9526767 Rudnicki This research is a theoretical examination of the effects of coupling of shear deformation with pore fluid pressure changes on the stability of slip in fault gouge zones. Pore pressure alterations arise from shear-induced dilatancy or compaction and shear heating. The model incorporates idealizations of material behavior observed in laboratory experiments and estimated and measured in situ conditions. Numerical and asymptotic solution of the equations describing the model yield predictions of the evolution of fault slip and the temperature and pore pressure in the fault zone. The pressure and temperature changes predicted by the analysis provide a basis for the interpretation of hydrothermal mineralization and chemical alterations often observed in exhumed fault gouge zones. This research is a component of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program. *** ??
