Fluid-enhanced neotectonic faulting in the cratonic lithosphere of the
Nullarbor Plain, Australia
Abstract
The Nullarbor Plain is underlain by a thick cratonic lithospheric
mantle, which is thought to have a paucity of neotectonic faults and
seismicity. Based on the analysis of high-resolution digital elevation
models, identified neotectonic fault traces on the nearly flat karst
landscape locally extend >100 km long, suggesting potential
for hosting large (>7.3 to 7.5) moment magnitude
earthquakes. The measured along-strike maximum displacement
Dmax for each trace is not proportional to
surface rupture length (L) but is correlated with the occurrence
of crust-scale electrical conductors identified in magnetotelluric
surveys. Two major conductors penetrate from the upper crust to the
topmost mantle along crustal scale shear zones. The conductivity value
in the topmost mantle is much higher than in the cratonic mantle,
indicating serpentinization of the mantle with the addition of fluids.
Lithospheric fluid localization may have weakened pre-existing faults
and enhanced neotectonic faulting in the Nullarbor plain.