Graben Formation Research Articles

Far-field response to the closure of the Meso-Tethys Ocean: New geochronological evidence from the Chem Co graben in the westernmost part of Central Tibet

The Chem Co graben is located in the westernmost part of the Qiangtang block, central Tibet. It is adjacent to the Longmu Co Fault to the north and approximately 50 km away from the Karakoram Fault to the west. The formation of the graben resulted in the exposure of basement rocks in the footwalls of the graben bounding normal fault, which hold crucial information on the Mesozoic closure of the Meso-Tethys Ocean. Garnet-biotite schist crops out sporadically in the footwall of the graben-boundary normal fault, and is intruded by leucogranite dikes. Pseudosection modeling indicates peak metamorphic conditions for the schist of 590–670 °C and 4.5–7.5 kbar, similar to the conditions of mid-crustal rocks at the western end of the Qiangtang block. Field investigations and microstructural analysis suggest syn-kinematical left-lateral strike-slip in both the biotite schist and granitoid veins. Zircon U − Pb, monazite U − Th − Pb, and 40Ar/39Ar ages show that intense regional intensive tectonic deformation and contemporaneous magmatism began at ∼120.6 Ma and ended with the peak metamorphism conditions at 105.3 ± 6.0 Ma. These results indicate that the closure of the Meso-Tethys Ocean in the westernmost part of central Tibet occurred over this period (i.e., 121–105 Ma) with final closure during the late Early Cretaceous. The closure of the Meso-Tethys Ocean likely triggered widespread far-field responses, extending from the Altyn Tagh Fault to the Longmu Co Fault, and reaching the Pangong and Hunza regions around the Western Himalayan Syntaxes. Episodic crustal thickening and surface uplift since the closure of the Meso-Tethys Ocean caused the upper crust to be extruded along the westernmost part of central Tibet, leading to the formation of the Chem Co graben.

First Data on the Structure and Lithological Composition of the Kola Fjord (Bay) Deposits Section

Studying the materials from drilling of engineering-geological wells and other data the structure of a sedimentary cover of the Kola fjord on its total thickness is for the first time lighted. The characteristics of the structure and lithological composition of a section of deposits, and the main forms of a relief of the underlying crystalline substrate are provided. Situations of the formation of deposits and the graben structure of the gulf are considered. It is noted that the deglaciation has served as the trigger mechanism that has started processes of the differentiated block uplift, development of fracture, and a fault formation which has caused initial “exogenous” phases of neotectonic destruction of crust. The horizontal movements have led to the stretching of the earth’s crust and separation of blocks with a graben formation in Kola Bay according to the authors with the influence of stress fields coming from developing young oceanic spreading basins.

Ray and Halo Impact Craters on Ganymede: Fingerprint for Decoding Ganymede's Crustal Structure

AbstractImpact craters are a unique tool not only for inferring ages of planetary surfaces and examining geological processes, but also for exploring subsurface properties. We use ejecta blankets as proxies to obtain insights into the subsurface characteristics and the vertical stratification of Ganymede's icy crust. We investigated 36 prominent ray and halo craters using images acquired during the Voyager, Galileo, and Juno spacecraft missions. These craters exhibit diverse characteristics, including dark rays, bright rays, or their combination, in both continuous and discontinuous patterns as well as dark and bright halos. Dark halo craters (DHCs) have the smallest radial extents of their dark ejecta deposits, while dark ray craters (DRCs) have the largest. DRCs in dark terrain suggest a thickness of less than ∼2 km based on their excavation depths. DRCs and DHCs craters located in light terrain (LT) reveal significant heterogeneity in the uppermost portions of icy crust at various locations. DRCs and DHCs in the LT require the presence of at least one layer of dark material. This is the case if the LT is formed by tectonic rifting and graben formation. In contrast, if the LT is formed by tectonic spreading, bright halo and ray craters are expected to form.

