Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8135734 | Icarus | 2016 | 13 Pages |
Abstract
We present the first mechanical analysis based on realistic rheology and boundary conditions on the formation of evenly spaced strike-slip faults. Two quantitative models employing the stress-shadow concept, widely used for explaining extensional-joint spacing, are proposed in this study: (1) an empirically based stress-rise-function model that simulates the brittle-deformation process during the formation of evenly spaced parallel strike-slip faults, and (2) an elastic plate model that relates fault spacing to the thickness of the fault-hosting elastic medium. When applying the models for the initiation and development of the tiger-stripe fractures (TSF) in the South Polar Terrain (SPT) of Enceladus, the mutually consistent solutions of the two models, as constrained by the mean spacing of the TSF at â¼35Â km, requires that the brittle ice-shell thickness be â¼30Â km, the elastic thickness be â¼0.7Â km, and the cohesive strength of the SPT ice shell be â¼30Â kPa. However, if the brittle and elastic models are decoupled and if the ice-shell cohesive strength is on the order of â¼1Â MPa, the brittle ice shell would be on the order of â¼10Â km.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Space and Planetary Science
Authors
An Yin, Andrew V. Zuza, Robert T. Pappalardo,