Process in Faults

Permeability enhancement associated with deformation processes in faults and shear zones plays a key role in
facilitating fluid redistribution between fluid reservoirs in the crust. Especially in high fluid flux hydrothermal
systems, fracture-controlled permeability can be relatively short-lived, unless it is repeatedly regenerated by
ongoing deformation. Failure mode diagrams in pore fluid factor and differential stress space, here termed k–r
failure mode diagrams, provide a powerful tool for analysing how fluid pressure and stress states drive failure,
associated permeability enhancement and vein styles during deformation in faults and shear zones. During fault-
valve behaviour in the seismogenic regime, relative rates of recovery of pore fluid factor, differential stress and
fault cohesive strength between rupture events impact on styles of veining and associated, fracture-controlled
permeability enhancement in faults and shear zones.