Deformation mechanisms and petrophysical properties of chert and limestone fault rocks within slope-to-basin succession (Gargano Promontory, Southern Italy)

Abstract

In this work, we examine faults that crosscut limestone and chert rocks pertaining to a slope-to-basin succession of the eastern Gargano Promontory (southern Italy). Based on field data, microstructural observations, and quantitative analysis of cataclastic fabric, two stages of faulting are recognized. The first one, the pre-lithification faulting stage, took place within partially lithified sediments prior to their complete lithification. Differently, the second one, the post-lithification faulting stage, occurred within cohesive, well-lithified rocks. The structural properties of pre-lithification faults were likely controlled by the competence contrast between limestone and chert sediments. In fact, due to their different lithification stages, faulting occurred when chert was still not completely lithified, and hence was dragged along the fault planes. As a consequence, the pre-lithification fault cores are mainly composed of chert clasts. On the contrary, post-lithification fault cores are mostly made up of limestone clasts. The results of both microstructural and image analyses show that the carbonate fault rock includes a higher percentage of bigger clasts with lower values of angularity than the chert fault rock. Mercury-intrusion porosimetry indicates that the chert fault rock is characterized by larger pore throats and a lower amount of total porosity with respect to the limestone fault rock. The permeability values obtained for the limestone fault rock are lower than those for the chert fault rock, probably because of the lower amount of pore connectivity within the former fault rock. Results of this multidisciplinary work highlight the role played by cherty layers present within well-layered, slope-to-basin carbonate successions on both microtextural and petrophysical fault rock properties. Furthermore, these results increase our ability to predict how lithological heterogeneities and amount of lithification influence the deformation mechanisms, hence the hydraulic properties of fault zones that crosscut sedimentary successions.