Syntectonic sediment loading and fold-thrust belt structural architecture: An example from the central Appalachians (USA)

Abstract Fluid inclusion microthermometry of synkinematic veins is used to estimate the maximum syntectonic load that was deposited on wedge top in central Appalachians (northeastern United States) during Alleghanian orogeny. The restored loads indicate two major depocenters orogeny: one above Broadtop synclinorium, with as much 7 km Pennsylvanian–Permian probably sourced by erosion rocks uplifted growing Blue Ridge massif and emplacement North Mountain thrust sheet; other Anthracite belt, 16 likely Reading Prong massif. were generally <3 intervening Juniata culmination. In areas high load, structural architecture basin widely spaced thrusts (~17–22 km) large leadingedge anticlines Cambrian–Ordovician lithotectonic unit, while low are more closely (~15 deformed into an imbricate stack. relationship between observed loads, spacing, style reflect modeled relationships.