Microstructural evolution of an incipient fault zone in Opalinus Clay: Insights from an optical and electron microscopic study of ion-beam polished samples from the Main Fault in the Mt-Terri Underground Research Laboratory

• Published in: Journal of structural geology Vol. 67; pp. 107 - 128
• Main Authors: Laurich, Ben, Urai, Janos L., Desbois, Guillaume, Vollmer, Christian, Nussbaum, Christophe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2014
• Subjects: Electron microscopy; Gouge; Opalinus clay; Scaly clay; Shear zone; Slickenside; Electron microscopy; Scaly clay; Slickenside; Gouge; Opalinus clay; Shear zone

Slickensided shear surfaces are ubiquitous in many fault zones. However the internal structure, the micromechanics and the evolution of these structures are not fully understood and the contributions of crystal plasticity, grain-boundary sliding, microfracturing, solution-precipitation and mineral t...