Fracturing mode analysis and relative age dating of faults by surface textures of quartz grains from fault gouges

Surface textures of quartz grains taken from about 250 samples of fault gouges in faults ranging in length from several metres to several tens of metres with the faults extending several tens to several hundreds of kilometres in length, are examined by means of the scanning electron microscope and are categorized into four groups from I to IV, based on the smoothness of the surface, degree of undulation and development of cavities, as mentioned in a previous paper. Based on surface features of quartz grains from faults the geological age of movement of which is known, the groups I to IV are tentatively related to the age of formation of quartz grains and the period of formation of surface textures. This correlation makes it clear that quartz-grain surface textures are an important clue to dating a relative age of faulting. River patterns, striations, granular fracture surfaces, and dimple-like textures are observed to appear on less corroded surfaces of quartz grains from fault gouges. Fractographic analysis of these surfaces of quartz grains should be a clue to revealing the mode of fracture of the fault movement which released the quartz grains into the fault gouge.