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Displacement and segment linkage in fault zones

Displacement and segment linkage in fault zones
Displacement and segment linkage in fault zones

Fault zones are composed of offset and linked segments and commonly exhibit significant bends. Such zones have complex displacement-distance characteristics and evolutions, a knowledge of which is important in the understanding of fault zone development. Maps of normal and strike-slip faults have been studied to allow comparison of the displacement-distance characteristics of faults both normal and parallel to the displacement vector.

Displacement (d) varies with distance along the fault (x), with zero displacement at the fault tips. Displacement-distance profiles of faults and other structures are used to analyse displacement variations and hence study the development of faults. Steep displacement gradients can occur at the tips of faults and extension fractures because of displacement transfer onto offset segments by relay/bridge structures, and because of conjugate relationships and lithological variations. These produce convex-up displacement-distance (d-x) profiles. Offset fractures may link to form a single fracture which has an irregular d-x profile. Displacement minima occur at fault bends formed from the linkage of offset segments when relay/bridge structures are preserved as normal drag. Displacement variations occur at bends as a result of wallrock deformation, these taking the form of structures such as interacting faults, fault block rotation, folds, extension fractures, pull-aparts and ductile deformation.

Fault geometry is strongly affected by the relationship between stress and anisotropy. Conjugate faults form symmetrically about <j\ in isotropic rocks, when <j\ is at a high angle to anisotropy and when 02 is normal to anisotropy. Conjugate faults develop asymmetrically about O\ when o\ is oblique to anisotropy.

Displacement-distance methods are also shown to be useful in the study of conlractional kink bands when an assumption of unchanged layer length and thickness is made.

University of Southampton
Peacock, David Charles Peter
Peacock, David Charles Peter

Peacock, David Charles Peter (1990) Displacement and segment linkage in fault zones. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

Fault zones are composed of offset and linked segments and commonly exhibit significant bends. Such zones have complex displacement-distance characteristics and evolutions, a knowledge of which is important in the understanding of fault zone development. Maps of normal and strike-slip faults have been studied to allow comparison of the displacement-distance characteristics of faults both normal and parallel to the displacement vector.

Displacement (d) varies with distance along the fault (x), with zero displacement at the fault tips. Displacement-distance profiles of faults and other structures are used to analyse displacement variations and hence study the development of faults. Steep displacement gradients can occur at the tips of faults and extension fractures because of displacement transfer onto offset segments by relay/bridge structures, and because of conjugate relationships and lithological variations. These produce convex-up displacement-distance (d-x) profiles. Offset fractures may link to form a single fracture which has an irregular d-x profile. Displacement minima occur at fault bends formed from the linkage of offset segments when relay/bridge structures are preserved as normal drag. Displacement variations occur at bends as a result of wallrock deformation, these taking the form of structures such as interacting faults, fault block rotation, folds, extension fractures, pull-aparts and ductile deformation.

Fault geometry is strongly affected by the relationship between stress and anisotropy. Conjugate faults form symmetrically about <j\ in isotropic rocks, when <j\ is at a high angle to anisotropy and when 02 is normal to anisotropy. Conjugate faults develop asymmetrically about O\ when o\ is oblique to anisotropy.

Displacement-distance methods are also shown to be useful in the study of conlractional kink bands when an assumption of unchanged layer length and thickness is made.

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Published date: 1990

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Local EPrints ID: 460835
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/460835
PURE UUID: c7f6023e-01d7-4cf7-b64d-8287d8b13a08

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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 18:30
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 18:30

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Author: David Charles Peter Peacock

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