<p>Deformation bands are sub-seismic brittle structures found in granular materials. These structures exhibit two spatial distributions: [1] non-linear decay of spacing associated with the damage zone of a fault, and [2] periodic, constant spacing not associated with faults. Periodically spaced deformation bands are of interest as they can be pervasive through porous (>5% &#966;) formations and are known to impact fluid flow. Bands can act as conduits or barriers to fluid flow and are commonly identified in petroleum reservoirs. An understanding of the factors controlling their distribution is therefore of great importance.</p><p>Here, we test a novel mathematical theory postulating that material instabilities in solids with internal mass transfer associated with volumetric deformation are due to elastoviscoplastic p-waves termed cnoidal waves. The stationary cnoidal wave model for periodic compaction bands predicts that their spacing is controlled by important material properties: the permeability of the weak phase in the pores, the viscosity of the weak phase, and the inelastic volumetric viscosity (strength) of the solid grains. A semi-analytical parametric study of the dimensional non-linear governing equations yields a surprisingly simple scaling relationship, which requires testing in the field. Stronger units with higher permeability are predicted to exhibit a wider spacing between deformation bands.</p><p>We test the cnoidal-wave model on natural deformation bands from Castlepoint, North Island, New Zealand. These bands are hosted by Miocene turbidites of the Whakataki formation, which formed in tectonically controlled trench-slope basins associated with the onset of subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the Zealandian plate along the Hikurangi subduction margin. Adjacent sand- and siltstone beds exhibit significant differences in deformation band spacing. Spacing statistics derived from field mapping and laboratory measurements of host-rock permeability and strength are employed to test the scaling relation predicted by the cnoidal wave model. Inconsistencies between theoretical and observed spacing are discussed critically.</p>
We present a new Eulerian large-strain model for Maxwell viscoelasticity using a logarithmic co-rotational stress rate and the Hencky strain tensor. This model is compared to the small-strain model without co-rotational terms and a formulation using the Jaumann stress rate. Homogeneous isothermal simple shear is examined for Weissenberg numbers in the interval [0.1; 10]. Significant differences in shear stress and energy evolution occur at Weissenberg numbers >0.1 and shear strains >0.5. In this parameter range, the Maxwell–Jaumann model dissipates elastic energy erroneously and thus should not be used. The small-strain model ignores finite transformations, frame indifference and self-consistency. As a result, it overestimates shear stresses compared to the new model and entails significant errors in the energy budget. Our large-strain model provides an energetically consistent approach to simulating non-coaxial viscoelastic deformation at large strains and rotations.
Theoretical approaches to earthquake instabilities propose shear dominated instabilities as a source mechanism. Here we take a fresh look at the role of possible volumetric instabilities preceding a shear instability. We investigate the phenomena that may prepare earthquake instabilities using coupling of Thermo-Hydro-Mechano-Chemical (THMC) reaction-diffusion equations in a THMC diffusion matrix. We show that the off-diagonal cross-diffusivities can give rise to cross-diffusion slow (no inertia) pressure waves and propose that a resonance phenomenon of the long-wavelength limit causes constructive interference and triggers the seismic moment release.
Geological folds are complex wave-like 3D deformation structures. The identification and measurement of characteristic geometric elements of folds (e.g., wavelength, amplitude, orientation of fold axis and fold axial plane) in rocks constitute core skills of field-based Earth scientists and prove to be challenging teaching topics for novice undergraduate geologists. This paper presents an immersive, interactive VR tool for visualising geological folds for educational purposes. We describe a novel geological folding visualisation system, designed to scaffold students in learning this complex spatial concept. Through a user-centered design with geologists, a new tool for digitally visualising geological folds for low financial and computational cost was developed. We describe its major components and visualisation approach, along with its interaction approach for providing fold visualisations. We further report findings from a usability testing (N=11) and report future design considerations.
Abstract Mylonitic shear zones are important fluid conduits in the Earth’s crust. They host transient and permeable porosity that facilitates fluid transfer and controls fluid-rock interaction. Here we present microstructural observations from a mid-crustal ultramylonite with very large pores that occupy the strain shadows of albite porphyroclasts. Our non-invasive three-dimensional X-ray microtomographic data show that the largest of these strain shadow megapores have substantial volumes of as much as ∼1.7 × 105 µm3. Given that the sample shows no signs of retrogressive overprint or weathering, these pores must be synkinematic. Importantly, the close proximity of the pores to creep cavities in dynamically recrystallized quartz ribbon grains suggests a potential hydraulic link between fluid in the strain shadow megapores and fluid in the creeping rock matrix. The evolving megapores constitute very large syndeformational local fluid reservoirs in mylonites that likely fed into the granular fluid pump established by the dynamically evolving creep cavities. Our findings add to an emerging picture of the dynamic transport properties of ultramylonitic shear zones, where the formation and destruction of porosity are intrinsically linked to microscale deformation processes. They also suggest that despite many studies on porphyroclast systems, open questions remain, especially concerning the interaction of clasts with their matrix.
Abstract. We analyse deformation bands related to horizontal contraction with an intermittent period of horizontal extension in Miocene turbidites of the Whakataki Formation south of Castlepoint, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand. In the Whakataki Formation, three sets of cataclastic deformation bands are identified: (1) normal-sense compactional shear bands (CSBs), (2) reverse-sense CSBs, and (3) reverse-sense shear-enhanced compaction bands (SECBs). During extension, CSBs are associated with normal faults. When propagating through clay-rich interbeds, extensional bands are characterised by clay smear and grain size reduction. During contraction, sandstone-dominated sequences host SECBs, and rare CSBs, that are generally distributed in pervasive patterns. A quantitative spacing analysis shows that most outcrops are characterised by mixed spatial distributions of deformation bands, interpreted as a consequence of overprint due to progressive deformation or distinct multiple generations of deformation bands from different deformation phases. As many deformation bands are parallel to adjacent juvenile normal faults and reverse faults, bands are likely precursors to faults. With progressive deformation, the linkage of distributed deformation bands across sedimentary beds occurs to form through-going faults. During this process, bands associated with the wall-, tip-, and interaction-damage zones overprint earlier distributions resulting in complex spatial patterns. Regularly spaced bands are pervasively distributed when far away from faults. Microstructural analysis shows that all deformation bands form by inelastic pore collapse and grain crushing with an absolute reduction in porosity relative to the host rock between 5 % and 14 %. Hence, deformation bands likely act as fluid flow barriers. Faults and their associated damage zones exhibit a spacing of 9 m on the scale of 10 km and are more commonly observed in areas characterised by higher mudstone-to-sandstone ratios. As a result, extensive clay smear is common in these faults, enhancing the sealing capacity of faults. Therefore, the formation of deformation bands and faults leads to progressive flow compartmentalisation from the scale of 9 m down to about 10 cm – the typical spacing of distributed, regularly spaced deformation bands.
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