Influence of carbonate facies on fault zone architecture

Normal faults on Malta were studied to analyse fault propagation and evolution in different carbonate facies. Deformation of carbonate facies is controlled by strength, particle size and pore structure. Different deformation styles influence the damage characteristics surrounding faults, and therefore the fault zone architecture. The carbonates were divided into grain- and micrite-dominated carbonate lithofacies. Stronger grain-dominated carbonates show localised deformation, whereas weaker micrite-dominated carbonates show distributed deformation. The weaker micrite-dominated carbonates overlie stronger grain-dominated carbonates, creating a mechanical stratigraphy. A different architecture of damage, the ‘Fracture Splay Zone’ (FSZ), is produced within micrite-dominated carbonates due to this mechanical stratigraphy. Strain accumulates at the point of juxtaposition between the stronger grain-dominated carbonates in the footwall block and the weaker micrite-dominated carbonates in the hanging wall block. New slip surfaces nucleate and grow from these points, developing an asymmetric fault damage zone segment. The development of more slip surfaces within a single fault zone forms a zone of intense deformation, bound between two slip surfaces within the micrite-dominated carbonate lithofacies (i.e., the FSZ). Rather than localisation onto a single slip surface, allowing formation of a continuous fault core, the deformation will be dispersed along several slip surfaces. The dispersed deformation can create a highly permeable zone, rather than a baffle/seal, in the micrite-dominated carbonate lithofacies. The formation of a Fracture Splay Zone will therefore affect the sealing potential of the fault zone. The FSZ, by contrast, is not observed in the majority of the grain-dominated carbonates.     

The occurrence of graphite-bearing fault rocks in the Atotsugawa fault system,Japan: Origins and implications for fault creep

Graphite in fault zones has received little attention even though it is a well-known solid lubricant that could affect frictional properties of faults dramatically. This paper reports the presence of abundant graphite in fault zones of the Atotsugawa fault system, central Japan. Mesoscopic and microscopic observations of fault rocks revealed two processes of carbon enrichment in fault zones. One is a pressure solution process or diffusive mass transfer in general which removes water-soluble minerals such as quartz and carbonates from rocks, resulting in the enrichment of insoluble minerals including carbon. The other process is precipitation of graphite from a high-temperature carbon-rich fluid, forming graphite filling fractures within cataclasitic fault zones. The two processes have led to the concentration, up to 12 wt% of graphite, in the Atotsugawa fault zones, compared to 0 to 3 wt% of carbonaceous materials in the host rocks. This concentration is high enough for graphite to affect frictional properties at wide range of slip rates. The presence of graphite may provide an explanation for the low resistivity, the patterns of microearthquakes and fault creep along the western part of the Atotsugawa fault system. Graphite should receive more attention as a weakening and stabilizing agent of faults.     

Growth, linkage, and termination processes of a 10-km-long strike-slip fault in jointed granite: the Gemini fault zone, Sierra Nevada, California

Field-based structural analysis of an exhumed, 10-km-long strike-slip fault zone elucidates processes of growth, linkage, and termination along moderately sized strike-slip fault zones in granitic rocks. The Gemini fault zone is a 9.3-km-long, left-lateral fault system that was active at depths of 8–11 km within the transpressive Late-Cretaceous Sierran magmatic arc. The fault zone cuts four granitic plutons and is composed of three steeply dipping northeast- and southwest-striking noncoplanar segments that nucleated and grew along preexisting cooling joints. The fault core is bounded by subparallel fault planes that separate highly fractured epidote-, chlorite-, and quartz-breccias from undeformed protolith. The slip profile along the Gemini fault zone shows that the fault zone consists of three 2–3-km-long segments separated by two ‘zones’ of local slip minima. Slip is highest (131 m) on the western third of the fault zone and tapers to zero at the eastern termination. Slip vectors plunge shallowly west-southwest and show significant variability along strike and across segment boundaries. Four types of microstructures reflect compositional changes in protolith along strike and show that deformation was concentrated on narrow slip surfaces at, or below, greenschist facies conditions. Taken together, we interpret the fault zone to be a segmented, linked fault zone in which geometrical complexities of the faults and compositional variations of protolith and fault rock resulted in nonuniform slip orientations, complex fault-segment interactions, and asymmetric slip-distance profiles.     

