Reverse and normal drag along a fault
An analysis of the theoretical displacement field around a single dip-slip fault at depth reveals that normal and reverse fault drag develop by perturbation flow induced by fault slip. We analytically model the heterogeneous part of the instantaneous displacement field of an isolated two-dimensional mode II fault in an infinite, homogeneous elastic body in response to fault slip. Material on both sides of the fault is displaced and ‘opposing circulation cells’ arise on opposite sides of the fault, with displacement magnitudes increasing towards the center of the fault. Both normal and reverse drag can develop at the fault center depending on the angle between the markers and the fault; norm…
Geometric description of flanking structures
Present nomenclature of faults and flanking structures is ambiguous. This paper presents a system for description of flanking structures, based on geometric parameters and independent of kinematic frame. The description can be made using two levels of accuracy. A qualitative method is described using four geometric features: tilt, slip, lift and roll. This method is suggested for practical use in the field, since it does not involve measurements or complicated procedures. In parallel, a quantitative approach is also presented, based on analytical modelling of Bezier curves. This method requires measurement of geometric features and involves mathematical treatment, but allows comparison betw…
Flow perturbations: a tool to study and characterize heterogeneous deformation
The classification of the myriad of small-scale structures that are used in tectonic analysis is presently based on their geometry, which makes it difficult to discover transitions and groups amongst them. An alternative would be to classify structures according to the flow type by which they form, but this is difficult. Although most structures form by heterogeneous flow, modelling studies are often focussed on bulk homogeneous flow, since the mathematical treatment of heterogeneous flow is cumbersome. Also, heterogeneous deformation patterns seem to occur in as many types as there are small-scale structures. This paper introduces the use of the geometry of flow perturbations to improve ou…