On the internal structure and mechanics of large strike-slip fault zones: field observations of the Carboneras fault in southeastern Spain

Deciphering the internal structure of large fault zones is fundamental if a proper understanding is to be gained of their mechanical, hydrological and seismological properties. To this end, new detailed mapping and microstructural observations of the excellently exposed Carboneras fault zone in southeastern Spain have been used to elucidate both the internal arrangement of fault products and their likely mechanical properties. The fault is a 40 km offset strike-slip fault, which constitutes part of the Africa–Iberia plate boundary. The zone of faulting is 1 km in width not including the associated damage zone surrounding the fault. It is composed of continuous strands of phyllosilicate-rich fault gouge that bound lenses of variably broken-up protolith. This arrangement provides a number of fluid flow and fluid sealing possibilities within the fault zone. The gouge strands exhibit distributed deformation and are inferred to have strain hardening and/or velocity hardening characteristics. Also included in the fault zone are blocks of dolomite that contain thin (<1 cm thick) fault planes inferred to have been produced by strain weakening/velocity weakening behaviour. These fault planes have a predominantly R₁ Riedel shear orientation and are arranged in an en echelon pattern. A conceptual model of this type of wide fault zone is proposed which contrasts with previous narrow fault zone models. The observed structural and inferred mechanical characteristics of the Carboneras fault zone are compared to seismological observations of the San Andreas fault around Parkfield, CA. Similarities suggest that the Carboneras fault structure may be a useful analogue for this portion of the San Andreas fault at depth.     

川东北通南巴地区须家河组断层和裂缝特征及发育模型

正通南巴地区位于四川盆地东北部,北接米仓山构造带,东临大巴山逆冲推覆带,主要包含一个NEE-SWW向的"长条型"通南巴背斜,是川东北地区重要的产气区之一。自上三叠统须家河组沉积以来,通南巴地区受到来自米仓山构造带近S-N向和大巴山逆冲推覆带近NE-SW向的多次构造挤压,导致研究区形成了一系列的断层、裂缝和褶皱。其中,米仓山构造带的挤压主要造就了通南巴背斜     

Glossary of fault and other fracture networks

Increased interest in the two- and three-dimensional geometries and development of faults and other types of fractures in rock has led to an increasingly bewildering terminology. Here we give definitions for the geometric, topological, kinematic and mechanical relationships between geological faults and other types of fractures, focussing on how they relate to form networks.     

Processes of normal fault evolution in a siliciclastic sequence: a case study from Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

Detailed field observations of normal faults formed at shallow depth in a deltaic sand–clay sequence near Miri, Sarawak are used to study the main structural elements during the early stages of fault development. We studied over 450 segmented faults, many of which contain clay smear, in an excellent outcrop exposing a collapsed crest structure.In agreement with previous studies we find that important elements of fault zone evolution are: (i) clay smear, (ii) telescoping on parallel strands, and (iii) preferred deformation of fault-bounded lenses. We model the consequences of telescoping on parallel strands and conclude that the reliability of juxtaposition diagrams can decrease dramatically in the presence of undetected multiple fault strands. The across fault connectivity can either increase or decrease depending on small variations in many of the input parameters.All the faults studied have a continuous clay smear over the interval studied, except for the places where a sand bed has an offset smaller than its thickness, and therefore has not moved past clay. Although on average the clay content observed correlates well with the average clay content of the faulted section, there are large variations in clay content controlled by local complexity in deformation. Understanding of this local complexity is a prerequisite for further improvement of clay smear in the subsurface.     

旋转平面型正断层向铲式正断层的递进演化过程：以渤海湾盆地牛庄洼陷的断裂系统为例

基于渤海湾盆地牛庄洼陷的3D地震精细构造解释成果,本文揭示了伸展盆地内部正断层由旋转正断层向连通的铲式正断层递进演化过程,该演化过程划分为4个阶段：以旋转平面型正断层为主要类型的初始阶段,以多米诺断阶为主要类型的发展阶段,以单条独立铲式正断层为主要类型的成熟阶段以及以连通铲式正断层为主要类型的高成熟阶段;并建立了在伸展量的递进增加且浅层存在滑脱层的地质条件下,旋转平面型正断层向铲式正断层递进演化模式。通过分析研究区剖面伸展量数据以及系列断层断距的变化,认为伸展量在不同级别断裂（主干断裂与次级断裂）之间的分配方式是研究区该递进演化过程的主控因素。本文提出的伸展盆地内部正断层递进演化过程及其模式将有助于丰富与完善伸展盆地正断层递进演化理论,同时也可为伸展量较大的背景下,正断层样式演化程度较低的现象提供一种新的成因解释。

