Fault Core Thickness: Insights from Siliciclastic and Carbonate Rocks

Figure 14

(a) A picture of the ANP outcrop that shows both fault core lenses trapped between relay zones and splays of the main fault, as well as the effect of mechanical stratigraphy on the fault core internal structure and geometry. (b) From left to right, a series of sketches showing a possible faulting process for the outcrop in (a). The fault grows in length and through linkage of the splays, which results in trapping fault lenses. The shale layer has smeared into the fault core as soon as the fault has cut through it at a later stage. (c) Effect of mechanical stratigraphy on fault core geometry and thickness. Note that in shaley layers, the fault core become thicker and its boundaries are diffuse, while in sandstone layers, the boundaries are sharper and the fault core is thinner, unless it entraps host rock lenses. Note that faults are illustrated in red lines and bedding in white lines.

(a)

(b)

(c)