Thickening of fault zones: A mechanism of melange formation in accreting sediments

Abstract

Research Article| November 01, 1987 Thickening of fault zones: A mechanism of melange formation in accreting sediments J. Casey Moore; J. Casey Moore 1Earth Sciences Board, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Tim Byrne Tim Byrne 2Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information J. Casey Moore 1Earth Sciences Board, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064 Tim Byrne 2Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1987) 15 (11): 1040–1043. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15<1040:TOFZAM>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation J. Casey Moore, Tim Byrne; Thickening of fault zones: A mechanism of melange formation in accreting sediments. Geology 1987;; 15 (11): 1040–1043. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15<1040:TOFZAM>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Sediments accreted at subduction zones undergo stratal disruption and form a type of melange. The thickness of the disrupted zones grows with progressive deformation. This suggests that initial fault surfaces are abandoned and deformation propagates into adjacent undeformed sediment. Factors causing the abandonment of fault surfaces during continuing deformation include (1) strengthening owing to porosity loss during consolidation, (2) localized drops in fluid pressure on fault surfaces that act as dewaterinig conduits, and (3) reorientation of fault surfaces. The disruptive processes occurring in accretionary prisms result principally from the deformation of a consolidating sediment mass. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.