Heterogeneous strength and fault zone complexity of carbonate-bearing thrusts with possible implications for seismicity

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

Volumn 408, Issue , 2014, Pages 307-318

  Tesei, Telemaco ^a   Collettini, Cristiano ^b,c   Barchi, Massimiliano R ^a   Carpenter, Brett M ^c   Di Stefano, Giuseppe ^c  

^a UNIVERSITY OF PERUGIA   (Italy)

^b SAPIENZA UNIVERSITY OF ROME   (Italy)

^c ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI GEOFISICA E VULCANOLOGIA   (Italy)

Author keywords

Carbonates; Earthquakes; Fault; Friction

Indexed keywords

EARTHQUAKES; FAULTING; FRICTION;

FAULT ZONE;

CARBONATES;

CARBONATE ROCK; EARTHQUAKE; FAULT PLANE; FAULT SLIP; FAULT ZONE; FRICTION; HETEROGENEOUS MEDIUM; LIMESTONE; SEISMICITY; THRUST;

EID: 84910087024     PISSN: 0012821X     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2014.10.021     Document Type: Article

References (101)

1. Agosta F., Aydin A. Architecture and deformation mechanism of a basin-bounding normal fault in Mesozoic platform carbonates, central Italy. J. Struct. Geol. 2006, 28:1445-1467. 10.1016/j.jsg.2006.04.006.
2. Alvarez W., Engelder T., Geiser P.A. Classification of solution cleavage in pelagic limestones. Geology 1978, 6:263-266.
3. Barchi M.R., Brozzetti F. Il sovrascorrimento di Spoleto: un esempio di inversione tettonica nell'Appennino Umbro-Marchigiano?. Studi Geolog. Camerti, Vol. Spec. 1991, 1:337-345.
4. Barchi M.R., Lemmi M. Geologia dell'area del M. Coscerno-M. di Civitella (Umbria sud-orientale). Boll. Soc. Geol. Ital. 1996, 115:601-624.
5. Barchi M.R., Minelli G., Pialli G. The CROP 03 profile: a synthesis of results on deep structures of the Northern Apennines. Mem. Soc. Geol. Ital. 1998, 53:383-400.
6. Barchi M.R., Alvarez W., Shimabukuro D.H. The Umbria-Marche Apennines as a Double Orogen: observations and hypotheses. Ital. J. Geosci. 2012, 131:258-271. 10.3301/IJG.2012.17.
7. Beeler N.M. Laboratory-observed faulting in intrinsically and apparently weak materials. The Seismogenic Zone of Subduction Thrust Faults 2007, 370-449. T.H. Dixon, J.C. Moore (Eds.).
8. Behnsen J., Faulkner D.R. The effect of mineralogy and effective normal stress on the frictional strength of sheet silicates. J. Struct. Geol. 2012, 42:49-61. 10.1016/j.jsg.2012.06.015.
9. Ben-Zion Y., Shi Z. Dynamic rupture on a material interface with spontaneous generation of plastic strain in the bulk. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2005, 236:286-296. 10.1016/j.epsl.2005.03.025.
10. Bernard P., Lyon-Caen H., Briole P., Deschamps A., Boudins F., Makrapoulos K., Papadimitriou P., Lemeille F., Patau G., Billiris H., Paradissis D., Papazissi K., Castaréde H., Charade O., Nercessian A., Avallone A., Pacchiani F., Zahradnik J., Sacks S., Linde A. Seismicity, deformation and seismic hazard in the western rift of Corinth. New insights from the Corint Rift Laboratory (CRL). Tectonophysics 2006, 426:7-30. 10.1016/j.tecto.2006.02.012.
11. Berthé D., Choukroune P., Jegouzo P. Orthogneiss, mylonite and non coaxial deformation of granites: the example of the South Armorican Shear Zone. J. Struct. Geol. 1979, 1:31-42. 10.1016/0191-8141(79)90019-1.
12. Biegel R.L., Sammis C.G., Dieterich J.H. The frictional properties of a simulated gouge having a fractal particle-size distribution. J. Struct. Geol. 1989, 11:827-846.
13. Billi A. Microtectonics of low-P low-T carbonate fault rocks. J. Struct. Geol. 2010, 32:1392-1402. 10.1016/j.jsg.2009.05.007.
14. Boneh Y., Sagy A., Reches Z. Frictional strength and wear-rate of carbonate faults during high-velocity steady-state sliding. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2013, 381:127-137.
15. Brace W.F., Byerlee J. Stick-slip as a mechanism for earthquakes. Science 1966, 153:990-992.
16. Bullock R.J., De Paola N., Holdsworth R.H., Trabucho-Alexandre J. Lithological controls on the deformation mechanisms operating within carbonate-hosted faults during the seismic cycle. J. Struct. Geol. 2014, 58:22-42. 10.1016/j.jsg.2013.10.008.
