Intraplate Strike-Slip Reactivation of the Sinnyeong Fault in the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin, Korea, Due to the Concentration of Later Compressional Stress

This study focuses on the geometry and kinematics of the Sinnyeong Fault which is the most conspicuous fault among the WNW-trending Gaeum Fault System in the Gyeongsang Basin,SE Korea. The fault is traced for over ca.70 kmand has a consistent WNW-trending strike with a nearly vertical dip. It has an asymmetric fault damage zone of several meters to several tens of meters in width and a several meter-thick fault core. Its main movement is interpreted as sinistral-reverse oblique-slip or sinistral strike-slip under NE-SW compressional stress regime, although it could have experienced other faultings with different senses before/after this movement. Cylindrical folds, having the NW-trending fold axes of low angle plunge, are only observed along the southern damage zone of the fault with a continuous narrow width of several tens of meters. It is thus interpreted that the formation of the folds and sinistral movement of the fault were almost contemporaneously generated due to the concentration of the regional NE-SW compressional stress along pre-existing WNW-trending faults or densely populated fracture zone in a relatively stable intraplate region.

[1]  S. Chough,et al.  Tectonic and sedimentary evolution of a Cretaceous continental arc–backarc system in the Korean peninsula: New view , 2010 .

[2]  H. Arato,et al.  Seismic evidence of divergent rifting and subsequent deformation in the southern Japan Sea, and a Cenozoic tectonic synthesis of the eastern Eurasian margin , 2006 .

[3]  Kazuhiro Suzuki,et al.  Recent advances in the cretaceous stratigraphy of Korea , 2003 .

[4]  R. Jonk,et al.  Deformation in Neogene sediments of the Sorbas and Vera Basins (SE Spain): constraints on simple-shear deformation and rigid body rotation along major strike-slip faults , 2002 .

[5]  Zhang Junxia,et al.  Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic rifting and its dynamic setting in Eastern China and adjacent areas , 2002 .

[6]  S. Chough,et al.  Tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the Korean peninsula: a review and new view , 2000 .

[7]  Rhee,et al.  An allostratigraphic approach to a non‐marine basin: the north‐western part of Cretaceous Kyongsang Basin, SE Korea , 1998 .

[8]  C. Petit,et al.  Paleostress reconstructions and geodynamics of the Baikal region, Central Asia, Part 2. Cenozoic rifting , 1997 .

[9]  Sun-Ok Park,et al.  Cretaceous stratigraphy and geologic history of medial Kyongsang Basin: tectonics and volcanism , 1997 .

[10]  R. Holdsworth,et al.  The recognition of reactivation during continental deformation , 1997, Journal of the Geological Society.

[11]  A. Becker.  Conical drag folds as kinematic indicators for strike-slip fault motion , 1995 .

[12]  J. Letouzey,et al.  Fault reactivation and structural inversion. Backarc and intraplate compressive deformations. Example of the eastern Sunda shelf (Indonesia) , 1990 .

[13]  A. Yao,et al.  Cretaceous and Early Cenozoic Stratigraphy and History of Eastern Kyŏngsang Basin, S. Korea , 1990 .

[14]  Guang Zhu,et al.  Formation and evolution of the Tancheng-Lujiang wrench fault system : A major shear system to the northwest of the Pacific Ocean , 1987 .

[15]  K. Chang.  Cretaceous Stratigraphy of Southeast Korea , 1975 .

[16]  Ji-Hoon Kang,et al.  The movement history of the southern part of the Yangsan Fault Zone interpreted from the geometric and kinematic characteristics of the Sinheung Fault, Eonyang, Gyeongsang Basin, Korea , 2009 .

[17]  H. S. Koo,et al.  Role of the Cheongryangsan Conglomerate and the Osipbong Basalt in Classifying Stratigraphy of the Hayang Group, Yeongyang Subbasin , 2009 .

[18]  김홍균,et al.  Tertiary Geological Structures and Deformation History of the Southern Tsushima Island, Japan , 2008 .

[19]  Paul Mann,et al.  Tectonics of strike-slip restraining and releasing bends , 2007 .

[20]  P. Mann.  Global catalogue, classification and tectonic origins of restraining- and releasing bends on active and ancient strike-slip fault systems , 2007 .

[21]  D. Cunningham.  Structural and topographic characteristics of restraining bend mountain ranges of the Altai, Gobi Altai and easternmost Tien Shan , 2007 .

[22]  M. Son,et al.  Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) of Granitic Rocks in the Eastern Region of the Yangsan Fault , 2007 .

[23]  Jong-Yeol Kim.  Articles : Fault System and Fracture Zone of the Yangsan Fault , 1993 .

[24]  K. Chang.  Cretaceous and Cenozoic stratigraphy and history of eastern Kyongsang Basin, south korea. , 1990 .

[25]  R. Sibson.  A note on fault reactivation , 1985 .

[26]  George H. Davis,et al.  Structural geology of rocks and regions , 1984 .