Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union
Résumé : International audience
The Yakutat-St. Elias collision in SE Alaska and adjacent Canada represents a prime example of present-day tectonics associated with an indentor corner. Its eastern syntaxis is marked by high exhumation, a sharp structural bend, and strain concentration at the transition from shortening to oblique transpression. Here we present GPS velocity and strain rate fields that cover the syntaxis, including 11 new stations in the core of the St. Elias Mountains. These data are corrected for transient deformation (glacial isostatic adjustment and postseismic and interseismic loading) to produce residual velocities and strain rates representative of long-term tectonics. The main features of these velocity and strain rate fields are a peak in strain rates (strain knot) in the syntaxis at the junction between the main fault systems and a rapid rotation from convergence-parallel to convergence-normal orientations of the velocities and shortening axes around the syntaxis, leading to shortening across the southern Denali Fault. These features are consistent with the strain and tectonic patterns expected near an indentor corner at the transition from shortening to transpression, with a combination of diffuse and localized deformation. The GPS velocities and strain rates show diffuse deformation around the syntaxis, from pure convergence-parallel shortening in the orogenic wedge to oblique extension that accommodates the strain rotation at the front of the syntaxis. This indentor-corner model also results in a near-zero strike-slip rate on the southern Denali Fault and shows no clear evidence for a throughgoing fault hypothesized to link the Fairweather and Totschunda Faults.
ISSN: 0148-0227

hal-01243510
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01243510
DOI : 10.1002/2014JB011842

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Seismological Society of America
Résumé : International audience
The objective of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the relationship between the microseismicity, active tectonics, and crustal structures in the southwest Yukon Territory, Canada, in order to improve seismic‐hazard assessments in this region. We utilize data from a new dense seismic array that was deployed in the southwest Yukon in the summer of 2010. Data from the new seismic array significantly improve the magnitude completeness level in the region from ML 3.0 to 1.0. We analyze 980 events ranging in magnitudes from ML 0.2 to 4.7, at depths from 0 to 35 km. Relocation analysis using the progressive multiple event location shows that seismicity is concentrated in four main areas: (1) Yakutat block northern boundary-Fairweather fault, (2) Duke River fault, (3) southern Denali fault, and (4) a previously unrecognized northeast trending cluster that may highlight a previously unknown active fault. This cluster may contribute to stress and strain transfer inland from the Yakutat block region.
ISSN: 0037-1106

hal-00940935
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00940935
DOI : 10.1785/0120130068

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union
Résumé : International audience
During the GWADASEIS cruise (Lesser Antilles volcanic arc, February–March 2009) a very high resolution (VHR) seismic-reflection survey was performed in order to constrain Late Quaternary to Present faulting. The profiles we obtained evidence frequent " ponding " of reworked sediments in the deepest areas, similar to the deposition of Mediterranean " homogenites ". These bodies are acoustically transparent (few ms t.w.t. thick) and are often deposited on the hanging walls of dominantly normal faults, at the base of scarps. Their thickness appears sufficient to compensate (i.e. bury) co-seismic scarps between successive earthquakes, resulting in a flat and horizontal sea floor through time. In a selected area (offshore Montserrat and Nevis islands), piston coring (4 to 7 m long) was dedicated to a sedimento-logical analysis of the most recent of these particular layers. It corresponds to non-stratified homogenous calcareous silty sand (reworked calcareous plankton and minor volcanoclas-tics). This layer can be up to 2 m thick, and overlies fine-grained hemipelagites. The upper centimeters of the latter represent the normal RedOx water/sediment interface. 210 Pb and 137 Cs activities lack in the massive sands, while a normal profile of unsupported 210 Pb decrease is observed in the hemipelagite below, together with a 137 Cs peak corresponding to the Atmospheric Nuclear Experiments (1962). The RedOx level was thus capped by a recent instantaneous major sedimentary event considered as post-1970 AD; candidate seismic events to explain this sedimentary deposits are either the 16 March 1985 earthquake or the 8 October 1974 one (M w = 6.3 and M w = 7.4, respectively). This leads to consider that the syntectonic sedimentation in this area is not continuous but results from accumulation of thick homogen-ites deposited after the earthquakes (as observed in the following weeks after Haiti January 2010 event, McHugh et al., 2011). The existence of such deposits suggests that, in the area of study, vertical throw likely results from cu-mulated effects of separated earthquakes rather than from aseismic creep. Examination of VHR profiles shows that all major co-seismic offsets are recorded in the fault growth sequence and that co-seismic offsets can be precisely estimated. By using a sedimentation rate deduced from 210 Pb decrease curve (0.5 mm yr −1) and taking into account minor reworking events detected in cores, we show that the Redonda system may have been responsible for five > M 6 events during the last 34 000 yr. The approach presented in this work differs from fault activity analyses using displaced sets of isochronous surfaces and postulating co-seismic offsets. Combining VHR seismic imagery and coring we can decipher co-seismic vs. slow continuous displacement, and thus actually estimate the amplitude and the time distribution of major co-seismic offsets.
Natural Hazards and Earth System Science

