CHEMICAL DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN THE THREE PRINCIPAL SERIES OF BASALTIC ROCKS

We present an outcrop-scale example of a localized contractional fault geometry that developed as part of an imbricate normal fault system in response to regional extension. Although extensional regions are dominated by abundant normal faulting, local thrust duplication may occur during the same phase of deformation, and on a regional scale may concentrate important quantities of hydrocarbons. Characteristics of extension-related fold belts have mostly been derived from seismic sections; thus fault geometries, mechanisms of formation, and kinematics of these structures are not precisely understood. Abundant kinematic indicators and complete exposure of an extended sedimentary sequence within the Dead Sea Transform, however, provide the opportunity to examine these fault geometries and mechanisms in detail. The local contractional geometry developed within an imbricate normal fault system, as a result of an out-of-sequence normal fault that detached at a higher structural level. The out-of-sequence normal fault offset pre-existing faults, but was deflected into a contractional geometry upon encountering an earlier-formed rollover anticline, whose curved bedding surface served as a convenient ramp. Consequently, displacement across the out-of-sequence fault generated coeval extensional and contractional geometries along the same detachment surface. Geometries and kinematics derived from the outcrop structural analysis may serve as important analogs for larger structures identified as potential targets for hydrocarbon exploration.     

Surge zones in the Moine thrust zone of NW Scotland

The Caledonian thrust zones of Assynt show several examples of large fault-bounded structures, surge zones, up to 8 km² in extent, which have moved further than adjacent rocks. Extensional faults can be traced into strike-slip faults and then to contractional imbricate faults. There are also zones of extensional and contractional flow as shown by strained bioturbation marks in the Cambrian Pipe Rock.Several other low-angle extensional fault zones have been recognized along the length of the Moine thrust zone, notably in the Kinlochewe district. Recognition of these extensional faults and local surge zones has solved several local problems such as the lack of continuity of the Glencoul thrust and the out-of-sequence character of some of the large low-angle faults. Though the thrust propagation direction was generally from east to west, in the transport direction, several of the eastern faults have been reactivated later and locally cut down as extensional faults. The ‘so-called’ Moine thrust shows extensional fault movement at several localities along its length.The extensional structures and the surge zones suggest that body forces have been important in driving the faults rather than just a push from the rear. The Moines and Moine thrust zone were presumably driven to the WNW by gravity spreading and thinning of the main Scottish Caledonides.     

Duplex structures connecting fault segments in Entrada Sandstone

All stages in the development of a duplex structure—from isolated, stepped fault segments, to segments joined by a single ramp, to segments joined by tens of ramps—are preserved along strike-slip and normal faults in Entrada Sandstone in Arches National Park, Utah. Bedding is either absent or at a high angle to the duplex-like structures in Entrada Sandstone, thus it had no significant role in constraining their geometry.We can reproduce the essential features of a duplex structure along a normal fault with mechanical and kinematic models previously used to simulate duplex structures along thrust faults. However the models do not account for the amount of observed thickening at the step where the structure forms. This suggests that the geometry of duplex-like structures along these strike-slip faults may be a result of interaction between the fault segments.     

对逆冲断层一些普遍观念的质疑──以美国西部科迪勒拉及中国华北的野外研究为例(英文)

