Granites: Relation of Properties in situ to Laboratory Measurements

The velocity of compressional waves and electrical resistivity in granite in situ measured in two 3-kilometer boreholes exhibits very little variation with depth, in contrast with the variation predicted from laboratory measurements on dry samples. These observations can be explained either by the absence of small open cracks in the rocks in situ or by the effects of complete saturation with water. The seismic velocities of many granites at shallow depths in the earth's crust may be significantly larger than was previously believed. Other properties are also affected; correction for the effect of cracks on thermal conductivity raises the average heat flow in shield areas by as much as 20 percent.