The recent fault scarps of the Western Alps (France): Tectonic surface ruptures or gravitational sackung scarps? A combined mapping, geomorphic, levelling, and 10Be dating approach

Hippolyte, Jean-Claude; Brocard, Gilles; Tardy, Marc; Nicoud, Gérard; Bourlès, Didier; Braucher, Régis; Ménard, Gilles; Souffaché, Blaise

doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2006.02.009

Cited by 100 publications

(98 citation statements)

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“…4F) nor in the trenches (Fig. 11), which is similar to the study of Hippolyte et al (2006). The counterscarps in area 4 on the slope above this lineament (Figs.…”

Section: Origin Of the Fault Set And The Geomorphological Lineamentsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…However, various mechanisms, including gravitational deformation, folding and faulting are described by Li et al (2010) who have also highlighted the influence of mountain topography on kinematics of deformation. Therein, flexural toppling along subvertical bedding planes is suggested to be the primary origin for a swarm of counterscarps, similar to Hippolyte et al (2006) who additionally considered the gravitational reactivation of inherited fault structures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…8). This causes deep-seated, internal deformation of Gravitational flexural toppling has been suggested by several authors to account for the origin of counterscarps (Hippolyte et al, 2006;Reitner & Linner, 2009;Li et al, 2010). Li et al (2010) also suggested that this flexural toppling could contribute to the development of a basal sliding surface or sliding zone in complex largescale slope deformation.…”

Section: Kinematic Modelmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…A distinct geomorphological characteristic of area 7 is the prominent array of subparallel counterscarps and the bulging of the slope. Counterscarps are linear morpho logical features that are typical for DSGSDs (e.g., Agliardi et al, 2001) but which could also be of tectonic origin (e.g., Hippolyte et al, 2006;Li et al, 2010). For the counterscarps on Middagstinden, a gravitational origin is assumed as they occur in an array parallel to the contours which is a diagnostic feature following Hippolyte et al (2006) and Li et al (2010).…”

Section: Morphological Features and Deformation Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Especially several kilometre-long linear features that expose either an uphill-or a downhill-facing vertical step along the slope, such as a counterscarp, have been interpreted to be related either to tectonic faulting or to gravitational slope deformation. This has sometimes led to a reinterpretation of these features (Thompson et al, 1997;Hippolyte et al, 2006;Li et al, 2010) because some of them can show characteristic features of both origins (Thompson et al, 1997). However, various mechanisms, including gravitational deformation, folding and faulting are described by Li et al (2010) who have also highlighted the influence of mountain topography on kinematics of deformation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gravitational reactivation of a pre-existing post-Caledonian fault system: the deep-seated gravitational slope deformation at Middagstinden, western Norway

Schleier¹,

Hermanns²,

Krieger³

et al. 2016

NJG

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The origin of linear features in mountain terrain that form distinct vertical steps is generally not obvious and has been discussed to be related to either tectonic faulting or gravitational slope deformation. A strong geomorphological lineament running oblique to the slope and forming a convex step in the topography is located on the mountain Middagstinden just west of the valley Innfjorddalen, western Norway. In previous studies this lineament has been interpreted to be the surface expression of a Holocene reverse fault previously called the Berill Fault, indicating the first evidence for neotectonic faulting in southern Norway. Now, detailed structural field mapping has revealed the existence of a set of normal fault planes striking subparallel to this lineament and to the main extensional faults associated with the Caledonian collapse. Electric resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles of the valley floor and excavated parallel trenches confirm the regional extent of the fault, but the sediments observed in the trenches do not indicate any Holocene activity. Furthermore, the lineament is a limiting structure of a large rock-slope instability. Kinematic feasibility tests based on structural field measurements indicate wedge failure along the intersection of the fault and the local foliation. However, this intersection line is not exposed on the slope surface. Hence, simple wedge or translational sliding along the slope is not feasible, except in its uppermost part. Both the displacements observed by differential global navigation satellite system (dGNSS) surveys and the geomorphological characteristics, for instance, counterscarps, superficial mass movements, coherent slide blocks and slope bulging, indicate complex deformation mechanisms. The deformation evidently changed along the slope in type and degree including planar sliding in the uppermost part, potentially large wedge sliding in the middle part, and incremental internal deformation in a direction out of the slope in the lower part. The complex kinematics and geomorphological characteristics account for the definition of a deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD). Furthermore, the findings reveal that the geomorphological lineament is of gravitational origin and not neotectonic. It has formed by a reactivation of the pre-existing, Caledonian, normal fault system due to the DSGSD, and is hence an example of pseudotectonics ('apparent reverse fault').

