The first part is focused on progressive rock failure (PRF) and its applications to surface processes, rock physics and engineering research. Because fractures influence the hydromechanical properties of rocks such as porosity, permeability, erodibility and strength, the rock mechanics and rock physics of PRF is intimately linked to virtually all surface and critical zone processes and also extends beyond the natural world to our own built environment. Yet, the potentially central role that PRF may play in these fracture-related systems has been largely unrecognized or misconceived across surface-process, engineering, and rock physics applications.
The second part of the session is related to THMC processes in geothermal reservoirs with focus on the role of fractures and faults on the reservoir performance, its sustainable use and related risks. We invite contributions including: (i) fluid flow, permeability, fluid conductivity; (ii) heat flow, thermal conductivity and diffusivity; (iii) deformation either compression, shear, or tension; seismic or aseismic; (iv) fracture and fault (re)activation and related seismic risks; (v) coupled THM-processes in fractured and intact reservoir rocks.
This session comprises fracture focused research that spans disciplines and scales but is all intimately linked to coupled Thermal-Hydraulic-Mechanical-Chemical (THMC) processes and factors. We divide the session into two parts related to shallow and deep processes, respectively.
The first part is focused on progressive rock failure (PRF) and its applications to surface processes, rock physics and engineering research. Because fractures influence the hydromechanical properties of rocks such as porosity, permeability, erodibility and strength, the rock mechanics and rock physics of PRF is intimately linked to virtually all surface and critical zone processes and also extends beyond the natural world to our own built environment. Yet, the potentially central role that PRF may play in these fracture-related systems has been largely unrecognized or misconceived across surface-process, engineering, and rock physics applications.
The second part of the session is related to THMC processes in geothermal reservoirs with focus on the role of fractures and faults on the reservoir performance, its sustainable use and related risks. We invite contributions including: (i) fluid flow, permeability, fluid conductivity; (ii) heat flow, thermal conductivity and diffusivity; (iii) deformation either compression, shear, or tension; seismic or aseismic; (iv) fracture and fault (re)activation and related seismic risks; (v) coupled THM-processes in fractured and intact reservoir rocks.