Analogue modelling of basin inversion: a review and future perspectives

Basin inversion involves the reversal of subsidence in a basin due to compressional tectonic forces, leading to uplift of the basin's sedimentary infill. Detailed knowledge of basin inversion is of great importance for scientific, societal, and economic reasons, spurring continued research efforts to better understand the processes involved. Analogue tectonic modelling forms a key part of these efforts, and analogue modellers have conducted numerous studies of basin inversion. In this review paper we recap the advances in our knowledge of basin inversion processes acquired through analogue modelling studies, providing an up-to-date summary of the state of analogue modelling of basin inversion. We describe the different definitions of basin inversion that are being applied by researchers, why basin inversion has been historically an important research topic and what the general mechanics involved in basin inversion are. We subsequently treat the wide range of different experimental approaches used for basin inversion modelling, with attention to the various materials, set-ups, and techniques used for model monitoring and analysing the model results. Our new systematic overviews of generalized model results reveal the diversity of these results, which depend greatly on the chosen set-up, model layering and (oblique) kinematics of inversion, and 3D along-strike structural and kinematic variations in the system. We show how analogue modelling results are in good agreement with numerical models, and how these results help researchers to better understand natural examples of basin inversion. In addition to reviewing the past efforts in the field of analogue modelling, we also shed light on future modelling challenges and identify a number of opportunities for follow-up research. These include the testing of force boundary conditions, adding geological processes such as sedimentation, transport, and erosion; applying state-of-the-art modelling and quantification techniques; and establishing best modelling practices. We also suggest expanding the scope of basin inversion modelling beyond the traditional upper crustal "North Sea style " of inversion, which may contribute to the ongoing search for clean energy resources. It follows that basin inversion modelling can bring valuable new insights, providing a great incentive to continue our efforts in this field. We therefore hope that this review paper will form an inspiration for future analogue modelling studies of basin inversion

Sensitivity of shear zones in orogenic wedges to surface processes and strain softening

décembre 19931993/12 (N49)-1993/12

Rifting continents

Continental rifts can form when and where continents are stretched. If the driving forces can overcome lithospheric strength, a rift valley forms. Rifts are characterized by faults, sedimentary basins, earthquakes, and/or volcanism. With the right set of weakening feedbacks, a rift can evolve to break a continent into conjugate rifted margins such as those found along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. When, however, strengthening processes overtake weakening, rifting can stall and leave a failed rift, such as the North Sea or the West African Rift. A clear definition of continental breakup is still lacking because the transition from continent to ocean can be complex, with tilted continental blocks and regions of exhumed lithospheric mantle. Rifts and rifted margins not only shape the face of our planet, they also have a clear societal impact, through hazards caused by earthquakes, volcanism, landslides, and CO2 release, and through their resources, such as fertile land, hydrocarbons, minerals, and geothermal potential. This societal relevance makes an understanding of the many unknown aspects of rift processes as critical as ever.</p