scholarly journals Salt tectonics in the Toulon Belt : Inversion of a salt-rich fault zone

Author(s):  
Vincent Wicker ◽  
Mary Ford

Detailed structural and stratigraphic field mapping is used to reconstruct the Jurassic to Late Cretaceous diapiric and tectonic evolution of the Toulon Fault Zone, eastern Beausset Syncline and Toulon Belt, southern France, which represents the easternmost vestige of the Pyrenean orogen in Provence. This complex salt-rich area records a complete history from Jurassic-early Cretaceous subsidence and Aptian-Albian oblique rifting to Late Cretaceous Pyrenean-Provençal shortening. Halokinetic sequences and geometries were preserved principally on the northern flank of the Mont Caume salt diapir sourced from the Upper Triassic Keuper unit. Our field observations are best explained by a model where halokinetic activity interacted with regional deviatoric stresses from early-Jurassic to Santonian/Campanian times. Halokinetic wedges of Jurassic and Early Cretaceous carbonates thin toward the diapir, recording early salt mobilisation. Inverted relics of Apto-Albian rift depocenters are aligned along the northern margin of the Toulon Belt and the adjacent Bandol belt that lies to the west. The Turonian-Coniacian Revest depocenter developed due to localized strong asymmetrical growth of the Mont Caume diapir. The three-dimensional form and growth of the diapir controlled lateral migration of the Revest depocenter, thickness variations, progressive unconformities, and the westward increase in stratal overturning of a flap. A component of N-S compression with related accelerated halokinetic activity can explain our observations and can be considered as the earliest expression of N-S convergence in the Provencal fold belt. Further west, the overturned Beausset klippe can be interpreted as the remnant of a megaflap on the northern flank of the Bandol diapir. The Toulon belt salt structures are excellent field analogues to others observed in the external Alps and Pyrenees.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Wicker ◽  
Mary Ford

<p>Detailed structural and stratigraphic field mapping is used to reconstruct the Jurassic to Late Cretaceous diapiric and tectonic evolution of the Toulon Fault Zone, eastern Beausset Syncline and Toulon Belt, southern France, which represents the easternmost vestige of the Pyrenean orogen in Provence. This complex salt-rich area records a complete history from Jurassic-early Cretaceous subsidence and Aptian-Albian oblique rifting to Late Cretaceous Pyrenean-Provençal shortening. Halokinetic sequences and geometries were preserved principally on the northern flank of the Mont Caume salt diapir sourced from the Upper Triassic Keuper unit. Our field observations are best explained by a model where halokinetic activity interacted with regional deviatoric stresses from early-Jurassic to Santonian/Campanian times. Halokinetic wedges of Jurassic and Early Cretaceous carbonates thin toward the diapir, recording early salt mobilisation. Inverted relics of Apto-Albian rift depocenters are aligned along the northern margin of the Toulon Belt and the adjacent Bandol belt that lies to the west.  The Turonian-Coniacian Revest depocenter developed due to localized strong asymmetrical growth of the Mont Caume diapir. The three-dimensional form and growth of the diapir controlled lateral migration of the Revest depocenter, thickness variations, progressive unconformities, and the westward increase in stratal overturning of a flap. A component of N-S compression with related accelerated halokinetic activity can explain our observations and can be considered as the earliest expression of N-S convergence in the Provencal fold belt.  Further west, the overturned Beausset klippe can be interpreted as the remnant of a megaflap on the northern flank of the Bandol diapir. The Toulon belt salt structures are excellent field analogues to others observed in the external Alps and Pyrenees.</p>


1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.C. Lowry ◽  
I.M. Longley

The tectonic history of the northern flank of the offshore Gippsland Basin can be divided into three phases:an Early Cretaceous rift phase (120-98 Ma) with deposition of the Strzelecki Group and extension in a northeast-southwest direction.a mid-Cretaceous phase (98-80 Ma) with deposition of the Golden Beach Group and extension in a northwest- southeast direction anda Late Cretaceous to Tertiary sag phase with intermittent compression or wrenching.Previous workers have described the first and third phases. This paper argues for a distinctive second phase with extension at right angles to the first phase. The complex Cretaceous structure in the Kipper-Hammerhead area is interpreted in terms of a model in which transfer faults of the first phase became domino faults of the second phase.


2013 ◽  
Vol 734-737 ◽  
pp. 170-177
Author(s):  
Shao Dong Qu ◽  
Chi Yang Liu ◽  
Li Jun Song ◽  
Hui Deng ◽  
Long Zhang ◽  
...  

