Rock-mechanics experiments, geodetic observations of postloading strain transients, and micro-and macrostructural studies of exhumed ductile shear zones provide complementary views of the style and rheology of deformation deep in Earth's crust and upper mantle. Overall, results obtained in small-scale laboratory experiments provide robust constraints on deformation mechanisms and viscosities at the natural laboratory conditions. Geodetic inferences of the viscous strength of the upper mantle are consistent with flow of mantle rocks at temperatures and water contents determined from surface heat-flow, seismic, and mantle xenolith studies. Laboratory results show that deformation mechanisms and rheology strongly vary as a function of stress, grain size, and fluids. Field studies reveal a strong tendency for deformation in the lower crust and uppermost mantle in and adjacent to fault zones to localize into systems of discrete shear zones with strongly reduced grain size and strength. Deformation mechanisms and rheology may vary over short spatial (shear zone) and temporal (earthquake cycle) scales.

Abstract. Synthetic fine-grained anorthite aggregates were deformed at 300 MPa confining pressure in a Paterson-type gas deformation apparatus. Creep tests were performed at temperatures ranging from 1140 to 1480 K, stresses from 30 to 600 MPa, and strain rates between 2x 10 '6 and lx10 -3 s 'l. We prepared samples with water total contents of 0.004 wt % (dry) and 0.07 wt % (wet),

We show that near–real-time seismic monitoring of fluid injection allowed control of induced earthquakes during the stimulation of a 6.1-km-deep geothermal well near Helsinki, Finland. A total of 18,160 m3of fresh water was pumped into crystalline rocks over 49 days in June to July 2018. Seismic monitoring was performed with a 24-station borehole seismometer network. Using near–real-time information on induced-earthquake rates, locations, magnitudes, and evolution of seismic and hydraulic energy, pumping was either stopped or varied—in the latter case, between well-head pressures of 60 and 90 MPa and flow rates of 400 and 800 liters/min. This procedure avoided the nucleation of a project-stopping magnitudeMW2.0 induced earthquake, a limit set by local authorities. Our results suggest a possible physics-based approach to controlling stimulation-induced seismicity in geothermal projects.

Acoustic emissions (AE), compressional (P), shear (S) wave velocities, and volumetric strain of Etna basalt and Aue granite were measured simultaneously during triaxial compression tests. Deformation-induced AE activity and velocity changes were monitored using twelve P-wave sensors and eight orthogonally polarized S-wave piezoelectric sensors; volumetric strain was measured using two pairs of orthogonal strain gages glued directly to the rock surface. P-wave velocity in basalt is about 3 km/s at atmospheric pressure, but increases by > 50% when the hydrostatic pressure is increased to 120 MPa. In granite samples initial P-wave velocity is 5 km/s and increases with pressure by < 20%. The pressure-induced changes of elastic wave speed indicate dominantly compliant low-aspect ratio pores in both materials, in addition Etna basalt also contains high-aspect ratio voids. In triaxial loading, stress-induced anisotropy of Pwave velocities was significantly higher for basalt than for granite, with vertical velocity components being faster than horizontal velocities. However, with increasing axial load, horizontal velocities show a small increase for basalt but a significant decrease for granite. Using first motion polarity we determined AE source types generated during triaxial loading of the samples. With increasing differential stress AE activity in granite and basalt increased with a significant contribution of tensile events. Close to failure the relative contribution of tensile events and horizontal wave velocities decreased significantly. A concomitant increase of doublecouple events indicating shear, suggests shear cracks linking previously formed tensile cracks.

No abstract

[1] A series of laboratory experiments has been conducted in which three-dimensional (3-D) locations of acoustic emissions (AE) were recorded and used to analyze the development of compaction bands in Bleurswiller sandstone, which has a porosity of 25%. Results were obtained for saturated samples deformed under triaxial compression at three different confining pressures (60, 80, and 100 MPa), a pore pressure of 10 MPa, and room temperature. We recorded acoustic emissions, compressional and shear wave velocities, and porosity reduction under hydrostatic condition and under triaxial loading conditions at a constant axial strain rate. Our results show that seismic velocities and their amplitude increased during hydrostatic pressure build up and during initial axial loading. During shear-enhanced compaction, axial and radial velocities decreased progressively, indicating an increase of stress-induced damage in the rock. In experiments performed at confining pressures of 80 and 100 MPa during triaxial loading, acoustic emissions were localized in clusters. During progressive loading, AE clusters grow horizontally, perpendicular to the maximum principal stress direction, indicating formation of compaction bands throughout the specimens. Microstructural analysis of deformed specimens confirmed a spatial correspondence of AE clusters and compaction bands. For the experiment performed at a confining pressure of 60 MPa, AE locations and microstructural observations show symmetric compaction bands inclined to the cylinder axis of the specimen, in agreement with predictions from recent theoretical models.Citation: Fortin, J., S. Stanchits, G. Dresen, and Y. Guéguen (2006), Acoustic emission and velocities associated with the formation of compaction bands in sandstone,

[1] The statistics of large earthquakes commonly involve large uncertainties due to the lack of long-term, robust earthquake recordings. Small-scale seismic events are abundant and can be used to examine variations in fault structure and stress. We report on the connection between stress and microseismic event statistics prior to the possibly smallest earthquakes: those generated in the laboratory. We investigate variations in seismic b value of acoustic emission events during the stress buildup and release on laboratory-created fault zones. We show that b values mirror periodic stress changes that occur during series of stick-slip events, and are correlated with stress over many seismic cycles. Moreover, the amount of b value increase associated with slip events indicates the extent of the corresponding stress drop. Consequently, b value variations can be used to approximate the stress state on a fault: a possible tool for the advancement of time-dependent seismic hazard assessment.

[1] To specify quantitatively the effect of pressure and water weakening on the flow strength of feldspar we performed triaxial creep experiments in a gas deformation apparatus at temperatures of 1000-1150°C, confining pressures of 100-450 MPa, and axial stresses of 10-400 MPa, resulting in strain rates of $6 Â 10 À7 to 3 Â 10 À3 s À1 . Dense samples with a grain size of $3 mm were prepared by hot-isostatic pressing of anorthite glass powder. Hydrous samples contain about 0.33 ± 0.14 wt % H 2 O and dry specimens 0.0005-0.02 wt % H 2 O. The estimated residual glass content of wet samples is <2 vol %. Samples deformed by grain boundary diffusion-controlled creep at low stresses and dislocation creep at stresses^150 MPa. We estimate an activation volume of V % 24 cm 3 mol À1 for anhydrous samples deforming in diffusion creep. For wet samples, deformed in hydrous conditions with varying buffers fixing oxygen fugacity, the activation volume is about 38 cm 3 mol À1 . Creep rate of hydrous anorthite aggregates depends on water fugacity raised to a power of r = 1.0 ± 0.3, suggesting hydrolysis of oxygen bonds. Considering the effect of activation volume and water fugacity on extrapolation of constitutive laws to conditions prevailing in the continental lower crust, viscosities of hydrous feldspar aggregates increase by a factor of <3.Citation: Rybacki, E., M. Gottschalk, R. Wirth, and G. Dresen (2006), Influence of water fugacity and activation volume on the flow properties of fine-grained anorthite aggregates,