Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
    • Series home
    • Lyell Collection home
    • Geological Society home
  • Content
    • Online First
    • Current volume
    • All volumes
    • Collections
    • Supplementary publications
    • Open Access
  • Subscribe
    • GSL fellows
    • Institutions
    • Corporate
    • Other member types
  • Info
    • Authors
    • Librarians
    • Readers
    • Access for GSL Fellows
    • Access for other member types
    • Press office
    • Accessibility
    • Help
  • Alert sign up
    • eTOC alerts
    • Online First alerts
    • RSS feeds
    • Newsletters
    • GSL blog
  • Propose
  • Geological Society of London Publications
    • Engineering Geology Special Publications
    • Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis
    • Journal of Micropalaeontology
    • Journal of the Geological Society
    • Lyell Collection home
    • Memoirs
    • Petroleum Geology Conference Series
    • Petroleum Geoscience
    • Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society
    • Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
    • Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society
    • Scottish Journal of Geology
    • Special Publications
    • Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society
    • Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow
    • Transactions of the Geological Society of London

User menu

  • My alerts
  • Log in
  • My Cart

Search

  • Advanced search
Geological Society, London, Special Publications
  • Geological Society of London Publications
    • Engineering Geology Special Publications
    • Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis
    • Journal of Micropalaeontology
    • Journal of the Geological Society
    • Lyell Collection home
    • Memoirs
    • Petroleum Geology Conference Series
    • Petroleum Geoscience
    • Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society
    • Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
    • Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society
    • Scottish Journal of Geology
    • Special Publications
    • Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society
    • Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow
    • Transactions of the Geological Society of London
  • My alerts
  • Log in
  • My Cart
  • Follow gsl on Twitter
  • Visit gsl on Facebook
  • Visit gsl on Youtube
  • Visit gsl on Linkedin
Geological Society, London, Special Publications

Advanced search

  • Home
    • Series home
    • Lyell Collection home
    • Geological Society home
  • Content
    • Online First
    • Current volume
    • All volumes
    • Collections
    • Supplementary publications
    • Open Access
  • Subscribe
    • GSL fellows
    • Institutions
    • Corporate
    • Other member types
  • Info
    • Authors
    • Librarians
    • Readers
    • Access for GSL Fellows
    • Access for other member types
    • Press office
    • Accessibility
    • Help
  • Alert sign up
    • eTOC alerts
    • Online First alerts
    • RSS feeds
    • Newsletters
    • GSL blog
  • Propose

Transpression and transtension zones

J. F. Dewey, R. E. Holdsworth and R. A. Strachan
Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 135, 1-14, 1 January 1998, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1998.135.01.01
J. F. Dewey
1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PR, UK
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
R. E. Holdsworth
2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Durham Durham DH1 3LE, UK
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
R. A. Strachan
3Geology and Cartography Division, School of Construction and Earth Sciences, Oxford Brookes University Gypsy Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
PreviousNext
  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

Abstract

Transpression and transtension are strike-slip deformations that deviate from simple shear because of a component of, respectively, shortening or extension orthogonal to the deformation zone. These three-dimensional non-coaxial strains develop principally in response to obliquely convergent or divergent relative motions across plate boundary and other crustal deformation zones at various scales. The basic constant-volume strain model with a vertical stretch can be modified to allow for volume change, lateral stretch, an oblique simple shear component, heterogeneous strain and steady-state transpression and transtension. The more sophisticated triclinic models may be more realistic but their mathematical complexity may limit their general application when interpreting geological examples. Most transpression zones generate flattening (k < 1) and transtension zones constrictional (k > 1) finite strains, although exceptions can occur in certain situations. Relative plate motion vectors, instantaneous strain (or stress) axes and finite strain axes are all oblique to one another in transpression and transtension zones. Kinematic partitioning of non-coaxial strike-slip and coaxial strains appears to be a characteristic feature of many such zones, especially where the far-field (plate) displacement direction is markedly oblique (<20°) to the plate or deformation zone boundary. Complex foliation, lineation and other structural patterns are also expected in such settings, resulting from switching or progressive rotation of finite strain axes. The variation in style and kinematic linkage of transpressional and transtensional structures at different crustal depths is poorly understood at present but may be of central importance to understanding the relationship between deformation in the lithospheric mantle and crust. Existing analyses of obliquely convergent and divergent zones highlight the importance of kinematic boundary conditions and imply that stress may be of secondary importance in controlling the dynamics of deformation in the crust and lithosphere.

