Episodic reactivation of carbonate fault zones with implications for permeability – An example from Provence, Southeast France

Exposed in large, continuous outcrops Provence, southern France, the Castellas fault formed as a normal Upper Cretaceous and was reactivated left-lateral Eocene. Structural, petrographical, isotopic, geochronological analyses shed light on sequence of deformational-diagenetic stages zone help identify properties that controlled fluid-flow behavior through time. Abrupt contrasts fracture abundance compared to undeformed host rock define damage containing fractures arranged regularly spaced clusters. We identified eleven episodes calcite cementation within opening-mode primary pores. Cement fabrics, sediment fills, geochemistry show evidence shallow burial environments. U–Pb geochronology cements indicate two main deformational phases during Albo-Cenomanian Durancian uplift Eocene Pyrenean orogeny at ca. 90 Ma 50-40 Ma, respectively. Deformation created poro-permeability, but followed shortly after, pervasively occluding most porosity by end