Articles | Volume 16, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-841-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-16-841-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
10 Sep 2025
Research article |
| 10 Sep 2025
| 10 Sep 2025
The influence of accretionary orogenesis on subsequent rift dynamics
Geodynamic Modeling, GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
Tectonics and Geodynamics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
Susanne J. H. Buiter
Geodynamic Modeling, GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
Tectonics and Geodynamics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
Joya L. Tetreault
Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), Trondheim, Norway
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Short summary
We used computer models to study how mountains formed by the collision of tectonic plates can later affect the breakup of these same plates. Our results show that in large, warm mountain belts, new faults form due to the orogen being weak overall, while in smaller, colder belts, breakup follows old fault zones. Microcontinents that were accreted during collision can create new continental fragments during extension. These findings help explain how past geological events shape continent margins.
We used computer models to study how mountains formed by the collision of tectonic plates can...
