Ritske S. Huismans

Professor Structural Geology and Tectonics, Bergen University

Allegaten 41, N-5007 Bergen, Norway

In this project we propose to study foreland fold and thrust belts and associated sedimentary basins by integrating observational constraints from the Northern Pyrenees and its foreland basins with forward numerical modelling of these systems. The main focus of this project will be to develop generic fundamental understanding of the factors controlling variation in structural style of the Pyrenean fold belt in particular and fold and thrust belts in general.

The project builds on the successful European Science Foundation TopoEurope project Pyrtec and links to the recently started ANR project Pyramid that focuses on the Northern Pyrenees. The project is highly relevant for other fold and thrust belts in orogen forelands and for contractional fold and thrust belts related to salt tectonics on passive margins. The factors controlling structural style of deformation in both 2D and 3D, the role of salt versus shale detachments, the influence of syn-tectonic deposition and erosion of the orogenic core, and the role of inherited crustal structure and weaknesses and the tradeoff and interplay of these factors is not well understood. Limited understanding of these factors makes prediction of subsurface structure a challenging task. Foreland-fold-and-thrust belts and salt/shale tectonic sedimentary systems on rifted passive margins are important locations for hydrocarbon exploration.

We anticipate that improved understanding of these systems will aid improved exploration strategies in these settings. In this project we will keep our industry partners Total Norge and Total France closely informed of project progress with regular workshops and work visits.

Main partners:

Prof. Ritske Huismans (UiB)

Prof. Mary Ford (CRPG Nancy)

Arjan Grool (PhD student)

Linked to ANR project PYRAMID