Constraints on friction and stress in the Taiwan fold-and-thrust belt from heat flow and geochronology

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 1990 Constraints on friction and stress in the Taiwan fold-and-thrust belt from heat flow and geochronology Terence D. Barr; Terence D. Barr 1Department of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar F. A. Dahlen F. A. Dahlen 1Department of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1990) 18 (2): 111–115. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0111:COFASI>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Terence D. Barr, F. A. Dahlen; Constraints on friction and stress in the Taiwan fold-and-thrust belt from heat flow and geochronology. Geology 1990;; 18 (2): 111–115. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0111:COFASI>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract In the thin-kinned approximation, both the critical taper of an active fold-and-thrust belt and the rate of brittle frictional heat generation depend on only two uncertain parameters: the effective coefficient of friction on the basal decollement fault, μb*= (1-λb)μb and the effective Coulomb wedge strength,μ* = (1-λ)sin ϕ/(1-sin ϕ). An increase in μb* increases the critical taper, whereas an increase in μ* decreases the taper; the basal and internal heat generation and therefore the surface heat flow are, in contrast, increased by an increase in either μb* or μ*. We exploit this difference in sensitivity to constrain μb* and μ* in the well-studied active fold-and-thrust belt of Taiwan. The measured surface heat flow and known geometry of the Taiwan wedge are best fit by an effective coefficient of basal friction μb* = 0.16 ±0.06. If the basal pore fluid:lithostatic pressure ratio is everywhere similar to that measured in several oil wells near the deformation front, then the coefficient of sliding friction on the Taiwan decollement fault is μb = 0.50 ±0.20. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.