Tension fractures and extensional tectonics

A characteristic pattern of normal faults that we have studied in several regions illustrates successive geometries relating to increasing amounts of extension from 10–50% (Gulf of Suez, Egypt) to 50–100% (Western Gulf of California, Mexico) up to 200% (Southern Basin and Range, USA). Tension fractu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1983-01, Vol.301 (5895), p.49-51
Main Authors: Angelier, Jacques, Colletta, Bernard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Humanities and Social Sciences
letter
multidisciplinary
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Tectonics. Structural geology. Plate tectonics
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Summary:A characteristic pattern of normal faults that we have studied in several regions illustrates successive geometries relating to increasing amounts of extension from 10–50% (Gulf of Suez, Egypt) to 50–100% (Western Gulf of California, Mexico) up to 200% (Southern Basin and Range, USA). Tension fractures formed at an early stage of extension have an essential role. The resulting structure is described as a multiple tilted "packs of cards" model in which rotational deformation within the major blocks is accommodated by normal faulting on previously formed tension fractures, thus defining smaller blocks of second and third generation.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/301049a0