Scaled sandbox models have been used to simulate the growth and sequential development of critical thrust wedges in isotropic cohesionless and anisotropic cohesionless materials. Variations in the initial thickness of the layered sequence, the friction of the basal detachment, and the anisotropy of the layered system have been systematically investigated. Imbricate fans of dominantly foreland-vergent thrust systems are developed similar to those found in accretionary prisms and in foreland fold and thrust belts. Critical taper wedges close to theoretically predicted geometries are developed for intermediate values of basal friction!lb = 0.4 7 whereas for the lower value of basal friction low-taper wedges are formed with tapers less than predicted by theory. Supra-critical wedges are formed when the basal friction equals or is greater than the coefficient of friction in the wedge and the wedge has a high taper closer to the angle of rest for the modelling material. The spacing/thickness ratio of foreland-vergent thrusts increases as the layer thickness increases. The spacing ofthrust faults increases with increased basal friction. Higher basal friction or anisotropy within the layered systems favours displacement along foreland-vergent thrusts and suppresses backthrusts.
Summary
The geometry of structures within the Moine Thrust Zone are similar to those found in classic thin-skinned tectonic regimes such as the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. The deformation style and strain patterns along the strike of the Moine Thrust Zone are controlled by the position of the floor (or Sole) thrust. The stacking sequence of thrust nappes is from E to W in the direction of transport. Reactivation of some thrusts has caused reversals in the stacking sequence. The mylonites associated with the Moine Thrust have undergone a long and complex history of progressive deformation.
Detailed descriptions of the Moine Thrust Zone at Loch Eriboll are given and the relationships of the Moine Thrust Zone to other major Caledonian tectonic features of the NW Highlands are discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.