在过去的25年里,由于许多原因,作为最常见、分布也最广泛的地质构造形迹之一,逆冲断层成为倍受关注的科学研究主题。文中指出,关于逆冲断层及其几何学特征的许多普遍认识（或观念）,并不像以往文献中所阐述的那样简单。其中之一的"薄皮"冲断构造是受地层控制的,极少有或者没有结晶基底物的卷入。文中主张,"薄皮"一词只有逆冲板片的几何学形态含义,而不应包含地层意义,并列举了一些完全由结晶岩石所构成的薄皮逆冲构造的例子来说明这一主张。近来,逆冲双重构造成为构造文献中的热点。关于逆冲双重构造的成因,引用得最多的是1982年Boyer和Elliot在其重要论文"逆冲断层系统"中所作的解释。他们认为,双重道冲构造是通过在冲断坡底部发生下盘破裂。新生断裂不断向前扩展并进入先存断层下盘的一系列变形过程中逐渐形成的。根据Boyer和Elliot提出的这种变形过程,将形成一个具有平面状顶板断层的边冲双重构造,这个顶板断层只在活动断坡的顶部是主动向前扩展的。依笔者之见,在实际的构造变形当中,是不可能具备形成平顶过冲双重构造的地质条件的。而能对平顶过冲双重构造形成作出最好解释的是反序（out－of－sequence,OOS）边冲断层的发育,即断层向着主冲断层的后方发展,在先存道冲构造的上部?     

汶川8级大地震同震破裂的特殊性及构造意义——多条平行断裂同时活动的反序型逆冲地震事件

汶川地震是有仪器记录以来发生的世界上最大的板内逆冲型地震之一。野外调查表明,沿北东走向的龙门山断裂带上,至少有两条逆冲断裂同时参与汶川地震的同震破裂过程,即北川断裂和安县灌县断裂（彭灌断裂）。倾向北西的高角度北川逆冲断裂上的地表破裂长度大于200 km,可能达225 km。运动方式在南部表现为以北西盘抬升的逆冲为主,往北东转为逆冲右旋走滑,走滑分量与垂向陡坎高度相当,陡坎高度最大值约为11 m。在彭灌断裂上,地表破裂表现为北西盘抬升的近纯逆冲性质的破裂,破裂长度达70 km,陡坎最高达3~3.5 m。汶川地震是世界上第一次明确记录到多条平行断裂参与同震破裂的逆冲型地震,而且因发震断层是龙门山断裂带内部的高角度逆冲断裂,而非断裂带前锋的低角度逆冲断裂,所以汶川地震属于反序型逆冲断裂活动。这与1999年我国台湾7.5级集集地震和2005年克什米尔7.6级地震类似,说明反序型逆冲地震具有普遍性。汶川地震这一震级大、破裂长的逆冲地震事件是对目前流行的青藏高原下地壳流动的变形假说提出的严峻挑战,同时也表明加强青藏高原东缘南北地震带上其他滑动速率较低但同样具有发生大地震可能性的活动断裂的滑动速率和古地震定量研究的紧迫性,因为这一地区人口密度与东部相当,但发生强震的频率更高。     

Syn-thrust deformation across a transverse zone: the Grem–Vedra fault system (central Southern Alps, N Italy)

The lateral continuity of the E?CW trending thrust sheets developed within the Lower to Middle Triassic cover of the central Southern Alps (Orobic belt) is disturbed by the occurrence of several N?CS trending transverse zones, such as the poorly known Grem?CVedra Transverse Zone (GVTZ). The GVTZ developed during the emplacement of the up to six S-verging thrust sheets consisting of Lower to Middle Triassic units, occurring immediately south of the Orobic Anticlines. The transverse zone, active during thrust emplacement related to the early Alpine compressions which pre-date the Adamello intrusion, includes three major vertical shear zones, the Grem, Pezzel and Zuccone faults. The major structure of the transverse zone is the dextral Grem fault, forming a deep lateral ramp between thrust sheets 3 and 5. A similar evolution also occurred along the Zuccone and Pezzel faults, which show a left-lateral displacement of syn-thrust folds. The Grem fault was later reactivated as an oblique tear fault during the emplacement of the Orobic Anticlines, due to back-thrusting along out-of-sequence thrust surfaces (Clusone fault). Transpressional deformations along the fault zone are recorded by the rotation of major syn-thrust folds, which also suggest a horizontal offset close to 0.5?km. Records of the first stage of evolution of the Grem fault are better preserved along its northern segment, and structural relationships suggest that it propagated southward and downward in the growing thrust stack. The study of the meso and megascopic structures developed along the GVTZ constrains the evolution of the transverse zone, illustrating the complex deformational phenomena occurring in a transpressional regime. The GVTZ probably reflects the existence of pre-existing tectonic lineaments with a similar orientation. Evidence of pre-existing structures are not preserved in the exposed units, nevertheless the N?CS extensional fault systems that characterize the Norian to Jurassic rifting history of the Lombardian basin are valid candidates.     

