Formation of fault-related calcite precipitates and their implications for dating fault activity in the East Anatolian and Dead Sea fault zones

Abstract

Fault-related calcite precipitates taken from different segments along the East Anatolian (SE Turkey) and Dead Sea (Israel) fault zones were investigated structurally, geochemically and geochronologically. The results indicate major differences in the nature of calcite precipitates and temporal relationship to faulting. In the Düziçi Fault, calcite-filled veins and hydraulic fractures precipitated co-seismically during three consecutive faulting events. Calcite precipitated in veins at the Har Zefiyya Fault was controlled by near-surface karst processes. Initial opening of the veins occurred prior to about 500 ka and may represent the onset of an east-west contractional deformation. In the Carmel Fault Zone the calcite coating the fault plane precipitated by karst processes, with no evidence of subsequent deformation. Calcite fault gouge from the same site are a mix of host-rock gouge and newly formed authigenic calcite, and their overall geochemistry suggests pervasive fluid-rock interaction in the fault zone. In the Baraq Fault Zone the precipitation of calcite within syntectonic tension gashes and veins occurred prior to 540 ka by the pervasive infiltration of meteoric water into the fault zone. The results demonstrate that geochemical and structural analyses, combined with U-Th geochronology, can shed light on co-seismic and interseismic fault activity, and can potentially provide precise age constraints on the timing of brittle deformation.

Strain Field Associated With a Component of Divergent Motion Along the Southern Dead Sea Fault: Insights From Magnetic Fabrics

“…In addition, Levi () based on analysis of a large number of joint sets in Eocene rocks suggested that NNE–SSW SH max and N–S SH max directions are local strain fields associated with the Pleistocene normal motion along the Zihor‐Zehiha‐Baraq segments and the local extensional strain component near the DSF. This is consistent with U‐Th ages of calcite veins (Nuriel et al, ) and morphotectonic analysis (Avni et al, ), indicating activity of ~400 ka along the Baraq Fault. The N–S SH max direction, indicated by the diamagnetic subfabrics, explains both the increase of transtension along the DSF and the young (<1 Ma) normal activity along the Zihor‐Zehiha‐Baraq segments.…”

“…Seismic data indicates a ~9‐km‐wide graben between Arava and Zofar faults that is filled by a few kilometers of Miocene continental beds (Frieslander, ). The study area is bounded by the NE‐SW trending Zihor‐Zehiha‐Baraq faults (Avni et al, ; Levi, ), whose Pleistocene activity was dated to 400 Ka (Nuriel et al, ). The ~W–E trending Paran Fault, which crosses the region, was active from early Miocene (Bartov, ; Sakal, ) to early Pleistocene (Calvo, ).…”

Spatiotemporal history of fluid-fault interaction in the Hurricane fault zone, western USA

“…Although not the primary objective of this paper, the calcite vein textures in context of the preliminary geochronological results warrant a brief discussion. The vein wall breccias and laminated calcite veins observed along the Hurricane Fault share similar characteristics to those in other major fault zones that have been attributed to co-460 seismic or post-seismic sealing (e.g., Nuriel et al, 2011;Nuriel et al, 2012). These fracture openings filled with laminated growth bands of fibrous calcite crystal are indicative of post-fracture opening sealing (crack-seal cycle) (Ramsay, 1980).…”

Innovations in (U–Th)/He, Fission Track, and Trapped Charge Thermochronometry with Applications to Earthquakes, Weathering, Surface‐Mantle Connections, and the Growth and Decay of Mountains

“…Exhumed fault zones provide a target for dating deformation and a bridge to geophysical and geochemical observations of deformation processes (e.g., Rowe & Griffith, 2015, and references therein). Radioisotopic methods used to place direct temporal constraints on fault slip include 40 Ar/ 39 Ar and K-Ar dating of neoformed, fault gouge clay (Duvall et al, 2011;Fitz-Diaz & van der Pluijm, 2013;Haines & van der Pluijm, 2008;van der Pluijm et al, 2001;van der Pluijm et al, 2006;Vrolijk & van der Pluijm, 1999;Zwingmann & Mancktelow, 2004), muscovite (Pachell & Evans, 2002), and pseudotachylytes (Cosca et al, 2005;Di Vincenzo et al, 2013;Magloughlin et al, 2001;Reimold et al, 1990;Sherlock et al, 2004;Sherlock et al, 2008;Sherlock et al, 2009); and U-Pb and U-Th dating of carbonate and opal (Nuriel et al, 2011(Nuriel et al, , 2012(Nuriel et al, , 2013(Nuriel et al, , 2017(Nuriel et al, , 2019Pagel et al, 2018;Rittner & Muller, 2011;Roberts & Walker, 2016;Uysal et al, 2007;Verhaert et al, 2003;Watanabe et al, 2008).…”