Pressure solution–dissolution imparted strike–slip movement: a case study from the Khyber Limestone, Pakistan

Abstract

Bedding parallel stylolites (BPS), N–S trending microscopic to macroscopic normal faults, and N–S trending calcite-filled veins in the E–W trending Early Devonian Khyber Limestone are synchronously formed as a consequence of vertical shortening. Veins, early stylolite surfaces, and flow folds that oriented oblique to stylolite surfaces have been dissolved in a way that they appear to be displaced by a fault with a strike–slip components. These apparent strike–slip movements along the younger stylolite surfaces have been imparted by selective pressure dissolution of the oblique calcite-filled veins in the Khyber Limestone. The concentration of insoluble residue along the stylolite interface has also facilitated strike–slip movement in an opposite direction to apparent displaced by pressure dissolution. Crosscutting relationship of calcite-filled veins and BPS led to distinguish at least two generations of vein and stylolite formation across the region.