前陆冲断带非对称性变形与逆冲断层运动学指向

前陆冲断带冲断层的冲断方向一直没有得到理论解释.文中基于库伦断裂理论和造山带前陆冲断带变形的非对称性,分析了前冲断层和反冲断层的成因.变形初期将会出现两组共轭势断裂面,随后在变形非对称引起的准静力平衡条件下,两组势断裂面中所需作用力小的那组断裂面将更容易发育成冲断层,断层滑动所需作用力包括克服滑脱面摩擦力和断层面摩擦力...     

Upper crustal shortening and forward modeling of the Himalayan thrust belt along the Budhi-Gandaki River, central Nepal

A balanced cross-section along the Budhi-Gandaki River in central Nepal between the Main Central thrust, including displacement on that fault, and the Main Frontal thrust reveals a minimum total shortening of 400 km. Minimum displacement on major orogen-scale structures include 116 km on the Main Central thrust, 110 km on the Ramgarh thrust, 95 km on the Trishuli thrust, and 56 km in the Lesser Himalayan duplex. The balanced cross-section was also incrementally forward modeled assuming a generally forward-breaking sequence of thrusting, where early faults and hanging-wall structures are passively carried from the hinterland toward the foreland. The approximate correspondence of the forward modeled result to observe present day geometries suggest that the section interpretation is viable and admissible. In the balanced cross-section, the Trishuli thrust is the roof thrust for the Lesser Himalayan duplex. The forward model and reconstruction emphasize that the Lesser Himalayan duplex grew by incorporating rock from the footwall and transferring it to the hanging wall along the Main Himalayan thrust. As the duplex developed, the Lesser Himalayan ramp migrated southward. The movement of Lesser Himalayan thrust sheets over the ramp pushed the Lesser Himalayan rock and the overburdens of the Greater and Tibetan Himalayan rock toward the erosional surface. This vertical structural movement caused by footwall collapse and duplexing, in combination with erosion, exhumed the Lesser Himalaya.     

塔里木盆地柯坪断隆断裂构造分析

柯坪断隆内断裂发育，笔者根据野外及地震数据对各主要断裂和二级断裂进行了分析，认为柯坪塔格断裂形成于晚第三纪，沙井子断裂早期与柯坪塔格具有不同的发育历史，阿合奇断裂形成于挤压而非走滑的背景下，皮羌断裂和印干走滑断裂其实是协调作用的捩断层。萨尔干断裂是一条假走滑断层，实际上应该是一条撕裂断层。在挤压背景下形成了二类主要的断裂构造组合样式；叠瓦推覆体、构造窗。笔者认为柯坪断隆上的构造其实是印度板块和欧亚板块远程碰撞造山和板内变形的一种表现。     

Normal faults in thrust sheets: pre-orogenic extension,post-orogenic extension,or both?

In fold-and-thrust belts that experienced both pre-orogenic and post-orogenic extension, it may be difficult to establish whether observed normal faults pre-dated, post-dated, or were synchronous with thrusting. Geometrical structural patterns may be insufficient to constrain the relative chronology of extensional and contractional deformations. The systematic use of kinematic criteria makes it possible to unequivocally define the timing relationships of reverse and normal fault development, and hence to correctly unravel complex structural evolutions. Kinematic analysis in the southernmost Umbria–Marche Apennines of Italy, where both normal and thrust faults are present, revealed a history of repeated tectonic inversion, characterised by two distinct stages of extension separated by an episode of folding and thrusting. Structural overprinting relationships observed at thrust–normal fault intersections were useful for: (i) removing sequentially younger deformations; and hence (ii) separating and quantifying the effects of orogenic contraction from those of both pre-orogenic and post-orogenic extension.     

