Normal fault growth influenced by basement fabrics: The importance of preferential nucleation from pre‐existing structures

Reactivation of pre‐existing intra‐basement structures can influence the evolution of rift basins, yet the detailed kinematic relationship between these structures and overlying rift‐related faults remains poorly understood. Understanding the kinematic as well as geometric relationship between intra‐basement structures and rift‐related fault networks is important, with the extension direction in many rifted provinces typically thought to lie normal to fault strike. We here investigate this problem using a borehole‐constrained, 3D seismic reflection dataset from the Taranaki Basin, offshore New Zealand. Excellent imaging of intra‐basement structures and a relatively weakly deformed, stratigraphically simple sedimentary cover allow us to: (a) identify a range of interaction styles between intra‐basement structures and overlying, Plio‐Pleistocene rift‐related normal faults; and (b) examine the cover fault kinematics associated with each interaction style. Some of the normal faults parallel and are physically connected to intra‐basement reflections, which are interpreted as mylonitic reverse faults formed during Mesozoic subduction and basement terrane accretion. These geometric relationships indicate pre‐existing intra‐basement structures locally controlled the position and attitude of Plio‐Pleistocene rift‐related normal faults. However, through detailed 3D kinematic analysis of selected normal faults, we show that: (a) normal faults only nucleated above intra‐basement structures that experienced late Miocene compressional reactivation, (b) despite playing an important role during subsequent rifting, intra‐basement structures have not been significantly extensionally reactivated, and (c) preferential nucleation and propagation of normal faults within late Miocene reverse faults and folds appears to be the key genetic relationship between contractionally reactivated intra‐basement structures and rift‐related normal faults. Our analysis shows that km‐scale, intra‐basement structures can control the nucleation and development of newly formed, rift‐related normal faults, most likely due to a local perturbation of the regional stress field. Because of this, simply inverting fault strike for causal extension direction may be incorrect, especially in provinces where pre‐existing, intra‐basement structures occur. We also show that a detailed kinematic analysis is key to deciphering the temporal as well as simply the spatial or geometric relationship between structures developed at multiple structural levels.     

Fossilisation of a silica diagenesis reaction front on the mid-Norwegian margin

The diagenetic transformation of biogenic silica from opal-A to opal-CT was recognised on seismic reflection data over an area of 78 × 10³ km² on the mid-Norwegian margin. The opal-A/CT diagenetic boundary appears as a positive, high amplitude reflection that generally cross-cuts the hosting stratigraphy. We demonstrate that it is not a sea bottom simulating reflection (BSR) and also that is not in thermal equilibrium with the present day isotherms. We present arguments that three styles of deformation associated with the opal-A/CT reflection – polygonal faulting, regional anticlines and synclines and differential compaction folding – indicate that the silica diagenesis reaction front is fossilised at a regional scale. Isochore maps demonstrate the degree of conformity between the opal-A/CT reflection and three seismic horizons of Late Miocene to Early Pliocene age that potentially represent the paleo-seabed when ‘fossilisation’ of the reaction front took place. The seismic interpretational criteria for recognition of a fossilised diagenetic front are evaluated and the results of our study are integrated with previous studies from other basins of the NE Atlantic in order to determine if the arrest of silica diagenesis was diachronous along this continental margin.     

胶东半岛牟平-即墨断裂带晚中生代运动学转换历史

牟平-即墨断裂带不仅构成了苏鲁造山带与胶北地块（华北地块）的边界,也是中国东部巨型郯庐走滑断裂系（即郯城-庐江走滑断裂系）的主要组成部分。基于野外断层滑动矢量分析和古构造应力场反演、侵入岩和火山岩锆石U-Pb离子探针和Ar-Ar测年分析,结合海域地球物理资料解释成果,研究了该断裂带平面展布形态和晚中生代构造演化历史。结果表明,牟平-即墨断裂带在晚侏罗世-白垩纪时期经历了挤压左旋平移引张伸展右旋走滑拉分等3个显著不同的运动学转变历史。晚侏罗世是重要的挤压作用时期,沿断裂带发生显著的左旋走滑活动,牟平-即墨断裂带东支桃村-东陡山断裂记录了约30km的左旋错移量。早白垩世时期,构造体制以引张伸展活动为主,引张应力方向为NW-SE至近W-E向,沿断裂带形成一系列深而狭长的断陷盆地;盆地中侵入岩和火山喷发岩锆石U-Pb离子探针和Ar-Ar测试,获得了一致的年龄在106～123Ma。晚白垩世古新世时期,断裂带以右旋走滑活动为主,右旋剪切拉分作用控制了胶县-莱阳伸展断陷盆地的发育,沿断裂带局部凹陷区控制了晚白垩世王氏群沉积。早、晚白垩世之间发生一期构造挤压事件,挤压方向NW-SE,导致断陷盆地构造反转和断裂带左旋走滑活动,但这期走滑位移量不大。牟平即墨断裂带运动学历史和构造应力场演化较完整地记录了中国东部晚中生代构造体制转换过程,并对构造体制转换过程的动力学背景提供了重要的构造地质学制约。     

