Strain and Mass Transport Associated with Ductile Exhumation of the Torlesse Accretionary Wedge

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9814807Brandon A fundamental problem in tectonics is the uplift and exhumation of metamorphic rocks within convergent wedges. Of particular interest are the relative roles of erosion versus tectonic thinning, where thinning can occur by normal faulting and/or ductile flow. This project will measure finite deformation across the Otago culmination in order to understand how erosion and within-wedge ductile flow contribute to exhumation of the wedge. The Otago culmination marks the forearc high of the Torlesse accretionary wedge of New Zealand, and has been well-studied. The rocks are preserved beneath a middle Cretaceous peneplain and a thin cover of younger strata which provides a datum for identifying effects of younger deformation. The pattern of finite strain over the region, along with information about volume strains will be used to resolve middle Cretaceous uplift and erosion rates for the forearc high. These results will provide a useful model for comparison to other convergent margin situation.