龙门山中段彭灌断裂带汶川Ms8.0地震同震破裂断层识别及其浅、表构造特征

2008年汶川Ms8.0地震在龙门山中段的彭灌断裂带产生的地表破裂,是该地震产生的第二大地表破裂带.综合应用地质、钻井以及二维、三维地震数据,利用横贯前山带的多条人工地震反射剖面,对彭灌断裂带产生同震破裂的断层进行准确识别和解释.研究表明,龙门山中段的彭灌断裂带是一套由3条主要断层和次级广泛发育的断裂组合构成,浅层表现...     

Physical analog (centrifuge) model investigation of contrasting structural styles in the Salt Range and Potwar Plateau,northern Pakistan

We use scaled physical analog (centrifuge) modeling to investigate along- and across-strike structural variations in the Salt Range and Potwar Plateau of the Himalayan foreland fold-thrust belt of Pakistan. The models, composed of interlayered plasticine and silicone putty laminae, comprise four mechanical units representing the Neoproterozoic Salt Range Formation (basal detachment), Cambrian–Eocene carapace sequence, and Rawalpindi and Siwalik Groups (Neogene molasse), on a rigid base representing the Indian craton. Pre-cut ramps simulate basement faults with various structural geometries.A pre-existing north-dipping basement normal fault under the model foreland induces a frontal ramp and a prominent fault-bend-fold culmination, simulating the Salt Range. The ramp localizes displacement on a frontal thrust that occurs out-of-sequence with respect to other foreland folds and thrusts. With a frontal basement fault terminating to the east against a right-stepping, east-dipping lateral ramp, deformation propagates further south in the east; strata to the east of the lateral ramp are telescoped in ENE-trending detachment folds, fault-propagation folds and pop-up structures above a thick basal detachment (Salt Range Formation), in contrast to translated but less-deformed strata with E–W-trending Salt-Range structures to the west. The models are consistent with Salt Range–Potwar Plateau structural style contrasts being due to basement fault geometry and variation in detachment thickness.     

Fault zone development and strain partitioning in an extensional strike-slip duplex: A case study from the Mesozoic Atacama fault system, Northern Chile

Upper crustal strike-slip duplexes provide an excellent opportunity to address the fundamental question of fault zone development and strain partitioning in an evolving system. Detailed field mapping of the Mesozoic Atacama fault system in the Coastal Cordillera of Northern Chile documents the progressive development of second- and third-order faults forming a duplex at a dilational jog between two overstepping master faults: the sinistral strike-slip, NNW-striking, Jorgillo and Bolfin faults. These are constituted by a meter-wide core of foliated S-C ultracataclasite and cataclasite, flanked by a damage zone of protocataclasite, splay faults and veins. Lateral separation of markers along master faults is on the order of a few kilometers. Second-order, NW-striking, oblique-slip subsidiary fault zones do not show foliated ultracataclasite; lateral sinistral separations are in the range of  10 to 200 m with a relatively minor normal dip-slip component. In turn, third-order, east–west striking normal faults exhibit centimetric displacement. Oblique-slip (sinistral–normal) fault zones located at the southern termination of the Bolfin fault form a well-developed imbricate fan structure. They exhibit a relatively simple architecture of extensional and extensional-shear fractures bound by low displacement shear fractures. Kinematic analysis of fault slip data from mesoscopic faults within the duplex area, document that the NW-striking and the EW-striking faults accommodate transtension and extension, respectively. Examination of master and subsidiary faults of the duplex indicates a strong correlation between total displacement and internal fault structure. Faults started from arrays of en echelon extensional/extensional-shear fractures that then coalesced into throughgoing strike-slip faults. Further displacement leads to the formation of discrete bands of cataclasite and ultracataclasite that take up a significant part of the total displacement. We interpret that the duplex formed by progressive linkage of horsetail-like structures at the southern tip of the Bolfin fault that joined splay faults coming from the Jorgillo and Coloso faults. The geometry and kinematics of faults is compared with that observed in analog models to gain an insight into the kinematic processes leading to complex strike-slip fault zones in the upper crust.     

