Shortening styles in salt-influenced basins can vary markedly, with the volume and distribution of salt prior to shortening being a key control. Here, we use a suite of physical models to examine styles of thin-skinned regional shortening in settings where the preshortening structure comprised minibasins surrounded by salt ('isolated-
Highlights• In settings with isolated minibasins and a high salt volume, shortening induces salt flow.• The flow of salt contributes to the translation, tilt and rotation of minibasins during shortening.• A variety of factors control the amount and timing of minibasin translation, tilt and rotation during shortening.• The controls include, among others: boundary conditions, salt pressures, basesalt relief and whether primary and secondary welds have formed.• Fold-and-thrust belts in salt basins can vary in style, being strongly influenced by the volume and distribution of precursor salt.