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Three-dimensional structure and evolution of an asymmetric pull-apart basin

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Abstract

The structure of a ~250-m-long asymmetrical pull-apart basin developed in carbonate rocks at the Galilee heights, Israel, is herein analyzed. The reconstruction of the basin geometry is based on detailed mapping and LiDAR measurements of fault scarps. The architecture of faults is then used as a boundary condition for calculating the stress pattern in the vicinity of the basin, using a dislocation model. The basin is found to be an asymmetrical V-shaped structure bordered by two longitudinal oblique right-lateral strike–slip faults. The strike of one of the faults is bent at the eastern edge of the basin, generating a transverse boundary fault which joins the second boundary fault orthogonally. The overall lateral displacement is smaller than the basin length, and no transverse or diagonal fault is observed in the western end of the basin. The deformation around the basin is mostly displayed by fractures. Yet, folds and fault branches are observed near the tips of the boundary faults and near kink points of fault segments. Stress analysis obtained by the three-dimensional model is in general agreement with the orientation of fractures and location of high deformation regions in and around the basin. Based on our observations, we present a conceptual model which demonstrates the development of asymmetric basins in releasing bends and sheds light on the structures of similar large pull-apart basins.

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Acknowledgments

This work is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Hagai Ron who first showed us the Dalton basin during a field trip. We thank Yaakov Mizrachi for his help in the fieldwork and Michele Cooke for helpful discussion. We thank the editor Wolf-Christian Dullo and the reviewers Dickson Cunningham and Ariel Heimann for their insightful comments and constructive review which helped improve this manuscript.

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  1. Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malchei Israel St., Jerusalem, Israel

    Amir Sagy & Yariv Hamiel

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  1. Amir Sagy
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  2. Yariv Hamiel
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Correspondence to Amir Sagy.

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Sagy, A., Hamiel, Y. Three-dimensional structure and evolution of an asymmetric pull-apart basin. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 106, 1619–1630 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-016-1374-4

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