Competitive growth model and numerical simulation for fracture size distributions, and their applications to hydrothermal vein systems

摘要

A series of numerical simulations based on the very simple one-dimensional competitive growth model has been applied to size distributions of fracture systems. The results show that the size distributions change from the 'Poisson type' through the 'fractal type' to the 'large-ones dominated type' with the proceeding competitive growth (parameter M) and the medium rock strength (parameter FF). These types of natural fracture systems could be highly related to both capabilities of fluid flows and fluid-rock interactions especially at their formation period, and could be an indicator for resource assessments as shown at the Hishikari epithermal vein-type gold deposit, Japan.