Active strike-slip faulting history inferred from offsets of topographic features and basement rocks: a case study of the Arima–Takatsuki Tectonic Line,southwest Japan

Geological, geomorphological and geophysical data have been used to determine the total displacement, slip rates and age of formation of the Arima–Takatsuki Tectonic Line (ATTL) in southwest Japan. The ATTL is an ENE–WSW-trending dextral strike-slip fault zone that extends for about 60 km from northwest of the Rokko Mountains to southwest of the Kyoto Basin. The ATTL marks a distinct topographic boundary between mountainous regions and basin regions. Tectonic landforms typically associated with active strike-slip faults, such as systematically-deflected stream channels, offset ridges and fault scarps, are recognized along the ATTL. The Quaternary drainage system shows progressive displacement along the fault traces: the greater the magnitude of stream channel, the larger the amount of offset. The maximum dextral deflection of stream channels is 600–700 m. The field data and detailed topographic analyses, however, show that pre-Neogene basement rocks on both sides of the ATTL are displaced by about 16–18 km dextrally and pre-Mio–Pliocene elevated peneplains are also offset 16–17 km in dextral along the ATTL. This suggests that the ATTL formed in the period between the development of the pre-Mio–Pliocene peneplains and deflection of the Quaternary stream channels.The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence presented in this study indicates that (1) the ATTL formed after the mid-Miocene, (2) the ATTL has moved as a dextral strike-slip fault with minor vertical component since its formation to late Holocene and (3) the ATTL is presently active with dextral slip rates of 1–3 mm/year and a vertical component of >0.3 mm/year. The formation of the ATTL was probably related to the opening of the Japan Sea, which is the dominant tectonic event around Japan since mid-Miocene. The case study of the ATTL provides insight into understanding the tectonic history and relationship between tectonic landforms and structures in active strike-slip faults.     

Stream analysis of small drainage basins in an ancient landform,Korean Peninsula

Much of the topography of Korea is ancient, but many Quaternary fault outcrops and marine terraces have been observed in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula. Sufficient evidence of a Quaternary fault is lacking in the geological features of the commercially developed Jukbyun and Uljin areas. Knickpoints that develop on streams can be formed by tectonic activity such as faulting and folding, or can result simply from the differential erosion rates of bedrock. In this study, we investigated the relationship between stream steepness and faults in the Jukbyun area. Stream profile analyses of the Bugu and Namdae basins were performed using a digital elevation model to estimate Quaternary tectonic movements. Stream parameters obtained from analysis of the longitudinal stream profiles of the Bugu and Namdae drainage basins in the northeastern part of the Korean Peninsula indicated neotectonic movement. Thirty of the thirty-nine knickpoints that developed in the downstream areas of the fluvial channels corresponded to fault zones. It is thought that fault activity results in knickpoints in river systems. The normalized relative slope (K_sn) value (54.9) of the BS1 stream in the Bugu drainage basin was higher than that (28.8–36.3) of the other streams in both basins, despite a similar lithology to NS1 and NS2. Therefore, we concluded that stream steepness might be a result of tectonic forcing rather than a product of rock strength in the study area and that stream parameters could provide indirect evidence of Quaternary tectonics in ancient landforms.     

Geomorphic traces of a Weichselian ice stream in the Wielkopolska Lowland, western Poland

Geomorphological analysis of a digital elevation model reveals an extensive zone with uniformly oriented elongated landforms in the middle and eastern Wielkopolska Lowland, directly to the north of the maximum extent of the Weichselian Ice Sheet. Individual linear landforms are up to 10 km long, a few hundred metres wide, and with only a few metres of relief. The belts of linear landforms visible on the surfaces of the uplands are disrupted by subglacial channels and younger river valleys. The character and distribution of both landform types, in relation to the outlines of marginal zones of the Weichselian ice lobes, indicate that their origin was subglacial. The elongated landforms are interpreted as mega-scale glacial lineations (MSGLs) characteristic of palaeo-ice stream zones. The MSGLs occur in a zone 70 km long and 80 km wide and are distinctly divergent towards the maximum extent of the ice sheet. This arrangement demonstrates that they are the record of the terminal zone of the ice stream, whose full size was likely in the order of a few hundred kilometres in length.     

