Dendritic microfractures

摘要

Fluid-created dendrite microfractures filled by fine mineral aggregates consisting of quartz, chlorite, calcite, and irregular voids in a metasomatic microcline. The branch fractures are symmetrical with respect to the trunk fracture. This fracture pattern is due to the shear stress concentration at the fracture tip (Clemens and Mawer, 1992), and related to hydrofracturing and fluid filling (Cook and Gordon, 1964; Pollard, 1977; Xu et al., 2004).