X-ray diffraction and infrared spectrum analysis of fault gouge in Wenchuan seismic belt

Abstract

Wenchuan earthquake produced a series of co-seismic surface ruptures in Leigu and Zhaojiagou, and we collected samples of co-seismic fault gouge in the surface ruptures as well as the old gouge in the fault of Nanba. Testing The new and old fault gouge was tested with X-ray diffraction and infrared absorption spectra, and its characteristics such as mineral compositions, clay mineral contents and combinations were comprehensively analyzed. The results display obvious differences between the new and old fault gouge, showing that the old fault gouge is mainly composed of wall rock debris or milled powders, while the main components of new fault gouge are clay minerals. The assemblage of clay minerals composition shows that the environment of the fault activity was mainly warm and humid, and the clay minerals were mainly transformed by low temperature and low pressure dynamic metamorphism. And this also partly indicates that the latest way of the fault activity in this area may be a creeping. However the previous researches on the fault gouge of Wenchuan earthquake fault zone are mainly focused on its mechanical properties as well as its texture and structure, the research in this paper is to determine the physical and chemical environment of fault activity through the mineral compositions and clay mineral contents in the fault gouge characteristics, and this research has important scientific significance to the researches on the evolution of the fault environment and the activity mechanism of the earthquake.