  • © The Geological Society 1998

References

    1. Anderson E. M.
    (1951) The Dynamics of Faulting (Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh).
    1. Avé Lallemant H. G.,
    2. Guth L. R.
    (1990) Role of extensional tectonics in exhumation of eclogites and blueschists in an oblique subduction setting, northwest Venezuela. Geology 18:950–953.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Bailey W. R.
    (1997) The structural evolution of a microplate suture zone, SW Cyprus. PhD thesis (University of Durham).
    1. Buchanan R. G.,
    2. Nieuwland D. A.
    , eds (1996) Modern Developments in Structural Interpretation, Validation and Modelling, Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 99.
    1. Cox S. A.,
    2. Etheridge M. A.
    (1989) Cupled grainscale dilatancy and mass transfer during deformation at high fluid pressures: examples from Mount Lyell, Tasmania. Journal of Structural Geology 11:147–162.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Dewey J. F.
    (1975) Finite plate evolution: some implications for the evolution of rock masses at plate margins. American Journal of Science 275–A:260–284.
    OpenUrl
    1. Dewey J. F.,
    2. Lamb S. H.
    (1992) Active tectonics of the Andes. Tectonophysics 205:79–95.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Dewey J. F.,
    2. Hempton M. R.,
    3. Kidd W. S. F.,
    4. Saroglu F.,
    5. Sengor A. M. C.
    (1986) in Collision Tectonics, Shortening of continental lithosphere: the neotectonics of Eastern Anatolia — a young collision zone, Geological Society, London, Special Publications, eds Coward M. P., Ries A. C. 19, pp 3–36.
    OpenUrl
    1. Dias R.,
    2. Ribeiro A.
    (1994) Constriction in a transpressive regime: an example in the Iberian branch of the Ibero-Armorican arc. Journal of Structural Geology 16:1543–1554.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. D’Lemos R. S.,
    2. Brown M.,
    3. Strachan R. A.
    (1992) Granite magma generation, ascent and emplacement within a transpressional orogen. Journal of the Geological Society, London 149:487–490.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Doré A. G.,
    2. Lundin E. R.
    (1996) Cenozoic compressional structures on the NE Atlantic continental margin: nature, origin and potential significance for hydrocarbon exploration. Petroleum Geosciences 2:299–312.
    OpenUrl
    1. Dutton B. J.
    (1997) Finite strains in transpression zones with no boundary slip. Journal of Structural Geology 19:1189–1200.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Ekström G.,
    2. Engdahl E. R.
    (1989) Earthquake source parameters and stress distribution in the Adak Island region of the central Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Journal of Geophysical Research 94:15499–15519.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Ellis M.,
    2. Watkinson A. J.
    (1987) Orogen-parallel extension and oblique tectonics: the relation between stretching lineations and relative plate motions. Geology 15:1022–1026.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Fitch T. J.
    (1972) Plate convergence, transcurrent faults, and internal deformation adjacent to southeast Asia and the western Pacific. Journal of Geophysical Research 77:4432–4460.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Fossen H.
    (1989) Indication of transpressional tectonics in the Gullfaks oil-field, northern North Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology 6:22–30.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Fossen H.,
    2. Tikoff B.
    (1993) The deformation matrix for simultaneous simple shearing, pure shearing and volume change, and its application to transpression-transtension tectonics. Journal of Structural Geology 15:413–422.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Fossen H.,
    2. Tikoff B.
    (1998) Extended models of transpression and transtension, and application to tectonic settings. This volume.
    1. Fossen H.,
    2. Tikoff B.,
    3. Teyssier C.
    (1994) Strain modeling of transpressional and transtensional deformation. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift 74:134–145.
    OpenUrlWeb of Science
    1. Gibbs A.D.
    (1986) in Habitat of Palaeozoic Gas in NW Europe, Strike-slip basins and inversion: a possible model for the Southern North Sea areas, Geological Society, London, Special Publications, eds Brooks J., Goff J. C., van Hoorn B. 23, pp 23–35.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Goodwin L. B.,
    2. Williams P. F.
    (1996) Deformation path partitioning within a transpressive shear zone, Marble Cove, Newfoundland. Journal of Structural Geology 18:975–990.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Harding T. P.
    (1974) Petroleum traps associated with wrench faults. Bulletin, American Association of Petroleum Geologists 58:1290–1304.
    OpenUrlAbstract
    1. Harland W. B.
    (1971) Tectonic transpression in Caledonian Spitzbergen. Geological Magazine 108:27–42.
    OpenUrlAbstract
    1. Holdsworth R. E.
    (1989) The Start-Perranporth Line: a Devonian terrane boundary in the Variscan orogen of SW England? Journal of the Geological Society, London 146:419–421.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Holdsworth R. E.
    (1994) The structural evolution of the Gander-Avalon terrane boundary: a reactivated transpression zone in the NE Newfoundland Appalachians. Journal of the Geological Society, London 151:629–646.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Holdsworth R. E.,
    2. Butler C. A.,
    3. Roberts A. M.
    (1997) The recognition of reactivation during continental deformation. Journal of the Geological Society, London 154:73–78.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Hudleston P. J.,
    2. Schultz-Ela D.,
    3. Southwick D. L.
    (1988) Transpression in an Archaean greenstone belt, northern Minnesota. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 25:1060–1068.
