Cenozoic wrench tectonics and oroclinal bending in SE Korea

Based on fault geometry, petrography, and geochronology of granitic rocks as well as palaeomagnetic data from the Gyeongsang Basin, two conjugate fault sets are explained as a reflection of NNE-trending right-lateral wrench tectonics. According to this interpretation, the Gaum and Yangsan fault sets correspond to antithetic faulting by R′-shear and synthetic faulting by R-shear, respectively; they have rotated clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, due to NE–SW compression (shortening), as a result of a NNE-trending wrenching force (simple shear). During progressive deformation, NS- or NNW-trending strike–slip faulting by P-shear occurred in the Yeongyang sub-basin, and finally the Yangsan fault formed as a wrench fault bisecting the P-shear and R-shear directions. Extension of the faults (R-shear, striking ～N22°E) generated by block rotation on the east side of the Yangsan fault (wrench fault, striking ～N13°E) resulted in convex eastward deflections. We suggest that this was caused by oroclinal bending of the existing faults generated by block rotations in opposite directions and is inferred to have been closely related to the East Sea (i.e. Sea of Japan) opening.     

Tropical/subtropical Upper Paleocene–Lower Eocene fluvial deposits in eastern central Patagonia,Chile (46°45′S)

A succession of quartz-rich fluvial sandstones and siltstones derived from a mainly rhyolitic source and minor metamorphic rocks, located to the west, represent the first Upper Paleocene–Early Eocene deposits described in Chilean eastern central Patagonian Cordillera (46°45′S). This unit, exposed 25 km south of Chile Chico, south of lago General Carrera, is here defined as the Ligorio Márquez Formation. It overlies with an angular unconformity Lower Cretaceous shallow marine sedimentary rocks (Cerro Colorado Formation) and subaerial tuffs that have yielded K–Ar dates of 128, 125 and 123 Ma (Flamencos Tuffs, of the Divisadero Group). The Ligorio Márquez Formation includes flora indicative of a tropical/subtropical climate, and its deposition took place during the initial part of the Late Paleocene–Early Eocene Cenozoic optimum. The underlying Lower Cretaceous units exhibit folding and faulting, implying a pre-Paleocene–Lower Eocene contractional tectonism. Overlying Oligocene–Miocene marine and continental facies in the same area exhibit thrusts and normal faults indicative of post-Lower Miocene contractional tectonism.     

Neotectonic and volcanic characteristics of the Karasu fault zone (Anatolia,Turkey): The transition zone between the Dead Sea transform and the East Anatolian fault zone

The Karasu Rift (Antakya province, SE Turkey) has developed between east-dipping, NNE-striking faults of the Karasu fault zone, which define the western margin of the rift and west-dipping, N–S to N20°–30°E-striking faults of Dead Sea Transform fault zone (DST) in the central part and eastern margin of the rift. The strand of the Karasu fault zone that bounds the basin from west forms a linkage zone between the DST and the East Anatolian fault zone (EAFZ). The greater vertical offset on the western margin faults relative to the eastern ones indicates asymmetrical evolution of the rift as implied by the higher escarpments and accumulation of extensive, thick alluvial fans on the western margins of the rift. The thickness of the Quaternary sedimentary fill is more than 465 m, with clastic sediments intercalated with basaltic lavas. The Quaternary alkali basaltic volcanism accompanied fluvial to lacustrine sedimentation between 1.57 ± 0.08 and 0.05 ± 0.03 Ma. The faults are left-lateral oblique-slip faults as indicated by left-stepping faulting patterns, slip-lineation data and left-laterally offset lava flows and stream channels along the Karasu fault zone. At Hacılar village, an offset lava flow, dated to 0.08 ± 0.06 Ma, indicates a rate of left-lateral oblique slip of approximately 4.1 mm·year^–1. Overall, the Karasu Rift is an asymmetrical transtensional basin, which has developed between seismically active splays of the left-lateral DST and the left-lateral oblique-slip Karasu fault zone during the neotectonic period.     