17. Burchfiel B.C., Royden L.H., van der Hilst R.D., Hager B.H., Chen Z., King R.W., Li C., Lu J., Yao H., Kirby E. A geological and geophysical context for the Wenchuan earthquake of 12 May 2008, Sichuan, People's Republic of China. GSA Today 2008, 18. 10.1130/GSATG18A.1.
18. Bussolotto M., Benedicto A., Invernizzi C., Micarelli L., Plagnes V., Deiana G. Deformation features within an active normal fault zone in carbonate rocks: the Gubbio fault (Central Apennines, Italy). J. Struct. Geol. 2007, 29:2017-2037. 10.1016/j.jsg.2007.07.014.
19. Byerlee J. Friction of rocks. Pure Appl. Geophys. 1978, 116:615-626.
20. Byerlee J., Summers R. A note on the effect of fault gouge thickness on fault stability. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr. 1976, 13:35-36.
21. Candela T., Renard F., Bouchon M., Schmidtbull J., Brodsky E.E. Stress drop during earthquakes: effect of fault roughness scaling. Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am. 2011, 101:2369-2387.
22. Carminati E., Scrocca D., Doglioni C. Compaction-induced stress variations with depth in an active anticline: Northern Apennines, Italy. J. Geophys. Res. 2010, 115. 10.1029/2009JB00639.
23. Carminati E., Lustrino M., Doglioni C. Geodynamic evolution of the central and western Mediterranean: tectonics vs. igneous petrology constrains. Tectonophysics 2012, 579:173-192. 10.1016/j.tecto.2012.01.026.
24. Carpenter B.M., Ikari M., Marone C. Mineralogical controls of fault healing in natural and simulate gouges with implications for fault zone processes and the seismic cycle. AGU Fall Meeting 2011 2011, Abstract.
25. Carpenter B.M., Saffer D.M., Marone C. Frictional properties and sliding stability of San Andreas fault from deep drill core. Geology 2012, 10.1130/G33007.1.
26. Chen W.S., Huang B.S., Chen Y.G., Lee Y.H., Yang C.N., Lo C.H., Lee K.J. 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake: a case study on the role of thrust-ramp structures for generating earthquakes. Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am. 2001, 91:986-994.
27. Chester F.M., Chester J.S. Ultracataclasite structure and friction processes of the Punchbowl fault, San Andreas system, California. Tectonophysics 1998, 295:199-221. 10.1016/S0040-1951(98)00121-8.
28. Chiaraluce L., Ellseworth W.L., Chiarabba C., Cocco M. Imaging the complexity of an active normal fault system: the 1997 Colfiorito (central Italy) case study. J. Geophys. Res. 2003, 108(B62294). 10.1029/2002JB002166.
29. Collettini C., Niemejer A., Viti C., Marone C. Fault zone fabric and fault weakness. Nature 2009, 462:907-910. 10.1038/nature08585.
30. Collettini C., Niemeijer A., Viti C., Smith S.A.F., Marone C. Fault structure, frictional properties and mixed-mode fault slip behavior. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2011, 311:316-327. 10.1016/j.epsl.2011.09.020.
31. Collettini C., Viti C., Tesei T., Mollo S. Thermal decomposition along natural faults during earthquakes. Geology 2013, 41:927-930. 10.1130/G34421.1.
32. Collettini C., Di Stefano G., Carpenter B.M., Scarlato P., Tesei T., Mollo S., Trippetta F., Marone C., Romeo G., Chiaraluce L. A novel and versatile apparatus for brittle rock reformation. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci 2014, 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2013.12.005.
33. Collettini C., Carpenter B.M., Viti C., Cruciani F., Mollto S., Tesei T., Trippetta F., Valoroso L., Chiaraluce L. Fault structure and slip localization in carbonate bearing normal faults: an example from the Northern Apennines of Italy. J. Struct. Geol. 2014, 67:154-166. 10.1016/j.jsg.2014.07.017.
34. Cloos M. Thrust-type subduction-zone earthquakes and seamount asperities: a physical model for seismic ruptures. Geology 1992, 20:601-604.
35. Cloos M., Shreve R.L. Subduction-Channel model of Prism Accretion, Melange formation, sediment subduction, and subduction erosion at convergent plate margins: 2. Implications and discussion. Pure Appl. Geophys. 1988, 128:501-545.
