Contribution of gravity gliding in salt-bearing rift basins – a new experimental setup for simulating salt tectonics under the influence of sub-salt extension and tilting

Abstract. Basin-scale salt flow and the evolution of structures in rift basins is mainly driven by sub- supra-salt faulting sedimentary loading. Crustal extension often accompanied followed thermal subsidence leading to tilting graben flanks, which might induce an additional basinward-directed driver for tectonics. We designed a new experimental analogue apparatus capable integrating processes sub-salt such that overlapping effects on deformation viscous substratum brittle overburden can be simulated. The presented study was performed demonstrate main functionality procedure setup, demonstrating differences structural between conditions pure extension, tilting, combined with tilting. Digital image correlation top-view stereoscopic images applied reveal 3D displacement strain patterns. results these experiments suggest affected flank inclination, downward movement affects entire flanks basin. Supra-salt occurring close centre overprinted movement; i.e. amount reduced or extensional faults zones are shortened. At basin margins, thin-skinned developed as result gravity gliding. A comparison natural examples reveals fault also observed at margins many salt-bearing indicating gliding played role basins.