Tectonic Inheritance in Continental Rifts and Passive Margins

Misra, Achyuta Ayan; Mukherjee, Soumyajit

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-20576-2

Cited by 78 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 163 publications

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“…Sediment thicknesses in the Rukwa rift are less than in the more extension-orthogonal central Tanganyika rift (Chorowicz, 2005;Corti et al, 2007;Misra and Mukherjee, 2015) (Fig. 12B).…”

Section: Tanganyika-rukwa Rift Segmentsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Interactions between propagating rifts and linear weaknesses in the lower crust

2019

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■ ABSTRACT Pre-existing structures in the crust such as shear zones, faults, and mobile belts are known to exert a significant control on the structural evolution of continental rifts. However, the influence of such features when the extension direction progressively changes over time remains uncertain. Here we present new results from three-dimensional lithospheric-scale laboratory experiments of rotational extension that provide key insights into the temporal evolution of propagating rifts. We specifically test and characterize how rifts propagate and interact with linear crustal rheological heterogeneities oriented at variable angles with respect to the extension direction. Results show that approximately rift-parallel pre-existing heterogeneities favor the formation of long, linear faults that reach near-final lengths at early stages. Low angles between the heterogeneities and the propagating rift axis may result in strong strikeslip reactivation of the pre-existing structures if they are suitably oriented with respect to the stretching direction. When the linear heterogeneities are oriented at intermediate to high angles rift branches become laterally offset as they propagate, resulting in complex rhombic fault patterns. Rift-perpendicular crustal heterogeneities do not affect fault trends during rift propagation, but cause stalling and deepening of laterally growing rift basins. Similarities between the analogue experimental results and selected natural examples provide insights on how nature finds the preferential pathway to breakup in heterogeneous continental lithosphere.

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“…Sediment thicknesses in the Rukwa rift are less than in the more extension-orthogonal central Tanganyika rift (Chorowicz, 2005;Corti et al, 2007;Misra and Mukherjee, 2015) (Fig. 12B).…”

Section: Tanganyika-rukwa Rift Segmentsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Interactions between propagating rifts and linear weaknesses in the lower crust

2019

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“…Consequently, the northward movement and anticlockwise rotation of the Greater Indian continent occurred as break-up progressed (Chatterjee, Goswami, & Scotese, 2013;Storey et al, 1995;Torsvik et al, 2000) forming a series of interlinked failed rifts that constitute the WIRS. Although the Jaisalmer and Indus basins are well-known to have a late Gondwanan origin, the relationship between the Cretaceous sediments of the WIRS, the Jaisalmer and Indus basins remains obscure as it is patchily preserved across the northern margin of the Indian Plate below the Deccan Traps (Ahmad & Amad, 1991;Akhtar & Ahmad, 1991;Chowdhary, 1975;Jaitly & Ajane, 2013;Khosla et al, 2003;Misra & Mukherjee, 2015;Raju, 1968;Sharma, 2007;Sheth, 2007) and the geometry and extent of the associated rifts are poorly documented. That said, preservation of isolated fluvial Lower Cretaceous sediments clearly suggests the presence of an established rift system through the north-western Indian Plate prior to the onset of the main Deccan eruptions around 64 Ma in the Danian (Mukherjee, Misra, Calvès, & Nemčok, 2017).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sedimentology and the facies architecture of the Ghaggar‐Hakra Formation, Barmer Basin, India: Implications for early Cretaceous deposition on the north‐western Indian Plate margin

