Deep Geodynamic Laboratory - Gulf of Corinth project
The objective is to investigate the mechanical behavior of faults through the instrumentation of deep boreholes intersecting active faults. Particular emphasis will be placed on documenting the role of fluids on fault behavior and the role of earthquake faulting on regional hydrogeology.
WP1: Site reconnaissance (UPSL, IFP, IPGP)
A geophysical site reconnaissance will provide a preliminary image of the local geological structures for selecting the proper boreholes location.
WP2: Drilling and coring (GFZ-Potsdam, IPGP, Univ. Montpellier)
Two wells, 200m apart, are to be drilled through the Aigion fault so as to provide permanent access to an active fault.
WP3: Logging and temporary measurements (IPGP, NKUA, Univ. Montpellier)
Data on the physical, hydraulic and mechanical properties of the fault and its surrounding material will be acquired. The regional temperature, stress and pore pressure fields will be characterized.
WP4: Core analysis, geology, geo-chemistry and physical properties (IFP, Univ. Catania, Univ. Edingurgh, CERMES)
Laboratory analysis of cores retrieved from within and around the fault will provide information on the role of fluids on the past activity of the fault together with the hydraulic and mechanical properties of the geological material.
WP5: Downhole instrumentation and continuous acquisition (IPGP, GFZ-Potsdam)
Activity, of quasistatic and dynamic variations in pore pressure within and around the fault, of the amount of quasistatic deformation and its localization, of the geochemistry of percolating fluids. Hydraulic interference tests with chemical tracers will help determine the hydrological properties of the fault at a 500-m scale. Pore pressure variation will be monitored at various locations around the fault. Downhole seismometers and accelerometers will help characterize the signal at depth.