Three-dimensional(3-D) seismic data and structure analysis of the Lishu subasin in Songliao basin indicates that Qinjiatun fault zone is composed of two faults: East-Qin and West-Qin fault. This fault system initially formed at Huoshiling stage, peaked at Shahezi stage and faded dramatically from Yingcheng stage. The Qinjiatun fault was important in controlling strata thickness and distribution of the Huoshiling formation. Qindong fault, a typical strike-slip fault, developed relatively later, cutting the Qinjiatun fault, The major active stage was in Denglouku-Quantou stage, and weakened in the end of late Cretaceous. Qinjiatun fault zone was reversed at Denglouku stage when the regional stress went compressive, generating a structure nose that was potentially beneficial for hydrocarbon to accumulate. The strike-slip Qindong fault became active relatively later, cutting through the previous strata and proving pathways for both accumulation and effusion of hydrocarbon.


1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (9) ◽  
pp. 1070-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott G Digel ◽  
Edward D Ghent ◽  
Sharon D Carr ◽  
Philip S Simony

Mapping of isograds related to regional amphibolite-facies metamorphism constrains a three-dimensional model of isogradic surfaces near Mount Cheadle in the northern Shuswap metamorphic complex (lat. 52°20'N, long. 119°05'W). Kyanite and sillimanite coexist in a lens-shaped zone, bounded by the kyanite-out and sillimanite-in isogradic surfaces, that is 50 km long, up to 10 km thick, and up to 20 km wide. Textural equilibrium, simple regular geometry of isogradic surfaces, and simple mineral assemblages suggest that metamorphism occurred at P-T conditions near those of the kyanite-sillimanite equilibrium curve. Reconstruction of isotherms in the kyanite + sillimanite zone suggests that the metamorphic field gradient was about 14°C·km-1. A 5 km thick, staurolite-free kyanite zone adjacent to the sillimanite-in isograd suggests a pressure range of about 1.5 kbar (1 kbar = 100 MPa) for Bathozone 5 of D.M. Carmichael. Regional metamorphism was Early Cretaceous (monazite U-Pb geochronology) with quenching in the Late Cretaceous, possibly caused by motion on the basal thrust beneath the Malton complex. A younger generation of sillimanite grew in discrete outcrop-scale ductile shear zones, veins, and pods in a north-south-oriented belt (50 km by 20 km). U-Pb dates on zircon, monazite, and titanite indicate an age of the sillimanite overprint of 65-59 Ma. It may have resulted from the influx of hot fluids associated with widespread Late Cretaceous and Paleocene leucogranite emplacement concomitant with extensional faulting.


Solid Earth ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1489-1510
Author(s):  
Thomas B. Phillips ◽  
Christopher A.-L. Jackson ◽  
James R. Norcliffe

Abstract. Compressional strains may manifest along pre-existing structures within the lithosphere, far from the plate boundaries along which the causal stress is greatest. The style and magnitude of the related contraction is expressed in different ways, depending on the geometric and mechanical properties of the pre-existing structure. A three-dimensional approach is thus required to understand how compression may be partitioned and expressed along structures in space and time. We here examine how post-rift compressional strains are expressed along the northern margin of the Farsund Basin during Late Cretaceous inversion and Palaeogene–Neogene pulses of uplift. At the largest scale, stress localises along the lithosphere-scale Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone, where it is expressed in the upper crust as hangingwall folding, reverse reactivation of the basin-bounding normal fault, and bulk regional uplift. The geometry of the northern margin of the basin varies along strike, with a normal fault system passing eastward into an unfaulted ramp. Late Cretaceous compressive stresses, originating from the convergence between Africa, Iberia, and Europe, selectively reactivated geometrically simple, planar sections of the fault, producing hangingwall anticlines and causing long-wavelength folding of the basin fill. The amplitude of these anticlines decreases upwards due to tightening of pre-existing fault propagation folds at greater depths. In contrast, later Palaeogene–Neogene uplift is accommodated by long-wavelength folding and regional uplift of the entire basin. Subcrop mapping below a major, uplift-related unconformity and borehole-based compaction analysis show that uplift increases to the north and east, with the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone representing a hinge line rather than a focal point to uplift, as was the case during earlier Late Cretaceous compression. We show how compressional stresses may be accommodated by different mechanisms within structurally complex settings. Furthermore, the prior history of a structure may also influence the mechanism and structural style of shortening that it experiences.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Brian Phillips ◽  
Christopher A.-L. Jackson ◽  
James R. Norcliffe

