Review of tectonic inversion of sedimentary basins in NE and N Brazil: Analysis of mechanisms, timing and effects on structures and relief

Most intraplate areas worldwide are under compression characterized by thrust and strike-slip deformations. The sources of the stresses in these regions are a combination of far-field (regional) stresses (e.g., ridge push, slab pull, lithospheric drag) and near-field (local) stresses (e.g., topography, lateral and vertical anisotropy of strength or elastic properties, erosion, flexural bending, overloading, buoyancy of low-density regions). These intraplate regions are sites favorable for the tectonic inversion of sedimentary basins. Here, we review the tectonic inversions of the sedimentary basins in NE and N Brazil, which comprise a significant part of the South American intraplate (the South American Platform). These regions have been under compression since the Late Cretaceous. Reports of post-rift basin inversions derived from seismic profiles, fault-slip data, and topography have been described in the Sergipe-Alagoas, Paraiba, Potiguar, Cear ' a, Rio do Peixe, Araripe (NE Brazil), and Solimo similar to es (N Brazil) basins. Reports of inversions in the rift phase have also been described in the Araripe Basin. The presentday stress field indicates that inversions in NE Brazil can mainly be characterized as strike-slip and thrust fault regimes, whereas in N Brazil, inversions have occurred under reverse stress regimes. The most frequent inversion structures are reactivated faults, folds, and dome structures affecting the topography and the consequent uplift of rift and post-rift sedimentary units. Inversions have led to the reactivation of continental-scale structures, such as the strike-slip dextral shearing of the Transbrasiliano lineament, which affected rift and post-rift units in the Equatorial Margin of Brazil. The small crustal thickness of these areas favors inversion, as indicated by the most recent Moho depth map of South America. The interplay between far-field and near-field stresses explains the stress pattern in NE and N Brazil, where inversions have been observed.

Automated summary

Most intraplate areas worldwide experience compression characterized by thrust and strike-slip deformations due to a combination of far-field and near-field stresses. In NE and N Brazil, which are part of the South American intraplate, compressional tectonic inversions of sedimentary basins have occurred since the Late Cretaceous. These inversions are characterized by strike-slip and thrust fault regimes in NE Brazil and reverse stress regimes in N Brazil. Reactivated faults, folds, and dome structures are the most common inversion structures, leading to uplift of rift and post-rift sedimentary units. The interplay between far-field and near-field stresses explains the observed stress pattern in these regions.