Microphysical Modeling of Fault Slip and Stability Transition in Hydrothermal Conditions

Mei, Cheng; Rudnicki, John W.

doi:10.1029/2023GL103730

Title: Microphysical Modeling of Fault Slip and Stability Transition in Hydrothermal Conditions

Journal Article · 07 July 2023 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL103730 · OSTI ID:1988691

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Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Northwestern University Evanston IL USA
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Northwestern University Evanston IL USA, Department of Mechanical Engineering Northwestern University Evanston IL USA

Abstract Field and laboratory observations indicate that the frictional behaviors of faults depend on hydrothermal conditions. We extend the microphysical Chen‐Niemeijer‐Spiers (CNS) model to hydrothermal conditions by using the observed temperature variation of indentation hardness to infer the temperature dependence of a microphysical parameter . This parameter is assumed constant in previous versions of the CNS model. A simple spring‐slider system is used to simulate the fault system and investigate the steady‐state frictional behaviors of wet granite gouges. Our numerical results quantitatively reproduce experimental data showing the frictional‐plastic transition. The results also describe the transition from velocity‐strengthening at low temperatures (<160°C), to velocity‐weakening at intermediate temperatures (160°C–370°C), then back to velocity‐strengthening at high temperatures (>370°C). In our extended CNS model, these results suggest that the dominant shear deformation mechanism does transition from frictional granular flow to fully plastic creep with increasing temperature.

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Research Organization:: Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Geothermal Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0007080

OSTI ID:: 1988691

Journal Information:: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 50; ISSN 0094-8276

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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