Influence of erosion on the kinematics of bivergent orogens: Results from scaled sandbox simulations

Hoth, S.; Adam, Jürgen; Kukowski, Nina; Oncken, Onno

doi:10.1130/2006.2398(12)

Cited by 59 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…However, neither model nor real wedges are truly critical and they likely exhibit more complex behavior [e.g., Hoth et al, 2006Hoth et al, , 2007Naylor and Sinclair, 2007]. In the models presented here and in analog [e.g., Hoth et al, 2006Hoth et al, , 2007 and discrete element models [Naylor and Sinclair, 2007] the wedge grows by the accretion of material into frontal thrust.…”

Section: Thrust Cycling Within the Models And Naturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…[13] Our models resemble a numerical sandbox and are similar to the analog models run by Hoth et al [2006] and discrete element models of Naylor and Sinclair [2007] in that the lower boundary is fixed in space. The model does not attempt to simulate isostatic compensation for the topography and the base of the model cannot adjust itself even though topography increases with ongoing strain.…”

Section: Velocity Boundary Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[21] Without any variation in topography, material properties or erosion rate along strike, the 3-D two-sided wedge develops exactly as the equivalent 2-D two-sided wedge described often in the literature [e.g., Koons, 1990;Beaumont et al, 1992;Willett et al, 2003;Hoth et al, 2006Hoth et al, , 2007. The resolution of our 3-D models is necessarily coarser than that of most analog and 2-D numerical models and thus we are unable to model the actual thrust spacing (i.e., that observed in the field) in detail.…”

Section: Reference Model With No Variation Along Strike (Model 0)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This has been demonstrated using numerical [Avouac and Burov, 1996;Willett, 1999;Koons et al, 2002Koons et al, , 2003] and analog [Hoth et al, 2006] modeling, as well as through a number of field studies, particularly those utilizing fission track and other geochronologic methods [Zeitler et al, 2001;Thiede et al, 2004Thiede et al, , 2005Grujic et al, 2006;Berger and Spotila, 2008;. Despite recognition of the importance of coupling between tectonic and surfical processes, surprisingly little direct data exists for assessing exactly how an orogen responds to transient changes in boundary conditions, such as a change in the erosion rate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Each has their own advantages and disadvantages. Analogue models are inherently three-dimensional and can usually be run to large strains, they are visual and, with the use of CT scanning, can yield approximations of the 3-D strain, strain rate and other parameters [e.g., Marques and Cobbold, 2002;Soto et al, 2006aSoto et al, , 2006bHoth et al, 2006Hoth et al, , 2007. Numerical solutions allow the models to be interrogated at any point in time or space to yield velocities, stresses, strain, strain components, etc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Three‐dimensional numerical models with varied material properties and erosion rates: Implications for the mechanics and kinematics of compressive wedges

2009

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[1] We develop three-dimensional mechanical models of a compressive wedge and investigate how the form and kinematics of the outboard wedge are affected by variation in initial topography, material properties, and erosion rate. Inclusion into the wedge of weaker, less dense material affects the form of the wedge, producing a region of steeper average slopes and higher topography while depriving the region further inboard of material. Enhanced erosion has a similar effect. The wedge attempts to replace the eroded material by focusing deformation. The result is a stepped region of lower topography within the outboard of the orogen. We observe that uplift velocities at three points in the orogen vary cyclically from near zero to $3 times the average uplift rate over cycles lasting on the order of 15-200,000 model years. Our models, along with analog models and some well-dated examples from active orogens, suggest that transient accommodation of strain may be common. The cycles observed responded rapidly to changes in the amount of erosion imposed. Our models suggest that orogens may be driven by strong coupling between erosion and strain on temporal scales of 10 4 -10 5 years and spatial scales comparable to the scale of the erosional perturbation. We compare our models to the Puli Embayment of west central Taiwan, a region of anomalous low topography and suggest that it presence may reflect the presence of weaker and more erodible sediments than those present along strike in the orogen.Citation: Upton, P., K. Mueller, and Y.-G. Chen (2009), Three-dimensional numerical models with varied material properties and erosion rates: Implications for the mechanics and kinematics of compressive wedges,