insu-01585969
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01585969
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01585969/document
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01585969/file/nhess-12-1755-2012-beck.pdf
DOI : 10.5194/nhess-12-1755-2012

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD The Geochemical Society of Japan
Résumé : International audience
The Western Cordillera of Ecuador consists of Cretaceous crustal fragments of oceanic plateaux and superimposed insular arcs, which were accreted to the northwestern South American margin during the Late Cretaceous and Paleocene. Slices of high-grade metabasites, ultramafic rocks, gabbros and basalts, unmetamorphosed radiolarian cherts and scarce garnet-bearing metasediments were randomly exhumed along Miocene to Recent transcurrent faults crosscutting the Western Cordillera. The basalts show geochemical characteristics of oceanic plateau basalts (flat REE patterns, La/Nb = 0.85). The gabbros differ from the basalts in having lower REE levels, positive Eu anomalies, and negative Nb and Ta anomalies; they are interpreted as resulting from arc magmatism. The amphibolites and banded amphibolites have major and trace element chemistry similar to that of oceanic plateau basalts (flat REE patterns, La/Nb = 0.86) or to cumulate gabbros. The granulite shares with oceanic plateaus similar trace element chemistry (flat REE patterns, La/Nb < 1) and εNdi values (+7.6). Continent-derived metasediments are depleted in heavy REE (La/Y = 4.8) and have a negative Eu anomaly. Foliated lherzolites, melagabbronorites and pyroxenites consist of serpentinized olivine + cpx + opx ± Ca-plagioclase. Lherzolites, melagabbronorites and pyroxenites are LREE depleted with positive Eu anomalies, while the harzburgite displays a U-shaped REE pattern. The trace element abundances of the ultramafic rocks are very low (0.1 to 1 times the chondritic and primitive mantle values). The ultramafic rocks represent fragments of depleted mantle, deformed cpx-rich cumulate, and continental lithospheric mantle or mantle contaminated by subduction-fluid. Except the scarce quartz-rich metasediments, all these rocks likely represent remnants of accreted oceanic crustal fragments and associated depleted mantle. Since these samples were randomly sampled at depth by the fault, we propose that the Western Cordillera and its crustal root are mainly of oceanic nature.
ISSN: 0016-7002

insu-00679228
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00679228

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The Longmen Shan range is one of the major topographic and structural features of the easternmargin of the Tibetan Plateau. With an impressive topographic gradient and low convergence rates across the range this region has raised important questions concerning the dynamics of plateaumargin settings, such as the long-term mechanisms of topographic evolution. The investigation of the distribution in space and time of denudation can provide critical insight into such dynamics and shed light on still unresolved controversies. For that purpose, we present a new dataset that documents the intensity and distribution of denudation processes across this plateaumargin through field survey of fluvial incision markers, quantitative geomorphology and cosmogenic nuclide derived basin-wide erosion rates. Erosion is < 0.5 mm/year in the frontal region of the Longmen Shan and between 0.5 and 1 mm/year further west, with a gradual decrease when reaching the northern headwaters of the Min Jiang watershed, adjacent to the beginning of the Tibetan Plateau. The spatialdistribution of denudation inferred from the various methods we use suggests that most of the differential uplift in the Central Longmen Shan is accommodated by the Beichuan Fault and frontal structures located in the foothills. The denudation pattern seems also to reflect the large-scale propagation of erosion from the Sichuan Basin toward the Plateau. This suggests that the Longmen Shan range is submitted to the combined influences of slow thrusting activity on the frontal structures and progressive westward regressiveerosion as a probable response to a pulse of uplift of the Tibetan PlateauEasternmargin, that started 10 Ma ago.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-01564192
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01564192
DOI : 10.1016/j.tecto.2009.10.026

