Fault Zones and Stress Fields in the Sedimentary Fill of Lake Baikal: Tectonophysical Approach for Seismic and Hydroacoustic Data Interpretation

Abstract

Abstract —This paper presents a schematic summary of comprehensive analysis of seismic, reflection profiling, and hydroacoustic data on faults which caused sediment deformation in the central segment of the Central Baikal basin. According to the tectonophysical analysis results, the fault pattern within sediment fill has been recognized as zone-block, i.e., it represents a network of high-density fracture zones limiting weakly deformed blocks. The structure of large NE-trending fault zones (Olkhon, Beregovoy, Gydratny, and Svyatoy Nos) is controlled by main fault planes (or their segments) bounded by subsidiary faults. Geomorphic expression of NW cross faults in the sedimentary cover as broad zones of smaller-scale fractures accounts for early stages of the evolution of basement faults. In a longitudinal direction, they divide the basin into large fragments. The zone–block structure of the sedimentary strata was developed in different stress regimes: strike-slip and extension at the early and late orogenic rifting stages, respectively. At the modern stage of tectogenesis, the established network of fault zones controls the gaseous (including hydrate formation) and seismic activity expression in the subsurface. Hydrate-bearing mud volcanoes and seeps are confined to major faults, while earthquake epicenters are confined to fault zones and form clusters at junctions of large NE-trending faults with NW-oriented extension zones and E–W left-lateral strike-slip faults.