Abstract
Systematic analog models are run to study the variation in deformation across basement steps in the Zagros fold-thrust belt. Our model results demonstrate that basement configuration/topography influences the sedimentation thickness and, hence, the kinematics and geometric evolution of the fold and thrust belt. The greater the difference in thickness between the adjacent cover units across a basement step, the sharper and clearer will be the offset of the deformation front. Based on model results, we conclude that in a fold-thrust belt, where basement step/topography is covered by a layer of ductile salt acting as a decollement, the effect of the salt decollement on the evolution of the belt is far greater than the effect of thickness variation of the cover units.
Original language | British English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2117-2135 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | International Journal of Earth Sciences |
Volume | 102 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2013 |
Keywords
- Analog modeling
- Cover thickness
- Deformation front
- Zagros