Articles | Volume 14, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-271-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-271-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
09 Mar 2023
Research article |
| 09 Mar 2023
| 09 Mar 2023
Large grain-size-dependent rheology contrasts of halite at low differential stress: evidence from microstructural study of naturally deformed gneissic Zechstein 2 rock salt (Kristallbrockensalz) from the northern Netherlands
Jessica Barabasch
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute for Structural Geology, Tectonics and Geomechanics, RWTH
Aachen University, Lochnerstrasse 4-20, 52056 Aachen, Germany
Joyce Schmatz
MaP – Microstructure and Pores GmbH, Junkerstrasse 93, 52064 Aachen,
Germany
Jop Klaver
MaP – Microstructure and Pores GmbH, Junkerstrasse 93, 52064 Aachen,
Germany
Alexander Schwedt
Central Facility for Electron Microscopy (GFE), RWTH Aachen
University, Ahornstr. 55, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Janos L. Urai
Institute for Structural Geology, Tectonics and Geomechanics, RWTH
Aachen University, Lochnerstrasse 4-20, 52056 Aachen, Germany
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Short summary
We analysed Zechstein salt with microscopes and observed specific microstructures that indicate much faster deformation in rock salt with fine halite grains when compared to salt with larger grains. This is important because people build large cavities in the subsurface salt for energy storage or want to deposit radioactive waste inside it. When engineers and scientists use grain-size data and equations that include this mechanism, it will help to make better predictions in geological models.
We analysed Zechstein salt with microscopes and observed specific microstructures that indicate...
