Friction in clay-bearing faults increases with the ionic radius of interlayer cations

Hiroshi Sakuma; David A. Lockner; John Solum; Nicholas C. Davatzes

doi:10.1038/s43247-022-00444-3

Communications Earth & Environment (May 2022)

Friction in clay-bearing faults increases with the ionic radius of interlayer cations

Hiroshi Sakuma,
David A. Lockner,
John Solum,
Nicholas C. Davatzes

Affiliations

Hiroshi Sakuma: Functional Clay Materials Group, National Institute for Materials Science
David A. Lockner: U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park
John Solum: Carbonate Research, Integrated Geoscience Department, Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Kesslerpark 1
Nicholas C. Davatzes: Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Temple University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00444-3
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 3, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

Read online

Shear strength of smectite clays depends on the size of the interlayer cation suggest lab-based experiments and theoretical calculations. Whereas sodium ions fit within exchange site cavities, larger potassium ions do not and enhance friction.

Published in Communications Earth & Environment

ISSN: 2662-4435 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Geology; Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.nature.com/commsenv/

About the journal