Development of the Khao Khwang Fold and Thrust Belt: Implications for the geodynamic setting of Thailand and Cambodia during the Indosinian Orogeny

The Indosinian Orogeny in Thailand is often viewed as having developed between strongly linear terranes, which today trend approximately N–S. The terranes were subsequently disrupted by later tectonics, particularly NW–SE trending Cenozoic strike-slip faults. The ENE–WSW to NE–SW striking thrusts and folds in the Khao Khwang Platform area of the Saraburi Group on the SW margin of the Indochina Terrane are not easily explained in the context of this traditional view. Reversal of the clockwise rotation shown to have affected the block north of the Mae Ping Fault zone only enhances the E–W orientation of structures in the fold and thrust belt, and moves the belt further east towards Cambodia. One solution for the trend that fits better with regional understanding from hydrocarbon exploration of the Khorat Plateau is that the Indochina Terrane was actually a series of continental blocks, separated by Permian rifting. During the Early Triassic the early stages of collision (South China-Cathaysian Terrane collision with Vietnam Indochina) resulted in the amalgamation of disparate blocks that now form the Indochina Terrane by closure along the rifts. At the same time or following on from the collision there was closure of the back-arc area between Indochina and the Sukhothai zone. The rift basins, were thrusted and inverted during the early stages of the Indosinian orogeny, and only underwent minor reactivated when later Sibumasu collided with Sukhothai Zone-Indochina Terrane margin during the Late Triassic. The scenario described above requires the presence of a (minor) E–W trending suture in NW Cambodia. Evidence for this suture is suggested by the presence of Permo-Triassic calc-alkaline volcanism.     

Structure of the Sibumasu–Indochina collision,central Thailand: A section through the Khao Khwang Fold and thrust belt

Mainland SE Asia is composed of a number of continental fragments and volcanic arcs, separated by oceanic suture zones, which were accreted to the growing Asian continent during the Triassic Indosinian orogeny. The evolution of this orogeny has always been quite controversial. Indeed, the effects of this orogeny in Thailand have often been interpreted without considering the detailed tectonic evolution of the portion of the Indochina Block’s margin formed by Khao Khwang Platform area of the Saraburi Group, in central Thailand. This area is unusual because: (1) an extensive area representing a thin-skinned fold and thrust belt is well-exposed due to quarrying; and, (2) the fold and thrust belt displays a series of E–W and WNW–ESE striking thrusts and associated folds that are not easily explained in the context of the traditional interpretation where the terranes have been accreted broadly along N–S striking collisional zones. Detailed structural observations in numerous quarries around Highway 21 in a 13 km long dip-direction traverse have revealed that overall the thrust belt is composed of several large thrusts with an approximately northwards transport direction. In the southern part of the area, south-verging structures are present. Although the dominant structural trend is northwards-verging, interference structures, and late strike-slip faults indicate there is more than one phase of structural development present.     

Petrography,mineralogy and geochemistry of Cretaceous sediment samples from western Khorat Plateau,Thailand, and considerations on their provenance

At Mo Hin Khao on the western flank of Khorat Plateau, Thailand, the Phra Wihan Formation reveals litharenite and sublitharenite with some subarkose and arkose. A cuesta in the eroded sedimentary sequence exhibits spectacular rock pillars of considerable geotourist potential. The rock sequence is high in silica (SiO₂ 67–98 wt%) and contains quartz, mica, magnetite, chert fragments and accessory minerals such as zircon and tourmaline and amphibole species. These accessory minerals suggest felsic rocks, such as granite, granodiorite and pegmatite, were sources for the sandstones. Geochemical analyses of the sedimentary sequence suggest that source rocks may lie in the passive continental margin, before sediment transport and deposition in the Khorat Basin by rivers flowing across a large flood plain. Many depositional sequences/episodes formed thick beds of cross bedded clastic rocks. A high average maturity index (>5) indicates sedimentary reworking/recycling. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) values range from 47 to 98, suggesting variable chemical weathering within the source area rocks, largely representing moderate to high degrees of weathering. The average CIA value of these sediments (78) suggests that relatively extreme alteration factors were involved.     

