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Found 9 results.

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).

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

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).

Experimental data on scaled analogue experiments modelling GPS velocity field variations and kinematic partitioning in the Southern Andes (34°S to 42°S)

The southern Andes are regarded as a typical subduction orogen formed by oblique plate convergence. Despite decades of studies, there is considerable uncertainty as to how deformation is kinematically partitioned in the upper plate. Using scaled analogue experiments modelling, we test the concept of dextral transpression for this orogen. We advocate that the GPS velocity field portrays interseismic deformation related to deformation of strong crust north, and weak crust south, of 37°S. Contrary to the popular hypotheses that the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault Zone, a prominent intra-arc deformation zone, takes up most of the plate boundary-parallel dextral strike-slip, we find that dextral transpression affects the entire model orogen through tectonic segmentation of crust. Moreover, prominent, regularly spaced sinistral oblique-slip thrust faults, interpreted as antithetic Riedel shears, developed spontaneously in all of our experiments and call into question the general believe that their NW-striking natural equivalents formed from pre-Andean discontinuities. Our experiments prompt us to reconsider the apparently well-established geodynamic concept that strain and margin-parallel displacement is localized on a few margin-parallel faults in the southern Andes.

Rheology of viscous materials from the CNR-IGG Tectonic Modelling Laboratory at the University of Florence (Italy)

This dataset provides rheometric data of three viscous materials used for centrifuge experiments at the Tectonic Modelling Laboratory of CNR-IGG at the Earth Sciences Department of the University of Florence (Italy). The first material, PP45, is a mixture of a silicone (Polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS SGM36) and plasticine (Giotto Pongo). The PDMS is produced by Dow Corning and its characteristics are described by e.g. Rudolf et al. 2016a,b). Giotto Pongo is produced by FILA (Italy). Both components are mixed following a weight ratio of 100:45, and the final mixture has a density of 1520 kg m3. The second material, SCA705 is a mixture of Dow Corning 3179 putty, mixed with fine corundum sand and oleic acid with a weight ratio of 100:70:05 and a resulting density of 1660 kg m3. The final material, SCA7020 consists of the same components as SCA705, but with a slightly higher oleic acid content reflected in the weight ratio of 100:70:20. The mixture’s density is 1620 kg m3. The material samples have been analyzed in the Helmholtz Laboratory for Tectonic Modelling (HelTec) at GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam using an Anton Paar Physica MCR 301 rheometer in a plate-plate configuration at room temperature (20˚C). Rotational (controlled shear rate) tests with shear rates varying from 10-4 to 1 s-1 were performed. Additional temperature tests were run with shear rates between 10-2 to 10-1 s-1 for a temperature range between 15 and 30˚C. According to our rheometric analysis, the materials all exhibit shear thinning behavior, with high power law exponents (n-number) for strain rates below 10-2s-1, while power law exponents are lower above that threshold.For PP45, the respective n-numbers are 4.8 and 2.6, for SCA705 6.7 and 1.5, and for SCA7020 9.1 and 2.0. The temperature tests show decreasing viscosities with increasing temperatures with rates of -3.8, -1.4 and -1.9% per ˚K for PP45, SCA705 and SCA7020, respectively. An application of the materials tested can be found in Zwaan et al. (2020).

Effect of sieving height on density and friction of brittle analogue material: Ring-shear test data of corundum sand used for analogue experiments in the Tectonic Modelling Lab of the University of Bern (CH)

This dataset provides friction data from ring-shear tests (RST) for a corundum sand (“NKF120”). This material is used in various types of analogue experiments in Tectonic Modelling Lab of the University of Bern as an analogue for brittle layers in the crust or lithosphere. The material has been characterized by means of internal friction coefficients μ and cohesions C. Three sub-datasets represent a systematic increase of the sieving height from 10 cm to 20 cm to 30 cm into a shear cell of type No. 1, following the same protocol. This dataset shows that packing density of corundum sand is dependent on the chosen sieving height. However, the effect of the sieving height on internal friction coefficients μ as well as cohesion C is minor and thus negligible in sandbox experiments. According to our analysis the material shows for a sieving height of 10 cm a Mohr-Coulomb behaviour characterized by a linear failure envelope and peak, dynamic and reactivation friction coefficients of μP = 0.75, μD = 0.64 and μR = 0.68, respectively. Cohesions C are in the order of 70 – 105 Pa.

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).

Digital image correlation data from analogue modelling experiments addressing orthogonal and rotational extension at the Tectonic Modelling Lab of the University of Bern (CH)

This data set includes the results of digital image correlation of ten brittle-viscous experiments on crustal extension and four benchmark experiments performed at the Tectonic Modelling Lab of the University of Bern (UB). The experiments demonstrate the differences in rift development in orthogonal versus rotation extension. Detailed descriptions of the experiments and monitoring techniques can be found in Zwaan et al. (2019) to which this data set is supplementary. Additional background information concerning the general modelling approach are available in Zwaan et al. (2016).. The data presented here consist of movies displaying digital image correlation (DIC) derived surface and internal displacement fields as well as profiles of the lateral cumulative surface displacements.Digital photographs of the experimental surface and digital image cross section of the computed CT-scans were analyzed with DIC (Adam et al., 2005, 2013) techniques to quantify displacements in the image plane at high precision (<0.1 mm). DIC was undertaken with the software DaVis 8.0 (LaVision) applying 2D-DIC (FFT-legacy) multipass processing with a final interrogation window size of 32x32 (CT: 12x12) pixels and 50% (CT: 25%) overlap.

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).

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