Fault zone hydrogeology

Fault zone hydrogeology is the study of how brittlely deformed rocks alter fluid flows in different lithological settings, such as clastic, igneous and carbonate rocks.[1] Fluid movements, that can be quantified as permeability, can be facilitated or impeded due to the existence of a fault zone.[1] This is because different mechanisms that deform rocks can alter porosity and permeability within a fault zone.[1][2] Fluids involved in a fault system generally are groundwater (fresh and marine waters) and hydrocarbons (Oil and Gas).[3]

Take notice that permeability (k) and hydraulic conductivity (K) are used interchangeably in this article for simplified understanding

GIF 1. This GIF shows how fault zones affect fluid migrations in the cross section view. A) The fault zone acts as a barrier that blocks fluid flows across it. B) The fault zone acts as a conduit that allows or facilitates fluid flows across it.
  1. ^ a b c Bense, V.F.; Gleeson, T.; Loveless, S.E.; Bour, O.; Scibek, J. (2013). "Fault zone hydrogeology". Earth-Science Reviews. 127: 171–192. Bibcode:2013ESRv..127..171B. doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2013.09.008.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Hadley, Daniel R.; Abrams, Daniel B.; Roadcap, George S. (2020). "Modeling a Large-Scale Historic Aquifer Test: Insight into the Hydrogeology of a Regional Fault Zone". Groundwater. 58 (3): 453–463. Bibcode:2020GrWat..58..453H. doi:10.1111/gwat.12922. ISSN 0017-467X. PMID 31290141. S2CID 195871567.