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The mechanics of clay smearing along faults

^{1 1} Department of Earth Sciences, University of Aarhus, Nordre Ringgade 1, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
^{2 2} School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
^{3 3} Shell UK Exploration and Production, 1 Altens Farm Road, Nigg, Aberdeen, Grampian AB12 3FY, UK

A clay- or shale-rich fault gouge can significantly reduce fault permeability. Therefore, predictions of the volume of clay or shale that may be smeared along a fault trace are important for estimating the fluid connectivity of groundwater and hydrocarbon reservoir systems. Here, we show how fault smears develop spontaneously in layered soil systems with varying friction coefficients, and we present a quantitative dynamic model for such behavior. The model is based on Mohr-Coulomb failure theory, and using discrete element computations, we demonstrate how the model framework can predict the fault smear potential from soil friction angles and layer thicknesses.

Key Words: clay smear • faults • soft-sediment deformation • Mohr-Coulomb

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. S. Caine and S. A. Minor Structural and geochemical characteristics of faulted sediments and inferences on the role of water in deformation, Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico Geological Society of America Bulletin, September 1, 2009; 121(9-10): 1325 - 1340. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]