PRESERVATION OF A SUBCRITICAL WEDGE IN THE SOUTH URALS FORELAND THRUST AND FOLD BELT

The geometric and kinematic evolution of the south Urals foreland thru st and fold belt appears to have been quite simple. Despite this simpl icity, there are several key differences when compared with foreland t hrust and fold belts developed in other orogens, in particular the ano malously small amount of shortening (14%), and the location and geomet ry of the basal thrust in the basement. To understand the possible rea sons that led to its evolution, the critical wedge model was applied t o try and determine the relative contribution of the mechanical factor s that acted on the wedge during its develop ment. The south Urals for eland thrust and fold belt appears to be a 'snapshot' of a developing wedge that is preserved in the subcritical field.