Geometric and mechanical-stiffness controls on jointing in cataclastic deformation bands

Field observations are confirmed by 2D finite element models showing that local stress reorientation at boundaries between layers affects the mechanics of jointing. The stiffness contrast results in conditions for initiating joints contained in the deformation band, and also results in variable joint orientations in deformation bands with strike orientations oblique to the far-field extension direction. A higher stiffness contrast results in a greater angle between deformation band strike and band-contained joint strike.