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Geodynamic evolution of southwestern North America since the Late Eocene

Author

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  • Alireza Bahadori

    (Stony Brook University)

  • William E. Holt

    (Stony Brook University)

Abstract

Slab rollback, lithospheric body forces, or evolution of plate boundary conditions are strongly debated as possible lithospheric driving mechanisms for Cenozoic extension in southwestern North America. By incorporating paleo-topography, lithospheric structure, and paleo-boundary conditions, we develop a complete geodynamic model that quantifies lithospheric deviatoric stresses and predicts extension and shear history since Late Eocene. We show that lithospheric body forces together with influence of change-over from subduction to transtensional boundary conditions from Late Eocene to Early Miocene were the primary driving factors controlling direction and magnitude of extensional deviatoric stresses that produced topographic collapse. After paleo-highlands collapsed, influence of Pacific-North America plate motion and associated deformation style along the plate boundary became increasingly important from Middle Miocene to present. Smaller-scale convection stress effects from slab rollback and associated mantle flow played only a minor role. However, slab rollback guided deformation rate through introduction of melts and fluids that impacted rheology.

Suggested Citation

  • Alireza Bahadori & William E. Holt, 2019. "Geodynamic evolution of southwestern North America since the Late Eocene," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-12950-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12950-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Alireza Bahadori & William E. Holt & Ran Feng & Jacqueline Austermann & Katharine M. Loughney & Tristan Salles & Louis Moresi & Romain Beucher & Neng Lu & Lucy M. Flesch & Christopher M. Calvelage & E, 2022. "Coupled influence of tectonics, climate, and surface processes on landscape evolution in southwestern North America," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Zebin Cao & Lijun Liu, 2024. "Western US intraplate deformation controlled by the complex lithospheric structure," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Alireza Bahadori & William E. Holt & Jacqueline Austermann & Lajhon Campbell & E. Troy Rasbury & Daniel M. Davis & Christopher M. Calvelage & Lucy M. Flesch, 2022. "The role of gravitational body forces in the development of metamorphic core complexes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.

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