GEOLOGIC MAPPING & BALANCED CROSS-SECTIONS

I create geologic maps (right) and balanced cross-sections (below) that I then model flexurally and kinematically in the software PetEx Move. This method allows me to reconstruct the structural evolution of a system from initiation of shortening through the modern day. Both figures are from my 2023 article in Earth and Planetary Science Letters (Glover et al., 2023).

Dahlstrom, 1969; McQuarrie & Ehlers, 2015; Rak et al., 2017; Buford Parks et al., 2019; Braza & McQuarrie, 2022; Buford Parks et al., 2023

THERMOCHRONOLOGY & MODELLING

While in the field, we collect rock samples for thermochronometry in both high-elevation interfluves and low-elevation canyon bottoms (below). Once I finish modelling the section flexural/kinematically, I can thermally model the system to reproduce the measured ages in the different mineral systems (right; Glover et al., 2023). I use the thermal modelling code Pecube.D.

Braun, 2003; Whipp et al., 2009; McQuarrie and Ehlers, 2015; Ehlers, 2023;

McQuarrie & Ehlers, 2015; Ghoshal et al., 2020; Buford Parks et al., 2023

LANDSCAPE MODELLING

Coming soon…

REFERENCES

  • Braun, J., (2003). Pecube: A new finite-element code to solve the 3D heat transport equation including the effects of a time-varying, finite amplitude surface topography. Comput. Geosci. 29, 787–794. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0098-3004(03)00052-9

  • Braza, M., McQuarrie, N., 2022. Determining the tempo of exhumation in the east-ern Himalaya: Part 1. Geometry, kinematics and predicted cooling ages. Basin Res.34 (1), 141–169.2022

  • Buford Parks, V.M., McQuarrie, N., Falkowski, S., Perez, N.D., Ehlers, T.A., 2023. Timing and drivers of exhumation and canyon incision in the eastern Peruvian Andes: insights from thermokinematic modelling. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. https://doi .org /10 .1016 /j .epsl .2023 .118355.

  • Buford Parks, V.M., McQuarrie, N., 2019. Kinematic, flexural, and thermal modelling in the central Andes: unravelling age and signal of deformation, exhumation, and uplift. Tectonophysics766, 302–325. https://doi .org /10 .1016 /j.tecto 2019.06.008.

  • Dahlstrom, C.D.A., 1969. Balanced cross section. Can. J. Earth Sci.6 (4), 743–757.

  • Ehlers, Todd A., 2023. Pecube-D: thermokinematic and erosion modeling software for problems in tectonics and surface processes (1.0 (stable)). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7785668.

  • Ghoshal, S., McQuarrie, N., Robinson, D.M., Adhikari, D.P., Morgan, L.E., Ehlers, T.A., 2020. Constraining central Himalayan (Nepal) fault geometry through integrated thermochronology and thermokinematic modeling. Tectonics39 (9), e2020TC006399.

  • Glover, C.O., McQuarrie, N., Falkowski, S., Ehlers, T.A., 2023. Assessing drivers of high exhumation magnitudes and young cooling ages in the eastern central Andes, southern Peru (13-16◦S). Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. https://doi .org /10 .1016 /j.epsl.2023.118281.

  • McQuarrie, N., Ehlers, T.A., 2015. Influence of thrust belt geometry and shortening rate on thermochronometer cooling ages: insights from thermokinematic and erosion modeling of the Bhutan Himalaya. Tectonics34 (6), 1055–1079.

  • Rak, A.J., McQuarrie, N., Ehlers, T.A., 2017. Kinematics, exhumation, and sedimentation of the North central Andes (Bolivia): an integrated thermochronometer and thermokinematic modeling approach. Tectonics36 (11), 2524–2554.

  • Whipp, D.M., Ehlers, T.A., Braun, J., and Spath, C.D., (2009). Effects of exhumation kinematics and topographic evolution on detrital thermochronometer data. J. Geophys. Res. Earth Surf., 114, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JF001195