Cross-Property Relationship Between Electrical Resistivity and Elastic Wave Velocity of Crustal Rocks From the Oman Drilling Project Hole GT3A: Implications for in Situ Geophysical Properties of Oceanic Crust

Geophysical properties of oceanic crust are strongly influenced by the presence of cracks. We studied the effects of cracks on the physical properties of oceanic crustal rocks collected from the ICDP Oman Drilling Project Hole GT3A. Electrical resistivity and P- and S-wave velocities were measured under dry and brine-water-saturated conditions for each sample. The experimental results reveal that electrical resistivity and elastic wave velocities are differently correlated with porosity. We performed joint inversion of the measured electrical and elastic properties combining an effective medium model by Kachanov and a statistical crack fluid flow model by Gueguen and Dienes with percolation theory. As a result, the variations in electrical and elastic properties can be related to the crack microstructural parameters: crack density and aspect ratio, as well as connectivity of cracks evaluated from crack density. To understand the influence of in situ conditions of oceanic crust, the joint inversion using the proposed cross-property relationship was performed for geophysical properties obtained by logging measurements at IODP Hole 1256D. Results show the depth variations of resistivity and sonic velocities can be successfully interpreted by decreasing crack porosity and connectivity. Our data and analysis can provide new insights into the interpretation of geophysical data from the oceanic crust at which pore-fluid plays key roles in various geodynamic activities.

Automated summary

The study investigates the influence of cracks on the physical properties of oceanic crustal rocks. Experiment results reveal different correlations between electrical resistivity and elastic wave velocities with porosity. By performing joint inversion, the variations in electrical and elastic properties are related to crack microstructural parameters. The study provides new insights into the interpretation of geophysical data from the oceanic crust.