Geometry and architecture of faults in a syn-rift normal fault array: The Nukhul half-graben, Suez rift, Egypt

The geometry and architecture of a well exposed syn-rift normal fault array in the Suez rift is examined. At pre-rift level, the Nukhul fault consists of a single zone of intense deformation up to 10 m wide, with a significant monocline in the hanging wall and much more limited folding in the footwall. At syn-rift level, the fault zone is characterised by a single discrete fault zone less than 2 m wide, with damage zone faults up to approximately 200 m into the hanging wall, and with no significant monocline developed. The evolution of the fault from a buried structure with associated fault-propagation folding, to a surface-breaking structure with associated surface faulting, has led to enhanced bedding-parallel slip at lower levels that is absent at higher levels. Strain is enhanced at breached relay ramps and bends inherited from pre-existing structures that were reactivated during rifting. Damage zone faults observed within the pre-rift show ramp-flat geometries associated with contrast in competency of the layers cut and commonly contain zones of scaly shale or clay smear. Damage zone faults within the syn-rift are commonly very straight, and may be discrete fault planes with no visible fault rock at the scale of observation, or contain relatively thin and simple zones of scaly shale or gouge. The geometric and architectural evolution of the fault array is interpreted to be the result of (i) the evolution from distributed trishear deformation during upward propagation of buried fault tips to surface faulting after faults breach the surface; (ii) differences in deformation response between lithified pre-rift units that display high competence contrasts during deformation, and unlithified syn-rift units that display low competence contrasts during deformation, and; (iii) the history of segmentation, growth and linkage of the faults that make up the fault array. This has important implications for fluid flow in fault zones.     

Fault zone architecture and fluid flow in interlayered basaltic volcaniclastic-crystalline sequences

Faults in continental flood basalt sequences potentially control subsurface fluid flow. We present field and microstructural observations from fault zones cutting interlayered basaltic volcaniclastic-crystalline sequences within the North Atlantic Igneous Province. Fractures likely initiate within lava units, before linking through the volcaniclastic units. Through-going faults show refraction, with subvertical faults in the lavas joined to variably inclined faults in the volcaniclastic layers. At >1.0 m displacement, volcaniclastic units are progressively dragged into the fault plane forming a smear. Volcaniclastic sandstones deform by flow. Claystones fracture, and are incorporated into smears as breccia. Experimentally measured host and fault rock sample permeabilities, at aquifer to reservoir pressures (i.e., 10–90 MPa; ∼0.3–3.0 km depth) show fault rocks from low displacement faults have relatively low permeability (10⁻¹⁷–10⁻²⁰ m²); fault rocks from higher displacement structures have comparatively high permeability (10⁻¹⁵–10⁻¹⁷ m²). Our observations suggest that permeability is determined by the opposing influences of clay mineralization, which decreases permeability, versus the development of interconnected, higher permeability zeolite veins. Brecciation and the formation of zeolite vein networks within claystone smears results in high permeability. Zeolite veins in volcaniclastic units form poorly-connected, spaced sets, parallel to the slip plane, hence sequence permeability remains low.     