Neotectonic and volcanic characteristics of the Karasu fault zone (Anatolia,Turkey): The transition zone between the Dead Sea transform and the East Anatolian fault zone

Abstract

The Karasu Rift (Antakya province, SE Turkey) has developed between east-dipping, NNE-striking faults of the Karasu fault zone, which define the western margin of the rift and westdipping, N-S to N20°-30°E-striking faults of Dead Sea Transform fault zone (DST) in the central part and eastern margin of the rift. The strand of the Karasu fault zone that bounds the basin from west forms a linkage zone between the DST and the East Anatolian fault zone (EAFZ). The greater vertical offset on the western margin faults relative to the eastern ones indicates asymmetrical evolution of the rift as implied by the higher escarpments and accumulation of extensive, thick alluvial fans on the western margins of the rift. The thickness of the Quaternary sedimentary fill is more than 465 m, with clastic sediments intercalated with basaltic lavas. The Quaternary alkali basaltic volcanism accompanied fluvial to lacustrine sedimentation between 1.57 ± 0.08 and 0.05 ± 0.03 Ma. The faults are left-lateral oblique-slip faults as indicated by left-stepping faulting patterns, slip-lineation data and left-laterally offset lava flows and stream channels along the Karasu fault zone. At Hacilar village, an offset lava flow, dated to 0.08 ± 0.06 Ma, indicates a rate of leftlateral oblique slip of approximately 4.1 mm?year^?1. Overall, the Karasu Rift is an asymmetrical transtensional basin, which has developed between seismically active splays of the left-lateral DST and the left-lateral oblique-slip Karasu fault zone during the neotectonic period. © 2001 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS     

济阳坳陷构造演化及其大地构造意义

济阳坳陷由负反转盆地、右旋扭张盆地及主动裂谷三个原型叠加而成,并在中、新生代经历了四个演化阶段,三叠纪为板内造山作用阶段,济阳坳陷曾为五条ＮＷ向的以逆冲断层为主的压性构造带占据,早－中侏罗世造山作用结束;晚侏罗世－早始新世为负反转盆地阶段,三叠纪ＮＷ向逆冲断层发生反向伸展;中始新世－渐新世为右旋扭张盆地阶段,ＮＥ,ＥＮＥ向扭张断裂发育,并进而成盆接受沉积,ＮＷ和断裂反向伸展活动受到抑制而渐趋消亡;中新世－全新世为主动裂谷阶段,“拗陷运动”取代“断陷运动”。济阳坳陷构造演化的阶段特征表明了郯庐断裂中、新生代的剪切运动史,即三叠纪右旋剪切,晚侏罗世－早始新世左旋剪切．中始新世－渐新世右旋剪切,中新世－全新世作弱右旋压剪。     

40Ar/39Ar and K–Ar geochronology of magmatic and hydrothermal events in a classic low-suphidation epithermal bonanza deposit: El Peñon, northern Chile

The epithermal El Peñon gold–silver deposit consists of quartz–adularia veins emplaced within a late Upper Paleocene rhyolitic dome complex, located in the Paleocene–Lower Eocene Au–Ag belt of northern Chile. Detailed K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology on volcano–plutonic rocks and hydrothermal minerals were carried out to constrain magmatic and hydrothermal events. The Paleocene to Lower Eocene magmatism in the El Peñon area is confined to a rhomb-shaped basin, which was controlled by N–S trending normal faults and both NE- and NW-trending transtensional fault systems. The earliest products of the basin-filling sequences comprise of Middle to Upper Paleocene (～59–55 Ma) welded rhyolitic ignimbrites and andesitic to dacitic lavas, with occasional dacitic dome complexes. Later, rhyolitic and dacitic dome complexes (～55–52 Ma) represent the waning stages of volcanism during the latest Upper Paleocene and the earliest Eocene. Lower Eocene porphyry intrusives (～48–43 Ma) mark the end of the magmatism in the basin and a change to a compressive tectonomagmatic regime. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology of hydrothermal adularia from the El Peñon deposit yields ages between 51.0±0.6 and 53.1±0.5 Ma. These results suggest that mineralization occurred slightly after the emplacement of the El Peñon rhyolitic dome at 54.5±0.6 Ma (⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age) and was closely tied to later dacitic–rhyodacitic bodies of 52 to 53 Ma (K–Ar ages), probably as short-lived pulses related to single volcanic events.     

