(a, b) Distribution of the permanent plastic shear strain along the fault zone for case 1 in (a) and case 2 in (b) (t= 1.5 d). Note that the plastic shear strain is higher in the most permeable side of the fault zone (1.05 × 10⁻²). A model with a symmetrical distribution of fault zone properties produces a plasticized shear zone with a maximum strain of 6.03 × 10⁻³. A sufficiently large permeability contrast in the fault zone produces a larger amount of plasticized shear zone and can rupture the damage zone completely near the pressure source.