Influence of Zones of Pre‐Existing Crustal Weakness on Strain Localization and Partitioning During Rifting: Insights From Analog Modeling Using High‐Resolution 3D Digital Image Correlation

Pre-existing crustal structures are known to influence rifting, but the factors controlling their remain poorly understood. We present results of digital image correlation that allows for surface strain analysis a series analog rifting experiments designed test size, orientation, depth, and geometry pre-existing weak zones on localization partitioning. apply distributed basal extension crustal-scale models consisting silicone zone embedded in quartz sand layer. vary size orientation (α-angle) with respect direction, reduce thickness layer simulate shallow zone, zone. Our show at higher α-angle (≥60°) both small-scale large-scale localize into graben-bounding (oblique-) normal faults. At lower (≤45°), do not effectively, unless they shallow. In most models, we observe diffuse, second-order strike-slip intra-graben structures, which conjugate antithetic under orthogonal oblique extension, respectively. Generally, observed spectrum rift faulting styles (from discrete fault planes diffuse zones, from strike-slip) highlights sensitivity architecture zones. generic comparable observations many natural systems like North Sea East Africa, thus have implications understanding role structural inheritance basins.