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SLIDEX Extreme climate-tectonics controls on landslides

We implemented, by means of analogue laboratory modelling, the key processes of the feedback among erosion and landslides, isostatic response and lithospheric flexure, to address how these lead to landsliding. The processes involved have different response times and characteristic length-scales and/or threshold behaviours and are suitable to the investigation in scaled analogue experiment, which aptly capture the behaviour of the natural prototype. These processes have been simulated using sand, to simulate mountain slopes, erosion and landslides, and viscous solids, e.g., syrup and silicone, to simulate the underlying lithosphere and mantle. This approach combines established techniques, such as laboratory fluid-filled tanks reproducing deformation and restoring force of the Earth’s mantle, and silicone to reproduce the viscoelastic lithosphere dynamics, whereas sand is used to capture the plastic behaviour of slopes and landslides, while climate-driven precipitation is routinely simulated to address slope erosion. All the modelling techniques are well established, minimising the risk of the project. Combining these techniques into a single modelling approach is novel as it reliably captures the feedback between processes acting across vastly different spatial and temporal scales, so far addressed in isolation. This publication results from work conducted under the transnational access/national open access action at Laboratory of Experimental Tectonics (University of Roma TRE, Italy), supported by WP3 ILGE - MEET project, PNRR - EU Next Generation Europe program, MUR grant number D53C22001400005.

A database of analogue models and geophysical data investigating caldera resurgence; DynamiCal project

In this dataset we provide data for 6 experimental models of caldera collapse and subsequent resurgence monitored through geophysical sensors (a force or “impact sensor”, Piezotronics PCB 104 200B02 and a Triaxial piezoelectric accelerometer, Model 356B18). The analogue modelling experiments were carried out at the TOOLab (Tectonic Modelling Laboratory), which is a joint laboratory between the Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy and the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Florence. The laboratory work that produced these data was partly supported by the European Plate Observing System (EPOS), by the Joint Research Unit (JRU) EPOS Italia and by the “Monitoring Earth's Evolution and Tectonics” (MEET) project (NextGenerationEU). Specifically, this work was performed in the frame of the DynamiCal project, funded by the 2° TNA-NOA call of the ILGE-MEET project.

Results of analogue tectonic models of rifting and tectonic lineament reactivation along the Main Ethiopian Rift

This data set includes results from a total of 13 analogue tectonic models aimed at simulating the activation of tectonic lineaments associated with the Main Ethiopian Rift in eastern Africa. We use a model set-up based on previous work by Zwaan et al. (2021, 2022). This set-up involves a velocity discontinuity (VD, i.e., the edge of a mobile base plate) to induce extension in the overlying brittle- and viscous model materials representing the upper and lower crust, respectively. Additional structural weaknesses (seeds) at the base of the brittle layer serve to represent activated tectonic weaknesses in nature. Model parameters (different VD and seed orientation, and different seed diameters) are summarized in Table 1. The model results presented in this data publication are obtained through Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) analyses. A more detailed description of model set-up, model results, and their interpretation can be found in Zwaan et al. (2025)

A database of analogue models documenting fault reactivation during multiphase extension.

In this dataset we provide top-view photos and perspective photos (to create topographic data, i.e. Digital Elevation Models, DEMs) documenting analogue model deformation. For more details on modelling setup, experimental series Wang et al. (2021), to which this dataset is supplementary material. For details on analogue materials refer to Del Ventisette et al., 2019, Maestrelli et al. (2020). The analogue modelling experiments were carried out at the TOOLab (Tectonic Modelling Laboratory) of the Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources of the National Research Council of Italy, Italy, and the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Florence. The laboratory work that produced these data was supported by the European Plate Observing System (EPOS) and by the Joint Research Unit (JRU) EPOS Italia. Additional analysis, following the original work, was supported by the “Monitoring Earth’s Evolution and Tectonics” (MEET) project

Overviews and videos of top view imagery, topography data and DIC analysis results from analogue models of basin inversion

