Rotation of extension direction in the central Kenya Rift

Research Article| April 01, 1990 Rotation of extension direction in the central Kenya Rift M. R. Strecker; M. R. Strecker 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Karlsruhe, Kaiserstrasse 12, D-7500 Karlsruhe 1, Federal Republic of Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar P. M. Blisniuk; P. M. Blisniuk 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Karlsruhe, Kaiserstrasse 12, D-7500 Karlsruhe 1, Federal Republic of Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar G. H. Eisbacher G. H. Eisbacher 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Karlsruhe, Kaiserstrasse 12, D-7500 Karlsruhe 1, Federal Republic of Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information M. R. Strecker 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Karlsruhe, Kaiserstrasse 12, D-7500 Karlsruhe 1, Federal Republic of Germany P. M. Blisniuk 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Karlsruhe, Kaiserstrasse 12, D-7500 Karlsruhe 1, Federal Republic of Germany G. H. Eisbacher 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Karlsruhe, Kaiserstrasse 12, D-7500 Karlsruhe 1, Federal Republic of Germany Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1990) 18 (4): 299–302. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0299:ROEDIT>2.3.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 M. R. Strecker, P. M. Blisniuk, G. H. Eisbacher; Rotation of extension direction in the central Kenya Rift. Geology 1990;; 18 (4): 299–302. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0299:ROEDIT>2.3.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 Displacement of stratigraphic units along major normal faults and the kinematics of minor faults show that in the central Kenya Rift the direction of extension rotated from east-west to northwest-southeast during the Pleistocene. Possibly controlled by lithospheric weaknesses in the Proterozoic basement, an early half graben bounded by east-northeast-dipping, northwest-and north-northwest-striking oblique normal faults developed between about 12 and 7 Ma. Between 5.5(?) and 4 Ma, west-southwest-dipping antithetic normal faults established a full graben, and after 3.3 Ma west-southwest-dipping and north-northwest-striking oblique normal faults separated a tectonically active inner rift from the intrarift Kinangop Plateau to the east. Analysis of minor fault data indicates a general north-south orientation for σ2until about 0.4 Ma; since then, a clockwise rotation of σ2into the north-northeast to northeast orientation appears to have taken place. This rotation caused dextral oblique reactivations along older normal faults and created new normal faults with dextrally oblique components. The new kinematic regime is compatible with regional seismicity, and possibly developed as a response to far-field tectonic stresses generated by spreading in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. 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.