Identifying sources of salinization using hydrochemical and isotopic techniques, Konarsiah, Iran

Konarsiah salt diapir is situated in the Simply Folded Zone of the Zagros Mountain, south Iran. Eight small permanent brine springs emerge from the Konarsiah salt body, with average total dissolved solids of 326.7 g/L. There are numerous brackish to saline springs emerging from the alluvial and karst aquifers adjacent to the diapir. Concerning emergence of Konarsiah diapir in the study area, halite dissolution is the most probable source of salinity in the adjacent aquifers. However, other sources including evaporation and deep brines through deep Mangerak Fault are possible. The water samples of the study area were classified based on their water-type, salinity, and the trend of the ions concentration curves. The result of this classification is in agreement with the hydrogeological setting of the study area. The hydrochemical and isotopic evaluations show that the groundwater samples are the result of mixing of four end members; Gachsaran sulfate water, Sarvak and Asmari carbonate fresh waters, and diapir brine. The molar ratios of Na/Cl, Li/Cl, Br/Cl, and SO₄/Cl; and isotopic signature of the mixed samples justify a groundwater mixing model for the aquifers adjacent to the salt diapir. The share of brine in each adjacent aquifer was calculated using Cl mass balance. In addition, concentrations of 34 trace elements were determined to characterize the diapir brine and to identify the possible tracers of salinity sources in the mixed water samples. B, Mn, Rb, Sr, Cs, Tl, and Te were identified as trace elements evidencing contact of groundwater with the salt diapir.     

Deformation, Stratigraphy, Structures and Shortening of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt in Southwest Iran Analysis by Restoration

A structural cross-section constructed across the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt covering the Abadan Plain, Dezful Embayment, and Izeh Zone applied 2D and 3D seismic data, well data, surface and subsurface geological maps, satellite images and field reconnaissance. Besides validation and modification of the cross-section, restoration allows better understanding of the geology, structural style and stratigraphy of the Zagros basin. In the area of interest, the Hormuz basal decollement and the Gachsaran detachment play the most significant roles in the structural style and deformation of the Zagros belt. More complexity is associated with interval decollements such as Triassic evaporites, Albian shales and Eocene marls. A variety of lithotectonic units and detachment surfaces confound any estimation of shortening, which generally decreases with increasing depth. Deformation completely differs in the Abadan Plain, Dezful Embayment and Izeh Zone because of different sedimentation histories and tectonic evolution; gentle and young structures can be interpreted as pre-collisional structures of the Dezful Embayment before the Late Cretaceous. After the Late Cretaceous, the Mountain Front Fault is the main control of sedimentation and deformation in the Zagros Basin, and this completely characterizes fold style and geometry within the Dezful Embayment and the Izeh Zone.     

Interpretation of gravity profiles across the northern Oaxaca terrane,its boundaries and the Tehuacán Valley,southern Mexico

A gravity study was conducted across the northern Oaxaca terrane and its bounding faults: the Caltepec and Oaxaca Faults to the west and east, respectively. These faults juxtapose the Oaxaca terrane against the Mixteca and Juarez terranes, respectively. The Oaxaca Fault also forms the eastern boundary of the Cenozoic Tehuacán depression. On the west, at depth, the Tehuacán valley is limited by the normal buried Tehuacán Fault. This gravity study reveals that the Oaxaca Fault system gives rise to a series of east tilted basamental blocks (Oaxaca Complex). The tectonic depression is filled with Phanerozoic rocks and has a deeper depocenter to the west. The gravity data also indicate that on the west, the Oaxaca Complex, the Caltepec and Santa Lucia faults continue northwestwards beneath Phanerozoic rocks. A major E–W to NE–SW discontinuity is inferred to exist between profiles 1 and 2.     

Ophiolite emplacement by strike-slip tectonics between the Pontide Zone and the Sakarya Zone in northwestern Anatolia, Turkey

