Andersons theory of faulting

Goals: 1) To understand Andersons theory

of faulting and its implications. 2) To outline
some obvious exceptions to Andersons
theory and some possible explanations for
how these exceptions work.
 Primary assumptions
Surface of the earth is not confined, and
not acted on by shear stresses.
Also, tectonic plates move parallel with
Earths surface (unknown in 1951)
Homogenous rocks
Coulomb behavior
 Three possible stress
combinations
Hypothetically requires 2 of the 3 principal
stresses to be parallel with the surface of
the earth
What are they?
What kind of faults would you expect at
each?
 1 horizontal, 3 vertical reverse faults
1 vertical, 3 horizontal normal faults
1 horizontal, 3 horizontal strike-slip
faults
Most rocks have an angle of internal friction
30
What dip angles does Andersons theory
predict for
1 horizontal, 3 vertical reverse faults?
1 vertical, 3 horizontal normal faults?
1 horizontal, 3 horizontal strike-slip faults?
 Hypothetically
Reverse faults: should form at ~30 dip
Normal faults: should form at ~60 dip
Strike-slip faults: should form at ~90 dip

Can you think of any exceptions??

 Common exceptions
Thrust faults mechanically unfavorable
Low-angle normal faults mechanically
very unfavorable
 Possible explanations
1. Elevated pore fluid pressure
2. Pre-existing weaknesses
3. Rolling-hinge model for low-angle normal
faults
1. Elevated pore fluid
pressure (Pf)
 High Pf can lower effective stress

1eff 1
n
3eff 3
 This can activate slip on a low-angle
fault
s

n
3eff 1eff
 However, if cohesive strength is
sufficiently low...
s

n
3eff 1eff
Pore-fluid-pressure mechanism requires low
eff on fault, but high eff in surrounding
rocks
 It also doesnt work well for low-angle
normal faults
s

n
3eff 1eff
 2. Pre-existing anisotropy
Bedding
Weak layer (salt, shale)
Foliation
Donath (1961)
produced shear
fractures at very
low angles to 1 in
anisotropic rock
3. Rolling-hinge model for
low-angle normal faults
Cartoon cross
section illustrating
the rolling-hinge
model
 East Humboldt
Range

Ruby
Mountains
Geologic map of
the Ruby
Mountains and
East Humboldt
Range
Cross section of a
low-angle normal-
fault system
Cartoon cross
section illustrating
the rolling-hinge
model