Abstract
Most rocks within the upper crust are porous and are likely to contain water that is mechanically free and is not trapped in isolated pores. Because the pressure of the pore water influences the mechanical strength of rock, stresses and deformation are coupled to fluid flow within a porous medium. Furthermore, local heating during tectonic processes can lead to thermal expansion, pressurization and flow of pore fluids, coupling the thermal field to the stress and fluid fields. Fluid migration can also be an important transport mechanism for large‐scale redistribution of solutes and heat within the upper crust. Consequently, the behavior of pore fluids is of considerable importance in the physics and evolution of tectonic processes. During the past four years, there has been a general recognition that pore fluids are not a passive component of tectonic environments, but are rather best viewed as an integral part of the system dynamics.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call