沂沭断裂带断层泥中 K-Ar、FT 和 TL 体系年代学含义的初步研究

本文报道了利用K-Ar法、TL法和FT法,分别测定断层泥中1Md伊利石(<1μ粒级组份)、石英(2-10μ粒级组份)和磷灰石单矿物的年龄结果;给出了沂沭断裂带三次强烈活动的年龄区间及强度逐渐减弱的变化趋势。首先提出了利用这三种测年手段,测定断层泥中三种不同物质的年龄,进而研究断层活动(强度和时间)的新方法     

热释光断代技术测定断层活动时代可能性的研究

本文根据多年来研究断层活动所积累的热释光年龄资料和断层运动过程中各种温、压条件变化的模拟实验结果,阐述了断层运动所产生的摩擦升温有可能使断层面上乃至断层带内某些矿物原有的热释光“退火”,初步探讨了用热释光测年技术测定断层活动年代的可能性     

太白山古冰川地貌与地质构造

太白山分布有更新世冰川地形,其冰川槽谷在平面上呈“十”字型排列;横剖面EW向的呈宽谷形,NS向是呈U型:纵剖面EW向比较平坦,SN向呈阶梯状,其中有许多断裂陡坎。冰斗均位于断裂交汇点,面积不大而深度却相当大。这些地形的形态特征可以用构造加以解释,断裂破碎带是最有利于冰川刨蚀的地段。     

北京及邻区现代微震重新定位及其构造含义

本文采用Ｐｏｗｅｌｌ直接搜索定位方法对北京西北地区（３９°－４１°Ｎ，１１４°－１１７°Ｅ）１９７９—１９９２年３月发生的３４８个地震重新定位。通过震相到时的复核和补充、定位速度结构模型的修定以及定位程序的改进等措施，改善了定位效果。结果表明，重新定位后给出震源深度的地震数从原来的１３２个增至３１３个；定位结果均方根残差的均值从０．８０±０．４０ｓ降至０．４５±０．１８ｓ；各台Ｐ波到时残差下降；有近１０％的地震震中位置移动了１０ｋｍ以上，它们多位于北京地震遥测台网边缘地区。重新定位后的地震震中集中分布于怀安、宣化、怀来、琢鹿等山间盆地内部并与盆地边缘断裂有关。此外，地震还分布于山区和平原的交界地带。     

A conjugate strike-slip fault system within the extensional tectonics of Western Turkey

Three main shocks M-1, M-2 and M-3 (17 October 2005 at 05:45 UTC, M _w 5.4; 17 October at 09:46 UTC, M _w 5.8 and 20 October at 21:40 UTC, M _w 5.9) and their associated aftershocks within the Gulf of S i ğac i k, 50 km southwest of Izmir, Turkey were studied in detail. A temporary seismic network deployed during the activity allowed the hypocentre of M-3 and subsequent aftershocks to be determined with high accuracy. A relative relocation technique was used to improve the epicentres of M-1 and M-2. All three main shocks have strike-slip mechanisms which agree with the linear trends of the aftershock locations. Two distinct zones were illuminated by the aftershock locations. The zones contain clear echelon patterns with slightly different orientations from the trend of the aftershock distribution. M-2 and M-3 ruptured along of the eastern rupture zone which aligns N45°E. However the strike direction of M-1 is not clearly identified. The alignment of the two rupture zones intersect at their southern terminus at an angle of 90°. The fault zones form conjugate pair system and static triggering is considered as a probable mechanism for the sequential west to east occurrence of M-1, M-2 and M-3. This earthquake sequence provides seismological evidence for conjugate strike-slip faulting co-existing within a region dominated by north–south extension and well-developed east–west trending normal faults.     

Strike slip faulting inferred from offsetting of drainages: Lower Narmada basin, western India

The detailed analysis of landforms, drainages and geology of the area between the rivers Amaravati and Karjan was carried out in order to understand the tectonic history of the lower Narmada basin. Movement along the various faults in the area was studied on the basis of the drainage offsetting. Horizontal offsetting of stream channels was found quite demonstrable along NNW-SSE trending transverse faults. Tectonic landforms including systematic deflection of stream channels and ridges, alignment of fault scarp and saddles and displacement in the basement rocks and alluvial deposits show that the area is undergoing active deformation driven by the NSF system.