Deformation of the Dachstein Limestone in the Dachstein thrust sheet (Eastern Alps, Austria)

Salt tectonics played a crucial role in shaping the Dachstein thrust sheet, influencing its structural evolution from the Late Triassic to the Late Cretaceous. The study identifies six key deformation events, including syn-depositional instability and slumping, growth of the Hallstatt diapir, salt-driven extensional faulting, Jurassic re-activation of faults, Early Cretaceous shortening, and Late Cretaceous extensional reactivation. These findings were derived from a multi-scale analysis combining conventional outcrop observations with digital fieldwork using drone-captured virtual outcrops and GoogleMaps 3D terrain renderizations. The research highlights the significance of salt tectonics in controlling the structure of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering new insights into its tectonic history.

Fernandez, O., Grasemann, B., & Sanders, D. (2022). Deformation of the Dachstein Limestone in the Dachstein thrust sheet (Eastern Alps, Austria). Austrian Journal of Earth Sciences, 115(1), 167–190. https://doi.org/10.17738/ajes.2022.0008