Evaluation of relative tectonic activity of Buin Zahra-Avaj area,northern Iran

Present active tectonics is affecting central Alborz and created various dynamic landforms in Buin Zahra-Avaj area, northern Iran. The area, located between the southern central Alborz and the edge of northwestern central Iran, is the result of both the Arabian–Eurasian convergence and clockwise rotation of the south Caspian Basin with respect to Eurasia in which most of the steep fault planes have a left lateral strike-slip component and most of the dip-slip faults are reverse, dipping SW. Since this region consists of several residential and industrial areas and includes several fault zones, the assessment of the structures of the present activity is vital. Six significant morphometric indices have been applied for this evaluation including stream length–gradient (SL), drainage basin asymmetry factor (Af), hypsometric integral (Hi), ratio of valley floor width to valley height (Vf), drainage basin shape (Bs), and mountain front sinuosity (Smf). The combined analyzed indices, represented through the relative tectonic activity (Iat), were used. The study area was divided into four regions according to the values of Iat. These classes include class 1 (very high activity,18%), class 2 (high, 20%), class 3 (moderate, 44%), and class 4 (low, 18%). The results of these indices are consistent with field observations on landforms and the deformation of Quaternary deposits.     

Glaciofluvial channels formed prior to the last deglaciation: examples from Swedish Lapland

At four localities in area east of the Sarek and Kebnekajse massifs in Swedish Lapland, glaciofluvial channels seem to have been overhidden by glaciers without having extensively modified. It is suggested that the channels were formed during an Early Weichselian stade. The last glaical advance had little effect on the pre-exiting landforms at these localities and probably also at many other places in the area. Earlier theories about glacial development and deglaciation patterns in this area are based on morphology and the assumption that the landforms were formed during the last deglaciation. These theories need to be revised.     

Geomorphological markers of faulting and neotectonic activity along the western Andean margin,northern Chile

In the Atacama Desert, northern Chile, some ephemeral channels are developed in the Plio‐Quaternary alluvial sequence that caps the Neogene Atacama Gravels Formation. Geomorphological studies and high‐resolution digital elevation data (GPS) along a structural transect in the Central Depression are used to document modern growth history of subtle folding and faulting in the fore‐arc region. Outcrop data of the most recent deposits are combined with observations of warped and faulted late Quaternary pediments, alluvial fans and terrace surfaces to propose unsuspected neotectonic processes on the western flank of the Domeyko Cordillera. Neotectonic process recognition is here based largely upon the interpretation of alluvial landforms, drainage organisation and evolution as the intermittent river network shows systematic patterns of course deflections, successive incisions or deposition processes as it encounters the fault scarps or folds in the superficial deposits. This area presents both N–S‐trending active vertical faults in the topographically higher pampas, and N–S‐trending active folding in the lower pampas. These faults seem to accommodate E–W extension and compression that could be related to uplift of the western Andean margin within a compressive context. Uplift may have taken place unevenly over the past few million years after the deposition of the superficial alluvial surfaces that cap the Neogene Atacama Gravels. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

青藏高原东北缘循化－贵德盆地及邻区更新世时期沉积与后期侵蚀样式研究

利用残存的地貌标志恢复原始地貌形态是地貌研究的难点之一。青藏高原东北缘循化－贵德地区晚新生代构造活动强烈,晚新生代黄河在本区发育,其后期演化记录了青藏高原隆升扩展的详细信息,同时黄河侵蚀下切过程本身也是值得深入研究的重要科学问题。由于黄河水系的发育,晚更新世以后循化－贵德盆地地区实现由盆地加积向退积的调整,盆地地区逐渐开始遭受黄河水系的侵蚀下切,并逐渐形成现今青藏高原东北缘的地貌形态。野外地质调查发现更新统的变形程度较弱,由于区域构造隆升与河流强烈下切的共同作用,现今保存的更新统已经成为盆地内部的分水岭,如龙羊峡地区。本研究正是选取循化－贵德盆地及其邻区更新统地层为古地貌重建的标志,基于数字高程模型(DEM)空间分析技术,构建了青藏高原东北缘循化－贵德盆地地区更新世古地貌形态,并进行了初步分析,主要认识有： 1)秦岭北缘断裂带构成其南西向北东方向地形快速降低的边界带; 2)在北西南东方向上,西秦岭、黄河、拉脊山、湟水河以及祁连山等总体上构成了向形－背形相间的地貌格局。同时以古地形为基础,定量计算了盆地区更新世以来的侵蚀分布图像,定量结果表明： 1)剥蚀量的分布形态与高原东北缘盆山地貌系统之间有一定相关耦合性,盆地地区的剥蚀量比较大,而相邻山脉地区的剥蚀量都比较小; 2)剥蚀量比较大的盆地地区剥蚀量与盆地内部河流形态之间也具有明显的关联特征,盆地内部剥蚀量最大的区域往往是盆地内部独立河流的中游地区。     

