Skip to main content

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 338))

Abstract

Balancing is checking for restorability of structure cross sections to pre-deformational state. Its present forms are based on a supracrustal strain type which consists of little more than translation and layer-parallel simple shear. A simplified form of supracrustal balancing can be applied to the Moho and to the brittle upper crust, but not to the viscous middle crust. There are no rigorous methods of correlation across the viscous gap. The conceptual approach must be based on additional geodynamics, such as visco-elastic load modelling, the search for specific elastic wavelengths, and thermal modelling of decaying lithospheric disturbances.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Bally, A. W., 1983; Seismic Expression of Structural Styles, a Picture and Work Atlas. Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Studies in Geology Series No.15, 3 volumes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bally, A. W., Gordy, P. L., Stewart, G. A., 1966, Structure, seismic data, and orogenic evolution of Southern Canadian Rocky Mountains: Bull. Can. Pet. Geol.,14, 337–381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bally, A. W., Catalano, R., and Oldow, J, 1985, Elementi di Tettonica Regionale. Evoluzione dei Bacini sedimentari e delle Catene montuose: Pitagora Editrice, Bologna, 1–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berthelsen, A., 1957, The structural evolution of an ultra-and polymetamorphic gneiss-complex, West Greenland: Geol. Rundsch. 46, 173–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biot, M. A., 1961, Theory of Folding of Stratified Viscoelastic Media and its Implication in Tectonics and Orogenesis: Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 72, 1595–1620.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blundell, D. J. and B. Raynaud, 1986, Modeling Lower Crust Reflections Observed on BIRPS Profiles, in: Reflection Seismology: a global Perspective, M. Barazangi & L. Brown, eds. Geodynamic Series 13, 287–296.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Boyer, S. E., and D. Elliott, 1982, Thrust systems: Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., 66, 9, 1196–1230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buness, H., and P. Giese, 1990, A Crustal Section through the Northwestern Adriatic Plate, in: The European Geotraverse: Integrative Studies, results from the Fifth Study Centre, R. Freeman, P. Giese, and St. Mueller, eds., European Science Foundation, 297–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buness, , H., M. E. Huch, and P. Weston, 1991, Isostatic Compensation in Balanced Crustal Cross Sections, in: Advanced Research Workshop on Improvement of Joint Interpretation of Geophysical and Geological Data, P. Giese, R. Nicolich & M. Huch, eds.,

