Journal of Structural Geology最新文献

{"title":"Reactivation potential of inherited structures on southwestern Grand Banks, Newfoundland, Canada","authors":"Ai Gusti Guna ,&nbsp;Jeremy Rimando ,&nbsp;Alexander L. Peace ,&nbsp;Katsuichiro Goda ,&nbsp;Justiina T.S. Devries","doi":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105414","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105414","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The November 18, 1929, M 7.2 Grand Banks earthquake occurred in the Laurentian Channel near the crest of the continental slope off the eastern coast of Canada. This seismic event, followed by a tsunamigenic landslide, is the largest instrumentally recorded earthquake that has occurred in the region. The event led to 28 confirmed casualties and significant destruction of critical commercial infrastructure and operations, including trans-Atlantic telecommunications cables and coastal facilities serving communities in southern Newfoundland. Despite the significance of this event, there is a limited understanding of the structural setting and neotectonics of the region. Imaging deep structures where the earthquake likely occurred is challenging, but shallow rift-related structures, influenced by deeper faults through structural inheritance, offer valuable insights into this deeper system. Here, we apply this concept through the analysis and interpretation of key regional faults on two-dimensional offshore seismic reflection data. Then, using slip tendency analysis, the reactivation potential of these structures under the present-day stress field was calculated. The analysis shows that regional NW-SE-striking normal faults, dipping at 40°– 60°, have high slip tendency values, offering insights into potentially active fault locations and geometries that support seismic hazard assessment and earthquake scenario modeling to assess impacts on populations and assets in southern Newfoundland.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Structural Geology","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 105414"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Crustal deformation studies in Jammu Himalaya using PSInSAR technique","authors":"Ajay Kumar Taloor ,&nbsp;Girish Ch Kothyari","doi":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Jammu Himalaya lies within the deformation zone affected by the 1905 Kangra and 2005 Kashmir earthquakes, where continuous micro-seismic activity has been observed. To understand the patterns of active crustal deformation, Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSInSAR) and stream power law equations have been applied to analyse the brittle crust of the Tawi Basin in the northwestern Himalaya. The PSInSAR-based results reveal that from 2017 to 2020, the region experienced active surface deformation with a mean velocity of +16 to −18 mm/yr and a standard deviation of 0–5 mm/yr. These rates align with previous Global Positioning System (GPS) base geodetic arc normal observations (11.2 ± 3.8 mm/yr to 14 ± 2 mm/yr) in the northwest Himalaya. The PSInSAR data show Line of Sight (LoS) displacements ranging from +45 mm to −50 mm, with negative values indicating tectonic subsidence, mass wasting, and erosion, while positive values suggest uplift and sediment deposition. The LoS displacement varied between −50 mm and +40 mm to the south and north of the Mandili-Kishanpur Thrust (MKT), respectively, and these values are consistent with the observed Gradient Length Anomalies (GLA). Crustal deformation is notably high in the hilly and mountainous regions, with knickpoint analysis indicating that uplift associated with crustal shortening contributes to the development of knickpoints. Further, the Tawi river basin in the northwestern Himalayan region is prone to landslides, with high steep slopes in the northern part of the Main Central Thrust (MCT) and Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) zones, being particularly vulnerable, and footwall subsidence to the south potentially linked to active thrust faulting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Structural Geology","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 105405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143843328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correlation between cumulative horizontal extension and strike-slip displacement in releasing bends: Discrete element analysis","authors":"Lunyan Wei ,&nbsp;Guiting Hou ,&nbsp;Shangxin Wu ,&nbsp;Jinkai Xia","doi":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105406","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105406","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Releasing bends are structural features formed by localized extension along strike-slip fault systems. Synclines, pull-apart basins, and extensional strike-slip duplexes develop mainly at releasing bends. Exploring the correlation between strike-slip displacement and cumulative horizontal extension displacement of transtensional structures could be useful for estimating strike-slip displacement when horizontal extension displacement (horizontal fault offsets of en echelon normal