Late Quaternary deformation features along the Anninghe Fault on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau

On the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, the Anninghe, Zemuhe and Xiaojiang faults comprise a N–S-trending active left-lateral fault system extending more than 700 km. The northernmost Anninghe Fault extends for ∼200 km, consisting of two sub-parallel N–S trending strands. Along the western strand, the fault traces occur almost strictly along the broad and flat Anninghe valley, displacing high terraces, alluvial fans and tributary channels of the Anninghe River. The eastern strand, on the other hand, cuts through the steep mountain slopes, with prominent rectilinear upslope-facing scarps and shutter ridges against pounded fluvial sediments from the east. The displacements along the eastern strand are much larger than that along the western strand, indicating the eastern strand is the major fault absorbing the E–W shortening. This study demonstrates that the Anninghe Fault is now acting as a relief-building boundary fault and absorbing the E–W compression under the eastwards motion of the Tibetan Plateau. Accordingly, the Anninghe region is a topographic transition area from steep relief to low gradient topography. The variation in topographic gradient is consistent with the differing tectonic regime between southern and northern parts of the Tibetan Plateau.     

Structural appraisal of the Gadag schist belt from gravity investigations

Semi-detailed gravity investigations were carried out over an area of approximately 2750 sq km with maximum N-S and E-W extents of 55 and 50 km respectively in the Gadag region in the Dharwar craton with a view to obtain a clearer perception of the structural configuration of the region. From qualitative analysis of the gravity data, several tectonic features are inferred: the high density Gadag schist belt is characterized by a gravity high and occurs in two discontinuous segments — the main N-S trending segment, and its thinner NW-SE trending extension, the two separated by a NE-SW trending deep seated fault. While the N-S trend of the Gadag schist belt is bounded on its east by the NW-SE trending Chitradurga thrust fault and on its west by another major NNWSSE trending fault, the NW-SE extension is likewise bounded by two other NW-SE major faults. Quantitative evaluation from forward modeling/inversion of five profiles in the region, assuming a density contrast of 0.29gm/cc of the anomalous schistose body with the gneissic host rocks indicated a synclinal structure plunging to the southeast along its axis for the Gadag schist belt. The maximum width and depth from surface of the schist belt are 22 km and 5.6 km respectively.     

A major lineament in the Arabian Shield and its relationship to mineralization

The Al Amar Fault lies in a belt of Proterozoic, metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks, bounded by granitic batholiths. A string of metalliferous and industrial mineral deposits form a “mineral belt” which coincides with the volcanosedimentary belt. Orebodies of basic and ultra-basic association are directly related to the fault through its influence on intrusive activity. Cu-Zn-Au bearing veins of meta-volcanic affiliation are spatially related to the fault. A group of Pb-Ag bearing veins is associated with the granitic batholith which forms the western boundary of the volcano-sedimentary belt. Associations between ore minerals and particular igneous rocks indicate that granitic, basic and metamorphosed volcanic rocks were sources of Pb-Ag-W-Mo, Fe-Cr-Cu-Ni and Fe-Cu-Zn-Au-Ba, respectively. Hydrothermal activity in the fault zone promoted ore formation, and faulting provided sites for deposition. Al Amar Fault is a “copper-lead line” dividing a Pb-Ag subprovince (of sialic derivation?) from a Cu-Zn-Au sub-province (of plate margin/island arc derivation?). The fault is a useful empirical guide in exploration for ores of basic or ultra-basic plutonic and meta-volcanic affiliation and can be identified and traced, as a lineament, using ERTS satellite images and aeromagnetic maps.     

