Sequence of thrusting and origin of culminations in the northern and central Oman Mountains

Abstract

Detailed mapping and structural analysis of three large-scale culminations (Sumeini and Asjudi half-windows and Haybi-Hawasina window) in the Oman Mountains shows a considerably more complex history of deformation than a simple foreland (or downward) sequence of thrust development. Early thrusting processes tended to create a regular stacking order of imbricate slices and major thrust sheets, complying with the “rules’ of thrust propagation, assembled progressively downwards and forwards in the direction of translation. ‘Out-of-sequence’ thrusts can also be demonstrated in places by truncation of footwall structures (folds, imbricate slices, etc.), gross strain differences between thrust sheets, downward-facing structures in footwall units and elimination of thrust sheets beneath. Late stage thrusts frequently cut up-section through the previously assembled stack putting previously younger, lower thrust sheets over previously older, higher ones. Many of the culminations in the northern and central Oman Mountains were formed by ramping associated with this late-stage leap-frog rethrusting event.