Origin of transfer faults in extending regions: deciphering through kinematic approaches

Date

2025-12-05

Author

Tokay, Bülent

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Transfer faults are transversely oriented, oblique, or strike-slip faults linking normal faults in extensional regions. Despite various mechanisms proposed for their formation, the relationship between transfer faults and the characteristics of regional and local stress (strain) states has not yet been investigated in detail. The aim of this thesis is to use kinematic approaches to clarify the conditions under which transfer faults develop between normal faults. Stress inversion results for structural configurations in which normal faults are linked at right angles by transfer faults indicate that the extension direction is (sub)parallel to the trend of transfer faults. Stress regimes compatible with both normal and transfer faults include pure extension and transtension, obeying Anderson’s fault theorem. (Sub)vertical transfer faults occur predominantly in transtensional settings. Transfer faults connecting normal faults orthogonally are often reactivated structures. Strain inversion based on Micropolar theory suggests that transfer faults frequently develop between normal faults with linkage angles of 50° to 70°. In most cases, the main extension direction is oblique to the dip direction of normal faults. Bi-directional (bi-axial) extension is proposed as a strain regime capable of generating transfer faults between normal faults. Analog models, varied by divergence velocity and lateral spacing of normal faults, demonstrate that bi-directional extension can locally form between normal faults and induce their linkage under pure extension. Linkage at footwall blocks of normal faults requires bi-directional extension. This strain type appears as a transient phase during normal fault growth, while transtension becomes dominant in the cumulative deformation of transfer zones.

Subject Keywords

Transfer fault, Transfer zone, Normal fault, Bi-directional/Bi-axial extension, Transtension

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/118320

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis