The importance of the effective intermediate principal stress (σ′2) to fault slip patterns

In normal faulting regimes, the magnitudes and orientations of the maximum and minimum principal compressive stresses may be known with some confidence. However, the magnitude of the intermediate principal compressive stress is generally much more difficult to constrain and is often not considered to be an important factor. In this paper, we show that the slip characteristics of faults and fractures with complex or nonoptimal geometry are highly sensitive to variation or uncertainty in the ambient effective intermediate principal stress (σ′₂). Optimally oriented faults and fractures may be less sensitive to such variations or uncertainties. Slip tendency (T_s) analysis provides a basis for quantifying the effects of uncertainty in the magnitudes and orientations of all principal stresses and in any stress regime, thereby focusing efforts on the most important components of the system. We also show, for a normal faulting stress regime, that the proportion of potential surfaces experiencing high slip tendency (e.g., T_s ≥ 0.6) decreases from a maximum of about 38% where σ′₂ = σ′₃, to a minimum of approximately 14% where σ′₂ is halfway between σ′₃ and σ′₁, and increases to another high of approximately 29% where σ′₂ = σ′₁. This analysis illustrates the influence of the magnitude of σ′₂ on rock mass strength, an observation previously documented by experimental rock deformation studies. Because of the link between fault and fracture slip characteristics and transmissivity in critically stressed rock, this analysis can provide new insights into stress-controlled fault transmissivity.     

Geometry of the fault zone of the 2003 Ms = 7.5 Chuya earthquake and associated stress fields, Gorny Altai

The co-seismic deformations produced during the September 27, 2003 Chuya earthquake (Ms = 7.5) that affected the Gorny Altai, Russia, are described and discussed along a 30 km long segment. The co-seismic deformations have manifested themselves both in unconsolidated sediments as R- and R′-shears, extension fractures and contraction structures, and in bedrock as the reactivation of preexisting schistosity zones and individual fractures, as well as development of new ruptures and coarse crushing zones. It has been established that the pattern of earthquake ruptures represents a typical fault zone trending NW–SE with a width reaching 4–5 km and a dextral strike–slip kinematics. The initial stress field that produced the whole structural pattern of co-seismic deformations during the Chuya earthquake, is associated with a transcurrent regime with a NNW–SSE, almost N–S, trending of compressional stress axis (σ₁), and a ENE–WSW, almost E–W, trending of tensional stress axis (σ₃). The state of stress in the newly-formed fault zone is relatively uniform. The local stress variations are expressed in insignificant deviation of σ₁ from N–S to NW–SE or NE–SW, in short-term fluctuations of relative stress values in keeping their spatial orientations, or in a local increase of the plunge angle of the σ₁. The geometry of the fault zone associated with the Chuya earthquake has been compared with the mechanical model of fracturing in large continental fault zones with dextral strike–slip kinematics. It is apparent that the observed fracture pattern corresponds to the late disjunctive stage of faulting when the master fault is not fully developed but its segments are already clearly defined. It has been shown that fracturing in widely different rocks follows the common laws of the deformation of solid bodies, even close to the Earth surface, and with high rates of movements.     

Late Cenozoic stress evolution along the Karasu Valley, SE Turkey

This study defines the Mio-Pliocene to present-day stress regime acting at the northeastern corner of the eastern Mediterranean region along the Karasu Valley (i.e., the Amanos Range), taking in the Antakya, Osmaniye and Kahramanmaras provinces. The inversion slip vectors measured on fault planes and chronologies between striations indicate that the stress regime varied from transpressional initially to transtensional, having consistent NW- and NE-trending σ_Hmax (σ₁) and σ_Hmin (σ₃) axes, respectively; there are significantly different mean stress-ratio (R_m) values however. The older mean stress state is characterized by N151±11°E-trending σ₁ and N59±12°E-trending σ₃ axes, and by a mean arithmetic R_m value of 0.76, indicating that the regional stress regime is transpressional. The younger stress regime is characterized by N154±8°E-trending σ₁ and N243±8°E-trending σ₃ axes, and by a mean arithmetic R_m value of 0.17, indicating a transtensional character for this regional stress regime. The low R values of the stress deviators related to the recent stress state reflect normal-component slips. The earthquake focal mechanism inversions confirm that the younger stress regime continues into the Recent. The inversion identifies a transtensional stress regime representing strike-slip and an extensional stress state with a consistent NE-trending σ_Hmin (σ₃) axis. These stress states are characterized by N66°E and N249°E-trending σ₃ axes, respectively. Both significant regional stress regimes induce left-lateral displacement along the southern part of the East Anatolian Fault (EAF, or Amanos Fault). The temporal change, probably in Quaternary time, within the regional stress regime—from transpression to transtension—resulted from the coeval influences of subduction processes in the west–southwest (i.e., along the Cyprus arc), continental collision in the east, and westward escape of the Anatolian block.     

Strike-slip fault bridge fluid pumping mechanism: insights from field-based palaeostress analysis and numerical modelling

We present a finite-element study of stress perturbation in evolving compressive and extensional strike-slip fault bridges. The results are compared with a fracture study of a compressive bridge at St Donats, UK. Horizontally interbedded calcareous mudstone and bioclastic calcilutite at St Donats have a distinct vertical permeability anisotropy. This sedimentary sequence behaves as a set of horizontal aquifers. The fluid flow in these aquifers is sensitive to mean stress gradients. Paleostress analysis of field fracture data, verified by finite-element modelling, indicates a rotation of σ₁ towards parallelism with boundary faults inside the growing compressive bridge. Boundary faults and bridge faults recorded numerous fluid flow events. The modelled mean stress pattern shows a regional maximum within the bridge and local maxima/minima pairs at boundary fault tips.Finite-element modelling of an extensional bridge indicates that σ₃ rotates towards parallelism with boundary faults. The mean stress pattern is similar to the pattern in compressive bridge but with maxima and minima locations interchanged. The stress patterns are reestablished by each stress build-up preceding the rupturation of the boundary faults throughout the development stages of strike-slip fault bridges. Mean stress gradients developed pre-failure control the fluid flow in fractures of the strike-slip fault system at and after the end of each stress build-up and the fluid flow in boundary faults post-failure. Fracture reactivation and new fracture generation within an evolving bridge is a process consisting of multiple successive events that retain the storage capacity of the bridge. Rupture and sealing of the main bounding-faults is a step-wise process that opens and closes fluid conduits between areas with different pressures.     

Density distribution functions and correlations of earthquake parameters

The statistical analysis of the source parameters of 9 earthquake sets of different types (aftershocks, scattered events, swarms) and of different seismic regions shows that the density distribution function (ddf) of the linear dimension l of a fault is represented by a negative power law, as well as the ddf of the static stress drop σ and of the scalar seismic moment M_o. It is then suggested, and tentatively verified, that also the ddf of the root mean square ground acceleration, defined as a function of l and σ, may be represented by a negative power law and that, at least in the cases examined, it scales like the ddf of σ. It is seen that the variability of the static stress drop is significant from one region to another, as is well known, but it seems remarkable also in the same seismic region (in particular in California, σ varies by several orders of magnitude) and in the different sets of events of a given region (as observed again for California). It is hypothesized that a correlation, although weak, between the stress drop and the linear dimension of a fault exists and the analyses seem not to contradict that σ may be a decreasing function of l. Finally, it is suggested that the seismicity of a region may be represented two-dimensionally as a function of the ddf of the stress drop and of the linear dimension of a fault instead of the classic b and b_o values.     

Stress field in the Northern Rhine area, Central Europe, from earthquake fault plane solutions

