Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3134
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3134
04 Nov 2024
 | 04 Nov 2024

Numerical Investigation of Parameters Influencing Back-Thrust Development in Outer Wedge Fronts of Fold-and-Thrust-Belt Systems

Saeed Mahmoodpour, Florian Duschl, and Michael C. Drews

Abstract. Thrusting in fold-and-thrust belts can manifest in different styles. Here we investigate the parameters influencing back-thrust development over fore-thrust development at the frontal of fold-and-thrust belts using numerical geomechanical forward modelling. We vary the strength of the material involved, dip and friction of the décollement and displacing boundary conditions to examine the impact of these properties on the back-thrust development. The results of this numerical sensitivity analysis reveal that back-thrusting mainly increases with increasing material strength and decreasing friction coefficient of the décollement. Décollement dip has a less prominent impact on back-thrusting, but decreasing the décollement ‘s dip angle enhances back-thrusting likelihood. In summary, we find that the contrast between the work necessary to shear the wedge material and the work necessary to slide along the décollement is the main driver for initiating back-thrusting (high contrast) over fore-thrusting (low or even negative contrast), which compares well with field observations. In addition, we also investigate and discuss the effect of a pure lateral displacement rate boundary condition vs. a coupled lateral and along-décollement displacement rate boundary condition on numerical simulations of back-thrusting development.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

08 Oct 2025
Numerical investigation of parameters influencing back-thrust development in outer wedge fronts of fold-and-thrust belt systems
Saeed Mahmoodpour, Florian Duschl, and Michael C. Drews
Solid Earth, 16, 1041–1057, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-1041-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-1041-2025, 2025
Short summary
Saeed Mahmoodpour, Florian Duschl, and Michael C. Drews

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3134', PAULINE Souloumiac, 22 Dec 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Saeed Mahmoodpour, 20 Feb 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3134', David Hindle, 24 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Saeed Mahmoodpour, 20 Feb 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3134', PAULINE Souloumiac, 22 Dec 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Saeed Mahmoodpour, 20 Feb 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3134', David Hindle, 24 Jan 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Saeed Mahmoodpour, 20 Feb 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Saeed Mahmoodpour on behalf of the Authors (21 Feb 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (21 Feb 2025) by Susanne Buiter
RR by PAULINE Souloumiac (26 Mar 2025)
RR by David Hindle (24 Apr 2025)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (27 Apr 2025) by Susanne Buiter
AR by Saeed Mahmoodpour on behalf of the Authors (18 May 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (23 May 2025) by Susanne Buiter
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (12 Jul 2025) by Susanne Buiter
AR by Saeed Mahmoodpour on behalf of the Authors (17 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (18 Jul 2025) by Susanne Buiter
ED: Publish as is (18 Jul 2025) by Susanne Buiter (Executive editor)
AR by Saeed Mahmoodpour on behalf of the Authors (22 Jul 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

08 Oct 2025
Numerical investigation of parameters influencing back-thrust development in outer wedge fronts of fold-and-thrust belt systems
Saeed Mahmoodpour, Florian Duschl, and Michael C. Drews
Solid Earth, 16, 1041–1057, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-1041-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-1041-2025, 2025
Short summary
Saeed Mahmoodpour, Florian Duschl, and Michael C. Drews
Saeed Mahmoodpour, Florian Duschl, and Michael C. Drews

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
In some situations where the crust plates collide to each other, they deform by creating folds and thrusts. Based on thrusts development direction, they are categorized into fore- or back-thrusts. We use numerical simulation to investigate their development over geological time-scales. We examine the importance of rock strength, friction, displacement type and geometry on back-thrusting with regard to the final geometry of the deformation, as well as the distribution of porosity and stresses.
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