Reactivated strike–slip faults: examples from north Cornwall, UK

Several strike–slip faults at Crackington Haven, UK show evidence of right-lateral movement with tip cracks and dilatational jogs, which have been reactivated by left-lateral strike–slip movement. Evidence for reactivation includes two slickenside striae on a single fault surface, two groups of tip cracks with different orientations and very low displacement gradients or negative (left-lateral) displacements at fault tips.

Evidence for the relative age of the two strike–slip movements is (1) the first formed tip cracks associated with right-lateral slip are deformed, whereas the tip cracks formed during left-lateral slip show no deformation; (2) some of the tip cracks associated with right-lateral movement show left-lateral reactivation; and (3) left-lateral displacement is commonly recorded at the tips of dominantly right-lateral faults.

The orientation of the tip cracks to the main fault is 30–70° clockwise for right-lateral slip, and 20–40° counter-clockwise for left-lateral slip. The structure formed by this process of strike–slip reactivation is termed a “tree structure” because it is similar to a tree with branches. The angular difference between these two groups of tip cracks could be interpreted as due to different stress distribution (e.g., transtensional/transpressional, near-field or far-field stress), different fracture modes or fractures utilizing pre-existing planes of weakness.

Most of the d–x profiles have similar patterns, which show low or negative displacement at the segment fault tips. Although the d–x profiles are complicated by fault segments and reactivation, they provide clear evidence for reactivation. Profiles that experienced two opposite slip movements show various shapes depending on the amount of displacement and the slip sequence. For a larger slip followed by a smaller slip with opposite sense, the profile would be expected to record very low or reverse displacement at fault tips due to late-stage tip propagation. Whereas for a smaller slip followed by larger slip with opposite sense, the d–x profile would be flatter with no reverse displacement at the tips. Reactivation also decreases the ratio of d_max/L since for an original right-lateral fault, left lateral reactivation will reduce the net displacement (d_max) along a fault and increase the fault length (L).

Finally we compare Crackington Haven faults with these in the Atacama system of northern Chile. The Salar Grande Fault (SGF) formed as a left-lateral fault with large displacement in its central region. Later right-lateral reactivation is preserved at the fault tips and at the smaller sub-parallel Cerro Chuculay Fault. These faults resemble those seen at Crackington Haven.     

Nucleation and growth of strike-slip faults in limestones from Somerset, U.K.

Small-scale structures along strike-slip fault zones in limestones exposed around the Bristol Channel, U.K., suggest that pressure solution plays a key role during fault nucleation and growth. Incipient shear zones consist of enéchelon veins. The first generation of solution seams form due to bending of the intact rock (bridge) between overlapping veins. As the bridge rotates, slip occurs along the seams, linking the veins, causing cm-scale calcite-filled pull-apart structures to form and allowing fault displacement to increase. A second generation of solution seams forms at the tip of the sliding seams. As displacement increases further, causing larger rotation, slip also can occur along these second-generation solution seams, producing the third generation of solution seams as well as tail cracks (pinnate veins) at their tips. These three generations of solution seams all contribute to the formation of individual fault segments. Fourth and fifth generations of solution seams occur within larger-scale contractional oversteps between side-stepping fault segments. The oversteps are breached by slip along these localized solution seams, eventually leading to the formation of a distinct through-going fault with several metres of displacement.The initial enéchelon veins, solution seams of various generations and tail cracks progressively fragment the fault-zone material as fault slip accumulates. Slip planes nucleate on these pre-existing discontinuities, principally along the clay-enriched, weaker solution seams. This can be observed at a variety of scales and suggests that Mode II shear fracturing does not occur as a primary fracture mechanism, but only as a macroscopic phenomenon following Mode I (veins and tail cracks) and anti-mode I (solution seams) deformation. It appears that solution seams can play a similar role to microcracks in localizing a through-going slip plane. This micromechanical model of faulting may be applicable to some other faults and shear zones in host rocks which are prone to pressure solution.     

