HR: 0800h
AN: T41B-0577 [Abstracts]
TI: Shear Band Genesis and Frictional Properties, McKinleyville Fault, Humboldt County, California
AU: * Kaproth, B M
EM: bkaproth@geosc.psu.edu
AF: Pennsylvania State University
Rock and Sediment Mechanics Laboratory, 521 Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States
AU: Rathbun, A P
EM: Arathbun@geosc.psu.edu
AF: Pennsylvania State University
Rock and Sediment Mechanics Laboratory, 521 Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States
AU: Marone, C J
EM: cjm@geosc.psu.edu
AF: Pennsylvania State University
Rock and Sediment Mechanics Laboratory, 521 Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States
AU: Cashman, S
EM: smc1@humboldt.edu
AF: Humboldt State University
Department of Geology, 1 Harpst st., Arcata, CA 95521, United States
AB:
Understanding the genesis of shear bands and fabric development in rock and sediment is essential to
understanding fault formation, propagation, and earthquake mechanics. Previous laboratory experiments and
field evidence indicate that shear strength, velocity-dependence of friction, and other host rock properties play key
roles in shear band formation. However, we lack laboratory data on undisturbed, naturally formed shear bands.
Deformation bands in the footwall of the active McKinleyville thrust fault provide an excellent opportunity to study
the effects of shear strain and displacement in natural samples. Samples consist of deformation bands roughly
parallel to the McKinleyville Fault, conjugate deformation bands and non-banded material. Shear bands are
hosted in late Pleistocene nearshore marine sand and are identified as compacted sand within surrounding
less-compacted sand. Shear bands range in thickness from 0.1cm- ~10cm and band parallel
displacement from 0.4cm-3.35m.
We report on laboratory experiments contrasting displacement and shear band thickness versus particle
characteristics, shear strength and velocity-dependence of friction. Experiments were conducted in a servo-
controlled apparatus using the single-direct shear configuration. Layers were initially 5 mm thick with nominal
contact dimensions of 5 cm x 5 cm. Normal stress was varied from 0.25-2.5 MPa. Velocity stepping experiments
were done in an increasing fashion at 1, 3, 10, 30, 100 and 300μm/s. Post shear samples are analyzed
under transmitted and SEM light microscopy. Through laboratory experiments we aim to resolve the physical
alteration of natural material due to shear by comparing natural shear-band material to laboratory simulated
shear bands of non-banded material. Preliminary results on non-banded material yield an average angle of
internal friction of 30.4° and cohesion of 93.1 kPa.
DE: 5112 Microstructure
DE: 8004 Dynamics and mechanics of faulting (8118)
DE: 8118 Dynamics and mechanics of faulting (8004)
DE: 8163 Rheology and friction of fault zones (8034)
DE: 8170 Subduction zone processes (1031, 3060, 3613, 8413)
SC: Tectonophysics [T]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting