Topic summary
Rift basin
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Rift.
Rift initiation
The formation of rift basins and strain localization reflects rift maturity. At the onset of rifting, the upper part of the lithosphere starts to extend on a series of initially unconnected normal faults, leading to the development of isolated basins. In subaerial rifts, for example, drainage at the onset of rifting is generally internal, with no element of through drainage. Passive rifting is very common in the initial stages of rift development. This involves thinning of the lithosphere which is caused by stresses transmitted horizontally. No magmatic activity is normally associated with passive rifting.