Research

Our current research examines the following questions:

• What factors affect the propagation and linkage of normal faults and the style of segmentation along normal-fault system?
• How does the presence of pre-existing normal faults affect the nucleation, growth, and linkage of subsequent normal faults? How does normal-fault development affect depositional processes in rift basins?
• What structures form along rift-basin margins during salt mobilization?
• What factors control the reactivation of pre-existing, high-angle strike-slip faults during extension?
• How do younger strike-slip faults interact with older normal faults in areas that underwent multiple phases of deformation?
• What structures develop during negative inversion (shortening followed by extension)? What factors influence the degree of reactivation of preexisting faults and fabrics?
• How does the thickness and proportion of salt and interbedded rocks affect deformation patterns during extension and shortening?
• How can the accuracy of balancing and restoration algorithms be improved using experimental modeling results?
• How does mechanical stratigraphy influence the development of compressional fault-related folds?
• How do boundary conditions and strain rate influence the properties of fault populations?
• How do fault growth and linkage contribute to the formation of fault-surface undulations? Are these undulations always parallel to the fault-slip direction?
• What factors promote the development of gravitational-collapse structures?

To address these questions, we use a multi-faceted approach, incorporating scaled experimental modeling, geometric modeling and restoration, 2D and 3D seismic interpretation, and field studies.