Northwestern Anatolia contains three main tectonic units: (a) the Pontide Zone in the north which consists mainly of the Gstanbul-Zonguldak Unit in the west and the BallLda<-Küre Unit in the east; (b) the Sakarya Zone (or Continent) in the south, which is juxtaposed against the Pontide Zone due to the closure of Paleo-Tethys prior to Late Jurassic time; and (c) the Armutlu-OvacLk Zone which appears to represent a tectonic mixture of both zones. These three major tectonic zones are presently bounded by the two branches of the North Anatolian Transform Fault. The two tectonic contacts follow older tectonic lineaments (the Western Pontide Fault) which formed during the development of the Armutlu-OvacLk Zone. Since the earliest Cretaceous, an overall extensional regime dominated the region. A transpressional tectonic regime of Coniacian/Santonian to Campanian age caused the welding of the Gstanbul-Zonguldak Unit to the Sakarya Zone by an oblique collision. In the Late Campanian, a transtensional tectonic regime developed, forming a new basin within the amalgamated tectonic mosaic. The different tectonic regimes in the region were caused by activity of the Western Pontide Fault. Most of the ophiolites within the Armutlu-OvacLk Zone belong to the Paleo-Tethyan and/or pre-Ordovician ophiolitic core of the Gstanbul-Zonguldak Unit. The Late Cretaceous ophiolites in the eastern parts of the Armutlu-OvacLk Zone were transported from Neo-Tethyan ophiolites farther east by left-lateral strike-slip faults along the Western Pontide Fault. There is insufficient evidence to indicate the presence of an ocean (Intra-Pontide Ocean) between the Gstanbul-Zonguldak Unit and the Sakarya Zone during Late Cretaceous time.     

Evidence for the occurrence of hydrogeochemical processes in the groundwater of Khoy plain,northwestern Iran,using ionic ratios and geochemical modeling

Rapid population growth, industrialization, and agricultural expansion in the Khoy area (northwestern Iran) have led to its dependence on groundwater and degradation of groundwater quality. This study attempts to decipher the major processes and factors that degrade the groundwater quality of the Khoy plain. For this purpose, 54 groundwater samples from unconfined and confined aquifers of the plain were collected in July 2017 and analyzed for major cations and anions (Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO₃, SO_4, and Cl), minor ions (NO₃ and F), and Al. Magnesium and bicarbonate were identified as the dominant cation and anion, respectively. Several ionic ratios and geochemical modeling using PHREEQC indicated that the most important hydrogeochemical processes to affect groundwater quality in the plain were weathering and dissolution of evaporitic and silicate minerals, mixing, and ion exchange. There were smaller effects from evaporation and anthropogenic factors (e.g., industries). Results showed that the high salinity of the groundwater in the northeast area of the plain was due to the high solubility of the evaporitic minerals, e.g., halite and gypsum. Reverse ion exchange and the contribution of mineral dissolution were more significant than ion exchange in the northeastern part of the plain. Elevated salinity of the groundwater in the southeast was attributed mostly to reverse ion exchange and somewhat to evaporation.     

Seismotectonic features of the September 24, 1999 Ahram earthquake in the Zagros,Iran

The September 24, 1999 Ahram Earthquake in southwestern Iran was moderate in energy (M = 5.0–5.5 from different sources) and did not entail significant destruction and casualities. The tectonic position of the source zone, surficial seismic dislocations, and results of macroseismic and seismological study of this seismic event in the junction zone of the Zagros Fold System and the piedmont plain are described in the paper, including data on rejuvenated ancient ruptures exposed in two trenches excavated across the strike of the regional Kazerun-Borazjan Fault. One of the trenches was driven a few months before and the other a year after this seismic event. The conclusion is drawn that new deformations in the Quaternary near-surface sediments observed at the walls of both trenches may be regarded as unusual seismic ruptures of the Ahram earthquake. These ruptures, described as proved primary seismic dislocations of such a moderate seismic event, are a unique phenomenon in the world seismotectonic practice. The localization of the earthquake source zone in the Kazerun-Borazjan Fault Zone with complex kinematics makes it possible to study the internal structure of one of the most important tectonic lines of the Zagros Fold Region.     

Active faults in the Zagros and central Iran

Active tectonic movements in the northwestern Zagros include right lateral slip at the rate of about 10 mm/a along the Main Recent Fault, which inherits the position of the Main Thrust, now inactive, and active thrusting and accompanying folding distributed between several zones southwest of the Main Recent Fault. In the southeastern Zagros (the Fars Province), there are several right lateral faults that extend N–S obliquely to the overall trend of the Zagros fault-and-fold belt. These may be either branches of the Main Recent Fault, or faults accommodating relative broadening of the outer Zagros in its southeastern segment. The Main Thrust in the southeastern Zagros also remains inactive.