塔里木盆地深层走滑断层分段特征及对油气富集的控制:以塔北地区哈拉哈塘油田奥陶系走滑断层为例

塔里木盆地奥陶系走滑断层是发育在克拉通内部稳定区的小滑移距走滑断层,对于深部储层形成与油气富集具有重要的控制作用。基于哈拉哈塘油田4 140 km2三维地震资料,在高精度相干切片提取与地震精细解释基础上,对研究区奥陶系走滑断层进行了分段研究并讨论了分段性对于储层发育与油气富集的控制作用。结果表明：(1)哈拉哈塘油田奥陶系走滑断层整体格局为由北东、北西向断层组成的纯剪机制下形成的共轭走滑断层,单条走滑断层的构造特征符合Riedel剪切模型,主干断层周围主要发育R剪切分支断层。(2)根据走滑断层不同部位构造样式、应力状态的差异,建立了小滑移距走滑断层分段发育模式。走滑断层端部为应力发散区,多表现为马尾状构造,可分为伸展型和挤压型马尾状构造。走滑断层内部由线性段、斜列叠覆段、分支断层段、辫状构造段组合而成。线性段呈线性延伸,剖面上为孤立的高陡直立断层。斜列叠覆段分为拉张型叠覆段和挤压型叠覆段,其类型受控于次级断层旋向与阶步的关系。分支断层段多为斜交压扭样式,羽状断层发育较少。辫状构造段内部断垒与断堑交错发育,划分为张扭段、压扭段。(3)不同段具有不同的储层发育特征。马尾状构造段、斜列叠覆段、辫状构造段储层最为发育,分支断层段储层较为发育,线性段储层相对不发育。(4)综合储层发育位置、油源断裂与分支断层配置关系、局部构造高3方面因素,建立了6类与走滑断层相关的油气富集模式。R剪切分支断层与主干断层夹持部位、压扭段内部、马尾状分支断层高部位是北部潜山顺层岩溶区最为发育的3种油藏富集模式;压扭段内部、张扭段是南部断控岩溶区油气更富集的部位。论文成果认识对于完善克拉通盆地稳定区小滑移距走滑断层分段发育规律具有重要的理论意义,对于受控于走滑断层的岩溶缝洞型油气藏的勘探开发具有一定的生产指导意义。     

`Crack–seal', slip: a new fault valve mechanism?

This paper presents a new model of fault development in carbonate rocks involving a crack–seal–slip sequence. The structures of sheared calcite veins from the Les Matelles outcrop, Languedoc (S. France), and the observations used to construct this new model which integrates aspects of `crack–seal' evolution of calcite-filled veins with concepts of fault valve behaviour are described. In our model, hydraulic mode I reopening of an oblique pre-existing vein in an overall strike-slip stress regime is accompanied by precipitation of calcite, but significant fault slip cannot occur initially despite this obliquity because the ends of the pre-existing structure limit further reopening propagation beyond the tips. The rate of aligned calcite precipitation keeps pace with the rate of dilation of the structure, so that calcite cement essentially seals the system. Stress concentrations at the tips are allowed to rise with reopening until failure of the tip zone results in branch crack formation, triggering both slip along the vein and hydraulic pressure drop. This is followed by sealing within the branch cracks. Such a crack–seal–slip cycle may be repeated several times, as evidenced by fault-perpendicular calcite vein growth interlayered with calc-mylonite lamellae within these structures. Later cycles will become less pronounced because strength recovery of the sealed branch cracks does not regain the initial strength of the intact rock. This model could apply at various scales, and could be a mechanism for triggering earthquakes.     

Antithetic fault linkages in a deep water fold and thrust belt

Deep water fold and thrust belts consist of both forethrusts and backthrusts that can link along strike to form continuous folds in the overburden. The interaction of faults of opposing dip are termed ‘antithetic thrust fault linkages’ and share the common feature of a switch in vergence of overlying hangingwall anticlines. Using three-dimensional seismic data, on the toe-of-slope of the Niger Delta, linkages are classified into three distinct structural styles. This preliminary classification is based on the vertical extent of faulting within a transfer zones relative to the branch line of the antithetic faults. The stratigraphic level of the lateral tip of the fault, the shape of lateral tip region of a fault plane and the stratal deformation within the transfer zones is also distinctive in each type of fault linkage. A Type 1 linkage comprises faults that overlap exclusively above the level of the branch line. A ‘pop-up’ structure forms within the transfer zone with sediments below remaining planar. The lower tip lines of faults climb stratigraphically towards the linkage zone creating asymmetric, upward-tapering lateral tip regions. In Type 2 linkages fault overlap occurs lower than the level of the branch line such that lateral fault tips are located within the footwall of the counterpart fault. Faulting is thus limited to the deeper section within the transfer zone and creates unfaulted, symmetric, bell-shaped folds in the overburden. Upper tip lines of faults lose elevation within the transfer zone creating asymmetric, downwards-tapering lateral tip regions. In Type 3 linkages both faults continue above and below the branch line within the transfer zone resulting in cross-cutting fault relationships. Horizon continuity across the folds, through the transfer zones, varies significantly with depth and with the type of fault intersection.     

