Geologic Structures

(sedimentary, igneous, deformation)

and Deformation Regimes

Processes in Structural Geology & Tectonics

Ben van der Pluijm

WW Norton+Authors, unless noted otherwise

1/5/2016 7:35 PM
 We Discuss

Geologic Structures and

Deformation Regimes
Depositional Structures
Unconformities
Salt Structures
Volcanic Structures
Impact Structures
Deformation Structures
Deformation Regimes
Frictional Regime
Plastic Regime

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 Stratigraphic Facing

a. Ripple marks
b. Cross beds (AZ)
c. Pillow basalt (CA)

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 Turbidites

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 Penecontemporaneous Structures

Penecontemporaneous (syn-
depositional) folds in the Maranosa
Arenaci (Italian Apennines).

Heart Mountain detachment;

subaerial landslide of Paleozoic
carbonates on Eocene deposits
(Wyoming).

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 Other Primary Structures

a. Disrupted bedding (Spain)

b. Load casts (Germany)
c. Clastic Dyke (Canada)

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 Unconformities

a. Disconformity
b. Angular unconformity
c. Nonconformity
d. Buttress unconformity

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 Angular Unconformities

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 Unconformities

D Depaor

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 Identifying Unconformities

Features to identify
unconformities:
(a) scour channels in
sediments,
(b) basal conglomerate,
(c) age discordance from
fossil evidence,
(d) soil horizon or
paleosol.

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 Salt Structures

Stages in the formation of salt structures and

associated terminology. Structural maturity and
size increase toward the structures in the rear.
Sequence in (a) shows structures rising from line
sources, whereas structures in (b) originate from
point sources.
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 Salt-linked Deformation

Cross sections
showing down-to-
Gulf type movement
of a passive-margin
salt wedge; the
sections also show
listric normal faults
and salt rollers. The
sequence (a) through
(d) shows successive
stages in the evolution
of the margin, and
accompanying
extension.

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 Igneous Structures

Migmatite showing complex folding

and disruption.
Pillow basalt from Port San Luis
Pier (CA)
Columnar jointing at Massif central
(France)

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 Igneous Structures

Types of sheet intrusions around a volcano

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 Impact Structures

Shatter cones of Sudbury impact (1.85 Ba)

Barringer Meteor Crater of Arizona (50 Ka)

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 Deformation Structures (field)

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 Deformation Regimes
The Frictional Regime and the Plastic Regime are used as the process
framework for our examinations of Earths deformation structures and
tectonics, from micro- to mega-scale.

Synoptic Crustal Fault,

by:
Deformation regime
Fault rock
Depth
Pressure
(~27MPa/km)
Temperature
(25oC/km)
Metamorphic Facies
Rock strength
(Differential Stress,
MPa)

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