A study of joints and stress-release buckles in Palaeozoic rocks of the Niagara Peninsula, southern Ontario

Abstract

Joint sets in Palaeozoic bedrock of the Niagara Peninsula occur at 005, 045, 085, and 135° orientations. There is no consistent change in joint orientation with lithology, rock age, or location within the area. Drainage pattern analysis using airphotos and topographic maps indicates that glacial drift effectively masks underlying joint systems. Rare calcite and gypsum mineralization occurs along joints of 085 and 135° trend. Stress-relief buckles indicate a contemporary maximum principal stress along an 050° trend. Joint systems in the Niagara Peninsula are similar in trend to those on the Appalachian Plateau.