Diapirism and gravity tectonics: report of a Tectonic Studies Group conference held at Leeds University, 25–26 March 1980

Abstract

Ir Is now almost two decades since Hans Ramberg began his well known research of simulating diapiric structures in the laboratory and his application of this model work to the origin of major structures in orogenic belts (Ramberg 1963, 1967). Since then there has been a revolution of ideas in structural geology; ideas ofhorizontal tectonics based on the movements of the Earth's plates have largely taken preference to ideas based on vertical tectonics related to diapirism. It was therefore considered timely to review the relative role of diapirism in regional deformation, and hence the Tectonic Studies Group (affiliated to the Geological Society of London) held a meeting on this theme on 25-26 March 1980 at the University of Leeds. This report includes the abstracts of all the contributions and it also summarises some of the conclusions, most of which emerged during discussion following the contributions.