Tectonophysics最新文献

{"title":"High-resolution mapping of North America suggests numerous low-velocity zones above and below the mantle transition zone","authors":"Steve A.B. Carr ,&nbsp;Tolulope Olugboji ,&nbsp;Jeffrey Park ,&nbsp;Shun-ichiro Karato","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230775","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230775","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We investigate seismic discontinuities across the middle of Earth's mantle beneath a large seismic array that spans the North American continent. We provide robust constraints on the depth distribution, sharpness, and spatial variation of seismic discontinuities by processing high-resolution Ps-converted seismic waves (∼0.5 Hz) through a novel denoising filter called CRISP-RF (<em><strong>C</strong>lean <strong>R</strong>eceiver function <strong>I</strong>maging with <strong>Sp</strong>arse <strong>R</strong>adon <strong>F</strong>ilters)</em>. In the upper mantle, above the mantle transition zone (MTZ), we observe a sharp velocity decrease at depths that vary from ∼290 km to ∼390 km. In the lower mantle, below the MTZ, we observe another sharp velocity decrease at depths that vary from ∼800 km to ∼1400 km<strong>.</strong> The lower-mantle discontinuities cluster at a depth of ∼940 km, while deeper converters (&gt; 1100 km) are less likely. We evaluate our results against two leading hypotheses: basalt enrichment due to incomplete mixing and dehydration melting in which MTZ water is transported into the upper or the lower mantle, but rarely simultaneously. We conclude that our results are more consistent with a scenario where the complex interplay between composition, volatile content, and subduction history, produces disconnected regions of velocity-inversion interfaces when past convective motions bring hydrated MTZ rock into the hydrophobic upper and lower mantles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"908 ","pages":"Article 230775"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143922282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pliocene-Quaternary deformational structures in the eastern Algarve continental shelf, Gulf of Cadiz","authors":"María Luján ,&nbsp;Francisco José Lobo ,&nbsp;Thomas Mestdagh ,&nbsp;Álvaro Carrión-Torrente ,&nbsp;Juan Tomás Vázquez ,&nbsp;Mª. Carmen Fernández-Puga ,&nbsp;David Van Rooij","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230773","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230773","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Evidences of tectonic deformation from the Pliocene to the Quaternary are evaluated on the northern Gulf Cadiz continental margin along the eastern Algarve continental shelf between the Guadiana River and Faro city, in a regional compressive context close to the Eurasia-Africa plate boundary. We studied an extensive set of 2D high-resolution seismic reflection profiles framed within previously published seismic-stratigraphic models. The seismic stratigraphic interpretation and regional correlation allow us to identify a major Middle Pleistocene (0.9–026 Ma) angular unconformity along the shelf, plus deformational structures affecting widespread depositional hiatuses in the Pliocene-Quaternary sedimentary units of the study area. Several deformation features indicate neotectonic activity: ENE-WSW to NE-SW thrusts moving pre-Middle Pleistocene shelf deposits and N-S to NW-SE folds and NNE-SSW to NNW-SSE high-angle normal faults affecting Middle to Upper Pleistocene shelf deposits. These structures are interpreted under the light of two major deformation phases that took place in the Algarve continental shelf. A first phase of Pre-Middle Pleistocene thrusting agrees with a dominant transpressive regime along the southwestern Iberian margin since the Tortonian, which is also recorded in the deep-water contouritic record of the southern Iberian margin, where compressional events caused intensification of the Mediterranean Outflow Water. A Middle to Upper Pleistocene tectonic phase is characterized by less intense deformation of the sedimentary cover involving individual structures (i.e., folds and faults), some of which remained active at least up to the Last Glacial Maximum. This more recent tectonic deformation is compatible with slowly uplifting trend recognized in the Portuguese mainland, and coetaneous diapiric reactivation that locally deformed Late Quaternary sediments along the southwestern Iberian margin. The study lends additional evidence of regional neotectonic activity producing Pliocene to Pleistocene deformation, and having ultimate implications for seismic hazard assessment, in offshore settings close to coastal population centers along the southern Portuguese coast.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"908 ","pages":"Article 230773"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of micas on the strength of experimental granitoid fault gouge","authors":"W. Zhan ,&nbsp;A.R. Niemeijer ,&nbsp;A. Berger ,&nbsp;C.J. Spiers ,&nbsp;F.E. Gfeller ,&nbsp;M. Herwegh","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230772","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230772","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sheet silicates play an important role in shaping crustal rheology and shear localization at shallow depths through their low strength. However, their effect at deeper levels (&gt;3 km) remains unclear. We conducted hydrothermal ring shear experiments on three simulated gouges with similar quartz content but varying mica types and contents. Applied temperatures <span><math><mi>T</mi></math></span> ranged from 20 to 650 °C, with sliding velocities <span><math><mi>V</mi></math></span> between 0.03 and 1 μm/s, and an effective normal stress and pore water pressure of 100 MPa. Shear strains up to 30 were attained.