Fault plane solutions (FPS) from 110 earthquakes in the northern Rhine area with local magnitudes, ranging from 1.0 to 6.1, and occurring between 1976 and 2002 are determined. FPS are retrieved from P-wave first motions using a grid search approach allowing a detailed exploration of the parameter space. The influence of the 1D velocity model on take-off angles and resulting FPS is examined. All events were relocated with a recently developed minimum 1D model of the velocity structure [J. Geophys. Res. (2003)]. Rose diagrams of the orientation of P, T and B axes show a clear preference of trends of P and T axes at N292°E and N27°E, respectively. The majority of B axes trend in northerly directions. Plunges of P and T axes are mostly around 45° while most B axes are subhorizontal. The main direction of the maximum horizontal stress directly inferred from the fault plane solutions is N118°E.To calculate the orientations of the principal stress axes and the shape of the stress tensor, the inversion method of Gephard and Forsyth [J. Geophys. Res. 89 (1984) 9305] was applied to the whole data set and to several subsets of data. The subsets were formed by grouping events from various geological and tectonic areas and by grouping events into different depth ranges. The subset areas include the Lower Rhine Embayment, the Rhenish Massif, the middle Rhine area, the Neuwied Basin and the area known as the Stavelot–Venn Massif. Inversion of the entire data set shows some ambiguity between a strike-slip and extensional stress regime, with a vertical axis for the medium principal stress and a trend of N305°E and N35°E for the σ₁ and σ₃ axis, respectively, as the best fitting tensor. Earthquakes from the Lower Rhine Embayment and, to some degree, from the middle Rhine area indicate an extensional stress regime. In the Lower Rhine Embayment, plunge and trend of the σ₁ axis are 76° and N162°E and for the σ₃ axis 7° and N42°E. The best fitting solution for the area of the Stavelot–Venn Massif is a strike-slip regime with subhorizontal σ₁ and σ₃ axes with a trend of N316°E and N225°E, respectively. Stress orientations found here agree overall with the results from earlier studies based on smaller data sets. The directions of the maximum and minimum horizontal stresses inverted from focal mechanisms agree well with the stress field predicted by the European Stress Map. This confirms earlier interpretations that the stress field of the Rhine Graben system is controlled by plate driving forces acting on the plate boundaries. However, amplitudes of the stresses change on a local scale and with depth. Estimates of the absolute magnitude of principal stresses favor a normal faulting regime in the shallow crust (above 12-km depth) and a strike-slip regime in the lower crust.     

Modeling the local stress field and kinematics of the San Andreas fault system

The present paper is a continuation of the previous work on modeling the local stress field induced by the San Andreas fault system (Nikonov et al., 1975). This system has been simulated on plane elastic models made of optically sensitive material, the models being under homogeneous uniaxial compression. The photoelastic method has been used to study the redistribution of τ_max around the fault system with sides closed under compression.Three main features emerge in the kinematics of fault-system modeling. The first is a peculiar distortion of an originally rectangular grid, reflecting right-lateral movements on the San Andreas fault. This is especially noticeable in its central part. The second is the appearance and spreading of tear breaks near the ends of the zone nearly normal to the strike of the ends of the master fault. The third feature is separation of fault wings in certain sections of the San Andreas fault in the model. All these features are in general correspondence with the phenomena actually observed in the San Andreas fault system.     

Comment on “Structural controls on a carbon dioxide-driven mud volcano field in the Northern Apennines (Pieve Santo Stefano, Italy): Relations with pre-existing steep discontinuities and seismicity”

Bonini (2009, Structural controls on a carbon dioxide-driven mud volcano field in the Northern Apennines (Pieve Santo Stefano, Italy): relations with pre-existing steep discontinuities and seismicity. Journal of Structural Geology 31, 44–54) presents a 2D mechanical analysis to infer the failure conditions responsible for the seismicity distribution during an M_w = 4.6 seismic sequence nucleating during 2001 in the Northern Apennines. In my view the mechanical analysis presented in this paper has some weakness or is not well constrained, in particular: 1) the assumption of a dip angle of 50°, is not consistent with the activated structures; 2) the P_f = σ₃ condition, difficult to be attained along a cohesionless fault dipping at 50°; 3) the isotropic stress state, i.e. σ₂ = σ₃, that is not consistent with the active or recent stress field in the area.     

