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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1996; v. 99; p. 251-263;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1996.099.01.19
© 1996 Geological Society of London

Mathematical Modelling

Crustal fault reactivation facilitating lithospheric folding/buckling in the central Indian Ocean

F. Beekman1, J. M. Bull2, S. Cloetingh1 & R. A. Scrutton3

1 Institute of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Institut Français du Pétrole, BP 311, 92506 Rueil-Malmaison Cedex, France
2 Department of Geology, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO9 5NH, UK
3 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Edinburgh University, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK

High-quality, normal-incidence seismic reflection data confirm that tectonic deformation in the central Indian Ocean occurs at two spatial scales: whole lithosphere folding with wavelengths varying between 100 and 300 km, and compressional reactivation of crustal faults with a characteristic spacing of c. 5 km. Faults penetrate through the crust and probably into the upper mantle. Both types of deformation are driven by regional large intraplate stresses originating from the Indo-Eurasian collision. Numerical modelling of the spatial and temporal relationships between these two modes of deformations shows that, in agreement with geophysical observations, crustal faults are reactivated first with stick-slip behaviour. Subsequent lithospheric folding does not start until horizontal loading has significantly reduced the mechanical strength of the lithosphere, as predicted by elasto-plastic buckling theory. Modelling suggests that lithospheric folding does not develop in the absence of fault reactivation. Crustal fault reactivation, therefore, appears to be a key facilitating mechanism for oceanic lithospheric buckling in the central Indian Ocean.





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S. Cloetingh, F. Beekman, P. A. Ziegler, J.-D. van Wees, and D. Sokoutis
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