Drilling-Induced Mineralization as a Formation Mechanism for Zebra Textures in Shale Cores

Drilling-Induced Mineralization as a Formation Mechanism for Zebra Textures in Shale Cores | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Drilling-Induced Mineralization as a Formation Mechanism for Zebra Textures in Shale Cores Alexander Minakov, Mohammad Nooraiepour, Viktoriya Yarushina, and 17 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7401268/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The interaction of stresses, fluid flow, and chemical reactions in sedimentary rocks controls basin evolution, fault behavior, and the performance of engineered subsurface systems. Yet, direct evidence for the timing and coupling of these processes remains elusive. Here, we provide evidence of calcite precipitation on the timescale of brittle failure in Campanian mudrocks potentially occurring during the drilling International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Hole U1581B in the Transkei Basin, offshore South Africa. Core samples recovered between depths of 850-980 m below seafloor exhibited zebra-like patterns formed by calcite veins cross-cutting a dark claystone matrix along with other drilling-induced core disturbances. The optical and scanning electron microscopy images indicate the zebra-like deformation structures are formed by syntaxial growth of calcite concurrent with the tensile and shear fracture development. Carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios from the calcite veins cluster outside the value range typical for natural marine carbonates deposited at seafloor. The values of strontium isotopic ratio scatter from the modern seawater to the Campanian carbonates. We proposed a scenario, supported by numerical simulations of drilling-induced core deformation and geochemical modeling, for the vein formation as the result of core decompression at elevated temperatures. The results of this study contribute to understanding in situ conditions and timescales for healing drilling-induced fractures by carbonate mineralization. Earth and environmental sciences/Ocean sciences Earth and environmental sciences/Solid earth sciences Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files SciRepSubm.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7401268","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":516685557,"identity":"a89958b5-426c-481c-9fee-0f84e0f09613","order_by":0,"name":"Alexander 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