3D Reconstruction of Complex Fault Systems From Volumetric Geodynamic Shear Zones Using Medial Axis Transform
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Anthony Jourdon↗
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A reconnaissance space sensing investigation of the crustal structure for a strip from the eastern Sierra Nevada to the Colorado Plateau: April 1971
The author has identified the following significant results. An area of anomalous linear topographic grain and color expressions was recognized in Apollo 9 and ERTS-1 imagery along the Colorado River of northwestern Arizona and southern Nevada. Field reconnaissance and analysis of U-2 photography has shown the anomaly to be a zone of north to north-northwest trending dike swarms and associated granitic plutons. The dikes vary in composition from rhyolite to diabase, with an average composition nearer rhyolite. Shearing and displacement of host rocks along dikes suggest dike emplacement along active fault zones. Post-dike deformation has resulted in shearing and complex normal faulting along a similar north-south trend. The epizonal plutonism and volcanism of this north-south belt appears to represent a structurally controlled volcanogenic province which ends abruptly in the vicinity of Lake Mead at a probable eastern extension of the Las Vegas Shear Zone. The magnitude and chronology of extensional faulting and plutonism recognized in the north-south zone, support the hypothesis that the Las Vegas Shear Zone is a transform fault separating two areas of crustal spreading.
Bechtold, I. C.↗
Pahranagat Shear System, Lincoln County, Nevada
The author has identified the following significant results. A structural model which relates strike-slip deformation to Basin Range extensional tectonics was formulated on the basis of analysis and interpreatation of ERTS-1 MSS imagery over southern Lincoln County, Nevada. Study of published geologic data and field reconnaissance of key areas has been conducted to support the ERTS-1 data interpretation. The structural model suggests that a left-lateral strike-slip fault zone, called the Pahranagat Shear System, formed as a transform fault separating two areas of east-west structural extension.
Liggett, M. A.↗
Mechanism of the gamma-beta phase transformation of Mg2SiO4 at high temperature and pressure
The results of experiments on the phase transformation of Mg2SiO4 olivine at 15 GPa pressure in a multianvil cell are reported. At this pressure and a temperature of 900 C, early formed metastable gamma-spinel transforms partially to the beta-phase. The observed microstructures, which are similar to those in shocked meteorites, show that the gamma-to-beta transformation can occur either by diffusion-controlled growth or by a martensitic mechanism, depending on how far the pressure-temperature conditions deviate from their values at phase equilibrium. The results suggest that the diffusion-controlled mechanism is most likely to operate at the beta/gamma phase boundary in the mantle, but martensitic beta-to-gamma transformation might occur in subduction zones and could reduce the shear strength of the subducting slab.
Rubie, D. C.↗
Crustal extension and transform faulting in the southern Basin Range Province
The author has identified the following significant results. Field reconnaissance and study of geologic literature guided by analysis of ERTS-1 MSS imagery have led to a hypothesis of tectonic control of Miocene volcanism, plutonism, and related mineralization in part of the Basin Range Province of southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. The easterly trending right-lateral Las Vegas Shear Zone separates two volcanic provinces believed to represent areas of major east-west crustal extension. One volcanic province is aligned along the Colorado River south of the eastern termination of the Las Vegas Shear Zone; the second province is located north of the western termination of the shear zone in southern Nye County, Nevada. Geochronologic, geophysical, and structural evidence suggests that the Las Vegas Shear Zone may have formed in response to crustal extension in the two volcanic provinces in a manner similar to the formation of a ridge-ridge transform fault, as recognized in ocean floor tectonics.