36. Cowan D.S., Cladouhos T.T., Morgan J.K. Structural geology and kinematic history of rocks formed along low-angle normal faults, Death Valley, California. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 2003, 115:1230-1248. 10.1130/B25245.1.
37. Cubas N., Avouac J.-P., Soloumiac P., Leroy Y. Megathrust friction determined from mechanical analysis of the forearc in the Maule Earthquake area. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2013, 381:92-103.
38. De Paola N., Collettini C., Faulkner D.R., Trippetta F. Fault zone architecture and deformation processes within evaporitic rocks in the upper crust. Tectonics 2008, 27:TC4017. 10.1029/2007TC002230.
39. Dieterich J.H. Time-dependent friction of rocks. J. Geophys. Res. 1972, 77:3690-3697.
40. Dieterich J.H. Modeling of rock friction: 1. Experimental results and constitutive equations. J. Geophys. Res. 1979, 84:2161-2168.
41. Dieterich J.H., Kilgore B.D. Direct observation of frictional contacts: new insights for state-dependent properties. Pure Appl. Geophys. 1994, 143:283-302.
42. Doglioni C. Some remarks on the origin of foredeeps. Tectonophysics 1993, 228:1-20. 10.1016/0040-1951(93)90211-2.
43. Fagereng A., Sibson R.H. Mélange rheology and seismic style. Geology 2010, 38:751-754. 10.1130/G30868.1.
44. Faulkner D.R., Lewis A.C., Rutter E.H. On the internal structure and mechanics of large strike-slip faults: field observations from the Carboneras fault, southeastern Spain. Tectonophysics 2003, 367:235-251. 10.1016/S0040-1951(03)00134-3.
45. Faulkner D.R., Jackson C.A.L., Lunn R.J., Schlische R.W., Shipton Z.K., Wibberley C.A.J., Withjack M.O. A review of recent developments concerning the structure, mechanics and fluid flow properties of fault zones. J. Struct. Geol. 2010, 32:1557-1575. 10.1016/j.jsg.2010.06.009.
46. Faulkner D.R., Mitchell T.M., Behnsen J., Hirose T., Shimamoto T. Stuck in the mud? Earthquake nucleation and propagation through accretionary forearcs. Geophys. Res. Lett. 2011, 38. 10.1029/2011GL048552.
47. Fondriest M., Smith S.A.F., Candela T., Nielsen S.B., Mair K., Di Toro G. Mirror-like faults and power dissipation during earthquakes. Geology 2013, 10.1130/G34641.1.
48. Govoni A., et al. The 2014 Emilia seismic sequence (Northern Italy): imaging the thrust fault system by accurate aftershock location. Tectonophysics 2014, 622:44-55.
49. Gratier J.-P., Thouvenot F., Jenaton L., Tourette A., Doan M.-L., Renard F. Geological control of the partitioning between seismic and aseismic sliding behaviours in active faults: evidence from the Western Alps, France. Tectonophysics 2013, 600:226-242. 10.1016/j.tecto.2013.02.013.
50. Heesakkers V., Murphy S., Reches Z. Earthquake rupture at focal depth part I: structure and rupture of the Pretorius Fault: TauTona mine, South Africa. Pure Appl. Geophys. 2011, 168:2395-2425.
51. Hossack J.R. The use of balanced cross-sections in the calculation of orogenic contraction: a review. J. Geol. Soc. 1979, 136:705-711. 10.1144/gsjgs.136.6.0705.
52. Ikari M.J., Niemeijer A.R., Marone C. The role of fault zone fabric and lithification state on frictional strength, constitutive behavior and deformation microstructure. J. Geophys. Res. 2011, 116:B08404. 10.1029/2011JB008264.
53. Ikari M.J., Niemeijer A.R., Spiers C.J., Kopf A.J., Saffer D.M. Experimental evidence linking slip instability with seafloor lithology and topography at the Costa Rica convergent margin. Geology 2013, 41:891-894. 10.1130/G33956.1.
54. Jolivet R., Lasserre C., Doin M.-P., Peltzer G., Avouac J.-P., Sun J., Dailu R. Spatio-temporal evolution of aseismic slip along the Haiyuan fault, China: implication for fault frictional properties. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2013, 378:23-33.
55. Kanamori H., Stewart G. Seismologial aspects of the Guatemala Earthquake of February 4, 1976. J. Geophys. Res. 1978, 83:3427-3434.