     

克拉玛依侏罗纪橄榄玄武岩中菱铁矿的成因

克拉玛依市西盆山交界处发育侏罗纪杏仁玄武岩-橄榄玄武岩-含菱铁矿橄榄玄武岩组合,主要由橄榄石、单斜辉石、斜长石(中长石-拉长石为主)、钛铁矿、玄武玻璃及少量磷灰石组成,含菱铁矿橄榄玄武岩中存在原生菱铁矿(≈10%)和少量碱性长石.橄榄石及单斜辉石的Mg#为≈70,单斜辉石属于富Ti普通辉石.含菱铁矿橄榄玄武岩中的菱铁矿常常包裹浑圆状斜长石,且与斜长石呈锯齿状接触.本文提供的岩相学观察表明,菱铁矿与玄武玻璃、斜长石、单斜辉石和钛铁矿呈明显的共生关系.在有些情况下观察到玄武玻璃与菱铁矿充填在斜长石格架的现象.含菱铁矿橄榄玄武岩玻璃中FeO含量最高至29.2%,CaO含量＜1.5%,即熔体具有富Fe贫Ca的特点.早结晶的碳酸盐矿物是以菱铁矿为主的菱铁矿-白云石固溶体(另含少量菱锰矿).斜长石大量结晶促使熔体不断亏损CaO,并导致较晚结晶的碳酸盐矿物向菱铁矿端元演化.菱铁矿发育有明显的成分梯变带(FeO和CaO含量表现出突变).玄武玻璃的Mg#普遍较低且变化范围大,橄榄玄武岩中玻璃的Mg#值最高为64,含菱铁矿橄榄玄武岩中玻璃的Mg#值最低至≈23.依据地质温压计,克拉玛依侏罗纪玄武岩浆的形成温度为1300℃～1340℃,压力为3.0～4.0GPa.基于本文的研究,我们认为克拉玛依侏罗纪含菱铁矿橄榄玄武岩岩浆由含CO2橄榄岩在软流圈中经极低程度部分熔融形成,该岩浆在快速上升过程中通过结晶分异作用形成了菱铁矿.     

Active faults and paleoseismicity in Fennoscandia, especially Sweden. Primary structures and secondary effects

Fennoscandia, today a region of low to moderately low seismicity, was, at the time of deglaciation, with rates of uplift on the order of tens of centimetres per year, a region of very high seismicity and active tectonics. This is evident both from primary fault structures and from secondary sedimentary and hard rock effects in the region around the epicentral areas. The map of active faults in Fennoscandia includes numerous structures previously not recognised. Despite this, the recording of active faults and paleoseismic events is still in its initial phase. Much more data will surely accumulate in the near future.     

新疆东天山觉罗塔格地区自然铜矿化玄武岩的成岩年代及其地质意义

新疆觉罗塔格地区自然铜矿化玄武岩沿着阿齐库都克深大断裂北侧分布,前人对其成岩年代一直存在争议.本文测得玄武岩条带中部的黑尖山玄武岩同岩浆期锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄为306.2±4.0Ma;测得东部东尖峰玄武岩的同岩浆期锆石LA-ICPMS U-Pb年龄为308.9±5.8Ma,确定了玄武岩是晚石炭世的岩浆作用,且归属于晚石炭世马头滩组.与觉罗塔格地区著名的晚石炭世-早二叠世铜镍矿化基性-超基性岩成因对比表明,该晚石炭世玄武岩与之具有共同岩浆源区特征,它们都是觉罗塔格地区晚石炭世-早二叠世岩石圈地幔深部受热熔融而形成岩浆作用.马头滩组玄武岩层是自然铜矿化的重要矿源层.     

