Rotational mechanisms of active deformation in Greece and Iran

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Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of vertical and horizontal rotations in the evolution of geological structures. In the Aegean region pervasive normal faulting, probably listric in nature, is responsible for substantial vertical rotation of footwall and hanging wall blocks as well as fault planes. The experience of the Basin and Range Province suggests that strain fields deduced from micro- or macro-structural analyses of fault planes in such an environment are unlikely to be correct unless the detailed 3-dimensional geometry of the motion on the largest faults is known. A particular hazard is the interpretation of rotated low angle gravity glides and high angle antithetic normal faults as thrusts and reverse faults respectively.