Fault sealing

This chapter deals with fault sealing and permeability. Faults can have a strong impact on the fluid flow in the lithosphere. The basic concepts of fault seal processes and their impact on the permeability are explained. This is flanked by a wide range of case studies that allow the reader to connect the theoretical foundations with field examples. The reader will learn about the effect that the different host rock types (clastic rocks, carbonates, evaporites) can have on the structure and composition of a fault that develops within these rocks. Understanding fault seal processes has a strong practical application, especially in hydrocarbon exploration projects and in the growing field of geothermal play assessment.