Tectonic interactions during rift linkage: insights from analog and numerical experiments
Abstract Continental rifts evolve by linkage and interaction of adjacent individual segments. As rift segments propagate, they can cause notable re-orientation of the local stress field so that stress orientations deviate from the regional trend. In return, this stress re-orientation can feed back on progressive deformation and may ultimately deflect propagating rift segments in an unexpected way. Here, we employ numerical and analog experiments of continental rifting to investigate the interaction between stress re-orientation and segment linkage. Both model types employ crustal-scale two-layer setups wherein pre-existing linear heterogeneities are introduced by mechanical weak seeds. We test various seed configurations to investigate the effect of (i) two competing rift segments that propagate unilaterally, (ii) linkage of two opposingly propagating rift segments, and (iii) the combination of these configurations on stress re-orientation and rift linkage. Both the analog and numerical models show counterintuitive rift deflection of two sub-parallel propagating rift segments competing for linkage with an opposingly propagating segment. The deflection pattern can be explained by means of stress analysis in numerical experiments wherein stress re-orientation occurs locally and propagates across the model domain as rift segments propagate. Major stress re-orientations may occur locally, which means that faults and rift segment trends do not necessarily align perpendicularly to far-field extension directions. Our results show that strain localization and stress re-orientation are closely linked, mutually influence each other, and may be an important factor for rift deflection among competing rift segments as observed in nature.
- Location
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Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
- Extent
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Online-Ressource
- Language
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Englisch
- Bibliographic citation
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Tectonic interactions during rift linkage: insights from analog and numerical experiments ; volume:14 ; number:4 ; year:2023 ; pages:389-407 ; extent:19
Solid earth ; 14, Heft 4 (2023), 389-407 (gesamt 19)
- Creator
- DOI
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10.5194/se-14-389-2023
- URN
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urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023042005282726057518
- Rights
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Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
- Last update
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14.08.2025, 10:48 AM CEST
Data provider
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek. If you have any questions about the object, please contact the data provider.
Associated
- Schmid, Timothy Chris
- Brune, Sascha
- Glerum, Anne
- Schreurs, Guido
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Paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the western branch of the East African Rift System using multiple provenance methods (Albertine Rift, Uganda)
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Tectonic and magmatic patterns in the Jutulstraumen rift (?) region, East Antarctica, as imaged by high-resolution aeromagnetic data
The tectonic evolution of the southeastern Terceira Rift/São Miguel region (Azores) and associated submarine volcanic & sedimentary processes
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Structural pattern at the northwestern sector of the Tepic-Zacoalco rift and tectonic implications for the Jalisco block, western Mexico
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Aborted propagation of the Ethiopian rift caused by linkage with the Kenyan rift
Tectonic development of the Rukwa Rift Basin in SW Tanzania
Paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the western branch of the East African Rift System using multiple provenance methods (Albertine Rift, Uganda)
Tectonic evolution in the Wadi Araba Segment of the Dead Sea Rift, South-West Jordan
Application of remote sensing and field techniques to tectonic problems of the Dead Sea rift in Jordan
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Tectonic and magmatic patterns in the Jutulstraumen rift (?) region, East Antarctica, as imaged by high-resolution aeromagnetic data
The tectonic evolution of the southeastern Terceira Rift/São Miguel region (Azores) and associated submarine volcanic & sedimentary processes
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Structural pattern at the northwestern sector of the Tepic-Zacoalco rift and tectonic implications for the Jalisco block, western Mexico