Variation of the present-day stress field within the North German Basin—insights from thin shell FE modeling based on residual GPS velocities

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The recent evolution of the north German Basin (NGB), which is presently a low-seismic area, was partly affected by glacial loading and unloading of the ice masses. Major stresses acting within the NGB are induced by the North-Atlantic ridge push, the ongoing Alpine collision, and the post-glacial rebound of Fennoscandia. Present-day horizontal stresses within the NGB are directed generally NW-SE, but fan and bend north of 52°N towards NNE. Major basement faults are directed NW-SE, minor faults NE-SW and NNE-SSW, and are clearly detectable in geomorphological and satellite lineaments. Furthermore, the drainage pattern and the distribution of lakes in northern Germany follow exactly block boundaries and, hence, mark zones of present-day subsidence. The understanding of the post-glacial morphology and reactivation of faults requires a view into the very heterogeneous crust and upper mantle below the NGB. The re-adjustment of the individual fault blocks during postglacial relaxation of the lithosphere leads to differential, crust-dependent uplift and, probably, to the formation of Urstrom valleys. The Urstrom valleys and terminal moraines in northern Germany appear to parallel the major tectonic lineaments and lithospheric ''block'' boundaries. The lithospheric memory is expressed in the post-glacial landscape evolution of the NGB.

Section: Recent Stressesmentioning

confidence: 62%

Section: Recent Stressesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The post-glacial landscape evolution of the North German Basin: morphology, neotectonics and crustal deformation

Reicherter

Kaiser

Stackebrandt

2005

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“…Within the Oldensworth Trough the centre of deposition during the time period Upper Paleocene to Middle Miocene was constantly located in the northwest of the salt structure Oldensworth (Baldschuhn et al 1996). Causes for the development of Tertiary diapirism, depocentres and their migration need to be discussed in the context of plate tectonic processes and consequent lithospheric stresses (Anzidei 2001;Devoti 2002;Zoback 1992;Fuchs and Mu¨ller 2001;Ziegler 1990;Kaiser et al 2005;Scherneck et al 1998). Nevertheless, we observe recent movement potential in these depocentres, most likely caused by ongoing subsidence and diapirism.…”

Section: Late Tertiary Depocentresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantification of recent movement potentials in Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) by GIS-based calculation of correlation coefficients

Lehné

Sirocko

2005

In order to investigate connections between deep tectonic and halokinetic structures and the development of recent topography, GIS-based calculation of correlation coefficients was carried out between different stratigraphic horizons of the deep Northwest German Basin (NGB) according to the ''Geotektonischer Atlas von NW-Deutschland'' and surface topography of Schleswig-Holstein. The results show seven areas of high correlation that are traceable from the Base Zechstein up to the recent surface topography. Five areas with high correlation are connected to NNE-SSW trending salt structures within the Glu¨ckstadt Trough, i.e. the area of the salt domes Oldensworth, Tellingstedt, Eisendorf and, to the north of Hamburg, the area of the salt domes Elmshorn and Sievershu¨tten. Two areas, however, with NW-SE trending high correlation are located in the northwest (restricted to the Westschleswig Block) and the northeast (south of Fehmarn) outside the Glu¨ckstadt Trough. These NW-SE trending correlation areas are not related to known salt structures and/or faults but match the general orientation of faults in the NGB.

“…Due to the superposition of all these distinctive elements, the CEBS shows a very complex structural setting. Regarding basin evolution, new information is now available concerning crustal and shallow mantle structures as derived from gravity modelling (Yegorowa et al submitted), deep seismic experiments (MONA-LISA Group 1997; DEKORP- BASIN Group 1999), seismic tomography (Gregersen et al 2002), structural crustal modelling (Gemmer and Nielsen 2001;ScheckWenderoth and Lamarche 2005), and stress field modelling (Kaiser et al 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to understand the interconnections between these elements we did not introduce any pre-defined faults in the models like in other studies (Kaiser et al 2005). However, we relied on previous numerical results in choosing the material parameters and the boundary conditions (Marotta and Sabadini 2003;Marotta et al 2004;Marotta 2005;Yegorova et al submitted;Scheck-Wenderoth et al 2002;ScheckWenderoth and Lamarche 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strain localization due to structural in-homogeneities in the Central European Basin System

Cacace

Bayer

Marotta

2007

The large-scale crustal deformations observed in the Central European Basin System (CEBS) are the result of the interplay between several controlling factors, among which lateral rheological heterogeneities play a key role. We present a finite-element integral thin sheet model of stress and strain distribution within the CEBS. Unlike many previous models, this study is based on thermo-mechanical data to quantify the impact of lateral contrasts on the tectonic deformation. Elasto-plastic material behaviour is used for both the mantle and the crust, and the effects of the sedimentary fill are also investigated. The consistency of model results is ensured through comparisons with observed data. The results resemble the present-day dynamics and kinematics when: (1) a weak granite-like lower crust below the Elbe Fault System is modelled in contrast with a stronger lower crust in the area extending north of the Elbe Line throughout the Baltic region; and (2) a transition domain in the upper mantle is considered between the shallow mantle of the Variscan domain and the deep mantle beneath the East European Craton (EEC), extending from the Elbe Line in the south till the Tornquist Zone. The strain localizations observed along these structural contrasts strongly enhance the dominant role played by large structural domains in stiffening the propagation of tectonic deformation and in controlling basin formation and evolution in the CEBS. AbstractThe large-scale crustal deformations observed in the Central European Basin System (CEBS) are the result of the interplay between several controlling factors, among which lateral rheological heterogeneities play a key role. We present a finite-element integral thin sheet model of stress and strain distribution within the CEBS. Unlike many previous models, this study is based on thermomechanical data to quantify the impact of lateral contrasts on the tectonic deformation. Elastoplastic material behaviour is used for both the mantle and the crust, and the effects of the sedimentary fill are also investigated. The consistency of model results is ensured through comparisons with observed data. The results resemble the present-day dynamics and kinematics when: (1) a weak granite-like lower crust below the Elbe Fault System is modelled in contrast with a stronger lower crust in the area extending north of the Elbe Line throughout the Baltic region; and (2) a transition domain in the upper mantle is considered between the shallow mantle of the Variscan domain and the deep mantle beneath the East European Craton (EEC), extending from the Elbe Line in the south till the Tornquist Zone. The strain localizations observed along these structural contrasts strongly enhance the dominant role played by large structural domains in Manuscript Click here to download Manuscript: Paper-Cacace.doc 2 stiffening the propagation of tectonic deformation and in controlling basin formation and evolution in the CEBS.