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Localized vs distributed deformation associated with the linkage history of an active normal fault, Whakatane Graben, New Zealand

Localized vs distributed deformation associated with the linkage history of an active normal fault, Whakatane Graben, New Zealand
Localized vs distributed deformation associated with the linkage history of an active normal fault, Whakatane Graben, New Zealand
The deformation associated with an active normal fault is investigated at a high temporal resolution (c. 104 yr). The Rangitaiki Fault (Whakatane Graben, New Zealand) and its adjacent faults accommodated an overall extension of ?0.83% oriented at ?N324°E over the past 17 kyr. This is consistent along strike, but the pattern of faulting that accommodates this strain defines two different spatial domains. To the SW, one domain is characterized by a few large faults, with >80% of strain localized onto geometrically and kinematically linked segments of the main fault. This produces marked heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of strain across the graben. In contrast, to the NE, a domain of distributed faulting is characterized by numerous small faults contributing to the overall deformation, with only ?35% of strain localized onto the Rangitaiki Fault. The transition from distributed to localized deformation is attributed to an increase in linkage maturity of the Rangitaiki Fault. Progressive strain localization has been ongoing within the network over the last 17 kyr, with localization of fault activity increasing by ?12%, indicating this process occurs over kyr time periods that only reflect a few earthquake events.
Fault network, Distributed faulting, Localized faulting, Strain localization, Spatial heterogeneity, Normal faults, Fault linkage
0191-8141
266-280
Nixon, Casey W.
757fe329-f10f-4744-a28e-0ccc92217554
Bull, Jonathan M.
974037fd-544b-458f-98cc-ce8eca89e3c8
Sanderson, David J.
5653bc11-b905-4985-8c16-c655b2170ba9
Nixon, Casey W.
757fe329-f10f-4744-a28e-0ccc92217554
Bull, Jonathan M.
974037fd-544b-458f-98cc-ce8eca89e3c8
Sanderson, David J.
5653bc11-b905-4985-8c16-c655b2170ba9

Nixon, Casey W., Bull, Jonathan M. and Sanderson, David J. (2014) Localized vs distributed deformation associated with the linkage history of an active normal fault, Whakatane Graben, New Zealand. Journal of Structural Geology, 69 (A), 266-280. (doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2014.06.005).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The deformation associated with an active normal fault is investigated at a high temporal resolution (c. 104 yr). The Rangitaiki Fault (Whakatane Graben, New Zealand) and its adjacent faults accommodated an overall extension of ?0.83% oriented at ?N324°E over the past 17 kyr. This is consistent along strike, but the pattern of faulting that accommodates this strain defines two different spatial domains. To the SW, one domain is characterized by a few large faults, with >80% of strain localized onto geometrically and kinematically linked segments of the main fault. This produces marked heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of strain across the graben. In contrast, to the NE, a domain of distributed faulting is characterized by numerous small faults contributing to the overall deformation, with only ?35% of strain localized onto the Rangitaiki Fault. The transition from distributed to localized deformation is attributed to an increase in linkage maturity of the Rangitaiki Fault. Progressive strain localization has been ongoing within the network over the last 17 kyr, with localization of fault activity increasing by ?12%, indicating this process occurs over kyr time periods that only reflect a few earthquake events.

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Accepted/In Press date: 11 July 2014
Published date: December 2014
Keywords: Fault network, Distributed faulting, Localized faulting, Strain localization, Spatial heterogeneity, Normal faults, Fault linkage
Organisations: Geology & Geophysics, Engineering Science Unit

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 366941
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/366941
ISSN: 0191-8141
PURE UUID: 230f7829-9155-4a60-8272-2d1bc6211547
ORCID for Jonathan M. Bull: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3373-5807
ORCID for David J. Sanderson: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-2144-3527

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 15 Jul 2014 13:24
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:30

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Contributors

Author: Casey W. Nixon

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