Analysis of solution lineations in pebbles: Kinematical vs. dynamical approaches

Solution lineations in conglomerates, resulting from indentation of non-soluble grains of the matrix into the surface of soluble pebbles, make up a morphological and genetic continuum with gradual transition between orthogonal stylolites, oblique slickolites and parallel striations. The distributions of incidence angles of matrix grains have been analyzed in individual pebbles in order to discern their kinematical or dynamical meaning. As a general rule, they fit theoretical models of flow trajectories determined by the bulk strain (kinematical hypothesis). In contrast, they are not consistent with dynamical hypotheses based upon relationships with stress vectors. In particular, they do not fit the model of frictional sliding, which would give rise to a sharp discontinuity between slickolites parallel to the maximum principal stress σ₁ and true striations parallel to the resolved shear stress τ. Therefore, solution lineations all around a pebble cannot be considered as an analogue of multiple fault slip data, and they should not be generally analysed by methods of stress inversion based upon Bott's principle. Under certain conditions (high pebble solubility; active pressure-solution processes able to accommodate the strain rate; earlier cementation), the solution lineations tend to be parallel to each other and to the maximum shortening/compression axis. They therefore assume a double kinematical and dynanical meaning, and the deformation involves maximum volume reduction.     

Fault slip analysis of Quaternary faults in southeastern Korea

The Quaternary stress field has been reconstructed for southeast Korea using sets of fault data. The subhorizontal direction of the maximum principal stress (σ₁) trended ENE and the direction of the minimum principal stress (σ₃) was nearly vertical. The stress ratio (Φ = (σ₂ − σ₃) / (σ₁ − σ₃)) value was 0.65. Two possible interpretations for the stress field can be made in the framework of eastern Asian tectonics; (1) The σ_Hmax trajectory for southeast Korea fits well with the fan-shaped radial pattern of maximum principal stress induced by the India–Eurasia collision. Thus, we suggest that the main source for this recent stress field in southeast Korea is related to the remote India–Eurasia continental collision. (2) The stress field in Korea shows a pattern similar to that in southwestern Japan. The origin for the E–W trending σ_Hmax in Japan is known to be related to the mantle upwelling in the East China Sea. Thus, it is possible that Quaternary stress field in Korea has evolved synchronously with that in Japan. We suggest further studies (GPS and in situ stress measurement) to test these hypotheses.     

A note on fault reactivation

Reactivation of existing faults whose normal lies in the σ₁^′σ₃^′ plane of a stress field with effective principal compressive stresses σ₁^′ >σ₂^′ >σ₃^′ is considered for the simplest frictional failure criterion, τ = μσ_n^′ = μ(σ_n − P), where τ and σ_n are respectively the shear and normal stresses to the existing fault, P is the fluid pressure and μ is the static friction. For a plane oriented at θ to σ₁^′, the stress ratio for reactivation is (σ₁^′/σ₃^′) = (1 + μ cot θ)/(1 − μ tan θ). This ratio has a minimum positive value at the optimum angle for reactivation given by (1/μ) but reaches infinity when θ = 2θ^*, beyond which σ₃^′ < 0 is a necessary condition for reactivation. An important consequence is that for typical rock friction coefficients, it is unlikely that normal faults will be reactivated as high-angle reverse faults or thrusts as low-angle normal faults, unless the effective least principal stress is tensile.     

Stress tensor analysis of the 1998–1999 tectonic swarm of northern Quito related to the volcanic swarm of Guagua Pichincha volcano, Ecuador

The phreatic activity and the subsequent dacitic dome growth in 1998–1999 at Guagua Pichincha volcano, Ecuador, were associated with two seismic swarms: one located in the northern part of Quito (population: 1,500,000) and another one, just below the active volcano, about 15–20 km SW from the first one. Quito swarm tectonic events have high frequencies (from 1 to 10–15 Hz). We registered more than 3200 events (among which 2354 events of 1.4≤M_L≤4.2) between June 1998 and December 1999 at the −2- and −17-km depth. The volcanic events below the Guagua Pichincha caldera have high (from 1 to 10–15 Hz) and low (less than 3 Hz) frequencies. Approximately, 130,000 events were registered between September 1998 and December 1999 at the +2.4- and −3.5-km depth. Here, we study the stress tensors of these two swarms deduced from the polarities of P first motions and compare them to the regional stress tensor deduced from CMT Harvard focal mechanisms. The Quito swarm stress tensor is relatively close to the regional stress tensor (the σ₁ axis was oriented N117°E close to the N102°E direction of the plate motion found by the GPS measurement, and σ₃ is nearly vertical). The difference may be due to the action of the closely active Guagua Pichincha volcano. The Guagua Pichincha stress tensor is very different from the regional tectonic one. The σ₁ axis of the volcano is oriented N214°E, almost perpendicular to the σ₁ of the swarm of Quito and σ₃ is almost horizontal. Even if these two tensors are different, they can be explained in a more general tectonic scheme. The almost horizontal direction of σ₃ just below the volcano is compatible with an extensional horizontal direction that may be expected in the shallow extrados part of a compressional region and consistent with an opening of the top of the Guagua Pichincha volcano. The movement of the fluids (magma, gas and/or groundwater) produced by the closely active Guagua Pichincha volcano seems to have an influence in the acceleration of the generation of seismic events.     

