Introduction
Understanding fault geometry and processes of faulting are important research areas for many applications such as petroleum reservoirs; geothermal energy managements; earthquake seismology and geological hazard studies; hydrogeology; waste disposal and CO2 storage underground.
Faults can be described as comprising a core and an enveloping damage zone (e.g. Caine et al. 1996). The fault core (Fig. 1) accommodate most of the displacement along multiple slip surfaces and may include fault rocks such as fault gouge, cataclasites, breccia, clay smear, fractures (veins, extension and shear fractures), diagenetic structures (cement, mineralization), and lenses of deformed and undeformed rocks trapped between slip surfaces. Whereas, the deformation is less intense in the damage zone and may include different sets of fractures, minor faults (figure 1).
Click here for a bigger version.
Aim of the study, methods, and data
There are two available theses, one focusing on fault architecture, mainly along with the fault core and the other one, focusing on fractures distribution and connectivity within the damage zone of the same faults.
This study requires two-week fieldwork on faults and fractures in Øygarden outside Bergen in western Norway. The fieldwork includes structural and in-situ measurements in the field as well as working on the mapping of faults and fractures on high-resolution satellite images available from this area.
Requirement
The students need to be familiar with the landscape and climate in Norway and take the necessary field-safety courses beforehand, as the outcrops are steeply located on different islands along the west coast of Norway. A valid driver license could be needed. It is desirable that two students take the two available projects and accompany each other in the field, while they receive supervisions from the supervisor.
Learning outcomes
You will learn how to perform research starting from an idea, developing a research plan, data gathering, analyzing the data, writing, and illustrating your results that will be presented in the form of your thesis. You will learn a lot about faults and fractures and not the least will enjoy fieldwork as you gradually become professional in the field.