Preferential cataclastic grain size reduction of feldspar in deformation bands in poorly consolidated arkosic sands

This study presents microstructural as well as bulk and mineral chemical investigations of deformation bands in uncemented, friable arkosic sands of Miocene age (Vienna Basin, Austria). Our microstructural study indicates grain size reduction by grain flaking in deformation bands with small offsets (0.5–8 cm), and dominant intragranular fracturing and cataclasis of altered feldspar grains at larger displacements (up to 60 cm). Relative to quartz, the sericitized feldspar grains are preferably fractured and abraded, which additionally leads to an enrichment of mainly phyllosilicates by mechanical expulsion from feldspar. Both cataclasis of quartz and feldspar grains and enrichment of phyllosilicates result in grain size reduction within the deformation bands. The measured reduction in porosity of up to 20% is in some cases associated with a permeability reduction, reflected in the retention of iron-oxide rich fluids along deformation bands. These deformation bands formed at very shallow burial depths in unconsolidated sediments indicate that fault sealing may occur in the absence of chemical alteration of the deformation bands and lead to a compartmentalization of a groundwater or hydrocarbon reservoir.