Aquifer heterogeneity: Hydrogeological and hydrochemical properties of the Botany Sands aquifer and their impact on contaminant transport

Detailed geological mapping and drilling has shown that the contact between the Cambrian volcano‐sedimentary sequence at Rosebery and the Mt Read Volcanics is formed by a major thrust fault dipping east at 40° and having a displacement of at least 1.5 km. The sedimentary sequence is part of the Dundas Group, a Middle to Late Cambrian forearc‐like sequence which unconformably overlaps the volcanics south of Rosebery. The Rosebery Thrust Fault marks the eastern boundary of a zone of folding, faulting and disruption which affects the Dundas Group and the tectonically interfingered and underlying basaltic greywacke‐mudstone sequence of the Crimson Creek Formation. At least some of this deformation occurred prior to deposition of the Ordovician Limestone, as evidenced by marked angular discordances. The complex area can be interpreted as a Cambrian accretionary prism‐forearc‐arc sequence developed above an east‐dipping subduction zone.

The Henty Fault System, which cuts obliquely through the Mt Read belt and encloses a misfit wedge of sediments, pillow lavas, gabbros and ultramafic rocks, is interpreted as a remnant of an inter‐arc basin. The fault system separates a dacitic‐andesitic arc segment to the northwest from a more rhyolitic segment to the southeast. The latter is overlain by a younger arc sequence, the Tyndall Group, which may have been the source for the Dundas Group volcanic detritus.     

Seismotectonic significance of the 29 January 1989 Etne earthquake, SW Norway

The integrated analysis of geological, seismological and field observations with lineament data derived from satellite images allows the identification of a possible seismogenic fault zone for an earthquake which occurred near Etne in southwestern Norway, on 29 February 1989. The hypocentre of the earthquake was located at the mid-crust at a depth of 13.8±0.9 km which is typical of small intraplate earthquakes. The Etne earthquake occurred as a result of normal faulting with a dextral strike-slip component on a NW–SE trending fault. Available geological and lineament data indicate correlation of the inferred seismogenic fault with the NW–SE trending Etne fault zone. An aeromagnetic anomaly related to the Etne fault zone forms a regional feature intersecting both Precambrian basement and allochthonous Caledonian rocks. Based on these associations the occurrence of the Etne event is ascribed to the reactivation of a zone of weakness along the Etne fault zone. Slope-instabilities developed in the superficial deposits during the Etne event demonstrate the existence of potentially hazardous secondary-effects of such earthquakes even in low seismicity areas such as southwestern Norway.     

泰国、老挝南部和越南中部的非海相白垩纪双壳类生物地层学

泰国、老挝和越南白垩纪沉积全属非海相,它们广泛分布于泰国北部、东北部、西南部和南部,老挝北部、中部和南部,越南东北部、西北部、中部和南部。泰国南部的白垩纪地层分为Lam Thap,Sam Chom和Phun Phin组;其他地区,特别是西北部的呵叻高原地区的白垩系属呵叻群的Phra Wihan,Sao Khua,Phu Phan,Khok Kruat,Maha Sarakham及Phu Thok组。在老挝,万象盆地的白垩系由老挝呵叻群的NamSet,Phu Phanang,Ban Ang,Champa和Ban Thalat组与丰洪群的Thangon和Saysomboun组组成;沙湾拿吉(东兴)盆地的白垩系由南通(河)群的Nam Phouan,Nam Xot,Nam Noy和Nong Boua组组成。越南的白垩系在西北部分为Nam Na,Yen Chau,Van Chan和Ngoi Thia组,东北部为Ban Hang组,中部分为NhaTrang,Mu Gia和Dong Dzuong组,南部则为Phu Quoc组。三国白垩系的岩性普遍以红棕色至浅灰色砂岩、砾(岩质)砂岩、粉砂岩、泥岩和砾岩为主。泥岩中具有钙质结核和硅结砾岩,但盐和石膏仅见于Maha Sarakham,Saysomboun和Yen Chau组内。过去,这些白垩纪地层的生物地层没有经过详细研究。根据地层层序和化石对比,在泰国东北部呵叻高原和南部半岛地区及老挝南部沙湾拿吉(东兴)盆地中识别出了2个标记非海相白垩纪的类三角蚌类化石组合:阿普特期(但可上延至阿尔必期)的Trigonioides(Trigonioides)kobayashi-Plicatounio(Guangxiconcha)suzukii组合,阿普特阿尔必期(但主要为阿尔必期)的Trigonioides(Diversitrigonioides)diversicostatus-Pseudohyria subovalis组合。越南中部可能也产早白垩世阿普特阿尔必期的类三角蚌类双壳类Plisatouniosp.-Trigonioidessp.组合。通过双壳类组合,并结合包括孢粉和恐龙在内的其他化石的对比,泰国北部和南部、老挝南部和越南中部的非海相白垩纪地层得到了定年和对比,从而揭示了东南亚非海相白垩纪盆地的演化历史。     

