Journal
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
Volume 135, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsg.2019.103946
Keywords
Rotational extension; Analogue modeling; Structural gradients; Rifting; Rift propagation; Boundary effects; Scissor tectonics
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Funding
- Swiss National Science Foundation [200021_147046]
- University of Bern
- Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) [200021_147046] Funding Source: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)
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In rift settings, extension rates often vary along strike, due to rotation about a vertical axis or Euler pole, yet tectonic modelers traditionally apply constant along-strike deformation rates. Here we compare rift development and propagation under traditional orthogonal extension versus rotational extension conditions. The set-ups involve brittle-viscous layering and localize deformation through structural weaknesses (seeds). Our models provide first-order insights into the differences in rift development between both boundary conditions: orthogonal extension produces a rift basin with constant synchronous along-strike features, whereas rotational extension induces along-strike structural gradients, diachronous rift development causing rift propagation and the development of V-shaped basins. We observe important viscous flow associated with differential pressure gradients in rotational extension. We also describe the important effects of strain partitioning between rift axis and model boundaries, the quantifying of which is crucial to avoid incorrect model interpretations. Although our model results are first-order only, they are in good agreement with various natural examples and previous modeling studies and highlight the importance of considering the third dimension when studying tectonic systems.
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