The effect of thermal cycling on the seismic quality factor Q of some sedimentary rocks.

V. A. Clark, T. W. Spencer, B. R. Tittmann

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Abstract

Changes in Q in rocks in response to thermal cycling can result from the removal of physisorbed water, an increase in the crack density and therefore the internal surface area, at temperatures greater than 400oC, the removal of chemisorbed OH groups which are the adsorption sites for physisorbed water, and the dehydration of clays. When rocks are heated to temperatures of 100o-200oC, the change in Q is reversible and is due to the removal of physisorbed water. Sioux quartzite and Berea sandstone were thermally cycled to 675oC and 385oC, respectively. The Q of both rocks increased when measured over a broad range of relative humidities, but decreased at low humidities (<10-25%). Measurements of adsorption isotherms for the Berea sandstone showed no loss of adsorptive capacity of the clays. Although the surface area of thermally cracked rocks increased, the number of sites where adsorbed water molecules contribute to attenuation decreased. -Authors

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7087-7094
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research
Volume86
Issue numberB8
DOIs
StatePublished - 1981

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geophysics
  • Forestry
  • Oceanography
  • Aquatic Science
  • Ecology
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Soil Science
  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Earth-Surface Processes
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Palaeontology

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