    OpenUrlAbstract
    1. Jamison W.R.
    (1991) Kinematics of compressional fold development in convergent wrench terrains. Tectonophysics 190:209–232.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Jiang D.,
    2. White J. C.
    (1995) Kinematics of rock flow and the interpretation of geological structures with particular reference to shear zones. Journal of Structural Geology 17:1249–1265.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Jones R. R.,
    2. Holdsworth R. E.
    (1998) Oblique simple shear in transpression zones. This volume.
    1. Jones R. R.,
    2. Tanner P. W. G.
    (1995) Strain partitioning in transpression zones. Journal of Structural Geology 17:793–802.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Jones R. R.,
    2. Holdsworth R. E.,
    3. Bailey W.
    (1997) Lateral extrusion in transpression zones: the importance of boundary conditions. Journal of Structural Geology 19:1201–1218.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Kusznir N. J.,
    2. Marsden G.,
    3. Egan S. S.
    (1991) in The Geometry of Normal Faults, A flexural cantilever simple-shear/pure-shear model of continental lithosphere extension: application to the Jeanne d’Arc Basin and Viking Graben, Geological Society, London, Special Publications, eds Roberts A.M., Yielding G., Freeman B. 56, pp 41–60.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Laney S. E.,
    2. Gates A. E.
    (1996) Three-dimensional shuffling of horses in a strike-slip duplex: an example from the Lambertville sill, New Jersey. Tectonophysics 258:53–70.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Ma X. Q.,
    2. Kusznir N. J.
    (1992) 3-D subsurface displacement and strain fields for faults and fault arrays in a layered elastic half-space. Geophysical Journal International 111:542–558.
    OpenUrlWeb of Science
    1. Ma X. Q.,
    2. Kusznir N. J.
    (1993) Modelling of near-field subsurface displacements for generalized faults and fault arrays. Journal of Structural Geology 15:1471–1484.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. McCaffrey R.
    (1991) Slip vectors and stretching of the Sumatran forearc. Geology 19:881–884.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. McCaffrey R.
    (1992) Oblique plate convergence, slip vectors, and forearc deformation. Journal of Geophysical Research 97:8905–8915.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. McCoss A. M.
    (1986) Simple constructions for deformation in transpression/transtension zones. Journal of Structural Geology 8:715–718.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Michael A. J.
    (1990) Energy constraints on kinematic models of oblique faulting: Loma Prieta versus Parkfield-Coalinga. Geophysical Research Letters 17:1453–1456.
    OpenUrlWeb of Science
    1. Molnar P.
    (1992) in Fault Mechanics and Transport Properties of Rocks, Brace-Goetze strength profiles, the partitioning of strike-slip and thrust faulting at zones of oblique convergence, and the stress-heat flow paradox of the San Andreas Fault, eds Evans B., Wong T.-F. (Academic Press, London), pp 435–459.
    1. Oldow J. S.,
    2. Bally A. W.,
    3. Avé Lallement H. G.
    (1990) Transpression, orogenic float, and lithospheric balance. Geology 18:991–994.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Platt J. P.
    (1993) Mechanics of oblique convergence. Journal of Geophysical Research 98:16239–16256.
    OpenUrlCrossRef
    1. Ramberg H.
    (1975) Particle paths, displacement and progressive strain applicable to rocks. Tectonophysics 28:1–37.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Ramsay J. G.,
    2. Huber M. I.
    (1987) The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology. Volume 2: Folds and Fractures (Academic Press, London).
    1. Robin P.-Y. F.,
    2. Cruden A. R.
    (1994) Strain and vorticity patterns in ideally ductile transpression zones. Journal of Structural Geology 16:447–466.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Sanderson D. J.,
    2. Marchini W. R. D.
    (1984) Transpression. Journal of Structural Geology 6:449–458.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Schwerdtner W.M.
    (1989) The solid-body tilt of deformed palaeohorizontal planes: application to an Archean transpression zone, southern Canadian Shield. Journal of Structural Geology 11:1021–1027.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Shackleton R. M.,
    2. Ries A. C.
    (1984) The relation between regionally consistent stretching lineations and plate motions. Journal of Structural Geology 6:111–117.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Teyssier C.,
    2. Tikoff B.,
    3. Markley M.
    (1995) Oblique plate motion and continental tectonics. Geology 23:447–450.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    1. Tikoff B.,
    2. Fossen H.
    (1993) Simultaneous pure and simple shear: the unifying deformation matrix. Tectonophysics 217:267–283.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Tikoff B.,
    2. Greene D.
    (1997) Stretching lineations in transpressional shear zones: an example from the Sierra Nevada Batholith, California. Journal of Structural Geology 19:29–39.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Tikoff B.,
    2. Teyssier C.
    (1994) Strain modeling of displacement-field partitioning in transpressional orogens. Journal of Structural Geology 16:1575–1588.
    OpenUrlCrossRefWeb of Science
    1. Wilcox R. E.,
    2. Harding T. P.,
    3. Seely D. R.
    (1973) Basic wrench tectonics. Bulletin, American Association of Petroleum Geologists 57:74–96.
    OpenUrlAbstract
    1. Wood D. S.
    (1973) Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Patterns and magnitudes of natural strain in rocks, Series A, A283, pp 373–382.
    OpenUrl
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this volume

