This study presents a comparative, field-based hydrogeological characterization of exhumed, inactive fault zones in low-porosity Triassic dolostones and limestones of the Hochschwab massif, a carbonate unit of high economic importance supplying 60 % of the drinking water of Austria's capital, Vienna. Cataclastic rocks and sheared, strongly cemented breccias form low-permeability (<1 mD) domains along faults. Fractured rocks with fracture densities varying by a factor of 10 and fracture porosities varying by a factor of 3, and dilation breccias with average porosities >3 % and permeabilities >1,000 mD form high-permeability domains. With respect to fault-zone architecture and rock content, which is demonstrated to be different for dolostone and limestone, four types of faults are presented. Faults with single-stranded minor fault cores, faults with single-stranded permeable fault cores, and faults with multiple-stranded fault cores are seen as conduits. Faults with single-stranded impermeable fault cores are seen as conduit-barrier systems. Karstic carbonate dissolution occurs along fault cores in limestones and, to a lesser degree, dolostones and creates superposed highpermeability conduits. On a regional scale, faults of a particular deformation event have to be viewed as forming a network of flow conduits directing recharge more or less rapidly towards the water table and the springs. Sections of impermeable fault cores only very locally have the potential to create barriers.

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In order to calibrate equations for fault seal capacities to a specific basin, faults were analysed using core material from several Neogene hydrocarbon fields in the Vienna Basin, Austria. All studied specimens are siliciclastic rocks that were sampled from a depth interval of <2000 m, and share a similar depth at time of faulting, diagenetic conditions and maximum burial depth. Laboratory results showed a permeability reduction in all fault rocks compared to the host rocks. Both the highest and the lowest fault seal capacities were observed in the same fault rock type with a low phyllosilicate and clay content, and classifying as cataclastic deformation bands. Investigating the strong permeability variations within these fault rocks, microscopic analyses revealed that the fault seal potential is strongly linked to the detrital dolomite content in the host rock. Grain-size reduction processes occur preferably in the dolomite grains, accompanied by cementation. Our study suggests that – in addition to using standard fault seal analysis algorithms – accounting for host rock composition and grain-size reduction therein might help to further constrain fault seal behaviour in shallow depths. Fault seal mechanisms need to be understood on field, formation and micro scales before drawing conclusions for a full basin calibration.Thematic collection: This article is part of the Fault and top seals collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/fault-and-top-seals-2019

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