High resolution seismic imaging of faults beneath Limón Bay, northern Panama Canal, Republic of Panama

High-resolution seismic reflection profiles from Limón Bay, Republic of Panama, were acquired as part of a seismic hazard investigation of the northern Panama Canal region. The seismic profiles image gently west and northwest dipping strata of upper Miocene Gatún Formation, unconformably overlain by a thin (<20 m) sequence of Holocene muds. Numerous faults, which have northeast trends where they can be correlated between seismic profiles, break the upper Miocene strata. Some of the faults have normal displacement, but on many faults, the amount and type of displacement cannot be determined. The age of displacement is constrained to be Late Miocene or younger, and regional geologic considerations suggest Pliocene movement. The faults may be part of a more extensive set of north- to northeast-trending faults and fractures in the canal region of central Panama. Low topography and the faults in the canal area may be the result of the modern regional stress field, bending of the Isthmus of Panama, shearing in eastern Panama, or minor deformation of the Panama Block above the Caribbean subduction zone. For seismic hazard analysis of the northern canal area, these faults led us to include a source zone of shallow faults proximal to northern canal facilities.     

准噶尔地块东北缘志留纪碱性玄武岩的发现及其地质意义

在准噶尔地块东北缘莫钦乌拉山发现一套陆相火山岩,其与下伏中-上奥陶统庙尔沟组呈角度不整合接触,粗安岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄为434.4±2.2Ma,表明其形成时代为早志留世。火山岩岩石组合为碱玄岩、玄武粗安岩、粗安岩和相应的火山碎屑岩,属于强碱性-碱性火山岩系列。SiO_2含量在45.6%~54.4%之间,富碱(Na_2O+K_2O=6.75%~9.10%),高的TiO_2(0.85%~1.42%)和Al_2O_3(17.75%~20.0%)含量,低Mg#(25.1~55.6),里特曼指数δ为3.63~9.68,玄武岩基质中出现碱性长石和白榴石。岩石轻重稀土分异明显,(La/Yb)N=4.22~6.09,Eu负异常不明显,富集LILE,亏损HFSE,具明显的Nb、Ta、Ti负异常。样品值为0.7033~0.7046,具低正值(+2.13~+4.16)显示了来源于亏损地幔的特征,但在富碱、强烈富集LILE和低值(~0.5122)等方面又显示了源区富集的特征,富集原因可能为地壳再循环或上升过程遭受地壳混染。结合区域地质背景和Zr-Zr/Y、Ti/1000-V图解,推测早志留世碱性玄武岩形成的构造环境为准噶尔微陆块与北部阿尔泰-蒙古微陆块碰撞造山后的板内伸展环境,可能代表了北部卡拉麦里洋盆最初期的陆内拉张阶段,这表明志留纪是准噶尔地块东北缘碰撞挤压到伸展拉张的构造转换时期。     

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.     

辽西阜新中生代玄武岩中深源捕虏体的岩石学和矿物化学研究

辽西阜新中生代碱性玄武岩的Ｋ－Ａｒ同位素年龄为８４．７６±１．６７Ｍａ, 其中含有丰富的深源岩石捕虏体, 包括角闪尖晶二辉橄榄岩、尖晶石二辉橄榄岩、含长角闪二辉石岩、二辉麻粒岩和辉石斜长片麻岩等。与新生代玄武岩中的同类捕虏体相比, 橄榄岩类捕虏体中橄榄石的成分相似 （Ｆｏ＝ ８６～９１）, 透辉石具有富Ａｌ、贫Ｃｒ 和Ｃａ 的特点, 尖晶石的成分以ＭｇＡｌ２ Ｏ４ 为主, 有的橄榄岩捕虏体中含少量韭闪石。二辉麻粒岩捕虏体中的斜方辉石为紫苏辉石, 单斜辉石为普通辉石, 斜长石属于更长石。橄榄岩类捕虏体的平衡温度为１０１２．６℃～１２７２．１℃; 压力为１．８２５～２．９３５ＧＰａ, 二辉麻粒岩和片麻岩的平衡温度为８９２℃～１１５７℃。该类深源岩石捕虏体的发现对中国东部中生代上地幔和下地壳的研究均具有重要意义。     

Deformation mechanisms and hydraulic properties of fault zones in unconsolidated sediments; the Roer Valley Rift System,The Netherlands