faults) is known. The formation and evolution of the releasing bend can be effectively simulated by 2D particle discrete element method. The microscopic parameters of the particles, such as effective modulus and stiffness ratio, are calibrated to model Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. Six setups of simple strike-slip geometry and releasing bend geometries with different fault separations (the distances between adjacent faults) are then designed. The modelling results reveal a quantitative correlation between the strike-slip displacement L, the cumulative horizontal extension displacement <span><math><mrow><munderover><mo>∑</mo><mn>1</mn><mi>n</mi></munderover><mfrac><msub><mi>T</mi><mi>i</mi></msub><mrow><mi>sin</mi><mspace></mspace><msub><mi>θ</mi><mi>i</mi></msub></mrow></mfrac></mrow></math></span>, and the fracture propagation angle θ: <span><math><mrow><munderover><mo>∑</mo><mn>1</mn><mi>n</mi></munderover><mfrac><msub><mi>T</mi><mi>i</mi></msub><mrow><mi>sin</mi><mspace></mspace><msub><mi>θ</mi><mi>i</mi></msub></mrow></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mi>k</mi><mo>∗</mo><mi>L</mi></mrow></math></span>. The k value serves as a comprehensive coefficient to take complex factors into account. In our models, the k values range from 0.9 to 1.6 and are greater for soft rocks than for hard rocks. This quantitative correlation shows a good fit with several natural examples in similar strike-slip or pull-apart tectonic settings, effectively supporting our conclusion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Structural Geology","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 105406"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143636526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distributions of throws, widths and scarp slopes on normal faults and their relations to fault growth: Insights from Auto_Throw code","authors":"Giampietro T ,&nbsp;Manighetti I ,&nbsp;Leclerc F ,&nbsp;Gaudemer Y","doi":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105393","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105393","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cumulative displacements on faults can tell us how they have accumulated over time, and thus how faults have grown. We approach this question from two angles, focusing on normal faults with topographic escarpment. First, we develop a code, Auto_Throw, to automate the measurements of throws on normal fault scarps. Using a piecewise linear fitting approach and basic slope and length constraints, Auto_Throw mathematically explores all possible configurations of scarps and offset surfaces on a topographic profile, so that a throw and its uncertainty are defined from the statistical analysis of tens to hundreds of measurements. Auto_Throw also measures the scarp slopes and the across-fault widths. We test Auto_Throw performance on 35 normal faults of different lengths and contexts, performing a million measurements. Second, we address the tectonic implications of the measurements. We conduct a global analysis of all fault data in order to smooth out site-dependent complexities and identify common features that may result from the fault growth process. We find that throws, scarp slopes and fault widths significantly vary along faults, yet in a similar manner for each fault quantity. Throw distributions show a common envelope shape, asymmetric with a long slip taper. Steepest scarp slopes are sub-constant along faults but systematically drop down towards fault tips. Fault width scales with throw, but a rough zone of constant width is identified off the faults. Tapering slip on a fault, shallowing of its scarp slope, and distributed deformation off its trace, could all be indicative of the fault lateral propagation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Structural Geology","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 105393"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143636527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Controls on shear band orientation in deforming porous rocks: Insights from improved microcrack segmentation method","authors":"Claudia Elijas-Parra ,&nbsp;Alexis Cartwright-Taylor ,&nbsp;Ian G. Main ,&nbsp;Rebeca E. Ursu ,&nbsp;Ian B. Butler ,&nbsp;Florian Fusseis","doi":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High resolution, time-resolved X-ray imaging of deformation processes has revealed unprecedented detail on the microstructural and mechanical processes involved in system-scale failure during laboratory experiments. This has highlighted the role of the evolving crack population in controlling localisation. However, in porous rocks, accurate segmentation of evolving crack populations from the rock matrix and pre-existing pores is challenging because of the narrow aperture of cracks. Here we develop and test a new global statistical method of distinguishing between these three phases in tomographic slices, obtained from an X-ray transparent triaxial compression experiment on Clashach sandstone at 20 MPa effective pressure. Compared with a watershed-based method, the new method is less sensitive to artefacts of sampling at the voxel scale (<em>l</em> ≥ 40 μm). Furthermore, the segmented crack length distributions have a greater dynamic range, yielding exponents (1 ≤ <em>a</em>≤3) above 150 μm that are in the same range as those observed in field outcrop, while anisotropy in the crack orientation distribution is better represented. Using this new method, we observe the spontaneous localisation of cracks into a shear band, whose orientations evolve from a random distribution to one more favourably oriented for synthetic shear and tensile fracturing. The observed shear band orientation (∼60° dip) is intermediate between a directed percolation model (50°) and the mode of the crack orientation distribution in the shear band (66°).