Field examples of variations in fault patterns at different scales

Three field examples are presented which show changes in fault patterns at different scales. Normal faults in Jurassic limestones in Somerset consist of zones of sub-parallel segments at the exposure-scale, but contain complex zones of brecciation at the decimetre-scale. Normal faults in chalk at Flamborough Head consist of a complex network of small faults which accommodate strain between a set of large faults. The different-sized faults at Flamborough Head have different geometries and histories, with the larger faults showing a phase of reverse reactivation. The faulting in the Sydney Basin, Australia, can be explained in terms of the evolution and reactivation of transfer zones between overstepping faults. These transfer zones can cause the deformation to appear to be more complex as the analysis becomes more detailed.
Much recent work on the scaling relationslups of faults assumes that self-similar fault patterns occur over a wide range of scales. The data presented in this paper, however, suggest that there are problems in using the deformation pattern at one scale to infer deformation at other scales. Ideally, any analysis should involve the study of a wide range of scales to overcome these problems.     

Geometric analysis and scaling relations of deformation bands in porous sandstone

Displacement, length and linkage of deformation bands have been studied in Jurassic sandstones in southeastern Utah. Isolated deformation bands with lengths (L) that span more than three orders of magnitude show similar displacement (D) profiles with more or less centrally located maxima and gently increasing gradient toward the tips. Soft- and hard-linked examples exhibit steeper displacement gradients near overlap zones and immature hard links, similar to previously described fault populations. The deformation band population shows power-law length and displacement distributions, but with lower exponents than commonly observed for populations of larger faults or small faults with distinct slip surfaces. Similarly, the D_max-L relationship of the deformation bands shows a well-defined exponent of ca 0.5, whereas the general disagreement for other fault populations is whether the exponent is 1 or 1.5. We suggest that this important difference in scaling law between deformation bands and other faults has to do with the lack of well-developed slip surfaces in deformation bands. During growth, deformation bands link to form zones of densely spaced bands, and a slip surface is eventually formed (when 100 m < L < 1 km). The growth and scaling relationship for the resulting populations of faults (slip surfaces) is expected to be similar to ‘ordinary’ fault populations. A change in the D_max-L scaling relationship at the point when zones of deformation bands develop slip surfaces is expected to be a general feature in porous sandstones where faults with slip surfaces develop from deformation bands. Down-scaling of ordinary fault populations into the size domain of deformation bands in porous sandstones is therefore potentially dangerous.     

Strain compatibility and fault linkage in relay zones on normal faults

Relay zones on normal faults are unlikely to have tabular geometries as depicted in idealised models. Rotation of a relay ramp between non-parallel and non-planar relay-bounding faults will inevitably lead to strain compatibility problems causing open gaps or overlaps within the relay zone. Linkage of relay-bounding faults does not evolve from a single branch point. Rather, linkage occurs at multiple points along the fault tip lines giving rise to initially discontinuous branch lines. Where linkage occurs along a discontinuous slip-aligned branch line, displacement at different levels within the relay zone is partitioned between variable amounts of ramp rotation and slip across the branch line. The linking fault propagates when strain compatibility can no longer be maintained by continuous deformation processes, such as thickening or thinning of incompetent layers within the relay ramp. Step-like changes in vertical displacement vs. distance (d − x) profiles on horizons containing apparently intact relay ramps are probably indicative of incipient breaching and can be used predict the presence of a slip-aligned branch line in the sub-surface. Despite the complexity of the strain distribution within relay zones, the total vertical displacement across the relay remains geometrically coherent at all levels.     