The Ipak, North Tehran, and Mosha fault zones and several minor structures in the eastern Alborz form the E–W-trending active fault system with combined reverse and left lateral slip. On the Ipak and Mosha zones, lateral movements with the late Quaternary mean rate exceeding 1 mm/a dominate over vertical fault movements. Together with right lateral faults stretching northeast of Zagros, the faults of the Alborz may accommodate east-directed motion of the Iranian microplate.     

Structural evidence for superposition of transtension on transpression in the Zagros collision zone: Main Recent Fault,Piranshahr area,NW Iran

The Main Recent Fault of the Zagros Orogen is an active major dextral strike-slip fault along the Zagros collision zone, generated by oblique continent–continent collision of the Arabian plate with Iranian micro-continent. Two different fault styles are observed along the Piranshahr fault segment of the Main Recent Fault in NW Iran. The first style is a SW-dipping oblique reverse fault with dextral strike-slip displacement and the second style consists of cross-cutting NE-dipping, oblique normal fault dipping to the NE with the same dextral strike-slip displacement. A fault propagation anticline is generated SW of the oblique reverse fault. An active pull-apart basin has been produced to the NE of the Piranshahr oblique normal fault and is associated with other sub-parallel NE-dipping normal faults cutting the reverse oblique fault. Another cross-cutting set of NE–SW trending normal faults are also exist in the pull-apart area. We conclude that the NE verging major dextral oblique reverse fault initiated as a SW verging thrust system due to dextral transpression tectonic of the Zagros collision zone and later it has been overprinted by the NE-dipping oblique normal fault producing dextral strike-slip displacement reflecting progressive change of transpression into transtension in the collision zone. The active Piranshahr pull-apart basin has been generated due to a releasing damage zone along the NW segment of the Main Recent Fault in this area at an overlap of Piranshahr oblique normal fault segment of the Main Recent Fault and the Serow fault, the continuation of the Main Recent Fault to the N.     

Petrology of eclogites from north of Shahrekord, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, Iran

Summary Metabasic rocks were recently found within a ductile shear zone in the north of Shahrekord, being a part of the structural zone of Sanandaj-Sirjan, SW Iran. The rocks give evidence of a so far unrecognized eclogite facies metamorphic event and testify to high pressure metamorphism in the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, near the Main Zagros Reverse Fault, which is the assumed suture zone between the Arabian plate and the Iranian block. The eclogites occur as lenses or blocks within ortho- and paragneisses. The petrographic features and reaction textures display at least two main metamorphic stages: (1) a peak eclogite facies stage, and (2) a subsequent amphibolite facies stage. The eclogite facies metamorphism is indicated by omphacite + garnet + sodic-calcic amphiboles (barroisite, magnesiokatophorite and magnesiotaramite) + phengite + rutile + (clino-)zoisite + quartz ± dolomite. The garnets are mainly almandine-rich, which fits with the C-type eclogite classification. Calcic amphiboles (hornblende, tschermakite and pargasite) + plagioclase are secondary phases formed during the retrograde amphibolite-facies metamorphism. P-T estimates for the eclogite facies give pressures of 21–24 kbar and temperatures of 590–630 °C (geothermometry) and 470–520 °C (THERMOCALC), respectively. Geothermobarometry for the amphibolite-facies metamorphism yields 10–11 kbar and 650–700 °C. Author’s address: Ali Reza Davoudian, Department of Natural Resources, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran     

Tectonic geomorphology of the Kemalpaşa Basin and surrounding horsts,southwestern part of the Gediz Graben,Western Anatolia