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Structural Geology","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 105404"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143684963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strain partitioning and fault interaction during the 2023 Mw 6.8 Al-Haouz earthquake, Western High Atlas, Morocco","authors":"F. Carboni ,&nbsp;M. Occhipinti ,&nbsp;R. Lanari ,&nbsp;F. Medina ,&nbsp;T.-E. Cherkaoui ,&nbsp;R. Gaspari ,&nbsp;C. Faccenna ,&nbsp;C. Chiarabba ,&nbsp;M. Porreca","doi":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105394","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105394","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study employs a multidisciplinary approach to identify the seismogenic fault responsible for the Mw 6.8 Al Haouz earthquake of September 8, 2023, in the Western High Atlas, Morocco. In addition, considering the oblique slip dynamics and strain partitioning characteristic of the region, the study investigates potential interactions between fault systems at depth. Our new relocation of the mainshock confirms the depth of the mainshock at ca. 28 km, while our relocated aftershocks reveal clusters concentrated near the Tizi n’Test fault (TnTf) and aligned patterns consistent with fault-controlled seismicity. Focal mechanisms of the mainshock indicate a compressive event involving two nodal planes: a high-angle NW-dipping plane and a low-angle SW-dipping plane. DInSAR analysis generated displacement maps for vertical and horizontal (E-W) components, revealing an asymmetric SW-verging uplift bounded, in the south, by the NW-dipping Tizi n’Test fault (TnTf). The Triangular Elastic Dislocation (TDE) method is conducted to simulate complex faults geometries using geological data and focal mechanism solution.</div><div>The NW-dipping TnTf shows a better fit with the observed deformation compared to the SW-dipping Jebilet Thrust (JTt), which contributed with a minor role. Coulomb stress changes calculated from the TDE model correlates with aftershocks distribution, further supporting the TnTf as the causative fault, with a partial influence of the JTt.</div><div>Our findings emphasize the value of integrating geodetic observations with advanced modelling to enhance the understanding of the seismotectonic framework, offering a refined reconstruction of the Western High Atlas's deformation processes during the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Structural Geology","volume":"195 ","pages":"Article 105394"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143594207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Structural evolution of the southern Swayze greenstone belt, Superior Craton: Implications for the Neoarchean crustal dynamics","authors":"Qǐháng Wú ,&nbsp;Shoufa Lin ,&nbsp;Thomas Gemmell ,&nbsp;Sandra L. Kamo ,&nbsp;Jian Zhang ,&nbsp;Lijun Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105373","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105373","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Numerous studies suggest that the Neoarchean may have been a transitional period from vertical tectonism to horizontal tectonism in crustal dynamics. The former is characterized by spontaneous gravitational redistribution of crustal materials, while the latter is characterized by partitioning of far-field tectonic stress into localized high shear zones and regional-scale strike-slip motion. However, how these combined crustal dynamics are manifested in the geological record remains poorly understood. In this study, a deformation analysis was carried out in the southern part of the Neoarchean Swayze greenstone belt, southeastern Superior Craton, as well as in the enclosing Ridout deformation zone. Our structural analysis reveals four generations (G₁ <!--> <!-->–<!--> <!