The Dihedral Angle and Intersection Processes of a Conjugate Strike‐Slip Fault System in the Tarim Basin,NW China

Recent studies, focused on dihedral angles and intersection processes, have increased understandings of conjugate fault mechanisms. We present new 3-D seismic data and microstructural core analysis in a case study of a large conjugate strike-slip fault system from the intracratonic Tarim Basin, NW China. Within our study area, "X" type NE and NW trending faults occur within CambrianOrdovician carbonates. The dihedral angles of these conjugate faults have narrow ranges, 19° to 62° in the Cambrian and 26° to 51° in the Ordovician, and their modes are 42° and 44° respectively. These data are significantly different from the ～60° predicted by the Coulomb fracture criterion. It is concluded that:(1) The dihedral angles of the conjugate faults were not controlled by confining pressure, which was low and associated with shallow burial;(2) As dihedral angles were not controlled by pressure they can be used to determine the shortening direction during faulting;(3) Sequential slip may have played an important role in forming conjugate fault intersections;(4) The conjugate fault system of the Tarim basin initiated as rhombic joints; these subsequently developed into sequentially active "X" type conjugate faults; followed by preferential development of the NW-trending faults; then reactivation of the NE trending faults. This intact rhombic conjugate fault system presents new insights into mechanisms of dihedral angle development, with particular relevance to intracratonic basins.     

Stratigraphic reconstruction of the Strzelecki Group outcrops in west Gippsland: new data on the present-day thickness and amount of erosion

The Lower Cretaceous Strzelecki Group forms the basement to the eastern part of the Gippsland Basin, but is exposed in the west and forms spectacular outcrops, especially along the coastal area between San Remo and Inverloch. The coastal area is highly faulted and lacks stratigraphic markers so matching sections in different fault blocks based only on lithology has not been possible. A combination of mapping, detailed logging, vitrinite reflectance measurements and palynology were used to determine the present-day thickness of the coastal sections and the amount of erosion that occurred during the Late Cretaceous. A total thickness of about 1500 m is inferred between Harmers Haven and Inverloch but because of the amount of faulting and probable repeated sections, the true thickness of Strzelecki Group exposed in the coastal outcrops is only about 300 m. Based on palynology and vitrinite reflectance results, the reconstructed Strzelecki Group stratigraphy has been subdivided into three distinct ‘bio-blocks’, with an eroded section estimated to range from 1.5 km (0.3–2.6 km at ±95% confidence limits) to 2.7 km (2.2–3.1 km at ±95% confidence limits).     

Sedimentology and kinematics of a large, retrogressive growth-fault system in Upper Carboniferous deltaic sediments, western Ireland

Growth faulting is a common feature of many deltaic environments and is vital in determining local sediment dispersal and accumulation, and hence in controlling the resultant sedimentary facies distribution and architecture. Growth faults occur on a range of scales, from a few centimetres to hundreds of metres, with the largest growth faults frequently being under‐represented in outcrops that are often smaller than the scale of feature under investigation. This paper presents data from the exceptionally large outcrops of the Cliffs of Moher, western Ireland, where a growth‐fault complex affects strata up to 60 m in thickness and extends laterally for ≈ 3 km. Study of this Namurian (Upper Carboniferous) growth‐fault system enables the relationship between growth faulting and sedimentation to be detailed and permits reconstruction of the kinematic history of faulting. Growth faulting was initiated with the onset of sandstone deposition on a succession of silty mudstones that overlie a thin, marine shale. The decollement horizon developed at the top of the marine shale contact for the first nine faults, by which time aggradation in the hangingwall exceeded 60 m in thickness. After this time, failure planes developed at higher stratigraphic levels and were associated with smaller scale faults. The fault complex shows a dominantly landward retrogressive movement, in which only one fault was largely active at any one time. There is no evidence of compressional features at the base of the growth faults, thus suggesting open‐ended slides, and the faults display both disintegrative and non‐disintegrative structure. Thin‐bedded, distal mouth bar facies dominate the hangingwall stratigraphy and, in the final stages of growth‐fault movement, erosion of the crests of rollover structures resulted in the highest strata being restricted to the proximity of the fault. These upper erosion surfaces on the fault scarp developed erosive chutes that were cut parallel to flow and are downlapped by the distal hangingwall strata of younger growth faults.     

