Allochthonous salt, structure and stratigraphy of the north-eastern Gulf of Mexico. Part II: Structure

The structure of the Atlantic–Mediterranean transition zone from the Alboran Sea to the Horseshoe Abyssal Plain (Iberia–Africa plate boundary)

“…These basins are limited by down-to-basin listric faults developed on the top surface during sedimentation (e.g., Maestro et al, 2003). This kind of down-to-basin growth faults have been sometimes associated to salt and shale tectonics, as a response to the sediment loading and the proper nature of the salt (Wu et al, 1990). According to these observations and the correlation with Betic and Rif outcrops, we propose that the Gulf of Cadiz Imbricate Wedge consists of mainly Triassic evaporites and a succession of Jurassic to Middle Miocene sedimentary rocks as documented for the allochthonous units at the front of the Betic Cordillera.…”

Coupled passive extension and compression on salt‐based passive margins analyzed by physical models

“…9). The kinematics of contraction in the models (break-back sequence) reproduces nicely those of the Mississippi Fan Fold Belt and probably also that of the Perdido fold belt (Blickwede & Queffelec, 1988;Wu et al, 1990;Weimer & Buffler, 1992;Rowan, 1997;Trudgill et al, 1999). Even considering the differences existing between our models (autochthonous basal viscous layer and no sedimentary supply during deformation) and thenorthernGulfofMexicoBasinsystem(mainly allochthonous salt layer and substantial sedimentary supply during deformation), the formation of break-back fold-and-thrust belts at the frontal sides of both models and natural systems mainly results from the shear strain occurring along the lateral termination of salt basins.…”

“…This is caused by the salt overriding the undeformed area beyond the pinchout. In the natural systems, the formation of fold-and-thrust belts at the frontal pinch out of the basal viscous layer located mainly at the lateral terminations of the salt basin occurs also in the northern Gulf of Mexico Basin, where fold-and-thrust belts mainly form at the westerly and easterly terminations of the Wu et al, 1990;Weimer & Buffler, 1992;Rowan, 1997;Trudgill et al, 1999;Rowan et al, 2004;Fig. 9).…”

Temperature/Pressure Changes Impact Hydrates from Coast to Slope, Northern Gulf of Mexico

“…Such fundamental questions as, why is the Louann Salt reaching seafloor at its present location -at the base of the slope? Has salt always emerged there, or is the present situation anomalous (see Worrell and Snelson, 1989;Wu et al, 1990a and1990b;and Wu, 1993, as examples of salt modelling)? End-member possibilities of lateral salt motion include, but are not limited to, the following:…”

“…The Louann Salt Wedge may actually be from 20°C to 30°C cooler along its upper surface (compared to regional depths, Lowrie, 1994;Lowrie et al, 1991). The entire salt structure (see Wu et al, 1990a, and1990b;Wu, 1993) serves as a thermal conduit that transports heat up from crust, oceanic and/or transitional, to the vicinity of the Sigsbee Escarpment. Shale concentrated within the folds of the fanfold belt serves as a thermal retardant; thus, more heat is concentrated beneath the fold.…”