尼日尔三角洲盆地泥收缩构造发育特征及对沉积的控制

泥收缩构造是发育在尼日尔三角洲盆地深水区的典型构造样式,属重力滑脱冲断构造,主要构造类型有冲断裂、塑性泥构造及相关褶皱和正断裂。基于地震地质解释,结合构造发育史分析,认为泥收缩构造主要受塑性泥构造控制,在中新世托尔托纳(Tortonian)晚期开始活动,中新世墨西拿期(Messinian)—上新世赞克勒期(Zanclean)达到最强,之后构造活动逐渐减弱,但至今仍在活动。通过古构造恢复,结合沉积展布分析,认为中新世托尔托纳晚期沉积开始受构造活动控制,托尔托纳阶上部及以上地层具有明显的同沉积特征,泥收缩构造相关的冲断裂上升盘厚度明显小于下降盘厚度,褶皱两翼的地层厚度明显厚于中间背斜顶部的地层厚度。     

The terminology of structures in thrust belts

A review of structures and geometric relationships recognized in thrust belts is presented. A thrust is defined as any contractional fault, a corollary being that thrusts must cut up-section in their transport direction. ‘Flats’ are those portions of a thrust surface which were parallel to an arbitrary datum surface at the time of displacement and ‘ramps’ are those portions of thrusts which cut across datum surfaces. Ramps are classified on the basis of their orientation relative to the thrust transport direction and whether they are cut offs in the hangingwall or footwall of the thrust. Lateral variations in the form of staircase trajectories are joined by oblique or lateral ramps which have a component of strike-slip movement.An array of thrusts which diverge in their transport direction may form by either of two propagation models. These are termed ‘piggy-back’ propagation, which is foreland-directed, and ‘overstep’ propagation which is opposed to the thrust transport direction. An array of thrust surfaces is termed an ‘imbricate stack’ and should these surfaces anastamose upwards a ‘duplex’ will result; the fault-bounded blocks are termed ‘horses’. A duplex is bounded by a higher, ‘roof’ thrust and a lower, ‘floor’ thrust. The intersection of any two thrust planes is termed a ‘branch line’.Thrusts can be classified on the basis of their relationship to asymmetric fold limbs which they cut. A further classification arises from whether a particular thrust lies in the hangingwall or footwall of another one.The movement of thrust sheets over corrugated surfaces, or the local development of thrust structures beneath, will fold higher thrust sheets. These folds are termed ‘culminations’ and their limbs are termed ‘culmination walls’. Accommodation of this folding may require movement on surfaces within the hangingwall of the active thrust. These accommodation surfaces are termed ‘hangingwall detachments’ and they need not root down into the active thrust. This category of detachment includes dip-slip ‘hangingwall drop faults’ which are developed by differential uplift of duplex roofs, and ‘out-of-the-syncline’ thrusts which develop from overtightened fold hinges. Back thrusts, as well as forming as hangingwall detachments, may also form due to layer-parallel shortening above a sticking thrust or by rotation of the hangingwall above a ramp.     