Geological Society, London, Special Publications: 135 (1)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications
Volume 135
1998
  • Table of Contents
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • About the Cover
  • Index by author
  • Back Matter (PDF)
  • Front Matter (PDF)
Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Citation tools

Transpression and transtension zones

J. F. Dewey, R. E. Holdsworth and R. A. Strachan
Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 135, 1-14, 1 January 1998, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1998.135.01.01
J. F. Dewey
1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PR, UK
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
R. E. Holdsworth
2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Durham Durham DH1 3LE, UK
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
R. A. Strachan
3Geology and Cartography Division, School of Construction and Earth Sciences, Oxford Brookes University Gypsy Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Permissions
View PDF
Share

Transpression and transtension zones

J. F. Dewey, R. E. Holdsworth and R. A. Strachan
Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 135, 1-14, 1 January 1998, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1998.135.01.01
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo CiteULike logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
Email to

Thank you for sharing this Geological Society, London, Special Publications article.

NOTE: We request your email address only to inform the recipient that it was you who recommended this article, and that it is not junk mail. We do not retain these email addresses.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Transpression and transtension zones
(Your Name) has forwarded a page to you from Geological Society, London, Special Publications
(Your Name) thought you would be interested in this article in Geological Society, London, Special Publications.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One
  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

Similar Articles

Cited By...

  • Most read
  • Most cited
Loading
  • The history of the European oil and gas industry (1600s–2000s)
  • Introduction to Himalayan tectonics: a modern synthesis
  • Fifty years of the Wilson Cycle concept in plate tectonics: an overview
  • Himalayan earthquakes: a review of historical seismicity and early 21st century slip potential
  • Fundamental controls on fluid flow in carbonates: current workflows to emerging technologies
More...

Special Publications

  • About the series
  • Books Editorial Committee
  • Submit a book proposal
  • Author information
  • Supplementary Publications
  • Subscribe
  • Pay per view
  • Alerts & RSS
  • Copyright & Permissions
  • Activate Online Subscription
  • Feedback
  • Help

Lyell Collection

  • About the Lyell Collection
  • Lyell Collection homepage
  • Collections
  • Open Access Collection
  • Open Access Policy
  • Lyell Collection access help
  • Recommend to your Library
  • Lyell Collection Sponsors
  • MARC records
  • Digital preservation
  • Developing countries
  • Geofacets
  • Manage your account
  • Cookies

The Geological Society

  • About the Society
  • Join the Society
  • Benefits for Members
  • Online Bookshop
  • Publishing policies
  • Awards, Grants & Bursaries
  • Education & Careers
  • Events
  • Geoscientist Online
  • Library & Information Services
  • Policy & Media
  • Society blog
  • Contact the Society

Published by The Geological Society of London, registered charity number 210161

Print ISSN 
0305-8719
Online ISSN 
2041-4927

Copyright © 2021 Geological Society of London