scholarly journals The Saint-Ursanne earthquakes of 2000 revisited: evidence for active shallow thrust-faulting in the Jura fold-and-thrust belt

2022 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Lanza ◽  
Tobias Diehl ◽  
Nicholas Deichmann ◽  
Toni Kraft ◽  
Christophe Nussbaum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Template Matching ◽  
Sedimentary Cover ◽  
Mechanism Analysis ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Northern Switzerland ◽  
Thrust Faulting ◽  
The North ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Mont Terri

AbstractThe interpretation of seismotectonic processes within the uppermost few kilometers of the Earth’s crust has proven challenging due to the often significant uncertainties in hypocenter locations and focal mechanisms of shallow seismicity. Here, we revisit the shallow seismic sequence of Saint-Ursanne of March and April 2000 and apply advanced seismological analyses to reduce these uncertainties. The sequence, consisting of five earthquakes of which the largest one reached a local magnitude (ML) of 3.2, occurred in the vicinity of two critical sites, the Mont Terri rock laboratory and Haute-Sorne, which is currently evaluated as a possible site for the development of a deep geothermal project. Template matching analysis for the period 2000–2021, including data from mini arrays installed in the region since 2014, suggests that the source of the 2000 sequence has not been persistently active ever since. Forward modelling of synthetic waveforms points to a very shallow source, between 0 and 1 km depth, and the focal mechanism analysis indicates a low-angle, NNW-dipping, thrust mechanism. These results combined with geological data suggest that the sequence is likely related to a backthrust fault located within the sedimentary cover and shed new light on the hosting lithology and source kinematics of the Saint-Ursanne sequence. Together with two other more recent shallow thrust faulting earthquakes near Grenchen and Neuchâtel in the north-central portion of the Jura fold-and-thrust belt (FTB), these new findings provide new insights into the present-day seismotectonic processes of the Jura FTB of northern Switzerland and suggest that the Jura FTB is still undergoing seismically active contraction at rates likely < 0.5 mm/yr. The shallow focal depths provide indications that this low-rate contraction in the NE portion of the Jura FTB is at least partly accommodated within the sedimentary cover and possibly decoupled from the basement.

scholarly journals Possible Quaternary growth of a hidden anticline at the front of the Jura fold-and-thrust belt: geomorphological constraints from the Forêt de Chaux area, France

2011 ◽  
Vol 182 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Molliex ◽  
Olivier Fabbri ◽  
Vincent Bichet ◽  
Herfried Madritsch
Keyword(s):  
Focal Depth ◽  
Fault Reactivation ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Alluvial Deposits ◽  
The North ◽  
Basement Faults ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt ◽  
Median Position ◽  
Differential Uplift ◽  
River Migration

Abstract This study presents new constraints for Plio-Quaternary (post-2.4 Ma to present-day) anticline growth along the frontal zone of the Jura fold-and-thrust belt, in the Forêt de Chaux area, located 30 km SW of Besançon. The Forêt de Chaux area consists of a N080°E-elongated depression bordered by the Doubs and Loue rivers to the north and south respectively, and filled with Sundgau-type Pliocene alluvial deposits. The upper surface of the Pliocene deposits between the Loue and Doubs rivers is marked by a N065°E-trending ridge crossing the depression in a median position. A differential uplift along this ridge, post-dating the deposition of the gravels (2.4 Ma), is suggested by several geomorphological observations such as the opposite river migration on each side of the ridge as well as variations of drainage geometry and incision intensity. Geological and geophysical subsurface data indicate that the ridge roughly coincides with the axis of an anticline hidden beneath the Pliocene deposits. The observed uplift is presumably related to a post-2.4 Ma anticline growth. The fact that the azimuth of the hidden anticline axis is parallel to the strike of deep-seated Late Paleozoic basement faults and not to the local strike of the thin-skinned Jura structures indicates that the inferred post-Pliocene deformation could possibly be an expression of a recent thick-skinned deformation of the basement of the northern Alpine foreland. The focal depth (15 km) of the February 24th, 2004, Besançon earthquake supports the hypothesis of a basement fault reactivation.

scholarly journals Thrust tectonics in the central part of the External Hellenides, the case of the Gavrovo thrust

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 540
Author(s):  
E. Kamberis ◽  
S. Sotiropoulos ◽  
F. Marnelis ◽  
N. Rigakis
Keyword(s):  
Structural Deformation ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
The West ◽  
Thrust Faulting ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt ◽  
Thrust Tectonics ◽  
Extensional Faulting ◽  
Surface Geology ◽  
Flat Geometry

Thrust faulting plays an important role in the structural deformation of Gavrovo and Ionian zones in the central part of the ‘External Hellenides’ fold-and-thrust belt. The Skolis mountain in NW Peloponnese as well as the Varassova and Klokova mountains in Etoloakarnania are representative cases of ramp anticlines associated with the Gavrovo thrust. Surface geology, stratigraphic data and interpretation of seismic profiles indicate that it is a crustal-scale thrust acted throughout the Oligocene time. It is characterized by a ramp-flat geometry and significant displacement (greater than 10 km). Out of sequence thrust segmentation is inferred in south Etoloakarnania area. Down flexure and extensional faulting in the Ionian zone facilitated the thrust propagation to the west. The thrust emplacement triggered halokenetic movement of the Triassic evaporites in the Ionian zone as well as diapirisms that were developed in a later stage in the vicinity of the Skolis mountain.

