Structural Features of the Central Labrador Trough: A Model for Strain Partitioning, Differential Exhumation and Late Normal Faulting in a Thrust Wedge under Oblique Shortening

The west-verging fold and thrust belt of the Central Labrador Trough originated as a part of the New Quebec Orogen from rift inversion as a result of oblique collision and dextral transpression between the Archean Superior craton and the Archean block of the Core Zone during the Trans-Hudson orogeny (1.82−1.77 Ga). The structures associated with dextral transpression are well established in the northern segment of the orogen but not in the central part. We present new field structural observations along the ca. 70 km long W−E Minowean-Romanet transect that include not only elements of thrust tectonics but also previously undocumented examples of strike-slip shear zones and late brittle, semi-brittle and ductile extensional structures which occurred both in the frontal and rear parts of the thrust wedge. The newly described low-angle mineral lineation, axes of cylindrical folds and dextral mylonitic shear zones in the footwall of the Romanet Fault are oriented subparallel to the orogen and reflect the early phase of oblique convergence. Mineral lineations and striations on planes of normal faults in the hanging wall of the Romanet Fault are oriented orthogonal to the orogen and correspond to a later phase of exhumation driven by the combined effects of erosion and underplating. To explain the increase in the degree of exhumation along the orogen in the study area from NW to SE, we propose a model of strain partitioning and differential exhumation that resulted from longitudinal variations of shortening and erosion under an oblique convergence setting.RÉSUMÉLa partie centrale de la ceinture de plissement et de chevauchement de la Fosse du Labrador de vergence vers l’ouest fait partie intégrante de l’Orogène du Nouveau-Québec, et résulte de la collision oblique avec transpression dextre entre le craton Supérieur archéen et le bloc archéen de la Zone noyau pendant l’Orogenèse trans-hudsonienne (1.82−1.77 Ga). Les structures associées à la transpression dextre sont bien établies dans la partie nord de l’orogène mais pas dans la partie centrale. Nous présentons de nouvelles observations structurales de terrain le long de la traverse ouest−est Minowean-Romanet d’environ 70 km de long, qui comprennent non seulement des évidences de tectonique de chevauchement, mais également des exemples encore non documentés de zones de cisaillement ductile et de structures d’extension fragiles, demi-fragiles et ductiles à la fois dans les parties frontales et arrière du prisme d’accrétion tectonique. La linéation minérale à faible plongement récemment décrite, les axes de plis cylindriques et les zones de cisaillement mylonitique dextre dans le compartiment inférieur de la faille de Romanet sont subparallèles à l’orogène et reflètent une phase précoce de la convergence oblique. La linéation et les stries minérales sur les plans des failles normales dans le compartiment supérieur de la faille de Romanet sont orientées orthogonalement à l’orogène et correspondent à la phase ultérieure d’exhumation induite par les effets combinés de l’érosion et de l’accrétion basale. Pour expliquer l’augmentation du degré d’exhumation le long de l’orogène du nord-ouest au sud-est dans la zone d’étude, nous proposons un modèle de partitionnement de la déformation et de l’exhumation différentielle résultant des variations longitudinales du raccourcissement et de l’érosion dans un contexte de convergence oblique

Structural Features of the Central Labrador Trough: A Model for Strain Partitioning, Differential Exhumation and Late Normal Faulting in a Thrust Wedge under Oblique Shortening

