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Geosciences
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Landscape Evolution in Tectonically Active Regions
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Landscape Evolution in Tectonically Active Regions

A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 18639

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Paola Cianfarra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DISTAV), Università degli Studi di Genova, 16126 Genova, GE, Italy
Interests: tectonics; geodynamics; remote sensing; tectonic geomorphology; planetology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Studies have proved the intimate connections between landscape evolution and tectonic processes in different geodynamic environments. Tectonic processes have also been proved to play a fundamental role on planetary surfaces in the solar system, providing a key to unravel their evolution, as well as identifying possible locations for the development of life. Surface topography is the result of competition between tectonics and surface processes. The first tend to build topography and enhance sharp, relatively short wavelength morphologies; the second instead tear the landscape, typically producing smooth, relatively long wavelength topographies. As feedback, erosional processes tend to etch zones of weakness created by regional-to-local tectonic processes. In this way, active tectonics produces a series of effects on the planet surface detectable on multiple scales, ranging from the regional, crustal isostatic processes to the local effect of active faulting and folding.

Linking the processes, which act on different spatial and temporal scales, with their effects on the landscape is a formidable challenge that needs the contributions and integration of several disciplines, such as structural geology, geomorphology, seismology, quaternary geology, climatology, geodynamics, neotectonics, geodesy, remote sensing, and planetary geology.

The aim of this Special Issue of Geosciences is to collect original, multidisciplinary contributions on studies related to the landscape evolution from the extensional, convergent (either collisional and/or subduction zones) and conservative (transform and strike-slip zones) margins. Contributions focused on the tectonic signature on landscapes in intraplate geodynamic settings, as well as studies on the morphotectonic settings of planetary surfaces, are warmly welcome.

Dr. Paola Cianfarra
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • active tectonics
  • landscape evolution
  • multi-scalar approach
  • planetary surface evolution
  • endogenous vs. exogenous processes

