Research Progress on the Structure and Permeability of Fault Zones

Authors

  • Nannan Lu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6911/WSRJ.202411_10(11).0006

Keywords:

Fault core, damage zone, permeability, fluid dynamics of fault zones.

Abstract

The fluid dynamics of fault zones have long been a cutting-edge scientific issue in geological research, focusing on characterizing the fracture structure and permeability of fault zones. Fault zones consist of rocks that are spatially close, genetically related, and exhibit varying degrees of deformation, which can be divided into two distinct structural units: the fault core and the damage zone. The structure of fault zones is not static; it continuously evolves under the influence of tectonic stress, fluids, protolith lithology, and evolutionary stage. The permeability of each structural unit in a fault zone is primarily determined mainland by the internal structural features that develop, significantly influenced by the evolution of fault activity. During active faulting periods, permeability in both the fault core and damage zone rapidly increases, while during quiescent periods, the permeability of the fault core declines sharply, and that of the damage zone decreases more gradually. Additionally, fault type, thermal history, protolith lithology, and fluid-rock interactions are also important factors affecting fault permeability. Despite the numerous findings regarding fault zone structures and permeability, it is still necessary to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of fault structure and permeability from the perspective of their coupling with the dynamics of fluid flow. This understanding will aid in addressing related issues such as energy exploration, disaster forecasting, and management.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Cox S F, Munroe S M. Breccia formation by particle fluidization in fault zones: Implications for transitory, rupture-controlled fluid flow regimes in hydrothermal systems[J]. American Journal of Science, 2016, 316(3): 241-278.

[2] Curzi M, Giuntoli F, Vignaroli G, et al. Constraints on upper crustal fluid circulation and seismogenesis from in-situ outcrop quantification of complex fault zone permeability[J]. Scientific Reports, 2023, 13(1): 5548.

[3] Tueckmantel C, Fisher Q J, Manzocchi T, et al. Two-phase fluid flow properties of cataclastic fault rocks: Implications for CO2 storage in saline aquifers[J]. Geology, 2012, 40(1): 39-42.

[4] Bense V F, Gleeson T, Loveless S E, et al. Fault zone hydrogeology[J]. Earth-Science Reviews, 2013, 127: 171-192.

[5] Valoroso L, Chiaraluce L, Collettini C. Earthquakes and fault zone structure[J]. Geology, 2014, 42(4): 343-346.

[6] Shelly D R, Taira T, Prejean S G, et al. Fluid‐faulting interactions: Fracture‐mesh and fault‐valve behavior in the February 2014 Mammoth Mountain, California, earthquake swarm[J]. Geophysical Research Letters, 2015, 42(14): 5803-5812.

[7] Faulkner D R, Jackson C A L, Lunn R J, et al. A review of recent developments concerning the structure, mechanics and fluid flow properties of fault zones[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2010, 32(11): 1557-1575.

[8] Crider J G. The initiation of brittle faults in crystalline rock[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2015, 77: 159-174.

[9] Choi J H, Edwards P, Ko K, et al. Definition and classification of fault damage zones: A review and a new methodological approach[J]. Earth-Science Reviews, 2016, 152: 70-87.

[10] Caine J S, Bruhn R L, Forster C B. Internal structure, fault rocks, and inferences regarding deformation, fluid flow, and mineralization in the seismogenic Stillwater normal fault, Dixie Valley, Nevada[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2010, 32(11): 1576-1589.

[11] Cox S F, Munroe S M. Breccia formation by particle fluidization in fault zones: Implications for transitory, rupture-controlled fluid flow regimes in hydrothermal systems[J]. American Journal of Science, 2016, 316(3): 241-278.

[12] Bastesen E, Braathen A. Extensional faults in fine grained carbonates–analysis of fault core lithology and thickness–displacement relationships[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2010, 32(11): 1609-1628.

[13] Marinković G, Papić P, Spahić D, et al. Case study of mountainous geothermal reservoirs (Kopaonik Mt., southwestern Serbia): Fault-controlled fluid compartmentalization within a late Paleogene-Neogene core-complex[J]. Geothermics, 2023, 114: 102799.

[14] Berg S S, Skar T. Controls on damage zone asymmetry of a normal fault zone: outcrop analyses of a segment of the Moab fault, SE Utah[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2005, 27(10): 1803-1822.

[15] Tesei T, Collettini C, Barchi M R, et al. Heterogeneous strength and fault zone complexity of carbonate-bearing thrusts with possible implications for seismicity[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2014, 408: 307-318.

[16] Fachri M, Rotevatn A, Tveranger J. Fluid flow in relay zones revisited: Towards an improved representation of small-scale structural heterogeneities in flow models[J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2013, 46: 144-164.

[17] Ballas G, Fossen H, Soliva R. Factors controlling permeability of cataclastic deformation bands and faults in porous sandstone reservoirs[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2015, 76: 1-21.

[18] Sagi D A, De Paola N, McCaffrey K J W, et al. Fault and fracture patterns in low porosity chalk and their potential influence on sub-surface fluid flow—A case study from Flamborough Head, UK[J]. Tectonophysics, 2016, 690: 35-51.

[19] Wibberley C A J, Yielding G, Di Toro G. Recent advances in the understanding of fault zone internal structure: a review[J]. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2008, 299(1): 5-33.

[20] Choi J H, Edwards P, Ko K, et al. Definition and classification of fault damage zones: A review and a new methodological approach[J]. Earth-Science Reviews, 2016, 152: 70-87.

[21] Farrell N J C, Healy D, Taylor C W. Anisotropy of permeability in faulted porous sandstones[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2014, 63: 50-67.

[22] Laubach S E, Eichhubl P, Hargrove P, et al. Fault core and damage zone fracture attributes vary along strike owing to interaction of fracture growth, quartz accumulation, and differing sandstone composition[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2014, 68: 207-226.

[23] Haines T J, Michie E A H, Neilson J E, et al. Permeability evolution across carbonate hosted normal fault zones[J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2016, 72: 62-82.

[24] Micklethwaite S, Cox S F. Fault-segment rupture, aftershock-zone fluid flow, and mineralization[J]. Geology, 2004, 32(9): 813-816.

[25] Xue L, Li H B, Brodsky E E, et al. Continuous permeability measurements record healing inside the Wenchuan earthquake fault zone[J]. Science, 2013, 340(6140): 1555-1559.

[26] Faulkner D R, Armitage P J. The effect of tectonic environment on permeability development around faults and in the brittle crust[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2013, 375: 71-77.

[27] Scuderi M M, Kitajima H, Carpenter B M, et al. Evolution of permeability across the transition from brittle failure to cataclastic flow in porous siltstone[J]. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 2015, 16(9): 2980-2993.

[28] Laubach S E, Eichhubl P, Hargrove P, et al. Fault core and damage zone fracture attributes vary along strike owing to interaction of fracture growth, quartz accumulation, and differing sandstone composition[J]. Journal of Structural Geology, 2014, 68: 207-226.

[29] Haines T J, Michie E A H, Neilson J E, et al. Permeability evolution across carbonate hosted normal fault zones[J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2016, 72: 62-82.

Downloads

Published

2024-10-22

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Lu, Nannan. 2024. “Research Progress on the Structure and Permeability of Fault Zones”. World Scientific Research Journal 10 (11): 51-59. https://doi.org/10.6911/WSRJ.202411_10(11).0006.