Three-dimensional finite-element modeling of fault interactions in rift-scale normal fault systems: Implications for the late Cenozoic Rio Grande rift of north-central New Mexico

Goteti, Rajesh; Mitra, Gautam; Becene, Ahmet T.; Sussman, A. J.; Lewis, Claudia

doi:10.1130/2013.2494(07)

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…In addition, each of these shorter fault segments merges and overlaps with other segments in a series of monoclinal folds and distributed small-offset faults (Lewis et al, 2009). These observations are consistent with the results of three-dimensional finite-element modeling of the evolution of the Pajarito fault system, which predicts the development of overlapping fault segments and relay ramps (Goteti et al, 2013). To build upon these previous studies documenting sequential growth of normal faults through time in the Rio Grande rift, this paper focuses on uplifted Pliocene terraces preserved along the flanks of the Franklin Mountains, an extensional rift-flank uplift in the southern Rio Grande rift of far west Texas and south-central New Mexico.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Previous studies indicate that fault propagation and linkage may be an important process governing rift development. For example, in the Española Basin in northern New Mexico, multiple studies have been undertaken to decipher fault displacement profiles along the Pajarito fault system (Carter and Winter, 1995;Lewis et al, 2009;Goteti et al, 2013). Carter and Winter (1995) suggested that individual fault segments are generally bell shaped in the direction of dip, although they are asymmetric and displacement abruptly decreases at fault tips.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pliocene–Holocene deformation in the southern Rio Grande rift as inferred from topography and uplifted terraces of the Franklin Mountains, southern New Mexico and western Texas

2018

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In most extensional terrains such as the Rio Grande rift, alluvial fans and bajadas cover faults and terraces as extension progresses, thus limiting the faults and terraces as useful records of uplift. However, in the Franklin Mountains of western Texas and southern New Mexico (USA), rapid aggradation of basin floors by extensive playa lakes and floodplain deposits of the Rio Grande during the Pliocene buried the irregular mountain-front fans, thus creating a low-gradient surface. This originally planar surface was subsequently uplifted and deformed during faulting, providing a record of the Pliocene-Holocene extensional deformation in the southern Rio Grande rift. Deformation and uplift of the Franklin Mountains in the southern Rio Grande rift was estimated by measuring the elevation of late Pliocene terraces that are adjacent to range-bounding faults. The uplifted terraces are exposed along both sides of the Franklin Mountains, and lie as much as 130 m above their original elevation. Together the uplifted terraces form an anticlinal arch that mimics the profile of the range crest of the mountains. Three important conclusions can be drawn from the similarity of profiles among the terraces and mountain crest. First, the observation that the terraces mimic the range crest implies that the present-day topography of the mountains is likely tectonic in origin. Second, the east-side terraces are higher than the west-side terraces, suggesting rotation of the mountains during deformation. Estimated rotation since the Pliocene is ~5% of the total rotation. Third, fault throw rate calculations indicate differential slip along the length of the eastern boundary fault zone. The fault profile and throw rate calculations along the eastern margin of the range are skewed to the south, suggesting that the southern segment of the Franklin Mountains has accumulated a majority of the slip during this time frame. These observations, coupled with geophysical data highlighting buried faults beneath the El Paso (Texas)-Juárez (Mexico) metropolitan region, suggest that normal faults related to uplift of the Franklin Mountains have been growing in length toward the south over the last several million years.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pliocene–Holocene deformation in the southern Rio Grande rift as inferred from topography and uplifted terraces of the Franklin Mountains, southern New Mexico and western Texas

2018

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“…Although interactions within normalfault networks often produce complex 3-D strains, which are supported by simple geometric models (e.g., Ferrill and Morris, 2001) as well as numerical models (e.g., Imber et al, 2004;Goteti et al, 2013), no slip direction data exists for the normal faults observed in the 3-D seismic reflection data at Milne Point. Therefore, as these are normal faults, and we are considering the entirety of the fault network, we assume dip-slip displacement and apply a weighting factor (w) defined by Peacock and Sanderson (1993) to the displacement tensor, which corrects for the orientation bias between the sample plane and the dip angle (θ) of the faults, hence:…”

Section: Network Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Fault interactions and reactivation within a normal-fault network at Milne Point, Alaska

