Lithosphere rheology during intraplate basin extension and inversion: Inferences from automated modeling of four basins in western Europe

Abstract

Forward reconstructions of the (mainly) Mesozoic and younger rheological evolution have been made for four basins (Broad Fourteens Basin, Sole Pit Basin, Brittany Basin and the Iberian Basin) in a very consistent way by backstripping and automatic forward modeling of subsidence data, including potentially important effects of heat production, sediment infill and sedimentary blanketing. For default compositional and thermal parameters, the modeling results show strengthening in all basins, and in particular during inversion, with strength increases up to about 2 TN m −1 (20%) relative to their initial values. Given predominantly relatively constant intraplate stresses in continental lithosphere, this is in disagreement with repeated localization of basin deformation. In a thorough sensitivity analysis we explore the possibilities that permissible variations in tectonic history, compositional, rheological and thermal parameters can, in a particular combination, result in slight weakening of the basin, in agreement with reactivation during inversion. However, such a combination reflects an extreme scenario, which is not founded by geological evidence and, statistically, is very unlikely to apply for all basins. A far more likely explanation for relative and permanent weakening of the basins is the presence of pre-existing weak zones, deviating from standard rheological assumptions. At (upper) crustal levels, weakening can be attributed to pre-existing marked faults by a reduced friction angle. This weakening has a pronounced influence on lithospheric strength provided that the reduction in friction angle of pre-existing faults can be extrapolated to the upper mantle. Alternatively, weakening of the upper mantle can be attributed to (1) ductile localization mechanisms, as reflected by the occurrence of upper mantle shear zones, or (2) the occurrence of rheologically weak material, as indicated by upper mantle reflectors.