On the Move: 2023 Observations on Real Time Graben Formation, Grindavík, Iceland

AbstractGrabens, or valleys formed during extensional tectonic events, are common but rarely observed during formation. In November 2023, inelastic surface deformation formed abruptly along Iceland's plate boundary in Grindavík. We documented graben formation in real‐time through satellite mapping (InSAR), seismicity, GNSS data, repeated lidar surveys, and field mapping. Five normal faults and ∼12 fissures ruptured the surface delineating two grabens separated by a horst, a context not present in other contemporary case studies. The graben normal faults slipped rapidly (over hours) and maximum surface motions coincided with the occurrence of turbulent seismic swarms in both space and time. Although 3 eruptions took place ∼15 km northeast of Grindavík from 2021 to 2023, attributed to magma intrusions (i.e., dikes), none of these also formed grabens. Thus, the Grindavík grabens shows evidence for tectonic origins. Real‐time monitoring of these phenomena provide insight into graben formation on Earth and potentially on other planets.

Strain partitioning, transfer and implications for the ongoing process of intracontinental graben formation in the northwestern margin of the Ordos block, China: insights from densified GNSS measurements

SUMMARY The northwestern margin of the Ordos block is structurally separated by the Yinchuan–Hetao graben system. As one of the most active intracontinental graben systems within the Eurasian continent, its kinematic pattern of crustal extension is crucial for unraveling the ongoing processes of intracontinental graben formation, while it remains unclear principally due to a lack of geological constraints on crustal deformation. We obtained and analysed a densified GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) velocity field in this region. Our results suggest that the western margin of the Hetao graben exhibits the NW-directed crustal extension (∼ 1.1 mm yr−1), which can be attributed to the conjugate transtension resulting from the left-lateral motion along the E–W-trending northern boundaries of the Alashan and Ordos blocks, as well as the right-lateral motion along the N–S-trending western margin of the Ordos block. Additionally, in response to the NE-directed extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau, the Alashan block undergoes approximately NE-directed contraction (4.9 ± 1.1 nanostrain yr−1) and NW-directed extrusion (2.8 ± 0.8 nanostrain yr−1), which vacates space for the crustal extension of the Yinchuan graben with a rate of 0.9 ± 0.1 mm yr−1. Although it is challenging to determine whether the left-lateral motion (approximately 1 mm yr−1) along the E–W-trending Hetao graben is the far-field effect of western Pacific subduction, the gradual decrease in right-lateral motion from the N–S-trending western margin of the Ordos block toward the north side of the Yinshan Orogen manifests the far-field effect of the Indo-Eurasian plate convergence extending into the Mongolian Plateau.

Volcanic unrest as seen from the magmatic source: Reyðarártindur pluton, Iceland

How the Earth’s crust accommodates magma emplacement influences the signals that can be detected by monitoring volcano seismicity and surface deformation, which are routinely used to forecast volcanic eruptions. However, we lack direct observational links between deformation caused by magma emplacement and monitoring signals. Here we use field mapping and photogrammetry to quantify deformation caused by the emplacement of at least 2.5 km3 of silicic magma in the Reyðarártindur pluton, Southeast Iceland. Our results show that magma emplacement triggered minor and local roof uplift, and that magma reservoir growth was largely aseismic by piecemeal floor subsidence. The occurrence and arrangement of fractures and faults in the reservoir roof can be explained by magmatic overpressure, suggesting that magma influx was not fully accommodated by floor subsidence. The tensile and shear fracturing would have caused detectable seismicity. Overpressure eventually culminated in eruption, as evidenced by exposed conduits that are associated with pronounced local subsidence of the roof rocks, corresponding to the formation of an asymmetric graben at the volcano surface. Hence, the field observations highlight processes that may take place within silicic volcanoes, not accounted for in widely used models to interpret volcanic unrest.

Constraints on the Fault Dip Angles of Lunar Graben and Their Significance for Lunar Thermal Evolution

Lunar grabens are the largest tensional linear structures on the Moon. In this paper, 17 grabens were selected to investigate the dips and displacement–length ratios (γ) of graben-bounding faults. Several topographic profiles were generated from selected grabens to measure their rim elevation, width and depth through SLDEM2015 (+LOLA) data. The differences in rim elevation (∆h) and width (∆W) between two topographic profiles on each graben were calculated, yielding 146 sets of data. We plotted ∆h vs. ∆W for each and calculated the dip angle (α) of graben-bounding faults. A dip of 39.9° was obtained using the standard linear regression method. In order to improve accuracy, large error data were removed based on error analysis. The results, 49.4° and 52.5°, were derived by the standard linear regression and average methods, respectively. Based on the depth and length of grabens, the γ value of the graben-bounding normal fault is also studied in this paper. The γ value is 3.6 × 10−3 for lunar normal faults according to the study of grabens and the Rupes Recta normal fault. After obtaining the values of α and γ, the increase in lunar radius indicated by the formation of grabens was estimated. We suggest that the lunar radius has increased by approximately 130 m after the formation of grabens. This study could aid in the understanding of normal fault growth and provide important constraints on the thermal evolution of the Moon.