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
We present results of a geomorphological and morphotectonic analysis of the northeastern part of the Rif. We show that the present day kinematics of the Rif is characterized by active deformation along the Trougout and Nekor faults in the North-East. Digital Elevation Models of offset drainage features (streams, fluvial terraces) allow determining a normal-left-lateral motion along the Trougout fault and a left-lateral strike-slip motion along the Nekor fault. Preliminary 3He cosmogenic dates of tectonic markers yield vertical and horizontal slip rates of ∼0.9 mm/yr and ∼0.5 mm/yr, respectively along the Trougout fault. The present-day localized transtension seen in the north-eastern Rif morphology (Ras Tarf) is coeval with uplifted marine terraces near the Al Hoceima Bay. U/Th dating of shells yield an average uplift rate of ∼0.2 mm/yr during the past 500 ka. These data show that active transtension in the northeastern Rif is also associated with uplift. These new morphotectonic constraints are consistent with the GPS measurements showing southwestward overall motion of most of the Rif belt with respect to stable Africa.
ISSN: 0264-3707

hal-01053492
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01053492
DOI : 10.1016/j.jog.2014.01.004

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Résumé : International audience
Detailed seafloor mapping in the area east of Taiwan revealed trench-parallel stretching and folding of the Ryukyu forearc and lateral motion of the accretionary wedge under oblique convergence. East of 122ø40'E, a steep accretionary wedge is elongated in an E-W direction. A major transcurrent right-lateral strike-slip fault accommodates the strain partitioning caused by an oblique convergence of 40 ø. A spectacular out-of-sequence thrust may be related to the subduction of a structural high lying in the axis of the N-S trending Gagua Ridge. This asperity is likely responsible for the uplift of the accretionary wedge and forearc basement and may have augmented strain partitioning by increasing the coupling between the two plates. West of 122ø40'E, the low-taper accretionary wedge is sheared in a direction subparallel to the convergence vector with respect to the Ryukyu Arc. The bayonet shape of the southern Ryukyu Arc slope partly results from the recent (re)opening of the southern Okinawa Trough at a rate of about 2 to 4 cm/yr. Right-lateral shearing of the sedimentary forearc with respect to the nonlinear Ryukyu backstop generates trench-parallel extension in the forearc sediment sequence at dilational jogs and trench-parallel folding at compressive jogs. The Hoping Basin lies above a diffuse trench/trench/fault (TTF) or TFF unstable triple junction moving toward the south along a N-S transform zone which accommodates the southward drift of the Ryukyu Arc with respect to Eurasia.
ISSN: 0278-7407

hal-01261555
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01261555
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01261555/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01261555/file/Lallemand_et_al-1999-Tectonics.pdf
DOI : 10.1029/1998TC900011

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union
Résumé : International audience
In Taiwan, about one third of the lithospheric plate convergence between Eurasia and the Philippine Sea plate is accommodated on the eastern coast across the narrow Longitudinal Valley (LV). The Longitudinal Valley Fault (LVF) is the main seismically active fault zone in this region. However, the spatial distribution of ground deformation due to interseismic loading on locked fault segments remains widely unknown. To address this problem, we use a "permanent scatterer" (PS) interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) approach for processing the ERS satellite archives. The PS mean velocity maps allow accurately mapping and quantifying the ground deformation all along the LV. Assuming that, close to the surface, the fault plane along the central LVF creeping segment dips 55 degrees to the east, we derive a slip vector at the surface of similar to 25 mm/yr with a mean rake of 70 degrees. In agreement with our PS observations, shallow seismicity indicates a clear change in the fault mechanical behavior of the creeping segment around Fuli town. Finally, we propose a combination of the PS velocity fields for estimating a 3-D map of ground deformation. In the southern part of the LV, the vertical component reveals an uplift of the Coastal Range with respect to the LV of similar to 10 mm/yr. Moreover, between Taitung and Luyeh, the vertical deformation is essentially accommodated along the Luyeh Strand. Finally, north of Rueisuei, the Coastal Range uniformly subsides at similar to 15 mm/yr relative to the western side of the LV. However, a local uplift pattern is detected around latitude 23 degrees 42'.
ISSN: 0148-0227