断层内部结构及其对封闭性的影响

先前的研究多考虑断层封堵和开启的2种极端状态,近来的研究认为,在多数情况下断层处于2种之间的状态,只有在静止期具有封闭能力的断层,才有可能对油气起封堵作用。分析断层对流体运移的影响,需要分析断层在演化过程中的内部结构特征。断层可以划分出破碎带、诱导裂缝带和围岩3部分,断层岩和伴生裂缝构成破碎带的主体部分。常见的断层岩包括断层角砾岩、断层泥和部分碎裂岩,它们充填在断层裂缝空间中,断层内部结构受断层形成时的构造应力性质、断层活动强度和围岩岩性因素的控制。从动态角度看,随着断距增加,断层活动伴随着裂缝的发育和岩石的破碎混杂,可用泥质源岩层厚度和断距的比值来划分不同的发育阶段。断层活动期为油气运移通道,在静止时表现出差异性的封闭,通常用断层渗透率和排替压力2个参数来定量评价断层的封闭程度。断层岩渗透率主要受断距、泥质含量、埋深等因素的控制;断层排替压力的预测方法有2种:一种是从断层岩成岩角度分析的"等效埋深法",另一种是分析实测排替压力与主控地质因素的"拟合法"。通过简化的断层模型,建立了渗透率、排替压力与主控因素的预测关系。和储层类似,流体在断层中的运移遵循多孔介质的渗流特征。利用断层两侧的流体压力和油气柱高度并不能直接评价封闭性能,还必须考虑油气充注史和流体压力变化历史。     

Comminution and fluidization of granular fault materials: implications for fault slip behavior

Whilst faulting in the shallow crust is inevitably associated with comminution of rocks, the mechanical properties of the comminuted granular materials themselves affect the slip behavior of faults. Therefore, the mechanical behavior of any fault progresses along an evolutionary path. We analyzed granular fault rocks from four faults, and deduced an evolutionary trend of fractal size frequency. Comminution of fault rocks starts at a fractal dimension close to 1.5 (2-D measurement), at which a given grain is supported by the maximum number of grains attainable and hence is at its strongest. As comminution proceeds, the fractal dimension increases, and hence comminution itself is a slip weakening mechanism. Under the appropriate conditions, comminuted granular materials may be fluidized during seismic slip events. In this paper, we develop a new method to identify the granular fault rocks that have experienced fluidization, where the detection probability of fragmented counterparts is a key parameter. This method was applied to four fault rock samples and a successful result was obtained. Knowledge from powder technology teaches us that the volume fraction of grains normalized by maximum volume fraction attainable is the most important parameter for dynamic properties of granular materials, and once granular fault materials are fluidized, the fault plane becomes nearly frictionless. A small decrease in the normalized volume fraction of grains from 1 is a necessary condition for the phase transition to fluidization from the deformation mechanism governed by grain friction and crushing by contact stresses. This condition can be realized only when shearing proceeds under unconstrained conditions, and this demands that the gap between fault walls is widened. Normal interface vibration proposed by Brune et al. [Tectonophysics 218 (1993) 59] appears to be the most appropriate cause of this, and we presented two lines of field evidence that support this mechanism to work in nature.     

Low-Temperature Plasticity of Naturally Deformed Calcite Rocks

Optical, cathodoluminescence and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses were conducted on four groups of calcite fault rocks, a cataclastic limestone, cataclastic coarse-grained marbles from two fault zones, and a fractured mylonite. These fault rocks show similar microstructural characteristics and give clues to similar processes of rock deformation. They are characterized by the structural contrast between macroscopic cataclastic (brittle) and microscopic mylonitic (ductile) microstructures. Intragranular deformation microstructures (i.e. deformation twins, kink bands and microfractures) are well preserved in the deformed grains in clasts or in primary rocks. The matrix materials are of extremely fine grains with diffusive features. Dislocation microstructures for co-existing brittle deformation and crystalline plasticity were revealed using TEM. Tangled dislocations are often preserved at the cores of highly deformed clasts, while dislocation walls form in the transitions to the fine-grained     

Inner structure and deformation mechanisms of normal faults in conglomerates and carbonate grainstones (Granada Basin,Betic Cordillera,Spain): Inferences on fault permeability

