Mesoscale strike-slip faults and damage zones at Marsalforn, Gozo Island, Malta

Well-exposed strike-slip faults in limestones in the north-western part of Gozo show damage zones that can be grouped into three categories based on their location along faults; tip damage, linking damage and distributed damage. The predominant fracture types within damage zones include extension fractures and secondary faults. Tip damage zones usually show wedge-shaped patterns formed by antithetic faults and extension fractures, commonly accompanied by block rotation. Several fractures are combined at linking damage zones, typically with the concentration of a high intensity of fractures. Structures in distributed damage zones are typically similar to the classical Riedel shear pattern. Evolutionary and 3D models are proposed in terms of the geometries of damage zones for small displacement strike-slip fault zones. Different evolutionary routes depend on fault tip modes and locations.