Influence of the caprock on the growth dynamics of salt diapirs (southern Iran)

伊朗东南部的扎格罗斯褶皱冲断带(ZFTB)提供了独特的盐底辟地表暴露，可以直接在野外进行研究，并可以通过多种尺度的遥感方法进行研究。这些构造揭示了活化盐及其上覆的固体残留物(盖层)，反映了挤压构造应力对几公里高的柱状盐底辟的重新激活。这一双边方案的一个主要目的是更深入地了解盖层的力学性质，以及盖层性质对底辟挤压的形态构造和盐底辟的运动学演化的影响。本提案通过整合伊朗国家石油公司的地质野外工作、大地年代学、大地测量和重力测量数据集以及地球物理数据资源，研究了ZFTB盐底辟的内部结构和生长动力学。采用应变量化系统的缩比模拟模型，模拟盐底辟挤压上方盖层序列的变形动力学。我们的研究将在以下方面加深我们的认识：1)盖层的来源和组成，2)不同物性盖层的变形行为及其对远场和局部应变的反应，3)盖层对下伏盐短期和长期挤压动力学的影响，以及4)周围覆盖层构造应变对盖层变形的影响。我们提出了一种新的跨学科方法，将岩石学和构造场填图、空间大地测量、地质年代学、模拟模拟的结果结合到一个地层-地质框架模型中。联合提案的附加价值在于将盐岩和盖层成分研究、测量地表活动垂直运动与构造制图、地球物理测量和建模的多代理结合起来。现场工作和数据整合将在整个项目期间联合进行。我们的合作促进了对早期职业科学家和女性地球科学家的培训，并加强了德国、捷克、瑞士和伊朗合作伙伴之间的跨文化学术交流。更好地了解盖层对盐分动态的影响将有助于更好地了解盐分动态，特别是对于那些在其他地方无法直接获取的具有经济价值的系统。

The Zagros fold and thrust belt (ZFTB) in southeastern Iran offers unique surface exposures of salt diapirs that can be directly studied in the field and by remote sensing methods over multiple scales. These structures reveal mobilized salt together with its overlying solid residuum (caprock) that reflect reactivation of several kilometer-high, columnar salt diapirs by the compressional tectonic stresses. A major aim of this bi-lateral proposal is the deeper understanding of the mechanical properties of caprock and influence of the caprock properties on the morphotectonics of the diapiric extrusions and the kinematic evolution of salt diapirs in general. The present proposal addresses the internal structure and growth dynamics of salt diapirs in the ZFTB by integrating geological field work, geochronological, geodetical and gravimetric survey datasets and geophysical data resources of the National Iranian Oil Company. Scaled analogue modelling with strain quantification system will be employed for simulating the deformation dynamics of the caprock sequences above the salt diapir extrusions. Our proposed research will improve our knowledge on: 1) the origin and composition of the caprock, 2) the deformation behaviour of the caprocks with different physical properties and their reaction on far-field and local strain, 3) the influence of caprock on short-term and long-term extrusion dynamics of underlying salt, and 4) the impact of the tectonic strain of the surrounding overburden on caprock deformation. We propose a novel and interdisciplinary approach by combining results from petrological and structural field mapping, space-geodetic measurements, geochronology, analogue modelling into a stratigraphic-geological framework model. The added value of the joint proposal lies in the multi-proxy integration of salt and caprock composition studies, measurements of active vertical surface motion with the structural mapping, geophysical measurements and modelling. Field work and data integration will be carried out jointly throughout the project. Our collaboration fosters training of early career scientists, female geoscientists, and enhances the intercultural academic exchange between German, Czech, Swiss and Iranian partners. An improved understanding of the caprock’s influence on salt dynamics will help to better understand salt dynamics in general, in particular for those systems of economic value that are not directly accessible elsewhere.