Abstract
ABSTRACT The evolution of an evaporitic stratum due to the density contrast with the sedimentary overburden was simulated by the solution of Navier-Stokes and continuity equations. The model consists of a single sedimentary layer over a salt tabular deposit. Both were treated as imisciblenewtonian fluids. The salt in the evaporitic stratum was treated as an incompressible fluid, whereas the sedimentary layer was considered compressible,due to its porosity dependence with depth. The solution of the dynamic equations was obtained through the application of the finite element methodin an updated lagrangean formulation, where the element grid is allowed to deform as a flow consequence. The abrupt salt-sediment interface wassubstituted by a smooth transition in viscosity and density. The simulation allowed to represent the temporal evolution of a tabular evaporitic stratainto a domic structure. A dynamically supported topography of the sediment layer evolved as a consequence of the deformation. Thus topography isrelaxed after the main phase of diapirism.
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