-->G₄) of ductile deformation. G₁ deformation is preserved only in the pre-tectonic granitoid intrusion. G₂ deformation established the dome-and-keel architecture of the Swayze greenstone belt and is associated with regional F₂ folding, the S₂ foliation subparallel to the granitoid–greenstone boundary and the L₂ stretching lineation which exhibits a reversal in the plunge direction on the opposing granitoid–greenstone boundaries. The G₂ deformation zones show a granitoid-up/greenstone-down sense of shear. G₃ deformation is associated with oblique sinistral movement on the Ridout deformation zone possibly due to regional sinistral transpression. G₄ deformation is a reactivation event of pre-existing weak planes in the form of transcurrent dextral shearing. The kinematics of G₂ structures is interpreted to be the result of combined sagduction/diapirism and regional dextral shearing, thus implying a crustal condition that is “weak” enough to allow spontaneous crustal-scale gravitational readjustments while at the same time “strong” enough to transfer regional tectonic stress. In this sense, both styles of tectonism may have operated simultaneously in the Swayze greenstone belt. Our results support the hypothesis that the Neoarchean era is a transitional period during which the crustal dynamics evolved from being mainly vertical to horizontal and that the Swayze greenstone belt preserves evidence for the co-operation of both processes. Furthermore, our analysis, including temporal constraints, recognizes a comparable structural history between the Ridout deformation zone in the Swayze greenstone belt and the Cadillac-Larder Lake deformation zone in the Abitibi greenstone belt. However, discrepancies exist in terms of the vertical kinematics and the position of the deformation zone with respect to the syntectonic Timiskaming-type sedimentary assemblage. Therefore, we propose that the two deformation zones may have been initiated as separate entities rather than a coherent crustal-scale deformation corridor.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Structural Geology","volume":"195 ","pages":"Article 105373"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143579914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatial arrangements and clustering of opening-mode fractures in experimental models of layered rocks","authors":"Myroslava Kravchuk ,&nbsp;Alexandre I. Chemenda ,&nbsp;Julien Ambre","doi":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Arrays of opening-mode fractures were obtained in three-layer experimental models. They consist of a stiff, brittle competent Granular Rock Analog Material (GRAM) layer sandwiched between two more compliant incompetent elastomer layers. All layers are homogeneous with uniform properties and initially under hydrostatic stresses. Fracturing occurs during horizontal unloading (extension) under constant vertical compressive stress <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>σ</mi><mi>v</mi></msub></mrow></math></span>. The process begins with fractures having spacing (<span><math><mrow><mi>S</mi></mrow></math></span>) to layer thickness (<span><math><mrow><mi>T</mi></mrow></math></span>) ratio of <span><math><mrow><mi>Ω</mi><mo>=</mo><mi>S</mi><mo>/</mo><mi>T</mi><mo>≥</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></math></span>. At nominal extension strain <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>ε</mi><mrow><mi>x</mi><mi>x</mi></mrow></msub><mo>&gt;</mo><msup><mn>10</mn><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>3</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></math></span>, new fractures form closely to some of the initial ones. They initiate at the layer top and bottom and propagate both vertically and laterally, forming a linear fracture cluster (or corridor) in plan view. The <span><math><mrow><mi>Ω</mi></mrow></math></span> value within the cluster is 0.01–0.05, consistent with the natural prototypes. Then, other initial or newly formed fractures become centers of cluster growth until the entire layer is filled with clusters at <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>ε</mi><mrow><mi>x</mi><mi>x</mi></mrow></msub><mo>&gt;</mo><msup><mn>10</mn><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></math></span>, marking the transition from strongly clustered to a more uniform distribution of now closely spaced fractures. All these spatial fracture arrangements also exist in nature, and according to our results depend on <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>ε</mi><mrow><mi>x</mi><mi>x</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></math></span>, controlled by the process driving the fracturing of competent layers. This process involves the lateral spreading of the incompetent materials under the vertical (lithostatic) compression <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>σ</mi><mi>v</mi></msub></mrow></math></span>, and depends on the <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>σ</mi><mi>v</mi></msub></mrow></math></span> value and the contrast in the elastic moduli between competent and incompetent layers. These findings provide new insights into fracture clustering phenomenon and can serve as a basis for improving its numerical modeling that should be able to reproduce the obtained results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Structural Geology","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 105392"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143628515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characteristics and modelling of slip-rate variability and temporal earthquake clustering across a distributed network of active normal faults constrained by in situ 36Cl cosmogenic dating of fault