Neogene faulting, basin development, and relief generation in the southern Klamath Mountains (USA)

Abstract Development and evaluation of models for tectonic evolution in the Cascadia forearc require understanding of along-strike heterogeneity of strain distribution, uplift, and upper-plate characteristics. Here, we investigated the Neogene geologic record of the Klamath Mountains province in southernmost Cascadia and obtained apatite (U-Th)/He (AHe) thermochronology of Mesozoic plutons, Neogene graben sediment thickness, detrital zircon records from Neogene grabens, gravity and magnetic data, and kinematic analysis of faults. We documented three aspects of Neogene tectonics: early Miocene and younger rock exhumation, development of topographic relief sufficient to isolate Neogene graben-filling sediments from sources outside of the Klamath Mountains, and initiation of mid-Miocene or younger right-lateral and reverse faulting. Key findings are: (1) 10 new apatite AHe mean cooling ages from the Canyon Creek and Granite Peak plutons in the Trinity Alps range from 24.7 ± 2.1 Ma to 15.7 ± 2.1 Ma. Inverse thermal modeling of these data and published apatite fission-track ages indicate the most rapid rock cooling between ca. 25 and 15 Ma. One new AHe mean cooling age (26.7 ± 3.2 Ma) from the Ironside Mountain batholith 40 km west of the Trinity Alps, combined with previously published AHe ages, suggests geographically widespread latest Oligocene to Miocene cooling in the southern Klamath Mountains province. (2) AHe ages of 39.4 ± 5.1 Ma on the downthrown side and 22.7 ± 3.0 Ma on the upthrown side of the Browns Meadow fault suggest early Miocene to younger fault activity. (3) U-Pb detrital zircon ages (n = 862) and Lu-Hf isotope geochemistry from Miocene Weaverville Formation sediments in the Weaverville, Lowden Ranch, Hayfork, and Hyampom grabens south and southwest of the Trinity Alps can be traced to entirely Klamath Mountains sources; they suggest the south-central Klamath Mountains had, by the middle Miocene, sufficient relief to isolate these grabens from more distal sediment sources. (4) Two Miocene detrital zircon U-Pb ages of 10.6 ± 0.4 Ma and 16.7 ± 0.2 Ma from the Lowden Ranch graben show that the maximum depositional age of the upper Weaverville Formation here is younger than previously recognized. (5) A prominent steep-sided negative gravity anomaly associated with the Hayfork graben shows that both the north and south margins are fault-controlled, and inversion of gravity data suggests basin fill is between 1 km and 1.9 km thick. Abrupt elevation changes of basin fill-to-bedrock contacts reported in well logs record E-side-up and right-lateral faulting at the eastern end of the Hayfork graben. A NE-striking gravity gradient separates the main graben on the west from a narrower, thinner basin to the east, supporting this interpretation. (6) Of fset of both the base of the Weaverville Formation and the cataclasite-capped La Grange fault surface by a fault on the southwest margin of the Weaverville basin documents 200 m of reverse and 1500 m of right-lateral strike-slip motion on this structure, here named the Democrat Gulch fault; folded and steeply dipping strata adjacent to the fault confirm that faulting postdated deposition of the Weaverville Formation. Based on these findings, we suggest that Miocene rock cooling recorded by AHe ages, accompanying graben formation, and development of topographic relief record early to middle Miocene initiation of underplating or “subcretion” in the southern Cascadia subduction zone beneath the southern Klamath Mountains.