hal-00595532
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00595532
DOI : 10.1029/2010JB007898

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
In this paper, we determine dislocation core structures and Peierls stresses of wadsleyite, a high-pressure mineral present in the Earth mantle. We use a Peierls-Nabarro model combined with a finite-element method in which we introduce two-dimensional generalized stacking fault energies. Several potential slip planes of wadsleyite are considered. The results show that dislocations in this mineral can exhibit complex dislocation cores with linear or non-collinear dissociation and even three-dimensional dislocation cores. The calculation of the Peierls stresses gives information on the potential activity of slip systems governing the plasticity of wadsleyite. Our study confirms experimental observations that 1/2 < 1 1 1 >{1 0 1} is the easiest slip system in this structure at high-pressure and that [1 0 0](0 1 0) is the second easiest. Both these easily slip systems have dislocations that dissociate into collinear partial dislocations. In contrast [0 1 0] dislocations with very large Burgers vector (11.2 angstrom) are stabilized by complex dissociations involving four partial dislocations.
ISSN: 1359-6454

hal-00475548
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00475548
DOI : 10.1016/j.actamat.2009.10.047

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
This paper aims to present an overview on the influence of rheological heterogeneity and mechanical anisotropy on the deformation of continents. After briefly recapping the concept of rheological stratification of the lithosphere, we discuss two specific issues: (1) as supported by a growing body of geophysical and geological observations, crust=mantle mechanical coupling is usually efficient, especially beneath major transcurrent faults which probably crosscut the lithosphere and root within the sublithospheric mantle; and (2) in most geodynamic environments, mechanical properties of the mantle govern the tectonic behaviour of the lithosphere. Lateral rheological heterogeneity of the continental lithosphere may result from various sources, with variations in geothermal gradient being the principal one. The oldest domains of continents, the cratonic nuclei, are characterized by a relatively cold, thick, and consequently stiff lithosphere. On the other hand, rifting may also modify the thermal structure of the lithosphere. Depending on the relative stretching of the crust and upper mantle, a stiff or a weak heterogeneity may develop. Observations from rift domains suggest that rifting usually results in a larger thinning of the lithospheric mantle than of the crust, and therefore tends to generate a weak heterogeneity. Numerical models show that during continental collision, the presence of both stiff and weak rheological heterogeneities significantly influences the large-scale deformation of the continental lithosphere. They especially favour the development of lithospheric-scale strike-slip faults, which allow strain to be transferred between the heterogeneities. An heterogeneous strain partition occurs: cratons largely escape deformation, and strain tends to localize within or at the boundary of the rift basins provided compressional deformation starts before the thermal heterogeneity induced by rifting are compensated. Seismic and electrical conductivity anisotropies consistently point towards the existence of a coherent fabric in the lithospheric mantle beneath continental domains. Analysis of naturally deformed peridotites, experimental deformations and numerical simulations suggest that this fabric is developed during orogenic events and subsequently frozen in the lithospheric mantle. Because the mechanical properties of single-crystal olivine are anisotropic, i.e. dependent on the orientation of the applied forces relative to the dominant slip systems, a pervasive fabric frozen in the mantle may induce a significant mechanical anisotropy of the whole lithospheric mantle. It is suggested that this mechanical anisotropy is the source of the so-called tectonic inheritance, i.e. the systematic reactivation of ancient tectonic directions; it may especially explain preferential rift propagation and continental break-up along pre-existing orogenic belts. Thus, the deformation of continents during orogenic events results from a trade-off between tectonic forces applied at plate boundaries, plate geometry, and the intrinsic properties (rheological heterogeneity and mechanical anisotropy) of the continental plates.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-01389719
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01389719
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01389719/document
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01389719/file/vauchez_etal_rheology_1998_hal.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/S0040-1951(98)00137-1

