Hydraulic properties of a low permeable rupture zone on the Yingxiu-Beichuan Fault activated during the Wenchuan earthquake, China: Implications for fluid conduction, fault sealing, and dynamic weakening mechanisms

Duan, Qingbao; Yang, Xiao‐Song; Chen, Jianye

doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2017.10.002

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 99 publications

(217 reference statements)

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“…We found that the water permeability of the quartz‐smectite samples can be as low as 10 −22 m 2 (Figure 5e), which is comparable to the permeability of natural fault gouges measured with water as the pore fluid (e.g., Chen et al, 2013; Duan et al, 2017; Faulkner & Rutter, 2000; Morrow et al, 1981, 1984, 2014). As introduced in section 3.1, it is technically challenging to measure the absolute porosity when swelling minerals are present with water as the pore fluid.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Previous porosity data of fault rocks were usually measured by the Boyle‐Mariotte Law with gas as the pore fluid (e.g., Mizoguchi et al, 2008; Tanikawa et al, 2009). Some previous studies measured the variation of water porosity in response to change in effective pressure, but the initial porosity was measured by gas (Chen et al, 2013, 2016; Duan et al, 2017). Our experimental data indicate that the introduction of water into a dry sample leads to a significant reduction in porosity with the amount depending on the type and content of clay minerals (Figure 6).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The surrounding damage zones are characterized by undergoing severe fracture damage and thus have relatively high permeability (Caine et al, 1996; Faulkner et al, 2010; Morrow et al, 2014). Permeability of mature fault zones (such as the the Chelungpu fault, Tanikawa et al, 2009; and the Yingxiu‐Beichuan fault, Duan et al, 2017) generally conforms to such conduit/barrier binary structure. Several models have been proposed to depict the earthquake triggering mechanisms in which faults may weaken due to the presence of excess pore pressure within fault zones (e.g., Blanpied et al, 1992; Byerlee, 1993; Rice, 1992; Sibson, 1992).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Comparison of Gas and Water Permeability in Clay‐Bearing Fault and Reservoir Rocks: Experimental Results and Evolution Mechanisms

2020

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To better understand the discrepancy between gas and water permeability and the mechanism of permeability in response to the presence of water in clay‐bearing rocks, we performed transport property experiments on synthetic quartz‐clay mixtures and natural fault gouge, as well as clay‐bearing sandstones for comparison purpose. The experiments were performed on a fluid flow apparatus with effective pressures (Pe) cycling between 5 and 105 MPa. Each sample was subjected to nine Pe cycles, along which permeability and porosity of either the gas‐saturated (nitrogen) or water‐saturated samples were measured. The results show that the permeability of all samples investigated decreases with increasing Pe. Gas permeability exhibits strong pore pressure dependence, which can be explained by the slippage (Klinkenberg) effect. Permeability results measured by water are commonly lower than the gas results. The decrease in permeability after the addition of water can be generally explained by the evolution of porosity, as can be determined from the bulk volume and solid mineral volume measurement results. The loss of permeability is associated with the hydration expansion of clay minerals that causes the reduction of porosity. A conceptual model for the evolution of porosity that incorporates clay expansion and grain rearrangement is proposed to describe the mechanism for water permeability in clay‐bearing rocks. Based on these results, we discuss the effect of clay hydration on fluid transport and mechanical behaviors in clay‐bearing fault zones and reservoir formations following fluid injection.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Comparison of Gas and Water Permeability in Clay‐Bearing Fault and Reservoir Rocks: Experimental Results and Evolution Mechanisms

2020

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“…Consequences of Equations (7) and (8) on numerical values of S are the following: the coefficient is timedependent through porosity variations and the obtained values vary between 10 -11 and 10 -10 Pa -1 . These values are consistent with the compressibility values provided by Freeze and Cherry [87].…”

Section: Numerical Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As potential geothermal reservoirs, crustal fault zones (CFZ) are still largely unexplored and unexploited (e.g., South Erzgebirge deep fault zone, Germany [1]; Gravberg, Sweden [2,3]; Badenweiler-Lenzkirch Sutur, Germany [4]; Dewey's Fault Zone, Canada [5]; Longmen Shan Fault Zone, China [6,7]; Pasmajärvi Fault Zone, Finland [8]; and Luchlompal fault, Russia [9]). The cost-effectiveness of a reservoir depends on permeability, heat, and fluid flow.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crustal Fault Zones (CFZ) as Geothermal Power Systems: A Preliminary 3D THM Model Constrained by a Multidisciplinary Approach

et al. 2021

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The Pontgibaud crustal fault zone (CFZ) in the French Massif Central provides an opportunity to evaluate the high-temperature geothermal potential of these naturally permeable zones. Previous 2D modeling of heat and mass transfer in a fault zone highlighted that a subvertical CFZ concentrates the highest temperature anomalies at shallow depths. By comparing the results of these large-scale 2D numerical models with field data, the depth of the 150°C isotherm was estimated to be at a depth of 2.5 km. However, these results did not consider 3D effects and interactions between fluids, deformation, and temperature. Here, field measurements are used to control the 3D geometry of the geological structures. New 2D (thin-section) and 3D (X-ray microtomography) observations point to a well-defined spatial propagation of fractures and voids, exhibiting the same fracture architecture at different scales (2.5 μm to 2 mm). Moreover, new measurements on porosity and permeability confirm that the highly fractured and altered samples are characterized by large permeability values, one of them reaching 10-12 m2. Based on a thermoporoelastic hypothesis, a preliminary 3D THM numerical model is presented. A first parametric study highlights the role of permeability, stress direction, and intensity on fluid flow. In particular, three different convective patterns have been identified (finger-like, blob-like, and double-like convective patterns). The results suggest that vertical deformation zones oriented at 30 and 70° with respect to the maximum horizontal stress direction would correspond to the potential target for high-temperature anomalies. Finally, a large-scale 3D numerical model of the Pontgibaud CFZ, based on THM coupling and the comparison with field data (temperature, heat flux, and electrical resistivity), allows us to explore the spatial geometry of the 150°C isotherm. Although simplified hypotheses have been used, 3D field data have been reproduced.

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Effect of interaction between fluid and fault zone on triggering earthquakes in the shallow crust

et al. 2019

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Hydraulic properties of a low permeable rupture zone on the Yingxiu-Beichuan Fault activated during the Wenchuan earthquake, China: Implications for fluid conduction, fault sealing, and dynamic weakening mechanisms

Cited by 15 publications

References 99 publications

A Comparison of Gas and Water Permeability in Clay‐Bearing Fault and Reservoir Rocks: Experimental Results and Evolution Mechanisms

A Comparison of Gas and Water Permeability in Clay‐Bearing Fault and Reservoir Rocks: Experimental Results and Evolution Mechanisms

Crustal Fault Zones (CFZ) as Geothermal Power Systems: A Preliminary 3D THM Model Constrained by a Multidisciplinary Approach

Effect of interaction between fluid and fault zone on triggering earthquakes in the shallow crust

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