Articles | Volume 10, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-10-487-2019
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-10-487-2019
Research article
 | 
11 Apr 2019
Research article |  | 11 Apr 2019

How do we see fractures? Quantifying subjective bias in fracture data collection

Billy J. Andrews, Jennifer J. Roberts, Zoe K. Shipton, Sabina Bigi, M. Chiara Tartarello, and Gareth Johnson

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AR by Billy Andrews on behalf of the Authors (25 Mar 2019)  Author's response   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (27 Mar 2019) by David Healy
ED: Publish as is (27 Mar 2019) by Federico Rossetti (Executive editor)
AR by Billy Andrews on behalf of the Authors (27 Mar 2019)
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Short summary
Rocks often contain fracture networks, which can strongly affect subsurface fluid flow and the strength of a rock mass. Through fieldwork and workshops we show that people report a different number of fractures from the same sample area of a fracture network. This variability results in significant differences in derived fracture statistics, which are often used as inputs for geological models. We suggest protocols to recognise, understand, and limit this effect on fracture data collection.