Collaborative Research: Scaling and Displacement Relationships for Thrust Faults

Pennsylvania State Univ University Park, University Park PA

Investigators

Abstract

0117242 Burbank 0003356 Fisher Modeling of geologic features is considerably assisted by an extensive data set that quantifies an adequate number of descriptive parameters of the feature in question. Such studies on normal faults have prompted a significant step forward in understanding extensional tectonics, but no such population studies exist for thrust faults, which are common features in convergent tectonic settings. This project will generate an extensive data set quantifying geometric parameters, displacement length scaling, population statistics, displacement transfer and similar items. It is expected that this research will provide a robust statistical foundation for description of the geometric properties of thrust faults, and thus such research should under pin a significantly improved understanding of thrust faults and convergent tectonics.