Microscopic features of quartz and clay particles from fault gouges and infilled fractures in granite; Discriminating between active and inactive faulting

Niwa, Masakazu   ; Shimada, Koji   ; Aoki, Kazuhiro ; Ishimaru, Tsuneari 

This study focused on microscopic features using particle size analysis, SEM and TEM and identified mineralogical and textural characteristics to improve our ability to discriminate between the active and inactive gouges. Particle size distribution analysis largely shows that fault gouge in an active fault, having the most abundant finer particles, experienced repetitive shearing whereas the inactive gouges did not. SEM examination of quartz particles shows that more particles retain their primary crystal structure in the active gouge than in the inactive gouges. In contrast, observation of very fine clay minerals using TEM shows the minerals in the active gouge are abraded and corroded in equal or higher degree as the aseismic gouges. Repetitive fault activities could result in the addition of new quartz particles from the granite with preservation of primary crystal structure, whereas relatively-soft clay minerals had been affected by abrasion and dissolution.