56. Katz O., Reches Z., Baer G. Faults and their associated host rock deformation: Part I. Structure of small faults in quartz-syenite body, southern Israel. J. Struct. Geol. 2003, 25:1675-1689.
57. Kimura G., Yamaguchi A., Hojo M., Kitamura Y., Kameda J., Ujiie K., Hamada Y., Hamahashi M., Hina S. Tectonic mélange as fault rock of subduction plate boundary. Tectonophysics 2012, 568-569:25-38. 10.1016/j.tecto.2011.08.025.
58. Koopman A. Detachment tectonics in the Central Apennines, Italy. Geol. Ultraiectina 1983, 30:1-155.
59. Lacroix B., Buatier M., Labaume P., Travè A., Dubois M., Charpentier D., Ventalon S., Convert-Gaubier D. Tectonic and geochemical characterization of thrusting in a foreland basin: example of the South-Pyrenean orogenic wedge (Spain). J. Struct. Geol. 2011, 33:1359-1377. 10.1016/j.jsg.2011.06.006.
60. Lavecchia G. Analisi cinematica del sovrascorrimento del F. Fiastrone (Sibillini Nord Orientali). Boll. Soc. Geol. Ital. 1979, 98:457-468.
61. Lay T., Kanamori H. An asperity model of Large Earthquakes. Earthquake Prediction: An Internal Review 1981, 579-592.
62. Logan J.M., Friedman M., Higgs M., Dengo C., Shimamoto T. Experimental studies of simulated gouge and their application to studies of natural fault zones. Proceedings of the VIII Conference, Analysis of Actual Fault Zones in Bedrock 1979, 305-343.
63. Marone C. Laboratory-derived friction laws and their application to seismic faulting. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 1998, 26:643-696.
64. Massoli D., Koyi H.A., Barchi M.R. Structural evolution of a fold and thrust belt generated by multiple décollements: analogue models and natural examples from the Northern Apennines (Italy). J. Struct. Geol. 2006, 28:185-199. 10.1016/j.jsg.2005.11.002.
65. Montone P., Mariucci M.T., Pondrelli S., Amato A. An improved stress map for Italy and surrounding regions (central Mediterranean). J. Geophys. Res. 2004, 109. 10.1029/2003JB002703.
66. Moore D.E., Rymer M.J. Talc-bearing serpentinite and the creeping section of the San Andreas fault. Nature 2007, 448. 10.1038/nature06064.
67. Muhuri S., Dewers T.A., Thursman E.S.J., Reches Z. Interseismic fault strengthening and earthquake slip instability: friction or cohesion?. Geology 2003, 31:881-884.
68. Nakamura M., et al. Three-dimensional P- and S-wave velocity structures beneath Japan. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 2008, 168:49-70. 10.1016/j.pepi.2008.04.017.
69. Niemeijer A.R., Spiers C.J. Velocity dependence of strength and healing behaviour in simulated phyllosilicate-bearing fault gouge. Tectonophysics 2006, 427:231-253. 10.1016/j.tecto.2006.03.048.
70. Nissen E., Jackson J., Jahani S., Tatar M. Zagros "phantom earthquakes" reassessed - the interplay of seismicity and deep salt flow in the Simply Folded belt?. J. Geophys. Res., Solid Earth 2014, 119. 10.1002/2013JB010796.
71. Noda H., Lapusta N. Stable creeping fault segments can become destructive as a result of dynamic weakening. Nature 2013, 10.1038/nature11703.
72. Perfettini H., Avouac J.-P., Tavera H., Kositsky A., Nocquet J.-M., Bondoux F., Chlieh M., Sladen A., Audin L., Farber D.L., Soler P. Seismic and aseismic slip on the Central Peru megathrust. Nature 2010, 465:78-81. 10.1038/nature09062.
73. Pieri M., Groppi G. Subsurface geological structure of the Po Plain. CNR 1981, 414.
74. Prescott, W.H., Lisowski, M., Savage, J.C., 1981. Geodetic measurements of crustal deformation on the San Andreas, Hayward and Calaveras faults near San Francisco, California.
75. Price R.A. The mechanical paradox of large overthrusts. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 1988, 100:1898-1908.
76. Price R.A. The mechanical paradox of large overthrusts. J. Geophys. Res. 1988, 86:10853-10869.
77. Prior D.J., Behrmann J.H. Thrust-related mudstone fabrics from the Barbados Forearc: a backscattered scanning electron micoscope study. J. Geophys. Res. 1990, 95:9055-9067.
78. Rice J.R. Heating and weakening of faults during earthquake slip. J. Geophys. Res. 2006, 111:B05311. 10.1029/2005JB004006.
