Fabric development in a weathering profile at a basement-cover interface, the sub-Cambrian peneplain, Israel: Implications for decollement tectonics

► The present study documents that fabric evolution during weathering and compaction at basement-cover interfaces has important implications on continental deformation. ► Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), especially AMS ellipsoid orientations and shapes are a valid marker for the progressive imprint of horizontal compaction over primary fabrics in unweathered to saprolitic weathered granitic. ► Laterites, characterized by the well-developed clay-/ mica-fabric S3d, acted as a structurally weak and impermeable layer during crustal fluid flow. Hence, laterite horizon is a site, which is favourable for decollement tectonics at the basement-cover interface.