Fracture systems of granites and Quaternary deposits of the area east of Aqaba: indicators of reactivation and neotectonic activity

This study is based on measurement of hundreds of fractures (small faults, joints, cracks) in the crystalline rocks (Precambrian) and in Quaternary deposits of the investigated area east of Aqaba. Fault-slip data, joints, and any weakness zone data from the study area were collected from 20 stations. These stations represent wadi cliffs, stream channels, alluvial fans in the Pleistocene to Holocene sediments, and granitic rocks. During this study, it was assumed that any discontinuity in granitic rocks is a plane of weakness neoformed or inherited and reactivated during the successive tectonic phases. Whereas any cracks, joints, or small displacement in the Pleistocene and Holocene deposits are assumed to represent the activity or, more recently, deformation of the local area where they found. This study found the main trends of weakness zones, the kinematics, and the relation to main stress field in the region. Results show that the Late Neoproterozoic structures were reactivated during the Cenozoic and controlled the recent movement along the Dead Sea Rift. The NNE to N-S trend sets explain the reactivation of the late Neoproterozoic structures during Tertiary times. On the other hand, the formation of the Dead Sea Transform during the Miocene occurred along the N-S to NNE-SSW trending fault system, which was reactivated as sinistral fault.     

An outline of neotectonic structures and morphotectonics of the western and central Pannonian Basin

Neotectonic deformation in the western and central part of the Pannonian Basin was investigated by means of surface and subsurface structural analyses, and geomorphologic observations. The applied methodology includes the study of outcrops, industrial seismic profiles, digital elevation models, topographic maps, and borehole data. Observations suggest that most of the neotectonic structures in the Pannonian Basin are related to the inverse reactivation of earlier faults formed mainly during the Miocene syn- and post-rift phases. Typical structures are folds, blind reverse faults, and transpressional strike-slip faults, although normal or oblique-normal faults are also present. These structures significantly controlled the evolution of landforms and the drainage pattern by inducing surface upwarping and river deflections. Our analyses do not support the postulated tectonic origin of some landforms, particularly that of the radial valley system in the western Pannonian Basin. The most important neotectonic strike-slip faults are trending to east-northeast and have dextral to sinistral kinematics in the south-western and central-eastern part of the studied area, respectively. The suggested along-strike change of kinematics within the same shear zones is in agreement with the fan-shaped recent stress trajectories and with the present-day motion of crustal blocks derived from GPS data.     

Neotectonic Activity from Karewa Sediments,Kashmir Himalaya,India

Intermontane basin sedimentation occurred during Pliocene-Pleistocene in the Karewa Basin which formed after the continent-continent collision resulting in the formation of Himalayan orogenic belt around Eocene. These are elongated, narrow, thrust bounded basins which have formed during the late stages of orogeny. Situated at a height of 1700–1800 m above sea level, the Karewa basin received sediments because of ponding of a pre-existing river system and the tectonic movements along the Great Himalayan Ranges in the north and the Pir-Panjal ranges in the south along active faults. About 1300 m thick sediments of largely fluvio-lacustrine, glacio-fluvio-lacustrine and eolian origin are exposed having evidences of neotectonically formed structural features such as folds and faults. Folds are more prominent in the Lower Karewa formation (Hirpur Formation) while faults (mostly normal faults) are abundant in the Upper Karewas (Nagum Formation). Drainage in the area varies from dendritic to anastomosing to parallel. Anastomosing drainage suggests sudden decrease in gradient while presence of linear features such as faults and ridges is evident by parallel drainage. Study of morphometric parameters such as stream length (Lsm) and stream length ratios (RL), bifurcation ratio (Rb), drainage density (D), form factor (Rf), circularity ratio (Rc), and elongation ratio (Re) also indicate intense tectonic activity in the recent past.     

