At the high temperatures present in the deeper crust, minerals such as quartz can flow much like silly putty. The detailed mechanisms of how atoms are reorganized depends upon several factors, such as the temperature and the rate of which the mineral changes shape. We present observations from a naturally deformed rock showing that the amount of water present also influences the type of deformation in quartz, with implications for geological interpretations.

The Shanxi Rift is a young, active rift in northern China that formed atop a Proterozoic orogen. The impact of these structures on active rift faults is poorly understood. Here, we quantify the landscape response to active faulting and compare it with published maps of inherited structures. We find that inherited structures played an important role in the segmentation of the Shanxi Rift and in the development of rift interaction zones, which are the most active regions in the Shanxi Rift.

A rapid quantitative identification criterion based on the basic chemical composition combination rules of red beds has been established, taking into account the correlation between red bed geomorphic characteristics, mineral compositions, and chemical compositions. The research results can also be applied to the quantitative identification of red beds in other fields, such as resources, ecology, environment, energy, and materials.

We use uncrewed-aerial-system-derived optical and infrared data, mineralogical and geochemical analyses of rock samples, and surface degassing measurements to analyze degassing and hydrothermal alteration at the fumaroles of the La Fossa cone, Vulcano island, Italy. We give a detailed view of associated structures and dynamics, such as local alteration gradients, diffuse active units that significantly contribute to the total activity, or effects of permeability reduction and surface sealing. 

Magnesium isotope ratios of arc lavas have been proposed as a proxy for serpentinite subduction, but uncertainties remain regarding their utility. Here we show that bulk serpentinite Mg isotope ratios are identical to the mantle, whereas the serpentinite mineral brucite is enriched in heavy Mg isotopes. Thus, Mg isotope ratios may only be used as serpentinite subduction proxies if brucite is preferentially mobilized from the slab at pressures and temperatures within the arc magma source region.

The late Mesozoic igneous rocks in the South China Block exhibit flare-ups and lulls, which form in compressional or extensional backgrounds. The ascending of magma forms a mush-like head and decreases crustal thickness. The presence of faults and pre-existing magmas will accelerate emplacement of underplating magma. The magmatism at different times may be formed under similar subduction conditions, and the boundary compression forces will delay magma ascent.

We numerically model the influence of an arc on back-arc extension. The arc is simulated by placing a hot region on the overriding plate. We investigate how plate ages and properties of the hot region affect back-arc extension and present regime diagrams illustrating the nature of back-arc extension for these models. We find that back-arc extension occurs not only in the hot region but also, surprisingly, away from it, and a hot region facilitates extension on the overriding plate.

We detail the selection and characterization of a fault zone for earthquake experiments in the Fault Activation and Earthquake Ruptures (FEAR) project at the Bedretto Lab. FEAR, which studies earthquake processes, overcame data collection challenges near faults. The fault zone in Rotondo granite was selected based on geometry, monitorability, and hydro-mechanical properties. Remote sensing, borehole logging, and geological mapping were used to create a 3D model for precise monitoring.

Understanding the fluid circulation in fault zones is essential to characterize the thermochemical evolution of hydrothermal systems in mountain ranges. The study focused on a paleo-system of the Pyrenees. Phyllosilicates permit us to constrain the evolution of temperature and redox of fluids at the scale of the fault system. A scenario is proposed and involves the circulation of a single highly reducing hydrothermal fluid (~300 °C) that evolves due to redox reactions.

The rotation of the principal stress axes in a fault structure because of a rock stiffness contrast has been investigated for the impact of the ratio of principal stresses, the angle between principal stress axes and fault strike, and the ratio of the rock stiffness contrast. A generic 2D geomechanical model is employed for the systematic investigation of the parameter space.

Our work demonstrates the following: (1) an efficient seismic data-processing strategy focused on suppressing shallow-water multiple reflections. (2) An improvement in the quality of legacy marine seismic data. (3) A seismic interpretation of sedimentary successions overlying the basement in the transition zone from the Precambrian to Paleozoic platforms. (4) The tectonic evolution of the Koszalin Fault and its relation to the Caledonian Deformation Front offshore Poland.

Rifting and the break-up of continents are key aspects of Earth’s plate tectonic system. A thorough understanding of the geological processes involved in rifting, and of the associated natural hazards and resources, is of great importance in the context of the energy transition. Here, we provide a coherent overview of rift processes and the links with hazards and resources, and we assess future challenges and opportunities for (collaboration between) researchers, government, and industry.

This paper presents the application of a numerical method for restoring models of the subsurface to a previous state in their deformation history, acting as a numerical time machine for geological structures. The method is applied to a model based on a laboratory experiment. The results show that using force conditions in the computation of the deformation allows us to assess the value of some previously unknown physical parameters of the different materials inside the model.

New satellite geodetic data (PS-InSAR) evidence a generalized subsidence and an eastward tilting of southeastern Sicily combined with a local relative uplift along its eastern coast. We perform flexural and elastic modeling and show that the slab pull force induced by the Ionian slab roll-back and extrado deformation reproduce the measured surface deformation. Finally, we propose an original seismic cycle model that is mainly driven by the southward migration of the Ionian slab roll-back.

High-value zinc–lead deposits formed in sedimentary basins created when tectonic plates rifted apart. We use computer simulations of rifting and the associated sediment erosion and deposition to understand why they formed in some basins but not in others. Basins that contain a metal source, faults that focus fluids, and rocks that can host deposits occurred in both narrow and wide rifts for ≤ 3 Myr. The largest and the most deposits form in narrow margins of narrow asymmetric rifts.