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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1989; v. 44; p. 3-15;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1989.044.01.02
© 1989 Geological Society of London

Modelling and Theoretical Concepts

Geometry and kinematics of inversion tectonics

G. D. Williams & C. M. Powell

Department of Geology, University of Keele, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK

M. A. Cooper

BP Canada Inc., Oil and Gas Division, 333 Fifth Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 3B6, Canada

Positive inversion tectonics involves the reversal of extensional fault movement during contractional tectonics. Basin stratigraphy developed before, during and after extensional fault movements may be described as pre-, syn- and postrift sequences. Growth fault activity may be graphically displayed using thickness changes in stratigraphic intervals from fault footwall to hanging wall. Alternatively, it may be recorded using a hanging wall displacement/distance plot. Contractional reactivation of extensional faults puts progressively older synrift markers into net contraction. The point of change from net extension to net contraction is the null point. Its position in the synrift stratigraphy may be used to quantify the inversion ratio, which is defined as the ratio of contractional to extensional movement. Negative inversion is the reactivation in extension of a significant portion of an existing contractional system. Stratigraphic separation diagrams constructed from geological maps may be used to define the null point of individual faults and to quantify their inversion ratio.





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