Abstract
Sandbox models are used to evaluate the effects of mechanical layering (structural stratigraphy) on the deformation response (structural styles) of sediments during basement-controlled divergent wrench faulting. Three divergent boundary conditions are generated by moving two adjacent plates along a 45{degree}-dipping precut (basement fault). Dry sand and silicone putty (overlying the basement fault) simulate the brittle and ductile behavior of lithified rocks, respectively. Four combinations of sand and silicone putty are used to investigate the effects of structural stratigraphy on the deformation response. Similar to the behavior of simple and convergent models, these divergent models show that with increasing putty thickness (1) the effect of dip-slip motion decreases, (2) there is a better development of Riedel shears and splay faults, (3) the angle between Riedel shear and basement fault increases, and (4) the Riedel shears do not propagate to the basement/putty interface so that the corresponding negative flower structures or grabens become indistinct.
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