    Google Scholar 

  • Busk, H. G., 1957, Earth Flexures, their geometry and their representation and analysis, reprint of the 1929 edition, Trussell, Cambridge University Press, 1–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R. W. H., 1990, Balancing sections on a crustal scale: a view from the Western Alps:, in: Proceedings of the 6th Workshop, European Geotraverse (EGT) project, R. Freeman & St. Mueller, eds, ESF, 157–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carslaw, H. S., & Jaeger, J. C, 1957, Conduction of Heat in Solids, 2nd. ed., Oxford University Press, 1–510.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chappie, W. M., 1978, Mechanics of thin-skinned fold-and-thrust belts: Bull. Geol. Soc. America, 89, 1189–1198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christie-Blick, N., 1983, Structural geology of the southern Sheeprock Mountains, Utah, regional significance, in: Tectonic and stratigraphic studies in the eastern Great Basin, D. M. Miller, ed., Memoir 157, Geol. Soc Amer., 101–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, F. A., Albaugh, D. S., Brown, L. D., Kaufman, S., Oliver, J. E., and R. D. Hatcher, Jr., 1979, Thin- skinned tectonics in the crystalline Southern Appalachians; COCORP seismic-reflection profiling of the Blue Ridge and Piedmont: Geology, 7,563–567.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coward, M. P., 1983, Thrust tectonics, thin skinned or thick skinned and the continuation of thrusts to deep in the crust: Journ. Struct. Geol., 5, 113–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahlen, F. A., Supppe, J., and Davis, D., 1984, Mechanics of Fold- and Thrust Belts and Accretionary Wedges: Cohesive Coulomb Theory: Journ. Geophys. Res., 89, 10087 - 10101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahlstrom, C. D. A., 1969, Balanced cross sections: Can. J. Earth Sci., 6, 743–757.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlstrom, C.D.A., 1970, Structural geology in the eastern margin of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Bull. Can. Pet. Geol. 18, 332–402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, J. S., 1982, Regional Structural Synthesis, Wyoming Salient of Western Overthrust Belt, Bull. Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol., 66, 1560–1580.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, D., 1983, The construction of balanced cross sections, in: Balanced cross sections and their geological significance; a memorial to David Elliott, Journ. Struct. Geol., 5, 2, 101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Endignoux, L., and Mugnier, J. L., 1990, The use of a forward kinematic model in the construction of balanced cross sections: Tectonics, 9, 5, 1249–1262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geiser, J., Geiser, P.A., Kligfield, Roy, Ratliff, R., and M. Rowan, 1988, New applications of computer-based sections construction: strain analysis, local balanc ing, and subsurface fault prediction: The Mountain Geologist, 25, 2, 47–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese, P., 1978, Die Krustenstruktur des Varistikums und das Problem der Krustenverkürzung: Z. dt. geol. Ges., 129, 513– 520.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hossack, J., 1979, The use of balanced cross sections in the calculation of orogenic contraction: a review: Journ. Geol. Soc. London, 136, 705–711.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamison, W. R., 1987, Geometric analysis of fold development in overthrust terranes: Journ. Struct. Geol., 9, 207–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, P. B., 1987, Quantitative Geometry of Thrust and Fold Belt Structures: Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol., Methods in Exploration Series No. 6, 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kulander, B. R., & Dean, S. L., 1986, Structure and tectonics of central and southern Appalachian valley and ridge and plateau provinces, West Virginia and Virginia: AAPG Bull., 70, 11, 1674–1684.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamerson, P. R., 1982, The Fossil Basin area and its relationship to the Absaroka thrust fault system, in: Geologic studies of the Cordilleran thrust belt, RMAG, Denver, I, 279–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Pichon, X., Francheteau, J., and J. Bonnin, 1973, Plate Tectonics: Developments in Geotectonics 6, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, D. H., & M. J. Cheadle, 1986, Deep Reflections from the Caledonides and Variscides West of Britain and Comparison with the Himalayas, in: Reflection Seismology: a global Perspective, M. Barazangi & L Brown, eds., Geodynamics Series 13, 5–20.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, D., 1978, Some Remarks on the Development of Sedimentary Basins: Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 40, 25–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meissner, R., 1986, The continental crust. A geophysical approach : Internat. Geophysics Series 34, Academic Press, 1–426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minear, J. W., and Toksöz, M. N., 1970, Thermal regime of a downgoing slab and new global tectonics: J. Geophys. Res., 75, 1397–1419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mingramm, A., Russo, A., and Pozzo, A., 1980, Sierras subandinas, in: Segundo simposio de geologia regional Argentina, T. G. Castellanos, ed., Acad. Nac. Cien. Cordoba, Argentina, 95–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minster, J. B., and T. H. Jordan, 1978, Present-day plate motions: Journ. Geophys. Res. 83, 5331–5354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitra, S., 1986, Duplex structures and imbricate thrust systems: geometry, structural position, and hydrocarbon potential: Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., 70, 9, 1087–1112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, St., 1977, A new model of the continental crust, in: “The Earth’s Crust”, geophysical monogarph series, J. G. Heacock, G. V. Keller, J. E. Oliver, and G. Simmons, eds., Amer. Geophys. Union, 20, 289–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oxburgh, E. R., and Turcotte, D. L., Thermal structure of island arcs: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 82, 1665–1688.