EVIDENCE OF NEOTECTONIC IMPACT ON A LARGE SEDIMENTARY BASIN BETWEEN TIBETAN PLATEAU AND GOBI ALTAY,NW CHINA

The Ejina(Gaxun Nur)Basin­enclosed by the Tibetan Plateau in the south and the Gobi Altay in the north has continuously evolved as a strong continental endorheic depositional environment. Medium scale geomorphological mapping by Landsat­ and Corona­Images as well as SRTM­topographic data,combined with field­surveys and geophysical investigation provides evidence for tectonic impact on sedimentary processes during the Late Quaternary.
Analyses of SRTM­Data and Landsat­Images reveal a system of up to 20m high inverted channels developed on the inactive eastern part of the large Hei river drainage delta south of the ancient lake Juyanze. The complex evolution of these landforms requires a relative lowering of the lake basin at least two times since the last 40ka. A 26m high cliff section of gravel­covered lake sediments within the Juyanze paleolake indicates a strong subsidence of the lake bottom of 10m/1000yrs since 18kaB.P.
North of Ejina river oasis a distinct north­south striking scarp up to 13m high constitutes the eastern margin of the Gaxun Nur. Palaeodrainage channels derived from the Gobi Altay. They display a sinistral offset of some decametres along a set of WE­trending faults. The rhombic shape of the modern dry Gaxun Nur,fossil cliffs,well preserved beach ridges along the margins of the palaeolake system as well as gravel covered topsets of lacustrine sediments indicate local displacements of morphological features. The displacements of lake sediments at the southern margin of the modern Gaxun Nur Basin imply a subsidence of at least 0.81m/1000 yrs since 25kaB.P.as a result of a pull­apart development due to the left stepping faults in a sinistral system.     

河北XD银矿外围水系沉积物地球化学异常特征和找矿方向浅析

对XD银矿床外围水系沉积物地球化学异常特征研究表明,区内具有极好的寻找银（金）多金属矿前景,认为Ag,Pb是近程指标元素,Zn,As,Sb为远程指标元素,拆离断层及隐伏拆离断层上盘,次火山岩与长城系碎屑岩接触带的Ag多金属异常分布区是今后找矿的重要靶区。     

河西走廊西段花海断裂几何学、运动学及区域构造意义

花海断裂位于河西走廊西段花海盆地内,总体走向NNW-SSE,长约38 km,为一条隐伏断裂,研究其空间展布、运动性质和活动历史对于理解青藏高原北缘的构造变形和扩展方式有重要意义.基于卫片解译、野外实地和槽探,结合光释光测年和地球物理资料,发现沿双泉子、大泉至小泉一带,发育一段长约8 km的地形陡坎,代表断裂控制下褶皱作...     

四川锦屏落水洞岩溶地下水示踪

在岩溶水文地质调查的基础上,进行钼酸铵示踪试验。结果显示,落水洞沟水在落水洞附近进入地下含水层后,沿T2z / T1 岩层接触边界或断层( F6- F9)分成两股,一股向东排向磨房沟东大理岩地下水排泄带,另一股向南转西南、西北分别排向景峰桥- 牛圈坪沟段西雅砻江河床。磨房沟泉流域地下水向西袭夺造成该流域西部地表、地下分水岭不一致。而西雅砻江示踪段构造裂隙发育,地下水主要沿具有双重含水介质(稀疏裂隙和少量岩溶管道)的大理岩流动,天然条件下地下水流动缓慢。其中的局部大型溶蚀裂隙或串珠状溶洞成为主要地下水储水空间,其疏干性突水对工程施工有一定影响。      

四川省丹巴县滑坡地质灾害分布特征浅析

丹巴县滑坡地质灾害具有①集中分布在断裂带两侧的人口密集区;②在河谷两岸的分布数量相当;③主要集中分布于中等海拔的中等坡度区等特征。滑坡地质灾害的发生主要受控于区域独特的地形地貌(尤其是地形坡度)、强烈的构造运动及日益加剧的人类工程经济活动等因素。     

青海省东昆仑昆中断裂带哈图段地质特征及成矿预测

昆中断裂带是东昆仑成矿带发育多条巨型断裂构造之一,控制并切割自元古宙以来的不同地质体,对区域成矿具有明显的控制作用,其次级断裂或主断裂构造的交叉部位往往是成矿通道和容矿部位。研究区位于昆中断裂两侧,属活动区造山带,成矿期次多,类型复杂,具有良好成矿地质条件,已发现矿床、矿（化）点多处,与Nb,Y,La,Cu,Zn,Mo,Au,Ag,As,Pb元素为主的地球化学异常对应较好。     

