Frictional Properties and Microstructure of Calcite-Rich Fault Gouges Sheared at Sub-Seismic Sliding Velocities

Verberne, Berend A.; Spiers, Christopher J.; Niemeijer, A. R.; Bresser, J.H.P. de; Winter, D. A. Matthijs de; Plümper, Oliver

doi:10.1007/s00024-013-0760-0

Cited by 150 publications

(195 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…By contrast, brinesaturated samples showed stable velocity-strengthening behavior at temperatures of 50-100°C (Figure 3a), transitioning to velocity-weakening slip at temperatures ≥120°C, or perhaps lower at sliding velocities below the minimum of 0.1 μm/s investigated here (Figure 3b). A similar transition was observed in previous experiments on fluid-saturated fault gouges composed of calcite, anhydrite, or dolomite [Chen et al, 2015;Pluymakers, Samuelson, et al, 2014Scuderi et al, 2013;Verberne et al, 2013], pointing to the importance of chemically assisted, thermally activated mechanism(s) in controlling slip stability for these materials.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…The experiments were performed using a conventional triaxial testing machine referred to as the Shuttle apparatus, equipped with a polymer-jacketed direct shear assembly enclosing the gouge sample [see Verberne et al, 2013]. The apparatus consists of an internally heated, constant volume triaxial pressure vessel with silicon oil as the confining medium, mounted in an Instron 1362 servo-controlled loading frame.…”

Section: Experimental Setup and Gouge Layer Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Temperature and Gas/Brine Content Affect Seismogenic Potential of Simulated Fault Gouges Derived From Groningen Gas Field Caprock

Hunfeld

Chen

Niemeijer

et al. 2019

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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We investigated the rate‐and‐state frictional properties of simulated anhydrite‐carbonate fault gouge derived from the basal Zechstein caprock overlying the seismogenic Groningen gas reservoir in the NE Netherlands. Direct shear experiments were performed at in situ conditions of 50–150 °C and 40‐MPa effective normal stress, using sliding velocities of 0.1–10 μm/s. Reservoir pore fluid compositions were simulated using 4.4 Molar NaCl brine, as well as methane, air, and brine/gas mixtures. Brine‐saturated samples showed friction coefficients (μ) of 0.60–0.69, with little dependence on temperature, along with velocity strengthening at 50–100 °C, transitioning to velocity weakening at 120 °C and above. By contrast, gas filled, evacuated and partially brine‐saturated samples showed μ values of 0.72 ± 0.02 plus strongly velocity‐weakening behavior accompanied by stick slip at 100 °C (the only temperature investigated for gas‐bearing and dry samples). A microphysical model for gouge friction, assuming competition between dilatant granular flow and thermally activated compaction creep, captures the main trends seen in our brine‐saturated samples but offers only a qualitative explanation for our gas‐bearing and dry samples. Since the reservoir temperature is ~100 °C, our results imply high potential for seismogenic slip nucleation on faults that cross cut and juxtapose the basal Zechstein anhydrite‐carbonate caprock against the Groningen reservoir sandstone, specifically in the gas‐filled upper portion of the reservoir system.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Experimental Setup and Gouge Layer Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature and Gas/Brine Content Affect Seismogenic Potential of Simulated Fault Gouges Derived From Groningen Gas Field Caprock

Hunfeld

Chen

Niemeijer

et al. 2019

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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“…For example, mirror-like slip surfaces have previously been observed to form in high-velocity experiments performed on calcite and siderite gouges (Han et al, 2007b;Smith et al, 2013) and have also been described in the field within relatively large-displacement (N 10s meters) fault zones in limestone (Siman-Tov et al, 2013). However, well-polished fault surfaces were also produced in calcite gouges sheared at sub-seismic slip rates (Verberne et al, 2013a(Verberne et al, , 2013b. One of the main microstructural differences between mirror-like fault surfaces produced at seismic and sub-seismic slip rates seems to be the lack, in the latter, of sharply truncated clasts (Verberne, personal communication to Giulio Di Toro).…”

Section: In Situ-shattered Dolostones Within the Ffzmentioning

confidence: 81%

Fracturing and rock pulverization along an exhumed seismogenic fault zone in dolostones: The Foiana Fault Zone (Southern Alps, Italy)

et al. 2015

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“…These values are broadly consistent with corresponding mineralogic compositions in ternary diagrams constructed from results of friction experiments using mixtures of smectite, illite, and quartz [ Tembe et al ., ]. The Alpine Fault ( μ ss = 0.66) and calcite‐rich sample from the Scheggia Thrust Zone ( μ ss = 0.70) are the strongest samples, with steady state friction values consistent with previous experiments performed on Alpine Fault material [ Boulton et al ., ; Ikari et al ., ] and calcite‐rich samples [ Shimamoto and Logan , ; Weeks and Tullis , ; Morrow et al ., ; Verberne et al ., , ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory observations of time‐dependent frictional strengthening and stress relaxation in natural and synthetic fault gouges

2016

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Interseismic recovery of fault strength (healing) following earthquake failure is a fundamental requirement of the seismic cycle and likely plays a key role in determining the stability and slip behavior of tectonic faults. We report on laboratory measurements of time‐ and slip‐dependent frictional strengthening for natural and synthetic gouges to evaluate the role of mineralogy in frictional strengthening. We performed slide‐hold‐slide (SHS) shearing experiments on nine natural fault gouges and eight synthetic gouges at conditions of 20 MPa normal stress, 100% relative humidity (RH), large shear strain (~15), and room temperature. Phyllosilicate‐rich rocks show the lowest rates of frictional strengthening. Samples rich in quartz and feldspar exhibit intermediate rates of frictional strengthening, and calcite‐rich gouges show the largest values. Our results show that (1) the rates of frictional strengthening and creep relaxation scale with frictional strength, (2) phyllosilicate‐rich fault gouges have low strength and healing characteristics that promote stable, aseismic creep, (3) most natural fault gouges exhibit intermediate rates of frictional strengthening, consistent with a broad range of fault slip behaviors, and (4) calcite‐rich fault rocks show the highest rates of frictional strengthening, low values of dilation upon reshear, and high frictional strengths, all of which would promote seismogenic behavior.

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Frictional Properties and Microstructure of Calcite-Rich Fault Gouges Sheared at Sub-Seismic Sliding Velocities

Cited by 150 publications

References 51 publications

Temperature and Gas/Brine Content Affect Seismogenic Potential of Simulated Fault Gouges Derived From Groningen Gas Field Caprock

Temperature and Gas/Brine Content Affect Seismogenic Potential of Simulated Fault Gouges Derived From Groningen Gas Field Caprock

Fracturing and rock pulverization along an exhumed seismogenic fault zone in dolostones: The Foiana Fault Zone (Southern Alps, Italy)

Laboratory observations of time‐dependent frictional strengthening and stress relaxation in natural and synthetic fault gouges

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