Fault zone hydrogeology in the context of Permeability (porous media)

⭐ Core Definition: Fault zone hydrogeology

Fault zone hydrogeology is the study of how brittlely deformed rocks alter fluid flows in different lithological settings, such as clastic, igneous and carbonate rocks. Fluid movements, that can be quantified as permeability, can be facilitated or impeded due to the existence of a fault zone. This is because different mechanisms that deform rocks can alter porosity and permeability within a fault zone. Fluids involved in a fault system generally are groundwater (fresh and marine waters) and hydrocarbons (Oil and Gas).

Take notice that permeability (k) and hydraulic conductivity (K) are used interchangeably in this article for simplified understanding

↓ Menu

Fault zone hydrogeology in the context of Permeability (Earth sciences)

In fluid mechanics, materials science and Earth sciences, the permeability of porous media (often, a rock or soil) is a measure of the ability for fluids (gas or liquid) to flow through the media; it is commonly symbolized as k.Fluids can more easily flow through a material with high permeability than one with low permeability.

The permeability of a medium is related to the porosity, but also to the shapes of the pores in the medium and their level of connectedness. Fluid flows can also be influenced in different lithological settings by brittle deformation of rocks in fault zones; the mechanisms by which this occurs are the subject of fault zone hydrogeology. Permeability is also affected by the pressure inside a material.

View the full Wikipedia page for Permeability (Earth sciences)

↑ Return to Menu