断层导波研究加利福尼亚兰德斯和海克特曼恩地震断层带的四维特征(英文)

美国加利福尼亚州兰德斯和海克特曼恩地区于1992年和1999年先后发生7.4级和7.1级地震,分别在地面产生80km和40km长的断裂带。震后在断裂带布置的密集地震站台记录到明显的断层导波(fault-zone guided waves)。这些导波由断层带内的余震和人工震源激发产生,走时在S波之后,但具有比体波更强的振幅和更长的波列,并具有频散特征。通过对2～7 Hz断层导波的定量分析和三维有限差分数字模拟,获得了震深区断裂带的高分辨内部构造图像以及岩石的物理特性。数字模拟结果表明这些断裂带上存在被严重破碎了的核心层,形成低速、低Q值地震波导。核心破碎带宽约100～200 m,其内地震波波速降为周围岩石的40％～50％,Q值约为10～50。根据岩石断裂力学观点,这一低速、低Q值带可被解释为地震过程中处于断层动态断裂前端的非弹性区(或称之为破碎区,相干过程区)。在兰德斯和海克特曼恩断裂带测得的破碎区宽度与断裂带长度之比约为0.005,基本上符合岩石断裂力学预期的结果。观察到的断层导波还显示兰德斯和海克特曼恩地震中多条断层发生滑移和破碎。兰德斯地震时多条阶梯形断层相继断裂;而在海克特曼恩地震中,断裂带南北两端均出现分枝断裂,深处的分枝断裂较地表出现的破裂状况更为复杂。由三维有限元模拟的动态断裂过程表明,?     

2001年昆仑山口西8.1级地震地表破裂带

2001年11月14日昆仑山口西8.1级地震是近50年来在我国大陆发生的震级最大、地表破裂最长的地震事件.地震地表破裂带全长426km,宽数米至数百米,总体走向90°～110°,具有明显的破裂分段特征,自西向东由5条次级破裂段组成.各破裂段又由若干更次级左阶或右阶斜列的破裂组成,具有自相似的分形结构特征.地震破裂带以左旋走滑为主,倾滑量很小.宏观震中区位于库赛湖东北93.0°～93.5°E一带的昆仑山南麓断层谷地内.最大地表同震左旋水平位移6.4m,最大垂直位移为4m.地表水平位移沿地震破裂带走向出现6个峰值,各峰值之间存在相对独立的衰减序列,这表明此地震具有多点破裂特征.     

Geometry and architecture of faults in a syn-rift normal fault array: The Nukhul half-graben, Suez rift, Egypt

The geometry and architecture of a well exposed syn-rift normal fault array in the Suez rift is examined. At pre-rift level, the Nukhul fault consists of a single zone of intense deformation up to 10 m wide, with a significant monocline in the hanging wall and much more limited folding in the footwall. At syn-rift level, the fault zone is characterised by a single discrete fault zone less than 2 m wide, with damage zone faults up to approximately 200 m into the hanging wall, and with no significant monocline developed. The evolution of the fault from a buried structure with associated fault-propagation folding, to a surface-breaking structure with associated surface faulting, has led to enhanced bedding-parallel slip at lower levels that is absent at higher levels. Strain is enhanced at breached relay ramps and bends inherited from pre-existing structures that were reactivated during rifting. Damage zone faults observed within the pre-rift show ramp-flat geometries associated with contrast in competency of the layers cut and commonly contain zones of scaly shale or clay smear. Damage zone faults within the syn-rift are commonly very straight, and may be discrete fault planes with no visible fault rock at the scale of observation, or contain relatively thin and simple zones of scaly shale or gouge. The geometric and architectural evolution of the fault array is interpreted to be the result of (i) the evolution from distributed trishear deformation during upward propagation of buried fault tips to surface faulting after faults breach the surface; (ii) differences in deformation response between lithified pre-rift units that display high competence contrasts during deformation, and unlithified syn-rift units that display low competence contrasts during deformation, and; (iii) the history of segmentation, growth and linkage of the faults that make up the fault array. This has important implications for fluid flow in fault zones.     