Dinosaur footprint assemblage from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation,Khorat Group,northeastern Thailand

The Khok Kruat Formation is the upper part of the Khorat Group, which consists of upper Lower Cretaceous non-marine sedimentary rocks in northeastern Thailand. Many dinosaur footprints have been known from the upper Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) Khok Kruat Formation at the Huai Dam Chum (Tha Uthen) site, northeastern Thailand. Approximately 600 tracks occur in thin mudstone layer of the northern part of the outcrop at the Huai Dam Chum track site. Two types of footprints, small-sized theropod and crocodylomorph are imprinted with mud cracks and ripple marks on the thin mud layer. Most of footprints are referred to cf. Asianopodus, and are imprinted by small-sized theropoda, probably ornithomimosauria. Theropod tracks are mainly separated into two groups, Group A and Group B. From ichnological viewpoints, the small-sized theropod track assemblage indicates the herd behaviour and its idiosyncratic group composition. In particular, the histogram of size-frequency measurements of Group A shows the anomalous bimodal distribution. We consider that there are two hypotheses; the first one is due to the male-female difference, and the second is a result of the different growing stage.     

Compressive deformation in the floor rocks to the Bushveld Complex (South Africa): evidence from the Rustenburg Fault Zone

The north-northwest-south-southeast striking Rustenburg Fault Zone in the western Transvaal Basin, South Africa, has been extensively mapped in order to unravel its tectonic history. In post-Pretoria Group times, but before the intrusion of the Bushveld Complex at 2050 Ma, the area surrounding the fault zone was subjected to two compressive deformational events. The shortening direction of the first event was directed northeast-southwest, producing southeast-northwest trending folds, and the shortening direction of the second was directed north-northwest - south-southeast, producing east-northeast - west-southwest trending folds. The second set of folds refolded the first set to form typical transitional Type 1-Type 2 interference folding. This compression ultimately caused reactivation of the Rustenburg Fault, with dextral strike-slip movement displacing the Pretoria Group sediments by up to 10.6 km. The subsequent intrusion of the Bushveld Complex intensely recrystallised, and often ponded against the strata along the fault zone. The fault rocks within the fault zone were also recrystallised, destroying any pre-existing tectonic fabric. Locally, the fault zone may have been assimilated by the Bushveld Complex. After the intrusion of the Bushveld Complex, little movement has occurred along the fault, especially where the fault passes under areas occupied by the Bushveld Complex. It is thought that the crystallisation of the Bushveld Complex has rheologically strengthened the neighbouring strata, preventing them from being refaulted. This model is at variance with previous assumptions, which suggest that continuous regional extension during Pretoria Group sedimentation culminated in the intrusion of the Bushveld Complex.     