In the southeastern area of the Neogene-Quaternary Granada Basin, ∼E–W trending normal faults crosscut ∼80 m-thick clay-bearing conglomerates and ∼30–40 m-thick carbonate grainstones containing centimeter-thick microconglomerate and sand interbeds. Three fundamental failure modes took place during fault nucleation: (1) phyllosilicate shear banding in the conglomerates, (2) jointing, mainly in the carbonate grainstones and (3) pressure solution in the carbonate matrix and grains of the microconglomerate and sand interbeds. Within the conglomerates, normal faults developed by pronounced clay smearing and, ultimately, cataclasis. Jointing also occurred within some of the pebbles surrounding the cataclastic rocks. In contrast, in the carbonate grainstones fault growth was characterized by predominant jointing and rock fragmentation, which localized in the extensional quadrants and/or releasing jogs of the evolving slip surfaces. Brecciation and cataclasis occurred only around the well-developed slip surfaces. Based upon their inner structure, we qualitatively assign a combined barrier-conduit fluid behavior to the tens of meters-throw normal faults juxtaposing the conglomerates against the carbonate grainstones. The inner fault cores inhibit fault-orthogonal fluid flow along their entire length. Instead, fault damage zones act as fluid barriers in the conglomerates, and as composite fluid conduits in the carbonate grainstones.     

The influence of fault geometry on small strike-slip fault mechanics

Meter-scale subvertical strike-slip fault traces in the central Californian Sierra Nevada exhibit geometric complexities that significantly contribute to their mechanical behavior. Sections of faults that opened at depth channelized fluid flow, as evidenced by hydrothermal mineral infillings and alteration haloes. Thin sections show a variation in the style of ductile deformation of infill along the fault, with greater intensities of deformation along restraining bends. Orthorectified photomosaics of outcrops provide model geometries and parameter constraints used in a two-dimensional displacement discontinuity model incorporating a complementarity algorithm. Model results show that fault shape influences the distribution of opening, and consequently the spatial distribution of fluid conduits. Geometric irregularities are present at many scales, and sections of opening occur along both releasing and restraining bends. Model sensitivity tests focus on boundary conditions along the fault: frictional properties on closed sections and fluid pressure within sections of opening. The influence of the remote stress state varies along a non-planar fault, complicating the relationships between remote stresses, frictional properties, slip, and opening. Discontinuous sections of opening along model faults are similar in spatial distribution and aperture to the epidote infill assemblages observed in the field.     

雪峰山安化--溆浦断裂带变形特征及ESR定年

安化—溆浦断裂是雪峰山西部一条重要的区域性断裂带。宏观上呈向NW突出的弧形 ,由数条从溆浦向南撒开的主断裂及其次级分支断层组成。显微构造、断层岩与石英脉流体包裹体均一温度 (集中在 16 0℃附近 )均显示 ,断裂带以浅层脆性变形为主 ,最深动力变质岩仅为糜棱岩化绢云母千枚岩。断层岩中石英脉ESR(电子自旋共振 )定年显示 ,断裂在燕山期 (15 6 .9～ 136 .2Ma ,119.8～ 90 .6Ma)热流体活动强烈 ;而发育在上述两个时间段内的石英脉 ,不论在野外产状、显微构造及流体包裹体均一温度上都存在明显的差异 ,由此初步推断 ,这两个时间段之间应是雪峰山中生代挤压与伸展运动的反转时期。     

Geometric analysis and scaling relations of deformation bands in porous sandstone

Displacement, length and linkage of deformation bands have been studied in Jurassic sandstones in southeastern Utah. Isolated deformation bands with lengths (L) that span more than three orders of magnitude show similar displacement (D) profiles with more or less centrally located maxima and gently increasing gradient toward the tips. Soft- and hard-linked examples exhibit steeper displacement gradients near overlap zones and immature hard links, similar to previously described fault populations. The deformation band population shows power-law length and displacement distributions, but with lower exponents than commonly observed for populations of larger faults or small faults with distinct slip surfaces. Similarly, the D_max-L relationship of the deformation bands shows a well-defined exponent of ca 0.5, whereas the general disagreement for other fault populations is whether the exponent is 1 or 1.5. We suggest that this important difference in scaling law between deformation bands and other faults has to do with the lack of well-developed slip surfaces in deformation bands. During growth, deformation bands link to form zones of densely spaced bands, and a slip surface is eventually formed (when 100 m < L < 1 km). The growth and scaling relationship for the resulting populations of faults (slip surfaces) is expected to be similar to ‘ordinary’ fault populations. A change in the D_max-L scaling relationship at the point when zones of deformation bands develop slip surfaces is expected to be a general feature in porous sandstones where faults with slip surfaces develop from deformation bands. Down-scaling of ordinary fault populations into the size domain of deformation bands in porous sandstones is therefore potentially dangerous.     

