A FULLY DYNAMIC-MODEL OF CONTINENTAL RIFTING APPLIED TO THE SYN-RIFT EVOLUTION OF SEDIMENTARY BASINS

A numerical technique has been developed to model dynamically lithosph ere deformation and faulting. The method is based on the theory of gen eralised functions and has been used to investigate rifting processes in a two-layered lithosphere with up to four faults. Among other thing s, the method allows: (1) incorporation of the influence of syn-rift e rosion and sedimentary loading on fault growth; (2) prediction of the history of individual fault development during the rift process; (3) c alculation of the state of stress in the lithosphere during rifting; a nd (4) consideration of the effects of a finite value of mantle viscos ity during rifting. The model applied to half-graben growth reveals a process that can be divided into two stages, the first resulting in su bsidence prior to the initiation of faulting and the second when exten sion exceeds a critical value. Seismic waves accompanying the rifting process are also predicted. These and other results are compared with those obtained with other commonly employed rift basin modelling techn iques.