Strain modelling of extensional fault-propagation folds based on an improved non-linear trishear model: A numerical simulation analysis

Abstract

This paper focuses on the strain modelling of extensional fault-propagation folds to reveal the effects of key factors on the strain accumulation and the relationship between the geometry and strain distribution of fault-related folds. A velocity-geometry-strain method is proposed for the analysis of the total strain and its accumulation process within the trishear zone of an extensional fault-propagation fold. This paper improves the non-linear trishear model proposed by Jin and Groshong (2006). Based on the improved model, the distribution of the strain rate within the trishear zone and the total strain are obtained. The numerical simulations of different parameters performed in this study indicate that the shape factor R, the total apical angle, and the P/S ratio control the final geometry and strain distribution of extensional fault-propagation folds. A small P/S ratio, a small apical angle, and an R value far greater or far smaller than 1 produce an asymmetric, narrow, and strongly deformed trishear zone. The velocity-geometry-strain analysis method is applied to two natural examples from Big Brushy Canyon in Texas and the northwestern Red Sea in Egypt. The strain distribution within the trishear zone is closely related to the geometry of the folds.