Mesoscale fracture fabric and paleostress along the San Andreas fault at SAFOD

Date

2009-05-15

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Spot cores from Phase 1 drilling of the main borehole at the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) were mapped to characterize the mesoscale structure and infer paleostress at depth. Cores were oriented by comparing mapped structures with image logs of the borehole. The upper core (1476-1484 m measured depth, MD) is a medium-grained, weakly foliated, hornblende-biotite granodiorite containing leucocratic phenocrysts and lenses. Principal structures are sub-vertical veins, shallow dipping shears, and natural fractures of unknown kinematics. The features are compatible with horizontal extension and right-lateral, normal, oblique-slip on faults striking approximately parallel to the SAF. The lower core (3055.6-3067.2 m MD) has massivebedded, pebble conglomerates and coarse to fine grained arkosic sandstones grade into siltstones. Principal structure features are conjugate shears and two minor faults. The fracture fabric is consistent with strike-slip faulting and a maximum principal compressive paleostress at ~80? to the SAF plane. This paleostress is essentially parallel to the current in situ stress measured in the main borehole and to paleostresses inferred from fracture fabrics in exhumed faults of the San Andreas system to the south. The similarity between the current state of stress and paleostress states supports the suggestion that the maximum principal compressive stress direction is, on average, at high angles to the SAF and that the fault has been weak over geologic time.

Description

Citation