Preprints
Filtering by Subject: Tectonics and Structure
Dilatancy and compaction of a rate-and-state fault in a poroelastic medium: Linearized stability analysis
Published: 2021-04-06
Subjects: Applied Mathematics, Geophysics and Seismology, Tectonics and Structure
Faults in the crust at seismogenic depths are embedded in a fluid-saturated, elastic, porous material. Slip on such faults may induce transient pore pressure changes through dilatancy or compaction of the gouge or host rock. However, the poroelastic nature of the crust and the full coupling of inelastic gouge processes and the host rock have been largely neglected in previous analyses. Here, we [...]
Resolving Northern Alaska Earthquake Sequences Using the Transportable Array and Probabilistic Location Methods
Published: 2021-03-25
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geophysics and Seismology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Tectonics and Structure
Between 2014 and 2017, almost 200 new seismic stations were installed in Alaska and northwestern Canada as part of the EarthScope USArray Transportable Array. These stations currently provide an unprecedented capability for the detection and location of seismic events in regions with otherwise relatively sparse station coverage. Two interesting earthquake sequences in 2018 and 2019 in the [...]
Low variability runoff inhibits coupling of climate, tectonics, and topography in the Greater Caucasus
Published: 2021-03-23
Subjects: Geomorphology, Tectonics and Structure
Hypothesized feedbacks between climate and tectonics are mediated by the relationship between topography and long-term erosion rates. While many studies show monotonic relationships between channel steepness and erosion rates, the degree of nonlinearity in this relationship varies by landscape. Mechanistically explaining controls on this relationship in natural settings is critical because highly [...]
Mechanical Stratigraphy Controls Normal Fault Growth and Dimensions, Outer Kwanza Basin, Offshore Angola
Published: 2021-03-19
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Tectonics and Structure
Mechanical stratigraphy controls the growth patterns and dimensions of relatively small normal faults, yet how its influences the development of much larger structures remains unclear. Here we use 3D seismic reflection data from the Outer Kwanza Basin, offshore Angola to constrain the geometry and kinematics of several normal faults formed in a deep-water clastic succession. The faults are up to [...]
Polygenetic mélange in the retrowedge foredeep of an active arc-continent collision, Coastal Range of eastern Taiwan (accepted manuscript)
Published: 2021-03-17
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Tectonics and Structure
The Plio-Pleistocene Lichi Mélange in the Coastal Range of eastern Taiwan offers an excellent opportunity to study processes of mélange development at the continent-ocean interface of an active arc-continent collision. This paper presents new results of detailed geologic mapping, lithofacies analysis, magneto-biostratigraphy, paleocurrent, and paleoslope analyses in the southern Coastal Range to [...]
The Sidi Ifni transect across the rifted margin of Morocco (Central Atlantic): Vertical movements constrained by low-temperature thermochronology
Published: 2021-03-17
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Geomorphology, Paleontology, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Tectonics and Structure
The occurrence of km-scale exhumations during syn- and post-rift stages has been documented along Atlantic continental margins, which are also characterised by basins undergoing substantial subsidence. The relationship between the exhuming and subsiding domains is poorly understood. In this study, we reconstruct the evolution of a 50 km long transect across the Moroccan rifted margin from the [...]
An analytical solution for the exhumation of an orogenic wedge and a comparison with thermochronology data
Published: 2021-03-04
Subjects: Geology, Tectonics and Structure
Thermochronology data is key for quantifying the exhumation history and dynamics of mountain belts. Here we present a new analytical solution for the steady-state exhumation of an orogenic wedge that undergoes transport along a basal detachment, uniform internal deformation, basal and frontal accretion. The solution predicts an increase in exhumation towards the interior of the wedge, with the [...]
Evidence for crustal removal, tectonic erosion and flare-ups from the Japanese evolving forearc sediment provenance
Published: 2021-02-24
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Geology, Tectonics and Structure
Forearc basins preserve the geologic record relating strictly to arc magmatism. The provenance of forearc sediment can be used to differentiate periods of crustal growth, accretion, and destruction, enhanced magmatism, advancing and retreating subduction slabs, delamination, etc. All these tectonic events systems predict differing degrees of sedimentary reworking of the older forearc units. [...]
