Growth processes, dimensional parameters and scaling relationships of two conjugate sets of compactive shear bands in porous carbonate grainstones, Favignana Island, Italy

Three main sets of deformation bands are identified in the Lower Pleistocene carbonate grainstones of Favignana Island (Italy). A bedding-parallel set is interpreted to contain compaction bands, based on the lack of evidence for shear. The other two sets are oriented at a high-angle to bedding, forming a conjugate pair comprised of compactive strike-slip shear bands. In this study, we focus on the compactive shear bands documenting their development, as well as analyzing their dimensional parameters and scaling relationships.Single compactive shear bands are thin, tabular zones with porosity less than the surrounding host rocks, and have thicknesses and displacements on the order of a few mm. The growth process for these structures involves localizing further deformation within zones of closely-spaced compactive shear bands and, possibly, along continuous slip surfaces within fault rocks overprinting older zones of bands. During growth, single bands, zones of bands and faults can interact and link, producing larger structures. The transitions from one growth step to another, which are controlled by changes in the deformation behavior (i.e. banding vs. faulting), are recorded by different values of the dimensional parameters for the structures (i.e. length, thickness and displacement). These transitions are also reflected by the ratios and distributions of the dimensional parameters. Considering the lesser porosity values of the structures with respect to the host rock, the results of this contribution could be helpful for mapping, assessing, and simulating carbonate grainstone reservoirs with similar structures.

► We studied a faults system in the Low. Pleistocene carbonates of Favignana Island (Italy).
► We describe one pair of conjugate sets of strike-slip compactive shear bands.
► We document growth modes, dimensional properties as well as scaling relationships.
► We provide results useful to improve the quality evaluation of carbonate reservoirs.