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Tectonic evolution of a continental collision zone: A thermomechanical numerical model

Toussaint, G. and Burov, E. and Avouac, J.-P. (2004) Tectonic evolution of a continental collision zone: A thermomechanical numerical model. Tectonics, 23 (6). Art. No. TC6003. ISSN 0278-7407. doi:10.1029/2003TC001604. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20101118-110717109

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Abstract

We model evolution of a continent-continent collision and draw some parallels with the tectonic evolution of the Himalaya. We use a large-scale visco-plasto-elastic thermomechanical model that has a free upper surface, accounts for erosion and deposition and allows for all modes of lithospheric deformation. For quartz/olivine rheology and 60 mm/yr convergence rate, the continental subduction is stable, and the model predicts three distinct phases. During the phase 1 (120 km or 6% of shortening), deformation is characterized by back thrusting around the suture zone. Some amount of delaminated lower crust accumulates at depth. During phase 2 (120 km–420 km or 6%–22% of shortening), this crustal root is exhumed (medium- to high-grade rocks) along a newly formed major thrust fault. This stage bears similarities with the period of coeval activity of the Main Central thrust and of the South Tibetan Detachment between 20–16 Myr ago. During phase 3 (>420 km or 22% of shortening), the crust is scraped off from the mantle lithosphere and is incorporated into large crustal wedge. Deformation is localized around frontal thrust faults. This kinematics should produce only low- to medium-grade exhumation. This stage might be compared with the tectonics that has prevailed in the Himalaya over the last 15 Myr allowing for the formation of the Lesser Himalaya. The experiment is conducted at constant convergence rate, which implies increasing compressive force. Considering that this force is constant in nature, this result may be equivalent to a slowing down of the convergence rate as was observed during the India-Asia collision.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2003TC001604 DOIUNSPECIFIED
http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2004/2003TC001604.shtmlPublisherUNSPECIFIED
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Avouac, J.-P.0000-0002-3060-8442
Additional Information:© 2004 American Geophysical Union. Received 3 December 2003; revised 17 August 2004; accepted 15 September 2004; published 30 November 2004. We deeply thank the Associated editor L. Ratschbacher and the reviewers (S. Cloetingh, R. Jamieson, and T. Geria) for constructive comments on the manuscript. We also benefited from discussions with L. Jolivet and L. LePourhiet. Par(o)avoz v7 use engine by A. Poliakov and Y. Podladchikov [Poliakov et al., 1993]. This research was supported in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. This is Caltech Tectonic Observatory Contribution 5. This study is not supported by DYETI(INSU-CNRS).
Group:Caltech Tectonics Observatory, Caltech Tectonics Observatory. Indo-Asian Collision Zone, Seismological Laboratory
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Gordon and Betty Moore FoundationUNSPECIFIED
Subject Keywords:continental subduction; numerical modeling; Himalaya; rheology; mountain building
Other Numbering System:
Other Numbering System NameOther Numbering System ID
Caltech Tectonics Observatory5
Issue or Number:6
DOI:10.1029/2003TC001604
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20101118-110717109
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20101118-110717109
Official Citation:Toussaint, G., E. Burov, and J.-P. Avouac (2004), Tectonic evolution of a continental collision zone: A thermomechanical numerical model, Tectonics, 23, TC6003, doi:10.1029/2003TC001604
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:20889
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:18 Nov 2010 21:25
Last Modified:09 Nov 2021 00:04

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