Modeling Fold-And Belts Using Numerical Simulations and Physical Experiments: the Aconcagua and Mexican Fold-And Belts
Abstract
In this contribution we first investigate the impact of erosion on the geometry and kinematics of the central Argentine Aconcagua Fold-and-Thrust Belt (AFTB) using an integrated analog (sandbox) and numerical (Gale) modeling approach in which mass removal from the topographic surface is limited by the rate of fluvial bedrock incision. This method unifies principles of frictional failure used in Critical Coulomb Wedge (CCW) theory with a quasi-mechanistic erosion rule, which allows us to explicitly relate temporal changes in erosional efficiency in this fold-and-thrust belt to its kinematics. We show that theoretical predictions of AFTB geometry, as well as the kinematics predicted by both physical and numerical experiments are both internally consistent and correctly predict the interpreted and measured field geometries. Specifically, the geometric evolution of the AFTB requires relatively high erosion efficiency values (K) during the initial stage of deformation, and relatively low K values during the latter stages, which is consistent with the progressive exposure of different rock types during the different stages of deformation. Model results indicate that the activity of the faults in the hinterland is high when erosion is most efficient during the initial stage of deformation; this activity is facilitated by increased out-of-sequence thrusting. In contrast, the models predict that forward-propagating thrusts dominate the latter stages of deformation when erosion is far less efficient. We next explore the role of the initial configuration of materials with differing constitutive properties using the Gale numerical code, and published and new structural data from the well-documented Mexican Fold-and-Thrust Belt (MFTB). This fold-and-thrust belt is located in central Mexico and its kinematics appear to be influenced by spatially varying material properties within the accreted foreland rocks. Preliminary results from the MFTB simulations show that rheological heterogeneities produce contrasting styles of deformation and control amount of shortening experienced by the different lithologic units.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010AGUFM.T52A..07C
- Keywords:
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- 8108 TECTONOPHYSICS / Continental tectonics: compressional;
- 8177 TECTONOPHYSICS / Tectonics and climatic interactions