Faulted hybrid joints: an example from the Campo de Dalias (Betic Cordilleras, Spain)

Abstract

The development of hybrid and faulted joints has not been studied in detail in natural outcrops. This field study in the Campo de Dalias (Betic Cordilleras) establishes the distinctive features of these structures as compared with those predicted by theoretical studies. Hybrid joints appear as two sets of vertical joints forming variable angles, but generally about 25°, with opening directions orthogonal to joint planes. Their development requires low differential stresses with a tensile minimum stress. The main criteria that indicate the existence of faulted joints are: (1) the presence of subvertical fault planes with oblique slip forming a complex pattern of dextral and sinistral faults developed under a single stress regime; (2) faults with similar geometries as joints in the same outcrop, showing an inconsistent cross-cutting relationship; and (3) the development of small basins with variable polarity of asymmetric wedge filling. A permutation in stress orientation since the Tortonian in the Campo de Dalias was responsible for the development of a faulted hybrid joint system, with a constant ENE–WSW extension trend and a switch of σ 1 between NNW–SSE and vertical.