By which parameters are subsurface hydraulic properties described, and what is the physical meaning of each? - Porosity types of a range of rock types

3 important questions on By which parameters are subsurface hydraulic properties described, and what is the physical meaning of each? - Porosity types of a range of rock types

What occurs in cooling basalt outflows and what is the effect on porosity? Is this primary or secondary porosity?

Primary: Contraction fractures, lava tubes and vesicles

How can porosity be reduced by sediment compaction? Include in your answer: where this occurs, which sediments are more prone to this and what factor determines the magnitude of effect?


During burial of sediments to greater depths, in sedimentary basins, e.g. the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the packing of the sediment is likely to become more tight (effective) reducing
pore-space.


How much pore space is reduced of a sediment under a given increase of the overburden pressure is governed by the sediment compressibility, b, with units [Pa-1] (fluids in the pore space are
assumed uncompressible).


Clay-rich sediments have a larger compressibility than sands.

What does this formula express and how does it relate to claycontent?

This is porosity as a function of claycontent (Vclay) and depth, related to compressibility (beta). Effective stress (se) is the confining pressure exerted by the overburden minus fluid pressure.
f0 is the porosity at the surface.

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