Abstract
This study was conducted in order to characterize the frequency, orientation, and aperture of macroscopic fractures in the crust and their effect on physical properties over an appreciable depth interval (1829–3450 m). The following are our major findings: (1) Over the range of apparent apertures measured with confidence, the frequency of fractures with a given aperture decreases as aperture increases. With applied corrections for sampling bias, the observed distribution of fracture aperture has a power law form providing evidence of the self‐similar nature of fractures in the crystalline crust. Fractal analysis of the fracture aperture data yields a fractal dimension of 1.4 over the range of reliable aperture measurements in this study from 15 to 100 mm. (2) Fracture frequency does not systematically decrease with depth in the study interval. (3) No significant correlation was found between fracture occurrence and lithology, and both fracture spacing and aperture are uncorrelated with fracture orientation or depth. (4) The majority of fractures encountered in the well strike NNW‐SSE and dip steeply to the west. One set of steeply dipping fractures appears to be related to the NW striking San Andreas fault and appears to be related to steeply dipping, NW striking shear fractures observed in nearby outcrops that are characterized by laumontitic alteration. (5) The fractures bear no obvious relation to the current northeast direction of maximum horizontal compression but do correlate with anomalies in physical properties measurements of compressional and shear velocity, porosity, and resistivity. (6) Macroscopic fractures strike in a direction nearly orthogonal to the fast propagation direction of seismic wave anisotropy determined from vertical seismic profiling experiments in the well. These fractures appear to be unrelated to the observed seismic anisotropy. (7) Hydraulically conductive fractures and major faults indicate that fluid‐conducting fractures are a subset of the overall statistically significant population and not related to the San Andreas fault or to the orientation of SHmax in an obvious way.
References
105
Referenced
170
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_2_1', 'first-page': '56', 'article-title': 'Trace length biases in joint surveys', 'author': 'Baecher G. B.', 'year': '1978', 'journal-title': 'Proc. U.S. Symp. Rock Mech., 19th'}
/ Proc. U.S. Symp. Rock Mech., 19th / Trace length biases in joint surveys by Baecher G. B. (1978){'key': 'e_1_2_1_3_1', 'first-page': '5C1.1', 'article-title': 'Statistical description of rock properties and sampling', 'author': 'Baecher G. B.', 'year': '1977', 'journal-title': 'Proc. U.S. Symp. Rock Mech., 18th'}
/ Proc. U.S. Symp. Rock Mech., 18th / Statistical description of rock properties and sampling by Baecher G. B. (1977)- Barton C. A. In‐situ stress measurement techniques for deep drillholes Ph.D. thesis Stanford Univ. Stanford Calif. 1988.
10.1029/GL015i009p01013
10.4133/1.2921914
- Barton C. C. P. A.Hsieh Physical and Hydrologic‐Flow Properties of Fractures Field Trip Guideb T385 AGU Washington D. C. 1989.
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_8_1', 'first-page': '77', 'volume-title': 'Fundamentals of Rock Joints: Proceedings of International Symposium on Fundamentals of Rock Joints, Bjorkliden, Sweden', 'author': 'Barton C. C.', 'year': '1985'}
/ Fundamentals of Rock Joints: Proceedings of International Symposium on Fundamentals of Rock Joints, Bjorkliden, Sweden by Barton C. C. (1985){'key': 'e_1_2_1_9_1', 'volume-title': 'Probability and Random Variables', 'author': 'Beaumont G. P.', 'year': '1986'}
/ Probability and Random Variables by Beaumont G. P. (1986)- Bianchi L. Geology of the Manitou Springs‐Cascade area El Paso County Colorado with a study of the permeability of its crystalline rocks M.S. thesis Colo. Sch. of Mines Golden 1968.