The Franklinian Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element, North Greenland

2021 ◽  
pp. M57-2020-6
Author(s):  
John R. Hopper ◽  
Jon R. Ineson
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flow ◽  
Passive Margin ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Good Source ◽  
Petroleum Potential ◽  
The North ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt ◽  
North Greenland ◽  
Mixed Carbonate

AbstractThe Franklinian margin composite tectono-sedimentary element (CTSE) in North Greenland is dominated by Neoproterozoic - lowermost Devonian sedimentary strata that include early syn-rift through passive margin TSEs of mixed carbonate and siliciclastic facies. The sedimentary successions are well exposed in much of northern Greenland, but locally were strongly affected by the Ellesmerian Orogeny, resulting in a fold and thrust belt that deformed the northernmost exposures. An exposed palaeo-oilfield attests to the petroleum potential of the basin. Several formations have good source potential and several others have good reservoir properties. Palaeo-heat flow indicators show that temperatures increase to the north, where much of the basin is over-mature. Because of the remoteness of the area and the restricted locations where petroleum potential is likely to remain, the basin is not currently a target for exploration.

Improving 2D seismic interpretation in challenging settings by integration of restoration techniques: A case study from the Jura fold-and-thrust belt (Switzerland)

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. SAA37-SAA58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Malz ◽  
Herfried Madritsch ◽  
Jonas Kley
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Lower Triassic ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Jura Mountains ◽  
Northern Switzerland ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt

The structural geologic interpretation of reflection seismic data is affected by conceptual uncertainty, particularly in challenging onshore settings. This uncertainty can be significantly reduced by the integration of cross-section restoration and balancing techniques into the seismic interpretation workflow. Moreover, these techniques define a solid and comprehensive basis, grounding the interpretation and allowing a closer investigation of the deformation history that led to the interpreted structures. These benefits are demonstrated on the basis of a case study from the eastern Jura Mountains in northern Switzerland. This mountain range was formed by a thin-skinned foreland fold-and-thrust belt with a multiphase prethrusting tectonic history. Despite significant seismic acquisition and processing efforts, seismic imaging of the strongly deformed parts of the belt widely remains ambiguous. We have developed a detailed systematic interpretation workflow that is exemplified here for a single seismic profile across the Jura Main Thrust. Classical cross-section balancing techniques of equal bed lengths and areas were applied to validate and reinterpret the given seismic interpretation. Our results suggest that most of the observed structures resulted from thin-skinned deformation along a basal décollement in Lower Triassic evaporites, which is generally inferred for the Jura Mountains. Nevertheless, secondary detachment levels in above lying strata have to be considered as well. The stepwise restoration of the analyzed cross section points toward different styles of thin-skinned deformation and possibly several episodes of earlier basement-rooted faulting events, which are indicated by subtle stratigraphic thickness changes. In summary, our workflow allowed us to significantly improve the original seismic interpretation, highlight specific deformation styles, and illuminate possible prethrusting deformation events that would otherwise be easily overlooked.

The 2020 Mw 6.0 Jiashi Earthquake: Coinvolvement of Thin-Skinned Thrusting and Basement Shortening in Shaping the Keping-Tage Fold-and-Thrust Belt in Southwestern Tian Shan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqing He ◽  
Teng Wang ◽  
Lihua Fang ◽  
Li Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Surface Deformation ◽  
Reverse Fault ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Coulomb Stress Changes ◽  
The North ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt ◽  
Stress Changes ◽  
Mountain Front ◽  
Tear Fault ◽  
Tian Shan

Abstract The Keping-tage fold-and-thrust belt in southwest Tian Shan is seismically active, yet the most well-recorded earthquakes occurred south of the mountain front. The lack of large earthquakes beneath the fold-and-thrust belt thus hinders our understanding of the orogenic process to the north. The 2020 Mw 6.0 Jiashi earthquake is an important event with surface deformation in the fold-and-thrust belt well illuminated by Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, providing an opportunity to study the present-day kinematics of the thrust front through the analysis of satellite measurements of surface deformations. Here, we employ the surface deformation and relocated aftershocks to investigate the fault-slip distribution associated to this event. Further added by an analysis of Coulomb stress changes, we derive a fault model involving slips on a shallow, low-angle (∼10°) north-dipping thrust fault as well as on a left-lateral tear fault and a high-angle south-dipping reverse fault in mid-crust. Aftershocks at depth reflect the basement-involved shortening activated by a thin-skinned thrust faulting event. In addition, this earthquake uplifted the southernmost mountain front with relatively low topography, indicating the basin-ward propagation of the southwest Tian Shan.

