Abstract: The Tectonic Behavior of Evaporites

By

Joseph D. Martinez

The great commercial importance of the salt domes of the Gulf Coast has focused the attention of most American geologists on salt tectonics as it applies to these structures. These domes although illustrative of many general principles, represent only one type. Their formation and growth is in response to deep burial and essentially buoyant forces. Little, if any, effect of regional stress can be observed in the U.S. Gulf Coast, although such response is found in Mexico and elsewhere. Mineralogically they are almost pure halite. Although banding of an hydrite-rich layers has been mapped and the style of internal structure thus defined, no significant progress has been made in identifying and following banding throughout a mine. Neither has the more difficult task of correlating relict sedimentary layers from dome to dome been accomplished or even attempted. This is in sharp contrast with the very detailed stratigraphic work with the Zechstein saline deposits in Germany, made possible by the highly variable nature of the succession. The special concern with salt tectonics per se in the Gulf tends to detract from the importance of the structural behavior of the other evaporites.

A framework is presented which classifies and places in perspective all aspects of the tectonic behavior of evaporites. One of the two major divisions deals with the response of evaporite sedimentation and accumulation to regional and local control. The other considers both the active and passive roles of evaporites as agents of tectonism.

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