Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1811-1835 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | International Journal of Earth Sciences |
| Volume | 109 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 30 May 2020 |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2020 |
Abstract
We present new evidence for neotectonic activity along the Harz Boundary Fault, a Cretaceous reverse fault that represents a key structure in northern Germany. For the fault analysis, we use a multimethod approach, integrating outcrop data, luminescene dating, shear wave seismics, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and numerical simulations. A recent sinkhole at the SSW-ward dipping and WNW–ESE striking Harz Boundary Fault exposes a NNE-ward dipping and WNW–ESE striking planar fault surface that cuts through unconsolidated debris-flow deposits thus pointing to young Lateglacial tectonic activity. The fault shows a polyphase evolution with initial normal fault movement and a later reactivation as an oblique fault with reverse and strike-slip components. A shear wave seismic profile was acquired to analyse the geometry of the fault and show that the Harz Boundary Fault is steeply dipping and likely has branches. Partly, these branches propagate into overlying alluvial-fan deposits that are probably Pleniglacial to Lateglacial in age. The outcrop data in combination with the seismic data give evidence for a splay fault system with steep back-thrusts. One of these back-thrusts is most likely the NNE-ward dipping fault that is exposed in the sinkhole. The lateral extent of the fault was mapped with electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles. The timing of fault movement was estimated based on optically stimulated luminescence dating of the faulted debris-flow deposits using both quartz and feldspar minerals. Consistent feldspar and quartz ages indicate a good bleaching of the sediment prior to deposition. The results imply fault movements post-dating ~ 15 ka. Numerical simulations of glacio isostatic adjustment (GIA)-related changes in the Coulomb failure stress regime at the Harz Boundary Fault underpin the assumption that the fault was reactivated during the Lateglacial due to stress changes induced by the decay of the Late Pleistocene (Weichselian) Fennoscandian ice sheet.
Keywords
- Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), Glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), Harz Boundary Fault, Lateglacial, Luminescence dating, Neotectonics, Northern Germany, Numerical simulations, Shear wave seismics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Cite this
- Standard
- Harvard
- Apa
- Vancouver
- BibTeX
- RIS
In: International Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 109, No. 5, 07.2020, p. 1811-1835.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Structural style and neotectonic activity along the Harz Boundary Fault, northern Germany
T2 - A multimethod approach integrating geophysics, outcrop data and numerical simulations
AU - Müller, Katharina
AU - Polom, Ulrich
AU - Winsemann, Jutta
AU - Steffen, Holger
AU - Tsukamoto, Sumiko
AU - Günther, Thomas
AU - Igel, Jan
AU - Spies, Thomas
AU - Lege, Thomas
AU - Frechen, Manfred
AU - Franzke, Hans Joachim
AU - Brandes, Christian
PY - 2020/7
Y1 - 2020/7
N2 - We present new evidence for neotectonic activity along the Harz Boundary Fault, a Cretaceous reverse fault that represents a key structure in northern Germany. For the fault analysis, we use a multimethod approach, integrating outcrop data, luminescene dating, shear wave seismics, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and numerical simulations. A recent sinkhole at the SSW-ward dipping and WNW–ESE striking Harz Boundary Fault exposes a NNE-ward dipping and WNW–ESE striking planar fault surface that cuts through unconsolidated debris-flow deposits thus pointing to young Lateglacial tectonic activity. The fault shows a polyphase evolution with initial normal fault movement and a later reactivation as an oblique fault with reverse and strike-slip components. A shear wave seismic profile was acquired to analyse the geometry of the fault and show that the Harz Boundary Fault is steeply dipping and likely has branches. Partly, these branches propagate into overlying alluvial-fan deposits that are probably Pleniglacial to Lateglacial in age. The outcrop data in combination with the seismic data give evidence for a splay fault system with steep back-thrusts. One of these back-thrusts is most likely the NNE-ward dipping fault that is exposed in the sinkhole. The lateral extent of the fault was mapped with electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles. The timing of fault movement was estimated based on optically stimulated luminescence dating of the faulted debris-flow deposits using both quartz and feldspar minerals. Consistent feldspar and quartz ages indicate a good bleaching of the sediment prior to deposition. The results imply fault movements post-dating ~ 15 ka. Numerical simulations of glacio isostatic adjustment (GIA)-related changes in the Coulomb failure stress regime at the Harz Boundary Fault underpin the assumption that the fault was reactivated during the Lateglacial due to stress changes induced by the decay of the Late Pleistocene (Weichselian) Fennoscandian ice sheet.
AB - We present new evidence for neotectonic activity along the Harz Boundary Fault, a Cretaceous reverse fault that represents a key structure in northern Germany. For the fault analysis, we use a multimethod approach, integrating outcrop data, luminescene dating, shear wave seismics, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and numerical simulations. A recent sinkhole at the SSW-ward dipping and WNW–ESE striking Harz Boundary Fault exposes a NNE-ward dipping and WNW–ESE striking planar fault surface that cuts through unconsolidated debris-flow deposits thus pointing to young Lateglacial tectonic activity. The fault shows a polyphase evolution with initial normal fault movement and a later reactivation as an oblique fault with reverse and strike-slip components. A shear wave seismic profile was acquired to analyse the geometry of the fault and show that the Harz Boundary Fault is steeply dipping and likely has branches. Partly, these branches propagate into overlying alluvial-fan deposits that are probably Pleniglacial to Lateglacial in age. The outcrop data in combination with the seismic data give evidence for a splay fault system with steep back-thrusts. One of these back-thrusts is most likely the NNE-ward dipping fault that is exposed in the sinkhole. The lateral extent of the fault was mapped with electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles. The timing of fault movement was estimated based on optically stimulated luminescence dating of the faulted debris-flow deposits using both quartz and feldspar minerals. Consistent feldspar and quartz ages indicate a good bleaching of the sediment prior to deposition. The results imply fault movements post-dating ~ 15 ka. Numerical simulations of glacio isostatic adjustment (GIA)-related changes in the Coulomb failure stress regime at the Harz Boundary Fault underpin the assumption that the fault was reactivated during the Lateglacial due to stress changes induced by the decay of the Late Pleistocene (Weichselian) Fennoscandian ice sheet.
KW - Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)
KW - Glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA)
KW - Harz Boundary Fault
KW - Lateglacial
KW - Luminescence dating
KW - Neotectonics
KW - Northern Germany
KW - Numerical simulations
KW - Shear wave seismics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85085889646&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00531-020-01874-0
DO - 10.1007/s00531-020-01874-0
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85085889646
VL - 109
SP - 1811
EP - 1835
JO - International Journal of Earth Sciences
JF - International Journal of Earth Sciences
SN - 1437-3254
IS - 5
ER -