Glacially-Triggered Faulting

Glacially triggered faulting is the movement of pre-existing faults caused by tectonic and glacially induced isostatic stresses. The most impressive fault-scarps are found in northern Europe, but new faults have been discovered globally. This book summarizes the current state-of-the-art research in glacially triggered faulting, discussing the theoretical aspects and investigation methods. It provides the first global overview of confirmed and proposed glacially induced faults and outlines for modelling these stresses and features.

Format: Hardback
Length: 460 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Glacially triggered faulting is a fascinating phenomenon that involves the movement of pre-existing faults driven by a combination of tectonic and glacially induced isostatic stresses. These fault scarps, particularly in northern Europe, are believed to have been reactivated at the end of the last glacial period. However, this viewpoint has been challenged by the discovery of new faults using advanced techniques like LiDAR and the dating of fault activity that indicates several phases of reactivation thousands of years after the deglaciation ended.

In this comprehensive book, a team of international experts presents the current state-of-the-art research in glacially triggered faulting. It delves into the theoretical aspects that explain the presence of glacially induced structures and reviews the geological, geophysical, geodetic, and geomorphological investigation methods employed to study these faults. The book offers a comprehensive overview of confirmed and proposed glacially induced faults, providing a valuable resource for geoscientists and engineers interested in the intricate interplay between ice sheets and the solid Earth.

The book is organized into several chapters, each covering different aspects of glacially triggered faulting. The first chapter provides an introduction to the topic, discussing the mechanisms behind fault reactivation and the geological settings where these faults are most prevalent. The second chapter explores the theoretical framework that explains the formation of glacially induced structures, including the influence of ice sheets, climate change, and tectonic forces. The third chapter reviews the geological, geophysical, geodetic, and geomorphological investigation methods used to identify and study glacially triggered faults. These methods include field mapping, geophysical surveys, remote sensing, and numerical modeling.

The fourth chapter presents a comprehensive overview of confirmed and proposed glacially induced faults worldwide. It highlights the regions where these faults have been identified and provides detailed descriptions of their characteristics, such as fault dimensions, slip rates, and associated geological structures. The fifth chapter discusses the modeling of glacially triggered faulting, including the development of numerical models that simulate the stress and strain fields associated with these faults. The models are used to predict the potential effects of glacial forcing on the Earth's surface and to understand the mechanisms behind fault reactivation.

The book concludes with a summary of the key findings and recommendations for future research in glacially triggered faulting. It emphasizes the importance of continued collaboration between geoscientists, engineers, and other disciplines to better understand the complex processes that drive fault reactivation and their impact on the Earth's surface.

Glacially triggered faulting is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to significantly impact our understanding of Earth's geological history and the future of our planet. This book provides a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners interested in this field, offering a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art research and highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Weight: 1080g
Dimension: 250 x 174 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108490023