Structural settings of hydrothermal outflow: Fracture permeability maintained by fault propagation and interaction

Curewitz, D.; Karson, Jeffrey A.

doi:10.1016/s0377-0273(97)00027-9

Cited by 382 publications

(263 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…A distinct mechanical and hydrologic partitioning may thus be the norm for the fault zones of depth. Curewitz and Karson (1997) suggest that the mechanical interaction of propagating faults may lead to enhanced fracture densities adjacent to the faults. We do not have timing constraints on the two strands of the Punchbowl Fault, but the increased amount of damage between the fault strands may be the result of such dynamic interactions.…”

Section: Guided Wavesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mesoscopic structure of the Punchbowl Fault, Southern California and the geologic and geophysical structure of active strike-slip faults

Schulz

Evans

2000

Journal of Structural Geology

137

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Section: Guided Wavesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mesoscopic structure of the Punchbowl Fault, Southern California and the geologic and geophysical structure of active strike-slip faults

Schulz

Evans

2000

Journal of Structural Geology

137

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“…Fractures of the order 10s and 100s of meters in length provide essential pathways for the migration of magma and hydrothermal fluids into the upper oceanic crust [e.g., Cann et al, 1985;Curewitz and Karson, 1997;Buck et al, 1998;Wright, 1998;Fisher and Becker, 2000;Karson, 2002;Fornari et al, 2004;Buck et al, 2005]. Critical questions in the study of crustal cracking are (1) distinguishing between faults (shear failures) and fissures (Mode I tension cracks) and their respective role in the fracture population and (2) distinguishing between tectonic and eruptive fissuring (this latter being associated either with thermal contraction or with dike propagation toward the surface).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deformation pattern in a massive ponded lava flow at ODP‐IODP Site 1256: A core and log approach

Tartarotti

Fontana

Crispini

2009

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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A complete “in situ” section of upper oceanic crust, from extrusive lavas, through dikes into gabbros has been recently drilled for the first time in 15 Ma old crust created at the superfast spreading East Pacific Rise (EPR). The upper igneous basement cored at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP)–Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Holes 1256C and 1256D consists of sheet flows and massive flows, including a ponded lava flow unit (“lava pond”) interpreted as a thick lava flow delivered off‐axis and accumulated in a topographic depression. Fine‐scale structural analysis shows that the lava pond is much less fractured than the deeper lavas, probably as the effect of structure spacing that is larger than in the underlying lava flows. In Hole 1256D, structures are mainly subhorizontal in the lava pond and become steeper downhole, toward the sheeted dike complex. This reflects the distance of the lava pond from the stress field produced by the intrusion of dikes at depth, inducing mostly subvertical eruptive fractures and fracture network, and the distance of the site from active rifting at the EPR. Contrasting structural patterns in the lava pond and in the deeper parts of the drilled section are reflected in contrasting physical properties patterns, as obtained by shipboard and downhole logging data. Electrical resistivity, compressional velocity, and bulk density are generally higher, whereas natural radioactivity and neutron porosity are lower in the lava pond than in the deeper hole. The occurrence of a thick massive lava flow at the top part of the volcanic section affects the deformation pattern of the entire drilled crust and, consequently, its permeability regime which, in turn, controls the geometry and distribution of hydrothermal circulation and basalt alteration.

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“…Furthermore, faults have been shown to be highly heterogeneous [Jourde et al, 2002;Fairley et al, 2003;Fairley and Hinds, 2004;Kato et al, 2004], and their properties may change over time [Smith et al, 1990;Caine et al, 1996;Curewitz and Karson, 1997;Evans et al, 1997].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Field observation of fluid circulation patterns in a normal fault system

Fairley

2004

Geophysical Research Letters

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[1] Faults are often assumed to be either barriers or conduits for subsurface fluid flow, although they may act as both, depending on the hydraulic architecture of the fault and the direction of flow with respect to the fault plane. Here we use high-resolution (5 Â 5 m spacing) ground temperature measurements to track geothermal discharge in the step-over region of an active échelon normal fault in southeast Oregon. Our analysis demonstrates that the fault acts as a combination conduit-barrier system and reveals complex, 3-dimensional circulation patterns in the area of the fault step-over. Although complex flow circulation patterns are likely to be present in most fault-controlled flow systems, they are generally neglected in conceptual and numerical models. Improved understanding of this aspect of subsurface fluid flow is essential for developing better models of fault hydrology.

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Structural settings of hydrothermal outflow: Fracture permeability maintained by fault propagation and interaction

Cited by 382 publications

References 70 publications

Mesoscopic structure of the Punchbowl Fault, Southern California and the geologic and geophysical structure of active strike-slip faults

Mesoscopic structure of the Punchbowl Fault, Southern California and the geologic and geophysical structure of active strike-slip faults

Deformation pattern in a massive ponded lava flow at ODP‐IODP Site 1256: A core and log approach

Field observation of fluid circulation patterns in a normal fault system

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