| Abstract: | Based on studies of images obtained from LANDSAT-1 and 2, several seemingly active movement zones have been delineated in a section of the eastern Alps and are being reported in the present paper for the first time. These zones, trending W—E to NW—SE, cut across all earlier Alpine boundaries and contacts and on either side along their length, are marked with drag effects, indicating their post-Alpine neotectonic nature. Their relation with the present-day central European stress field, as determined from fault-plane studies and in-situ stress measurements, has been sought. In conjunction with the evidence from neighbouring areas, a dextral shear tendency of the present-day Mediterranean is indicated. Further, a number of extensive lineaments have been observed in the Alpine section. Statistically, there are three major lineation sets trending N45°, N15°, N345°. They appear to have developed cogenetically as a result of shear and tensile failures due to a stress field with maximum principal stress oriented averagely at N15°. This direction of the maximum principal stress, deduced from the above lineation analysis of the eastern Alps, is in striking conformity with the one believed to have been in existence for the development of the Rhinegraben (N20°). It appears that the Rhinegraben and the Alpide belt have evolved cogenetically and concurrently under the same dominant stress field (P1 = N—NNE, P2 = vertical and P3 = E—ESE) and hence the two geotectonic features are really not antagonistic and mutually incompatible as usually believed on the grounds that one involves tension (taphrogenesis — Rhinegraben) and the other compression (orogenesis — Alpide belt) but are different manifestations of the same stress field. Besides, some additional light has been thrown on the possible controls of development of the Giudicaria Line and cause of predominance of NE—SW trending sinistral faults. |
