Experimental Study of Subfluence Tectonics in the Rheinische Schiefergebirge

Abstract

The subfluence tectonics supposed in the Rheinische Schiefergebirge were studied in scale model experiments. The movement of the Rhenohercynian crust relative to the mid-German Crystalline Rise and the boundary condition for isostatic movement following the crustal thickening are the main considerations in the present model experiments.

In the model a syncline is formed as the major structure in the supracrust. The weak infracrust also has played an important role for the isostatic deformation. The transport of crustal materials out of the Rhenohercynian region following the supracrustal thickening is reproduced in the model experiments, which elucidates the scarce crustal thickening in this region in spite of the considerable crustal shortening.

From the scale model experiments it can be concluded that thin-skinned tectonics or foreland type thrust and fold belts develop on a relatively cool and therefore stable continental lithosphere. In areas where incipient folding and thrusting are accompanied by isostatic movement, possibly due to higher heatflow, synclinal structures become strongly amplified during deformation and the development of synclinal structures may predominate.