The west-verging fold and thrust belt of the Central Labrador Trough originated as a part of the New Quebec Orogen from rift inversion as a result of oblique collision and dextral transpression between the Archean Superior craton and the Archean block of the Core Zone during the Trans-Hudson orogeny (1.82−1.77 Ga). The structures associated with dextral transpression are well established in the northern segment of the orogen but not in the central part. We present new field structural observations along the ca. 70 km long W−E Minowean-Romanet transect that include not only elements of thrust tectonics but also previously undocumented examples of strike-slip shear zones and late brittle, semi-brittle and ductile extensional structures which occurred both in the frontal and rear parts of the thrust wedge. The newly described low-angle mineral lineation, axes of cylindrical folds and dextral mylonitic shear zones in the footwall of the Romanet Fault are oriented subparallel to the orogen and reflect the early phase of oblique convergence. Mineral lineations and striations on planes of normal faults in the hanging wall of the Romanet Fault are oriented orthogonal to the orogen and correspond to a later phase of exhumation driven by the combined effects of erosion and underplating. To explain the increase in the degree of exhumation along the orogen in the study area from NW to SE, we propose a model of strain partitioning and differential exhumation that resulted from longitudinal variations of shortening and erosion under an oblique convergence setting.RÉSUMÉLa partie centrale de la ceinture de plissement et de chevauchement de la Fosse du Labrador de vergence vers l’ouest fait partie intégrante de l’Orogène du Nouveau-Québec, et résulte de la collision oblique avec transpression dextre entre le craton Supérieur archéen et le bloc archéen de la Zone noyau pendant l’Orogenèse trans-hudsonienne (1.82−1.77 Ga). Les structures associées à la transpression dextre sont bien établies dans la partie nord de l’orogène mais pas dans la partie centrale. Nous présentons de nouvelles observations structurales de terrain le long de la traverse ouest−est Minowean-Romanet d’environ 70 km de long, qui comprennent non seulement des évidences de tectonique de chevauchement, mais également des exemples encore non documentés de zones de cisaillement ductile et de structures d’extension fragiles, demi-fragiles et ductiles à la fois dans les parties frontales et arrière du prisme d’accrétion tectonique. La linéation minérale à faible plongement récemment décrite, les axes de plis cylindriques et les zones de cisaillement mylonitique dextre dans le compartiment inférieur de la faille de Romanet sont subparallèles à l’orogène et reflètent une phase précoce de la convergence oblique. La linéation et les stries minérales sur les plans des failles normales dans le compartiment supérieur de la faille de Romanet sont orientées orthogonalement à l’orogène et correspondent à la phase ultérieure d’exhumation induite par les effets combinés de l’érosion et de l’accrétion basale. Pour expliquer l’augmentation du degré d’exhumation le long de l’orogène du nord-ouest au sud-est dans la zone d’étude, nous proposons un modèle de partitionnement de la déformation et de l’exhumation différentielle résultant des variations longitudinales du raccourcissement et de l’érosion dans un contexte de convergence oblique

Современные проблемы мониторинга объектов космического мусора

The article discusses the main problems which scientists face in observing the space debris in Earth orbits, identifies the main disadvantages of the monitoring and need for more radical measures to solve the problem of the space debris.Рассматриваются основные проблемы, с которыми в наши дни сталкиваются ученые при наблюдении за космическим мусором на околоземных орбитах, указываются основные недостатки мониторинга. Необходимо принимать более радикальные меры для решения проблемы засоренности околоземного космического пространства

A RESPONSE OF THE "RESERVOIR-WELL" SYSTEM TO DISTANT EARTHQUAKES

The results of joint processing of hydrogeological and seismic data obtained at the Large-Scale Research Facilities "Mid-Latitude Geophysical Observation Complex "Mikhnevo" for a 12-year observation period are presented in the article. Responses of the "reservoir-well" system to the passage of seismic waves from distant earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.3-9.0, recorded at the epicentral distances from 1863 to 16507 km, have been identified in the database. Maximum values of groundwater level variations and ground velocity under seismic impact have been determined. The power-law dependence of the levels amplitudes of confined and weakly confined aquifers on the maximum vertical ground velocity has been established. A spectral analysis of 6-hour intervals (3 hours before and 3 hours after earthquakes) of seismic and hydrogeological data was performed. The frequencies corresponding to the maximum values of ground velocity and groundwater level variations were determined in the normalized spectra. The intervals within which the extremes of the hydrogeological responses are traced at background values of the ground velocity are identified in the low-frequency range. The amplitude-frequency characteristics of the "reservoir-well" systems differ under seismic impacts at epicentral distances up to 4901 km. The responses of the systems to earthquakes at epicentral distances of 11024-14026 km are similar

