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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1998; v. 135; p. 59-79;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1998.135.01.05
© 1998 Geological Society of London

Modelling Transpression and Transtension

Analogue modelling of faulting in zones of continental transpression and transtension

Guido Schreurs1 & Bernard Colletta2

1 Geological Institute, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland schreurs{at}geo.unibe.ch
2 Institut Français du Pétrole, P.O. Box 311, F-92506 Rueil Malmaison, France

Experiments were performed to simulate deformation in zones of continental transpression and transtension. Stratified models consisted of brittle analogue materials overlying a thin layer of viscous material. Oblique deformation was obtained by combining a basal, distributed strike-slip shear component with either transverse shortening (transpression) or transverse extension (transtension). In transpression experiments the imposed ratio of shear strain rate and shortening strain rate exerts an important control on initial fault evolution in the brittle layers of the model. In those experiments with a relatively high strain rate ratio (≥3.6), subvertical, en echelon strike-slip faults develop first, striking at angles of 25–37° to the shear direction. With increasing strain several convergent strike-slip fault zones form displaying positive flower structures. In low strain rate ratio experiments (≤2.7), gently dipping (30–45°), downward converging thrust faults accommodate initial failure. They bound pop-up structures that strike parallel to the shear direction. Increasing strain results in a fault pattern dominated by oblique-slip reverse faults. Partial partitioning of fault motion occurs at late stages of strain when strike-slip faults form within popup structures. The strike-slip faults merge at depth with confining oblique-slip reverse faults, have a curved shape in plan view and a dip direction which changes along strike. Fault patterns can be used as kinematic indicators. En echelon strike-slip faults initially accommodate deformation in a transtension experiment and strike at low angles (6–10°) to the shear direction. With increasing strain, normal faults form parallel to older strike-slip faults. They develop as a result of partitioning of fault motion and gravity failure. There is good agreement between experimental results and natural examples of continental transpressional and transtensional tectonics.





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