川东-鄂西郁江逆冲断层轨迹结构及扩展过程

野外地质调查和剖面测量揭示:郁江断层带的轨迹结构整体上表现为南北分段、东西分带的后展式叠瓦状逆冲断层结构;其中,底板缓倾角逆冲断层多层次(区域尺度、露头尺度和微观尺度)的断坪、断坡轨迹,特别是沿断坡方向的破裂分解,是分支断层呈上叠后展式扩展增殖的基础。根据运动学标志,郁江逆冲断层从北西向南东逆冲,最大断距小于1km,一般断距为10～100m级;后缘高倾角正断层的累计断距与前缘逆冲断距基本对应。结合区域构造分析,郁江逆冲断层轨迹结构定型于燕山期,轨迹扩展过程表现为:上叠分支断层沿底板逆冲断层的断坡方向逐次从前缘向后缘扩展增殖,属于典型的上叠后展式逆冲扩展结构;其中,后缘正断层的形成是断层轨迹结构反馈、运动调整和断层自组织行为的必然结果;而喜马拉雅主期区域应力场的激发,只是强化和加速了后缘正断层的扩展规模和进程。     

Geometric evolution of a plate interface–branch fault system: Its effects on the tectonic development of the Himalayas

Crustal deformation due to fault slip depends strongly on fault geometry, and fault geometry is changed by the deformation of the crust. This feedback mechanism causes the geometrical evolution of the fault system. We have studied the progress of the geometrical evolution of a plate interface–branch fault system through numerical simulation, based on elastic–viscoelastic dislocation theory. If the plate interface is smooth, no significant change occurs in fault geometry. If the plate interface has a ramp, we observe the gradual horizontal motion of the ramp toward the hanging-wall side of the interface at half the plate convergence rate. The offset of the ramp decreases with time. The dip-angle of thrust faults branching from the plate interface increases more rapidly as the dip of the fault increases. We have applied these results to the plate interface–branch fault system at the India–Eurasia collision boundary and obtained a scenario for the tectonic development of the Himalayas for the last 30 Myr.     

Enabling 3D geomechanical restoration of strike- and oblique-slip faults using geological constraints,with applications to the deep-water Niger Delta

We present a new approach of using local constraints on fault slip to perform three-dimensional geomechanical restorations. Geomechanical restoration has been performed previously on extensional and contractional systems, yet attempts to restore strike- and oblique-slip fault systems have generally failed to recover viable fault-slip patterns. The use of local measures of slip as constraints in the restoration overcomes this difficulty and enables restorations of complex strike- and oblique slip-systems. To explore this approach, we develop a synthetic restraining bend system to evaluate different ways that local slip constraints can be applied. Our restorations show that classical boundary conditions fail to reproduce the fault offset and strain pattern. In contrast, adding piercing points and/or properly constraining lateral walls enables restoration of the structure and resolves the correct pattern of slip along the faults. We then restore a complex system of tear-faults in the deepwater Niger Delta basin. We use channel offsets imaged by the seismic data to define local fault-slip constraints. Balancing these constraints equally on both sides of the major faults yields the most consistent restoration outcomes. This approach resolves reasonable slip styles on the complex set of thrust, normal, and strike-slip faults in the structure. This suggests that limited geologic fault slip constraints can be effectively incorporated in geomechanical restorations, yielding accurate restoration kinematics and thereby forecasting faults slip patterns within the structures.     

应用有限单元法恢复冲绳海槽和付加体古构造应力场及其意义

冲绳海槽是欧亚板块内大陆地壳的扩张作用所形成的一个弧后盆地。以弹性学原理和库仑—莫尔准则为基础,应用二维(2D)有限单元法模拟大陆岩石圈上部的构造应力场和断层发育状况。模型中使用两种位移边界条件,并采用平面应变条件进行计算。扩张位移边界条件加载于冲绳海槽内大陆地壳的底部,俯冲位移边界条件加载于菲律宾海板块的俯冲带。数学模拟的结果表明,大陆地壳底部的扩张作用使得冲绳海槽内发育正断层,最后导致冲绳海槽这一弧后盆地的形成。菲律宾海板块的俯冲作用引起欧亚板块付加体中形成逆掩断层。     

南天山库车秋里塔格褶皱带三维构造分析

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