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union
Résumé : International audience
We analyze the kinematics of fault tip folding at the front of a fold-and-thrust wedge using a sandbox experiment. The analog model consists of sand layers intercalated with low-friction glass bead layers, deposited in a glass-sided experimental device and with a total thickness h = 4.8 cm. A computerized mobile backstop induces progressive horizontal shortening of the sand layers and therefore thrust fault propagation. Active deformation at the tip of the forward propagating basal décollement is monitored along the cross section with a high-resolution CCD camera, and the displacement field between pairs of images is measured from the optical flow technique. In the early stage, when cumulative shortening is less than about h/10, slip along the décollement tapers gradually to zero and the displacement gradient is absorbed by distributed deformation of the overlying medium. In this stage of detachment tip folding, horizontal displacements decrease linearly with distance toward the foreland. Vertical displacements reflect a nearly symmetrical mode of folding, with displacements varying linearly between relatively well defined axial surfaces. When the cumulative slip on the décollement exceeds about h/10, deformation tends to localize on a few discrete shear bands at the front of the system, until shortening exceeds h/8 and deformation gets fully localized on a single emergent frontal ramp. The fault geometry subsequently evolves to a sigmoid shape and the hanging wall deforms by simple shear as it overthrusts the flat ramp system. As long as strain localization is not fully established, the sand layers experience a combination of thickening and horizontal shortening, which induces gradual limb rotation. The observed kinematics can be reduced to simple analytical expressions that can be used to restore fault tip folds, relate finite deformation to incremental folding, and derive shortening rates from deformed geomorphic markers or growth strata.
ISSN: 2169-9313

hal-00138061
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00138061
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00138061/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00138061/file/Bernard_et_al-2007-Journalsur Geophysical_Research__Solid_Earth_%281978-2012%29.pdf
DOI : 10.1029/2005JB004149

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
Aegean extension is a process driven by slab rollback that, since 45 Ma, shows a twostage evolution. From Middle Eocene to Middle Miocene it is accommodated by localized deformation leading to i) the exhumation of high-pressure metamorphic rocks from mantle to crustal depths, ii) the exhumation of high-temperature rocks in core complexes and iii) the deposition of Paleogene sedimentary basins. Since Middle Miocene, extension is distributed over the whole Aegean domain giving a widespread development of onshore and offshore Neogene sedimentary basins. We reconstructed this two-stage evolution in 3D at Aegean scale by using available ages of metamorphic and sedimentary processes, geometry and kinematics of ductile deformation, paleomagnetic data and available tomographic models. The restorationmodel shows that the rate of trench retreat was around 0.6 cm/y during the first 30 My and then accelerated up to 3.2 cm/y during the last 15 My. The sharp transition observed in the mode of extension, localized versus distributed, which occurred in Middle Miocene correlates with the acceleration of trench retreat and is more likely a consequence of the Hellenic slab tearing documented by mantle tomography. The development of large dextral NE-SW strike-slip faults during the second stage of Aegean extension, since Middle Miocene, is illustrated by the 450 Km-long fault, recently put in evidence, offshore from Myrthes to Ikaria and onshore from Izmir to Balikeshir, in western Anatolia. Therefore, the interaction between the Hellenic trench retreat and the westward displacement of Anatolia started in Middle Miocene,almost 10 Ma before the propagation of the North Anatolian Fault in the North Aegean. This raises a fundamental issue concerning the dynamic relationship between slab tearing and Anatolia displacement
ISSN: 0438-9557

insu-01574659
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01574659
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01574659/document
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01574659/file/EFFECTS_OF_SLAB_ROLLBACK_ACCELERATION_ON_AEGEAN_EX.pdf
DOI : 10.12681/bgsg.11697

