Tectonic deformation of a channel sandstone

✍ Scribed by M. E. Tringham

• Book ID: 102845319
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 859 KB
• Volume: 20
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0072-1050
• DOI: 10.1002/gj.3350200306

✦ Synopsis

An investigation has been made of a structural complex in southwest Wales. The complex comprises a zone of folds and faults within Upper Carboniferous rocks of the Variscan fold belt, interpreted to have formed by tectonic deformation of a large channel sandstone. Sedimentary features include basal and internal erosion surfaces, an onlapping channel fill, lens-Shaped beds of mudstone with slumped layers, and discontinuous conglomerate and coal beds. These features strongly influenced ensuing tectonism, with the channel axis now coincident with a composite anticline. Some bedding discontinuities acted as surfaces of dtcollement, and lens-shaped beds were folded disharmonically. This example will provide an analogy for use in other deformed sedimentary terrains, where channels may occur.