The Role of Transtension vs. Extension: Crustal Deformation in the Death Valley

小行星9706233 北美暴露最好的张性/扭张性系统位于加州的死亡谷附近。 它被用作研究大规模地壳伸展的天然实验室。 然而，已经为这种延伸开发了两种不同的模型，一种需要近400%的延伸，另一种只需要50- 100%。 这一差异很重要，因为第一个模型需要大量的下地壳流动来适应超地壳减薄，以与观测到的地壳厚度相一致，并影响下地壳有效粘度的估计。 这两个模型之间的区别很明显，每个模型都做出了可以测试的具体预测。 该项目将试图确定张性构造与张性构造在温盖特盆地形成中的重要性。 结果将显着提高理解这张/transtensional地区，并将有助于改善地壳参数的估计，涉及的伸展模型和过程。

9706233 Serpa The most well-exposed extensional/transtensional system in North America occurs in close proximity to Death Valley, California. It has been used as a natural laboratory to study large-scale crustal extension. However, two different models have been developed for this extension, one requiring nearly 400% extension and the other only 50-100%. This difference is important because the first model requires large amounts of lower-crustal flow to accommodate supercrustal thinning to reconcile with the observed crustal thickness, and impacts estimates of effective viscosity of the lower crust. The distinction between these two models is clear, and each makes specific predictions that can be tested. This project will attempt to determine the importance of extensional versus transtensional tectonics in the formation of the Wingate Wash basin. Results will significantly improve understanding of this extensional/transtensional area and will help improve estimates of crustal parameters involved in extensional models and processes.