Numerical modelling of depositional sequences in half-graben rift basins

ABSTRACT A three‐dimensional numerical model of sediment transport and deposition in coarse‐grained deltas is used to investigate the controls on depositional sequence variability in marine half‐graben extensional basins subject to eustatic sea‐level change. Using rates of sea‐level change, sediment supply and fault slip reported from active rift basins, the evolution of deltas located in three contrasting structural settings is documented: (1) footwall‐sourced deltas in high‐subsidence locations near the centre of a fault segment; (2) deltas fed by large drainage catchments at fault tips; and (3) deltas sourced from drainage catchments on the hangingwall dip slope. Differences in the three‐dimensional form and internal stratigraphy of the deltas result from variations in tilting of the hangingwall and the impact of border fault slip rates on accommodation development. Because subsidence rates near the centre of fault segments are greater than all but the fastest eustatic falls, footwall‐sourced deltas lack sequence boundaries and are characterized by stacked highstand systems tracts. High subsidence and steep bathymetry adjacent to the fault result in limited progradation. In contrast, the lower subsidence rate settings of the fault‐tip and hangingwall dip‐slope deltas mean that they are subject to relative sea‐level fall and associated fluvial incision and forced regression. Low gradients and tectonic tilting of the hangingwall influence the geometry of these deltas, with fault‐tip deltas preferentially prograding axially along the fault, creating elongate delta lobes. In contrast, broad, sheet‐like delta lobes characterize the hangingwall dip‐slope deltas. The model results suggest that different systems tracts may be coeval over length scales of several kilometres and that key stratal surfaces defining and subdividing depositional sequences may only be of local extent. Furthermore, the results highlight pitfalls in sequence‐stratigraphic interpretation and problems in interpreting controlling processes from the preserved stratigraphic product.     

Importance of fracturing during retro-metamorphism of eclogites

Presented textural and petrological data show that the deep to intermediate continental crust may fracture and that microfractures are the locus of fluid and mass transfer necessary for retrograde metamorphism. Kyanite eclogites from Ulsteinvik, Norway, underwent partial retrogression to granulite and amphibolite facies assemblages during near-isothermal exhumation from depths equivalent to more than 2.0 GPa at temperatures of 700–800 °C. Plagioclase-bearing assemblages, rich in hydrous phases, formed along margins of eclogite lenses and along mesoscopic fracture systems. Hydrated zones are from 1–50 cm thick, with adjacent wall-rock eclogite replaced by symplectites. At a low degree of reaction, the secondary minerals in the wall-rock are found along intra- and intergranular microfractures (typically 50–100 μm wide). Minerals filling the microfractures include orthopyroxene–plagioclase–spinel in garnet; plagioclase–sapphirine, plagioclase–corundum and plagioclase–spinel in kyanite; and diopside–plagioclase in omphacite. The microfractures are often arranged en echelon and are connected through microfaults. Releasing bends filled with amphibole and spinel form along microfaults in garnet. The faulting and fracturing caused localized chemical change in garnet: the damage zones close to faults are enriched in FeO and MnO with steep compositional gradients (8 wt% FeO over <20 μm). These FeO- and MnO-enriched zones form wedge-like structures around the tip of the faults (horsetail structures) and rose- or flame-like structures at sticking points along faults. They may represent examples of stress-induced chemical transport during fracture propagation. The change from dry to amphibole-bearing assemblages at the tip of the fracture, and fractures ending in splays of fluid inclusions trails, reflect the involvement of a fluid phase during fracture propagation. This suggests that the ‘dry’ granulite facies retrogression was also driven by fluid infiltration and that metamorphism at depth in collision zones may not be controlled by pressure and temperature alone.     

Fault-induced perturbed stress fields and associated tensile and compressive deformation at fault tips in the ice shell of Europa: implications for fault mechanics

Secondary fractures at the tips of strike-slip faults are common in the ice shell of Europa. Large magnitude perturbed stress fields must therefore be considered to be a viable driving mechanism for the development of part of the fracture sequence. Fault motions produce extensional and compressional quadrants around the fault tips. Theoretically, these quadrants can be associated with tensile and compressive deformational features (i.e. cracks and anti-cracks), respectively. Accordingly, we describe examples of both types of deformation at fault tips on Europa in the form of extensional tailcracks and compressional anti-cracks. The characteristics of these features with respect to the plane of the fault create a fingerprint for the mechanics of fault slip accumulation when compared with linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) models of perturbed stress fields around fault tips. Tailcrack kink angles and curving geometry can be used to determine whether opening accompanies sliding motion. Kink angles in the 50–70° range are common along strike-slip faults that resemble ridges, and indicate that little to no opening accompanied sliding. In contrast, tailcrack kink angles are closer to 30° for strike-slip faults that resemble bands, with tailcrack curvatures opposite to ridge-like fault examples, indicating that these faults undergo significant dilation and infill during fault slip episodes. Anti-cracks, which may result from compression and volume reduction of porous near-surface ice, have geometries that further constrain fault motion history, corroborating the results of tailcrack analysis. The angular separation between anti-cracks and tailcracks are similar to LEFM predictions, indicating the absence of cohesive end-zones near the tips of Europan faults, hence suggesting homogeneous frictional properties along the fault length. Tailcrack analysis can be applied to the interpretation of cycloidal ridges: chains of arcuate cracks on Europa that are separated by sharp kinks called cusps. Cusp angles are reminiscent of tailcrack kink angles along ridge-like strike-slip faults. Cycloid growth in a temporally variable tidal stress field ultimately resolves shear stresses onto the near-tip region of a growing cycloid segment. Thus, resultant slip and associated tailcrack development may be the driving force behind the initiation of the succeeding arcuate segment, hence facilitating the ongoing propagation of the cycloid chain.     

