The concept of tectonic provenance: Case study of the gigantic Markagunt gravity slide basal layer. (15th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mayback, Danika F.; Braunagel, Michael J.; Malone, David H.; Griffith, W. Ashley; Holliday, McKenna E.; Rivera, Tiffany A.; Biek, Robert F.; Hacker, David B.; Rowley, Peter D.
• Is Part Of: Terra nova. Volume 34:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 449
• Page End: 457
• Publication Date: 2022-06-15
• Subjects: Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1111/ter.12608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-4879

Abstract

Abstract: Formation and evolution of the basal layer in large landslides has important implications for processes that reduce frictional resistance to sliding. In this report, we show that zircon geochronology and tectonic provenance can be used to investigate the basal layer of the gigantic‐scale Markagunt gravity slide of Utah, USA. Basal layer and clastic injectite samples have unique tectonic chronofacies that identify the rock units that were broken down during emplacement. Our results show that basal material from sites on the former land surface is statistically indistinguishable and formed primarily by the breakdown of upper plate lithologies during sliding. Decapitated injectites have a different tectonic chronofacies than the local basal layer, with more abundant lower plate‐derived zircons. This suggests clastic dikes formed earlier in the translation history from a structurally deeper portion of the slide surface and a compositionally different basal layer before being translated to their current position.