Petrological-mineralogical evolutional transformation of Cretaceous teschenite-tephrite, syenite-trachyte, and essexite-trachybasalt primary meltings (Carpathian, Caucasian and North TransBaikal regions)


 
 
 This article discusses spatial and time distribution of Cretaceous teschenite-tephrite and essexite-trachybasalt complexes of the Carpathian, Caucasian, North TransBaikal regions. The main aim of the article is a comparative analysis of petrological-mineralogical features of similar complexes located in the Carpathians, North Caucasus and Transbaikal, Georgia in the Khojavand depression in the southeast of the Lesser Caucasus. Rocks of teschenite-tephrite, essexite-trachybasalt complexes were formed in the Cretaceous, early Eocene and Miocene. The differentiates of the considered complexes are localized in graben-like structures. The initial stage of graben formation is associated with the formation of rocks of the essexite-trachybasalt complex. The next stage of this process is associated with the formation of the teschenite-tephrite complex. According to stages of bedding and develop- ment of riftogenic graben structures, the essexite-trachybasalt complex formed first, at a mature stage – teschenite-tephrite one. At the initial stage high titanian olivine subalkaline basaltic melting occurred from the garnet-phlogopite lherzolite substratum. At the second stage – subalkaline picrite melting occurred from this substratum, which is primary for teschenite-tephrite and syenite-trachyte com- plexes. The metasomatized high-titanium phlogopite lherzolite substrate was subjected to melting twice. An earlier stage of melting of the substrate did not exceed 0.1%, from which a high-titanium olivine trachybasalt melt was separated. The second stage of melting of the substrate reached 10-12%. In this case, a subalkaline olivine picrite melt was formed. Evolution of primary meltings occurred in different-depth intermediate foci and intrusive chambers. The main factor in evolution along with controlling geodynamic regime was gravitational-crystallized differentiation. The identified mineral parageneses, starting from the early stage of the evolution of the subalkaline picrite melt to the late one, actually characterize the stages of crystallization of the noted melt in the intrusive chamber and intermediate chambers. The Eocene and Miocene teschenite-tephrite and essexite-trachybasalt complexes are characterized by a smaller areal distribution and petrographic diversity. Obviously, during this period, the intense activation of transverse magma-feeding faults contributed to the rapid uplift of the subalkaline picrite melt into the upper horizons of the earth’s crust.
 
 

Magmatic Origins of Extensional Structures in Tempe Terra, Mars

AbstractNumerous graben features transect the Tempe Terra plateau in the northeastern Tharsis Rise, Mars, making it one of the most heavily structured regions of Tharsis. The origin of the complex fault geometries, generated over three distinct stages of tectonic activity, is poorly understood. This work distinguishes between Tempe Terra structures of local and regional origin, to isolate regional deformation patterns related to the general development of the Tharsis Rise from the patterns due to effects of local stress mechanisms. Comparison of structural observations to predicted deformation patterns from different drivers of graben formation in the Martian crust demonstrates the important role of magmatic activity at a variety of scales in driving tectonism in Tempe Terra. Noachian (Stage 1) faulting resulted from local magmatic underplating and associated heating and uplift, which formed part of an incipient stage of widespread Tharsis volcanism that predated development of the main Tharsis Rise. Early Hesperian (Stage 2) faults reflect the interaction of regional stresses from growth of Tharsis with magmatic activity highly localized along the Tharsis Montes Axial Trend—a linear volcanotectonic trendline including the alignment of the Tharsis Montes volcanoes. Early–Late Hesperian (Stage 3) faulting resulted from a series of dyke swarms from a Tharsis‐centered plume, which propagated in a regional stress field generated by growth of the Tharsis Rise. As only Stage 2 NNE faults and Stage 3 ENE faults are linked to regional, Tharsis‐related stresses, other observed Tempe Terra fault trends can be excluded when evaluating models of Tharsis's tectonic evolution.

Tectonostratigraphic analysis of the syn-rift infill in the Drava Basin, southwestern Pannonian Basin System

