Fault growth and rift propagation during rotational continental rifting: Insights from an analogue modelling study

Continental rifts typically result from regional horizontal stretching of the lithosphere and in modelling studies, such rifts are typically assumed to be the result of orthogonal or oblique extension. However, in nature often V-shape rift geometries occur indicating an underlying rotational component that results in a divergence velocity gradient along plate boundaries. Consequently, the geometric, kinematic, and dynamic rift evolution in such rotational settings may significantly differ from those of orthogonal or oblique rifts. Here, we present new findings from an analogue modelling study using a crustal-scale model series with a rotational opening component to investigate the effect of such a rift-axis parallel divergence velocity gradient on fault growth and rift propagation towards the rotation axis.

We use a simplified two-layer system simulating an upper brittle and a lower ductile crust with an imposed initial mechanically weak zone on top of the viscous layer to ensure localized rifting. The experimental monitoring by means of a stereoscopic camera setup and X-Ray computed tomography (XRCT) enables a detailed and quantitative investigation of near-surface rift evolution and internal deformation, respectively. With the combination of 3D surface topography, 3D displacement fields, and XRCT, we gain a comprehensive understanding of deformation evolution in analogue models of rotational rifting. Our modelling results depict a novel characterization of normal fault growth under rotational extension and a rift evolution which is described by (1) rift propagation in two consecutive stages: A first stage showing bidirectional fault growth due to segment linkage with high rift propagation rates, and a second stage during which rift propagation occurs by unidirectional fault growth towards the rotation axis with linearly decreasing growth rates at decreasing distance to the rotation axis, (2) strain partitioning between competing conjugate normal faults with fault activity switching repeatedly from one segment of a normal fault to a segment on the oppositely dipping normal fault, and (3) active faulting migrating from the rift boundary faults inwards to intra-rift normal faults.

Our quantitative, spatiotemporal fault growth analysis reveals a characteristic segmentation of all deformation features listed above. The conclusion that the gradual decrease of the divergence velocity towards the rotation axis causes segmented deformation propagation is key and can help to understand natural examples of rotational rift settings such as the Taupo Rift Zone in New Zealand.