Geophysical and geological evidence of the relationship of Red Sea transverse tectonics to ancient fractures

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 1976 Geophysical and geological evidence of the relationship of Red Sea transverse tectonics to ancient fractures MAGNUS S. GARSON; MAGNUS S. GARSON 1Geochemical Division, Institute of Geological Sciences, 64178 Gray's Inn Road, London WCJX 8NG, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar MIROSLAV KRS MIROSLAV KRS 2Institute of Applied Geophysics, Podbelorhorska, silnice 47, Prague 5-smichov, Czechoslovakia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1976) 87 (2): 169–181. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1976)87<169:GAGEOT>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation MAGNUS S. GARSON, MIROSLAV KRS; Geophysical and geological evidence of the relationship of Red Sea transverse tectonics to ancient fractures. GSA Bulletin 1976;; 87 (2): 169–181. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1976)87<169:GAGEOT>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 Wilson's concept that transform faults were initiated along ancient fractures is supported by evidence from southeastern Egypt. Geophysical and geological investigations have outlined blocks bounded by transverse fractures oriented perpendicular to the Red Sea, linear anomalies parallel to the Red Sea due to deep-seated tholeiitic dikes, and shear zones related to left-lateral movement along the Red Sea. Similar features occur in Saudi Arabia. Consideration of bathymetric data and matching of structural features across the Red Sea indicate that left-lateral movement of 75 to 80 km occurred in Late Cretaceous to Eocene time during the opening of the Gulf of Aden, predating the ocean-floor spreading in the Red Sea in late Eocene time. The direction of the Red Sea spreading was guided by continental Precambrian fractures trending east-northeast that extended offshore into transverse tectonic structures on which deposits of metalliferous sediment are located. It is postulated that later Red Sea extension occurred in late Miocene to early Pliocene time and from 3 m.y. B.P. to the present and that the Sinai block moved in a left-lateral direction about 25 km along the Gulf of Suez fault from its original position during the three main periods of ocean-floor spreading. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.