Abstract
The link between stress and hydrologic properties was examined at two sites that are distinguished by different rock types and different stress states. This investigation is based upon the analysis and interpretation of geophysical logs obtained in water wells at the two locations. At the northeast site (Newark Basin), the hydrologic characteristics of sedimentary rocks are dependent upon the relationship to the current regional stress field of two primary types of orthogonal features that serve as preferential pathways for fluid flow. Subhorizontal bedding-plane partings are highly transmissive near the surface and delineate transversely isotropic fluid flow at shallow depths. With increasing depth, the subhorizontal planes become less dominant and steeply dipping fractures become more influential hydrologically. These high-angle features define anisotropic flow pathways that are preferentially oriented along strike. At the southwest site (west Texas), extrusive rocks are subjected to topographically modified tectonic and gravitational stresses that vary spatially within a valley setting. The attendant changes in stress invariants cause fracture connectivity within the rock mass to systematically increase with depth along the valley flanks, but to remain relatively low in the central valley. The degree of fracture connectivity predicted within this valley configuration is consistent with variations in transmissivity determined at several well locations. In each of these cases, the idealized understanding of the hydrologic system is enhanced by considering the effects of regional and local stresses that act upon the fractured-rock aquifer.
Résumé
La relation entre les propriétés hydrologiques et la contrainte est étudiée sur deux sites distincts par les types de roches et leurs états de contraintes différents. Cette étude est basée sur l'analyse et l'interprétation de logs géophysiques obtenus dans des puits en deux endroits. Sur le site nord-est (le bassin de Newark), les caractéristiques hydrologiques des roches sédimentaires dépendent de la relation entre le champ actuel de contraintes régionales et les deux types primaires de plans orthogonaux conduisant préférentiellement les écoulements souterrains. Les plans de stratification subhorizontaux sont très transmissifs près de la surface et déterminent transversalement un écoulement isotrope aux faibles profondeurs. Avec l'accroissement de la profondeur, les plans subhorizontaux deviennent moins importants et les fractures à fort pendage jouent un rôle hydrologique plus déterminant. Ces plans sécants à grands angles définissent des écoulements anisotropes préférentiels selon leur orientation. Sur le site sud-ouest (Texas occidental), des roches effusives ont contribué à modifier topographiquement les contraintes tectoniques et gravitationnelles qui varient spatialement selon la disposition de la vallée. Les changements associés aux invariants de la contrainte sont la cause d'un accroissement systématique de la connectivité de fractures de la masse rocheuse en profondeur sur les flancs de la vallée; la connectivité reste cependant relativement faible au centre. Le degré de connectivité de fracture prédit dans cette configuration de la vallée est compatible avec les variations de transmissivité déterminées dans des puits en plusieurs endroits. Dans chacun de ces cas, notre compréhension théorique du système hydrologique est améliorée par la prise en compte des effets des contraintes régionales et locales qui agissent sur l'aquifère fracturé.
Resumen
Se examina el nexo entre los esfuerzos y las propiedades hidrológicas en dos emplazamientos que se distinguen por tener diferentes litologías y estados tensionales. La investigación está basada en el análisis e interpretación de registros geofísicos obtenidos en pozos de ambos lugares. En el emplazamiento situado al Nordeste (cuenca Newark), las características hidrológicas de las rocas sedimentarias dependen de la relación con el campo regional de esfuerzos actual de dos tipos primarios de características ortogonales que actúan como caminos preferentes de flujo. Las separaciones subhorizontales del plano de estratificación son muy transmisivas cerca de la superficie y delinean un flujo transversal isótropo a profundidades someras. A mayor profundidad, los planos subhorizontales son menos dominantes, mientras que las fracturas con buzamientos acusados se convierten en hidráulicamente más influyentes. Estas fracturas de alto ángulo definen esquemas anisótropos de flujo que se orientan preferentemente a lo largo de su dirección. En el emplazamiento del Sudoeste (oeste de Texas), las rocas extrusivas están sometidas a tensiones tectónicas modificadas por la topografía y a tensiones gravitacionales que varían espacialmente dentro del valle. Los cambios consiguientes en invariantes de los esfuerzos crean conectividades entre fracturas del macizo rocoso, que aumentan sistemáticamente con la profundidad a la largo de los flancos del valle, pero son relativamente bajas en la zona central. El grado de conectividad de las fracturas predicho con esta configuración del valle es coherente con las variaciones de transmisividad determinadas en diferentes pozos. En cada caso, nuestro conocimiento idealizado del sistema hidrológico mejora si consideramos los efectos de los esfuerzos regionales y locales que actúan en el acuífero formado por rocas fracturadas.
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The authors are grateful to C. Neuzil and O. Stephansson for their thorough and insightful reviews that improved this manuscript considerably.
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Morin, R.H., Savage, W.Z. Effects of crustal stresses on fluid transport in fractured rock: case studies from northeastern and southwestern USA. Hydrogeology Journal 11, 100–112 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-002-0235-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-002-0235-3