Abstract. Inversion may localise along pre-existing structures within the lithosphere, far from the plate boundaries along which the causal stress is greatest. Inversion style and magnitude is expressed in different ways, depending on the geometric and mechanical properties of the pre-existing structure. A three-dimensional approach is thus required to understand how inversion may be partitioned and expressed along structures in space and time. We here examine how inversion is expressed along the northern margin of the Farsund Basin during Late Cretaceous inversion and Neogene uplift. At the largest scale, strain localises along the lithosphere-scale Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone; this is expressed in the upper crust as hangingwall folding, reverse reactivation of the basin-bounding normal fault, and bulk regional uplift. The geometry of the northern margin of the basin varies along-strike, with a normal fault system passing eastward into an unfaulted ramp. Late Cretaceous compressive stresses, originating from the Alpine Orogeny to the south, selectively reactivated geometrically simple, planar sections of the fault, producing hangingwall anticlines and causing long-wavelength folding of the basin fill. The amplitude of these anticlines decreases upwards due to tightening of pre-existing fault propagation folds at greater depths. In contrast, Neogene shortening is accommodated by long-wavelength folding and regional uplift of the entire basin. Subcrop mapping below a major, Neogene uplift-related unconformity and bore-based compaction analysis show that uplift increases to the north and east, with the Sorgenfrei-Tornquist Zone representing a hingeline to inversion rather than a focal point, as was the case during the Late Cretaceous. We show how compressional stresses may be accommodated by different inversion mechanisms within structurally complex settings. Furthermore, the prior history of a structure may also influence the mechanism and structural style of inversion that it experiences.


Palaeobotany ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 80-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. Golovneva

The Ul’ya flora comes from the Coniacian volcanogenic deposits of the Amka Formation (the Ul'ya depression, southern part of the Okhotsk-Chukotka volcanogenic belt). Ginkgoaleans are diverse in this flora and represented by three genera: Ginkgo, Sphenobaiera and Baiera. All specimens have no cuticle and were assigned to morphotaxa. Genus Ginkgo includes two species: G. ex gr. adiantoides (Ung.) Heer with entire leaves and G. ex gr. sibirica Heer with dissected leaves. Genus Sphenobaiera also consists of two species: S. ex gr. longifolia (Pom.) Florin with 4–8 leaf lobes and S. ex gr. biloba Prynada with two leaf lobes. Genus Baiera is represented by new species B. lebedevii Golovn., sp. nov.Leaves of this species are 25–30 cm long and 13–16 cm wide, narrowly wedge-shaped with flat slender petiole, dichotomously dissected 4–5 times into linear segments 3–6 mm wide with 6–12 veins. The length of ultimate segments is equal to about a half of leaf length. Leaves attached spirally to ovoid short shoots about 2 cm long. Among the Late Cretaceous floras similar diversity of ginkgoaleans was recorded only in the Turonian-Coniacian Arman flora from middle part of the Okhotsk-Chukotka volcanogenic belt (Herman et al., 2016). Four species of ginkgoaleans from the Ul’ya flora (except G. ex gr. adiantoides) are considered as the Early Cretaceous relicts.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Yue Sun ◽  
Barry P. Kohn ◽  
Samuel C. Boone ◽  
Dongsheng Wang ◽  
Kaixing Wang