断层内部结构及其对封闭性的影响

先前的研究多考虑断层封堵和开启的2种极端状态,近来的研究认为,在多数情况下断层处于2种之间的状态,只有在静止期具有封闭能力的断层,才有可能对油气起封堵作用。分析断层对流体运移的影响,需要分析断层在演化过程中的内部结构特征。断层可以划分出破碎带、诱导裂缝带和围岩3部分,断层岩和伴生裂缝构成破碎带的主体部分。常见的断层岩包括断层角砾岩、断层泥和部分碎裂岩,它们充填在断层裂缝空间中,断层内部结构受断层形成时的构造应力性质、断层活动强度和围岩岩性因素的控制。从动态角度看,随着断距增加,断层活动伴随着裂缝的发育和岩石的破碎混杂,可用泥质源岩层厚度和断距的比值来划分不同的发育阶段。断层活动期为油气运移通道,在静止时表现出差异性的封闭,通常用断层渗透率和排替压力2个参数来定量评价断层的封闭程度。断层岩渗透率主要受断距、泥质含量、埋深等因素的控制;断层排替压力的预测方法有2种:一种是从断层岩成岩角度分析的"等效埋深法",另一种是分析实测排替压力与主控地质因素的"拟合法"。通过简化的断层模型,建立了渗透率、排替压力与主控因素的预测关系。和储层类似,流体在断层中的运移遵循多孔介质的渗流特征。利用断层两侧的流体压力和油气柱高度并不能直接评价封闭性能,还必须考虑油气充注史和流体压力变化历史。     

郯庐断裂带南段张八岭群变质岩的原岩时代及其构造意义

大别造山带东缘郯庐断裂带上分布着绿片岩相变质的张八岭群。对于它们的原岩时代长期没有同位素年代学数据,而其变形与变质原因也一直没有明确的认识。本次工作中选择了该带上8处张八岭群变火山岩进行了锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年。结果表明,它们的原岩时代为748~750 Ma,属于新元古代中期的南华纪,为扬子板块下部盖层而非前人认为的变质基底。结合张八岭群的变形与变质特征及前人白云母40Ar/39Ar定年结果,并与大别造山带进行对比,本文认为大别造山带东南缘张八岭群的变形与变质是造山带内俯冲与折返的结果,而其东缘郯庐断裂带内张八岭群的变形与变质是碰撞造山期该断裂带左行走滑活动所致。这些认识再次为郯庐断裂带起源于华北与扬子板块的碰撞过程中提供了重要的证据,也支持其造山期起源于陆内转换断层或斜向汇聚边界。     

Late Quaternary activity and dextral strike-slip movement on the Karakax Fault Zone, northwest Tibet

Field observations and interpretations of satellite images reveal that the westernmost segment of the Altyn Tagh Fault (called Karakax Fault Zone) striking WNW located in the northwestern margin of the Tibetan Plateau has distinctive geomorphic and tectonic features indicative of right-lateral strike-slip fault in the Late Quaternary. South-flowing gullies and N–S-trending ridges are systematically deflected and offset by up to ~ 1250 m, and Late Pleistocene–Holocene alluvial fans and small gullies that incise south-sloping fans record dextral offset up to ~ 150 m along the fault zone. Fault scarps developed on alluvial fans vary in height from 1 to 24 m. Riedel composite fabrics of foliated cataclastic rocks including cataclasite and fault gouge developed in the shear zone indicate a principal right-lateral shear sense with a thrust component. Based on offset Late Quaternary alluvial fans, ¹⁴C ages and composite fabrics of cataclastic fault rocks, it is inferred that the average right-lateral strike-slip rate along the Karakax Fault Zone is ~ 9 mm/a in the Late Quaternary, with a vertical component of ~ 2 mm/a, and that a M 7.5 morphogenic earthquake occurred along this fault in 1902. We suggest that right-lateral slip in the Late Quaternary along the WNW-trending Karakax Fault Zone is caused by escape tectonics that accommodate north–south shortening of the western Tibetan Plateau due to ongoing northward penetration of the Indian plate into the Eurasian plate.     

