Far-field contractional polarity changes in models and nature

Abstract

A change in contractional polarity occurs when the direction of tectonic transport switches along strike. This switch is conditioned by lateral variations in rheology or inherited asymmetries, such as contrasts in structure or changes in the polarity of subduction zones. The parameters controlling contractional polarity changes are less understood in situations when the strain is transferred at large distances from indenters. Analysing this type of strain transfer is critical for understanding the mechanics of thrusting in fore- or back-arc settings of orogenic areas. Comparison of crustal-scale analogue modelling with the inversion of the Black Sea back-arc and the formation of the New Guinea–New Britain fore-arc suggest that far-field changes in contractional polarity are related to rheological contrasts across inherited normal faults. The initial extension creates rheological weak zones that localize the subsequent far-field contractional deformation along groups of thrusts with opposite vergence along the strike of the system. The largest amount of far-field contractional deformation is recorded in the transfer zone located between the two indenters moving in opposite directions and is particularly high when inverting oblique extensional systems.