Microscale deformation in a compacted and anisotropic mudstone: the Opalinus Clay, northern Switzerland

The low permeability and excellent sealing properties of mudstones places such sedimentary rocks into focus of geo-engineering applications using clay formations as natural barriers for contaminant transport. Here we investigate microscale deformation structures in the Opalinus Clay in northern Switzerland, which is currently under investigation as a host rock for radioactive waste confinement. We aim to characterize paleo-faulting/fracturing as well as subsequent mineralization events. For this purpose, drill core samples were investigated macroscopically, as well as by low and high-resolution optical light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). These data were combined with high-resolution trace element maps obtained by Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy (SXFM). By combining the observed microstructures with the micro-chemistry of the associated mineralization events we yield a grouping between different processes and, in combination with cross-cutting relationships, a relative timing of the different deformation events.

Commonly the Opalinus Clay is weakly deformed, with only few localized deformation structures. The latter include: calcite veins (mm thickness) as well as mineralized (calcite and celestite) thrusts, normal faults and strike-slip faults (all cm thickness). Micro-textural analysis shows that low-angle thrust faults with calcite slickensides on their dip-slip surfaces localize on pre-existing horizontal fibrous calcite veins. The horizontal veins imply an early deformation stage with temporarily high pore fluid pressures under sub-horizontal max. principle stresses within the highly anisotropic mudstone. The first order analysis of the major element chemistry between the calcite forming slickensides and the fibrous veins shows significant differences in Mg, Fe and Mn contents. From a fluid-mechanical perspective, this finding implies that generation of fibrous veins during a first fluid event provides the mechanical discontinuity, which is reused during later fluid assisted thrusting.

The overprinting relationships between fibrous veins and slickensides indicate that deformation/precipitation events occurred in a cyclic fashion. Such information is a key towards the understanding of fluid assisted deformation and mineralization processes in compacted and anisotropic clay formations. On a regional scale, variations in paleo-deformation-mineralization events in the Opalinus Clay imply regional differences likely related to a gradually varying intensity of compressional (thrusting) and extensional (normal faulting) tectonics throughout northern Switzerland.