Heterogeneous strain associated with normal faulting evidence of mass transfer by pressure solution associated with fault displacement

In a well stratified flysch in the French Pyrenees, the offset of layers along a fault zone provide good data of relative displacement. It is shown that the fault surface is composed of three right-stepping fractures that opened tensile bridges along small left-stepping fractures. Translation on the fault zone is parallel to the fault surface. The displacement vector field shows that the movement between the two blocks was not a rigid body translation and that deformation in the hanging wall is greater than that in the foot wall. Volume loss within the rock is compensated by volume increase close to the fault surface.

Calcite dissolution and reprecipitation by pressure solution is indicated by the occurrence of stylolites and numerous calcite-filled veins around the fault. Calcite dissolution is more important in the hanging wall, especially in layers where the calcite content is close to 60%. Both cathodoluminescence observations and rare-earths element patterns are in favour of calcite in veins and dominos coming from units adjacent to the fault. There is no evidence that some calcite coming from farther distance could have entered in the system.