Intraplate strike-slip deformation belts

Abstract

Intraplate strike-slip deformation belts are typically steeply-dipping structures that develop in both oceanic and continental lithosphere where they form some of the largest and most spectacular discontinuities found on Earth. In both modern and ancient continental settings, intraplate strike slip deformation belts are of major importance in accommodating horizontal displacements where they additionally form very persistent zones of weakness that substantially influence the rheological behaviour of the lithosphere over very long time periods (up to 1 Ga or more). These deformation zones provide a fundamental geometric, kinematic and dynamic link between the more rigid plate-dominated tectonics of the oceans and the non-rigid, complex behaviour of the continents. During convergence, they help to transfer major displacements deep into the plate interiors. During divergence, they act as transfer zones that segment rifts, passive continental margins and, ultimately, oceanic spreading ridges. Such belts are also of great economic importance, controlling the location of many destructive earthquakes, offshore and onshore hydrocarbon deposits and metalliferous ore deposits. In the oceans, intraplate strike-slip movements are relatively minor along transform-related fracture zones, but there are an increasing number of documented examples that may reflect spatial and temporal variations in spreading rate along individual active ridge segments.

Lineament Domain of Regional Strike-Slip Corridor: Insight from the Neogene Transtensional De Geer Transform Fault in NW Spitsbergen

“…Its shear zone extends laterally up to the western coasts of Spitsbergen in a scenario similar to that proposed by the authors (e.g., STORTI et al 2003;DUBBINI et al 2010;CIAN-FARRA and SALVINI 2013b). This differs from the general knowledge on transform faults, which considers them as merely passive dislocations that accommodate relative movements between offset ridge segments in ocean plate regions.…”

“…A clear case is represented by the regional strike-slip corridors that separate regional blocks including the transform faults (e.g., MOLNAR et al 1999;STORTI et al 2003). These shear corridors are characterized by widths up to hundreds of kilometers as in the San Andreas fault system (FEIGL et al 1993;WAKABAYASHI 1999).…”

Geometría, estructuras y evolución de la terminación occidental de los relieves del Orógeno Alpino-Pirenaico (NO Península Ibérica)

“…The proposed model agrees with the activity of these strikeslip corridors during the southward emplacement of the Cantabrian Mountains, this tectonic style is well known where thrust belts turn or curve, producing large strike-slip corridors into the foreland, as is the case in the Himalayas (e.g. Molnar and Taponier, 1975;Shen et al, 2001;Storti et al, 2003). But these corridors are not the main responsible for the Galaico Leoneses-Mountain uplift that take place later (Fig.…”

Tectonics of strike-slip restraining and releasing bends

“…The brief discussion below is meant to summarize key W. D. CUNNINGHAM & P. MANNresults and conclusions of each study, without being exhaustive. In addition to this volume, the reader is referred to several other important volumes which cover related topics of strike-slip fault tectonics (Sylvester 1988); continental transpressional and transtensional tectonics ; intraplate strike-slip deformation belts (Storti et al 2003); strike-slip deformation, basin formation and sedimentation ; and continental wrench tectonics and hydrocarbon habitat (Harding 1985;Zolnai 1991).…”