Changes in permeability caused by transient stresses: field observations, experiments, and mechanisms
Reviews of Geophysics
By: Michael Manga, Igor Beresnev, Emily E. Brodsky, Jean E. Elkhoury, Derek Elsworth, Steve E. Ingebritsen, David C. Mays, and Chi-Yuen Wang
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Abstract
Oscillations in stress, such as those created by earthquakes, can increase permeability and fluid mobility in geologic media. In natural systems, strain amplitudes as small as 10–6 can increase discharge in streams and springs, change the water level in wells, and enhance production from petroleum reservoirs. Enhanced permeability typically recovers to prestimulated values over a period of months to years. Mechanisms that can change permeability at such small stresses include unblocking pores, either by breaking up permeability-limiting colloidal deposits or by mobilizing droplets and bubbles trapped in pores by capillary forces. The recovery time over which permeability returns to the prestimulated value is governed by the time to reblock pores, or for geochemical processes to seal pores. Monitoring permeability in geothermal systems where there is abundant seismicity, and the response of flow to local and regional earthquakes, would help test some of the proposed mechanisms and identify controls on permeability and its evolution.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Changes in permeability caused by transient stresses: field observations, experiments, and mechanisms |
| Series title | Reviews of Geophysics |
| DOI | 10.1029/2011RG000382 |
| Volume | 50 |
| Year Published | 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Publisher location | Washington, D.C. |
| Contributing office(s) | Branch of Regional Research-Western Region, Volcano Hazards Program |
| Description | 24 p.; RG2004 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Reviews of Geophysics |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |