faults were estimated from changes in mean porosity,indexed through measured magnitudes of gouge dilation.This combined analysis implies that the reactivation of caprock faults filled with phyllosilicaterich gouges may have a strong influence on permeability evolution in caprock faults.     

The kinematics of gouge deformation

The methods and first results of a new approach to examining fault gouge are described. Samples of undisturbed fault gouge from the exhumed Lopez fault zone in the San Gabriel Mountains, California were impregnated with low viscosity epoxy resin and sectioned to produce microscope slides. The slides were photographed using optical and electron microscopy with magnifications ranging in factors of 2 from 12.5 to 1600. At all scales, the particles appeared angular with planar faces, suggesting tensile failure. No shear zones were discernable. The particle size distribution was studied. At each magnification the particles were sorted by diameter into four classes, differing in mean diameter by factors of 2. The numbers in each class were then scaled by the characteristic class dimension. The process revealed a remarkable degree of self-similarity. Over the range examined, the fractal dimension was within 5% of 2.60.On the basis of the observations, a new model for the mechanical processes that generate gouge is offered. It is argued that self-similarity results from repeated tensile splitting of grains. Unlike earlier models that consider splitting probability to be either independent of particle size or due to the preexisting distribution of defects, we propose that failure probability depends largely on the relative size of nearest neighbors. If nearest neighbors of the same size are preferentially broken, any initial distribution of particles will tend toward a self-similar distribution having a fractal dimension of 2.58.The model allows us to outline a procedure whereby the observed comminution in a fault zone can be related to the shear strain that the zone has accommodated and propose a theoretical frequency magnitude relation for the seismic energy emitted by the fracture process.     

热水条件下透辉石的摩擦本构特征

为了研究下地壳主要造岩矿物之一的辉石在摩擦滑动中的力学性质,本文选择辉石中的透辉石作为实验样品,在约200 MPa有效正应力（30 MPa孔隙水压）及100~600℃的热水条件下进行了速度阶跃摩擦滑动实验,在滑动开始后将剪切滑动速率在0.122 μm·s^-1和1.22 μm·s^-1之间进行切换来确定摩擦滑动对速度变化的响应.通过实验发现：透辉石在102~200℃表现为速度强化,随着温度升高,在约215℃附近从速度强化转变为速度弱化.在310℃以上,速度弱化的程度受温度的影响不大,而且摩擦本构参数a值和b值随温度的变化趋势相同.对变形样品的显微观测发现,与其速度强化行为相对应的微观变形主要以数条平行的R1剪切为主,卸样时造成的裂纹集中在R1剪切内部,形态长而曲折;与其速度弱化行为相对应的断层泥内部,剪切带变窄且数量明显增加,在内部互相连接,在边界附近多发育B剪切,卸样时形成的裂纹大量存在于B剪切带与R1剪切附近,形态短且平直.

     

K–Ar dating of fault gouge in the northern Sydney Basin, NSW, Australia—implications for the breakup of Gondwana

The occurrence of synkinematic and authigenic clay minerals is a common feature in fault gouges. Few attempts have been made to date fault gouges. We present the first age data in Australia for synkinematic illite–smectite growth in two fault zones of the northern Sydney Basin, NSW. The faults occur at Burwood Beach, NSW in the northern part of the Sydney Basin and are hosted by Early Permian siltstones, tuffs and coals of the Lambton Formation, Newcastle Coal Measures. The faults are 1.5 m apart, show normal displacement and trend N–S with steep easterly dips. Foliated gouge zones, comminution and dilational breccias are developed along both fault surfaces. K–Ar ages extracted from samples in the gouge and tuffs in the damage zones are 172 (6–10 μm) to 119 Ma (<0.4 μm), respectively. Older ages of 272–281 Ma for the coarse fractions (>2 μm), 237–245 Ma for the <2 μm fraction, 218 Ma for the <0.4 μm fraction and 196 Ma for the <0.1 μm fraction have been obtained from siltstones within and outside the damage zone. We believe the younger ages of 196–237 Ma indicate the time at which diagenetic illite–smectite formed and the 122–150 Ma dates from the <2 μm fraction represent the maximum age of gouge formation. The younger ages are thought to reflect the last slip event occurring on the faults, which is related to the rifting and dispersal of the eastern margin of the Australian continent.     

热水条件下透辉石的摩擦本构特征

为了研究下地壳主要造岩矿物之一的辉石在摩擦滑动中的力学性质,本文选择辉石中的透辉石作为实验样品,在约200 MPa有效正应力（30 MPa孔隙水压）及100~600℃的热水条件下进行了速度阶跃摩擦滑动实验,在滑动开始后将剪切滑动速率在0.122 μm·s^-1和1.22 μm·s^-1之间进行切换来确定摩擦滑动对速度变化的响应.通过实验发现：透辉石在102~200℃表现为速度强化,随着温度升高,在约215℃附近从速度强化转变为速度弱化.在310℃以上,速度弱化的程度受温度的影响不大,而且摩擦本构参数a值和b值随温度的变化趋势相同.对变形样品的显微观测发现,与其速度强化行为相对应的微观变形主要以数条平行的R1剪切为主,卸样时造成的裂纹集中在R1剪切内部,形态长而曲折;与其速度弱化行为相对应的断层泥内部,剪切带变窄且数量明显增加,在内部互相连接,在边界附近多发育B剪切,卸样时形成的裂纹大量存在于B剪切带与R1剪切附近,形态短且平直.     

青藏高原东北部基底卷入型褶皱的形成机制探讨

青藏高原东北部小峡背斜是一个新生代发展起来的基底卷入型背斜.研究表明背斜的形成经历了三次重要变形,新生代早期由于印度板块与欧亚板块的碰撞(约49～29Ma),造成了西宁盆地顺时针旋转,在此变形中,背斜基底早期发育的北西向断层以及新生断层开始右行斜滑,造成了小峡地区盖层轴向北西向褶皱的形成,基底与盖层的变形类似Trish...