Influence of erosion and sedimentation on strike-slip fault systems: insights from analogue models

Abstract

We describe 18 experiments on the formation of strike-slip fault systems in sand. All models were in a rectangular box. A piston imparted strike-slip motion along a basal cut. In some experiments, uplifted areas underwent erosion. In others, all areas were subject to sedimentation. In experiments without erosion or sedimentation, first to develop were R-faults, at 16° to the basal cut. At later stages, P-faults and Y-faults took over. In section, faults splayed upward, forming flower structures. The splays had reverse components of slip. This was due to dilation, which reached 7% within fault splays. In experiments with erosion but no sedimentation, faults were less steep and accumulated greater amounts of reverse slip. In experiments with erosion and sedimentation, some faults propagated through their syn-kinematic cover, others became buried and inactive, whilst yet others were exposed by erosion. Therefore the average fault dip increased significantly. In experiments with sedimentation but no erosion, early faults propagated, whereas others became buried. Flower structures in nature have similar features. In areas of sedimentation, fault splays with gentle dips die out at depth, whereas steeper faults penetrate higher. In areas of erosion, strike-slip systems exhibit large amounts of reverse slip on steep bounding faults.