A new fracture criterion for brittle rocks

A general form of a “fracture function” for isotropic brittle materials is expressed in terms of the three invariants of the stress tensor. The coefficients in the function are determined by use of the small number of experimental data under specific conditions. This function is applicable to an estimate of the fracture condition of brittle rocks under a general stress state i.e., σ₁ ≠ σ₂ ≠ σ₃. The application of this function is attempted for the data of three brittle rocks i.e., Dunham dolomite, Mizuho trachyte, and Westerly granite, reported by previous workers. For the first two, this criterion gives a good estimation of the effect of the intermediate principal stress σ₂ on failure. For the last, the fracture strength at high confining pressure is estimated by use of the several data obtained under very low confining pressures, and the agreement with experimental data is also satisfactory.     

Paleo-deviatoric stress magnitudes from calcite twins and related structural permeability evolution in minor faults: Example from the toarcian shale of the French Causses Basin, Aveyron, France

The relationship between deformation and so-called fluid paleotransfers in minor faults has been analysed in an argillaceous formation located in the Causses Basin in France. The fluid paleotransfers are related to the fault activity to a large extent. We attempt to estimate the intensity of paleo-deviatoric stress magnitudes under which the fault activity may have occurred and consequently, the change in the structural fault permeability. The paleo-deviatoric stress magnitudes were calculated with the inverse method of Etchecopar applied to calcite twinning. The measured crystals are contained within the core zone of minor faults and this study is based on a previous complete microtectonic and microstructural analysis of the faults. In this paper, analysis of calcite twinning has been applied for the first time to vein fillings associated small faults in a context of relatively weak deformation, a condition ensured by the tectonic and structural analysis. Calculation and discussion of the paleo-deviatoric stress tensors in relation to the evolution of the structural fault permeability and to the hydraulic behaviour of the faults are the aim of this paper. The analysed faults, created and active during the same tectonic event, were permeable under a (σ₁–σ₃) mean value of 40–50 MPa. On the other hand, the reactivation of faults during a second tectonic event implies mean (σ₁–σ₃) value higher than 40–50 MPa, especially for the faults that are poorly oriented with respect to the principal tectonic stress directions. The core zone of these faults remained sealed and impermeable or became permeable by development of microcracks inside the pre-existing fillings.     

Stress fields and fault reactivation angles of the 2000 western Tottori aftershocks and the 2001 northern Hyogo swarm in southwest Japan

We estimated the stress fields of the aftershocks of the 2000 western Tottori earthquake (M_w 6.6) and the northern Hyogo swarm (max M_w 5.2) by a stress tensor inversion of moment tensor solutions reported from the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (Japan). The maximum principal stress direction of the western Tottori sequence was estimated as N107°E with a strike–slip regime. In the northern Hyogo swarm, the orientations of the principal stress directions could not be well constrained by the observed data, but after examining the detailed characteristics of the solution, we obtained a most probable solution of N113°E for the σ₁ direction. These solutions are consistent with the maximum horizontal directions roughly estimated from the strike directions of large earthquakes occurring geographically between these two seismic activities. We measured the angle between each fault–slip direction and maximum principal stress direction to investigate the frictional properties of earthquakes. The distribution of the angles was forward modeled to estimate the coefficient of friction and the stress ratio, assuming uniformly distributed fault orientations. For the western Tottori sequence, a homogeneous stress field with a coefficient of friction less than 0.4 was estimated. A high stress level was also suggested because very little change occurred in the stress field during the mainshock. For the northern Hyogo sequence, the coefficient of friction was estimated to be between 0.5 and 1.0.     