Controls on alluvial architecture by synsedimentary faults in the Coal Measures of South Wales

A series of small-scale gravity induced synsedimentary faults are described from the Middle Coal Measures (Westphalian B) of the South Wales Coalfield. The synsedimentary nature of the faults is indicated by abrupt changes in sediment thickness across faults, eroded fault scarps and the restriction of faulting to 8·75 m of sediment bounded by laterally persistent black shales above and a seatearth below. Evidence for the non-tectonic origin of the faults is given by the presence of passive footwalls. Channel sandstone bodies occurring within the hanging walls of individual faults were deposited by discrete overbank flood events. Drainage patterns during flood events were controlled by topographic lows adjacent to the faults such that palaeocurrent data within the channel sandstone bodies indicate a S/SW transport direction parallel to fault strike. Synsedimentary fault movements resulted in the diagonal stacking of successively younger sandstone bodies adjacent to the faults, and an increase in tilt of the bodies with depth from 0 → 26°. The architecture of channel sandstone bodies was controlled by (1) the amount of fault movement and (2) fault block dimensions (or fault spacing). The interaction of these controlling factors resulted in deposition of symmetrical channel sandstone bodies over narrow fault blocks (12 m wide) with large fault displacements (7 m), asymmetrical sandstone bodies over wide fault blocks (30 m) with large fault displacement (7.5 m), and limited channel sandstone body development over fault blocks with small fault displacements (1.5 m). Synsedimentary faulting is thought to have been initiated by either seismic shock and/or overpressuring of pore fluids within buried mudstones.     

Fault geometry and mechanics of marly carbonate multilayers: An integrated field and laboratory study from the Northern Apennines,Italy

Sealing layers are often represented by sedimentary sequences characterized by alternating strong and weak lithologies. When involved in faulting processes, these mechanically heterogeneous multilayers develop complex fault geometries. Here we investigate fault initiation and evolution within a mechanical multilayer by integrating field observations and rock deformation experiments. Faults initiate with a staircase trajectory that partially reflects the mechanical properties of the involved lithologies, as suggested by our deformation experiments. However, some faults initiating at low angles in calcite-rich layers (θ_i = 5°–20°) and at high angles in clay-rich layers (θ_i = 45°–86°) indicate the important role of structural inheritance at the onset of faulting. With increasing displacement, faults develop well-organized fault cores characterized by a marly, foliated matrix embedding fragments of limestone. The angles of fault reactivation, which concentrate between 30° and 60°, are consistent with the low friction coefficient measured during our experiments on marls (μ_s = 0.39), indicating that clay minerals exert a main control on fault mechanics. Moreover, our integrated analysis suggests that fracturing and faulting are the main mechanisms allowing fluid circulation within the low-permeability multilayer, and that its sealing integrity can be compromised only by the activity of larger faults cutting across its entire thickness.     

Quaternary neotectonics of the Somogy Hills, Hungary (part I): Evidence from field observations

Quaternary and directly underlying Late Miocene (Pannonian) outcrops were analysed by structural, tectono-morphologic and sedimentologic methods to describe the main fault directions, to separate mass movements from faulting and folding and to separate earthquake-induced sediment deformations from other (e.g. periglacial) effects in the Somogy Hills. This is a gentle hilly area elevated at 200–300 m above sea level, located immediately south of Lake Balaton, Hungary.

