Coal fractures and structure along the southern margin of the South Wales coal basin UK

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Marios N. Miliorizos, University of Glamorgan, Alfred Russel Wallace Building, Glyn Taf Campus, Pontypridd CF37 1DL Wales UK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ mmiliori@glam.ac.uk Abstract An investigation of Silesian strata along the southern margin of the South Wales coal basin reveals the relationship between fractures and geological structure. The investigation involves a joint survey, analyses of coal micro-fractures and the effects of structural distance and burial depth on coal fractures. The ongoing practical and multidisciplinary approach aims to define the distribution and origin of fractures, within this greatly exploited Palaeozoic basin, applicable to coal bed methane resource evaluation. An alternative kinematic model of composite post-Palaeozoic fault reactivation is proposed to explain the fault framework of the Sub-Variscan fore-deep and the subsequent enhancement of fracture porosity within it.
196kmN
Cross measures drift

Berthlwyd Colliery workings in Penlan seam

Plan number 10168

Fault Workings Village Box on side of downthrow Seam height

0.30m

-294.82m

4.57m

1.83m

9.15m 10.98m 22.86m -155.18m 23.78m 2.13m 3.05m

True North

Heol Las

Rhean Fawr
Ordnance Datum

195kmN
6m 62.80m

0.15m 1.80m 0.30m 6.40m

Dip of strata 31.5

256kmE

Airway Slant

Out cr

Bryn Rose

257kmE

op of P en

0.30m

lan

14.63m

M. Miliorizos, 17th January 1995.

A typical coal seam structure map beneath the south crop.