Critical Taper Model of Fold-and-Thrust Belts and Accretionary Wedges

Dahlen, F. A.

doi:10.1146/annurev.ea.18.050190.000415

Cited by 752 publications

(421 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Davis et al 1983;Dahlen 1990;Suppe et al 1992;Mosar & Suppe 1992). Analogue modelling of thrust systems in accretionary wedges and fold-and-thrust belts are in broad agreement with the critical-taper Coulomb wedge model (Huiqi et al 1992).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Geometry and kinematics of experimental antiformal stacks

Gomes

Ferreira

2000

An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.

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Sandbox experiments with different boundary conditions demonstrate that antiformal stacks result from a forward-breaking thrust sequence. An obstacle blocks forward thrust propagation and transfers the deformation back to the hinterland in a previously formed true duplex. In the hinterland, continued shortening causes faults to merge toward the tectonic transport direction until the older thrusts override the younger thrusts. In experiments using thin sand layers or high basal friction, shortening is accommodated by a cyclic process of thrusting, back rotation of the newly formed thrust combined with strong vertical strain, and nucleation of a new thrust. Continuous deformation produces an antiformal stack through progressive convergence of branch lines. key words: basement structures, slightly dipping basal detachment, sand layer thickness, basal friction.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Geometry and kinematics of experimental antiformal stacks

Gomes

Ferreira

2000

An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.

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“…The critical taper of an active Coulomb wedge is determined by the balance between vertical (lithostatic) and horizontal forces in every column of the wedge [Dahlen, 1990]. Ideally, any material eroded from a column decreases the vertical force, which triggers internal deformation in the wedge to restore the critical taper.…”

Section: Erosion Of Critical Wedgesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fundamental principles are illustrated in Figure la [e.g., Davis et al, 1983] in a simplified model based on analogue sandbox experiments: Sediments in front of a rigid backstop of infinite height are scraped from a continuously subducting plate and stacked in a wedge. The wedge attains a minimum critical taper (c•+•) and grows in a self similar way [Dahlen, 1990] by a process of alternating frontal accretion and internal deformation. The ratio of internal friction coefficient (•)in the wedge and friction coefficient along the decollement (•xb) are the main factors controlling the angle of the critical taper.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life cycle of the East Carpathian orogen: Erosion history of a doubly vergent critical wedge assessed by fission track thermochronology

Sanders¹,

Andriessen²,

Cloetingh³

1999

J. Geophys. Res.

108

133

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“…Description of lithospheric-scale earth deformation by using theory originally developed for analysis of landslide and backfill stability has successfully identified the role of topographic slopes in simple two-dimensional convergent zones [Chappie, 1978;Stockmal, 1983;Davis et al, 1983;Dahlen, 1984Dahlen, , 1990; Koons , 1990]. The Mohr-Coulomb constraint adopted in the critical wedge formulation provides solutions for an equilibrium state of stress where the entire wedge above the basal d6collement is on the verge of plastic failure [Terzaghi, 1943;Chapple, 1978].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical wedges in three dimensions: Analytical expressions from Mohr‐Coulomb constrained perturbation analysis

Enlow¹,

Koons²

1998

J. Geophys. Res.

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Abstract. We present simple analytical expressions for evaluating three-dimensional stress fields in critical wedges (Coulomb failure throughout) that are deforming within an oblique convergent zone. We assume that the load and geometry variations in the lateral direction, and the topographic slope, are relatively small. The stress state of a two dimensional critical wedge is perturbed by admitting a small lateral shear, which is accommodated (to maintain criticality) by a reduction in the dominant normal compressive stress. Cohesionless cases are further simplified with Taylor series expansions in the topographic slope. The analytical expressions distinguish the behavior of strong base wedges associated with steep slopes from weak base wedges with more modest slopes, and are reliable for lateral shear values as large as half the lithostatic load. In the weak base case where the vertical shear is small, the orientations of the principal stresses are very sensitive to the perturbation. As the lateral shear increases through relatively small values, the roles of the lateral and vertical coordinate axes are interchanged, with a resultant transition from predominantly ttu'ust failure to strike slip failure. Transition to strike slip in the strong base case is more gradual. The particular value of horizontal shear for which transition occurs also depends on the difference of the minor normal stresses. We produce an analytical expression predicting displacement patterns compatible with those observed in natural and analog orogens. Displacement partitioning is predicted for weak base wedges due to minor changes in lateral boundary conditions associated with variable orogen geometry.

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Critical Taper Model of Fold-and-Thrust Belts and Accretionary Wedges

Cited by 752 publications

References 53 publications

Geometry and kinematics of experimental antiformal stacks

Geometry and kinematics of experimental antiformal stacks

Life cycle of the East Carpathian orogen: Erosion history of a doubly vergent critical wedge assessed by fission track thermochronology

Critical wedges in three dimensions: Analytical expressions from Mohr‐Coulomb constrained perturbation analysis

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