Deformation mechanisms and fluid-driven mass transfers in the recent fault zones of the Corinth rift (Greece).

Pierre Labaume (1) , Elisabeth Carrio-Schaffhauser (2) , Jean-François Gamond (2) , François Renard (2)

1 LDL - Laboratoire Dynamique de la Lithosphère
2 LGIT - Laboratoire de Géophysique Interne et Tectonophysique

Normal fault zones affecting the pre-rift limestones in the Corinth rift comprise breccia layers separated by slip surfaces, but also numerous stylolites and calcite veins attesting the importance of aseismic fluid-driven mass transfer in fault activity. Cathodoluminescence microscopy shows that external (meteoric?) water circulated in the fault zones, whereas mass transfer in the surrounding rocks implied a closed system with water chemically equilibrated with the host-limestone. From these observations, we propose preliminary models of structural development and fluid flow in active fault zones in superficial conditions, with a tendency to concentration of deformation and fluid flow related to fault tip propagation.

Keywords: Corinth rift; Fault zone; Calcite vein; Stylolite; Fault breccia; Fluid driven mass transfer; Cathodoluminescence; Corinth rift

Domains: Tectonics

Pierre Labaume, Elisabeth Carrio-Schaffhauser, Jean-François Gamond, François Renard. Deformation mechanisms and fluid-driven mass transfers in the recent fault zones of the Corinth rift (Greece).. Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences Serie II, 2004, 336, pp.375-383. ⟨hal-00105206⟩