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“…4F) nor in the trenches (Fig. 11), which is similar to the study of Hippolyte et al (2006). The counterscarps in area 4 on the slope above this lineament (Figs.…”

Section: Origin Of the Fault Set And The Geomorphological Lineamentsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Section: Kinematic Modelmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Morphological Features and Deformation Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Gravitational reactivation of a pre-existing post-Caledonian fault system: the deep-seated gravitational slope deformation at Middagstinden, western Norway

Schleier¹,

Hermanns²,

Krieger³

et al. 2016

NJG

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Impacts of post‐glacial rebound on landslide spatial distribution at a regional scale in northern Iceland (Skagafjörður)

Cossart

Mercier²,

Decaulne³

et al. 2013

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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International audienceIn de-glaciated areas, para-glaciation (i.e. the conditioning of landscapes by prior glaciation) has often been considered a major predisposing factor in landslide occurrence; its consequences have been particularly well identified at a fine scale (especially on bedrock jointing). Hitherto, the relative impacts of para-glaciation on hillslope dynamics at a regional scale had nevertheless not been quantified statistically. We examine Skagafjörður area (northern Iceland) where landslides are widespread (at least 108 were mapped in an area of c. 3000km2).We compare the role of para-glaciation (debuttressing, influence of post-glacial rebound) with that of classic factors (topography, lithology, etc.) in landslide occurrence and location, using a spatial analysis based on a chi-square test. On the one hand, the results highlight that landslides are over-represented in areas where post-glacial rebound was at its maximum, with a stronger concentration of landslides in the northern part of the fjord. On the other hand, the distribution of landslides did not show any clear relationship with the pattern of glacial debuttressing. Tschuprow coefficient highlights that the influence of post-glacial rebound on landslide location is higher than the combined influence of slope gradient, curvature or geological structure. This result is supported by our initial evidence for the timing of landslides in the area: most landslides occurred during the first half of the Holocene, and a period of hillslope instability was initiated when the post-glacial uplift was at its maximum. Finally, the mechanisms that link post-glacial rebound and landsliding as well as the geomorphic impacts of landslides, are discussed

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Deglaciation history at the Alpine‐Mediterranean transition (Argentera‐Mercantour, SW Alps) from ¹⁰Be dating of moraines and glacially polished bedrock

Rolland

Darnault

Braucher

et al. 2019

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Estimating the extent and age of the last glacial maxima as well as the chronology of glacial recessions in various environmental contexts is key to source-to-sink studies and paleoclimate reconstructions. The Argentera-Mercantour massif is located at the transition between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, therefore, its deglaciation chronology can be compared to the sediment budget of the Var River basin. Based on 13 new cosmic-ray exposure (CRE) beryllium-10 ( 10 Be) datings performed on moraines and polished crystalline bedrocks and 22 reassessed 10 Be CRE ages from similar altitude nearby steep basement surfaces, and from a lake sediment core, we can constrain the deglaciation chronology of the Argentera-Mercantour massif. These data allow for the first time to fully reconstruct the deglaciation history at the scale of the entire massif in agreement with a major glacier recession at c. 15 ka, at the onset of Bølling transition between the Oldest and Older Dryas. Main deglaciation of the upper slopes [2700-2800 m above sea level (a.s.l.)] occurred after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) at 20.8-18.6 ka, followed by the main deglaciation of the lower slopes (2300 m a.s.l.) at 15.3-14.2 ka. Finally, the flat polished surfaces above 2600 m a.s.l. and the zones confined within narrow lateral valleys were likely affected by progressive ice melting of remaining debris covered glaciers and moraine erosion following the Younger Dryas re-advance stage between 12 and 8-9 ka. At lower elevations, the Vens Lake located at 2300 m a.s.l., allows evidence of the onset of lake sedimentation at c. 14 ka and a transition towards a vegetated environment that mainly occurred before 8 ka. Moraine final stabilization at 5 ka might reflect denudation acceleration during the Holocene humid phase. This contribution reveals a glacier-climate relationship more sensitive to warming phases in the southern Alps highlighted by a major decrease of glaciers after c. 15 ka. This major deglaciation is correlated with a 2.5-fold decrease of sediment discharge of rivers into the Mediterranean Sea.

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The recent fault scarps of the Western Alps (France): Tectonic surface ruptures or gravitational sackung scarps? A combined mapping, geomorphic, levelling, and 10Be dating approach

Cited by 100 publications

References 50 publications

Gravitational reactivation of a pre-existing post-Caledonian fault system: the deep-seated gravitational slope deformation at Middagstinden, western Norway

Gravitational reactivation of a pre-existing post-Caledonian fault system: the deep-seated gravitational slope deformation at Middagstinden, western Norway

Impacts of post‐glacial rebound on landslide spatial distribution at a regional scale in northern Iceland (Skagafjörður)

Deglaciation history at the Alpine‐Mediterranean transition (Argentera‐Mercantour, SW Alps) from ¹⁰Be dating of moraines and glacially polished bedrock

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The recent fault scarps of the Western Alps (France): Tectonic surface ruptures or gravitational sackung scarps? A combined mapping, geomorphic, levelling, and 10Be dating approach

Cited by 100 publications

References 50 publications

Gravitational reactivation of a pre-existing post-Caledonian fault system: the deep-seated gravitational slope deformation at Middagstinden, western Norway

Gravitational reactivation of a pre-existing post-Caledonian fault system: the deep-seated gravitational slope deformation at Middagstinden, western Norway

Impacts of post‐glacial rebound on landslide spatial distribution at a regional scale in northern Iceland (Skagafjörður)

Deglaciation history at the Alpine‐Mediterranean transition (Argentera‐Mercantour, SW Alps) from 10Be dating of moraines and glacially polished bedrock

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Product

Resources

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Deglaciation history at the Alpine‐Mediterranean transition (Argentera‐Mercantour, SW Alps) from ¹⁰Be dating of moraines and glacially polished bedrock