See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Brittle Deformation and Diagenesis as Coupled Processes
Abstract:
The Eriboll Formation outcrops are unusually well-preserved examples of opening-mode fractures (veins and joints) with a great exposure of fracture size distributions. Using photographic and conventional mapping techniques, I generated fracture trace maps. Combining macrofracture observations with measurements along scanlines, petrography, fluid-inclusion analysis and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM), I found three preferred strikes oriented sets of fractures (outcrop level): N-S, NW-SE and E-W. From microstructural observations, I found that the current fracture pattern is the result of superimposed deformations that produced N-S striking fractures of different ages that share a common strike but that differ in dip and in cross section show consistent crosscutting relations. Rock mechanical properties, subcritical crack index, diagenesis, mechanical layer thickness and strains measured from outcrop and subsurface rocks were used as an input for a geomechanical fracture pattern simulator (Joints simulator, Olson, 2007). My results show how geomechanical models that incorporate fracture and diagenesis can help make outcrop more germane to subsurface fracture prediction.
See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Brittle Deformation and Diagenesis as Coupled Processes