Fault zone hydrogeology is the study of how brittlely deformed rocks alter fluid flows in different lithological settings, such as clastic, igneous and carbonate rocks. Fluid movements, that can be quantified as permeability, can be facilitated or impeded due to the existence of a fault zone. This is because different mechanisms that deform rocks can alter porosity and permeability within a fault zone. Fluids involved in a fault system generally are groundwater (fresh and marine waters) and hydrocarbons (Oil and Gas).
Take notice that permeability (k) and hydraulic conductivity (K) are used interchangeably in this article for simplified understanding
Architecture
A fault zone can be generally subdivided into two major sections, including a Fault Core (FC) and a Damage Zone (DZ) (Figure 1).
The fault core is surrounded by the damage zone. It has a measurable thickness which increases with fault throw and displacement, i.e. increasing deformations.
The damage zone envelopes the fault core irregularly in a 3D manner which can be meters to few hundred meters wide (perpendicular to the fault zone). Within a large fault system, multiple fault cores and damage zones can be found. Younger fault cores and damage zones can overlap the older ones.
Different processes can alter the permeability of the fault zone in the fault core and the damage zone will be discussed respectively in the next section. In general, the permeability of a damage zone is several orders of magnitude higher than that of a fault core as damage zones typically act as conduits (will be discussed in section 3). Within a damage zone, permeability decreases further away from a fault core.
Permeability classification
There are many classifications to group fault zones based on their permeability patterns. Some terms are interchangeable; while some have different subgroups. Most of expressions are listed in the following table for comparison. Dickerson's categorisation is commonly used and easier to understand in a broad range of studies.
The classification of a fault zone can change spatially and temporally. The fault core and damage zone can behave differently to accommodate the deformations. Moreover, the fault zone can be dynamic through time. Thus, the permeability patterns can change for short-term and long-term effects.
*K = Permeability/ Hydraulic Conductivity
*fz = fault zone
*hr = host rock = Undeformed rock surrounds the fault zones
Mechanisms (permeability)
Fault zone results from brittle deformation. Numerous mechanisms can vary the permeability of a fault zone. Some processes affect the permeability temporarily. These processes enhance the permeability for a certain period, and then reduce it later on: in this case, like seismic events, the permeability is not constant through time. Physical and chemical reactions are the major types of mechanisms. Different mechanisms can occur different in fault core and damage zone since the intensities of deformation they experience are different (Table 3).
*+ = more likely to occur at
Enhancing fault zone permeability
Deformation bands
The formation of a dilation band, in unconsolidated material, is the early result of applying extensional forces. Disaggregation of mineral fabric occurs along with the band, yet no offset is accommodated by the movement of grains (Figure 3). Further deformation causes offsets of mineral grains by rotation and sliding. This is called a shear band. The pore network is rearranged by granular movements (also called particulate flow), hence moderately enhance permeability. However, continuing deformation leads to the cataclasis of mineral grains which will further reduce permeability later on (section 3.2.3) (Figure 4).
Brecciation
Brecciation refers to the formation of angular, coarse-grained fragments embedded in a fine-grained matrix. As breccia (the rock experienced brecciation) is often non-cohesive, thus, permeability can be increased up to four or five orders of magnitude. However, the void space enlarged by brecciation will lead to further displacement along the fault zone by cementation, resulting in a strong permeability reduction (Figure 5).
Fracturing
Fractures propagate along a fault zone in direction responding to the stress applied. The enhancement of permeability is controlled by the density, orientation, length distribution, aperture, and connectivity of fractures. Even fracture with aperture of a 100-250 μm can still greatly influence fluid movement (Figure 6).