The Kemalpa?a Basin is one of the Quaternary basins in Western Anatolia and represents the south-western branch of the Gediz Graben system in this extensional province. This basin has been formed under the NNE–SSW trending extensional tectonic regime. It is bounded by a major fault, the Kemalpa?a Fault, in the south and it is bounded by a number of downstepping faults, called as Spilda?? Fault Zone, in the north. Both margin-bounding faults of the Kemalpa?a Basin are oblique-slip normal faults. In order to better understand the activities of these faults, we investigated the tectonic geomorphology of the Kemalpa?a Basin and interpreted the effect of tectonic activity on the geomorphological evolution using geomorphic markers such as drainage basin patterns, facet geometries and morphometric indices such as hypsometric curves and integral (HI), basin shape index (B_s), valley floor width-to-height ratio (V_f) and mountain front sinuosity (S_mf). The morphometric analysis of 30 drainage basins in total and mountain fronts bounding the basin from both sides suggests a relatively high degree of tectonic activity. The mountain front sinuosity (S_mf) generally varies from 1.1 to 1.3 in both sides of the basin suggesting the active fronts and facet slopes (12°–32°) suggest a relatively high degree of activity along the both sides of the Kemalpa?a Basin. Similarly, the valley floor width-to-height ratios (V_f) obtained from the both sides indicate low values varying from 0.043 to 0.92, which are typical values (<1) for tectonically active mountain fronts. The all values obtained are lower for the southern side. Therefore, we suggest that the tectonic activity of the Kemalpa?a Fault higher than the Spilda?? Fault Zone. This difference that can be arised from the different uplift rates also reveals the typical asymmetric characteristics of the Kemalpa?a Basin. Additionally, the trapezoidal facets which have been observed on the southern side of the basin indicate that the Kemalpa?a Fault is evolutionally more active as compared to the Spilda?? Fault Zone. The geomorphic indices indicate that the Quaternary landscape evolution of the Kemalpa?a Basin was governed by tectonic and erosional processes, and also the all results of morphometric analysis suggest a relatively high degree of tectonic activity along the faults bounding the Kemalpa?a Basin. Moreover, considering that active large normal faults with an average 15 km long can cause major earthquake, the earthquake hazard in the Kemalpa?a Basin should be investigated in detailed paleoseismological studies.     

河套灌区西部浅层地下水咸化机制

浅层地下水水位埋深浅、含盐量高,是导致河套灌区土壤次生盐渍化的重要原因.以河套灌区西部地区为研究区,通过对浅层地下水的水化学和氢氧同位素特征分析以及水文地球化学模拟,探讨了灌区浅层地下水的补给来源和主控水-岩作用过程,并定量估算了蒸发作用对浅层地下水含盐量的影响.研究区内浅层地下水为弱碱性咸水,pH为7.23~8.45,总溶解性固体（total dissolved solids,TDS）变化范围为371~7 599 mg/L;随着地下水咸化程度增大,水化学类型由HCO₃-Na·Mg·Ca型向Cl-Na型过渡.引黄灌溉和大气降水是浅层地下水的主要补给来源,径流过程中浅层地下水受蒸发作用和植物蒸腾作用影响,地下水化学组分主要来源于蒸发盐溶解和硅酸盐风化水解,并受强烈的蒸发作用和离子交换作用影响.水文地球化学模拟和主成分分析结果显示,蒸发作用和岩盐溶解作用对区内浅层地下水咸化贡献最大,石膏和白云石等矿物的溶解、硅酸盐的水解、Na-Ca离子交换以及局部地形起伏对地下水咸化过程也有较大贡献.      

康西瓦断裂带晚新生代构造地貌特征及其构造意义

文章详细调查了康西瓦断裂带发育的断层崖、断层陡坎、地震破裂带、错断山脊、拉分盆地、挤压脊、偏心洪积扇、错断水系等新构造运动形迹,这些新构造运动形迹表明了康西瓦断裂带在晚新生代以来发生了强烈的左旋走滑运动,并兼有正滑运动分量。数字地形高程模型(DEM)分析表明康西瓦断裂西端终止于塔什库尔干谷地东部的瓦恰河谷内,东端与著名的阿尔金断裂带相连。如果以喀拉喀什河和玉龙喀什河为参照系,康西瓦断裂晚新生代以来的左旋走滑累积位移量可达 80～85km,根据断裂带 8～12mm/a的长期走滑速率,推测康西瓦断裂带新生代以来的左旋走滑运动开始于约10Ma。结合我们获得的断裂带两侧岩浆岩的年龄,表明康西瓦断裂带左旋走滑运动的开始时代为晚中新世,现今康西瓦地区的构造地貌格局很可能是中新世晚期以来强烈的左旋走滑运动形成的。     

Evaluation of hydrogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in the Jhansi district of Bundelkhand region, India

A base line study involving analysis of groundwater samples from the Jhansi district were carried out to determine the major and trace element chemistry and to assess the hydrogeochemical processes and water quality for domestic and irrigation uses. Study results show that groundwater is mildly acidic to alkaline in nature and HCO₃ ^?, Cl^?, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ are the major contributing ions for the dissolved loads. The data plotted on the Gibbs and Piper diagrams reveal that the groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by rock weathering with secondary contribution from anthropogenic sources. In a majority of the groundwater samples, alkaline earth metals exceed alkalies and weak acid dominate over strong acids. Ca–Mg–HCO₃ is the dominant hydrogeochemical facies in the majority of the groundwater samples. The computed saturation indices demonstrate that groundwater is oversaturated with respect to dolomite and calcite. Kaolinite is the possible mineral that is in equilibrium with the water, implying that the groundwater chemistry favors kaolinite formation. A comparison of groundwater quality parameters in relation to specified limits for drinking water shows that the concentrations of TDS, F^?, NO₃ ^?, total hardness and Fe are exceeding the desirable limits in many water samples. Quality assessment for irrigation uses reveal that the groundwater is of good to suitable category. Higher salinity and residual sodium carbonate values at some sites restrict the suitability of groundwater and need an adequate drainage and water management plan for the area.     