scholarly journals How the presence of a salt décollement in the sedimentary cover influences the behavior of subsalt thrusts in fold-and-thrust belts

2017 ◽  
Vol 188 (6) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno C. Vendeville ◽  
Tang Pengcheng ◽  
Fabien Graveleau ◽  
Huang Shaoying ◽  
Xin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Sedimentary Cover ◽  
Critical Surface ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Surface Slope ◽  
Deformation Front ◽  
Low Viscosity ◽  
Thrust Belts ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt ◽  
Analogue Experiments ◽  
Free Domain

We conducted a series of analogue experiments on shortening of a brittle cover (dry sand) above a deep, thin, frictional detachment (glass microbeads). In some experiments, the cover was homogeneous, entirely brittle. In others, there was a thin viscous silicone layer (representing salt) embedded at mid height into the cover, and initially located in the foreland of the fold-and-thrust belt. Our goal was to determine whether or not the presence of such a décollement in the cover could have an impact on the mechanics and kinematics of the underlying subsalt thrusts. Results confirm that, once the front of the foldbelt reached the hinterland salt pinch out, the kinematics of the deeper belt changed drastically: its front stopped propagating forward, and most of the subsequent shortening was accommodated by a larger-than-normal slip along the foremost and youngest deep thrust, while, above the salt décollement, the deformation front propagated very fast, creating a very low surface slope. We hypothesize that it is the gentle sub-critical surface slope associated with rocksalt’s low viscosity that prevents the build-up of an overall surface slope steep enough to allow the underlying, deep foldbelt to continue propagating forward. Finally, one experiment in which only one half of the width of the model comprised an interbedded viscous décollement has shown that the kinematics of the deep thrust was affected even in the adjacent salt-free domain.

scholarly journals The Mineralization and Structural Geology of the Porphyry Copper Deposits of Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-136
Author(s):  
Syed Tallataf Hussain Shah ◽  
Nangyal Ghani Khan ◽  
Muhammad Imran Hafeez Abbasi ◽  
Kamran Tabassum ◽  
Syed Khaizer Wahab Shah
Keyword(s):  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Island Arc ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Porphyry Copper Deposits ◽  
Copper Deposits ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
The North ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt ◽  
Late Tertiary

The purpose of this review is to shed light on copper deposits found in different regions of Pakistan. The geological attributes of copper deposits have been considered with their tectonic context. The porphyry copper deposits can be traced in Pakistan from the north through Kohistan Island Arc (KIA) up to the south to Chaghi Magmatic Arc (CMA). These deposits are mainly found in and around the Late Tertiary–Early Tertiary Himalayan Belt, Kohistan magmatic arc, Karakorum Block Foreland fold and thrust belt, Ophiolite Thrust belt, Suture zone and Chaghi Magmatic Arc. These deposits in Pakistan are chiefly established in different episodes of tectonic regimes, including subduction processes, oceanic island arc, continental arc, along with Chaman- OrnachNal Fault system and post-collisional settings.

scholarly journals Seismicity and the State of Stress in the Dezful Embayment, Zagros Fold and Thrust Belt

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 254
Author(s):  
Ali Yaghoubi ◽  
SeyedBijan Mahbaz ◽  
Maurice B. Dusseault ◽  
Yuri Leonenko
Keyword(s):  
Stress State ◽  
Sedimentary Cover ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Focal Mechanisms ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Reverse Fault ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Dezful Embayment ◽  
State Of Stress ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt

This study focuses on determining the orientation and constraining the magnitude of present-day stresses in the Dezful Embayment in Iran’s Zagros Fold and Thrust Belt. Two datasets are used: the first includes petrophysical data from 25 wells (3 to 4 km deep), and the second contains 108 earthquake focal mechanisms, mostly occurring in blind active basement faults (5 to 20 km deep). Formal stress inversion analysis of the focal mechanisms demonstrates that there is currently a compressional stress state ( in the basement. The seismologically determined SHmax direction is 37° ± 10°, nearly perpendicular to the strike of most faults in the region. However, borehole geomechanics analysis using rock strength and drilling evidence leads to the counterintuitive result that the shallow state of stress is a normal/strike-slip regime. These results are consistent with the low seismicity level in the sedimentary cover in the Dezful Embayment, and may be evidence of stress decoupling due to the existence of salt layers. The stress state situation in the field was used to identify the optimally oriented fault planes and the fault friction coefficient. This finding also aligns with the prediction Coulomb faulting theory in that the N-S strike-slip basement Kazerun Fault System has an unfavorable orientation for slip in a reverse fault regime with an average SW-NE SHmax orientation. These results are useful for determining the origin of seismic activity in the basin and better assessing fault-associated seismic hazards in the area.

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