Transpressionally driven rotation in the external orogenic zones of the Western Carpathians and the SW British Variscides

Author(s)
Gayer, Rod
Hathaway, Tanya
Nemcok, Michal
Publication Date
1998
Abstract
Analysis of two examples of obliquely convergent external orogenic zones, the western part of the Western Carpathians and the northern Variscan margin in southwest Britain, indicates the operation of two dominant stress rotation mechanisms in the transpressionally deformed thrust wedge: (1) the rotation of an inferred stress field; (2) the rotation of a deforming body within a constant stress field. In the thinnest, external parts of the thrust wedge, σ1 stress trajectory rotations of up to 90° occur with deformation having a relatively small component of pure shear. Towards the hinterland, σ1 stress trajectories in thicker parts of the wedge are progressively less rotated but develop a larger component of pure shear. Resultant σ1 trajectories are curvilinear, lying parallel to the orogenic convergence vector in the hinterland but diverging progressively from this direction towards the foreland, where they lie at high angles to the external margin in frontal parts of the thrust wedge. It is argued that balanced cross-sections should be constructed parallel to the curved trace of the σ1 stress trajectories.
Citation
Continental Transpressional and TranstensionaI Tectonics, p. 253-266
ISBN
9780585254418
186239007X
Link
Publisher
Geological Society of London
Series
Geological Society Special Publications
Edition
1
Title
Transpressionally driven rotation in the external orogenic zones of the Western Carpathians and the SW British Variscides
Type of document
Book Chapter
Entity Type
Publication

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