</div><div>At 1 μm/s and 20 °C, granitoids exhibit a higher friction coefficient (μ = 0.81) than the muscovite-rich (μ = 0.47) and biotite-rich gouges (μ = 0.44). With increasing <span><math><mi>T</mi></math></span> at a fixed <span><math><mi>V</mi></math></span> of 1 μm/s, μ of granitoids decreases to 0.61 at 650 °C, whereas muscovite- and biotite-rich gouges strengthen (μ = 0.56–0.69) until <em>T</em> reaches 200–450 °C. At 650 °C, weakening is observed in granitoid and muscovite-rich gouges as <span><math><mi>V</mi></math></span> decreases, while biotite-rich gouge shows no change. Granitoids are weaker than the mica-rich gouges once <span><math><mi>V</mi></math></span> decreases to 0.03 μm/s and <span><math><mi>T</mi></math></span> reaches 650 °C. All gouges at 650 °C exhibit μm-wide principal slip zones, featuring microstructures consistent with dissolution-precipitation creep (DPC). These include truncated grain contacts, mineral precipitates, submicrometer grain size and low porosity. Muscovite breakdown and biotite formation occurs in muscovite-rich gouge as they weaken. Our results imply that mica enrichment in granitoid faults can lead to a weaker upper crust and stronger middle crusts as they weaken less than granitoids. The onset of DPC may trigger a frictional-viscous transition at greenschist facies depths.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"908 ","pages":"Article 230772"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143922281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictive modelling of seismic properties in single-foliated slates","authors":"Marco A. Lopez-Sanchez ,&nbsp;Víctor Cárdenes ,&nbsp;Fabrice Barou ,&nbsp;Sergio Llana-Fúnez","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230765","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230765","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Slates play a key role in understanding the seismic anisotropy of the continental crust, a crucial aspect of geophysical interpretation. Using a comprehensive set of high-quality single-foliated chlorite-bearing roofing slates, we determined their typical seismic properties via mineral fractions and orientation distribution functions using the geometric mean averaging method. Our study focused on identifying an optimal transverse isotropy (polar) model, assess correlations between elastic constants, and explore the feasibility of predicting intrinsic maximum anisotropy from a single proxy. We demonstrate that maximum axial and polarization anisotropy in single-foliated slates can be accurately estimated with ∼10 % error using a single proxy, termed the S-norm, which integrates the ODF strength and volumetric fraction of phyllosilicates. Additionally, we found that a polar parameterization combining elastic tensor decomposition and the Anderson equations yields seismic anisotropy predictions similar to the Christoffel equation, with errors below 2.8 % (better than 0.2 % for Vp anisotropy). Lastly, our findings suggest that it is feasible to estimate the seismic properties of transversely isotropic slates from only two elastic measurements: a diagonal component and the non-diagonal C13 component. These models are applicable for investigating slate belts at various depths, enabling the calculation of the minimum expected seismic anisotropy from intrinsic properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"908 ","pages":"Article 230765"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143901739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatiotemporal evolution of a deep short-term slow slip event in the Nankai subduction zone in November 2022 derived from strain, tilt, and GNSS records","authors":"Suguru Yabe ,&nbsp;Tadafumi Ochi ,&nbsp;Norio Matsumoto ,&nbsp;Satoshi Itaba ,&nbsp;Yuichi Kitagawa ,&nbsp;Takanori Matsuzawa ,&nbsp;Satoshi Ide","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230763","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the spatiotemporal evolution of a deep short-term slow slip event (SSE) in southwest Japan using three geodetic data types: tilt, strain, and GNSS. Because tilt and strain data are more sensitive to crustal deformation than GNSS data, their joint use enables us to estimate the detailed spatiotemporal evolution of SSE slip. In addition, a higher sampling rate of tilt and strain data improves their temporal resolution down to sub-daily time scales. We developed a geodetic inversion method jointly using the three types of geodetic data, and obtained the spatiotemporal evolution of an SSE slip, which occurred beneath the western Shikoku region in November 2022. Comparing results from all possible combinations of data types, we found that the small early-stage SSE slip could be resolved only when strain data was included in the dataset, which is considered to have the highest sensitivity to crustal deformation among the sensors. With the improved spatiotemporal resolution, we compared the spatiotemporal evolution of the SSE slip with that of tremor activities. The initiation timing of the SSE was consistent with the timing when tremor activities were initiated. SSE slips were spatiotemporally collocated with tremor activities, with a moment evolution quantitatively consistent with tremor energy radiation. The scaling factor between the aseismic moment of SSE and the seismic energy of tremor was estimated to be 10⁻¹¹. However, it is unclear whether we can regard this value as the scaled energy of a slow earthquake because some tremor energy might be missed through the tremor detection process. Our results show that joint use of tilt and strain is especially useful in obtaining not only spatial, but also spatiotemporal evolution of small SSE slip in southwest Japan and that SSE and tremors are representations of a single broadband slip phenomenon in different frequency bands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"909 ","pages":"Article 