Fluid Flow in a Deforming Thrust Terrane

巨大逆冲板块的就位形成山带的机制一直是构造学中最不为人所知的方面之一。人们早就认识到，流体通过减少构造应力在侵位过程中发挥了关键作用，但这是如何发生的确切解释仍未得到解决。对这一现象进行物理模拟的尝试是有见地的，但缺乏对水文和热条件的现实考虑。该项目将构建解决上述问题的模型，以预测断层带和断层边界块内的流体压力。研究结果将对世界上大多数山带系统的发展产生重要影响。

The mechanics of emplacement of huge thrust sheets to form mountain belts has remained one of the most poorly understood aspects of tectonics. It has been long recognized that fluids have played a critical role in the emplacement process through the reduction of the tectonic stress but the exact explanation of how this happens remains unsolved. Attempts at physical modeling of this phenomena have been insightful but have lacked a realistic consideration of hydrologic and thermal conditions. This project will construct models that address the above issues that will predict fluid pressures along fault zones and within fault bounded blocks. Results will have important implications for the development of most mountain belt systems of the world.