In general, faults cutting through the unconsolidated sediments of the Roer Valley Rift System (RVRS), The Netherlands, form strong barriers to horizontal groundwater flow. The relationships between deformation mechanisms along fault zones and their impact on the hydrogeological structure of the fault zone are analyzed in a shallow (0–5 m below land surface) trench over one of the faults in the study area. Recently developed digital-image-analysis techniques are used to estimate the spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity at the millimeter-scale and to describe the micromorphologic characteristics of the fault zone. In addition, laboratory measurements of hydraulic conductivity on core-plug samples show the larger-scale distribution of hydraulic conductivity in the damage zone flanking the main fault plane. Particulate flow is the deformation mechanism at shallow depths, which causes the damage zone around the fault, in the sand-rich parts, to have a relatively enhanced hydraulic conductivity. The fault core is characterized by reduced hydraulic conductivity due to clay smearing, grain-scale mixing, and iron-oxide precipitation. Electronic Publication     

Fault kinematics of the Magallanes-Fagnano fault system,southern Chile; an example of diffuse strain and sinistral transtension along a continental transform margin

A system of left-lateral faults that separates the South American and Scotia plates, known as the Magallanes-Fagnano fault system, defines the modern tectonic setting of the southernmost Andes and is superimposed on the Late Cretaceous – Paleogene Patagonian fold-thrust belt. Fault kinematic data and crosscutting relationships from populations of thrust, strike-slip and normal faults from Peninsula Brunswick adjacent to the Magallanes-Fagnano fault system, presented herein, show kinematic and temporal relationships between thrust faults and sets of younger strike-slip and normal faults. Thrust fault kinematics are homogeneous in the study area and record subhorizontal northeast-directed shortening. Strike-slip faults record east—northeast-directed horizontal shortening, west—northwest-directed horizontal extension and form Riedel and P-shear geometries compatible with left-lateral slip on the main splay of the Magallanes-Fagnano fault system. Normal faults record north-south trending extension that is compatible with the strike-slip faults. The study area occurs in a releasing step-over between overlapping segments of the Magallanes-Fagnano fault system, which localized on antecedent sutures between basement terranes with differing geological origin. Results are consistent with regional tectonic models that suggest sinistral shearing and transtension in the southernmost Andes was contemporaneous with the onset of seafloor spreading in the Western Scotia Sea during the Early Miocene.     

River dissolved and solid loads in the Lesser Antilles: New insight into basalt weathering processes

We present here the first available estimations of chemical weathering and associated atmospheric CO₂ consumption rates as well as mechanical erosion rate for the Lesser Antilles. The chemical weathering (100–120 t/km²/year) and CO₂ consumption (1.1–1.4 × 10⁶ mol/km²/year) rates are calculated after subtraction of the atmospheric and hydrothermal inputs in the chemical composition of the river dissolved loads. These rates thus reflect only the low-temperature basalt weathering. Mechanical erosion rates (approx. 800–4000 t/km²/year) are estimated by a geochemical mass balance between the dissolved and solid loads and mean unaltered rock. The calculated chemical weathering rates and associated atmospheric CO₂ consumption rates are among the highest values worldwide but are still lower than those of other tropical volcanic islands and do not fit with the HCO₃⁻ concentration vs. 1/T correlation proposed by Dessert et al. (2001). The thick soils and explosive volcanism context of the Lesser Antilles are the two possible keys to this different weathering behaviour; the development of thick soils limits the chemical weathering and the presence of very porous pyroclastic flows allows an important water infiltration and thus subsurface weathering mechanisms, which are less effective for atmospheric CO₂ consumption.     

Geometry and architecture of faults in a syn-rift normal fault array: The Nukhul half-graben, Suez rift, Egypt

The geometry and architecture of a well exposed syn-rift normal fault array in the Suez rift is examined. At pre-rift level, the Nukhul fault consists of a single zone of intense deformation up to 10 m wide, with a significant monocline in the hanging wall and much more limited folding in the footwall. At syn-rift level, the fault zone is characterised by a single discrete fault zone less than 2 m wide, with damage zone faults up to approximately 200 m into the hanging wall, and with no significant monocline developed. The evolution of the fault from a buried structure with associated fault-propagation folding, to a surface-breaking structure with associated surface faulting, has led to enhanced bedding-parallel slip at lower levels that is absent at higher levels. Strain is enhanced at breached relay ramps and bends inherited from pre-existing structures that were reactivated during rifting. Damage zone faults observed within the pre-rift show ramp-flat geometries associated with contrast in competency of the layers cut and commonly contain zones of scaly shale or clay smear. Damage zone faults within the syn-rift are commonly very straight, and may be discrete fault planes with no visible fault rock at the scale of observation, or contain relatively thin and simple zones of scaly shale or gouge. The geometric and architectural evolution of the fault array is interpreted to be the result of (i) the evolution from distributed trishear deformation during upward propagation of buried fault tips to surface faulting after faults breach the surface; (ii) differences in deformation response between lithified pre-rift units that display high competence contrasts during deformation, and unlithified syn-rift units that display low competence contrasts during deformation, and; (iii) the history of segmentation, growth and linkage of the faults that make up the fault array. This has important implications for fluid flow in fault zones.     

