Mesozoic Structural Evolution of the Eastern Mojave Desert Region, Iron and New York Mountains, Southeastern California

9628540 威尔斯 收缩山脉带的理论和模拟模型表明，山脉带内部的伸展可以与收缩同步发生，也可以紧随收缩发生。对于了解造山运动的动力学的主要影响已经概述，但许多重要方面仍然不清楚。该项目将利用一个地区，在那里可以研究岩浆活动对收缩山脉带内运动序列的影响。东莫哈韦沙漠是一个弧后褶皱和冲断带相交的背景，并与同时代的岩浆弧重合。这种具有不同伸展方向的几何形状，应该可以用来检验横跨莫哈韦莫哈韦的白垩纪伸展的不连续带是否存在，并阐明潜在的区域控制因素，这些因素使天平倾向于重力导致的伸展。 这项工作的成功结果将适用于其他造山带。

9628540 Wells Theoretical and analog models of contractional mountain belts have shown that extensions can occur within mountain belt interiors both synchronously with and immediately following contraction. The major implication for understanding the dynamics of mountain building have been outlined, but many important aspects remain unclear. This project will utilize an area where the effects of magmatism on the kinematic sequence within a contractional mountain belt can be studied. The eastern Mojave Desert is a setting where a backarc fold and thrust belt intersects and is coincident with a coeval magmatic arc. This geometry, with differing extension directions should allow a test of whether a discontinuous belt of Cretaceous extension exists across the eastern Mojave, and illuminate the potential regional controls that have tipped the scale in favor of gravitational forces leading to extension. Successful outcome of this work will be applicable to other orogens.