The Drava Basin in the SW Pannonian Basin System (PBS) was initially formed by passive rifting with accompanying sedimentary infill. Although this has been the subject of much previous work, an account of tectonic control has been lacking. Based on cores, wire logging, and seismic data, the tectonostratigraphic interpretation, depositional systems, and control on depositional systems of the syn-rift infill of the eastern part of the Drava Basin were studied. The rifting phase is characterised by the formation of half-grabens, grabens, a sag, and supradetachment basin structures with structural ramp and structural highs. The syn-rift infill can be divided into second-order tectonostratigraphic sequences corresponding to the early and late rift stages. The second-order sequences are further subdivided into third-order tectonostratigraphic sequences formed in response to higher-order tectonic events associated with local rift migration. In contrast to the early-stage structures, the late-stage rift structures are primarily controlled by extensional detachments that represent parts of the Drava Rift Fault System (DRFS). The early syn-rift is characterised by continental deposition through alluvial fans, fan deltas, and lacustrine environments. The late syn-rift stage is characterised by marine deposition in shallow water, fan deltas, and submarine slope-aprons, with deep marine sedimentation and intense volcanic activity. The ramp, basin slopes, and fault scarp slopes represent the major sediment transport pathways involved in the formation of alluvial fans, fan deltas, or submarine slope-aprons. Basinal sedimentation and major depocenters are located within synforms formed by structural lows in the geometry of extensional detachments. This study gives an example of syn-rift tectonic control for the SW part of the PBS and the influence of detachment geometry on basin fill. We have presented an approach based on 3D seismostratigraphic interpretation of tectonostratigraphic sequences, and the correlation of seismic facies with depositional environments developed in a back-arc setting.

Paleostress, deformation mechanisms and finite strain related to chocolate-tablet boudinage and folding of a Permian rock salt/anhydrite sequence (Morsleben site, Germany)

Polyphase chocolate-tablet boudinage of competent anhydrite layers in incompetent Permian rock salt of the Morsleben repository (Germany) developed during Triassic/Jurassic graben formation and late Cretaceous graben inversion. The competence contrast between layers and matrix is related to the deformation mechanisms of anhydrite and halite, which have been constrained in the present study using deformation microfabrics and geochemical data. Boudinage implies a finite longitudinal strain of ca. 100% in NNW-SSE direction. There is a clear impact of the layer thickness on both the deformation mechanisms and the shape of anhydrite boudins. Pervasive solution-precipitation creep is the dominant deformation mechanism in thin anhydrite layers (thickness < 15 cm), which are dominated by drawn boudins with aspect ratios ranging from 1.5 to 5.4. Deformation of thick anhydrite layers (thickness > 15 cm) was accommodated by dislocation creep succeeded by localized solution-precipitation, kinking, twinning and fracturing resulting in torn boudins with aspect ratios between 0.5 and 2.0. Halite of the incompetent rock salt matrix deformed viscously under low differential stress (2.0–3.1 MPa). The deformation mechanisms were dislocation creep in form of subgrain formation and strain-induced grain boundary migration. Moreover, close to anhydrite boudins, solution-precipitation creep of halite is indicated by decreased bromide content in halite of necks between brittle torn boudins, which should have precipitated from a fluid phase. Halite in necks of drawn boudins, on the other hand, displays a continuous decrease of bromide content, pointing to predominantly crystal plastic inflow of halite.

О ВЕРТИКАЛЬНОМ РОСТЕ ЗЕМНОЙ КОРЫ НА ОКРАИНЕ ВОСТОЧНОЙ АЗИИ И ЗАТОПЛЕНИИ ЕЕ МИРОВЫМ ОКЕАНОМ 6 ТЫС. ЛЕТ НАЗАД

The relevance of the study is determined by the need of considering the earth’s crust in the East Asia outskirts, as there are various contradictory judgments on its origin. The purpose of the work is to characterize the geological structure of the eastern margin of Asia, supplemented with new data. To solve the problem, it is used numerous geological data and seismic sections of the territory, obtained by means of its detailed studies in the twentieth century, and new data. It is established that the eastern margin of Asia has a three-layered continental structure. Its active vertical geological development took place in the Precambrian (4.5–1.7 billion years ago), when the ancient crystalline foundation was created, partly in the Paleozoic, and most powerfully in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic time, when certain parts of the territory underwent several tectonic-magmatic cycles. During the Neocene-Quaternary period, there intensified vertical tectonic movements, volcanism and seismicity. Six thousand years ago, significant flat parts of the territory were covered by sea waters due to the increase in the level of the World Ocean, with the formation of large grabens in the Arctic and the Asia outskirts. Therefore, there appeared a wide shallow shelf and separate deep seas (3–7 km). In addition to well-established facts on the structure of the Earth's crust, there are also the discussion ideas based on plate tectonics and paleomagnetism –movements of individual tectonic blocks and even individual continents from south to north, by a distance of up to 2 thousand kilometers, and the oceanic crust immersion under the outskirts of Asia.

