Extension directions and strain near the failed triple junction of the Zambezi and Luangwa Rift zones, southern Africa: reply

Abstract

A system of four orthorhombic faults sets is found the Lower Zambezi Valley near the junction of the Zambezi and Luangwa Rift zones in southern Africa. The fault sets all formed as normal faults in the same event which occurred during the rift phase from Lower Triassic to Upper Cretaceous. The odd-axis construction has been used to deduce that the maximum extension direction was NNE, and that the ratio of the intermediate to maximum strains was 0.7. The maximum extension was perpendicular to the Lower Zambezi Rift zone. These strains which approach axial symmetry may relate to a failed triple junction at the intersection of the Mid-Zambezi, Lower Zambezi and Luangwa Rift zones.