Inversion of accommodation zones in salt-bearing extensional systems: insights from analog modeling
<p>This work uses sandbox analog models to analyze the formation and subsequent inversion of a decoupled extensional system comprised of two segmented half-grabens separated by a diffuse accommodation zone with thick early syn-rift salt. The segmented half-grabens strike perpendicular to the d...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Solid Earth |
| Online Access: | https://se.copernicus.org/articles/14/709/2023/se-14-709-2023.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797782515999571968 |
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| author | E. P. Wilson P. Granado P. Santolaria O. Ferrer J. A. Muñoz |
| author_facet | E. P. Wilson P. Granado P. Santolaria O. Ferrer J. A. Muñoz |
| author_sort | E. P. Wilson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>This work uses sandbox analog models to analyze the
formation and subsequent inversion of a decoupled extensional system
comprised of two segmented half-grabens separated by a diffuse accommodation
zone with thick early syn-rift salt. The segmented half-grabens strike
perpendicular to the direction of extension and subsequent shortening.
Rifting first created a basement topography that was infilled by model salt,
followed by a second phase of extension and sedimentation, followed
afterwards by inversion. During the second phase of extension, syn-rift
syncline minibasins developed above the basement extensional system and
extended beyond the confines of the fault blocks. Sedimentary downbuilding
and extension initiated the migration of model salt to the basement highs,
forming salt anticlines, reactive diapirs, and salt walls perpendicular to
the direction of extension, except for along the intervening accommodation
zone where a slightly oblique salt anticline developed. Inversion resulted
in decoupled cover and basement thrust systems. Thrusts in the cover system
nucleated along squeezed salt structures and along primary welds. New
primary welds developed where the cover sequence touched down on basement
thrust tips due to uplift, salt extrusion, and syn-contractional
downbuilding caused by the loading of syn-contractional sedimentation. Model
geometries reveal the control imposed by the basement configuration and
distribution of salt in the development of a thrust front from the inversion
of a salt-bearing extensional system. In 3D, the interaction of salt
migrating from adjacent syn-rift basins can modify the expected salt
structure geometry, which may in turn influence the location and style of
thrust in the cover sequence upon inversion. Results are compared to the
Northern Lusitanian Basin, offshore Portugal, and the Isábena area of the South-Central Pyrenees, Spain.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T00:12:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e64663354a494b2cbdbbe2917d940357 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1869-9510 1869-9529 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T00:12:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Solid Earth |
| spelling | doaj.art-e64663354a494b2cbdbbe2917d9403572023-07-12T11:43:19ZengCopernicus PublicationsSolid Earth1869-95101869-95292023-07-011470973910.5194/se-14-709-2023Inversion of accommodation zones in salt-bearing extensional systems: insights from analog modelingE. P. WilsonP. GranadoP. SantolariaO. FerrerJ. A. Muñoz<p>This work uses sandbox analog models to analyze the formation and subsequent inversion of a decoupled extensional system comprised of two segmented half-grabens separated by a diffuse accommodation zone with thick early syn-rift salt. The segmented half-grabens strike perpendicular to the direction of extension and subsequent shortening. Rifting first created a basement topography that was infilled by model salt, followed by a second phase of extension and sedimentation, followed afterwards by inversion. During the second phase of extension, syn-rift syncline minibasins developed above the basement extensional system and extended beyond the confines of the fault blocks. Sedimentary downbuilding and extension initiated the migration of model salt to the basement highs, forming salt anticlines, reactive diapirs, and salt walls perpendicular to the direction of extension, except for along the intervening accommodation zone where a slightly oblique salt anticline developed. Inversion resulted in decoupled cover and basement thrust systems. Thrusts in the cover system nucleated along squeezed salt structures and along primary welds. New primary welds developed where the cover sequence touched down on basement thrust tips due to uplift, salt extrusion, and syn-contractional downbuilding caused by the loading of syn-contractional sedimentation. Model geometries reveal the control imposed by the basement configuration and distribution of salt in the development of a thrust front from the inversion of a salt-bearing extensional system. In 3D, the interaction of salt migrating from adjacent syn-rift basins can modify the expected salt structure geometry, which may in turn influence the location and style of thrust in the cover sequence upon inversion. Results are compared to the Northern Lusitanian Basin, offshore Portugal, and the Isábena area of the South-Central Pyrenees, Spain.</p>https://se.copernicus.org/articles/14/709/2023/se-14-709-2023.pdf |
| spellingShingle | E. P. Wilson P. Granado P. Santolaria O. Ferrer J. A. Muñoz Inversion of accommodation zones in salt-bearing extensional systems: insights from analog modeling Solid Earth |
| title | Inversion of accommodation zones in salt-bearing extensional systems: insights from analog modeling |
| title_full | Inversion of accommodation zones in salt-bearing extensional systems: insights from analog modeling |
| title_fullStr | Inversion of accommodation zones in salt-bearing extensional systems: insights from analog modeling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Inversion of accommodation zones in salt-bearing extensional systems: insights from analog modeling |
| title_short | Inversion of accommodation zones in salt-bearing extensional systems: insights from analog modeling |
| title_sort | inversion of accommodation zones in salt bearing extensional systems insights from analog modeling |
| url | https://se.copernicus.org/articles/14/709/2023/se-14-709-2023.pdf |
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