Transfer zones of deformation in thrust wedges: An experimental study

Calassou, Sylvain; Larroque, Christophe; Malavieille, Jacques

doi:10.1016/0040-1951(93)90165-g

Cited by 116 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The ratio between thrusts in the thin compartment and those in the thick one was equal to 2 : 1. (2) Thrust fronts were generally rectilinear in both the thick and thin compartments, analogous to that observed by Calassou et al (1993) in similar sandbox models. (3) The different slope orientations in the three models did not substantially affect the geometry of the overall thrust front during any stage of deformation; it was generally rectilinear for the entire model or for each half model, depending on the deformation stage.…”

Section: Main Features Of Set I Modelssupporting

confidence: 65%

“…Generally speaking there are clear analogies between the present models and that constructed by Calassou et al (1993), which had a vertical step in the base of the model that allowed one to work with variable thicknesses. The similar deformation patterns in both models, despite of the differences in the experimental apparatus, demonstrate that the only parameter that influences deformation is thickness.…”

Section: Comparison Between the Two Sets Of Modelsmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…The modelling techniques are similar to those commonly used for studying foreland thrust tectonics (see, among others, Malavieille, 1984;Ballard et al, 1987;Souriot et al, 1991;Liu Huiqi et al, 1992;Calassou et al, 1993;Storti et al, 1997). The brittle behaviour of the upper crust, both for carbonate platform and calcareous pelagic deposits, was simulated by dry, well-sorted (0.2-0.3 mm) and well-rounded, quartzose aeolian sand from Priverno (southern Latium, Italy).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the stages with continuous thrust development, a major bend (localised in the thin compartment toward the slope) characterised the thrust front and may be considered as a transfer zone; this is analogous to the models of Calassou et al (1993). (3) The more abundant thrusts in the thin compartment tended to line up with the generally more advanced thrusts in the thick compartment.…”

Section: Main Features Of Set I Modelsmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…strain partitioning, changes in basal friction or sedimentary thickness, etc. ; Calassou et al, 1993). Among these processes, the influence of lithological variations in the palaeogeographic setting is one of the most common explanations (Morley, 1987;Butler et al, 1989).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of palaeogeography on thrust system geometries: an analogue modelling approach for the Abruzzi–Molise (Italy) case history

et al. 1998

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The Abruzzi-Molise sector in the Central Apennines is a part of a fold and thrust belt that has been deforming since the Late Cretaceous as a result of collision tectonics between the European and Adriatic plates. The superposition of different deformational styles highly reworked the originally complex palaeogeography of this portion of the southern Tethyan margin. Analogue modelling has been performed on thrusting mechanisms in the Abruzzi-Molise area in order to (1) reduce the number of admissible hypotheses regarding palaeogeographic setting, and (2) define thrusting mechanics. Both of these goals are crucial for hydrocarbon exploration purposes. The sandbox apparatus used to simulate the undeformed passive margin consisted of a thin compartment juxtaposed against a thick one along a linear boundary having variable geometries and mechanical stratigraphy; a rigid but mobile backstop was used to deform the stratigraphy in a Coulomb thrust wedge. Results from six experiments show that the geometric relationships between different structural units depend on the distribution of palaeogeographic domains. These domains are defined by mechanical and=or geometrical parameters, such as the orientation between the maximum compression direction and the palaeogeographic boundary, the mechanical stratigraphy and the thickness of the successions reproduced in the models. The present-day tectonic styles and Meso-Cenozoic palaeogeography of the Abruzzi-Molise area are discussed in terms of the mechanisms and structures analysed through the models.

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Section: Main Features Of Set I Modelssupporting

confidence: 65%

Section: Comparison Between the Two Sets Of Modelsmentioning

confidence: 77%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Main Features Of Set I Modelsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Influence of palaeogeography on thrust system geometries: an analogue modelling approach for the Abruzzi–Molise (Italy) case history

et al. 1998

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Critical taper analysis reveals lithological control of variations in detachment strength: An analysis of the Alpine basal detachment (Swiss Alps)

Hagke

Oncken

Evseev

2014

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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[1] Although evidence for weak detachments underlying foreland thrust belts exists, very little is known about the lateral variations in effective strength, as well as the geological nature of such variations. Using critical taper analysis, we show that a detailed and systematic measurement of surface slope of the Central European Alps reveals variations in strength parameter F along the detachment, based on the argument that the Alps are close to the critical state. We show that the basal detachment is very weak near the deformation front but strengthens toward the hinterland. Very low F (effective coefficient of friction plus normalized cohesion) values of <0.1 and even 0.05 occur within evaporites and within shales in Triassic (west) or Upper Cretaceous/Lower Tertiary sequences (east) used by the Alpine sole detachment. These very low values in shales-comparably low values are reported from other orogens-are caused partly by slightly elevated pore pressures (k > 0.54) but may also require additional mechanisms of dynamic weakening.

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Sandbox modeling of evolving thrust wedges with different preexisting topographic relief: Implications for the Longmen Shan thrust belt, eastern Tibet

et al. 2016

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To understand the effects of substantial topographic relief on deformation localization in the seismically active mountains, like the Longmen Shan thrust belt in the eastern Tibet, sandbox experiments were performed based on the framework of the critical taper theory. First, a reference experiment revealed that the critical taper angle was 12° for our experimental materials. Subsequently, different proto wedges (subcritical (6° in taper angle), critical (12°), and supercritical (20°)) were introduced to cover the range of natural topographic relief, and we used two setups: setup A considered only across‐strike topographic relief, whereas setup B investigated along‐strike segmentation of topography, consist of two adjacent proto wedges. In all experiments, thrust wedges grew by in‐sequence accretion of thrust sheets. Setup A revealed an alternating mode of slip partitioning on the accreted thrusts, with large‐displacement thrust and small‐displacement thrust developing in turn. And contrasting wedge evolutions occurred according to whether the proto wedge was subcritical or critical‐supercritical. In setup B, the differential deformation along the strike produced transverse structures such as tear fault and lateral ramp during frontal accretion. The observed tear fault and its associated thrust system resemble the seismogenic fault system of the 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake. Our experimental results could also explain first‐order deformation features observed in the Longmen Shan. Consequently, we conclude that topographic features, including topographic relief across the range and along‐strike segmentation of topography, contribute significantly to the kinematics and deformation localization in such active mountains.

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Transfer zones of deformation in thrust wedges: An experimental study

Cited by 116 publications

References 24 publications

Influence of palaeogeography on thrust system geometries: an analogue modelling approach for the Abruzzi–Molise (Italy) case history

Influence of palaeogeography on thrust system geometries: an analogue modelling approach for the Abruzzi–Molise (Italy) case history

Critical taper analysis reveals lithological control of variations in detachment strength: An analysis of the Alpine basal detachment (Swiss Alps)

Sandbox modeling of evolving thrust wedges with different preexisting topographic relief: Implications for the Longmen Shan thrust belt, eastern Tibet

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