230763"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143943396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Energy budget analysis of fault motion in a granular rock box simulation","authors":"Mikito Furuichi ,&nbsp;Jian Chen ,&nbsp;Daisuke Nishiura ,&nbsp;Sota Arakawa ,&nbsp;Ryuta Arai ,&nbsp;Dye S.K. Sato ,&nbsp;Satoshi Ide","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Here, we present the energy budget analysis that links seismic focal mechanisms to the development of geological structures in numerical granular rock box experiments, utilizing a discrete element method simulation approach. The model simulates the horizontal shortening of a thin 3D granular rock layer on a geological-scale (100 km <span><math><mo>×</mo></math></span> 0.25 km <span><math><mo>×</mo></math></span> 2 km), with a maximum element radius of 12.5 m. This simulation reproduces the millimeter-scale fault displacements caused by the rapid and intermittent motions of elements generating elastic waves, that is, virtual earthquakes. The simulation also captures early postseismic processes occurring within several tens of seconds, during which popup structure between the active faults is uplifted. We analyzed over 190 earthquake events during the simulation, with a total shortening length of 14.72 m. The change in energy balance starts with a local fault potential drop that generates the main shock, followed by a regional potential release induced by propagated waves. Statistical analysis reveals positive correlations, ranging from linear to quadratic, between the magnitudes of energy changes and fault slip displacement. Notably, approximately 0.01 % to 60 % of the local contact potential drop in the seismogenic fault is converted into kinetic wave energy, and the efficiency of this conversion increases with the earthquake size. Our results reveal that the uplift energy of the popup structure, which considerably exceeds the wave energy by several orders of magnitude, cannot be explained solely by the local seismogenic fault potential release. Instead, off-fault regional potential release should also be taken into account. We also demonstrate the scaling law for earthquake energy and seismic moment. Our findings suggest that the inherent diversity of virtual earthquakes partially captures earthquake behaviors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"908 ","pages":"Article 230764"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143902513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of stylolite physical properties on acoustic wave propagation in host rock at the laboratory scale","authors":"Bing Yang ,&nbsp;Claire Birnie ,&nbsp;Elhadj M. Diallo ,&nbsp;Can Wei ,&nbsp;Marine Deheuvels ,&nbsp;Thomas Finkbeiner","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230762","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230762","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Stylolites are tooth-like planar pressure solution features common in carbonate sedimentary rocks that cause intrinsic heterogeneities and result in boundary layers often parallel to bedding. As such they impact the propagation of acoustic waveforms and energy at the laboratory scale within the host rock matrix. Through a series of tests on cylindrical limestone samples with varying layers of stylolites, along with nondestructive computed tomography scanning and index tests, we assess the three-dimensional morphology and hardness of stylolites in comparison to the surrounding rock. Acoustic wave recordings examine how these stylolites affect transmitted waveform characteristics. Results indicate that stylolites acting as weakness discontinuities, exhibit minimal influence on the first arrivals of transmitted acoustic waveforms but significantly affect coda waves by reducing relative velocity and increasing wave attenuation. Numerical simulations confirm these findings. With increasing stylolite thickness and associated wave impedance reduction, acoustic waves scatter more strongly and introduce more noise into the wavefield, thus, impacting methodologies used for identifying source locations. In contrast, stylolite topography has a minimal effect on transmitted waveform properties. While the presence of stylolites has minimal effect on the first wave arrivals, it introduces noise in later arrivals. These results suggest that, at laboratory scale, Kirchhoff-based localization procedures may be preferable to full waveform alternatives for monitoring fracture propagation in rock samples with stylolites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"908 ","pages":"Article 230762"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143881333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study of well data reveals fluid pressure distribution and origin in the upper crust of the Irpinia region (Southern Apennines, Italy)","authors":"Eleonora Vitagliano,&nbsp;Luigi Improta,&nbsp;Luca Pizzino,&nbsp;Nicola D'Agostino","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230761","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230761","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates subsurface pore pressures in the Irpinia region of southern Apennines, Italy, one of the central Mediterranean areas with the highest seismic activity. The Apennine thrust belt consists of stacked thrust sheets formed from both deep- and shallow-water environments during the pre-orogenic phase and later involved in the Neogene compressional phase. In the ongoing post-orogenic phase, the region is experiencing an extensional tectonic regime, as evidenced by the 1980 Ms. 6.9 normal fault Irpinia earthquake. Eleven exploration wells drilled to depth of 1.7–5.9 km intersect the main tectonostratigraphic units of the chain, providing valuable data on drilling mud weights and fluid chemical features, allowing for the reconstruction of vertical pore pressure trends and fluid circulation through the upper crust up to nearly 6 km of depth. The