Structural and chemical controls of deformation bands on fluid flow: Interplay between cataclasis and diagenetic alteration

Author(s)
Marco Lommatzsch, Ulrike Exner, Susanne Gier, Bernhard Grasemann
Abstract

We examined cataclastic shear bands (CSB) with, varying degrees of deformation and alteration that formed in uncemented, arkosic sediments under identical kinematic conditions. The investigated outcrop in eastern Austria exposes numerous closely spaced sets of CSB formed at low burial depth. The uncemented host sediment consists of detrital quartz, albite, micas, and metamorphic lithoclasts. We distinguished three types of CSB, which differ in macroscopic and microscopic properties as well as in influence on fluid flow (i.e., single bands, multistrand bands, and band clusters). All band types show preferred fracturing of sericited albite grains and decomposition of biotite through mechanical deformation and subsequent chemical alteration. These mechanisms reduce the mean grain size, increase the amount of phyllosilicates in the matrix, and facilitate later growth of authigenic clay minerals. The dominant deformation mechanisms and influence on fluid flow are controlled by the initial composition and intensity of diagenetic alteration. We identified different evolutionary stages from a high-porosity host rock (porosity [Φ] = 35%) to a deformation band cluster (Φ = 6%) that acts as fluid baffle. The measured reduction in porosity of up to 29% is reflected by retention of fluids along band clusters, along multistrand bands, and between intersecting bands. The timing and direction of the specific fluid flows can be determined by the interaction with the deformation bands. These findings suggest that localized deformation and associated diagenetic alteration in feldsparbearing sediments may promote reservoir compartmentalization.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geology
External organisation(s)
Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (NHM)
Journal
A A P G Bulletin
Volume
99
Pages
689-710
No. of pages
22
ISSN
0149-1423
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1306/10081413162
Publication date
11-2014
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105103 Petroleum geology, 105106 Geodynamics, 105116 Mineralogy, 105121 Sedimentology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Energy Engineering and Power Technology, Geochemistry and Petrology, Geology, Fuel Technology, Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/83dc29a6-d361-487f-9476-09f4461aa3f0