Stress configurations in conjugate quartz-vein arrays

Arrays of quartz gash-veins in small angle (40°), conjugate shear zones (type 1 arrays of Beach) are well-developed in the Upper Devonian Merrimbula sandstone of the south coast region of New South Wales, Australia. We argue that vein and cleavage geometry support an origin of the veins as tension fractures in a rotated secondary stress field rather than a primary shear origin as advocated by Beach. We also conclude that the veins develop in dilational shear zones under high fluid pressure.