Integrated records of tectonic and climate interactions in the Northern Alpine Foreland Basin sedimentary architecture

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Foreland basin architecture records the tectonic evolution and climate history of the neighboring mountain belt. The Northern Alpine Foreland Basin (NAFB) shows along-strike heterogeneity in the sedimentary architecture. Previous geological and geophysical observational studies have led to the hypothesis that slab tearing and break-off influences the along strike heterogeneous architecture of the NAFB. However, this cause-and-effect relationship is based on deductive reasoning and so far quantitative assessment of the effect of this process on the NAFB architecture is lacking. In this study, we will test the hypothesis that slab tearing and break-off influences the along strike heterogeneous architecture of NAFB. The hypothesis will be tested by (1) 3D simulation of depositional dynamics of the foreland basin above slab break-off and tearing using an integrated geodynamic and 3D stratigraphic (depositional) model, and by (2) evaluating end-member model scenarios through detailed comparison to the present day NAFB architecture. This state-of-the-art modelling approach combined with observational geological and geophysical data from other aspects of 4DMB will enable us to separate and quantify the effect of the slab break-off and tearing on the NAFB architecture. It will also allow us to assess to which extent slab tearing and break-off can be overprinted by other tectonic processes, climate change, and sea level variations. In close collaboration with complementary proposals within the 4DMB, and in collaboration with other national and international collaborators, this project will make a significant contribution in disentangling the surface responses to the changes in the deep structure (Theme 2 of the SPP).