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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
AAPG Special Volumes
Abstract
DOI:10.1306/1033722M853134
Distribution and Nature of
Fault
Architecture in a Layered Sandstone and Shale Sequence: An Example from the Moab
Fault
, Utah
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N. C. Davatzes,1 A. Aydin2
1Department of Geological and Environmental Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California, U.S.A.; Present address: Earthquake Hazards Team, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California, U.S.A.
2Department of Geological and Environmental Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California, U.S.A.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We acknowledge the financial support of the Rock Fracture Project in the Geological and Environmental Science Department at Stanford University. Useful feedback and discussions were provided by Peter Eichhubl. We also thank Bill Dunne, Jonathan Caine, Rasoul Sorkhabi, and Jennifer Wilson for careful reviews of the manuscript, which helped us improve the clarity of the presentation.
ABSTRACT
We examined the distribution of fault
rock and damage zone structures in sandstone and shale along the Moab
fault
, a basin-scale normal
fault
with nearly 1 km (0.62 mi) of throw, in southeast Utah. We find that
fault
rock and damage zone structures vary along strike and dip. Variations are related to changes in
fault
geometry, faulted slip, lithology, and the mechanism of faulting. In sandstone, we differentiated two structural assemblages: (1) deformation bands, zones of deformation bands, and polished slip surfaces and (2) joints, sheared joints, and breccia. These structural assemblages result from the deformation band-based mechanism and the joint-based mechanism, respectively. Along the Moab
fault
, where both types of structures are present, joint-based deformation is always younger. Where shale is juxtaposed against the
fault
, a third faulting mechanism, smearing of shale by ductile deformation and associated shale
fault
rocks, occurs. Based on the knowledge of these three mechanisms, we projected the distribution of their structural products in three dimensions along idealized
fault
surfaces and evaluated the potential effect on fluid and hydrocarbon flow. We contend that these mechanisms could be used to facilitate predictions of
fault
and damage zone structures and their permeability from limited data sets.
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