79. Rubinstein J.L., Shelly D.R., Ellsworth W.L. Non-volcanic Tremor: a window into the roots of fault zones. New Frontiers in Integrated Solid Earth Sciences 2010, Springer Science+Business Media BV. 10.1007/978-90-481-2737-5_8. S. Cloetingh, J. Negendank (Eds.).
80. Rutter E.H., Maddock R.H., Hall S.H., White S.H. Comparative microstructures of natural and experimentally produced clay-bearing fault gouges. Pure Appl. Geophys. 1986, 124:3-30.
81. Saffer D.M., Tobin H.J. Hydrogeology and mechanics in subduction zone forearcs: fluid flow and pore pressure. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 2011, 39:157-186. 10.1146/annurev-earth-040610-133408.
82. Sammis C.G., Osborne R.H., Lawford Anderson J., Banerdt M., White P. Self-similar cataclasis in the formation of fault gouge. Pure Appl. Geophys. 1986, 124:53-78.
83. w 5.4 Reggio Emilia 1996 earthquake: active compressional tectonics in the Po Plain. J. Geophys. Int. 2001, 144:1-13.
84. Sibson R.H. Fault rocks and fault mechanisms. J. Geol. Soc. 1977, 133:191-213. 10.1144/gsjgs.133.3.0191.
85. j 6.8 Mid-Niigata Prefecture, Japan earthquake sequence. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2007, 257:188-197.
86. Smith S.A.F., Billi A., Di Toro G., Spiess R. Principal slip zones in limestone: microstructural characterization and implications for the seismic cycle (Tre Monti Fault, Central Apennines, Italy). Pure Appl. Geophys. 2011, 168:2365-2393. 10.1007/s00024-011-0267-5.
87. Smith S.A.F., Di Toro G., Kim S., Ree J.-H., Nielsen S., Billi A., Spiess R. Coseismic recrystallization during shallow earthquake slip. Geology 2012, 10.1130/G33588.1.
88. Steinbrugge K.V., Zacher E.G., Tocher D., Whitten C.A., Claire C.N. Creep on the San Andreas Fault. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 1960, 50:389-415.
89. Suppe J. Geometry and kinematics of fault-bend folding. Am. J. Sci. 1983, 283:684-721.
90. Tenthorey E., Cox S.F., Todd H.F. Evolution of strength recovery and permeability during fluid-rock interaction in experimental fault zones. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2003, 206:161-172.
91. Tesei T., Cristiano C., Carpenter B.M., Viti C., Marone C. Frictional strength and healing behavior of phyllosilicate-rich faults. J. Geophys. Res. 2012, 117:B09402. 10.1029/2012JB009204.
92. Tesei T., Collettini C., Viti C., Barchi M.R. Fault architecture and deformation mechanisms in exhumed analogues of seismogenic carbonate-bearing thrusts. J. Struct. Geol. 2013, 55. 10.1016/j.jsg.2013.07.007.
93. Thomas A. Frictional properties of faults: from observation on the Longitudinal Valley Fault, Taiwan, to dynamic simulations 2014, PhD Thesis.
94. Valoroso L., Chiaraluce L., Collettini C. Earthquakes and fault zone structure. Geology 2014, 42:343-346. 10.1130/G35071.1.
95. Verbene B.A., de Bresser J.H.P., Niemeijer A.R., Spiers C.J., de Winter D.A.M., Plumper O. Nanocrystalline slip zones in calcite fault gouge show intense crystallographic preferred orientation: crystal plasticity at sub-seismic slip rates at 18-150°. Geology 2013, 41:863-866. 10.1130/G34279.1.
96. Viti C., Collettini C., Tesei T. Pressure solution seams in carbonatic fault rocks: mineralogy, micro/nanostructure and deformation mechanism. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 2014, 167. 10.1007/s00410-014-0970-1.
97. White S.R. Textural and microstructural evidence for semi-brittle flow in natural fault rocks with varied mica contents. Int. J. Earth Sci. 2001, 90:14-27. 10.1007/s005310000166.
98. Willemse E.J.M., Peacock D.C.P., Aydin A. Nucleation and growth of strike-slip faults in limestones from Somerset, UK. J. Struct. Geol. 1997, 19:1461-1477.
99. Wojtal S., Mitra G. Strain hardening and strain softening in fault zones from foreland thrusts. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 1986, 97:684-697. 10.1130/0016-7606(1986)97<674:SHASSI>2.0.CO;2.
100. w=7.6). J. Struct. Geol. 2005, 27:2058-2083.
101. w 9.0). Geophys. Res. Lett. 2011, 38. 10.1029/2011GL048408.