Kinematic and geometric analysis of fault-related folds in a rift setting: The Dannemarie basin, Upper Rhine Graben, France

Research areas:

• Environnement, Paléo-Environnement et Bio-Indicateurs (2011 - 2016)

Year:

2007

Authors:

• M. Ford
• C. Le Carlier de Veslud
• Olivier Bourgeois

Journal:

JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY

Volume:

29

Number:

11

Pages:

1811-1830

ISSN:

0191-8141

BibTex:

@article{WOS:000251439200007, author = "M. Ford and de Veslud, C. Le Carlier and Olivier Bourgeois", abstract = "The Upper Rhine Graben (URG) developed in the Alpine foreland from mid-Eocene to Pliocene as part of the West European rift system. The Dannemarie basin occupies the SW termination of the URG and is bordered by the Vosges fault zone (west) and the Illfurth fault zone (east). We constructed a 3D model of faults and principal pre- and syn-rift stratigraphic surfaces, using all available subsurface and surface geological and geophysical data. The model shows: (1) syn-rift strata thinning across kilometre-scale, fault-parallel, monoclinal flexures associated with basin margin faults; and (2) major basin-margin faults terminating laterally into major flexures. Sequential cross-section restorations show that these flexures accommodated deposition of over 1300 m of syn-rift strata (Salt Series which is 42-63\% of the basin fill). These folds are interpreted as syn-rift fault-propagation folds that developed above normal faults. Their geometry is replicated in a trishear numerical model using reasonable parameter values. Fold development was controlled principally by: (1) reactivation of favourably oriented basement faults; (2) the presence of a thick viscous layer (principally Triassic evaporites) allowing decoupling between crystalline basement and competent Jurassic cover; and (3) a relatively slow deformation rate. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.", doi = "10.1016/j.jsg.2007.08.001", extra = "PICL", issn = "0191-8141", journal = "JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY", number = "11", pages = "1811-1830", title = "{K}inematic and geometric analysis of fault-related folds in a rift setting: {T}he {D}annemarie basin, {U}pper {R}hine {G}raben, {F}rance", volume = "29", year = "2007", }

Abstract:

The Upper Rhine Graben (URG) developed in the Alpine foreland from
mid-Eocene to Pliocene as part of the West European rift system. The
Dannemarie basin occupies the SW termination of the URG and is bordered
by the Vosges fault zone (west) and the Illfurth fault zone (east). We
constructed a 3D model of faults and principal pre- and syn-rift
stratigraphic surfaces, using all available subsurface and surface
geological and geophysical data. The model shows: (1) syn-rift strata
thinning across kilometre-scale, fault-parallel, monoclinal flexures
associated with basin margin faults; and (2) major basin-margin faults
terminating laterally into major flexures. Sequential cross-section
restorations show that these flexures accommodated deposition of over
1300 m of syn-rift strata (Salt Series which is 42-63\% of the basin
fill). These folds are interpreted as syn-rift fault-propagation folds
that developed above normal faults. Their geometry is replicated in a
trishear numerical model using reasonable parameter values. Fold
development was controlled principally by: (1) reactivation of
favourably oriented basement faults; (2) the presence of a thick viscous
layer (principally Triassic evaporites) allowing decoupling between
crystalline basement and competent Jurassic cover; and (3) a relatively
slow deformation rate. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.