Modeling heterogeneous stretching during episodic or steady rifting of the continental lithosphere

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 2001 Modeling heterogeneous stretching during episodic or steady rifting of the continental lithosphere Genene Mulugeta; Genene Mulugeta 1Hans Ramberg Tectonic Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Woldai Ghebreab Woldai Ghebreab 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Asmara, P.O. Box 1220, Asmara, Eritrea Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Genene Mulugeta 1Hans Ramberg Tectonic Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden Woldai Ghebreab 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Asmara, P.O. Box 1220, Asmara, Eritrea Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 15 Dec 2000 Revision Received: 14 May 2001 Accepted: 04 Jun 2001 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2001) 29 (10): 895–898. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0895:MHSDEO>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 15 Dec 2000 Revision Received: 14 May 2001 Accepted: 04 Jun 2001 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 Genene Mulugeta, Woldai Ghebreab; Modeling heterogeneous stretching during episodic or steady rifting of the continental lithosphere. Geology 2001;; 29 (10): 895–898. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0895:MHSDEO>2.0.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 The geometry of brittle-ductile extension and modes of normal faulting during steady or episodic rifting of the continental lithosphere are investigated by analogue modeling using the centrifuge technique. We use a frictional material to simulate the brittle behavior and various nonlinear bouncing putties to represent the ductile rheology of the stratified lithosphere. Steady stretching of the continental lithosphere supports rapid differential subsidence and flexure of the brittle crust with formation of marginal grabens and a panel of domino-style fault blocks. In contrast, episodic stretching of the lithosphere (progressing in a series of pulses separated by longer periods of quiescence) supports formation of spaced grabens and horsts, with less subsidence. This is due to a counterflow of ductile material from the margins to the central rift zone. We show here that the isostatic adjustment in the lithosphere can be related to the steady or episodic mode of heterogeneous stretching. We apply the model results to the southern Red Sea, for which the inferred opening history involved continuous or stepwise extension. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.