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School of Earth, Engergy & Environmental SciencesZoback Stress and Crustal Mechanics Group

  • Rock deformation and fluid transport

    Using state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, we investigate why natural rocks deform, and how this changes local fluid transport. We perform mechanical and permeability tests in combination with micro and nanoscale analysis/imaging to identify the mechanisms that control bulk deformation, fault movement and fluid transport at the crustal and reservoir scale. [Learn more]

  • F. Rall Walsh, III, Mark D. Zoback, and Ker Than: Earthquakes in Oklahoma

    Faulting and crustal mechanics

    Our group carries out a variety of studies that approach problems of faulting and crustal mechanics in geologic environments by integration of various types of data. Typically, these studies involve working with data on the magnitude and orientation of in situ stresses, seismological data, geodetic data, etc. [Learn more]

  • Energy Information Administration shale gas plays

    Reservoir geomechanics

    We are carrying out a series of studies, usually in close collaboration with the oil and gas industry, on problems in oil and gas reservoirs, potential CO2 repositories and geothermal reservoirs. The emphasis of this research recently has been on shale gas, tight gas and tight oil reservoirs. [Learn more]

 

Stanford Stress and Crustal Mechanics Group

The Stress and Crustal Mechanics Group uses knowledge of the state of stress in the Earth and the mechanical properties of Earth materials to investigate a variety of geophysical problems. [more]

The group is directed by Professor Mark D. Zoback.

Recent Publications

Kuang, Wenhuan, Zoback, M.D., and Zhang, J. 2017. Estimating geomechanical parameters from microseismic plane focal mechanisms recorded during multi-stage hydraulic fracturing. Geophysics 82(1):KS1–KS11, doi:10.1190/GEO2015-0691.1.

Alt, Richard C., II, and Zoback, M.D. 2017. In-situ stress and active faulting in Oklahoma. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 107(1), doi:10.1785/0120160156.

Ma, Xiaodong, and Zoback, M.D. 2017. Lithology variations and cross-cutting faults affect hydraulic fracturing of Woodford shale: A case study. SPE-184850-MS, SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference, Woodlands, TX, 24-26 January, 2017.

Ma, Xiaodong, and Zoback, M.D. In review. Lithology-controlled stress variations and pad-scale faults: A case study of hydraulic fracturing in the Woodford shale, Oklahoma. Geophysics.

Ma, Xiaodong, and Zoback, M.D. 2017. Laboratory experiments simulating poroelastic stress changes associated with depletion and injection in low-porosity sedimentary rocks. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 122: 26 p. doi:10.1002/2016JB013668.

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