This data set includes videos depicting the surface evolution (time-lapse photography, topography data and Digital Image Correlation [DIC] analysis) of 11 analogue models, divided in three model series (A, B and C), simulating rifting and subsequent inversion tectonics. In these models we test how orthogonal or oblique extension, followed by either orthogonal or oblique compression, as well as syn-rift sedimentation, influenced the reactivation of rift structures and the development of new inversion structures. We compare these models with an intracontinental inverted basin in NE Brazil (Araripe Basin). All experiments were performed at the Tectonic Modelling Laboratory of the University of Bern (UB). We used an experimental set-up involving two long mobile sidewalls, two rubber sidewalls (fixed between the mobile walls, closing the short model ends), and a mobile and a fixed base plate. We positioned a 5 cm high block consisting of an intercalation of foam (1 cm thick) and Plexiglas (0.5 cm thick) bars on the top of the base plates. Then we added layers of viscous and brittle analogue materials representing the ductile and brittle lower and upper crust in our experiments, which were 3 cm and 6 cm thick, respectively. A seed made of the same viscous material was positioned at the base of the brittle layer, in order to localize the formation of an initial graben in our models. The standard model deformation rate was 20 mm/h, over a duration of 2 hours for a total of 40 mm of divergence, followed by 2 hours of convergence at the same rate (except for Models B3 and C3, since the oblique rifting did not create space for 40 mm of orthogonal inversion). For syn-rift sedimentation, we applied an intercalation of feldspar and quartz sand in the graben. Model parameters and detailed description of model set-up are summarized in Table 1, and results and their interpretation can be found in Richetti et al. (2023).

PIV and topographic analysis data from analogue experiments involving 3D structural inheritance and multiphase rifting

This data set includes videos depicting the surface evolution (time-lapse photographs and Particle Image Velocimetry or PIV analysis) of 38 analogue models, in five model series (A-E), simulating rift tectonics. In these experiments we examined the influence of differently oriented mantle and crustal weaknesses on rift system development during multiphase rifting (i.e. rifting involving changing divergence directions or -rates) using brittle-viscous set-ups. All experiments were performed at the Tectonic Modelling Laboratory of the University of Bern (UB). The brittle and viscous layers, representing the upper an lower crust, were 3 cm and 1 cm thick, respectively, whereas a mantle weakness was simulated using the edge of a moving basal plate (a velocity discontinuity or VD). Crustal weaknesses were simulated using “seeds” (ridges of viscous material at the base of the brittle layers that locally weaken these brittle layers). The divergence rate for the Model A reference models was 20 mm/h so that the model duration of 2:30 h yielded a total divergence of 5 cm (so that e = 17%, given an initial model width of ca. 30 cm). Multiphase rifting model series B and C involved both a slow (10 mm/h) and fast (100 mm/h) rifting phase of 2.5 cm divergence each, for a total of 5 cm of divergence over a 2:45 h period. Multiphase rifting models series D and E had the same divergence rates (20 mm/h) as the Series A reference models, but involved both an orthogonal (α = 0˚) and oblique rifting (α = 30˚) phase of 2.5 cm divergence each, for a total of 5 cm of divergence over a 2:30 h period. In our models the divergence obliquity angle α was defined as the angle between the normal to the central model axis and the direction of divergence. The orientation and arrangements of the simulated mantle and crustal weaknesses is defined by angle θ (defined as the direction of the weakness with respect to the model axis. An overview of model parameters is provided in Table 1, and detailed descriptions of the model set-up and results, as well as the monitoring techniques can be found in Zwaan et al. (2021).

4D X-Ray CT data and surface view videos of a systematic comparison of experimental set-ups for modelling extensional tectonics

This data set includes 40 videos (+ 1 image) depicting the surface evolution of 39 experiments on crustal extension, as well as 4D CT imagery (figures and videos) of 6 of these experiments. The experiments examined the influence of the method for driving extension (foam base, rubber base, plate base or conveyor base) for localization of deformation in overlying layers of brittle-only and brittle-viscous materials representing the earth’s crust. All experiments were performed at the Tectonic Modelling Laboratory of the University of Bern. Detailed descriptions of the experiments and monitoring techniques can be found in Zwaan et al. (2019) to which these data are supplementary material.All experiments were monitored with top view photographs (SLR camera Nikon D-100 6.1 MPx). The photograph time steps depend on the applied extension velocity, but are generally 1 or 2 min. Six experiments were also monitored with an X-Ray computed tomography technique using a 64 slice Siemens Somatom Definition AS X-ray CT-scanner (Zwaan et al., 2016) with varying time intervals (5-30 min). CT-data was analyzed with the software OsiriX (Pixmeo SARL).