Beaumont

Clarke

Burley

et al. 2018

The Depositional Record

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Fluvial strata of the Lower Cretaceous Ghaggar‐Hakra Formation are exposed in fault blocks on the central‐eastern margin of the Barmer Basin, Rajasthan. The sedimentology of these outcrops are described from 114 logs (thicknesses up to 100 m) and 53 two‐dimensional correlation panels. The formation comprises three distinct channel belt sandstone packages defined as the Darjaniyon‐ki Dhani, Sarnoo and Nosar sandstones separated by thick siltstone‐dominated floodplain successions. The sediments were deposited in a sub‐tropical, low sinuosity fluvial system that matures into a highly sinuous fluvial system. The Nosar Sandstone, the youngest of the three packages, exhibits a significant increase in energy and erosive power compared to those underlying it. This distinct change in fluvial style is interpreted as being rejuvenation due to an actively developing rift network forming accommodation space, rather than climatic controls acting on part of the depositional system. Consequently, the Ghaggar‐Hakra Formation at outcrop represents Lower Cretaceous syn‐rift deposition within the Barmer Basin with active localized fault movement from Nosar Sandstone times onward. These findings provide sedimentological evidence in support of pre‐Palaeogene northwest–southeast extension in the Barmer Basin. Moreover, they imply Cretaceous extension took place widely along the northern extremity of the West Indian Rift System consistent with plate tectonic models of the break‐up of Gondwana and evolution of the Indian Ocean. Outcrops of Lower Cretaceous strata are patchy across India and Pakistan. This study provides valuable material which, when combined with the available published data, facilitates a re‐evaluation of Lower Cretaceous palaeogeography for the north‐west Indian Plate. The reconstruction demonstrates a complex fluvial system, where the sediments are preserved sporadically as early syn‐rift strata. The findings imply a high preservation potential for early Cretaceous fluvial successions within rifted fault blocks near Saraswati and Aishwarya of the Barmer Basin beneath the Palaeogene fill that likely have significant potential for further hydrocarbon exploration.

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“…Tectonic inheritance can exert an important control on the style of extension as continental crust rifts apart during the onset of a new Wilson cycle (e.g., Manatschal et al, ; Misra & Mukherjee, ; Osmundsen & Péron‐Pinvidic, ; Salazar‐Mora et al, ; Salerno et al, ). One manifestation of rifting involves the formation and exhumation of a metamorphic core complex (MCC).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tectonic Inheritance Following Failed Continental Subduction: A Model for Core Complex Formation in Cold, Strong Lithosphere

et al. 2019

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Inherited structural, compositional, thermal, and mechanical properties from previous tectonic phases can affect the deformation style of lithosphere entering a new stage of the Wilson cycle. When continental crust jams a subduction zone, the transition from subduction to extension can occur rapidly, as is the case following slab breakoff of the leading subducted oceanic slab. This study explores the extent to which geometric and physical properties of the subduction phase affect the subsequent deformation style and surface morphology of post subduction extensional systems. We focus on regions that transition rapidly from subduction to extension, retaining lithospheric heterogeneities and cold thermal structure inherited from subduction. We present numerical models suggesting that following failed subduction of continental crust (with or without slab breakoff), the extensional deformation style depends on the strength and dip of the preexisting subduction thrust. Our models predict three distinct extensional modes based on these inherited properties: (1) reactivation of the subduction thrust and development of a rolling‐hinge detachment that exhumes deep crustal material in a domal structure prior to onset of an asymmetric rift; (2) partial reactivation of a low‐angle subduction thrust, which is eventually abandoned as high‐angle, “domino”‐style normal faults cut and extend the crust above the inherited thrust; and (3) no reactivation of the subduction fault but instead localized rifting above the previous subduction margin as new rift‐bounding, high‐angle normal faults form. We propose that the first mode is well exemplified by the young, rapidly exhumed Dayman‐Suckling metamorphic core complex that is exhuming today in Papua New Guinea.

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Tectonic Inheritance in Continental Rifts and Passive Margins

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Cited by 78 publications

References 163 publications

Interactions between propagating rifts and linear weaknesses in the lower crust

Interactions between propagating rifts and linear weaknesses in the lower crust

Sedimentology and the facies architecture of the Ghaggar‐Hakra Formation, Barmer Basin, India: Implications for early Cretaceous deposition on the north‐western Indian Plate margin

Tectonic Inheritance Following Failed Continental Subduction: A Model for Core Complex Formation in Cold, Strong Lithosphere

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