Geometry and rate of faulting in the North Baikal Rift, Siberia

Abstract

Abstract. We present a detailed morphotectonic analysis of late Quaternary faulting in the North Baikal Rift (NBR), a region characterized by ranges and basins distributed over more than 800 km along strike in eastern Siberia. Remote sensing techniques (SPOT, METEOR scenes, and aerial photographs) are used to map the active fault network which displays a general en mm yr 4 across the NBR, a rate close to the one found in the southern rift from Global Positioning System measurements. We then compare directions of slip vectors from Holocene field data and slip directions from earthquake fault plane solutions: although local discrepancies appear, the mean directions of lesser horizontal stress ((53) inverted from theses values are -N130øE and-N155øE, respectively, which are comparable within uncertainties and favor a rifting obliquity of-300-40 ø. Extrapolating our Holocene rates, we estimate basin ages younger than those generally believed (less than 7 Ma) and propose a spatial and temporal evolution of rifted basins consistent with experimental models of oblique rifting. Total amounts of extension and vertical throw (-7 and -12 km, respectively) across major faults appear rather constant from the central to the northern rift. These results favor a progressive development of asymmetric grabens in a rift zone that widens with times and they indicate a strong rheological control on deformation which seems enhanced by other contributions than the far-field effects of the Indo-Eurasian collision.

The time scales of continental rifting: Implications for global processes

“…Initially discrete border-fault segments interact and are mechanically connected through transfer faults and relay ramps oriented obliquely to the strikes of border faults (e.g., Larsen, 1988;Morley and Nelson, 1990;Walsh and Watterson, 1991;Peacock and Sanderson, 1994). Rift segments may grow or link through along-axis propagation and interaction of faults and magmatic plumbing systems (e.g., Ebinger et al, 1989;Densmore et al, 2004;San'kov et al, 2000San'kov et al, , 2009Beutel et al, 2010;Allken et al, 2012). Transfer fault zone geometries may change, or be abandoned, during linkage (e.g., Morley and Nelson, 1990;Schlische, 1993;Cartwright et al, 1995;Densmore et al, 2007).…”

Remote sensing data analysis for mapping active faults in the northwestern part of Kangra Valley, NW Himalaya, India

“…It is now widely accepted that seismicity is generally associated with the generation as well as reactivation of active faults (Armijo et al 1996, San'kov et al 2000, Ganas et al 2001, 2004, Karakhanian et al 2002, Hooper et al 2003, Kaya et al 2004, and references therein). Identification of active faults that have moved during the Holocene also helps in assessing whether tectonic movements are likely to occur Remote sensing data analysis for active faults in NW Himalaya 4753 in the future, cause seismicity, and ascertain the seismic risk in the surroundings.…”

“…Remote sensing provides synoptic coverage of large areas using quantitative observational parameters such as spectral radiance and is thus a potentially rich source of information on landforms, land cover, and identification of tectonic features. Remote sensing techniques and DEM-based studies have been used successfully in the field of tectonic geomorphology and active faults by many workers (Armijo et al 1996, Philip 1996, San'kov et al 2000, Karakhanian et al 2002, Ganas et al 2005, and references therein). Many sitespecific studies have also been carried out by earlier workers.…”

The Digital Map of the Pliocene–quaternary Crustal Faults in the Southern East Siberia and the Adjacent Northern Mongolia

“…Это предполагает обобщение материалов, полученных при более детальных исследованиях, а также рас-смотрение уже существующих карт, которые могут значительно различаться между собой. Для регио-на юга Восточной Сибири и сопредельных терри-торий существует более двухсот публикаций [Solonenko, 1965[Solonenko, , 1979[Solonenko, , 1981Bulnaev et al, 1975;Sherman, 1977;Ruzhich, 1972Ruzhich, , 1980Ruzhich, , 1997Zamaraev et al, 1979;Sherman et al, 1973Sherman et al, , 1980Sherman et al, , 1992Logachev, 1984;Bulgatov et al, 1978;Solonenko, Mandelbaum, 1985;Khilko et al, 1985;Khrenov, 1982;Sankov et al, 1991;San'kov et al, 2000;Seminsky, 2003;Seminsky et al, 2005;Lunina et al, 2009Lunina et al, , 2012aLunina et al, , 2015Parfeevets, San'kov, 2006;Arzhannikova, Arzhannikov, 2014;Chipizubov, 2007;и мн. др.…”