The evolution of fault-zone permeability and groundwater flow patterns within the Albuquerque Basin of the Rio Grande Rift, NM

We propose a new model to represent the spatial and temporal evolution of f ault permeability within poorly lithified sediments. The model utilizes an advection-dispersion equation to represent the transport and mixing of sand and clay size material, which become entrained into the fault zone. The mo del is being tested using mathematical modeling constrained by sedimentolog ical permeability, and cementation data collected along the Sand Hill Fault within the Albuquerque Basin of the Rio Grande Rift. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.