Stress analysis of NW Jordan: New episode of tectonic rejuvenation related to the Dead Sea transform fault

We performed a stress analysis based on fault-slip data for two of the main geological structures in NW Jordan; the Amman-Hallabat (AHF) and Shueib (SHF) faults. Both structures formed in Cretaceous times under E-W to ESE-WNW maximum compressive stress and have been considered inactive in Neogene and Quaternary times. We have collected data from 14 field stations in the area between the Dead Sea and the cities of Amman and Al Salt. This dataset comprises about 306 fault-slip data that include fault orientations and kinematics, striations, and joints. With the aid of the software T-TECTO 3.0, we have obtained the main stress axes for each station. Our results suggest that most of the structures are coherent with the present-day stress pattern associated with the Dead Sea fault system. In most of the field stations, new striations clearly overprint the older ones. Present-day stress field in the region has horizontal to sub-horizontal maximum and minimum compressive axes (σ1 and σ3), striking NNW-SSE and ENE-SWS, respectively, and a vertical intermediate stress axis (σ2). These new findings suggest a rejuvenation of the AHF and the SHF in the Quaternary in the context of the Dead Sea transform fault tectonic activity.