Publication Date:
2018
Description:
〈span〉Mantle lithosphere heterogeneities are well documented, are ubiquitous, and have often
been thought to control lithosphere-scale deformation. Here, we explore the influence of deep
scarring in crustal deformation in three dimensions by considering the Ouachita orogeny in
the southeastern United States, an example of a continental collision where mantle structure is
present but not previously linked to the regional crustal tectonics. We present state-of-the-art
continental compressional models in the presence of inherited three-dimensional lithospheric
structure. Our models find that the surface expression of the Ouachita orogeny is localized by,
and projected from, the controlling mantle scarring, in keeping with geological and geophysical
observations. We are able to produce a large-scale arcuate orogeny with associated basin
development appropriate to the Ouachita orogeny, alongside smaller-scale crustal faulting
related to the region. This study offers a new and alternative hypothesis to the tectonic history
of the Ouachita orogeny, with previous research having focused exclusively on crustal structures.
The findings have broad implications, demonstrating the important potential role of the mantle
lithosphere in controlling crustal dynamics and highlighting the requirement to consider deeper
structure and processes when interpreting tectonic evolution of lithospheric-scale deformation.〈/span〉
Print ISSN:
0091-7613
Electronic ISSN:
1943-2682
Topics:
Geosciences
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