Mechanical relation between crustal rheology,effective fault friction,and strike-slip partitioning among the Xiaojiang fault system,southeastern Tibet

The north–south trending Xiaojiang fault system accommodates ～10–12 mm/yr sinistral motions between southeastern Tibet and south China. In the south segment, the fault system composes mainly of four parallel strike-slip faults, namely from west to east, the Luzhijiang fault, the Yimen fault, the Puduhe fault, and the Xiaojiang fault. Geological and Seismological observations have shown that these strike-slip faults are all of active, while the slip rates of the Luzhijiang, the Yimen, and the Puduhe faults are much less than that of the Xiaojiang fault. We use finite element modeling to explore the mechanical relation between crustal rheology, effective fault friction and long-term slip rate partitioning among the four parallel faults. The individual faults are simplified as vertical discontinuities embedded in the crust as geophysical explorations have predicted. A large number of models are tested, associating with variations of the crustal rheolohy and the effective fault friction of individual faults. Result shows that if crust bounding the faults trends to behave like rigid blocks and decoupled mechanically from underlying layer, the modeled result is hard to approximate slip rates of the individual faults. To better fit slip rates of the individual faults, viscous deformation of the lower crust should be included. With a heterogeneously viscous lower-crust model that is built upon thermal structure of the heat flow data, associating with relatively low effective friction of the Xiaojiang fault, the modeled results fit the geological slip rates well, with ～1–1.5 mm/yr for the Luzhijiang, the Yimen and the Puduhe faults, and ～6–6.5 mm/yr for the Xiaojiang fault. Thus, in the southward movement of the Tibetan plateau around the eastern Himalayan syntaxis, slip partitioning among the Xiaojiang fault system should be related to viscous deformation of the lower crust associated with different strength of the individual faults, highlighting that deformation of this fault system is coupled mechanically between the frictional upper crust and the viscous lower crust.     

华北板块南缘的变形分解:洛南-栾川断裂带与秦岭北缘强变形带研究

秦岭洛南-栾川断裂带具有左旋斜向俯冲的运动学特征,其产状一般为107°/N∠65°。华南板块的俯冲方向为80°,俯冲角度为42°;华南板块运动方向为42°,运动方向与华北板块南部边界的夹角为65°,汇聚角25°。秦岭北缘强变形带内褶皱枢纽延伸方向为290°,与洛南-栾川断裂带存在15°的夹角。逆冲断层走向与褶皱的枢纽方向基本一致,大多数断层与洛南-栾川断裂带有相同的运动学极性,性质为左行平移逆断层。平移正断层走向主要为NE SW,断层性质、展布方向、运动学特征与板块汇聚的应力作用方式吻合;片理、片麻理走向117°,与洛南-栾川断裂带走向夹角为10°。在垂直剪切带的剖面上,系统观察岩石变形特征,测量面理产状,进行岩石有限应变测量,岩石非共轴递进变形分析结果表明:秦岭北缘强变形带内由南向北面理走向与剪切带走向的夹角逐渐增大,岩石剪应变量依次递减,造山带变形具有“三斜对称”特点。     

Rock pulverization and localization of a strike-slip fault zone in dolomite rocks (Salzach–Ennstal–Mariazell–Puchberg fault,Austria)