Displacement features associated with fault zones: a comparison between observed examples and experimental models

Fault zones commonly consist of discontinuous surfaces or are composed of different kinds of en echelon fractures (tension cracks, R or P-type fractures) which give the brittle shear zone a width. Translation along these faults and related features can occur by sliding on the elementary planes and/or by solution/deposition processes with opening of transtension zones and possible dilatation of the shear zone.In order to understand how fault planes develop and to investigate the mechanical conditions corresponding to natural configurations, displacement along an analogue fault model was examined under conditions of direct shear. The experimental fracture patterns were then compared with the natural features. The structural elements of certain faults created by testing, and showing transpression and transtension zones, were found to be similar to natural domino structures bounded by elementary shears, and could be compared with computed situations.It can be inferred that stresses are reoriented inside the shear zone; the angle between elementary fractures depends on their order of development; transpression and transtension zones occur systematically; and the shear zone undergoes dilatancy under low normal stresses.     

佳伊断裂带晚白垩世走滑-逆冲事件的新证据

在四平市叶赫镇发现一系列走滑-逆冲断层,断层面平直、陡倾,走向集中在NNE15°~35°范围内,组成了佳木斯—伊通两条主干边界断裂之间的分支断裂带,分支断裂呈雁列式排布,与走向NE45°的主干边界断裂呈锐角相交,指示边界断裂具有右旋走滑特征。叶赫镇走滑-逆冲断裂带的发现为佳木斯—伊通断裂存在晚白垩世晚期—末期的走滑-逆冲事件提供了新证据。叶赫镇分支断裂带是石岭镇分支断裂带向南部的延伸,两者切割了相同的地层,具有相同的构造特征和构造属性,属于同一走滑-逆冲断裂系统,它们是晚白垩世晚期—末期同一地球动力学背景下的产物。     

Fault-Growth Pattern of the South Margin Normal Fault of the Yuguang Basin in Northwest Beijing and its Influencing Factors

Based on high-resolution remote sensing image interpretation, digital elevation model 3-D analysis, field geologic field investigation, trenching engineering, and ground-penetrating radar, synthetic research on the evolution of the Yuguang Basin South Margin Fault (YBSMF) in northwest Beijing was carried out. We found that the propagation and growth of faults most often occurred often at two locations: the fault overlapping zone and the uneven or rough fault segment. Through detailed observation and analysis of all cropouts of faults along the YBSMF from zone a to zone i, we identified three major factors that dominate or affect fault propagation and growth. First, the irregularity of fault geometry determine the propagation and growth of the fault, and therefore, the faults always propagate and grow at such irregular fault segments. The fault finally cuts off and eliminates its irregularity, making the fault geometry and fault plane smoother than before, which contributes to the slipping movement of the half-graben block in the basin. Second, the scale of the irregularity of the fault geometry affects the result of fault propagation and growth, that is, the degree of the cutting off of fault irregularity. The degree of cutting off decreases as irregularity scale increases. Third, the maximum possible slip displacement of the fault segment influences the duration of fault propagation and growth. The duration at the central segments with a large slip displacement is longer than that at the end segments with a smaller slippage value.     

