Layer thickness and the shape of faults

Details Layer thickness and the shape of faults Layer thickness and the shape of faults

Oct 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003georl..30sde13b&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 30, Issue 20, pp. SDE 13-1, CiteID 2076, DOI 10.1029/2003GL018237

Physics

4

Physical Properties Of Rocks: Fracture And Flow, Planetary Sciences: Tectonics (8149), Structural Geology: Fractures And Faults, Tectonophysics: Continental Tectonics-Extensional (0905), Tectonophysics: Continental Tectonics-General (0905)

Scientific paper

We analyze from a conceptual point of view, the role of layer thickness on fault vertical restriction, size distribution and shape evolution. We propose a model of fault growth from an initially circular/elliptical shape of individual (but kinematically interrelated in a coherent fault zone) fault segments to a final rectangular shape. Faults (or fault segments) that do not interact strongly with the stratigraphy grow vertically as nonrestricted with circular to elliptical shapes. Linkage of those faults leads to elliptical shapes for large composite faults. In contrast, faults (or fault segments) whose vertical growth is restricted by the layer thickness evolve from circular to elliptical with progressively larger aspect ratios. In a sequence with heterogeneous strength and varying layer thickness, individual faults within each layer are restricted, producing a complex irregular tipline for the aggregate large fault. The irregular geometry will persist as long as the tendency for horizontal fault growth exceeds that for linkage; once linkage across layers occurs, then more regular elliptical tiplines will evolve. Because longer faults have larger displacements, then for brittle strain to be equal in layers of different thickness, more faults are needed in thin layers for the total displacements, and thus the strains, to balance. As a result, irregular fault shapes can evolve as more new faults grow in thinner layers into more rectangular shapes.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Layer thickness and the shape of faults does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Layer thickness and the shape of faults, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Layer thickness and the shape of faults will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-918443