The Relationship between Fluid Flow, Structures, and Depositional Architecture in Sedimentary Rocks: An Example-Based Overview

Figure 12

(a) Field photo of a simple cross-cutting fracture network from Hokianga, New Zealand, interacting with highly permeable layers in the host rock. (b) A digitized fracture network (black lines) and highly permeable layers (blue lines), surrounded by iron oxide precipitates (orange). Red arrows point to examples of where more permeable layers work as conduits between fractures. (c) Map of the connecting node frequency of the studied part of the fracture network. (d) Map of the branch intensity of the studied part of the fracture network. (e) Map showing the connecting node frequency, including connection points between fractures and highly permeable layers, forming a hybrid network. (f) Branch intensity of the studied network, including the highly permeable layers in the host rock forming a hybrid network.