Collaborative Research: Geodynamics Of Indentor Corners

University Of Washington, Seattle WA

Investigators

Abstract

0003561 Hallet This project will use the eastern syntaxis of the Himalayan orogen to address key questions in the geodynamics of continental collisions: how do orogens and associated plateaus come to an end, how do tectonic and surficial processes interact to shape the crust during orogeny, and how is deformation partitioned at various scales? Specific hypotheses to be tested are: 1) rheology controls topography and lithospheric mechanics across plateau/indentor margin; 2) erosion controls lithospheric dynamics to the same extent as crustal thickening and lateral accommodation; feedbacks between the two ultimately shape the evolution of the orogen; and 3) there is complete decoupling between upper crustal and lower lithospheric deformation within the "syntaxial" region. The approach to be used involves tracking the magnitude, rates, and type of mass fluxes through the central region of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. To do this, the Principal Investigators will use geochronologic, geomorphic, GPS, petrologic, seismic, and structural techniques, fully integrated by three-dimensional modeling. ***