Detailed investigations of dolomite fault rocks, formed at shallow crustal depths along the Salzach–Ennstal–Mariazell–Puchberg (SEMP) fault system in the Northern Calcareous Alps, revealed new insights into cataclasite formation. The examined Miocene, sinistral strike-slip faults reveal grain size reduction of dolomite host rocks by tensile microfracturing at a large range of scales, producing rock fragments of centimetre to micrometre sizes. In situ fracturing leads to grain size reduction down to grain sizes <25 μm, producing mosaic breccias and fault rocks which have previously been described as “initial/embryonic” and “intermediate” cataclasites. At all scales, grain fragments display little to no rotation and no or minor evidence of shear deformation. The observed microstructures are similar to those previously described in studies on pulverized rocks. Microstructural investigations of cataclasites and mosaic breccias revealed aggregations of small dolomite grains (<50 μm) that accumulated on top of large fragments or as infillings of V-shaped voids between larger grains and show constant polarity throughout the investigated samples. Fabrics indicate deposition in formerly open pore space and subsequent polyphase cementation. The newly described tectonic geopetal fabrics (geopetal-particle-aggregates, GPA) prove that these faults temporarily passed through a stage of extremely high porosity/permeability prior to partial cementation.     

Hydrogeological behaviour of some fault zones in a carbonate aquifer of Southern Italy: an experimentally based model

Complex flow circulation patterns are likely to be present in fault‐controlled groundwater flow systems, such as carbonate aquifers. Nevertheless, not much information is available for faults in carbonates, and their hydrogeological behaviour is often neglected in conceptual and numerical models. The understanding of this aspect of subsurface fluid flow has been improved in a carbonate aquifer, where hydrogeological investigations at site scale demonstrated the existence of fault zones that act as barriers. The hydraulic conductivity of the fault core is as low as that of siliciclastic rocks that represent the regional aquitard of the carbonate aquifer. Despite the lower permeability, the fault zones allow a significant groundwater flowthrough and a good interdependence of piezometric heads upgradient and downgradient of the faults. Because of this discontinuous heterogeneity, the aquifer looks like a basins‐in‐series system, where seasonal springs can be detected along some fault zones, as a function of groundwater level fluctuations.     

库车坳陷盐下构造对盐上盖层变形的影响因素分析

库车坳陷是在地壳或者岩石圈尺度整体挤压作用下,收缩构造变形形成的一个构造单元,膏盐岩层等软弱岩层可能导致滑脱断层发育,并引起盐上和盐下不协调收缩变形,区域挤压作用下一些先存基底断裂带的逆冲位移是控制盐上层冲断褶皱变形的主要因素。运用地震资料、地表露头、钻测井资料以及非地震资料等,对库车坳陷区域大剖面的盐上层、盐下层的构造变形样式进行分析,认为南天山在挤压收缩变形中隆升,诱导盆山过渡带发育基底卷入的高角度逆冲断层,先前基底断层的复活影响了盆地沉积盖层的构造变形,基底断裂与盖层断层组合样式在走向上基本一致,盖层强变形带与基底断裂带上下呼应。     

Fault architecture and deformation mechanisms in exhumed analogues of seismogenic carbonate-bearing thrusts

Faults in carbonates are well known sources of upper crustal seismicity throughout the world. In the outer sector of the Northern Apennines, ancient carbonate-bearing thrusts are exposed at the surface and represent analogues of structures generating seismicity at depth. We describe the geometry, internal structure and deformation mechanisms of three large-displacement thrusts from the km scale to the microscale. Fault architecture and deformation mechanisms are all influenced by the lithology of faulted rocks. Where thrusts cut across bedded or marly limestones, fault zones are thick (tens of metres) and display foliated rocks (S-CC′ tectonites and/or YPR cataclasites) characterized by intense pressure-solution deformation. In massive limestones, faulting occurs in localized, narrow zones that exhibit abundant brittle deformation. A general model for a heterogeneous, carbonate-bearing thrust is proposed and discussed. Fault structure, affected by stratigraphic heterogeneity and inherited structures, influences the location of geometrical asperities and fault strain rates. The presence of clay minerals and the strain rate experienced by fault rocks modulate the shifting from cataclasis-dominated towards pressure-solution-dominated deformation. Resulting structural heterogeneity of these faults may mirror their mechanical and seismic behaviour: we suggest that seismic asperities are located at the boundaries of massive limestones in narrow zones of localized slip whereas weak shear zones constitute slowly slipping portions of the fault, reflecting other types of “aseismic” behaviour.     