Liggett, M. A.↗
GPS Monitoring of Surface Change During and Following the Fortuitous Occurrence of the M(sub w) = 7.3 Landers Earthquake in our Network
Accomplishments: (1) Continues GPS monitoring of surface change during and following the fortuitous occurrence of the M(sub w) = 7.3 Landers earthquake in our network, in order to characterize earthquake dynamics and accelerated activity of related faults as far as 100's of kilometers along strike. (2) Integrates the geodetic constraints into consistent kinematic descriptions of the deformation field that can in turn be used to characterize the processes that drive geodynamics, including seismic cycle dynamics. In 1991, we installed and occupied a high precision GPS geodetic network to measure transform-related deformation that is partitioned from the Pacific - North America plate boundary northeastward through the Mojave Desert, via the Eastern California shear zone to the Walker Lane. The onset of the M(sub w) = 7.3 June 28, 1992, Landers, California, earthquake sequence within this network poses unique opportunities for continued monitoring of regional surface deformation related to the culmination of a major seismic cycle, characterization of the dynamic behavior of continental lithosphere during the seismic sequence, and post-seismic transient deformation. During the last year, we have reprocessed all three previous epochs for which JPL fiducial free point positioning products available and are queued for the remaining needed products, completed two field campaigns monitoring approx. 20 sites (October 1995 and September 1996), begun modeling by development of a finite element mesh based on network station locations, and developed manuscripts dealing with both the Landers-related transient deformation at the latitude of Lone Pine and the velocity field of the whole experiment. We are currently deploying a 1997 observation campaign (June 1997). We use GPS geodetic studies to characterize deformation in the Mojave Desert region and related structural domains to the north, and geophysical modeling of lithospheric behavior. The modeling is constrained by our existing and continued GPS measurements, which will provide much needed data on far-field strain accumulation across the region and on the deformational response of continental lithosphere during and following a large earthquake, forming the basis for kinematic and dynamic modeling of secular and seismic-cycle deformation. GPS geodesy affords both regional coverage and high precision that uniquely bear on these problems.
Miller, M. Meghan↗
A geological interpretation of Seasat-SAR imagery of Jamaica
Spaceborne radar imagery obtained from Seasat allows an unobscured large-scale view of Jamaica that can be used for geological interpretation. Lineaments and textures visible in these images were mapped and compared with the known geology of the Tertiary karst limestones covering the central and western parts of the island. Some of these radar textures correlate with lithological units, while others follow tectonically-controlled zones or structural blocks. Mapping of radar lineaments has led to the recognition of three new aspects of Jamaican faults: (1) a major through-going NE-SW fault system, termed here the Vere-Annotto lineament; (2) a series of curving scissor faults in the central part of the island; and (3) the related observation that the dominant NNW-SSE tectonic fabric of the central part of the island takes the form of an elongate sigmoid in plan view. During most of the Neogene Jamaica has been part of an active zone of left-lateral transform motion between the Caribbean and North American plates and is a region of anomalous uplift. The radar imagery is a sensitive recorder of the deformation undergone by the karst limestones in this tectonic regime. Some of the observations are explained with models for a complex, evolving shear zone.
Wadge, G.↗
Fracture and crack growth in orthotropic laminates
An approximate solution is developed for the determination of the interlaminar normal and shear stresses in the vicinity of a crack in a three dimensional composite containing unidirectional linearly elastic fibers in an infinite linearly elastic matrix. In order to reduce the complexity of the formulation, certain assumptions are made as to the physically significant stresses to be retained. These simplifications reduce the partial differential equations of elasticity to differential-difference equations which are tractable using Fourier transform techniques. The potential for damaged or debonded zones to be generated by an embedded crack is discussed, and stress concentration factors for fibers near the crack are given. Detailed comparisons are made between the present solution, the analogous two dimensional problem, and corresponding shear-lag models.
Goree, J. G.↗
Bright Points and Subflares in UV Lines and in X-Rays
We have analysed an active region which was observed in Halpha (MSDP), UV lines (SMM/UVSP), and in X rays (SMM/HXIS). In this active region there were only a few subflares and many small bright points visible in UV and in X rays. Using an extrapolation based on the Fourier transform we have computed magnetic field lines connecting different photospheric magnetic polarities from ground-based magnetograms. Along the magnetic inversion lines we find 2 different zones: 1. a high shear region (less than 70 degrees) where subflares occur 2. a low shear region along the magnetic inversion line where UV bright points are observed.