西藏林周盆地设兴组玄武岩地球化学特征及意义

青藏高原南部拉萨地块分布的晚白垩世岩浆活动,对了解特提斯洋的构造演化及约束印度-亚洲大陆初始碰撞时限等具有重要的意义。本文在西藏林周盆地林子宗火山岩的下伏晚白垩世设兴组地层中首次发现了玄武岩夹层,并系统开展了玄武岩的Ar-Ar年代学、全岩主量和微量元素地球化学、以及Sr-Nd-Pb同位素地球化学研究。设兴组玄武岩呈夹层状产出于设兴组顶部的红色砂岩中,其斜长石Ar-Ar年龄为90.6±1.8Ma。玄武岩属于高钾钙碱性系列,富集轻稀土元素、强烈富集Ba、Th、U等大离子亲石元素(LILEs),亏损Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素(HFSEs),具有明显的大陆边缘弧的火山岩成分特征。玄武岩的Sr-Nd-Pb同位素成分比较均匀,(87Sr/86Sr)t为0.706568~0.706620,εNd(t)为+0.72~+4.75,(206Pb/204Pb)t比值为18.649~18.675,(207Pb/204Pb)t比值为15.640~15.666,(208Pb/204Pb)t比值为39.055~39.108,岩石总体表现出来自于亏损地幔的特征。综合岩石学和地球化学研究结果,设兴组玄武岩可能是晚白垩世(约90.6Ma)俯冲于拉萨地块之下的新特提斯洋壳在重力拖拉下发生板片回转,导致软流圈物质上升提供热量,从而诱发了俯冲流体交代的地幔楔的部分熔融形成的。本文结果进一步证明,之前普遍认为缺少晚白垩世火山岩的拉萨地块南缘,存在新特提斯洋的俯冲作用及其岩浆作用产物。     

Surface effects of triggered fault slip on Reykjanes Peninsula, SW Iceland

Three large earthquakes (M_w>4.5) were triggered within 5 min, 85 km west of a M_w 6.5 earthquake in the South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ). We report on surface effects of these triggered earthquakes, which include fresh rupture, widespread rockfall, disrupted rockslides and block slides. Field data confirm that the earthquakes occurred along N-striking right-lateral strike-slip faults. Field data also support the conclusion from modeling of InSAR data that deformation from the second triggered event was more significant than for the other two. A major hydrological effect was the draining of water through an open fissure on a lake bed, lowering the lake level by greater than 4 m. Field relationships suggest that a component of aseismic slip could have been facilitated by water draining into the fault zone.     

Building a 3-D model of a flood basalt: an example from the Etendeka, NW Namibia

Flood basalts represent large outpourings of lavas which often cover, and interact with, sedimentary basins. For this reason areas with significant flood basalt cover are often targets for hydrocarbon exploration. Problems exist, however, when trying to image sediments and structures in offshore regions covered by basalts. Here we present preliminary 3-D models of the Etendeka flood basalt province from NW Namibia, which can act as an aid in understanding the internal and external architecture of the flood basalt cover. Satellite images, digital elevation models, measured geological logs, sections and maps, are used to create the geological model. Models are presented in 2 parts; 1) models created using topography with images such as Land Sat and geological maps draped over them, and 2) a 3-D model of key lava and sediment surfaces in the basin as defined by measured geological sections. Initial results show a palaeo-volcanic feature early in the flood basalt history which is onlapped by later Iavas. The modelling also allows a simple correction for post emplacement subsidence by assuming an original sub horizontal position for the first basin wide silicic flow unit.