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Deformation along the Yammuneh, The restraining bend of the Dead Sea Transform: Paleomagnetic data and kinematic implications
Author(s) -
Ron Hagai
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
tectonics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.465
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1944-9194
pISSN - 0278-7407
DOI - 10.1029/tc006i005p00653
Subject(s) - geology , clockwise , seismology , paleomagnetism , slip (aerodynamics) , kinematics , geodesy , plate tectonics , fault (geology) , shear (geology) , geometry , fault block , transform fault , deformation (meteorology) , strike slip tectonics , geodetic datum , rotation (mathematics) , tectonics , geophysics , petrology , physics , oceanography , mathematics , classical mechanics , thermodynamics
A simple geometrical model shows that the plate margin along the restraining bend segment of the transform plate boundary be deformed in order to accommodate overlap of the crust. This model predicts both the maximum width of the deformed zone and the magnitude of deformation when the general geometry of the plate margin is known as well as the plate slip vector and the amount of cumulative displacement. This idea has been tested along the plate margin of the Yammuneh restraining bend of the Dead Sea transform. The plate margin has been deformed by NNE folding parallel to the restraining bend and by east‐west trending, right‐lateral strike‐slip faults. Paleomagnetic measurements yield counterclockwise rotation of R±ΔR=61.0°±9.6° and F±ΔF=23.4°±17.2°. The paleomagnetic rotational data and fault kinematic suggest that the mechanism which accommodates regional left‐lateral shear is simultaneous right‐lateral strike‐slip faulting on secondary faults and block rotation. The magnitude of deformation is the same as that predicted by the model, which is 100% shortening in a direction parallel to the plate slip vector and negligible deformation in a direction parallel to the transform. The large amount of rotation implies that probably more than one fault set is involved and present day seismic activity is the current manifestation of this crustal deformation process. If this prediction is correct, then the current deformation of the plate margin is accommodated by more favorable newly formed NNW right‐lateral strike‐slip faults.