柴西南昆北断阶带油气运移特点

本文在分析昆北断阶带油气运移输导层基本特点的基础上,结合油气显示的分布特点分析,对昆北地区油气运移特点进行了分析和预测。基岩顶面不整合是昆北断阶带油气的主导输导层。受印支期的长期风化剥蚀,昆北地区普遍发育基岩风化壳,从而形成广泛的不整合输导层。不整合输导层由古近系底砾岩和基岩风化层两部分构成,在不同井区可表现出单通道或双通道等不同输导特点。从宏观上看,油气从昆北油源断层爬上昆北断阶带后主要通过不整合进行横向扩展运移,不整合输导层的构造形态导致油气优先沿不整合输导层的构造脊线进行优势运移,当遇到不封闭断层时,则发生沿断层面向上调节运移或顺沿断层面进行横向运移。昆北地区断层侧向封闭性普遍较强,而NNE、NE走向的断层垂向封闭性弱,成为调整油气向上或改向运移的重要通道。除底砾岩外,昆北地区古近系砂层输导油气的范围有限,只有与断层和基岩不整合输导层有接触的砂层才起到局部的输导作用。因此,昆北地区油气主要集中分布在基岩不整合和断层附近。     

Alluvium thickness and stream order relationships in Wadi Al-Khanagah basin,Central Saudi Arabia

Conclusion This study represents a step forward in understanding the geomorphology of Wadi Al-Khanagah basin, especially the relationship between depositional landforms and drainage basin morphometry. Besides it has drawn the attention to the importance of establishing the relationships between landforms for rapid applied hydrogeomorphological studies in areas lacking systematic data base. To conclude, the established relationships between alluvium thickness and stream order in Wadi Al-Khanagah basin would give an adequate mean of predicting thickness of wadi alluvium and consequently the capacity of potential alluvium aquifers in the shield area of the Al-Quwayiyah region, in Central Saudi Arabia.     

Landforms along transverse faults parallel to axial zone of folded mountain front,north-eastern Kumaun Sub-Himalaya,India

The shape of the frontal part of the Himalaya around the north-eastern corner of the Kumaun Sub-Himalaya, along the Kali River valley, is defined by folded hanging wall rocks of the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT). Two parallel faults (Kalaunia and Tanakpur faults) trace along the axial zone of the folded HFT. Between these faults, the hinge zone of this transverse fold is relatively straight and along these faults, the beds abruptly change their attitudes and their widths are tectonically attenuated across two hinge lines of fold. The area is constituted of various surfaces of coalescing fans and terraces. Fans comprise predominantly of sandstone clasts laid down by the steep-gradient streams originating from the Siwalik range. The alluvial fans are characterised by compound and superimposed fans with high relief, which are generated by the tectonic activities associated with the thrusting along the HFT. The truncated fan along the HFT has formed a 100 m high-escarpment running E–W for ～5 km. Quaternary terrace deposits suggest two phases of tectonic uplift in the basal part of the hanging wall block of the HFT dipping towards the north. The first phase is represented by tilting of the terrace sediments by ～30 ^° towards the NW; while the second phase is evident from deformed structures in the terrace deposit comprising mainly of reverse faults, fault propagation folds, convolute laminations, flower structures and back thrust faults. The second phase produced ～1.0 m offset of stratification of the terrace along a thrust fault. Tectonic escarpments are recognised across the splay thrust near south of the HFT trace. The south facing hill slopes exhibit numerous landslides along active channels incising the hanging wall rocks of the HFT. The study area shows weak seismicity. The major Moradabad Fault crosses near the study area. This transverse fault may have suppressed the seismicity in the Tanakpur area, and the movement along the Moradabad and Kasganj–Tanakpur faults cause the neotectonic activities as observed. The role of transverse fault tectonics in the formation of the curvature cannot be ruled out.     

Geomorphological survey for mass-movement hazard assessment

Most natural disasters in mountainous area are caused by mass-movement, which is a process of geomorphic changes. Therefore geomorphological survey is very useful for hazard assessment of mountainous area. The Geographical Survey Institute of Japan has been conducting such geomorphological hazard assessment survey paying attention to dissection process, and has been preparing geomorphological maps to help estimate the disaster potential. In case of the national highway disaster measure survey, 1:5,000 detailed geomorphological maps are made with special emphasis on the mass-movement landforms such as the dissection fronts, i.e., continuous kick lines where landslidings are concentrated, landslide forms, the stream bed deposits, piedmont landforms indicating past debris flows, etc.