Tectonic evolution in the Wadi Araba Segment of the Dead Sea Rift, South-West Jordan

Abstract

Abstract. This work presents the first palaeostress results obtained from fault-slip data along the eastern margins of the Dead Sea Rift (also named Dead Sea Transform) in South-western Jordan. Stress inversion of the fault-slip data was performed using an improved Right-Dieder method, followed by rotational optimisation. Fault-slip data (totalling 2773) include fault planes, striations and sense of movements, obtained from outcrops ranging in age from Neoproterozoic crystalline basement to Holocene sediments. The data were inverted to determine 88 different palaeostress tensors. Eight palaeostress tensor groups (stages) have been identified, ranging from the Late Neoproterozoic to the Holocene period, and have been correlated with the tectonic evolution of the Dead Sea Rift.The new palaeostress data evidence a general clockwise rotation with time of the S Hmax axis from an E-W trend in the Cretaceous to a N-S trend in the Pleistocene. Two stages can be distinguished in this rotation. The older one marks the change of the S Hmax axis from E-W to NW-SE (about 50 • rotation), and took place in the Miocene. The second one illustrates the changes of the S Hmax axis from NW-SE to NNW-SSE to N-S (38 • rotation), taking place during the Pleistocene (the last 6 Ma). The data also show the appearance of E-W extension in the Late Pleistocene, superimposed on the Dead Sea Stress Field. We therefore suggest that the Dead Sea Rift system formed in a combination of strike-slip and dip-slip movements.

Detection and analysis of morphotectonic features utilizing satellite remote sensing and GIS: An example in SW Jordan

“…The southwestern part of Jordan is an interesting place for a such study because it is bordered by the active deformation of the Wadi Araba Fault (WAF), the southernmost segment of the DSFZ, and has excellent outcrops of a wide variety of Precambrian to Pleistocene rocks. In addition, it displays distinct geomorphological features and has a complex geodynamic evolution because its rocks have been subjected to polyphase regional tectonic deformations (Zain-Eldeen et al, 2002;Radaideh and Melichar, 2015).…”

“…The remaining surface of the study area is largely occupied by the Quaternary deposits, which are mostly made up of lacustrine and alluvial sediments, fluviatile sand, gravel, and conglomerate (Bender, 1975). The tectonic setting of the area has a complex pattern of geodynamic evolution because its rocks have been influenced by multiple superimposed tectonic regimes, including the Turonian to Neogene Syrian Arc deformation and early Miocene rifting and opening of the Red Sea (Zain-Eldeen et al, 2002;Radaideh and Melichar, 2015). It is structurally bounded on the west by the active Wadi Araba fault and contains two main tectonic orientations (folds, and both strike-and dipslip faults) as inferred from mapping and field studies (Fig.…”

Mapping the Dyke Swarms of the Neoproterozoic Basement in Southwestern Jordan Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

“…Therefore, the suites of dykes can be arranged from oldest to youngest as: E-W, NE-SW, N-S and NW-SE respectively. Zaineldeen et al (2002) introduced two sets of dykes intrusion in southwest of Jordan striking NE-SW and N-S with NE-SW striking dykes being the oldest. They gave a minimum age of 570 Ma for the NE-SW striking dykes and caused by NE-SW S Hmax strike-slip extensive regime (transtensive).…”

“…The dyke intrusion was occurred during the second stage of the shield formation. The dykes swarms have been investigated in Jordan by Jarrar et al (1992) and Zaineldeen et al (2002), in Saudi Arabia by Jackson et al (1984), in southern Israel by Beyth et al (1994Beyth et al ( , 1995 and Kessel et al (1998), in Sinai by Friz-Töpfer (1991), Stern and Manton (1987) and in Eastern and Western deserts of Egypt by Stern and Gottfried (1986), Stern and Voegeli (1987), Stern et al (1988), Pudlo and Franz (1994).…”

Developing a Geoinformatic-engineering Stability Modeling Method, using Field Data and GIS Environment: A Case Study from Al Qarara Area in Wadi Musa, Jordan

“…Comprehensive structural studies were based on small-scales or mesostructures ( e.g. Eyal and Reches, 1983;Ron and Eyal 1985;Eyal,1996;Atallah, 1996;Zain Eldeen et al, 2002;Diabat, 1999Diabat, , 2009Diabat, , 2013Diabat et al, 2004). The city of Wadi Musa overlooks Dead Sea Transform Fault System, which affected the topography of the area, and resulted in topographic difference in Wadi Musa with more than 500 m. Consequently, the outcrops of different rock formations from different ages are dominant in the city and its surrounds.…”