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Field study, thermochronology and geochemistry of the east Lungmu Co (LMC) range highlight some of the geological events that shaped western Tibet. The LMC fault zone has long been interpreted as the boundary between the Tianshuihai terrane of Laurasian affinity and the Qiangtang block of Gondwanian affinity. In the LMC range, the Paleozoic series is intruded by the Mangtsa leucogranite whose zircon have a U/Pb age of 116.9 ± 1 Ma and by mafic rocks with U/Pb zircon ages ranging from 116.9 ± 1 to 95.1 ± 1.7 Ma. Geochemistry of the mafic rocks indicates that they have been emplaced in a supra-subduction zone setting, probably the north dipping Nujiang suture zone. 40Ar/39Ar micas ages of the granite indicate that cooling below ~ 350 °C occurred between 105 and 85 Ma. 40Ar/39Ar K-feldspar data suggest a fast cooling event at 60-55 Ma, which we relate to the reactivation of the LMC suture zone as a thrust at the onset of the India-Eurasia collision. The last, and still active, deformation event corresponds to left-lateral strike-slip faulting along the ENE-WSW LMC fault.
ISSN: 1342-937X

hal-00660491
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00660491
DOI : 10.1016/j.gr.2011.07.026

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
The strength of the lithospheric mantle controls the mode of lithosphere deformation: the presence or absence ofa high strength brittle mantle respectively leads to localized or distributed rifting. However, first order geophysicaldata question the existence of such a brittle mantle. Here we use 2-D finite-element large strain modelling toquantify the impact of a ductile localizing mantle – instead of brittle – in triggering continental rifting. As a novelty,the mantle rheology considers the effect of grain boundary sliding during strain-induced grain size reduction,which may promote a significant strength drop and subsequent strain localization at low mantle temperature (<700-800°C). Our results reveal that such ductile localizing mantle implies varying modes of continental rifting thatmainly depend on both the amount of weakening in the ductile mantle and the strength of the lower ductile crust. Amedium to strong lower crust implies coupling between the upper crust and ductile localizing mantle, yielding tonarrow continental rifting. In contrast, a weak lower crust implies decoupling between the upper crust and ductilelocalizing mantle, giving rise to a switch from distributed faulting at incipient strain to localized faulting at largestrain. Ductile strain localization in the lithospheric mantle is therefore sufficient to trigger continental rifting,although a critical amount of weakening is required. Such ductile localizing mantle provides a relevant geologicaland mechanical alternative to the brittle mantle. It moreover provides a wider variety of modes of upper crustalfaulting that are commonly observed in nature.
EGU General Assembly 2014
Vienne, Austria

insu-01565161
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01565161

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Improving the prediction of sub-seismic structures and their petrophysical properties is essential for realistic characterization of deformed sandstone reservoirs. In the present paper, we describe permeability contrasts induced by cataclastic deformation bands and faults in porous sandstones (766 data synthesized from field examples and the literature). We also discuss the influence of several factors, including tectonic regime, presence of a fault, burial depth, host sandstone porosity, and grain size and sorting for their initiation and permeability. This analysis confirms that permeability decrease is as a function of grain-crushing intensity in bands. Permeability reduction ranges from very limited in crush-microbreccia of compaction bands to high permeability reduction in cataclasites and ultracataclasites of shear-dominated bands, band clusters and faults. Tectonic regime, and especially normal-fault regime, with its tendency to localize strain and generate faults, is identified as the most important factor, leading to the formation of cataclastic bands with high permeability contrasts. Moreover, moderate burial depth (1–3 km) favors cataclastic bands with high permeability contrasts with respect to the host sandstone. High porosity, coarse-grain size and good grain sorting can slightly amplify the permeability reductions recorded in bands.
ISSN: 0191-8141

hal-01218408
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01218408
DOI : 10.1016/j.jsg.2015.03.013