阿尔金断裂新生代活动方式及其与柴达木盆地的耦合分析

位于青藏高原北缘的阿尔金左旋走滑断裂是世界上规模最大也是最重要的线性构造之一,其新生代以来的活动方式是限定高原生长机制的重要边界条件.本文在对阿尔金山中不同方向隆起构造进行分析的基础上,综合前人资料论证了阿尔金断裂在晚始新世-中中新世时以基底剪切为主,大规模地表走滑则发生在中中新世以后.对柴达木盆地内近东西向和北西向断裂系统的分布、形态、活动时间进行了详细的分析,发现它们是在不同时间、不同区域、不同控制条件下形成的两套断裂系统,与阿尔金断裂的两阶段活动方式存在很好的耦合关系.柴达木盆地西北侧的沉积和构造特征表明阿尔金山的隆升幅度和范围在中中新世达到最大,随后则逐渐减小,这种变化也与阿尔金断裂从基底剪切到地表走滑的转换非常吻合.     

Eocene Basins on the SE Tibetan Plateau: Markers of Minor Offset along the Xuelongshan–Diancangshan–Ailaoshan Structural System

The offset of geological bodies provides robust evidence of displacement along a fault or ductile shear zone. The amount of displacement along the Xuelongshan–Diancangshan–Ailaoshan structural system, southeastern Tibetan Plateau, is uncertain because of the lack of offset geological markers. This NNW–SSE-trending system is developed in three isolated metamorphic complexes and interjacent nonmetamorphosed rocks. They are expected to record similar post-Eocene strain, although their structural patterns should be distinct. Geological mapping in the area between the Xuelongshan and Diancangshan metamorphic complexes has revealed a small Eocene basin, the Madeng Basin, located to the west of the structural system. The sedimentary and volcanic successions of the Madeng Basin are comparable to those of the Jianchuan Basin, which is located to the east of the structural system. Zircon U–Pb geochronological and bulk geochemical data demonstrate that the volcanic rocks of both basins formed during 37–34 Ma and share the same geochemical features. These data suggest that the Madeng and Jianchuan basins previously constituted a single basin, with the distribution of high-K volcanic rocks in the basins defining an ENE–WSW-trending volcanic belt that shows a limited dextral offset of ≤20 km across the Xuelongshan–Diancangshan–Ailaoshan structural system. Therefore, the northern segment of the structural system records no evidence of large-scale lateral movement/displacement. The results suggest that the Indochina block, which is bounded by the Xuelongshan–Diancangshan–Ailaoshan structural system to the east and the Sagaing Fault to the west, has not extruded southward as a whole but rather has been deformed by pervasive crustal shortening.     

阿尔金断裂东北段敦煌阳关断裂晚第四纪活动性及其强震危险性影响分析

阿尔金断裂系东北段阳关断裂的晚第四纪活动性与强震危险性关系到敦煌地区及相关文物古迹的防震减灾问题.基于高分辨率卫星影像对阳关断裂几何展布特征进行解译,采用差分GPS、无人机航空摄影测量方法、古地震探槽方法以及OSL测年方法对两个研究点进行了详细研究,对其定量活动参数进行了初步限定.结果显示,阳关断裂东段运动形式主要表现为挤压逆冲,最新的一次地震事件可能发生在距今43.5~12.1 ka之间,表明阳关断裂东段至少在晚更新世以来有过活动,并且具有发生M_w6.6强震的潜能及危险性.如果发生类似强度的地震,敦煌主城区的烈度至少在Ⅵ以上,阳关土遗址地区则会达到Ⅸ.因此,阳关断裂应该是该区防震减灾重点关注的发震断层之一.      

