Mesozoic/cenozoic strike-slip tectonics in the catarinense shield and its correlation with structures associated with the continental rift in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Structural studies carried out on mesoscopic scale of planar and linear brittle structures from quarries in Precambrian rocks of the central-southern portion of the Catarinense Shield led to a characterization of four main fault directions: NE-SW, NW-SE and some around N-S and E-W. The older dextral (~ N-S) and sinistral (~ E-W) strike-slip faults are explained through a paleostress field approximately NE-SW oriented. The younger dextral (NE-SW) and sinistral (NW) strike-slip faults are compatible with an approximately E-W oriented paleostress field. The oldest event fits between the Cretaceous and Cenozoic and the younger event fits between the Neogene and Quaternary.