Quaternary outcrops showed several consistent directions of faulting, and co-depositional seismic activity. Three different Mohr-sets of faults/joints could be differentiated in Quaternary sediments. The three sets are considered Late Quaternary since all cut young loess sections and have morphological expressions.

On the basis of the microtectonic measurements and morphotectonic investigations, the following sequence of Quaternary events can be proposed:

1. A (W)NW–(E)SE compression and perpendicular extension would create E–W to WNW–ESE oriented right lateral, NNW–SSE to N–S oriented left lateral shear zones, and NW–SE striking normal faults. Some of these can be evidenced in morphology and among the individual fault measurements. Some reactivated faults might suggest that this field is a relatively older one, but fresh topographic elements suggest that this stress field might be operational sub-recently.

2. A second stress field with NNW–SSE extensional and ENE–WSW oriented compressional directions could be separated. This stress field could create NNE–SSW and NW–SE oriented shear fractures and ENE–WSW oriented conjugate normal faults. Flat thrusts giving ENE directed shear may also be active under this field.

3. A third stress field might be proposed with N–S compression and perpendicular extension directions. This would create NE–SW and NW–SE oriented shear fractures, which are observed in the measured fault data. It is remarkable that the NE–SW faults are all steep, subvertical, and give a very well defined fault set. Based on the fresh topographic expression, this stress field is also sub-recent.

The different sub-recent stress fields and related fault patterns might succeed each other or might alternate through time. The first and third deformations have fresh topographic expressions and cannot play synchronously. The observed features suggest a compressionally active neotectonics of the study area.     

青藏铁路风火山段晚第四纪断裂活动分析

地表地质调查发现,第四纪期间在风火山逆冲-褶皱构造带以发生近东西向的伸展变形为特征。在该构造带中形成切割早期近东西向挤压变形构造带、指示近东西向伸展变形、整体沿北60°东向展布的二道沟断陷盆地。断裂活动的地质、地貌证据表明,控制该盆地晚第四纪断陷的主边界断裂位于其北缘,是一条断续延伸达24 km左右、可能兼具左旋走滑性质的正断层。根据该区晚第四纪沉积物的分布和时代,并对断裂所错动的晚第四纪地质-地貌体进行初步的年代学分析,可以初步断定该断裂的晚第四纪垂直活动速率应该介于0.2~0.4 mm/a之间。     

Shear structural paragenesis and its role in continental rifting of the East Asian margin

The spatial-genetic relationships between transit fault systems of the East Asian global shear zone (EAGSZ) are analyzed. It is established that the EAGSZ internal structure between the Okhotsk and South China seas is identical to that of world-known natural and experimental shear zones, which confirms its development as an integral structure. The structural-kinematic analysis included the Tan-Lu-Sikhote-Alin (TS) system of left-lateral strike-slip faults (NNE 25°–30°) and the Bohai-Amur (BA) system of updip-strike-slip faults (NE 50°–70°). It is shown that these systems were formed as structural parageneses during two stages. The first and shear-thrust stage (Jurassic-Early Cretaceous) was marked by general NNW-oriented compression with the formation of the TS system of left-lateral strike-slip faults and their structural parageneses (compression structures) such as the BA system of updip-thrusts. The second, strike-slip-pull apart stage (Late Cretaceous-Cenozoic) was characterized by SE-directed tangential compression, which was generated by the SW left-lateral displacement of the continental crust along the Central Sikhote-Alin deep-seated fault. In such dynamic settings, the updip-thrust kinematics of the BA system gave way to that of left-lateral strike-slip faults. The strike-slip faults were formed in the transtension regime (shear with extension), which determined the development of pull-apart structures, where the left-lateral shear extension component played the decisive role. Simultaneously, the extension involved the Tan-Lu strike-slip fault with the formation of the rift valley and the discrete development of sedimentary basins along the latter.     