Rovira, M.↗
Bright Points and Subflares in Ultraviolet Lines and X-Rays
We have analyzed an active region which was observed in H.alpha (Multichannel Subtractive Double Pass Spectrograph), in UV lines (SMM/UVSP), and in X-rays (SMM/HXIS). In this active region there were only a few subflares and many small bright points visible in UV and in X-rays. Using an extrapolation based on the Fourier transform, we have computed magnetic field lines connecting different photospheric magnetic polarities from ground-based magnetograms. Along the magnetic inversion lines we find two different zones: (1) a high-shear region (> 70 deg) where subflares occur, and (2) a low-shear region along the magnetic inversion line where UV bright points are observed. In these latter regions the magnetic topology is complex with a mixture of polarities. According to the velocity field observed in the Si IV lamda.1402 line and the extrapolation of the magnetic field, we notice that each UV bright point is consistent with emission from low-rising loops with downflows at both ends. We notice some hard X-ray emissions above the bright-point regions with temperatures up to 8 x 10(exp 6) K, which suggests some induced reconnection due to continuous emergence of new flux. This reconnection is also enhanced by neighboring subflares.
Rovira, M.↗
On the initiation of subduction
Estimates of shear resistance associated with lithospheric thrusting and convergence represent lower bounds on the force necessary to promote trench formation. Three environments proposed as preferential sites of incipient subduction are investigated: passive continental margins, transform faults/fracture zones, and extinct ridges. None of these are predicted to convert into subduction zones simply by the accumulation of local gravitational stresses. Subduction cannot initiate through the foundering of dense oceanic lithosphere immediately adjacent to passive continental margins. The attempted subduction of buoyant material at a mature trench can result in large compressional forces in both subducting and overriding plates. This is the only tectonic force sufficient to trigger the nucleation of a new subduction zone. The ubiquitous distribution of transform faults and fracture zones, combined with the common proximity of these features to mature subduction complexes, suggests that they may represent the most likely sites of trench formation if they are even marginally weaker than normal oceanic lithosphere.
Mueller, Steve↗
Correlation of Fracture Behavior With Microstructure in Friction Stir Welded, and Spin Formed AI-Li 2195 Domes
Single-piece, spin-formed domes manufactured from friction stir welded (FSW) plates of Al-Li alloy 2195 have the potential to reduce the cost of fabricating cryogenic propellant tanks. Mechanical properties in the completed domes can be related directly to the final material condition and the microstructures developed. However, these new fabrication techniques have resulted in unexpected material challenges, such as abnormal grain growth in the weld nugget and the propensity for fracture in the adjacent thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ). In this study, the microstructure and texture transformations within the TMAZ are related to fracture location in the vicinity of the weldment. The texture variations in the TMAZ are caused primarily by the varying amounts of shear deformation introduced during the FSW process. Grain morphology and microtexture characteristics are examined as a function of location in the TMAZ via electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). A strong correlation between fracture location and the presence of texture banding in the TMAZ is observed. The fracture path tends to follow a distinct region of low Taylor Factor (TF) grains.
