Deformation in Neogene sediments of the Sorbas and Vera Basins (SE Spain): constraints on simple-shear deformation and rigid body rotation along major strike-slip faults

Detailed structural analyses are presented of the Neogene Sorbas Basin adjacent to the E–W striking Gafarillos fault zone and the Vera Basin adjacent to the 020° striking Palomares fault zone in southeastern Spain. A stress regime with an E–W oriented subhorizontal maximum principal stress (σ1) existed in pre-Tortonian (>11.3Ma) time. A strike-slip regime with NW–SE oriented compression during Tortonian and earliest Messinian time caused dextral displacement along the E–W trending Gafarillos fault of approximately 10km. Structural analysis indicates that most displacement took place in the Early Tortonian. Deformational patterns within the adjacent pull-apart basin reflect a dextral simple shear-zone of at least 500m width. Kinematical analysis of folds in the Sorbas Basin suggests, however, that rotational effects are largely caused by rigid-body rotation without much internal deformation. Sinistral strike-slip displacements occurred along the Palomares fault zone under the influence of the same stress-regime.