Stress field and strain release in the Rhenish Massif.

Abstract

The stress conditions prevailing in the Rhenish massif were determined at 14 sites by means of the 'doorstopper' method. Tensile stresses are the characterstic differences of the stress field of the massif and are due to the diverging stress-trajectories, probably promoted by thermal effects at depth or by diapiric doming. The special kind of strain release found, if compared with that in the bordering rift segments of the Rhine graben and the lower Rhine embayments, is mainly due to the differing mechanical behaviour of the crust in these areas.-J.M.H.