A record of plume-induced plate rotation triggering seafloor spreading and subduction initiation
Published: 2021-02-23
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Tectonics and Structure
The formation of a global network of plate boundaries surrounding a mosaic of lithospheric fragments was a key step in the emergence of Earth’s plate tectonics. So far, propositions for plate boundary formation are regional in nature but how plate boundaries are being created over 1000s of km in short periods of geological time remains elusive. Here, we show from geological observations that a [...]
The surface deformation of the 2020 Doğanyol-Sivrice earthquake (Mw 6.8) and the earlier events suggest Mw˂7.0 earthquakes do not create significant surface slip along the East Anatolian Fault Zone
Published: 2021-02-18
Subjects: Geology, Geophysics and Seismology, Tectonics and Structure
The 2020 Mw 6.8 Doğanyol-Sivrice earthquake occurred on the Pütürge Segment of the left-lateral East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ). Our field investigation within 6 weeks after the earthquake suggests the following results. (1) The 2020 earthquake created a ~54-km-long surface deformation zone along the Pütürge Segment. (2) No co-seismic surface slip has been formed after the earthquake. (3) The [...]
Structural and stratigraphic development of Offshore NW Sulawesi, Indonesia
Published: 2021-02-14
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Geomorphology, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Tectonics and Structure
The area of the Offshore NW Sulawesi lies between eastern Sundaland (Borneo) and the North Arm of Sulawesi. Possible influences on the basins include Paleogene rifting in the Celebes Sea and Makassar Strait, Neogene subsidence and uplift in Borneo, late Neogene subduction at the present-day North Sulawesi Trench, and displacements related to the Palu-Koro Fault. This study presents the results of [...]
234U/230Th coral growth dating yields reliable ages in restricted basins despite anomalous δ234Ui values
Published: 2021-02-10
Subjects: Geochemistry, Geology, Tectonics and Structure
Late Quaternary coral growth ages from uplifted coastal regions, such as marine terraces and associated palaeoshorelines, are an essential tool used to derive tectonic and fault controlled uplift and deformation rates, and thus contribute to seismic hazard analysis and constrain past global sea levels. Fossil coral growth ages are assessed for reliability based upon whether the δ234Ui (or [...]
Shear wave velocity structure beneath North-Western Himalaya and adjoining areas
Published: 2021-01-30
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Tectonics and Structure
Shear wave velocity structure, together with Moho depths have been estimated in northwestern Himalaya, Hindu Kush and the Pamirs at a potential resolution of 0.5×0.5 degrees and at 1×1 degrees in the surrounding area, by inverting fundamental mode Rayleigh wave group velocities calculated from regional earthquake (Δ ≤ 2500 km) data, and also from their joint inversions with teleseismic receiver [...]
Fault Throw and Regional Uplift Histories from Drainage Analysis: Evolution of Southern Italy
Published: 2021-01-25
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geology, Geomorphology, Tectonics and Structure
Landscapes can record elevation changes caused by multiple tectonic processes. Here we show how coeval histories of spatially coincident normal faulting and regional uplift can be deconvolved from river networks. We focus on Calabria, a tectonically active region incised by rivers containing knickpoints and knickzones. Marine fauna indicate that Calabria has been uplifted by >1 km since [...]
Observational estimates of dynamic topography through space and time
Published: 2021-01-24
Subjects: Biogeochemistry, Cosmochemistry, Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Geology, Geomorphology, Geophysics and Seismology, Paleobiology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Tectonics and Structure, Volcanology
Earth's mantle undergoes convection on million-year timescales as heat is transferred from depth to the surface. Whilst this flow has long been linked to the large-scale horizontal forces that drive plate tectonics and supercontinent cycles, geologists are increasingly recognising the signature of convection through transient vertical motions in the rock record, known as "dynamic topography". A [...]