10.1029/JB095iB07p11143
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_12_1', 'first-page': '1449', 'article-title': 'Deformation mechanisms and stress history near the San Andreas fault in the Cajon Pass drillhole', 'volume': '69', 'author': 'Blenkinsop T. G.', 'year': '1988', 'journal-title': 'Eos Trans. AGU'}
/ Eos Trans. AGU / Deformation mechanisms and stress history near the San Andreas fault in the Cajon Pass drillhole by Blenkinsop T. G. (1988)10.1029/JZ070i022p05657
10.1016/0148-9062(80)90807-4
10.1029/JZ071i016p03939
10.1029/JB090iB14p12575
10.1029/JB091iB05p04939
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_18_1', 'first-page': '112', 'article-title': 'Permeability estimation from full waveform acoustic logging data', 'volume': '29', 'author': 'Burns D. R.', 'year': '1988', 'journal-title': 'Log Anal.'}
/ Log Anal. / Permeability estimation from full waveform acoustic logging data by Burns D. R. (1988)10.1007/BF02635358
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_20_1', 'volume-title': 'Large Scale in‐Situ Tests on Stress and Water Flow Relationships in Fractures Rock', 'author': 'Carlsson A.', 'year': '1986'}
/ Large Scale in‐Situ Tests on Stress and Water Flow Relationships in Fractures Rock by Carlsson A. (1986)10.1029/GL015i009p01029
10.1111/j.1365-246X.1978.tb03754.x
-
Crampin S. Shear wave polarizations: A plea for three component recording53rd Annual MeetingSoc. of Exp. Geophys.Las Vegas Nev. 1983.
(
10.1190/1.1893643
) 10.1190/1.1441086
10.1016/0148-9062(77)90004-3
10.1029/GL015i009p01001
10.1007/BF01019674
10.1007/BF01030217
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_29_1', 'first-page': '399', 'article-title': 'Repeating earthquakes and the geometry of faults, Proceedings of Conference 29, Directions in Paleoseismology', 'volume': '87', 'author': 'Ellsworth W. L.', 'year': '1987', 'journal-title': 'U.S. Geol. Surv. Open File Rep.'}
/ U.S. Geol. Surv. Open File Rep. / Repeating earthquakes and the geometry of faults, Proceedings of Conference 29, Directions in Paleoseismology by Ellsworth W. L. (1987){'key': 'e_1_2_1_30_1', 'first-page': '161', 'article-title': 'Is there a genetic relationship between selected regional joints and contemporary stress within the lithosphere of North America?', 'volume': '1', 'author': 'Engelder T.', 'year': '1982', 'journal-title': 'Tectonophysics'}
/ Tectonophysics / Is there a genetic relationship between selected regional joints and contemporary stress within the lithosphere of North America? by Engelder T. (1982)10.1016/0040-1951(74)90060-2
10.1016/0040-1951(87)90103-X
10.1016/0191-8141(87)90044-7
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_34_1', 'volume-title': 'Seismicity of the Earth', 'author': 'Gutenberg B.', 'year': '1954'}
/ Seismicity of the Earth by Gutenberg B. (1954)10.1029/JB081i020p03484
10.1029/JB088iB09p07355
10.1029/JB084iB05p02235
10.1029/GL015i009p01005
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_39_1', 'volume-title': 'Well Logging for Physical Properties', 'author': 'Hearst J. R.', 'year': '1985'}
/ Well Logging for Physical Properties by Hearst J. R. (1985)10.1007/BF00874485
10.1190/1.1442587
10.1016/0148-9062(83)90329-7
10.1016/0191-8141(88)90020-X
10.1029/JB086iB04p02853
10.1029/JZ064i011p01891
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_46_1', 'first-page': '1', 'article-title': 'Borehole geophysics in igneous and metamorphic rocks', 'author': 'Keys W. S.', 'year': '1979', 'journal-title': 'Trans. SPWLA Annu. Logging Symp., 20th'}
/ Trans. SPWLA Annu. Logging Symp., 20th / Borehole geophysics in igneous and metamorphic rocks by Keys W. S. (1979)10.1007/BF02590182
- King M. S. M. R.Stauffer B. I.Pandit Quality of rock masses by acoustic borehole logging3rd International CongressI.A.E.G. location 1978.
