Laboratory simulation of fault reactivation by fluid injection and implications for induced seismicity at the BedrettoLab, Swiss Alps

Volpe, G.; Pozzi, Giacomo; Collettini, Cristiano; Spagnuolo, Elena; Achtziger-Zupančič, Peter; Zappone, Alba; Aldega, Luca; Meier, Markus; Giardini, Domenico; Cocco, M.

doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2023.229987

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Thus, in the RG, likely local P f variations have promoted the reactivation of misoriented planes with low friction and low cohesion (Figure 10f). Furthermore, the low friction of the fault gouges might have promoted the following localization of brittle faulting on highly misoriented, and otherwise frictionally locked, fault planes during the latest stages of Alpine brittle deformation (Bistacchi et al, 2012;Collettini et al, 2019;Volpe et al, 2023).…”

Section: Rheological Evolution Of the Rotondo Granite During Alpine C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural Evolution, Exhumation Rates, and Rheology of the European Crust During Alpine Collision: Constraints From the Rotondo Granite—Gotthard Nappe

Ceccato,

Behr,

Zappone

et al. 2024

Tectonics

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The rheology of crystalline units controls the large‐scale deformation geometry and dynamics of collisional orogens. Defining a time‐constrained rheological evolution of such units may help unravel the details of collisional dynamics. Here, we integrate field analysis, pseudosection calculations and in situ garnet U–Pb and mica Rb–Sr geochronology to define the structural and rheological evolution of the Rotondo granite (Gotthard nappe, Central Alps). We identify a sequence of four (D1–D4) deformation stages. Pre‐collisional D1 brittle faults developed before Alpine peak metamorphism, which occurred at 34–20 Ma (U–Pb garnet ages) at 590 ± 25°C and 0.9 ± 0.1 GPa. The reactivation of D1 structures controlled the rheological evolution, from D2 reverse mylonitic shearing at amphibolite facies (520 ± 40°C and 0.8 ± 0.1 GPa) at 18–20 Ma (white mica Rb–Sr ages), to strike‐slip, brittle‐ductile shearing at greenschist‐facies D3 (395 ± 25°C and 0.4 ± 0.1 GPa) at 14–15 Ma (white mica and biotite Rb–Sr ages), and then to D4 strike‐slip faulting at shallow conditions. Although highly misoriented for the Alpine collisional stress orientation, D1 brittle structures controlled the localization of D2 ductile mylonites accommodating fast (∼3 mm/yr) exhumation rates due to their weak shear strength (<10 MPa). This structural and rheological evolution is common across External Crystalline Massifs (e.g., Aar, Mont Blanc), suggesting that the European upper crust was extremely weak during Alpine collision, its strength controlled by weak ductile shear zones localized on pre‐collisional deformation structures, that in turn controlled localized exhumation at the scale of the orogen.

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Section: Rheological Evolution Of the Rotondo Granite During Alpine C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural Evolution, Exhumation Rates, and Rheology of the European Crust During Alpine Collision: Constraints From the Rotondo Granite—Gotthard Nappe

Ceccato,

Behr,

Zappone

et al. 2024

Tectonics

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“…Even small stress changes during the production flowback phase reactivate the faults and generate a large number of seismicity events [26,27]. Based on laboratory and field experiments on the permeability and frictional properties of faults [28], it is possible that stress changes during the fracturing process could induce fault reactivation, leading to long-distance fault slips [29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

FEM Simulation of Fault Reactivation Induced with Hydraulic Fracturing in the Shangluo Region of Sichuan Province

He,

2024

Energies

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Hydraulic fracturing operations possess the capacity to induce the reactivation of faults, increasing the risk of fault slip and seismic activity. In this study, a coupled poroelastic model is established to characterize the distribution and movement of fluids within rock formations in the Shangluo region of Sichuan province, China. The effect of hydraulic fracturing projects on the variations of pore pressure and Coulomb effective stress within a high-permeability fault is analyzed. The potential fault-slip mechanism is investigated. The results show that the fault plays different roles for fluid movement, including the barrier, fluid transport channel, and diversion channel, which is related to injection–production schemes. In addition, fluid injection leads to a high probability of fault reactivation. We find that increasing the injection time and fluid injection rate can result in larger slip distances. The injection production scenarios influence the fault-slip mechanism, resulting in a normal fault or reverse fault. However, the arrangement of production wells around the injection can effectively reduce the risk of fault reactivation.

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Eine multi-methodische Analyse der Permeabilitätsstruktur in spröden Störungszonen duktiler Einprägung im Kristallingestein

Osten,

Schaber,

Gaus

et al. 2024

Grundwasser - Zeitschrift der Fachsektion Hydrogeologie

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Brittle faults and fault zones are among the most hydraulically active elements in predominantly impermeable crystalline host rock. They pose a significant challenge to underground infrastructure like nuclear waste repositories. Brittle fault zones frequently occur along pre-existing ductile shear zones as they introduce weakness planes in the rock.Four brittle fault zones of ductile origin were analyzed in the Rotondo Granite at the “BedrettoLab” in the Swiss Central Alps. Scanline mapping, rock sampling and permeability measurements using three different methods provide detailed insights into the heterogeneous fault zone architecture and hydrogeology. Average intact rock permeability is in the range of 10−19 to 10−17 m2. Fluid flow is channeled into single open or partially mineralized fractures of, at point-scale, up to 10−14 m2, demonstrated by selective gas probe permeameter measurements and borehole hydraulic testing. Reduced permeabilities have been measured in close proximity to these permeable features, indicating alteration of and around the fracture walls.

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Laboratory simulation of fault reactivation by fluid injection and implications for induced seismicity at the BedrettoLab, Swiss Alps

Cited by 5 publications

References 55 publications

Structural Evolution, Exhumation Rates, and Rheology of the European Crust During Alpine Collision: Constraints From the Rotondo Granite—Gotthard Nappe

Structural Evolution, Exhumation Rates, and Rheology of the European Crust During Alpine Collision: Constraints From the Rotondo Granite—Gotthard Nappe

FEM Simulation of Fault Reactivation Induced with Hydraulic Fracturing in the Shangluo Region of Sichuan Province

Eine multi-methodische Analyse der Permeabilitätsstruktur in spröden Störungszonen duktiler Einprägung im Kristallingestein

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