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Reduction of permeability in granite at elevated temperatures

Science
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Abstract

The addition of hydrothermal fluids to heated, intact granite leads to permeability reductions in the temperature range of 300?? to 500??C, with the rate of change generally increasing with increasing temperature. The addition of gouge enhances the rate of permeability reduction because of the greater reactivity of the fine material. Flow rate is initially high in a throughgoing fracture but eventually drops to the level of intact granite. These results support the fault-valve model for the development of mesothermal ore deposits, in which seals are formed at the base of the seismogenic zone of high-angle thrust faults. The lower temperature results yield varying estimates of mineral-sealing rates at shallower depths in fault zones, although they generally support the hypothesis that such seals develop in less time than the recurrence interval for moderate to large earthquakes on the San Andreas fault.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Reduction of permeability in granite at elevated temperatures
Series title Science
Volume 265
Issue 5178
Year Published 1994
Language English
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Science
First page 1558
Last page 1561
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