07_SheldonMicklethwaite_Geology.pdf (330.33 kB)
Damage and permeability around faults : implications for mineralization
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-26, 10:32 authored by Sheldon, HA, Micklethwaite, SMineral deposits are commonly hosted by small-displacement structures around jogs in major faults, but they are rarely hosted by the major fault itself. This relationship may be explained by time-dependent fracturing and healing in and around major faults and associated permeability evolution. A damage mechanics formulation is used here to explore the spatial-temporal evolution of damage in and around a fault following a fault-slip event. We show that regions of increased damage rate correspond to the location of mineral deposits and that these areas correspond to areas of aftershocks predicted by stress-transfer modeling. The fault itself enters a healing regime following the slip event; hence, it is expected to become less permeable than the fracture network outside the fault. Our results support the hypothesis that mineralization occurs in a fracture network associated with aftershocks; this may be due to the higher time-integrated permeability of the fracture network relative to the main fault.
History
Publication title
GeologyVolume
35Article number
10Number
10Pagination
903-906ISSN
0091-7613Publication status
- Published
Rights statement
Copyright 2007 The Geological Society of America.Repository Status
- Open
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