The Zhuguangshan complex hosts the main uranium production area in South China. We report (U-Th)/He and fission track thermochronological data from Triassic–Jurassic mineralized and non-mineralized granites and overlying Cambrian and Cretaceous sandstone units from the Lujing uranium ore field (LUOF) to constrain the upper crustal tectono-thermal evolution of the central Zhuguangshan complex. Two Cambrian sandstones yield reproducible zircon (U-Th)/He (ZHe) ages of 133–106 Ma and low effective uranium (eU) content (270–776 ppm). One Upper Cretaceous sandstone and seven Mesozoic granites are characterized by significant variability in ZHe ages (154–83 Ma and 167–36 Ma, respectively), which show a negative relationship with eU content (244–1098 ppm and 402–4615 ppm), suggesting that the observed age dispersion can be attributed to the effect of radiation damage accumulation on 4He diffusion. Correspondence between ZHe ages from sandstones and granites indicates that surrounding sedimentary rocks and igneous intrusions supplied sediment to the Cretaceous–Paleogene Fengzhou Basin lying adjacent to the LUOF. The concordance of apatite fission track (AFT) central ages (61–54 Ma) and unimodal distributions of confined track lengths of five samples from different rock units suggest that both sandstone and granite samples experienced a similar cooling history throughout the entire apatite partial annealing zone (~110–60 °C). Apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He (AHe) ages from six non-mineralized samples range from 67 to 19 Ma, with no apparent correlation to eU content (2–78 ppm). Thermal history modeling of data suggests that the LUOF experienced relatively rapid Early Cretaceous cooling. In most samples, this was followed by the latest Early Cretaceous–Late Cretaceous reheating and subsequent latest Late Cretaceous–Recent cooling to surface temperatures. This history is considered as a response to the transmission of far-field stresses, involving alternating periods of regional compression and extension, related to paleo-Pacific plate subduction and subsequent rollback followed by Late Paleogene–Recent India–Asia collision and associated uplift and eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau. Thermal history models are consistent with the Fengzhou Basin having been significantly more extensive in the Late Cretaceous–Early Paleogene, covering much of the LUOF. Uranium ore bodies which may have formed prior to the Late Cretaceous may have been eroded by as much as ~1.2 to 4.8 km during the latest Late Cretaceous–Recent denudation.


Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Paraskevi Nomikou ◽  
Dimitris Evangelidis ◽  
Dimitrios Papanikolaou ◽  
Danai Lampridou ◽  
Dimitris Litsas ◽  
...  

On 30 October 2020, a strong earthquake of magnitude 7.0 occurred north of Samos Island at the Eastern Aegean Sea, whose earthquake mechanism corresponds to an E-W normal fault dipping to the north. During the aftershock period in December 2020, a hydrographic survey off the northern coastal margin of Samos Island was conducted onboard R/V NAFTILOS. The result was a detailed bathymetric map with 15 m grid interval and 50 m isobaths and a morphological slope map. The morphotectonic analysis showed the E-W fault zone running along the coastal zone with 30–50° of slope, forming a half-graben structure. Numerous landslides and canyons trending N-S, transversal to the main direction of the Samos coastline, are observed between 600 and 100 m water depth. The ENE-WSW oriented western Samos coastline forms the SE margin of the neighboring deeper Ikaria Basin. A hummocky relief was detected at the eastern margin of Samos Basin probably representing volcanic rocks. The active tectonics characterized by N-S extension is very different from the Neogene tectonics of Samos Island characterized by NE-SW compression. The mainshock and most of the aftershocks of the October 2020 seismic activity occur on the prolongation of the north dipping E-W fault zone at about 12 km depth.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Chuanpeng Liu ◽  
Wenjie Shi ◽  
Junhao Wei ◽  
Huan Li ◽  
Aiping Feng ◽  
...  

The Longquanzhan deposit is one of the largest gold deposits in the Yi-Shu fault zone (central section of the Tan-Lu fault zone) in Shandong Province, China. It is an altered-rock type gold deposit in which ore bodies mainly occur at the contact zone between the overlying Cretaceous rocks and the underlying Neoarchean gneissic monzogranite. Shi et al. reported that this deposit formed at 96 ± 2 Ma using pyrite Rb–Sr dating method and represents a new gold mineralization event in the Shandong Province in 2014. In this paper, we present new He–Ar–S isotopic compositions to further decipher the sources of fluids responsible for the Longquanzhan gold mineralization. The results show that the δ34S values of pyrites vary between 0.9‰ and 4.4‰ with an average of 2.3‰. Inclusion-trapped fluids in ore sulfides have 3He/4He and 40Ar/36Ar ratios of 0.14–0.78 Ra and 482–1811, respectively. These isotopic data indicate that the ore fluids are derived from a magmatic source, which is dominated by crustal components with minor mantle contribution. Air-saturated water may be also involved in the hydrothermal system during the magmatic fluids ascending or at the shallow deposit site. We suggest that the crust-mantle mixing signature of the Longquanzhan gold deposit is genetically related to the Late Cretaceous lithospheric thinning along the Tan-Lu fault zone, which triggers constantly uplifting of the asthenosphere surface and persistent ascending of the isotherm plane to form the gold mineralization-related crustal level magma sources. This genetic model can be applied, to some extent, to explain the ore genesis of other deposits near or within the Tan-Lu fault belt.


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