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Résumé : International audience
[1] The Pyrenees, north of the North Pyrenean fault, display a complex structure involving a succession of peridotite massifs, basement massifs, and mid-Cretaceous to Late Cretaceous basins located in a narrow domain, which was affected by a mid-Cretaceous, preorogenic, high-temperature, low-pressure metamorphism. The Late Cretaceous basins were interpreted either as pull-apart basins formed during transcurrent motion of Iberia relative to Eurasia or as remnants of a larger extensional basin. Recent models support that peridotite massifs result from the exhumation of the mantle during this preorogenic event. The northern boundary of the Agly basement massif shows evidence of ductile deformation of the basal formations of the Agly sedimentary cover. Macroscopic and microscopic kinematics indicators consistent with asymmetry of crystallographic fabrics suggest normal sense of shear and thus suggest detachment, at least partial, of the Mesozoic cover from its basement. Triassic to Early Cretaceous limestones are mylonitic and consistently shows a foliation, a NS- to NE-trending lineation, shear criteria suggesting top-to-the-north shearing and locally boudinage. At the microscopic scale, mylonites are characterized by a very fine grain size, frequently <10 µm. They contain larger, partially recrystallized calcite parent grains and undeformed quartz grains with calcite fringes crystallized in pressure shadows. In these mylonites, calcite systematically shows a weak but well-defined crystallographic-preferred orientations, suggesting HT dislocation creep combined to diffusion creep and possibly grain boundary sliding in the finest fraction of the mylonites. Paleotemperatures determined using Raman spectrometry suggest synkinematic temperature conditions in the range 340-390°C, in good agreement with observed microstructures and calcite CPO. The mylonitic fabric in Mesozoic limestones is folded by EW-trending Pyrenean folds north of the Agly basement massif, attesting that this fabric formed before the Pyrenean orogeny. These data consistently support preorogenic extension under medium-temperature conditions of the northern Agly massif and likely of the massif itself. Since simultaneously (~100 Ma) a mid-Cretaceous basin opened south of the basement massif, we suggest a model of preorogenic exhumation of the Agly massif in response to the regional extension associated to the rotation of Iberia. This model may explain the exhumation of the North Pyrenean massifs during a single preorogenic event that allowed the opening of extensional basins and the exhumation of the lithospheric mantle. All these structures being subsequently reworked during the Pyrenean orogeny.
ISSN: 0278-7407

hal-00852833
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00852833
DOI : 10.1002/tect.20015

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag
Résumé : International audience
Selected high-resolution seismic-reflection profiles and multibeam bathymetry acquired along the convergent Ecuador margin during the ATACAMES cruise on onboard the R/V L’Atalante (Jan.15–Feb.18, 2012) allow a preliminary evaluation of the neotectonic development and stratigraphic evolution of the margin based on the sismo-stratigraphic analysis of Quaternary sediment preserved on the margin shelf and upper slope. We present three major preliminary results. (1) The evolution of the Esmeraldas, Guayaquil and Santa Elena canyons. The head of the Esmeraldas canyon is the location of a continuous significant sediment transport. The Guayaquil canyon shows several episodes of deposition and incision. Aggrading sedimentation pattern in the canyon records several changes in relative sea-level. The subsidence of the Gulf of Guayaquil probably contributes to the good preservation of the canyon filling stages. The Santa Elena canyon is controlled by a SW–NE trending normal fault. (2) Variations of sediment accumulation and relative vertical motions are shown along-strike the shelf edge. Offshore the uplifted Manta peninsula, a pronounced subsidence of the shelf edge is documented by sedimentary clinoforms that have deposited in a morphological reentrant, and have migrated upslope testifying of a local subsidence meanwhile the adjacent La Plata Island area underwent uplift. In the Esmeraldas canyon area, a local uplift of the shelf is documented. (3) Two neotectonic fault systems with a possible transcurrent component are imaged across the shelf edge and upper margin slope offshore Jama, and Cape Galera. This possible transcurrent motion could be related to the reactivation of ancient faults of the upper plate by the subduction. These preliminary results indicate that the ATACAMES data set has a strong potential to evaluate the spatial and temporal contribution of tectonic and climate changes on the structural development and stratigraphic evolution of the Ecuador continental margin.
ISSN: 0025-3235

insu-01131151
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01131151
DOI : 10.1007/s11001-014-9231-y

