Orogenic Systems 2013 February 25, 2013 Orogenic Systems Project Choose a tectonic process or problem that interests you. Based on that choice, select an orogen for study (or two for a comparative study). Compile information and data on your orogen(s) including its plate tectonic setting, geologic composition, tectonic features, geophysical data, geochemical data, etc. Utilize maps, x-sections, stratigraphic columns, tables, etc. to summarize important data and information (geological, geophysical, geochemical, geochronological). Synthesize the data in your own figures and make an interpretation on the tectonic process/problem of interest. Write up your results as you progress. I expect a well-documented and referenced paper 1) synthesizing the structure and tectonics of your orogen(s) with 2) a discussion of what you learned about your orogenic process/problem and 3) important questions yet to be resolved in your region. 427 students: Your report should be ~10 pages with figures. 527 students: Your report should include a calculation, or simple analysis, pertinent to your process/problem. The report should be ~15 pages with figures. Step 1 (HW#3): Due Wed., March 6 ~3-5 page writeup on your choice of the Process/Problem and your Orogen(s) that includes the following: A) Description of the process/problem. This might involve competing models or tectonic histories. If appropriate, use a figure to explain it. B) Your orogen(s) with why this is a good place to study this process/problem. Include a map of the region with some simplified tectonics and geology. C) A preliminary list of 3-4 references for the process/problem and the orogen(s). Appendix A. Processes/Problems (an incomplete list- for illustrative purposes only): Role of ________________ in mountain building. Terrane accretion; subduction erosion; delamination; crustal flow; slab detachment; oceanic plateau subduction; continental crustal subduction; crustal recycling; mega shear zones; strike-slip faults; extension; core complex formation; ignimbrite flareups; batholith formation; slab rollback; triple junction migration; slab windows; structural inheritance; restraining bends (or transpressional offsets) in strike-slip faults; climate/erosion; fluids and fluid flow; etc. Problems (an incomplete list- for illustrative purposes only): Ore formation; initiation and termination of thrust belts; high plateau formation; removal of lower crust and upper mantle lithosphere; inboard migration of deformation; Arc shutoff and migration; tectonic inversion; tectonic escape; orogenic collapse; initiation and termination of orogenesis; rapid tectonic uplift (subsidence); etc 1