10.1029/JB093iB04p03286
10.1029/JB093iB04p03297
10.1016/0148-9062(88)90982-5
10.1111/j.1365-246X.1987.tb05239.x
10.1029/GL015i009p00997
10.1190/1.1442401
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_55_1', 'first-page': '967', 'article-title': 'Seismic velocity stress sensitivity of the crust near Palmdale, California', 'volume': '62', 'author': 'Malin P. E.', 'year': '1981', 'journal-title': 'Eos Trans. AGU'}
/ Eos Trans. AGU / Seismic velocity stress sensitivity of the crust near Palmdale, California by Malin P. E. (1981){'key': 'e_1_2_1_56_1', 'volume-title': 'Fractals, Form, Chance and Dimension', 'author': 'Mandelbrot B. B.', 'year': '1977'}
/ Fractals, Form, Chance and Dimension by Mandelbrot B. B. (1977){'key': 'e_1_2_1_57_1', 'volume-title': 'Digital Spectral Analysis With Applications', 'author': 'Marple S. L.', 'year': '1987'}
/ Digital Spectral Analysis With Applications by Marple S. L. (1987){'key': 'e_1_2_1_58_1', 'first-page': '1216', 'article-title': 'Basement reflectivity structure from subsurface seismic and VSP data at the Cajon Pass drillsite in southern California', 'volume': '70', 'author': 'McRaney J. K.', 'year': '1989', 'journal-title': 'Eos Trans. AGU'}
/ Eos Trans. AGU / Basement reflectivity structure from subsurface seismic and VSP data at the Cajon Pass drillsite in southern California by McRaney J. K. (1989)10.1029/GL015i009p01053
10.1029/JB088iB03p02345
10.1029/GL015i009p01033
10.1029/JB076i008p02022
10.1029/JB074i027p06667
10.1029/JB079i035p05412
10.1029/JB092iB01p00345
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_66_1', 'article-title': 'Acoustic propagation in the vicinity of fractures which intersect a fluid‐filled borehole', 'author': 'Paillet F. L.', 'year': '1980', 'journal-title': 'Trans. SPWLA Annu. Logging Symp., 21st'}
/ Trans. SPWLA Annu. Logging Symp., 21st / Acoustic propagation in the vicinity of fractures which intersect a fluid‐filled borehole by Paillet F. L. (1980){'key': 'e_1_2_1_67_1', 'first-page': '26', 'article-title': 'Problems in fractured‐reservoir evaluation and possible routes to their solution', 'volume': '26', 'author': 'Paillet F. L.', 'year': '1985', 'journal-title': 'Log Anal.'}
/ Log Anal. / Problems in fractured‐reservoir evaluation and possible routes to their solution by Paillet F. L. (1985)- Paillet F. L. Fracture characterization and fracture‐permeability estimation at the underground research laboratory on southwestern Manitoba Canada U.S. Geol. Surv. Water Resour. Invest. Rep.88‐4009 1988.
