Articles | Volume 7, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-7-789-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-7-789-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Mechanisms of clay smear formation in unconsolidated sediments – insights from 3-D observations of excavated normal faults
Michael Kettermann
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Structural Geology, Tectonics and Geomechanics Energy and Mineral Resources Group, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstraße 4–20, 52056 Aachen, Germany
Sebastian Thronberens
Structural Geology, Tectonics and Geomechanics Energy and Mineral Resources Group, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstraße 4–20, 52056 Aachen, Germany
now at: Weatherford International plc, Hanover, Germany
Oscar Juarez
Chair of Geotechnical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
Janos Lajos Urai
Structural Geology, Tectonics and Geomechanics Energy and Mineral Resources Group, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstraße 4–20, 52056 Aachen, Germany
Martin Ziegler
Chair of Geotechnical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
Sven Asmus
RWE Power AG, Cologne, Germany
Ulrich Krüger
RWE Power AG, Cologne, Germany
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Cited
9 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Evolution of structure and permeability of normal faults with clay smear: Insights from water‐saturated sandbox models and numerical simulations M. Kettermann et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JB013341
- Fault surface development and fault rock juxtaposition along deformation band clusters in porous sandstones series S. Philit et al. https://doi.org/10.1306/01211917256
- 3D geometry and architecture of a normal fault zone in poorly lithified sediments: A trench study on a strand of the Baza Fault, central Betic Cordillera, south Spain I. Medina-Cascales et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2019.02.003
- Implications of low-displacement fault seal analysis: Insights from the across-fault borehole of Huimin depression in Bohai Bay Basin, China C. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marger.2026.207683
- Fault permeability from stochastic modeling of clay smears L. Saló-Salgado et al. https://doi.org/10.1130/G50739.1
- Along-strike fault core thickness variations of a fault in poorly lithified sediments, Miri (Malaysia) S. Sosio De Rosa et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2018.08.012
- Assessing the viability of CO2 storage in offshore formations of the Gulf of Mexico at a scale relevant for climate-change mitigation J. Silva et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2023.103884
- Oblique rifting along transfer zones: The structural evolution model revealed by physical modeling R. Rodrigues et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2022.104153
- Mechanism and continuity of gypsum smears in the East Qiulitage anticline, Kuqa foreland basin, China T. Wu et al. https://doi.org/10.1306/02072219057
9 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Evolution of structure and permeability of normal faults with clay smear: Insights from water‐saturated sandbox models and numerical simulations M. Kettermann et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JB013341
- Fault surface development and fault rock juxtaposition along deformation band clusters in porous sandstones series S. Philit et al. https://doi.org/10.1306/01211917256
- 3D geometry and architecture of a normal fault zone in poorly lithified sediments: A trench study on a strand of the Baza Fault, central Betic Cordillera, south Spain I. Medina-Cascales et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2019.02.003
- Implications of low-displacement fault seal analysis: Insights from the across-fault borehole of Huimin depression in Bohai Bay Basin, China C. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marger.2026.207683
- Fault permeability from stochastic modeling of clay smears L. Saló-Salgado et al. https://doi.org/10.1130/G50739.1
- Along-strike fault core thickness variations of a fault in poorly lithified sediments, Miri (Malaysia) S. Sosio De Rosa et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2018.08.012
- Assessing the viability of CO2 storage in offshore formations of the Gulf of Mexico at a scale relevant for climate-change mitigation J. Silva et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2023.103884
- Oblique rifting along transfer zones: The structural evolution model revealed by physical modeling R. Rodrigues et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2022.104153
- Mechanism and continuity of gypsum smears in the East Qiulitage anticline, Kuqa foreland basin, China T. Wu et al. https://doi.org/10.1306/02072219057
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 31 May 2026
Short summary
We present exceptional 3-D outcrop data of clay smears in freshly cut trenches of Miocene unconsolidated deltaic clay–sand sequences in an active lignite quarry in the Lower Rhine Embayment. We aim to identify and investigate processes that entrain clay into a fault or breach of formed clay smear. We show the importance of host rock deformation, grain-scale mixing and source layering on clay smear geometry by providing 2-D cross sections and 3-D thickness data of complete clay smear sequences.
We present exceptional 3-D outcrop data of clay smears in freshly cut trenches of Miocene...