Segment interaction and linkage evolution in a conjugate strike-slip fault system from the Tarim Basin

Abstract Through new 3-D seismic data, we present relationship between maximum throw (Dmx) and fault length (L) and fault segment length (Ls), overlap zone length (Lo), tip zone length (Lt), width (Wo and Wt), throw (D) and separation (S) in overlap and tip zones of a conjugate strike-slip fault system in the intracratonic Tarim Basin, NW China. The results show that: (1) the major fault zones are in range of 23.4–76.4 km in length, and compose of 3–8 segments with low maximum throw less than 140 m. (2) a good power–law-scaling relationship of D-Ls but not of D-Lt; (3) more mature in NNW trending faults than in NNE trending faults; (4) the hard-linked overlap zones concentrate most deformation and exceptional high throws, with better linear correlation of D-L rather than soft-linked segments; (5) L/W, L/D and S/D ratios from the transpressional overlap zones varies in a range of 4.6–11.2, 59–130 and 6.1–12.3, which are quite larger than those from extensional settings. Our study suggest that: (1) the fault growth depends on the stages of segment linkage (maturity); (2) the linear trends of scaling relationship between fault elements is mainly controlled by mechanical properties, while the scattered distribution of data is related to the stage of fault linkage and overlapping; (3) the deformation and displacement are localized in the overlap zones after hard-linkage following fault segments interaction; (4) fault elements could be useful to understanding fault growth and evolution stages in the deep subsurface. These results provide new insight into a better understanding of fault linkage and interaction from the subsurface seismic data in strike-slip fault zones.