Physical modelling of post-salt deformations in inverted basins
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9095.v20-157870Keywords:
Physical modelling, Tectonic inversion of basins, Post-salt deformation, Resistance to brittle and ductile deformationAbstract
This study analyzed in physical models, a positive tectonic inversion of basins with a salt layer in the post-rift sequence. The aim was to examine the influence of the strength variation of a ductile layer on the overburden deformation, varying the silicone putty (simulating salt) and the overburden thickness, and the inversion velocity. The trials were mounted on 35 × 23.4 cm (length × width) sandboxes, in which the basement (the pre-rift sequence) was simulated by a sandbox. After the distention phase and subsequent filling of the newly formed basin, the post-rift sequence was deposited: a sand substrate, a silicon layer and a sand overload. Cuts made on wet models after the final inversion deformation revealed that the number of overload failures varied significantly due to the variation of the tensile strength of both the ductile layer and the brittle overload. In the case of the silicone ductile layer, the creep resistance increased with increasing creep velocity while for the brittle sand sequence the creep resistance increased as the thickness of the overload increased. On the other hand, the increase in the thickness of the ductile layer produced a decrease in its creep resistance and accommodated the creep internally. The formation of ruptile structures in overload was associated with the development of pre- and sin-rift compressive failures, nucleated during inversion. Reactivation of normal failures only generated overload failures when characterized by high rejection. Similar features occur in the Tucumán Basin (Argentina).
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