Structural analysis of the Gachsar sub-zone in central Alborz range; constrain for inversion tectonics followed by the range transverse faulting

Analysis of the Gachsar structural sub-zone has been carried out to constrain structural evolution of the central Alborz range situated in the central Alpine Himalayan orogenic system. The sub-zone bounded by the northward-dipping Kandovan Fault to the north and the southward-dipping Taleghan Fault to the south is transversely cut by several sinistral faults. The Kandovan Fault that controls development of the Eocene rocks in its footwall from the Paleozoic–Mesozoic units in the fault hanging wall is interpreted as an inverted basin-bounding fault. Structural evidences include the presence of a thin-skinned imbricate thrust system propagated from a detachment zone that acts as a footwall shortcut thrust, development of large synclines in the fault footwall as well as back thrusts and pop-up structures on the fault hanging wall. Kinematics of the inverted Kandovan Fault and its accompanying structures constrain the N–S shortening direction proposed for the Alborz range until Late Miocene. The transverse sinistral faults that are in acute angle of 15° to a major magnetic lineament, which represents a basement fault, are interpreted to develop as synthetic Riedel shears on the cover sequences during reactivation of the basement fault. This overprinting of the transverse faults on the earlier inverted extensional fault occurs since the Late Miocene when the south Caspian basin block attained a SSW movement relative to the central Iran. Therefore, recent deformation in the range is a result of the basement transverse-fault reactivation.     

Geological interpretation of a deep seismic‐reflection transect across the boundary between the Delamerian and Lachlan Orogens,in the vicinity of the Grampians,western Victoria

A deep seismic‐reflection transect in western Victoria was designed to provide insights into the structural relationship between the Lachlan and the Delamerian Orogens. Three seismic lines were acquired to provide images of the subsurface from west of the Grampians Range to east of the Stawell‐Ararat Fault Zone. The boundary between the Delamerian and Lachlan Orogens is now generally considered to be the Moyston Fault. In the vicinity of the seismic survey, this fault is intruded by a near‐surface granite, but at depth the fault dips to the east, confirming recent field mapping. East of the Moyston Fault, the uppermost crust is very weakly reflective, consisting of short, non‐continuous, west‐dipping reflections. These weak reflections represent rocks of the Lachlan Orogen and are typical of the reflective character seen on other seismic images from elsewhere in the Lachlan Orogen. Within the Lachlan Orogen, the Pleasant Creek Fault is also east dipping and approximately parallel to the Moyston Fault in the plane of the seismic section. Rocks of the Delamerian Orogen in the vicinity of the seismic line occur below surficial cover to the west of the Moyston Fault. Generally, the upper crust is only weakly reflective, but subhorizontal reflections at shallow depths (up to 3 km) represent the Grampians Group. The Escondida Fault appears to stop below the Grampians Group, and has an apparent gentle dip to the east. Farther east, the Golton and Mehuse Faults are also east dipping. The middle to lower crust below the Delamerian Orogen is strongly reflective, with several major antiformal structures in the middle crust. The Moho is a slightly undulating horizon at the base of the highly reflective middle to lower crust at 11–12 s TWT (approximately 35 km depth). Tectonically, the western margin of the Lachlan Orogen has been thrust over the Delamerian Orogen for a distance of at least 25 km, and possibly over 40 km.     

Active fault traces along Bhuj Fault and Katrol Hill Fault, and trenching survey at Wandhay, Kachchh, Gujarat, India

Several new active fault traces were identified along Katrol Hill Fault (KHF). A new fault (named as Bhuj Fault, BF) that extends into the Bhuj Plain was also identified. These fault traces were identified based on satellite photo interpretation and field survey. Trenches were excavated to identify the paleoseismic events, pattern of faulting and the nature of deformation. New active fault traces were recognized about 1km north of the topographic boundary between the Katrol Hill and the plain area. The fault exposure along the left bank of Khari River with 10m wide shear zone in the Mesozoic rocks and showing displacement of the overlying Quaternary deposits is indicative of continued tectonic activity along the ancient fault. The E-W trending active fault traces along the KHF in the western part changes to NE-SW or ENE-WSW near Wandhay village. Trenching survey across a low scarp near Wandhay village reveals three major fault strands F1, F2, and F3. These fault strands displaced the older terrace deposits comprising Sand, Silt and Gravel units along with overlying younger deposits from units 1 to 5 made of gravel, sand and silt. Stratigraphic relationship indicates at least three large magnitude earthquakes along KHF during Late Holocene or recent historic past.