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pieri, M., and Groppi, G. 1981; Subsurface geological structure of the Po plain, Italy: CNR Pubblicazione No.414 del Progetto Finalizzato Geodinamico p. 1–11, 8 plates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platt, J. P., 1987, The uplift of high-pressure low-temperature metamorphic rocks: Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London, A-321, 87–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Price, R. A., & Mountjoy, E. W., 1970, Geologic structure of the Canadian Rocky Mountains between Bow and Athabasca Rivers - a progress report: Geol. Assoc. Canada Spec. Pap. 6, 7–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, R. A., and R. D. Hatcher, 1983, Tectonic significance of similarities in the evolution of the Alabama-Pennsylvania Appalachians and the Alberta-British Columbia Canadian Cordillera, in: Contributions to the Tectonics and Geophysics of Mountain Chains, R. D. Hatcher, H. Williams, and I. Zietz, eds., Geol Soc. America Mem. 158, 149–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prodehl, C., 1970, Seismic refraction study of crustal structure in the Western United States: Geol. Soc. America Bull., 81, 2629–2646.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsay, J. G., 1967, Folding and fracturing of rocks: McGraw-Hill, New York, 1–568.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramsay, J. G., & Huber, M. I., 1987, The techniques of modern structural geology, volume 2: folds and fractures: Academic Press, 309–700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, John, 1949, Evolution of thought on structure of middle and southern Appalachians: Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., 33, 10, 1643–1654.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roeder, D. H., 1967, Rocky Mountains, der geologische Aufbau des Kanadischen Felsengebirges: Beiträge zur regionalen Geologie der Erde, 5, Borntraeger, Berlin, 1–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roeder, D., 1988, Andean-age structure of eastern Cordillera (Province of La Paz, Bolivia): Tectonics, 7, 1, 23–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roeder, D., 1989, South-Alpine thrusting and trans-Alpine convergence: in: Alpine tectonics, M. P. Coward, Dietrich, D., and Park, R. G. (eds) Geol. Soc. Spec. Publication No. 45, 211–227. (1989a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Roeder, D., 1989, Thrust belt of central Nevada, Mesozoic compressional events, and the implications for petro leum prospecting: in: Compressional and Extensional Structural Styles in the Northern Basin and Range, L. J. Garside & D. R. Shaddrick (eds.), Nevada Petrol. Soc.-Geol. Soc. Nevada Seminar Proc., 21–29. (1989b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Roeder, D., 1990, Tectonics of south-Alpine crust and cover (Italy), in: Petroleum and Tectonics in Mobile Belts, J. Letouzey (ed.), Edition Technip, Paris, 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roeder, D., Gilbert Jr., 0. E., Witherspoon, W. D., 1978, Evolution and Macroscopic Structure of Valley and Ridge Thrust Belt, Tennessee and Virginia: U. of Tenn. Dept. Geol. Sciences Studies in Geology 2, 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royden, L., and Karner, G. D., 1984, Flexure of Lithosphere Beneath Apennine and Carpathian Foredeep Basins: Evidence for an Insufficient Topographic Load: Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull., 68, 6, 704–712.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royse, F. Jr., Warner, M. A., and D. L. Reese, 1975, Thrust Belt Structural Geometry and Related Stratigraphic Problems, Wyoming-Idaho-Northern Utah, in: Deep Drilling Frontiers of the Central Rocky Mountains, D. W. Bolyard (ed), Rocky Mountain Assoc. Geol., 41–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, E. W., 1965, Canadian Rockies-Orientation in Space and Time, in: Backbone of the Americas, 0. E. Childs & B. W. Beebe (eds), Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Mem 2, 2 31– 242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smithson, S. B., Shive, P. N., and S. K. Brown, 1977, Seismic velocity, reflections, and structure of the crystalline crust, in: “The Earth’s Crust”, geophysical monograph series, J. G. Heacock, G. V. Keller, J. E. Oliver, and G. Simmons, eds., Amer. Geophys. Union, 20, 254–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smithson, S. B., Brewer, J. A., Kaufman, S., Oliver, J., and Hurich, C, 1978, Nature of the Wind River thrust, Wyoming from COCORP deep reflection and gravity data: Geology, 6, 648–652.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suppe, J., Geometry and kinematics of fault-bend folding; Am. J. Sci., 283, 684–721, 1983.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turcotte, D. L., & Schubert, G., 1982, Geodynamics. Application of continuum physics to geological problems: John Wiley & Sons, 1–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, F. J., & L. E. Weiss, 1963, Structural analysis of metamorphic tectonites: McGraw-Hill, New York, 1–545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wernicke, B., 1985, Uniform-sense normal simple shear of the continental lithosphere: Can. Journ. Earth Sciences, 22, 108–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valasek, P, and Holliger, K., 1990, Approaches toward an integrated interpretation of the NFP20 deep crustal reflection profiles along the alpine segment of the EGT, in: Proceedings of the Sixth Workshop on the European Geotraverse (EGT) Project, R. Freeman & St. Mueller (eds), European Science Foundation, 137–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wessely, G., 1984, Der Aufschluss auf kalkalpine und subalpine Tiefenstrukturen im Untergrund des Wiener Beckens: Erdöl, Erdgas Monthly, 100, 9, 285–292.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witherspoon, W. D., 1981, Structure of Blue Ridge Thrust Front, Tennessee, Southern Appalachians: Ph. D. dissertation, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodward, N. B., Boyer, S. E., & Suppe, J., 1985, An outline of balanced cross sections: University of Tennessee Dept. Geol. Sci. Studies in Geology, 11, 2nd. ed., 1–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziegler, P. A., 1982, Geological Atlas of Western and Central Europe: Shell Internationale Petroleum Maat-schappij B. V., The Hague, 2 volumes, 1–130.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Roeder, D. (1991). Compressional Tectonics and the Balancing of Crustal Cross Sections. In: Giese, P., Roeder, D., Nicolich, R. (eds) Joint Interpretation of Geophysical and Geological Data Applied to Lithospheric Studies. NATO ASI Series, vol 338. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3590-0_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3590-0_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5592-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3590-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics