Structural characterization of Turtle Mountain anticline (Alberta, Canada) and impact on rock slope failure

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_2965FB6F1B06
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Structural characterization of Turtle Mountain anticline (Alberta, Canada) and impact on rock slope failure
Journal
Tectonophysics
Author(s)
Humair F., Pedrazzini A., Epard J.-L., Froese C.R., Jaboyedoff M.
ISSN-L
0040-1951
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
605
Pages
133-148
Language
english
Abstract
his paper proposes a structural investigation of the Turtle Mountain anticline (Alberta, Canada) to better understand the role of the different tectonic features on the development of both local and large scale rock slope instabilities occurring in Turtle Mountain. The study area is investigated by combining remote methods with detailed field surveys. In particular, the benefit of Terrestrial Laser Scanning for ductile and brittle tectonic structure interpretations is illustrated. The proposed tectonic interpretation allows the characterization of the fracturing pattern, the fold geometry and the role of these tectonic features in rock slope instability development. Ten discontinuity sets are identified in the study area, their local variations permitting the differentiation of the study zone into 20 homogenous structural domains. The anticline is described as an eastern verging fold that displays considerable geometry differences along its axis and developed by both flexural slip and tangential longitudinal strain folding mechanisms. Moreover, the origins of the discontinuity sets are determined according to the tectonic phases affecting the region (pre-folding, folding, post-folding). The localization and interpretation of kinematics of the different instabilities revealed the importance of considering the discrete brittle planes of weakness, which largely control the kinematic release of the local instabilities, and also the rock mass damage induced by large tectonic structures (fold hinge, thrust).
Create date
28/11/2013 11:52
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:09
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