Cenozoic post-collisional brittle tectonic history and stress reorientation in the High Zagros Belt (Iran, Fars Province)

The Zagros fold-and-thrust belt of SW-Iran is among the youngest continental collision zones on Earth. Collision is thought to have occurred in the late Oligocene–early Miocene, followed by continental shortening. The High Zagros Belt (HZB) presents a Neogene imbricate structure that has affected the thick sedimentary cover of the former Arabian continental passive margin. The HZB of interior Fars marks the innermost part of SE-Zagros, trending NW–SE, that is characterised by higher elevation, lack of seismicity, and no evident active crustal shortening with respect to the outer (SW) parts. This study examines the brittle structures that developed during the mountain building process to decipher the history of polyphase deformation and variations in compressive tectonic fields since the onset of collision. Analytic inversion techniques enabled us to determine and separate different brittle tectonic regimes in terms of stress tensors. Various strike–slip, compressional, and tensional stress regimes are thus identified with different stress fields. Brittle tectonic analyses were carried out to reconstruct possible geometrical relationships between different structures and to establish relative chronologies of corresponding stress fields, considering the folding process. Results indicate that in the studied area, the main fold and thrust structure developed in a general compressional stress regime with an average N032° direction of σ₁ stress axis during the Miocene. Strike–slip structures were generated under three successive strike–slip stress regimes with different σ₁ directions in the early Miocene (N053°), late Miocene–early Pliocene (N026°), and post-Pliocene (N002°), evolving from pre-fold to post-fold faulting. Tensional structures also developed as a function of the evolving stress regimes. Our reconstruction of stress fields suggests an anticlockwise reorientation of the horizontal σ₁ axis since the onset of collision and a significant change in vertical stress from σ₃ to σ₂ since the late stage of folding and thrusting. A late right-lateral reactivation was also observed on some pre-existing belt-parallel brittle structures, especially along the reverse fault systems, consistent with the recent N–S plate convergence. However, this feature was not reflected by large structures in the HZB of interior Fars. The results should not be extrapolated to the entire Zagros belt, where the deformation front has propagated from inner to outer zones during the younger events.     

Constraining stress magnitudes using petroleum exploration data in the Cooper–Eromanga Basins, Australia

The magnitude of the in situ stresses in the Cooper–Eromanga Basins have been determined using an extensive petroleum exploration database from over 40 years of drilling. The magnitude of the vertical stress (S_v) was calculated based on density and velocity checkshot data in 24 wells. Upper and lower bound values of the vertical stress magnitude are approximated by S_v = (14.39 × Z)^1.12 and S_v = (11.67 × Z)^1.15 functions respectively (where Z is depth in km and S_v is in MPa). Leak-off test data from the two basins constrain the lower bound estimate for the minimum horizontal stress (S_hmin) magnitude to 15.5 MPa/km. Closure pressures from a large number of minifrac tests indicate considerable scatter in the minimum horizontal stress magnitude, with values approaching the magnitude of the vertical stress in some areas. The magnitude of the maximum horizontal stress (S_Hmax) was constrained by the frictional limits to stress beyond which faulting occurs and by the presence of drilling-induced tensile fractures in some wells. The maximum horizontal stress magnitude can only be loosely constrained regionally using frictional limits, due to the variability of both the minimum horizontal stress and vertical stress estimates. However, the maximum horizontal stress and thus the full stress tensor can be better constrained at individual well locations, as demonstrated in Bulyeroo-1 and Dullingari North-8, where the necessary data (i.e. image logs, minifrac tests and density logs) are available. The stress magnitudes determined indicate a predominantly strike-slip fault stress regime (S_Hmax > S_v > S_hmin) at a depth of between 1 and 3 km in the Cooper–Eromanga Basins. However, some areas of the basin are transitional between strike-slip and reverse fault stress regimes (S_Hmax > S_v ≈ S_hmin). Large differential stresses in the Cooper–Eromanga Basins indicate a high upper crustal strength for the region, consistent with other intraplate regions. We propose that the in situ stress field in the Cooper–Eromanga Basins is a direct result of the complex interaction of tectonic stresses from the convergent plate boundaries surrounding the Indo-Australian plate that are transmitted into the center of the plate through a high-strength upper crust.     

