Rift Transfer Zones and the Stages of Rift Linkage in Active Segmented Continental Rift Systems

Rift interaction zones (RIZs) exhibit distinct topographic relief shapes, sediment routing patterns, and breaching fault characteristics at various stages of rift linkage. The study identifies four stages—unbreached, partially-breached, recently-breached, and breached—and describes the directionality of breaching as unidirectional or bidirectional, or involving the nucleation of subsidiary rift basins. RIZ breaching is facilitated by overlap rift-flank deformation and rift tip propagation structures, modulated by extension direction and inherited basement structures. These findings provide insights into the structural evolution of rift zones and offer predictions for sedimentation patterns in early-stage continental rifts.

Kolawole, F., Firkins, M., Al Wahaibi, T., Atekwana, E., & Soreghan, M. (2021). Rift Transfer Zones and the Stages of Rift Linkage in Active Segmented Continental Rift Systems. https://doi.org/10.31223/x5j885