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Neotectonic Deformation of Pleistocene Deposits Along the Sudetic Marginal Fault, Southwestern Poland
Author(s) -
Krzyszkowski Dariusz,
Bowman Dan
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9837(199706)22:6<545::aid-esp712>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - geology , pleistocene , graben , quaternary , fault (geology) , deformation (meteorology) , bedrock , extensional definition , glacial period , neotectonics , monocline , paleontology , extensional fault , geomorphology , seismology , tectonics , oceanography
The 160 km long Sudetic Marginal Fault (SMF) of Middle Silesia, southwestern Poland, is a main Alpine fault oriented NW–SE. This paper provides evidence of possible neotectonic activity in front of the SMF. The data are based on three exposures in the Roztoka–Mokrzeszow Graben near the city of Swidnica. Morphotectonic evidence in front of the SMF is also examined. Two sets of extensional deformation features are exposed and analysed. The main one includes gently inclined normal faults and flexures, with displacements in the bedrock of at least several metres. Based on the Quaternary stratigraphy of the region, the age of deformation is most probably Lower Saalian (Upper Pleistocene). The trigger for the deformation was probably the re‐reactivation of the SMF and other faults due to the advance of the Lower Saalian Scandinavian ice‐sheet into the Sudetic Mountains. The secondary deformation system includes sub‐vertical, often conjugate faults with displacements up to 0·5 m superimposed on former structures. Its dominant normal faulting mode suggests an extensional stress regime that apparently coincides with the post‐glacial glacioisostatic rebound. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.