Arc-continent collision: The making of an orogen

Peer Reviewe

РЕАКЦИЯ СИСТЕМ «ПЛАСТ – СКВАЖИНА» НА УДАЛЕННЫЕ ЗЕМЛЕТРЯСЕНИЯ

The results of joint processing of hydrogeological and seismic data obtained at the Large-Scale Research Facilities "Mid-Latitude Geophysical Observation Complex "Mikhnevo" for a 12-year observation period are presented in the article. Responses of the "reservoir-well" system to the passage of seismic waves from distant earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.3-9.0, recorded at the epicentral distances from 1863 to 16507 km, have been identified in the database. Maximum values of groundwater level variations and ground velocity under seismic impact have been determined. The power-law dependence of the levels amplitudes of confined and weakly confined aquifers on the maximum vertical ground velocity has been established. A spectral analysis of 6-hour intervals (3 hours before and 3 hours after earthquakes) of seismic and hydrogeological data was performed. The frequencies corresponding to the maximum values of ground velocity and groundwater level variations were determined in the normalized spectra. The intervals within which the extremes of the hydrogeological responses are traced at background values of the ground velocity are identified in the low-frequency range. The amplitude-frequency characteristics of the "reservoir-well" systems differ under seismic impacts at epicentral distances up to 4901 km. The responses of the systems to earthquakes at epicentral distances of 11024-14026 km are similar.В статье представлены результаты совместной обработки гидрогеологических и сейсмических данных, полученных на уникальной научной установке «Среднеширотный комплекс геофизических наблюдений "Михнево"» ИДГ РАН за 12-летний период наблюдений. В сформированной базе данных выделены отклики системы «пласт – скважина» на прохождение сейсмических волн от удаленных землетрясений с магнитудой 6.3–9.0, зарегистрированных на эпицентральных расстояниях от 1863 до 16507 км. Определены максимальные значения вариаций уровня подземных вод и скорости смещения грунта при сейсмическом воздействии. Установлена степенная зависимость амплитуд уровней напорного и слабонапорного водоносных горизонтов от максимальной скорости смещения грунта по вертикальной компоненте. Выполнен спектральный анализ выборки 6-часовых интервалов (3 ч до и 3 ч после землетрясения) сейсмических и гидрогеологических данных. На нормированных спектрах определены частоты, соответствующие максимальным значениям скорости смещения грунта и вариациям уровня подземных вод. В низкочастотной области выделены интервалы, в пределах которых прослежены экстремумы гидрогеологических откликов при фоновых значениях скорости смещения грунта. Амплитудно-частотные характеристики систем «пласт – скважина» при сейсмическом воздействии на эпицентральных расстояниях до 4901 км различаются. При регистрации землетрясений на эпицентральных расстояниях 11024–14026 км реакция систем подобна

A Miocene tectonic inversion in the Ionian Sea (Central Mediterranean): evidence from multi-channel seismic data

It is widely accepted that the Central and Eastern Mediterranean are remnants of the Neo-Tethys. However, the orientation and timing of spreading of this domain remain controversial. Here, we present time migrated and pre-stack depth migrated NW-SE oriented Archimede (1997) lines together with the PrisMed01 (1993) profile to constrain the evolution of the Ionian basin. Our interpretation allows us to identify a large-scale set of SW-NE striking reverse faults beneath the Ionian Abyssal Plain. These primarily NW vergent faults are characterized by a spacing comprised between 10 to 20 km and a dip ranging from 60 to 65{degree sign}. Following very recent paleogeographic reconstructions, we propose that the set of N{degree sign}55 features initially formed as normal faults during the NW-SE trending seafloor spreading of the Ionian basin after its late Triassic-early Jurassic rifting. Based on geometric comparisons with the intraplate deformation observed beneath the Central Indian Ocean, we show that the inherited oceanic normal faults were reactivated under compression as reverse faults. Well-developed Tortonian syntectonic basins developed NW of the major faults and the base of the Messinian evaporites (Mobile Unit) is slightly folded by the activity of the faults. We show that 3-4 km of total shortening occurs over a 80 km wide area beneath the Ionian Abyssal Plain, resulting in a bulk shortening of 3.5-5 %. We propose a link between the Tortonian-early Messinian inversion of the fault pattern and a plate tectonic reorganization prior to the main phase of back-arc opening of the Tyrrhenian domain