Testing kinematic models for ancestral Rocky Mountain tectonism using trishear in the Sacramento Mountains, NM and the Arbuckle-Wichita Mountains, OK

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2021-05

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Abstract

This study utilizes Trishear kinematic modeling, regional geologic maps, and existing structural datasets in both the Sacramento and Arbuckle-Wichita mountains to test whether or not contractional or wrench-fault tectonism is responsible for the late-Paleozoic deformational event, known as the Ancestral Rocky Mountain (ARM) orogeny, which resulted in a series of NW-SE trending block uplifts and paired basins throughout southwestern Laurentia. The Sacramento Mountains in south-central New Mexico comprise the Pedernal ARM uplift while the Arbuckle-Wichita Mountains in southern Oklahoma comprise the Arbuckle-Wichita ARM uplift. This report tests the two end-member ARM kinematic models in both study areas and further establishes a dominant regional tectonic style to both uplifts. The results of this study are as follows (1) basement-rooted high-angle older faults were reactivated and are largely responsible for the late Paleozoic deformation generating fault-propagation folds throughout the Sacramento Mountains escarpment, (2) major NE directed thrusting followed by exhumation of pre-existing structures acts as the dominant tectonic style of the Arbuckle Anticline, and can be projected throughout the Wichita-Arbuckle Mountains, (3) lineaments of pre-existing weaknesses within the Precambrian basement have a strong influence on the orientations and geographic locations of major ARM uplifts. The newly generated Trishear kinematic models in both regions improve our understanding of ARM tectonics and offers a novel approach to an age old problem.


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Keywords

Structural Geology, Fault Propagation Folding, Trishear Kinematics, Ancestral Rocky Mountains, Pedernal Uplift, Arbuckle Uplift, Wichita Uplift

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