Talc friction in the temperature range 25°–400 °C: Relevance for Fault-Zone Weakening

Talc is one of the weakest minerals that is associated with fault zones. Triaxial friction experiments conducted on water-saturated talc gouge at room temperature yield values of the coefficient of friction, μ (shear stress, τ/effective normal stress, σ′_N) in the range 0.16–0.23, and μ increases with increasing σ′_N. Talc gouge heated to temperatures of 100°–400 °C is consistently weaker than at room temperature, and μ < 0.1 at slow strain rates in some heated experiments. Talc also is characterized by inherently stable, velocity-strengthening behavior (strength increases with increasing shear rate) at all conditions tested. The low strength of talc is a consequence of its layered crystal structure and, in particular, its very weak interlayer bond. Its hydrophobic character may be responsible for the relatively small increase in μ with increasing σ′_N at room temperature compared to other sheet silicates.Talc has a temperature–pressure range of stability that extends from surficial to eclogite-facies conditions, making it of potential significance in a variety of faulting environments. Talc has been identified in exhumed subduction zone thrusts, in fault gouge collected from oceanic transform and detachment faults associated with rift systems, and recently in serpentinite from the central creeping section of the San Andreas fault. Typically, talc crystallized in the active fault zones as a result of the reaction of ultramafic rocks with silica-saturated hydrothermal fluids. This mode of formation of talc is a prime example of a fault-zone weakening process. Because of its velocity-strengthening behavior, talc may play a role in stabilizing slip at depth in subduction zones and in the creeping faults of central and northern California that are associated with ophiolitic rocks.     

Structural and stress analysis based on fault-slip data in the Amman area, Jordan

This study presents a structural analysis based on hundreds of striated small faults (fault-slip data) in the Amman area east of the Dead Sea Transform System. Stress inversion of the fault-slip data was performed using an improved Right-Dihedral method, followed by rotational optimization (TENSOR Program, Delvaux, 1993). Fault-slip data (totaling 212) include fault planes, striations and sense of movements, are obtained from the Turonian Wadi As Sir Formation, distributed mainly along the southern side of the Amman – Hallabat structure in Jordan the study area. Results show that σ1 (SHmax) and σ3 (SHmin) are generally sub-horizontal and σ2 is sub-vertical in 8 of 11 paleostress tensors, which are belonging to a major strike-slip system with σ1 swinging around N to NW direction. The other three stress tensors show σ2 (SHmax), σ1 vertical and σ3 is NE oriented. This situation explained as permutation of stress axes σ1 and σ2 that occur during tectonic events and partitioned strike slip deformation. NW compressional stresses affected the area and produced the major Amman – Hallabat strike-slip fault and its related structures, e.g., NW trending normal faults and NE trending folds in the study area.The new paleostress results related with the active major stress field of the region the Dead Sea Stress Field (DSS) during the Miocene to Recent.     

Compressional- and transpressional-stress pattern for Pliocene and Quaternary brittle deformation in fore arc and intra-arc zones (Andes of Central and Southern Chile)

Kinematic analysis of fault slip data for stress determination was carried out on Late Miocene to Quaternary rocks from the fore arc and intra-arc regions of the Chilean Andes, between 33° and 46° south latitudes. Studies of Neogene and Quaternary infilling (the Central Depression), as well as plutonic rocks of the North Patagonian Batholith along the Liquiñe–Ofqui Fault Zone, have revealed various compressional and/or transpressional states of stress. In the Pliocene, the maximum compressional stress (σ₁) was generally oriented east–west. During the Quaternary, the deformation was partitioned into two coeval distinctive states of stress. In the fore arc zone, the state of stress was compressional, with σ₁ oriented in a N–S to NNE–SSW direction. In the intra-arc zone the state of stress was transpressional with σ₁ striking NE–SW. Along the coast, in one site (37°30′S) the Quaternary strain deformation is extensional, with an E–W direction, which can be explained by a co-seismic crustal bending readjustment.