The ability of crustal faults to compact and to pressurize pore fluids is examined by combining geological observations, petrophysical measurements (permeability, P and S wave velocities, and porosity), and fully coupled hydromechanical modeling. A strike-slip fault located in the Argentera-Mercantour crystalline massif (southwestern French-Italian Alps) was analyzed in the field. This mature fault belongs to a large active fault system characterized by a recurrent seismic swarm activity (M w < 4) between 2 and 12 km depth. The studied exposure corresponds to a 50 m thick anastomosing fault composed of three types of rock: host-rock gneiss, damage-zone phyllonite, and core zone gouge. Laboratory measurements made at effective pressures ranging from 10 to 190 MPa show that the studied fault differs from the classical model and has a high-porosity, high-permeability, and low-rigidity core zone surrounded by a low-porosity, low-permeability, and high-rigidity damage zone with respect to the host rock. The hydraulic and elastic properties are controlled by different microstructures such as foliation, microcracks, and pores developed during the exhumation history of the massif and the reactivation of inherited low-friction mylonitic foliation. Hydromechanical modeling is then used to investigate the spatio-temporal evolution of the fluid overpressures across the fault zone elements in response to elastic compaction. Models demonstrate that fluid pressure can be developed and maintained temporally in the studied fault zone. This study concludes on the key role played by the hydromechanical properties of faults during compaction and provides an explanation for seismic swarm triggering and maintenance.

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Elastic properties are key parameters during the deformation of rocks. They can be measured statically or dynamically, but the two measurements are often different. In this study, the static and dynamic bulk moduli (Kstatic and Kdynamic) were measured at varying effective stress for dry and fluid‐saturated Westerly granite with controlled fracture densities under isotropic and differential stress states. Isotropic fracturing of different densities was induced in samples by thermal treatment to 250, 450, 650, and 850°C. Results show that fluid saturation does not greatly affect static moduli but increases dynamic moduli. Under isotropic loading, high fracture density and/or low effective pressure results in a low Kstatic/Kdynamic ratio. For dry conditions Kstatic/Kdynamic approaches 1 at low fracture densities when the effective pressure is high, consistent with previous studies. Stress‐induced anisotropy exists under differential stress state that greatly affects Kstatic compared to Kdynamic. As a result, the Kstatic/Kdynamic ratio is higher than that for the isotropic stress state and approaches 1 with increasing axial loading. The effect of stress‐induced anisotropy increases with increasing fracture density. A key omission in previous studies comparing static and dynamic properties is that anisotropy has not been considered. The standard methods for measuring static elastic properties, such as Poisson's ratio, Young's and shear modulus, involve subjecting the sample to a differential stress state that promotes anisotropy. Our results show that stress‐induced anisotropy resulting from differential stress state is a major contributor to the difference between static and dynamic elasticity and is dominant with high fracture density.

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