Dynel Example 3:

Forward modeling

Dynel can be used to performe forward modeling of different tectonic environments by setting the appropriate boundary conditions or constraints. For example when modeling large deformation associated with thrust or normal faulting, special constraints can be imposed on the discontinuous surfaces that represent the faults. In the following models the fault contact is set to be “sticky” that is opening and interpenetration are not allowed. Figure 1 is an example of extensional tectonics with a listric fault and its conjugate fault. Figure 2 shows the configuration and results of a model that simulates compressive tectonics with imbricated thrust sheets.

Figure 1: Sequential simulation of extensional tectonics with a listric fault and its conjugate fault (see animation).

Figure 2: Sequential simulation of compressive tectonics with imbricated thrust sheets (see animation).