Publications

Physical (sandbox) simulations of obliquely convergent accretionary subduction margins show that the cyclicity of accretionary processes imposes a strong control on forearc deformation. Strain partitioning, i.e. the spatial separation of margin-normal and margin-parallel strain, is most dominant while new thrusts are forming at the deformation front. Shortening remains focused at the toe of the wedge, but the margin-parallel component reaches far into the forearc. Faults trending parallel to the trench are dominated by strike-slip motion. The results suggest that the forearc deformation pattern alternates with the characteristic time scale on which new thrust-slices are generated in the accretionary wedge (several 100.000 years).

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Hoffmann-Rothe, A.; Kukowski, N.; Oncken, O. (2004): Phase dependent strain partitioning in obliquely convergent settings. GeoMod 2004 (Emmetten, Switzerland 2004).