Spatial distribution, scaling and self-similar behavior of fracture arrays in the Los Planes fault, Baja California Sur, Mexico

We present a case of detailed analysis of fracture arrays spanning four orders of magnitude in length; all of them measured at a single natural site by acquiring images at progressively larger scales. There is a high dispersion of cumulative-length exponents, box dimensions and fracture densities. H...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pure and applied geophysics 2005-05, Vol.162 (5), p.805-826
Main Authors: NIETO-SAMANIEGO, A. F, ALANIZ-ALVAREZ, S. A, TOLSON, G, OLESCHKO, K, KORVIN, G, XU, S. S, PEREZ-VENZOR, J. A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arrays
Crack initiation
Density
Dispersions
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Fractal analysis
Fractals
Fracture mechanics
Spatial distribution
Strain
Tectonics. Structural geology. Plate tectonics
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Summary:We present a case of detailed analysis of fracture arrays spanning four orders of magnitude in length; all of them measured at a single natural site by acquiring images at progressively larger scales. There is a high dispersion of cumulative-length exponents, box dimensions and fracture densities. However, the fractal analysis supports the fractal nature of fracture arrays. Our data indicate the existence of an upper limit for the density parameters, as similarly reported by other authors. We prove that box dimension is in inverse relation with fracture concentration and in direct relation with fracture density. These relations are also observed in our data and additionally there is an upper limit for the box dimensions. We interpret the dispersion in our results as more fundamental than methodological problems. It represents a truncation in the complete evolution of the fracture systems because in natural cases strain initiates overprinting of previous fracture arrays. Considering that larger fractures accommodate strain more efficiently than small fractures, the generation of small fractures is inhibited in the presence of pre-existing larger fractures. Maximum values of fracture density prevent accommodating an excess of strain in a single or restricted range of scales; we claim this condition produces migration of fracturing to larger scales originating fracture scaling.
ISSN:0033-4553
1420-9136
DOI:10.1007/s00024-004-2642-y