Lineament characterization and their tectonic significance using gravity data and field studies in the Al-Jufr area, southeastern Jordan plateau

Abstract

Lineaments in the southeastern Jordan plateau are mapped using gravity data and field studies in order to understand the tectonic origin of these lineaments, especially in relation to the Dead Sea transform (DST) and the Red Sea opening. Four sets trending E-W, NW-SE, NE-SW, and N-S are identified in gravity data. Field studies generally reveal similar orientations. Field and gravity studies indicate that most of the lineaments are extensional features that correspond to normal faults. Most of these were subsequently reactivated into strike-slip shear fractures. The NW-SE and N-S lineaments represent dilatational fractures. The N-S trending lineaments are the oldest. The E-W lineaments form conjugate shear fractures and are younger than the N-S lineaments. These conjugate shear fractures are also older than other set of conjugate shear fractures oriented NE-SW. The evolution of all these fractures is attributed to the DST and the Red Sea spreading. Kinematic and dynamic analysis of the two, older and younger, pairs of conjugate strike-slip fractures revealed, respectively, broadly NW-SE and N-S oriented transpressional stress (σ 1) with corresponding transtensional stress (σ 3) oriented NE-SW and E-W.