Active strike-slip faulting history inferred from offsets of topographic features and basement rocks: a case study of the Arima–Takatsuki Tectonic Line, southwest Japan

Abstract

Abstract Geological, geomorphological and geophysical data have been used to determine the total displacement, slip rates and age of formation of the Arima–Takatsuki Tectonic Line (ATTL) in southwest Japan. The ATTL is an ENE–WSW-trending dextral strike-slip fault zone that extends for about 60 km from northwest of the Rokko Mountains to southwest of the Kyoto Basin. The ATTL marks a distinct topographic boundary between mountainous regions and basin regions. Tectonic landforms typically associated with active strike-slip faults, such as systematically-deflected stream channels, offset ridges and fault scarps, are recognized along the ATTL. The Quaternary drainage system shows progressive displacement along the fault traces: the greater the magnitude of stream channel, the larger the amount of offset. The maximum dextral deflection of stream channels is 600–700 m. The field data and detailed topographic analyses, however, show that pre-Neogene basement rocks on both sides of the ATTL are displaced by about 16–18 km dextrally and pre-Mio–Pliocene elevated peneplains are also offset 16–17 km in dextral along the ATTL. This suggests that the ATTL formed in the period between the development of the pre-Mio–Pliocene peneplains and deflection of the Quaternary stream channels. The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence presented in this study indicates that (1) the ATTL formed after the mid-Miocene, (2) the ATTL has moved as a dextral strike-slip fault with minor vertical component since its formation to late Holocene and (3) the ATTL is presently active with dextral slip rates of 1–3 mm/year and a vertical component of >0.3 mm/year. The formation of the ATTL was probably related to the opening of the Japan Sea, which is the dominant tectonic event around Japan since mid-Miocene. The case study of the ATTL provides insight into understanding the tectonic history and relationship between tectonic landforms and structures in active strike-slip faults.