Dating folding beyond folding, from layer-parallel shortening to fold tightening, using mesostructures: lessons from the Apennines, Pyrenees, and Rocky Mountains

Abstract. Dating syntectonic sedimentary sequences is often seen as the unique way to constrain initiation, duration, and rate of folding well sequence deformation in shallow crust. Beyond fold growth, however, mesostructures accommodate internal strain pre-folding strata before, during, after tilting. Absolute dating syn-folding may help duration growth absence preserved strata. related early-folding layer-parallel shortening late tightening provides an access timing entire event. We compile available ages from literature provide new U–Pb calcite cements veins faults four folds (Apennines, Pyrenees, Rocky Mountains). Our results not only better but also reveal a contraction preceding following folding, which might be function tectonic style regional deformation. This study paves for appraisal lifetime processes stress evolution folded domains.