Nixon¹,

Sanderson²,

Dee³

et al. 2014

Bulletin

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A normal-fault network from Milne Point, Alaska, is investigated focusing on characterizing geometry, displacement, strain, and different fault interactions. The network, constrained from threedimensional seismic reflection data, comprises two generations of faults: Cenozoic north-northeast-trending faults and Jurassic west-northwest-trending faults, which highly compartmentalize Upper Triassic to Lower Cretaceous reservoirs. The west-northwest-trending faults are influenced by a similarly oriented underlying structural grain. This influence is characterized by increases in throw on several faults, strain localization, reorientation of faults and an increase in linkage maturity.Reconstructing fault plane geometries and mapping spatial variations in throw identified key characteristic features in their interactions and reactivation of pre-existing structures. Faults are divided into isolated, abutting, and splaying faults. Isolated faults exhibit a range of displacement profiles depending on the degree of restriction at fault tips. Fault splays accommodate step-like decreases in throw along larger main faults with a throw maximum at the intersection with the main fault. Throw profiles of abutting faults are divided into two groups: early stage abutting faults with throw minima at both the isolated and abutting tips, and developed abutting faults with throw maxima near the abutting tip.Developed abutting faults accumulate throw after initial abutment, locally reactivating and transferring throw onto the preexisting fault. Two abutting faults can link kinematically by Stephen Dee is a senior structural geologist at BP, working in the Integrated Subsurface Description and Modelling team and consulting on structural and geomechanics projects. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Southampton and specializes in fault and fracture interpretation, geomechanical modeling, and seal analysis.

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“…We estimate E‐W slip rates accommodated by known faults in northern New Mexico by using the vertical separation and dip‐slip rates derived from faulted geomorphic features and absolute‐ or relative‐dated surfaces (see Supporting Information S1). We assume that the faults within the RGR sole into a low‐angle detachment at depth, as suggested by previous subsurface and kinematic studies (Goteti et al., 2013; Grauch et al., 2017), such that any dip‐slip rate measured at the surface is translated into a horizontal extension rate at seismogenic depths along a near‐horizontal decollement (Table 2). Similar listric fault geometries have been proposed for other extensional fault systems in the western US (e.g., Wasatch Fault, Velasco et al., 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low‐Rate Faulting on the Margin of the Colorado Plateau and Rio Grande Rift in North‐Central New Mexico

Jobe

Chupik

2021

Tectonics

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In northern New Mexico, seismic hazard outside of the Rio Grande Rift (RGR) is generally considered low due to limited historical seismicity and few mapped Quaternary faults. Although the region has a complex tectonic history, nearly all known faults are considered inactive because of a lack of faulted Quaternary deposits. Analysis of lidar and existing geologic and geomorphic mapping permits identification and characterization of four faults on the Colorado Plateau/RGR margin. The Gallina, Willow Creek, and East and West Brazos Peak faults are normal or dextral‐normal faults that strike NW‐SE with lengths from 15 to 50 km. The Willow Creek fault has scarp heights <0.5–6.4 m on five Quaternary surfaces, with displacement increasing with relative surface age. An ∼5‐m‐high scarp on the ∼250 ka Brazos basalt yields an ∼0.02 mm/yr minimum dip‐slip rate. Oblique slip is recorded by dextral offset (∼40 m) of a middle Quaternary (?) terrace riser, a linear and en‐echelon stepping fault pattern, and a consistent down‐to‐the‐northeast fault expression. The West Brazos Peak fault displaces late Quaternary (?) surfaces by <4 m down‐to‐the‐southwest. We interpret these faults are Laramide‐aged faults reactivated as normal or dextral‐oblique faults in the Quaternary, consistent with regional stress and geodetic data. Although the faults have low slip rates (<0.1 mm/yr), the fault lengths suggest they may rupture in M6‐7 earthquakes and may pose a previously unrecognized seismic hazard to the region. Dextral transtension within the eastern Colorado Plateau is consistent with geodetic strain rates and earthquake focal mechanisms.

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Three-dimensional finite-element modeling of fault interactions in rift-scale normal fault systems: Implications for the late Cenozoic Rio Grande rift of north-central New Mexico

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

Pliocene–Holocene deformation in the southern Rio Grande rift as inferred from topography and uplifted terraces of the Franklin Mountains, southern New Mexico and western Texas

Pliocene–Holocene deformation in the southern Rio Grande rift as inferred from topography and uplifted terraces of the Franklin Mountains, southern New Mexico and western Texas

Fault interactions and reactivation within a normal-fault network at Milne Point, Alaska

Low‐Rate Faulting on the Margin of the Colorado Plateau and Rio Grande Rift in North‐Central New Mexico

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