10.1029/JB095iB06p09237
10.1029/GL015i009p01021
10.1016/0148-9062(84)92681-0
10.1029/GL014i001p00029
10.1029/JB093iB12p15268
10.1016/0148-9062(76)90818-4
10.1016/0148-9062(81)90973-6
10.1029/JB079i002p00399
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_77_1', 'first-page': '397', 'article-title': 'Continuous formation of gouge and breccia during fault displacement, issues in rock mechanics', 'author': 'Robertson E. C.', 'year': '1982', 'journal-title': 'Proc. U.S. Symp. Rock Mech., 23rd'}
/ Proc. U.S. Symp. Rock Mech., 23rd / Continuous formation of gouge and breccia during fault displacement, issues in rock mechanics by Robertson E. C. (1982)10.1029/JB094iB09p12337
10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15<493:WAGFIB>2.0.CO;2
/ Geology / Wear and gouge formation in brittle faulting by Scholtz C. H. (1987)10.1029/JB087iB07p05517
10.1029/91JB02959
10.1029/GL015i009p00989
10.1029/GL015i009p00941
10.1111/j.1365-2478.1979.tb00977.x
10.1061/JSFEAQ.0001097
/ J. Soil Mech. Found. Div. Am. Soc. Civil Eng. / Rock fracture spacings, openings and porosities by Snow D. T. (1968)10.1016/0148-9062(70)90025-2
10.1016/0148-9062(79)90243-2
10.1111/j.1365-246X.1985.tb05165.x
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_89_1', 'first-page': '397', 'article-title': 'Pressure induced velocity gradient: An alternative to a Pg refractor in the Gabilan Range, central California', 'volume': '69', 'author': 'Stierman D. J.', 'year': '1979', 'journal-title': 'Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am.'}
/ Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am. / Pressure induced velocity gradient: An alternative to a Pg refractor in the Gabilan Range, central California by Stierman D. J. (1979)10.1016/0148-9062(84)90795-2
10.1130/0016-7606(1970)81[1625:SBSZOD]2.0.CO;2
10.1680/geot.1965.15.3.287
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_93_1', 'first-page': '1449', 'article-title': 'Zeolite mineralization within brittle fault zones: A clue for geophysical anomalies', 'volume': '69', 'author': 'Vernik L.', 'year': '1988', 'journal-title': 'Eos Trans. AGU'}
/ Eos Trans. AGU / Zeolite mineralization within brittle fault zones: A clue for geophysical anomalies by Vernik L. (1988)10.1029/91JB01672
{'issue': '305', 'key': 'e_1_2_1_95_1', 'first-page': '1309', 'article-title': 'Distribution logarithmique self‐similaire des rejets et longueurs de failles: Exemple du Bassin Houiller Lorrain', 'volume': '2', 'author': 'Villemin T.', 'year': '1987', 'journal-title': 'C. R. Acad. Sci., Ser.'}
/ C. R. Acad. Sci., Ser. / Distribution logarithmique self‐similaire des rejets et longueurs de failles: Exemple du Bassin Houiller Lorrain by Villemin T. (1987)10.1029/GL015i009p00977
10.1007/BF00875721
10.1029/JZ070i002p00381
10.1029/JB095iB07p11135
10.1016/0148-9062(80)91084-0
10.1029/GL015i009p00993
10.1029/JB094iB08p10267
10.1111/j.1365-246X.1973.tb06506.x
10.1190/1.1440089
10.1029/JB087iB08p06959
10.1029/GL015i009p00933
Dates
Type | When |
---|---|
Created | 17 years, 6 months ago (Feb. 6, 2008, 8:50 a.m.) |
Deposited | 1 year, 11 months ago (Sept. 22, 2023, 2:11 a.m.) |
Indexed | 1 month, 4 weeks ago (June 27, 2025, 3 p.m.) |
Issued | 33 years, 4 months ago (April 10, 1992) |
Published | 33 years, 4 months ago (April 10, 1992) |
Published Online | 12 years, 11 months ago (Sept. 20, 2012) |
Published Print | 33 years, 4 months ago (April 10, 1992) |
@article{Barton_1992, title={Self‐similar distribution and properties of macroscopic fractures at depth in crystalline rock in the Cajon Pass Scientific Drill Hole}, volume={97}, ISSN={0148-0227}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/91jb01674}, DOI={10.1029/91jb01674}, number={B4}, journal={Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth}, publisher={American Geophysical Union (AGU)}, author={Barton, Colleen A. and Zoback, Mark D.}, year={1992}, month=apr, pages={5181–5200} }