Geology 3120 -

Introduction to Strike-Slip Faults

Outline
Stick-Slip and Creep
Andersonian Theory
Kinematics
Strike-Slip Faults on Continental Margins
Strike-Slip Faults on Mid-Ocean Ridges

Elastic Rebound Theory
Imagine a fence across an active
fault
Elastic Rebound Theory
Imagine a fence across an active
fault
Regional deformation occurs but
the fault does not break. The
fence becomes curved.
Elastic Rebound Theory
Imagine a fence across an active fault
Regional deformation occurs but the
fault does not break.
Once the fault breaks, the fence is
sheared in half and marks offset
Note that far-eld strain may limit
whether the fault accommodates all the
plate motion at its trace
Creep (Aseismic Slip)
Imagine a fence across an active fault
Slip occurs slowly on the fault
continually over time.
Creeping faults do not store elastic
energy that might be released by
a stick-slip event (an earthquake)
A short portion of the San Andreas fault creeps
(Hollister California sits across the fault)
Determining Sense of Slip
Right-Lateral (Dextral)
Left-Lateral (Sinistral)
Arrow Heads ( ) and Tails ( )
Block moving toward you like an arrowhead
heading towards you
Block moving away from you like seeing the
feathers of an arrow
Arrow Heads ( ) and Tails ( )
! Right-lateral or left-lateral?
Arrow Heads ( ) and Tails ( )
! Left-lateral
Arrow Heads ( ) and Tails ( )
! Sinistral or Dextral?
Arrow Heads ( ) and Tails ( )
! Dextral
Strike-Slip Faulting: EQs = dislocations
See http://www.data.scec.org/Module/links/landrupt.html
Landers rupture propagation movies
Strike-Slip Faults on Continental Margins
! What is the sense of slip?
N

50 m
Strike-Slip Faults on Continental Margins
! Right-lateral (dextral)
N

50 m
Transtension
Development of a Pull-Apart Basin
Pull-Apart Basin
Initial Releasing Bend
Evolution of a Releasing Bend
Normal (-) Flower Structure - Tulip
Transpression
Development of a Restraining Bend
Initial Restraining Bend
Evolution of a Restraining Bend
Reverse (+) Flower Structure - Palm
Summary of Flower Structures - Palms & Tulips
Oceanic Strike Slip fault: Transforms
Strike-Slip Faults on Mid-Ocean Ridges
! What is the sense of slip?
Strike-Slip Faults on Mid-Ocean Ridges
! Right-lateral (Dextral)
Transfer Faults allow
simultaneous movement and
equal strain on separated
structures.
Partitioned strike slip Oblique subduction thrust belt
backed by strike slip faults Sumatra is the perfect example
Partitioned strike slip Oblique subduction thrust belt
backed by strike slip faults Sumatra is the perfect example
Partitioned strike slip Oblique subduction thrust belt
backed by strike slip faults Sumatra is the perfect example
Indentor tectonics
Continental collision
Elastic stress transfer
Whatr denes shaking
(magnitude, proximity, what
rock is the structure built on
(hard better than soft)

Discuss elastic stress

transfer