Rapid clay precipitation in explosion-induced fractures

Swanson, Erika; Sussman, Aviva; Wilson, Jennifer

doi:10.1130/G46957.1

Rapid clay precipitation in explosion-induced fractures

Journal Article · Tue Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Geology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/G46957.1· OSTI ID:1574701

Swanson, Erika ^[1]; Sussman, Aviva ^[1]; Wilson, Jennifer ^[1]

Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Fractures within the earth control rock strength and fluid flow, but their dynamic nature is not well understood. As part of a series of underground chemical explosions in granite in Nevada, we collected and analyzed microfracture density data sets prior to, and following, individual explosions. Our work shows an ~4-fold increase in both open and filled microfractures following the explosions. Based on the timing of core retrieval, filling of some new fractures occurs in as little as 6 wk after fracture opening under shallow (<100 m) crustal conditions. These results suggest that near-surface fractures may fill quite rapidly, potentially changing permeability on time scales relevant to oil, gas, and geothermal energy production; carbon sequestration; seismic cycles; and radionuclide migration from nuclear waste storage and underground nuclear explosions.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (NA-20)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 1574701

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1604020

Report Number(s):: SAND--2019-10161J; SAND--2019-3847J; 678913

Journal Information:: Geology, Journal Name: Geology Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 47; ISSN 0091-7613

Publisher:: Geological Society of AmericaCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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