Integrated numerical modelling of a polyhistory basin, Southern Cantabrian Basin (Palaeozoic, NW-Spain)
type: CreativeWork
description: In order to model highly deformed sedimentary basins, structural balancing must be carried out prior to 2D reverse basin and 2D stratigraphic forward modelling. This study investigates the Southern Cantabrian Basin, which is the Variscan foreland fold-and-thrust belt of NW Spain. Structural balancing offers approximations of predeformational, spatial relationships between measured cross-sections. It provides information about minimal basin shortening and Late Devonian basin geometry. Three different structural domains can be distinguished along the synthetic, 18km long Bernesga Transect. The style of structural deformation defines the amount of shortening calculated for each domain. The Pedrosa domain has the highest values of up to 65%, followed by the northern Bodón (41%) and the southern Alba (25%) domains. Thrusting and folding each cause approximately the same amount of shortening. At basin scale, the amount of total shortening of the deformed basin infill is 54% at minimum, excluding small-scale faulting and folding. 2D numerical reverse basin modelling is used to estimate the basin architecture development and to establish thermo-tectonic subsidence rates as initial numerical input for the subsequent 2D stratigraphic forward modelling. Six major subsidence trends within the total subsidence rates and its components (thermo-tectonic, flexural-induced and compaction-induced) can be distinguished between 560Ma and 313Ma. These trends reflect a complex evolution from a rift stage, to a post-rift stage (passive continental margin) and finally to a foreland basin, governed by the approach of the Variscan Orogen in the Lower Carboniferous. The rift stage is characterised by decreasing thermo-tectonic subsidence rates until the Middle Cambrian. The time that follows (Late Cambrian until Late Ordovician) is marked by periods of tectonic quiescence and activity, until the passive continental margin established in the Silurian. The post-rift stage is represented by two …
abstract: In order to model highly deformed sedimentary basins, structural balancing must be carried out prior to 2D reverse basin and 2D stratigraphic forward modelling. This study investigates the Southern Cantabrian Basin, which is the Variscan foreland fold-and-thrust belt of NW Spain. Structural balancing offers approximations of predeformational, spatial relationships between measured cross-sections. It provides information about minimal basin shortening and Late Devonian basin geometry. Three different structural domains can be distinguished along the synthetic, 18km long Bernesga Transect. The style of structural deformation defines the amount of shortening calculated for each domain. The Pedrosa domain has the highest values of up to 65%, followed by the northern Bodón (41%) and the southern Alba (25%) domains. Thrusting and folding each cause approximately the same amount of shortening. At basin scale, the amount of total shortening of the deformed basin infill is 54% at minimum, excluding small-scale faulting and folding. 2D numerical reverse basin modelling is used to estimate the basin architecture development and to establish thermo-tectonic subsidence rates as initial numerical input for the subsequent 2D stratigraphic forward modelling. Six major subsidence trends within the total subsidence rates and its components (thermo-tectonic, flexural-induced and compaction-induced) can be distinguished between 560Ma and 313Ma. These trends reflect a complex evolution from a rift stage, to a post-rift stage (passive continental margin) and finally to a foreland basin, governed by the approach of the Variscan Orogen in the Lower Carboniferous. The rift stage is characterised by decreasing thermo-tectonic subsidence rates until the Middle Cambrian. The time that follows (Late Cambrian until Late Ordovician) is marked by periods of tectonic quiescence and activity, until the passive continental margin established in the Silurian. The post-rift stage is represented by two …
author: Veselovsky, Zbynek
date published: 2004-07-09
date modified: 2026-07-24T02:29:49Z
provider: Universität Heidelberg
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Universität Heidelberg