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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1987; v. 29; p. 165-179;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1987.029.01.14
© 1987 Geological Society of London

Part II Processes

Comparative studies of gravity tectonics in Quaternary sediments and sedimentary rocks related to fold belts

S.A. Schack Pedersen

Geological Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 København K, Denmark
Present address: Geological Survey of Denmark, Thoravej 31, DK-2400 København NV, Denmark

Two different modes of gravity tectonics have been active as deformation mechanisms in the Quaternary of Denmark, namely ‘gravity gliding’ and ‘gravity spreading’. Examples of gravity gliding can be found in the fairly slowly moving coherent landslides which characterize many coastal cliffs with lithologies intercalated with Tertiary marine clay or Quaternary interglacial clay. The gravity spreading mechanism generated folds and dislocation structures characteristic of glacial tectonics, mainly during the Weichselian glacier advances of the Pleistocene glaciation. Imbricate dislocation structures formed by diapiric rise of water-saturated clay into sand occur. This structure type is proposed to be characteristic for the gravity spreading model.

Analysis of these gravity deformed Quaternary deposits serve as a model for structures occurring in large-scale tectonic settings. Among the megascopic tectonic settings mentioned, two regions are discussed. Firstly, the transverse thin-skinned thrust fault belt in the southern part of the North Greenland Fold Belt is demonstrated to contain the characteristics of a gravity gliding system. Secondly, the gravity spreading structures of the glacio-dynamic deformations in Denmark are suggested to have a megascopic equivalent in the plate-tectonic convergence zone of the Barbados Ridge.





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