Experimental data of analogue models of subduction investigating the interplays between mantle flow and slab pull

This dataset includes images depicting the evolution in map view and lateral view of 7 analogue experiments of subduction to better understand the interplays between slab pull and mantle flow at subduction zones. The experiments are performed under a natural gravity field and are designed to understand the influence of plate width and magnitude and direction of mantle flow on slab geometry, trench kinematics and shape, and superficial mantle deformation around the subduction zone. All experiments were performed at the Laboratory of Experimental Tectonics at the Università Roma Tre (Italy). The laboratory models consist of one viscous layer of silicone putty representing the subducting lithosphere resting on top of a tank filled with glucose syrup, representing the convective mantle. We impose a horizontal flow in the convective mantle by pushing at a constant velocity a piston in the glucose syrup below an intermediate horizontal plate representing the upper mantle-lower mantle discontinuity. The pictures show the time evolution of each experiment from the top (« top » folder) and lateral position (« lateral » folder) and were taken synchronously every 30 seconds, and downsampled to 5 minutes in this dataset. The entire set of pictures are available from the authors upon request. Model F14 is the reference model, without imposed mantle flow and with a slab width of 2000. Models F15 and F16 are models with 660 km and 4000 km, respectively. They allow us analyzing the effect of slab width in the absence of a background flow. Models F17 and F20 are models with slab width of 2000 km and a background flow coming from above the slab at velocities of 0.9 and 1.8 mm/min in the lab (corresponding to 0.9 and 2 cm/yr once scaled to nature), respectively. Models F24 and F26 are models with slab width of 2000 km and a background flow coming from below the slab at velocities of 0.9 and 1.8 mm/min in the lab (corresponding to 1.2 and 2.7 cm/yr once scaled to nature), respectively. For details on the experimental set-up, monitoring techniques and interpretation of the results, please refer to Guillaume et al. (2021) to which these data are supplementary material.

Experimental data of analogue landscape evolution models

This dataset includes raw data used in the paper by Reitano et al. (2020), focused on the effect of different analogue materials on the mechanical and erosional properties of some defined samples. The samples are mixes of three different analogue materials in various proportions. The experiments have been carried out at Laboratory of Experimental Tectonics (LET), University “Roma Tre” (Rome). Detailed descriptions of the experimental apparatus and experimental procedures implemented can be found in the paper to which this dataset refers. We used the MATLAB toolbox “TopoToolbox” (Schwanghart and Scherler, 2014). Here we present: - Pictures recording the evolution of the models. - Laser scans used for further analysis. - Scripts created ad hoc by the authors and used for analyzing and plotting the data. A detailed methodological description can be found in the associated "2020-021_Reitano-et-al_Dataset decription" pdf file.

4D X-Ray CT data and surface view videos of analogue models exploring rift interaction in orthogonal and rotational extension

This data set includes videos depicting the surface evolution of 29 analogue models on crustal extension, as well as 4D CT imagery (figures and videos) of two of these experiments. The experiments examined the influence of the method for driving extension (orthogonal or rotational) on the interaction between rift segments using a brittle-viscous set-up. All experiments were performed at the Tectonic Modelling Laboratory of the University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (UB). Brittle and viscous layers are both 4 cm thick, extension velocities are 8 mm/h so that a model duration of 5 h yields a total extension of 40 mm (e = ca. 13%, given an initial model width of ca. 30 mm). Next to the mode of extension (orthogonal or rotational), we also test the effect of the degree of onderlap (angle φ). Detailed descriptions of the experiments and monitoring techniques can be found in Zwaan et al. (2020).

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