内蒙赤峰地区若干主干断裂带的构造热年代学

黑里河-宋三家和西拉木仑近东西向断裂的宏观和显微组构特征均指示了右行走滑剪切；小城子-八里罕北北东向断裂显示了平面上的左行剪切和剖面上的正断式剪切。根据断裂糜棱岩中长石残斑与韧性基质在粒径上的显著差异，采用逐级破碎、逐级分选的方法，逐次剔除长石残斑。从细粒韧性基质中分选出钾长石、斜长石和黑云母，进行糜棱岩矿物内部Rb—Sr等时线定年和单颗粒黑云母的激光熔化^40Ar／^39Ar定年。定年结果显示，糜棱岩化促进了手标本尺度上的同位素均一化，造成了原岩同位素时钟的重置。定年结果表明，黑里河-宋三家断裂变形的年龄为232Ma；西拉木仑断裂右行挤压走滑的年龄为165Ma。蒙古古生代岩浆弧与华北地块北缘的碰撞拼贴，以及华北-蒙古联合地块与西伯利亚板块的碰撞拼贴的远程效应。导致了上述2期变形。小城子-八里罕断裂的左行和正断式剪切的年龄介于127～117Ma，与喀喇沁核杂岩的快速隆升时期相同。壳-幔隆升促进了中下地壳的韧性化和拆离，导致了北北东向断裂的左行和正断式剪切。     

张性断裂带内部结构特征及油气运移和保存研究

断裂带是一个宽度、长度和高度均与断距呈正比关系的三维地质体,具有典型的二分结构：即断层核和破碎带。断层核由多种类型的断层岩和后期胶结物组成,具有分选差,粘土含量高,颗粒粒径小等特征,表现为具有比围岩更低的孔渗性。破碎带同围岩相比发育大量的裂缝,裂缝的密度随着离断层核距离的增大而逐渐减小,孔渗性较高。断层岩类型取决于断移地层的岩性、成岩程度和断裂变形时期。对于同生断层而言,泥岩和不纯净的砂岩主要发生泥岩涂抹作用;纯净砂岩发生解聚作用,形成颗粒重排的变形带。中成岩阶段发生断裂变形,泥岩发生泥岩涂抹作用,不纯净的砂岩发生碎裂作用和层状硅酸盐涂抹作用,形成碎裂岩和层状硅酸盐 框架断层岩;纯净砂岩主要发生碎裂作用,形成碎裂岩。晚成岩阶段发生断裂变形,碎裂作用成为主要的变形机制,泥岩破碎形成大量断层泥,不纯净的砂岩和纯净的砂岩均形成碎裂岩,其中纯净砂岩形成的碎裂岩由于石英的压溶胶结变得更致密。因此不同成岩阶段、不同岩性形成的断层岩类型不同,泥岩涂抹的排替压力高于层状硅酸盐 框架断层岩和碎裂岩,即使都是碎裂岩,其渗透率相差7个数量级。从断裂带结构看油气运移和保存,断层垂向封闭主要靠剪切型泥岩涂抹的连续性,侧向封闭能力取决于断层岩物性,物性很高的碎裂岩自身封闭能力很差,依靠两盘岩性对接封闭油气,最小断距决定油水界面位置。物性很低的断层岩一般能封住一定高度的油气柱,其是断裂带中泥质含量的函数。断层在储盖层段变形机制差异,决定了断裂输导与封闭油气的耦合,即破碎带双向输导充注,盖层段剪切型泥岩涂抹顶部封闭,断层核遮挡成藏。