The extreme Anthropogen of the Arctic: the formation of the Great Glacier, the emergence a man and the Arctic Ocean in the Early Holocene

The relevance of the article stems from the need to consider recent events in the Arctic in recent time, which are largely contradictory. The aim of the study is to show extreme environmental changes in the Arctic of anthropogenic nature, including the emergence of man and the Arctic Ocean in the Early Holocene. The territory of the Arctic was a landmass with high mountains, in the period preceding the Holocene, on which a large glacier formed 30-18 thousand years ago (Late Pleistocene). The glacier slid irrepressibly southward over great distances, where it covered vast areas of Europe and North America. In the years that followed, a dramatic warming and active melting of the glacier began. By the beginning of the Holocene, the glacier had melted, and a narrow strait of the Atlantic appeared at the foot of Greenland. Coniferous-deciduous forests, numerous rivers and the first human settlements appeared on the flat territory of the Arctic, and various animals – mammoths, horses, bulls - spread out. However, a major catastrophic event occurred by the middle of the Holocene (6.0 thousand years ago), after active volcanism in the Arctic: the collapse of the central part of the Arctic to a depth of about 5 km and the formation of the Central Arctic graben, associated with the appearance of a huge amount of endogenous water. There began a rapid movement of water on the flat parts of the Arctic and the formation of the modern huge, shallow (50-100 m) shelf - the Arctic Ocean. Many human settlements were flooded, animals escaped, in part, on high uplands. For example, huge animal cemeteries were preserved on the Novosibirsk Islands. A new cooling of the climate occurred 4 thousand years ago, and an ice sheet formed on the surface of the ocean, which led to the name of the North Glacial Ocean in Russia. Modern man began to explore the coastal territories of the Arctic shelf since the mid - Holocene, but active industrial development of the Arctic began in the 21st century.

Dyke-induced graben formation in a heterogeneous succession on Mt. Etna: Insights from field observations and FEM numerical models

The most common way of magma transfer towards the surface is through dyking. Dykes can generate stresses at their tips and the surrounding host rock, initiating surficial deformation, seismic activity, and graben formation. Although scientists can study active deformation and seismicity via volcano monitoring, the conditions under which dykes induce grabens during their emplacement in the shallow crust are still enigmatic. Here, we explore through FEM numerical modelling the conditions that could have been associated with dyke-induced graben formation during the 1928 fissure eruption on Mt. Etna (Italy). We use stratigraphic data of the shallow host rock successions along the western and eastern sections of the fissure that became the basis for several suites of numerical models and sensitivity tests. The layers had dissimilar mechanical properties, which allowed us to investigate the studied processes more realistically. We investigated the boundary conditions using a dyke overpressure range of 1–10 MPa and a local extensional stress field of 0.5–2 MPa. We studied the effect of field-related geometrical parameters by employing a layer thickness range of 0.1–55 m and a variable layer sequence at the existing stratigraphy. We also tested how more compliant pyroclastics, such as scoria, (if present) could have affected the accumulation of stresses around the dyke. Also, we explored how inclined sheets and vertical dykes can generate grabens at the surface. We propose that the mechanical heterogeneity of the flank succession and the local extensional stress field can largely control both the dyke path and dyke-induced graben formation regardless of the tested dyke overpressure values. Similarly, soft materials in the stratigraphy can greatly suppress the shear stresses in the vicinity of a propagating dyke, encouraging narrow grabens at the surface if only the fracturing condition is satisfied, while inclined sheets tend to form semigrabens, respectively. Finally, we provide some insights related to the structural evolution of the 1928 lateral dyking event. All the latter can be theoretically applied in similar case studies worldwide.

Cenozoic deposits of western Kotel’nyi Island (New Siberian Islands): key insights into the tectonic evolution of the Laptev Sea

