Verwerfungszone

Verwerfungszone is a geological term describing a zone of the crust in which rocks have been displaced along faults. The zone may consist of one or more faults, fracture zones, and associated ductile or brittle deformation zones. Width can range from meters to tens of kilometers; internal structure often includes fault gouge, breccia, mylonite, and zones of reduced rock strength. The rocks on opposite sides are juxtaposed and may belong to different metamorphic or stratigraphic units.

Formation and properties: Verwerfungszonen form under tectonic forces such as compression, extension, or shear. They develop during orogeny, at plate boundaries, or as intraplate reactivation, and they accommodate large displacements over time. They can be polyphase, with faults reactivated in different tectonic periods. The geometry is often complex, with a single fault at the surface widening into a zone with multiple splays. The zones are frequently associated with veining and mineralization.

Methods and significance: Mapping and structural analysis, drilling, and geophysical imaging (such as seismic reflection, magnetotellurics, and gravity surveys) are used to delineate Verwerfungszonen. They are important for understanding crustal architecture, tectonics, and seismotectonics. Permeability and fluid flow are often enhanced in fault zones, making them relevant for groundwater, mineral and hydrocarbon exploration. They also contribute to assessing seismic hazards in tectonically active regions.

Examples: Notable Verwerfungszonen exist in Europe, including the Rheinische Verwerfungszone in western Germany, a major crustal fault zone associated with the Variscan belt.