Fault-propagation folding in extensional settings: Examples of structural style and synrift sedimentary response from the Suez rift, Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2000 Fault-propagation folding in extensional settings: Examples of structural style and synrift sedimentary response from the Suez rift, Sinai, Egypt Ian R. Sharp; Ian R. Sharp 1Basin and Stratigraphic Studies Group, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Rob L. Gawthorpe; Rob L. Gawthorpe 1Basin and Stratigraphic Studies Group, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John R. Underhill; John R. Underhill 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute, The King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Sanjeev Gupta Sanjeev Gupta 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute, The King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2000) 112 (12): 1877–1899. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2000)112<1877:FPFIES>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 28 Jul 1997 rev-recd: 24 Nov 1999 accepted: 26 Jan 2000 first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ian R. Sharp, Rob L. Gawthorpe, John R. Underhill, Sanjeev Gupta; Fault-propagation folding in extensional settings: Examples of structural style and synrift sedimentary response from the Suez rift, Sinai, Egypt. GSA Bulletin 2000;; 112 (12): 1877–1899. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2000)112<1877:FPFIES>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Field data from the Oligocene–Miocene Gulf of Suez rift demonstrate that coeval growth faults, folds, and transfer zones exerted a major control on synrift stratigraphic sequence development. Growth folds in the Suez rift are related to steeply dipping normal faults that propagated upward, resulting in broad, upward-widening monoclines in overlying strata. Folding during fault propagation was accommodated by layer-parallel slip and detachment along mudstone horizons as well as by normal and rare reverse secondary faults that propagated away from the master fault. The eventual propagation of the master fault through to the surface left the steep limb of the monocline and most of the secondary faults in the hanging wall.This evolving structural style exerted a marked control on the geometry and stacking patterns of coeval synrift sediments. Synrift sediments display onlap and intraformational unconformities toward the growth monoclines and buried faults, whereas they diverge into broadly synclinal expanded sections away from the growth monocline. Continued movement across buried faults resulted in the progressive rotation of the monoclinal limb and associated synrift sediments, each successively younger sequence dipping basinward at a shallower angle than the previous one. The resulting synrift geometries differ significantly from stratal geometries normally anticipated adjacent to normal faults. Along-strike variations in facies stacking patterns are also commonly associated with decreasing displacement across faults and associated folds toward low-relief transfer zones. Data from other rift basins indicate that fault-propagation folds are not unique to the Gulf of Suez. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.