ABSTRACT The Arctic sedimentary basins are still poorly studied in comparison with other regions. The lack of deep wells across the eastern Russian Arctic has resulted in numerous contrasting geodynamic models for the geological evolution and age of sedimentary successions within this frontier region, where a modern mid-ocean ridge breaks through the continental crust in the Laptev Sea. The only onshore evidence of rifting processes is a number of small graben-like depressions exposed on the New Siberian Islands and along the Laptev Sea coast. We present U-Pb detrital zircon provenance and palynology study results of the Cenozoic sedimentary rocks filling graben-like depressions across western Kotel’nyi Island. Palynological data indicate that these sedimentary rocks are Early Eocene to Pleistocene in age. Based on U-Pb detrital zircon dating, Early Eocene and Late Oligocene clastic sediments were sourced from underlying deformed Palaeozoic rocks as well as by reworking of Upper Mesozoic rocks outcropping elsewhere on Kotel’nyi Island, which bear Siberian signature. Plio-Pleistocene clastic sediments were not derived from the erosion of deformed Palaeozoic rocks, suggesting the cessation of active uplift by this time and the development of a regional peneplain. Therefore, by extrapolating our onshore observations to the neighbouring offshore, we propose that graben structures imaged by seismic profiles along the eastern flank of the Laptev Rift System are likely to host Eocene and Oligocene sediments. Thus, it implies the Cenozoic extension led to formation of grabens on- and offshore in the eastern portion of Laptev Sea as early as Eocene. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the age of graben-related basins in the central and western part of the Laptev Sea.

Large‐Scale Troughs on Asteroid 4 Vesta Accommodate Opening‐Mode Displacement

AbstractAsteroid 4 Vesta hosts two sets of enormous troughs, Divalia Fossae that encircle two‐thirds of the equator and Saturnalia Fossae located in the northern hemisphere. These troughs were interpreted as grabens, thus invoking faulting. The trough sizes, their linear arrangement, and overall morphology leave no doubt that their origin is tectonic, but structures other than faults have not been considered. To test if they are fault‐related or formed by accommodating opening‐mode displacement (i.e., jointing) without subsequent shear, we investigate the map patterns, cross‐sectional geometries, and variations of relief and width along the trough lengths. Relief and width could relate to the vertical displacement of faults and aperture of joints, respectively, and they therefore reveal differences in fracturing behavior. We analyzed six major troughs on Vesta, four belonging to Divalia Fossae, and two to Saturnalia Fossae. No map patterns are diagnostic of faulting or jointing. For each pair of trough‐bounding scarps, the maximum relief does not lie at the trough center, and the two maxima occur at different positions along the trough. In contrast, troughs are widest near the centers of the troughs. These characteristics are inconsistent with graben formation but are consistent with jointing. Furthermore, rock‐mechanical calculations that account for Vesta's low gravitational acceleration and degree of fracturing reveal that faulting is not favored to be initiated at depths above at least ∼3 but as much as 55 km within Vesta's lithosphere. Therefore, jointing or mixed‐mode fracturing, both involving opening‐mode displacements, are more plausible fracturing mechanisms for the Divalia Fossae.

PALYNOLOGICAL EVENTS OF THE TALANG AKAR FORMATION IN THE ON-SHORE AREA OF THE SOUTH SUMATRA BASIN

South Sumatra has been well known as the one of the largest hydrocarbon producers in Indonesia. Due to its potentiality, South Sumatra has been explored since the Dutch era. Million barrels of oil have been pumped out from this area and many unpublished reports and papers have been made regarding the remaining reserve of this area. This study focuses on Talang Akar Formation which is considered as the main reservoir in South Sumatra. Talang Akar Formation is interpreted to be formed in a deltaic environment (De Coster, 1974). The deltaic sediment must have contained excellent palynomorph assemblage as demonstrated by the previous authors (Hasjim, 1993, Morley, 1995 and LEMIGAS 2001a, b and c). On the other hand, marine microfossils show poor recovery including foraminifers and nannoplankton. This condition is understandable as marine microfossils are difficult to develop in the transition environment. For this reason, palynology is intensively studied as a powerful tool to comprehend the stratigraphy of the Talang Akar Formation.The deposition of Talang Akar Formation was influenced by the tectonic event during Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary which caused the occurrence of Semangko Dextral Fault (Suwidiyanto, 2003). This fault resulted in the formation of horst and graben which allowed sedimentation of Lahat Formation and the Lower Talang Akar Formation in the low topography. Subsequently, sea level increased rapidly drowning up the deposition center which resulted in the sedimentation of the Upper Talang Akar Formation and limestone Baturaja Formation (Suwidiyanto, 2003). Based on lithological character, Talang Akar Formation is separated into Great Sand Member (GRM) occupying lower part of this formation and Transition Member (TRM) situating in the upper formation. GRM was formed in the fluvial to delta plain environment, whilst TRM was deposited in delta plain to pro-delta environment (De Coster, 1974). The environmental change from fluvial-delta plain of GRM (non-marine) to delta plain-prodelta of TRM (nonmarine to transition) suggests the occurrence of transgressive phase. Palynologically, this change must be reflected in the palynological assemblage. In fact, TRM yields more brackish palynomorphs than those of GRM. In contrary, GRM especially those of river channel deposits are characterised by regular occurrence of riparian (freshwater) pollen such as Marginipollis concinus and Pandaniidites sp. (LEMIGAS, 2001a, b and c).Although palynological investigations were frequently conducted within the Talang Akar Formation, the results of these investigations were restricted on age interpretation and paleoenvironment analysis. There are more information can be obtained from the palynological data. Therefore, it is required extra efforts to elaborate data becoming useful information such as palynological event, sea level changes and paleoclimate. This study intends to explore the stratigraphy of the Talang Akar Formation based on its palynological and other micro-fossil content which focuses on palynological characteristic of the Talang Akar Formation, palynological event and other biostratigraphic information (zones, age and depositional environment).