Tayon, Wesley A.↗
Extensional tectonics during the igneous emplacement of the mafic-ultramafic rocks of the Barberton greenstone belt
The simatic rocks (Onverwacht Group) of the Barberton greenstone belt are part of the Jamestown ophiolite complex. This ophiolite, together with its thick sedimentary cover occupies a complex thrust belt. Field studies have identified two types of early faults which are entirely confined to the simatic rocks and are deformed by the later thrusts and associated folds. The first type of fault (F1a) is regional and always occurs in the simatic rocks along and parallel to the lower contacts of the ophiolite-related cherts (Middle Marker and equivalent layers). These fault zones have previously been referred to both as flaser-banded gneisses and as weathering horizons. In general the zones range between 1-30m in thickness. Displacements along these zones are difficult to estimate, but may be in the order of 1-100 km. The structures indicate that the faults formed close to horizontal, during extensional shear and were therefore low angle normal faults. F1a zones overlap in age with the formation of the ophiolite complex. The second type of faults (F1b) are vertical brittle-ductile shear zones, which crosscut the complex at variable angles and cannot always be traced from plutonic to overlying extrusive (pillowed) simatic rocks. F1b zones are also apparently of penecontemporaneous origin with the intrusive-extrusive igneous processs. F1b zones may either represent transform fault-type activity or represent root zones (steepened extensions) of F1a zones. Both fault types indicate extensive deformation in the rocks of the greenstone belt prior to compressional overthrust tectonics.
Dewit, M. J.↗
Crustal deformation in great California earthquake cycles
Periodic crustal deformation associated with repeated strike slip earthquakes is computed for the following model: A depth L (less than or similiar to H) extending downward from the Earth's surface at a transform boundary between uniform elastic lithospheric plates of thickness H is locked between earthquakes. It slips an amount consistent with remote plate velocity V sub pl after each lapse of earthquake cycle time T sub cy. Lower portions of the fault zone at the boundary slip continuously so as to maintain constant resistive shear stress. The plates are coupled at their base to a Maxwellian viscoelastic asthenosphere through which steady deep seated mantle motions, compatible with plate velocity, are transmitted to the surface plates. The coupling is described approximately through a generalized Elsasser model. It is argued that the model gives a more realistic physical description of tectonic loading, including the time dependence of deep slip and crustal stress build up throughout the earthquake cycle, than do simpler kinematic models in which loading is represented as imposed uniform dislocation slip on the fault below the locked zone.
Li, Victor C.↗
Stresses in a three-dimensional unidirectional composite containing broken fibers
An approximate solution is developed for the determination of the interlaminar normal and shear stresses in the vicinity of a crack in a three dimensional composite containing unidirectional linearly elastic fibers in an infinite linearly elastic matrix. In order to reduce the complexity of the formulation, certain assumptions are made as to the physically significant stresses to be retained. These simplifications reduce the partial differential equations of elasticity to differential-difference equations which are tractable using Fourier transform techniques. This 'material modeling' approach is in contrast with solutions developed by considering each lamina as a homogeneous, orthotropic layer. The resulting solution does not contain the classical singular stress field for the fibers and the influence of broken fibers on unbroken fibers is felt by a change in stress concentration factors. The matrix stresses however, are unbounded as the fiber spacing vanishes and an equivalent fiber-matrix geometry is proposed which gives the correct singular behavior. The numerical solution is considered in detail and several specific examples are presented. The potential for damaged or debonded zones to be generated by an embedded crack is discussed, and stress concentration factors for fibers near the crack are given. Detailed comparisons are made between the present solution, the analogous two-dimensional problem, and corresponding shear-lag models.
Goree, J. G.↗
Localization of toroidal motion and shear heating in 3-D high Rayleigh number convection with temperature-dependent viscosity
We have applied spectral-transform methods to study three-dimensional thermal convection with temperature-dependent viscosity. The viscosity varies exponentially with the form exp(-BT), where B controls the viscosity contrast and T is temperature. Solutions for high Rayleigh numbers, up to an effective Ra of 6.25 x 10(exp 6), have been obtained for an aspect-ratio of 5x5x1 and a viscosity contrast of 25. Solutions show the localization of toroidal velocity fields with increasing vigor of convection to a coherent network of shear-zones. Viscous dissipation increases with Rayleigh number and is particularly strong in regions of convergent flows and shear deformation. A time-varying depth-dependent mean-flow is generated because of the correlation between laterally varying viscosity and velocity gradients.
Balachandar, S.↗