The interaction between volcanoes and strike-slip, transtensional and transpressional fault zones: Analogue models and natural examples

Regional strike-slip faulting can control magma movements, deform volcanoes and may destabilise their flanks. The aim of this study is to address this problem by comparing two natural examples, Basse Terre Island volcanoes, Lesser Antilles and Maderas volcano, Nicaragua, with analogue experiments. The field and remote sensing analyses of their structures reveal that Guadeloupe volcanoes, which developed in a 145°-striking sinistral transtensional fault zone, are dominantly fractured in a 090°–120° direction, which is parallel to the maximum principal horizontal stress and to the elongation direction of the summit graben of analogue models. This graben is bordered by the Sigmoid-I fault, or Y shear structure, and has facilitated the formation of the Beaugendre and Vieux-Habitants valleys by faulting, erosion or collapse. This structure has also influenced the injection of dykes and the transport of hydrothermal fluids. The comparison of Maderas volcano with the analogue models confirms that the volcano has developed parallel to a 135°-striking dextral transtensional fault zone and is also gravitationally spreading over a weak substratum. This study illustrates how regional strike-slip faulting and gravitational loading combine to produce a clear set of structures within volcanic edifices, which control the location of intrusive zones, hydrothermal activity and collapse directions.