Progressive soft sediment deformation within a subglacial shear zone—a hybrid mosaic–pervasive deformation model for Middle Pleistocene glaciotectonised sediments from eastern England

Abstract

This paper presents a hybrid ‘pervasive’ and ‘mosaic’ model for the progressive deformation of a stratified diamicton complex in eastern England within an active subglacial shear zone. Sedimentary evidence from undeformed low-strain zones towards the base of the sediment pile indicates that the tectonised sediments were originally deposited as a series of subaqueous flows in a glaciolacustrine basin. These sediments have subsequently been deformed during a progressive subglacial shearing event. This event is divided into three stages: ductile folding and sediment remobilisation (D1), brittle faulting in the form of Reidel shears (D2) and hydrofracturing and sediment remobilisation (D3). The dominant control on the pattern and style of deformation appears to relate to the rate of thrust-induced till accretion, and the aquifer properties and pore water content and/or pressure of the deforming sediments.