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Section: Thrust Cycling Within the Models And Naturementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Velocity Boundary Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reference Model With No Variation Along Strike (Model 0)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Three‐dimensional numerical models with varied material properties and erosion rates: Implications for the mechanics and kinematics of compressive wedges

2009

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First‐order control of syntectonic sedimentation on crustal‐scale structure of mountain belts

2015

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The first-order characteristics of collisional mountain belts and the potential feedback with surface processes are predicted by critical taper theory. While the feedback between erosion and mountain belt structure has been fairly extensively studied, less attention has been given to the potential role of synorogenic deposition. For thin-skinned fold-and-thrust belts, recent studies indicate a strong control of syntectonic deposition on structure, as sedimentation tends to stabilize the thin-skinned wedge. However, the factors controlling basement deformation below fold-and-thrust belts, as evident, for example, in the Zagros Mountains or in the Swiss Alps, remain largely unknown. Previous work has suggested that such variations in orogenic structure may be explained by the thermotectonic "age" of the deforming lithosphere and hence its rheology. Here we demonstrate that sediment loading of the foreland basin area provides an additional control and may explain the variable basement involvement in orogenic belts. When examining the role of sedimentation, we identify two end-members: (1) sediment-starved orogenic systems with thick-skinned basement deformation in an axial orogenic core and thin-skinned deformation in the bordering forelands and (2) sediment-loaded orogens with thick packages of synorogenic deposits, derived from the axial basement zone, deposited on the surrounding foreland fold-and-thrust belts, and characterized by basement deformation below the foreland. Using high-resolution thermomechanical models, we demonstrate a strong feedback between deposition and crustal-scale thick-skinned deformation. Our results show that the loading effects of syntectonic sediments lead to long crustal-scale thrust sheets beneath the orogenic foreland and explain the contrasting characteristics of sediment-starved and sediment-loaded orogens, showing for the first time how both thin-and thick-skinned crustal deformations are linked to sediment deposition in these orogenic systems. We show that the observed model behavior is consistent with observations from a number of natural orogenic systems.

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Transition from a singly vergent to doubly vergent wedge in a young orogen: The Greater Caucasus

2014

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The Greater Caucasus Mountains, due to their youth (~5 Ma), provide an opportunity for insight into the early stages of orogen development during continent-continent collision. However, their recent tectonic evolution and first-order architecture remain unclear. Here we investigate the evolution of the orogen by integrating new observations of the fluvial geomorphology and neotectonics of the range with prior work on seismicity, geodetic strain, bedrock geology, and foreland basin structure. We find that the range contains four zones along strike that differ in structural architecture, topography, and first-order tectonic history. In particular, two south directed, singly vergent zones at the western and eastern tips of the orogen are separated by both a central doubly vergent zone that is dominated by north directed deformation and an eastern doubly vergent zone in which south directed thrusting dominates. We hypothesize that the along-strike changes in vergence and locus of deformation reflects different stages in the development of a doubly vergent orogen, with the tips of the range preserving an early, singly vergent form and the center recording a more advanced orogen. The differences between the two doubly vergent zones seem to be driven by the initial stages of collision between the structurally thickened crust of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus orogens, which initiated at~5 Ma.

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Influence of erosion on the kinematics of bivergent orogens: Results from scaled sandbox simulations

Cited by 59 publications

References 79 publications

Three‐dimensional numerical models with varied material properties and erosion rates: Implications for the mechanics and kinematics of compressive wedges

Three‐dimensional numerical models with varied material properties and erosion rates: Implications for the mechanics and kinematics of compressive wedges

First‐order control of syntectonic sedimentation on crustal‐scale structure of mountain belts

Transition from a singly vergent to doubly vergent wedge in a young orogen: The Greater Caucasus

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