Geomorphologic assessment of relative tectonic activity in the Maharlou Lake Basin,Zagros Mountains of Iran

Spatial differences of Quaternary deformation and intensity of tectonic activity are assessed through a detailed quantitative geomorphic study of the fault‐generated mountain fronts and alluvial/fluvial systems around the Maharlou Lake Basin in the Zagros Fold–Thrust Belt of Iran. The Maharlou Lake Basin is defined as an approximately northwest–southeast trending, linear, topographic depression located in the central Zagros Mountains of Iran. The lake is located in a tectonically active area delineated by the Ghareh and Maharlou faults. Combined geomorphic and morphometric data reveal differences between the Ghareh and Maharlou mountain front faults indicating different levels of tectonic activity along each mountain front. Geomorphic indices show a relatively high degree of tectonic activity along the Ghareh Mountain Front in the southwest, in contrast with less tectonic activity along the Ahmadi Mountain Front northeast of the lake which is consistent with field evidence and seismotectonic data for the study area. A ramp valley tectonic setting is proposed to explain the tectonosedimentary evolution of the lake. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geochemistry of Carboniferous Sandstones (Sardar Formation), East‐Central Iran: Implication for Provenance and Tectonic Setting

Geochemical analysis of sandstones from the Sardar Formation (from two stratigraphic successions) in east-central Iran were used for identification of geochemical characterization of sandstones, provenance and tectonic setting. Sandstones in the two lithostratigraphic successions have similar chemical compositions suggesting a common provenance. Bulk-rock geochemistry analysis of Carboniferous sandstones from Sardar Formation indicates that they are mainly quartz dominated and are classified as quartzarenites, sublitharenites and subarkoses, derived from acid igneous to intermediate igneous rocks. Discrimination function analysis indicates that the sandstones of Sardar Formation were derived from quartzose sedimentary provenance in a recycled orogenic setting. Also, major and trace elements in sandstones of Sardar Formation (e.g., K2O/Na2O vs. SiO2) indicate deposition in a stable passive continental margin (PM). Chemical index of alteration (CIA) for these rocks (> 65%) suggests a moderate to relatively high degree of weathering in the source area.     

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater in Kashmir Valley,India

Groundwater samples (n = 163) were collected across Kashmir Valley in 2010 to assess the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwater in shallow and deep aquifers and its suitability for domestic, agriculture, horticulture, and livestock purposes. The groundwater is generally alkaline in nature. The electrical conductivity (EC) which is an index to represent the total concentration of soluble salts in water was used to measure the salinity hazard to crops as it reflects the TDS in groundwater ranging from 97 to 1385 μS/cm, except one well in Sopore. The average concentration of major ions was higher in shallow aquifers than in deeper aquifers. In general, Ca²⁺ is the dominant cation and HCO \(_{3}^{-}\) the dominant anion. Ca–HCO₃, Mg–HCO₃, Ca–Mg–HCO₃, Na–HCO₃ were the dominant hydrogeochemical facies. High concentration of HCO₃ and pH less than 8.8 clearly indicated that intense chemical weathering processes have taken place in the study area. The groundwater flow pattern in the area follows the local surface topography which not only modifies the hydrogeochemical facies but also controls their distribution. The groundwater in valley flows into four directions, i.e., SW–NE, NE–W, SE-NW and SE–NE directions. The results suggest that carbonate dissolution is the dominant source of major ions followed by silicate weathering and ion-exchange processes. The concentrations of all the major ions determined in the present study are within the permissible limits of WHO and BIS standards. The results of Total Hardness, SAR, Na%, Kelly Index, USDA classification, Magnesium absorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, and PI suggested that groundwater is good for drinking, livestock, and irrigation purposes.     

