Mechanical properties of ultrafine quartz, chlorite and bentonite in environments appropriate to upper-crustal earthquakes

Typescript (photocopy).This dissertation is concerned with understanding frictional deformation mechanisms in the context of earthquake prediction. Using experimental rock deformation techniques, attempts are made to simulate realistic hypocentral environments for upper-crustal earthquakes, with the purpose of elucidating characteristics of the operative deformation mechanisms important in determining constitutive equations for frictional processes and instabilities. In particular, the effects of temperature and pore water pressure are investigated in friction experiments simulating the environment expected along a fault between 5 and 10 km depth. Using a triaxial apparatus, thin layers (