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 4902 KiB  
Article
Lineament Domain Analysis to Unravel Tectonic Settings on Planetary Surfaces: Insights from the Claritas Fossae (Mars)
by Evandro Balbi and Fabrizio Marini
Geosciences 2024, 14(3), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14030079 - 15 Mar 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1590
Abstract
Linear geo-textures are widely recognized on synthetic scaled images of planetary surfaces and consist of elongated alignments of tonal contrasts. When these linear patterns are clustered in azimuthal sets and organized in domains occurring on specific terranes, they reflect the structural grain of [...] Read more.
Linear geo-textures are widely recognized on synthetic scaled images of planetary surfaces and consist of elongated alignments of tonal contrasts. When these linear patterns are clustered in azimuthal sets and organized in domains occurring on specific terranes, they reflect the structural grain of the crust and provide clues on the stress trajectories. In this way, the geostatistical analysis of lineament domains represents a useful tool to highlight the geotectonic settings of planetary surfaces. In this work, we applied a lineament domain analysis to better frame the tectonic evolution of the Claritas Fossae (CF) area on Mars, the origin of which is still debated, and both dip–slip and strike–slip tectonics have been described in the literature. A twofold approach was followed that included the identification of a linear pattern with manual and automatic approaches. The automatic method confirmed and validated the results of the manual detection. The statistical analysis of the identified lineaments showed their clustering in two domains that persisted on different terranes separated by the regionally sized scarp associated with the CF. This scarp is the surface manifestation of the CF crustal fault. The spatial distribution of the two domains and their constant angular relationship of about 30° allowed relating one domain to the main CF fault and the other domain to the extensional deformation associated with the fault kinematics. Our results suggest that the CF frames well within a regional setting characterized by right–lateral kinematics with about 20% transtension. Temporal constraints derive from the ages of the terrains where the two domains develop. On this basis, we propose that a first tectonic event occurred in the Noachian age followed by a reactivation occurring after the emplacement of the Late Hesperian lavas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Evolution in Tectonically Active Regions)
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31 pages, 11666 KiB  
Article
Intraplate Strike-Slip Corridor within South America (NE Border of the Paraná Basin) Unveiled by Structural Analysis of Faults and Fracture Swarms
by Paola Cianfarra, Marcos Roberto Pinheiro, Fernando Nadal Junqueira Villela and Francesco Salvini
Geosciences 2022, 12(2), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences12020101 - 21 Feb 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4078
Abstract
We present the effect of neotectonics in intracratonic settings as revealed by the surface, brittle deformation associated to a regionally-sized shear corridor, which affects Southeastern Brazil. The deformation zone is characterized by the presence of nearly orthogonal fracture sets, interpreted as systematic and [...] Read more.
We present the effect of neotectonics in intracratonic settings as revealed by the surface, brittle deformation associated to a regionally-sized shear corridor, which affects Southeastern Brazil. The deformation zone is characterized by the presence of nearly orthogonal fracture sets, interpreted as systematic and non-systematic joints often cutting Quaternary deposits. An original methodology of fault and joint inversion by the Monte Carlo converging approach is used to infer multiple paleostress fields. The method provides the best orientation of the principal paleo-stresses responsible for the observed fracturing. At each step of the inversion process, structures are uniquely associated to the stress tensor that provides the lowest error. The results showed the poly-phased tectonic history of the shear corridor studied and paleostresses compatible with a regional strike-slip motion. Specifically, an E-W, left-lateral shear was followed by an E-W, right-lateral kinematics related to the post-Paleogene drifting of South American Plate and its clockwise rotation. The latter tectonic event is presently responsible for brittle deformation observed in Quaternary deposits. The proposed deformation corridor may represent the Cenozoic reactivation of an ancient weakness zone. We speculate that the described intraplate strike-slip deformation belt represents the continental prosecution of the Rio de Janeiro fracture zone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Evolution in Tectonically Active Regions)
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16 pages, 6053 KiB  
Article
Brittle Deformation in the Neoproterozoic Basement of Southeast Brazil: Traces of Intraplate Cenozoic Tectonics
by Marcos Roberto Pinheiro and Paola Cianfarra
Geosciences 2021, 11(7), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11070270 - 27 Jun 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2949
Abstract
The basement of southeast Brazil is traditionally interpreted as the result of Neoproterozoic and early Paleozoic orogenic cycles. Wide regions of the Atlantic Plateau (southeast Brazil) are characterized by rocks and tectonic structures of Precambrian age. According to the classical literature, these regions [...] Read more.
The basement of southeast Brazil is traditionally interpreted as the result of Neoproterozoic and early Paleozoic orogenic cycles. Wide regions of the Atlantic Plateau (southeast Brazil) are characterized by rocks and tectonic structures of Precambrian age. According to the classical literature, these regions have not been affected by tectonics since the Miocene, despite the fact that they rest close to Cenozoic basins, which have suffered recent tectonic deformation. The objective of this research is to evaluate the role of neotectonics in the Atlantic Plateau. This task is accomplished through a multiscalar approach which includes lineament domain analysis from regionally sized digital elevation models and structural geology field surveys. Lineaments are automatically detected and statistically analyzed. Azimuthal analyses of data on faults and fractures by a polynomial Gaussian fit enables the identification of the main structural trends. Fault-slip direct inversion by means of the original Monte Carlo approach allows one to compute the multiple paleostresses that produced the measured fault population. The results show the presence of a principal ENE–WSW lineament domain, related to an old shear zone possibly reactivated since the Miocene. One of the paleostresses computed from fault-slip inversion is in agreement with the neotectonic stress-field proposed by other authors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Evolution in Tectonically Active Regions)
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25 pages, 11043 KiB  
Article
Fracture Kinematics and Holocene Stress Field at the Krafla Rift, Northern Iceland
by Noemi Corti, Fabio L. Bonali, Federico Pasquaré Mariotto, Alessandro Tibaldi, Elena Russo, Ásta Rut Hjartardóttir, Páll Einarsson, Valentina Rigoni and Sofia Bressan
Geosciences 2021, 11(2), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11020101 - 20 Feb 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2966
Abstract
In the Northern Volcanic Zone of Iceland, the geometry, kinematics and offset amount of the structures that form the active Krafla Rift were studied. This rift is composed of a central volcano and a swarm of extension fractures, normal faults and eruptive fissures, [...] Read more.
In the Northern Volcanic Zone of Iceland, the geometry, kinematics and offset amount of the structures that form the active Krafla Rift were studied. This rift is composed of a central volcano and a swarm of extension fractures, normal faults and eruptive fissures, which were mapped and analysed through remote sensing and field techniques. In three areas, across the northern, central and southern part of the rift, detailed measurements were collected by extensive field surveys along the post-Late Glacial Maximum (LGM) extension fractures and normal faults, to reconstruct their strike, opening direction and dilation amount. The geometry and the distribution of all the studied structures suggest a northward propagation of the rift, and an interaction with the Húsavík–Flatey Fault. Although the opening direction at the extension fractures is mostly normal to the general N–S rift orientation (average value N99.5° E), a systematic occurrence of subordinate transcurrent components of motion is noticed. From the measured throw at each normal fault, the heave was calculated, and it was summed together with the net dilation measured at the extension fractures; this has allowed us to assess the stretch ratio of the rift, obtaining a value of 1.003 in the central sector, and 1.001 and 1.002 in the northern and southern part, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Evolution in Tectonically Active Regions)
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22 pages, 5588 KiB  
Article
New Insights for Understanding the Structural Deformation Style of the Strike-Slip Regime along the Wadi Shueib and Amman-Hallabat Structures in Jordan Based on Remote Sensing Data Analysis
by Mu’ayyad Al Hseinat, Abdulla Al-Rawabdeh, Malek Al-Zidaneen, Hind Ghanem, Masdouq Al-Taj, Abdullah Diabat, Ghaleb Jarrar and Mohammad Atallah
Geosciences 2020, 10(7), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10070253 - 2 Jul 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5628
Abstract
This paper presents new findings that contribute to the understanding of the deformational style of the Wadi Shueib Structure (WSS) and the Amman-Halabat Structure (AHS) and their relationship with the regional tectonic regime of the Dead Sea Transform Fault (DSTF). Our research utilized [...] Read more.
This paper presents new findings that contribute to the understanding of the deformational style of the Wadi Shueib Structure (WSS) and the Amman-Halabat Structure (AHS) and their relationship with the regional tectonic regime of the Dead Sea Transform Fault (DSTF). Our research utilized Landsat-8 OLI imagery for the automatic extraction of lineaments, and our lineament mapping was facilitated by processing and digital image enhancement using principal component analysis (PCA). Our data revealed a relatively higher density of lineaments along the extension of the major faults of the WSS and AHS. However, a relatively lower density of lineaments was shown in areas covered by recent deposits. Two major lineament trends were observed (NNE-SSW and NW-SE) in addition to a minor one (NE-SW), and most of these lineaments are parallel to the orientation of the WSS and AHS. We offer the supposition that the DSTF has merged into the major faults of the WSS and AHS. We further suppose that these faults were reactivated as a restraining bend composed of active strike-slip fault branches that developed due to the NNW-SSE-trending Dead Sea transpressional stress field. Depending on the relationship between the direction of the WSF and AHF strands and the regional tectonic displacement along the DSTF, thrust components are present on faults with horsetail geometry, and these movements are accompanied by folding and uplifting. Thus, the major faults of the WSS and AHS represent a contractional horsetail geometry with associated folding and thrusting deformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Evolution in Tectonically Active Regions)
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