The Variscan tectonic inheritance of the Upper Rhine Graben: evidence of reactivations in the Lias,Late Eocene–Oligocene up to the recent

Processing of gravity and magnetic maps shows that the basement of the Upper Rhine Graben area is characterized by a series of NE–SW trending discontinuities and elongated structures, identified in outcrops in the Vosges, Black Forest, and the Odenwald Mountains. They form a 40 km wide, N30–40° striking, sinistral wrench-zone that, in the Visean, shifted the Variscan and pre-Variscan structures by at least 43 km to the NE. Wrenching was associated with emplacement of several generations of plutonic bodies emplaced in the time range 340–325 Ma. The sub-vertical, NE–SW trending discontinuities in the basement acted as zones of weakness, susceptible to reactivation by subsequent tectonism. The first reactivation, marked by mineralizations and palaeomagnetic overprinting along NE–SW faults of the Vosges Mountains, results from the Liassic NW–SE extension contemporaneous with the break-up of Pangea. The major reactivation occurred during the Late Eocene N–S compression and the Early-Middle Oligocene E–W extension. The NE–SW striking basement discontinuities were successively reactivated as sinistral strike-slip faults, and as oblique normal faults. Elongated depocenters appear to form in association with reactivated Variscan wrench faults. Some of the recent earthquakes are located on NE–SW striking Variscan fault zones, and show sinistral strike-slip focal mechanisms with the same direction, suggesting also present reactivation.     

Active tectonics of the Yizre'el valley, Israel, using high-resolution seismic reflection data

We present a series of high-resolution seismic reflection lines across the Yizre'el valley, which is the largest active depression in Israel, off the main trend of the Dead Sea rift. The new seismic reflection data is of excellent quality and shows that the valley is dissected into numerous small blocks, separated by active faults. The Yizre'el valley is found to consist of a series of half grabens, rather than a single half graben, or a symmetrical graben. The faults are generally vertical and appear to have a dominant strike-slip component, but some dip-slip is also evident. A marked zone of compression near Megido is associated with the intersection of the two largest faults in the valley, the Carmel fault and the Gideon fault. Variable trend of the faults reflects the complexity of the local geology along the boundary between the wide NW–SE trending Farah–Carmel fault zone and the E–W trending basins and ranges in the Lower Galilee. This tectonic complexity is likely to result from a highly variable stress pattern, modified by the structures inside it. Normal faulting in the valley occurred at an early stage of its development as a tectonic depression. However, strike-slip motion on the Carmel fault, and possibly also on some of the other faults, appears to have started together with the onset of normal faulting. Earthquake hazard in the area appears to be uniform as faults are distributed throughout the Yizre'el valley.     

Analysis of Ezinepazarı–Sungurlu Fault Zone (Turkey) using Landsat TM data and its kinematic implications

The study area is located between Çorum and Amasya along the Ezinepazar?–Sungurlu Fault Zone (ESFZ) which is regarded as the splay of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ). By this study, the 1/25,000 scaled geological map of the study area was prepared, and its stratigraphic and tectonic characteristics were unraveled as a result of palaeontological and petrographical analyses of the samples collected from different rock units. Particularly, geologic ages of the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Ferhatkaya and Carcurum and Middle Eocene Çekerek formations were provided from palaeontological determinations. Using Landsat TM and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission 3 (SRTM 3) data of the region, the borders between the rock units and the tectonic characteristics in the study area were clarified by spectral and spatial enhancement methods. Kinematic characteristics of ESFZ obtained from the young sedimentary rocks along both sides of the fault zone were also inferred in this study. Understanding the kinematic and geometrical characteristics of the faults is important in terms of the seismotectonics of the region. In the statistical study conducted on the basis of the directions of the lineaments indicates the highest concentrations in general between N 50° - 60° E and N 60° - 70° E. Band 7 of the study area was enlightened in SE direction taking into consideration the relation of the geologic structures in the region with NAFZ and ESFZ and their general strike directions. Along with the formation of NAFZ, the region has undergone a counterclockwise rotation of approximately 20°–30°, which has developed between the “splay” faults in the south block of that fault. These faults are strike-slip faults formed under the compressional regime roughly in a NW–SE direction. It is noted that this tectonic regime has developed under compression in NW–SE direction, which was dominant in similar kinematic analysis studies conducted on NAFZ.     

Dislocations of the cretaceous and cenozoic complexes of the northern part of the West Sakhalin Terrane

The contemporary structure of the West Sakhalin Terrane started to form in the Pleistocene and the process of its formation continues up to now in a setting of ENE (60°–90°) shortening. Evidence of the preceding NE (30°–45°) compression was revealed during the study. This compression prevailed in the Eocene–Pliocene. Under the settings of NE (30°–45°) compression, dextral displacements occurred along the West Sakhalin and Tym’–Poronai fault systems, bounding the West Sakhalin Terrane.     

The Thakkhola–Mustang graben in Nepal and the late Cenozoic extension in the Higher Himalayas

The Thakkhola–Mustang graben is located at the northern side of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges in North Central Nepal. The structural pattern is mainly characterised by the N020–040° Thakkhola Fault system responsible for the development of the half-graben. A detailed study of the substrate and the sedimentary fill in several outcrops indicates polyphased faulting:-pre-sedimentation faulting (Miocene), with a mainly NNW–SSE to N–S compressional stress expressed in the substratum by N020–040° and N180–N010° sinistral and N130–140° dextral conjugate strike-slip faults;-syn-sedimentation faulting (Pliocene–Pleistocene), characterised by a W–E to WNW–ESE extensional stress and tectonic subsidence of the half-graben during the Tetang period (Pliocene probably), followed by a doming of the Tetang deposits and a short period of erosion (cf. Pliocene planation surface and unconformity between the Tetang and Thakkhola Formations); the Thakkhola period (Pleistocene) is characterized by a W–E to WNW–ESE extensional stress and a major subsidence of the half graben;-post-sedimentation recurrent extensional faulting and N–S and NE–SW normal faults in the late Quaternary terrace formations.Geodynamic interpretation of the faulting is discussed in relation to the following:

• 1.the geographic situation of the Thakkhola–Mustang half-graben in the southern part of Tibet and its setting in the Tethyan series above the South Tibetan Detachment System (STDS);
• 2.the geodynamic conditions of the convergence between India and Eurasia and the dextral east–west shearing between the High Himalayas and south Tibet;
• 3.the possible relations between the sinistral Thakkhola and the dextral Karakorum strike-slip faults in a N–S compressional stress regime during the Miocene.

     

Deformation style in the damage zone of the Mondy fault: GPR evidence (Tunka basin,southern East Siberia)

The Mondy strike-slip fault connects the W-E Tunka and N-S Hovsgol basins on the southern flank of the Baikal rift system. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys in its damage zone provide constraints on thicknesses, dips, and plunges of fault planes, as well as on the amount and sense of vertical slip. Strike-slip faulting in the southern segment of the Mondy fault within the territory of Russia bears a normal slip component of motion along the W-E and NW planes. These motions have produced negative flower structures in shallow crust appearing as grabens upon Pleistocene fluvioglacial terraces. The amount of normal slip estimated from the displacement of reflection events varies over the area and reaches its maximum of 3.4 m near Mondy Village. In the Kharadaban basin link, left-lateral strike slip displaces valleys of ephemeral streams to 22 m, while normal slip detected by GPR reaches 2.2 m; this normal-to-strike slip ratio corresponds to a direction of ~ 6° to the horizon. The angles of dips of faults are in the range 75°-79°; the thicknesses of fault planes marked by low- or high-frequency anomalies in GPR records vary from 2.5 to 17.0 m along strike and decrease with depth within a few meters below the surface, which is common to near-surface coseismic motions. Many ruptures fail to reach the surface but appear rather as sinkholes localized mainly in fault hanging walls. The deformation style in the damage zone of the Mondy fault bears impact of the NW Yaminshin fault lying between its two segments. According to photoelasticity, the stress field changes locally at the intersection of the two faults, under NE compression at 38°, till the inverse orientations of principal compression and extension stresses. This stress pattern leads to a combination of normal and left-lateral strike slip components.