The tensile strength of hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks

The tensile strength of volcanic rocks is an important parameter for understanding and modelling a wide range processes, in the development strategies designed to optimise energy production geothermal reservoirs. However, despite near-ubiquity hydrothermal alteration at systems, values hydrothermally altered are sparse. Here, we present experimental study which measured variably rocks. these rocks, quantified as weight percentage secondary (alteration) minerals, varied from 6 62.8 wt%. Our data show that decreases function porosity, agreement with previous studies, alteration. We fit existing theoretical constitutive models our so can be estimated given provide transformation such they because porosity influence each other, it challenging untangle their individual contributions reduction strength. new previously published suggest exerts first-order role on Based observations, also (1) likely if associated mineral dissolution, weak minerals (such clays), increase microstructural heterogeneity (2) increases pore- crack-filling precipitation. Therefore, conclude both intensity type To highlight implications findings, discrete element method shows that, following pressurisation dyke, damage within host-rock greater more widespread than strong host-rock. Because settings altered, results future should consider