Geomechanics of glacially triggered faulting

The reactivation of glacially induced faults is linked to the increase and decrease of ice mass. But, whether faults are reactivated by glacially induced stresses depends to a large degree on the crustal stress field, fault properties and fluid pressures. The background (tectonic and lithostatic) stress field has a major effect on the potential for reactivation, as the varying stresses induced by the ice sheet affects the state of stress around the fault, bringing the fault to more stable or more unstable conditions. Here, we describe the effect of glacially induced stresses on fault reactivation under three potential background stress regimes of normal, strike-slip and thrust/reverse faulting. The Mohr diagram is used to illustrate how glacially induced stresses affect the location and the size of the Mohr circle. We review these different cases by applying an analysis of the stress state at different time points in the glacial cycle. In addition, we present an overview of fault properties that affect the reactivation of glacially induced faults, such as pore-fluid pressure and coefficient of friction.