Selected Natural Fracture Features

  • JOINT SPACING ~ proportional to bed thickness in sandstone
  • CLUSTERED FRACTURES, spaced at a fraction of "bed" thickness
    (Man for scale 1/4 down from top)
    (see Olson, 1993, JGR for analysis)
  • Alhambra Rock, limestone outcrop, ORTHOGONAL FRACTURES
    (see Olson and Pollard, 1989, Geology for analysis)
  • DEFORMATION BANDS in sandstone
  • ORTHOGONAL FRACTURES in sandstone

    Field work sites for natural fractures

  • Four Corners Area ( Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado)
  • California Coast (Monterey Formation)
  • Wyoming Foreland Fold and Thrust Belt
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    Date of last revision: December 1, 1995