Impact of crustal rheology and inherited mechanical weaknesses on early continental rifting and initial evolution of double graben structural configurations: Insights from 2D numerical models

During the early stages of continental rift, two main grabens are often formed in the upper crust. This double graben structural pattern is typically short-lived, only briefly accommodating rift-related extension. Although the formation and evolution of this structural pattern could be related to the existence of different types of (pre-rift) inherited crustal weaknesses, and possibly determined by their different number and spatial disposition, the process that causes the early nucleation of these grabens is still not fully understood. We hence carry out a set of numerical experiments to investigate the influence of lower crust mechanical weaknesses (weak-seeds) in the early rift nucleation of grabens, while simultaneously assuming different rheological configurations for the extending continental crust. Our results show that double graben structural patterns are generally favoured by crustal rheological configurations comprising a weak middle layer sandwiched between an upper brittle crust and a strong lower crust. In models in which this middle layer is relatively thick, two upper crustal main grabens nucleate above one single seed. In numerical experiments with a thinner middle layer this double graben pattern is observed to form even in the absence of any seeds, illustrating the critical role of the rheological configuration in early-rift double graben nucleation. We argue that different assumed crustal rheologies determine different modes of accommodating brittle deformation in the upper crust, resulting in different structural-mechanical grains imprinted in this layer, prior to the formation of the main grabens, and driving the subsequent nucleation of different structural configurations (including double grabens). The transient nature of the double graben configuration is also confirmed by our results, which consistently show that rift-related extensional strain is eventually fully concentrated in only one of these early formed structures.

Evolution of syn‐ to early post‐rift facies in rift basins: insights from the Cretaceous–Paleocene of the Great South Basin, New Zealand

AbstractEvolution of rift basin fill and geometry depend on the complex interactions between fault growth, sediment supply, base level changes and pre‐existing basement fabric. This study integrates multiple datasets in the Great South Basin (GSB), southeast New Zealand, and provides key insights into the evolution of depositional environments in rift basins, including the interplay between normal faulting, sediment supply and sediment dispersal patterns. It also examines the control of pre‐existing basement fabric on rift geometry and sediment distribution in the syn‐ and post rift successions. The syn‐rift is up to ~5.5 km thick in the GSB, and is underlain by several different basement terranes. Three syn‐rift stages are recognised; c.105–101, 101–90 and 90–83 Ma. During the initial syn‐rift, isolated northeast‐trending graben developed, with resultant alluvial fan/fan delta, fluvial, coastal and lacustrine sediment fill. The balance between sediment supply and accommodation space exerted considerable control on facies, especially the presence of lacustrine facies. During the later stages of syn‐rift, marine transgression occurred and connectivity between the graben developed, with shelfal, shoreface and marginal‐marine facies deposited. With marine transgression across the hinterland, sediment supply was significantly reduced in the northeast of the basin, leading to underfilling of graben, and preservation of rift topography for up to ~20 Myr after the cessation of faulting. In the west, where sediment supply was higher, rift topography was quickly filled. The NW‐trending basement terrane boundaries controlled accommodation space development during the initial stages of graben formation. Later in the syn‐ and post rift stages, these terrane boundaries formed long‐lived sediment input points into the basin, and controlled the position of repeated large deltaic depositional units.