Secondary minibasins in orogens: Examples from the Sivas Basin (Turkey) and the sub-Alpine fold-and-thrust belt (France)

Inherited and syn-compressional salt-controlled structures in orogens are difficult to distinguish from compressional features because classical salt (halokinetic growth strata, welds) can be misinterpreted as shortening-related (syn-kinematic tectonic unconformities). In the Sivas basin Turkey, syn-kinematic diapirism entirely shaped architecture of foreland allowed development primary secondary minibasins. One most impressive, Tuzlagözü minibasin, formed by sinking into a feeder while being upturned due compression. This minibasin has been nicknamed “Turkish Vélodrome” its similarity with well-known Vélodrome structure French Alps which shows strata successive unconformities, commonly interpreted syncline features. Based on structural field descriptions geometric analogies we revisit salt-related minibasin. We argue that developed above an Oligocene aerial glacier: sheet Upper Triassic evaporites extruded during Alpine orogeny. new interpretation enables propose revised evolution sub-Alpine fold-and-thrust belt. line other recent works, this study emphasises once again important role tectonics