data analysis reveals that the carbonate platform and basin Meso-Cenozoic deposits generally exhibit hydrostatic or nearly hydrostatic conditions in the upper 2–4 km depth. However, moderate to high overpressure gradients are observed in Meso-Cenozoic basin sequences, Messinian evaporites, tectonic mélange, and foredeep Pliocene shales. These overpressures are typically associated with reverse faults and are not correlated with occurrences of gas. Conversely, slight overpressure gradients at shallower depths are related to shaly lithologies containing gas traces. Notably, the pressure profile of San Gregorio Magno-1 well, intersecting the causative fault of the 1980 earthquake, suggests a uniform distribution of fluids throughout intensively fractured nappes, including carbonate platform units and deep-water basin formations. Moreover, wells that penetrated the buried platform carbonates, known as Apulian carbonates, display hydrostatic or low overpressure gradients, even when overpressured shales seal the carbonate reservoirs, challenging previous seismological interpretations of overpressured Apulian carbonates. Finally, the analysis of diffusion mechanisms has provided insights into the timing of the geological disturbance that caused the locally observed overpressures and their maintenance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"908 ","pages":"Article 230761"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143895826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hydration weakening and destruction of the North China Craton","authors":"Jyotirmoy Paul ,&nbsp;Arne Spang ,&nbsp;Andrea Piccolo","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230756","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230756","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cratons are generally considered the most stable parts of the lithosphere. However, recent studies have shown that some cratons have undergone significant thinning and even destruction. The destruction of the eastern part of the North China Craton has been documented through numerous geological, geochemical, and geophysical investigations. Yet, the exact mechanism behind this extensive thinning remains a subject of debate. In this study, we develop two dimensional (2-D) box models in a finite difference code LaMEM to identify the most viable reasons for the destruction of the North China Craton (NCC). We examine the role of slab-induced hydration, high-density lower crust, and weak mid-lithospheric discontinuity in our models. Results indicate that a low angle or flat slab-induced hydration weakening of the eastern part of the NCC can lead to rapid craton destruction if hydration weakening rates are sufficiently fast. This accelerated hydration rate may be attributed to the extensive carbonatite magmatism within the eastern part of the NCC, facilitating a faster pathway for water diffusion throughout the craton. Rapid craton destruction is also contingent upon the craton's density exceeding the surrounding mantle density, and its viscosity decreasing below <span><math><msup><mn>10</mn><mn>22</mn></msup></math></span> Pa s. We observe that the presence of a dense lower crust or a mid-lithospheric discontinuity fail to destroy the NCC unless the craton is sufficiently weakened.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"908 ","pages":"Article 230756"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143888189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Structural analysis and numerical modeling of multi-stage tectonic deformation in the Ziliujing anticline, SW Sichuan Basin, China: Implications for deformation propagation in salt-bearing fold-and-thrust belts","authors":"Jiawei Liu ,&nbsp;Gang Rao ,&nbsp;Sen Bai ,&nbsp;Xiaolin Xiong ,&nbsp;Jinwu Zhang ,&nbsp;Wenxiong Yang ,&nbsp;Chao Yin ,&nbsp;Yaqi Zhong ,&nbsp;Pengcheng Tang ,&nbsp;Jianhua Qiu ,&nbsp;Lin Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230760","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230760","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Investigating the multi-stage tectonic evolution of fold-and-thrust belts (FTBs) remains a significant challenge. In particular, the evolution of its internal structures and the mechanisms that govern deformation propagation require further research. This study focuses on the Ziliujing anticline located in the southwestern Sichuan Basin, China. It provides an in-depth analysis of the structural development and evolution of the frontal zone of the SW Sichuan FTB, which has propagated from the southeast to the northwest. Through detailed interpretation of seismic reflection profiles and quantitative area-depth-strain (ADS) analysis, we have identified three distinct stages of tectonic shortening corresponding to the Caledonian, Indosinian, and Yanshan-Himalayan orogenic periods. These findings are consistent with the established history of regional tectonic evolution. Furthermore, discrete-element numerical simulations demonstrate that the pinch-out of the basal décollement exerts a significant influence fault development and the formation of overlying fold patterns during multi-stage tectonic deformation. During the initial phase, deformation progressively propagates forward until it reaches the tip of the décollement, where subsequent deformation becomes predominantly localized. The decoupling effect induced by the intermediate décollement facilitates the continued forward propagation of underlying deformation. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the multi-stage compressional deformation of salt-bearing fold-thrust belts and the critical factors governing the propagation of deformation from mountain ranges to basins.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"908 ","pages":"Article 230760"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143881335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}