Tectonic controls on spatio-temporal development of depositional systems and generation of fining-upward basin fills in a strike-slip setting: Kyokpori Formation (Cretaceous), south-west Korea

Abstract The Kyokpori Formation (Cretaceous), south‐west Korea, represents a small‐scale lacustrine strike‐slip basin and consists of an ≈ 290 m thick siliciclastic succession with abundant volcaniclasts. The succession can be organized into eight facies associations representing distinctive depositional environments: (I) subaqueous talus; (II) delta plain; (III) steep‐gradient large‐scale delta slope; (IV) base of delta slope to prodelta; (V) small‐scale nested Gilbert‐type delta; (VI) small‐scale delta‐lobe system; (VII) subaqueous fan; and (VIII) basin plain. Facies associations I, III and IV together constitute a large‐scale steep‐sloped delta system. Correlation of the sedimentary succession indicates that the formation comprises two depositional sequences: the lower coarsening‐ to fining‐upward succession (up to 215 m thick) and the upper fining‐upward succession (up to 75 m thick). Based on facies distribution, architecture and correlation of depositional sequences, three stages of basin evolution are reconstructed. Stage 1 is represented by thick coarse‐grained deposits in the lower succession that form subaqueous breccia talus and steep‐sloped gravelly delta systems along the northern and southern basin margins, respectively, and a sandy subaqueous fan system inside the basin, abutting against a basement high. This asymmetric facies distribution suggests a half‐graben structure for the basin, and the thick accumulation of coarse‐grained deposits most likely reflects rapid subsidence of the basin floor during the transtensional opening of the basin. Stage 2 is marked by sandy black shale deposits in the upper part of the lower succession. The black shale is readily correlated across the basin margins, indicating a basinwide transgression probably resulting from large‐scale dip slip suppressing the lateral slip component on basin‐bounding faults. Stage 3 is characterized by gravelly delta‐lobe deposits in the upper succession that are smaller in dimension and located more basinward than the deposits of marginal systems of the lower succession. This lakeward shift of depocentre suggests a loss of accommodation in the basin margins and quiescence of fault movements. This basin evolution model suggests that the rate of dip‐slip displacement on basin‐margin faults can be regarded as the prime control for determining stacking patterns of such basin fills. The resultant basinwide fining‐upward sequences deviate from the coarsening‐upward cycles of other transtensional basins and reveal the variety of stratigraphic architecture in strike‐slip basins controlled by the changes in relative sense and magnitude of fault movements at the basin margins.     

Fault zone characteristics,fracture systems and permeability implications of Middle Triassic Muschelkalk in Southwest Germany

Fault zone structure and lithology affect permeability of Triassic Muschelkalk limestone-marl-alternations in Southwest Germany, a region characterized by a complex tectonic history. Field studies of eight fault zones provide insights into fracture system parameters (orientation, density, aperture, connectivity, vertical extension) within fault zone units (fault core, damage zone). Results show decreasing fracture lengths with distances to the fault cores in well-developed damage zones. Fracture connectivity at fracture tips is enhanced in proximity to the slip surfaces, particularly caused by shorter fractures. Different mechanical properties of limestone and marl layers obviously affect fracture propagation and thus fracture system connectivity and permeability. Fracture apertures are largest parallel and subparallel to fault zones and prominent regional structures (e.g., Upper Rhine Graben) leading to enhanced fracture-induced permeabilities. Mineralized fractures and mineralizations in fault cores indicate past fluid flow. Permeability is increased by the development of hydraulically active pathways across several beds (non-stratabound fractures) to a higher degree than by the formation of fractures interconnected at fracture tips. We conclude that there is an increase of interconnected fractures and fracture densities in proximity to the fault cores. This is particularly clear in more homogenous rocks. The results help to better understand permeability in Muschelkalk rocks.     

Relay zone geometry and displacement transfer between normal faults recorded in coal-mine plans

Overlap lengths, separations and throw gradients were measured on 132 relay zones recorded on coal-mine plans. Throws on the relay-bounding fault traces are usually ≤ 2 m and individual structures are recorded on only one seam. Throw gradients associated with relay zones are not always higher than on single faults, but asymmetry of throw profiles is diagnostic of relay zones. Bed geometries around larger faults in opencast mines are used to assess the displacement accommodated by shear in the vertical plane normal to the faults and displacement transfer accommodated by shear in the fault-parallel plane. Three-dimensional structure is defined for two relay zones, each recorded on five seam plans. These relay zones are effectively holes through the fault surfaces and overlap occurs between salients or lobes of the parent fault surfaces. Lobes initially terminated at tip-lines but, as the faults grew, gradually rejoined the main fault surfaces along branch lines. This type of relay zone originates by bifurcation of a single fault surface at a locally retarded tip-line and is an almost inevitable result of a tip-line irregularity.