Geomorphic criteria to determine direction of lateral propagation of reverse faulting and folding

Research Article| June 01, 1999 Geomorphic criteria to determine direction of lateral propagation of reverse faulting and folding E. A. Keller; E. A. Keller 1Department of Geological Sciences and Institute for Crustal Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Larry Gurrola; Larry Gurrola 1Department of Geological Sciences and Institute for Crustal Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar T. E. Tierney T. E. Tierney 1Department of Geological Sciences and Institute for Crustal Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information E. A. Keller 1Department of Geological Sciences and Institute for Crustal Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA Larry Gurrola 1Department of Geological Sciences and Institute for Crustal Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA T. E. Tierney 1Department of Geological Sciences and Institute for Crustal Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1999) 27 (6): 515–518. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)0272.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation E. A. Keller, Larry Gurrola, T. E. Tierney; Geomorphic criteria to determine direction of lateral propagation of reverse faulting and folding. Geology 1999;; 27 (6): 515–518. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)0272.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Fault-related folds develop above active faults, and as these faults propagate laterally so do the folds they produce. Geomorphic criteria useful in evaluating rates and direction of lateral propagation of active folds in the direction of propagation are: (1) decrease in drainage density and degree of dissection; (2) decrease in elevation of wind gaps; (3) decrease in relief of the topographic profile along the crest; (4) development of characteristic drainage patterns; (5) deformation of progressively younger deposits or landforms; and (6) decrease in rotation and inclination of forelimb. All these criteria are consistent with lateral propagation, but do not prove it. The presence of more than one wind or water gap formed by the same stream, however, is strong evidence of lateral propagation. Rates of lateral propagation of folding may be several times the rate of uplift and fault slip. Lateral propagation of anticlinal folds allows for a new explanation of how drainage may develop across active fold belts. Development of drainage across an active fold belt is probably a function of relatively long structurally controlled drainage diversion parallel to fold axes and development of relatively short antecedent stream reaches, around the nose (plunge panel) of a fold. Water and/or wind gaps form as uplift, drainage diversion, and stream capture associated with fold growth continue. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.