An investigation into the fault patterns in the Chadegan region, west Iran: Evidence for dextral brittle transpressional tectonics in the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone

The NW-SE trending Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone (SSZ) is the internal part of the Zagros continental collision zone, which mainly consists of metamorphic rocks deformed in a dextral transpressional zone. This dextral transpression is attributed to brittle deformation related to late Cenozoic Arabia-Eurasia oblique continental collision. Major NW-trending faults, including the Dalan, Garmdareh, Yasechah, Sheida, and Ben faults, are reverse faults with a dextral strike-slip component. These faults were displaced by NW-trending synthetic and NE-trending antithetic faults. There are also E-trending thrusts and N-trending normal faults developing in directions that are, respectively, almost normal and parallel to the major shortening direction. The NW-trending Ben, Yasechah, and Sheida faults are NE-dipping faults, and the Dalan and Garmdareh faults are SW-dipping faults. These faults indicate the presence of a transpressive flower structure zone that probably led to the exhumation of Jurassic high-grade metamorphic rocks, such as eclogite, in the central part of the study area.     

青藏高原北部第四纪早期断裂活动的 新生性变化初步研究*

关于第四纪早期构造事件的年代学研究取得了大量数据,但对构造事件的表现形式缺乏认识。文章通过对海原断裂带内拉分盆地演化趋势及年代学研究,认为海原断裂带内的最新拉分盆地形成于1.6MaB.P.之后,代表一次新断裂的形成时期,且新断裂走向与先存断裂有一定的逆时针夹角。通过对青藏高原中部可可西里-东昆仑断裂带构造地貌的遥感解译和强震破裂调查,认为可可西里-东昆仑断裂带是一条具有新生性的强震构造带,新断裂形成时期为1.10~0.65MaB.P.之间,其构造带内的新生性断裂走向与先存断裂亦有一定的逆时针方向夹角。两条断裂带具有一致的演化趋势,说明在早更新世中后期存在区域性的构造事件,该事件表现为一系列新生性断裂的产生。     

The termination of the North Anatolian Fault System (NAFS) in Eastern Turkey

ABSTRACT

The present-day tectonic framework of Turkey comprises mainly two strike-slip fault systems, namely dextral North Anatolian and sinistral East Anatolian faults. They are considered as the main cause of deformation patterns in Anatolia. These two mega shear systems meet at Kargapazar? village of Karl?ova county. The area to the east of the junction has a transpressional tectonic regime between the Eurasian and Arabian plates and is characterized, based on field observation, by a network of faults defining a typical horsetail splay structure. The horsetail splay is interpreted as marking the termination of the North Anatolian Fault System (NAFS), which continues eastward into the Varto Fault Zone (VFZ) and then dies out. The present study reveals that the VFZ is made up of two main parts, namely the principal displacement zone (PDZ) and the transpressional splay zone (TPSZ), both characterized by the right-lateral strike-slip with reverse motion. However, the area to the east of Varto is characterized dominantly by reverse-thrust faults and E–W-trending faults as shown by focal mechanism solutions. The generation of the VFZ as a transpressional termination to the NAFS can be related directly to the block movements of the Eurasian, Anatolian, and Arabian plates.     

Structural geology of the Upper Cretaceous Chalk Central Mass, Isle of Wight, U.K.

Remapping the Chalk of the Central Chalk Mass of the Isle of Wight between Carisbrooke (Newport), Calbourne and Shalcombe, including the Bowcombe Valley, has identified a complex series of tectonic ‘rolls’ and ‘flats’ in a region that has been interpreted to be a relay ramp between the Needles and the Sandown faults. A major new WNW trending fault at Cheverton throws the Chalk down by >50 m to the SW in a 80-100 m wide zone of faulting within which some chalk blocks have near vertical dips. The fault location and trend closely follows the edge of the Cranbourne-Fordingbridge High and could also reflect, for the first time, the surface expression of part of the Needles Fault, a major inversion reverse fault. Located along this fault zone deep Quaternary weathering of the Chalk and Quaternary gravel deposits are present. The trend of the Cheverton Fault brings it towards Gotten Leaze where a groundwater pumping station is located and groundwater springs regularly cause flooding on the Brighstone-Calbourne Road. Analyses of the jointing in the Chalk show that stratabound fracture patterns typical of the Chalk formations elsewhere in Southern England are present in the Central Mass. In addition, there are numerous small faults along which valleys have formed. Tectonic structure and lithology have had a profound influence on the geomorphology and groundwater flow in the Chalk in the Central Mass.