scarp exhumation, central Italy","authors":"Roberts G.P ,&nbsp;Iezzi F ,&nbsp;Sgambato C ,&nbsp;Robertson J ,&nbsp;Beck J ,&nbsp;Mildon Z.K ,&nbsp;Papanikolaou I ,&nbsp;Michetti A.M ,&nbsp;Faure Walker J.P ,&nbsp;Mitchell S ,&nbsp;Meschis M ,&nbsp;Shanks R ,&nbsp;Phillips R ,&nbsp;McCaffrey K.J.W ,&nbsp;Vittori E ,&nbsp;Visini F ,&nbsp;Iqbal M","doi":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105391","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105391","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We present a compilation of new and unpublished <em>in situ</em> ³⁶Cl cosmogenic isotope data recording the exhumation of 27 active normal fault planes by earthquake slip for the central Apennines, Italy. We do this to constrain the characteristics of slip-rate variability and temporal earthquake clustering and anticlustering across the entire extending orogen, and to assess why it occurs. From the ³⁶Cl observations we report(1) the long-term slip-rates averaged since 20 ka, (2) the percentage of sites with clusters and anticlusters in each 1 kyrs time-slice back to 20 ka, (3) regional maps showing cluster locations for every 1 kyr time-slice, (4) cluster and anticluster durations, and (5) the amounts of slip and slip-rates averaged over the duration of clusters and anticlusters. To study why this slip-rate variability has developed we conduct modelling of stress interactions between faults and underlying shear-zones, and between neighbouring fault/shear-zone structures. We show that the measured slip-rate variability and temporal clustering can be replicated by a model where the transfer of differential stress between faults and their underlying shear-zones, and between neighbouring fault/shear-zone structures, produces changes in strain-rates on underlying viscous shear-zones which drive periods of rapid or reduced slip-rate on their overlying faults. We suggest that stress and hence strain-rate increase on an underlying shear-zone produced by coseismic slip on its overlying fault is the mechanism that initiates an earthquake cluster. Clusters progress because the increased strain-rate on the shear-zone reloads the overlying fault producing a positive feedback loop. The clusters also produce stress reduction on fault/shear-zones located across strike, initiating anticlusters in those locations. The durations of anticlusters will be set by the summed coseismic and interseismic stress changes through time, because although these shear-zones develop relatively low viscous strain-rates, eventually they will load their overlying fault to failure initiating a new cluster. These interactions cause the locations of clusters and anticlusters to migrate across and along-strike within the fault system. Such constraints on the processes producing clustering and anticlustering should allow observations of these phenomena to be included in probabilistic seismic hazard assessments (PSHA), and interpretations of the rheology of deforming continental crust.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Structural Geology","volume":"195 ","pages":"Article 105391"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143579915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The 3D model and growth pattern of the Longquan Shan fault zone in Sichuan basin, China: Implications for the potential earthquake rupture patterns","authors":"Fang Xu ,&nbsp;Renqi Lu ,&nbsp;Peng Su ,&nbsp;Yann Klinger ,&nbsp;Jinyu Zhang ,&nbsp;Yiduo Liu ,&nbsp;Guanshen Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105388","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jsg.2025.105388","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The fault three-dimensional (3D) structure and growth pattern are fundamental features of an active fault, which provide basic parameters for seismic hazard analysis. The Longquan Shan Fault Zone (LQFZ) is a major active fault, stretching for 200 km in the Sichuan Basin, southwestern China. In this study, we obtain a new, detailed 3D structure model of the LQFZ based on 43 high-resolution seismic reflection profiles. We further quantify the fault heave distribution along the entire LQFZ to understand its growth pattern. We find that the LQFZ contains four major thrust faults and a shallow detachment layer. We obtain 106 displacement values from the seismic profiles and 1963 heave values from the 3D structure model. The heave distribution of the LQFZ contains multiple peaks, indicating that the LQFZ is formed through the linkage of multiple fault segments. The cumulative heave profile of the four faults seems like an isolation fault, which implies the LQFZ has grown coherently since its formation. The maximum displacement and fault length of the four thrust faults show a linear scaling relation, suggesting that the faults grow in a self-similar manner. We also analyze the potential earthquakes on the LQFZ based on the 3D fault model and the fault growth pattern.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Structural Geology","volume":"195 ","pages":"Article 105388"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143563686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}