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : In this paper, we present optically and infrared stimulated luminescence (OSL and IRSL) ages for four samples from alluvial fan surfaces in the Astaneh Valley. This valley is located in the north-east part of the Alborz range in Iran. Our morphologic interpretations recognize at least three generations of fans in the study area, all of which have been displaced along the left-lateral strike-slip Astaneh fault. Because of the dry, loose, and sometimes complex juxtaposition of the target sediments, we collected the samples in total darkness beneath dark plastic layers placed atop the pit openings. Luminescence ages of the fans are similar to 55 ka, similar to 32 ka and similar to 16 ka. These ages are concurrent with periods of loess deposition and wet climatic conditions previously recorded in the Arabia-Iranian region. They allow estimation of a horizontal slip rate of similar to 2 mm/yr along the Astaneh fault, which is consistent with additional slip rates determined for the Holocene period along faults further west of the Astaneh fault.
ISSN: 1871-1014

hal-00617777
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00617777
DOI : 10.1016/j.quageo.2011.03.001

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
We present new groundmass K–Ar ages obtained using the Cassignol–Gillot technique, together with whole-rock major and trace elements, from Les Saintes islands (Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas). They are located along the northern Lesser Antilles inner arc, between Basse-Terre Island (western Guadeloupe) to the North and Dominica Island to the South. Ages reveal that the main volcanic phase in Terre-de-Haut occurred between 2.98 ± 0.04 and 2.00 ± 0.03 Ma, and show that the onset of sub-aerial volcanism in Terre-de-Haut is slightly older (~ 0.2 Myr) than that of northern Basse-Terre. Volcanism in Les Saintes resumed to the west, with the rapid construction of Terre-de-Bas Island at 0.888 ± 0.009 Ma. Major elements analyses show that most lavas from Les Saintes belong to a sub-alkaline medium-K magmatic series and are mainly andesites, with relatively rare basaltic andesites and dacites. Rare earth elements spectra reveal a strong enrichment in light elements, as observed for Dominica lavas, and significantly higher than observed for Basse-Terre lavas. Noticeably, Terre-de-Bas spectra display more enriched patterns relative to those from Terre-de-Haut lavas, suggesting a lower degree of partial melting or a stronger sedimentary component incorporated to the subducting slab. Overall, geochemical signatures of Les Saintes and Dominica magmas display common characteristics, which we interpret as reflecting strong petrogenetic affinities, while both are significantly different from that of Basse-Terre lavas. Finally, this study provides a precise timing of subaerial volcanism of Les Saintes Islands, which can be used to better constrain through time the development of the tectonic half-graben where these islands lie, which is part of the arc-parallel en-echelon faults system accommodating the oblique convergence of the North American plate from Montserrat to Dominica. In addition, these results reveal that the initiation of Terre-de-Haut volcanism is presently the oldest dated volcanism from the northern part of the Lesser Antilles active arc.
ISSN: 0377-0273

hal-01067336
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01067336

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
In oblique collision settings, parallel and perpendicular components of the relative plate motion can be partitioned into different structures of deformation and may be localized close to the plate boundary, or distributed on a wider region. In the Southern Alps of New Zealand, it has been proposed that one-third of the regional convergence is distributed in a broad area along the Southern Alps orogenic wedge. To better document and understand the regional dynamics of such systems, reliable markers of the horizontal tectonic motion over geological time scales are needed. River networks are able to record a large amount of distributed strain and they can thus be used to reconstruct the mode and rate of distribution away from major active structures. To explore the controls on river resilience to deformation, we develop an experimental model to investigate river pattern evolution over a doubly-vergent orogenic wedge growing in a context of oblique convergence. We use a rainfall system to activate erosion, sediment transport and river development on the model surface. At the end of the experiment, the drainage network is statistically rotated clockwise, confirming that rivers can record the distribution of motion along the wedge. Image analysis of channel time-space evolution shows how the fault-parallel and fault-perpendicular components of motion decrease toward the fault and impose rotation to the main trunk valleys. However, rivers do not record the whole imposed rotation rate, which suggest that the natural lateral channel dynamics can alter the capacity of rivers to act as passive markers of deformation.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-01467564
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01467564
DOI : 10.1016/j.tecto.2016.04.016