Despite sedimentary basins forming from crustal extension and subsidence, a large proportion of basins are in some form associated with collisional tectonics. This is thought to happen due to diverse range of processes and driving forces that can cause localized extension, such as slab role-back, plate flexure, and crustal loading. The resultant sedimentary basins can form over a wide range of spatial scales, and also vary from relatively short-lived continental features to basins beneath which the continental lithosphere stretches and thins to the point of rupture and subsequent seafloor spreading. Since sedimentary and volcanic rocks accumulate in basins as they form and grow, they not only capture the record of the extension and subsidence, but commonly also elements of the plate collision in which they are set. In addition, the architecture and structural evolution of the basins can both be significantly influenced by prior compressional structures and fabrics, but can also potentially influence later compression if and when the basin is inverted. As a result, understanding the evolution of the extensional basins in space and time is fundamental for fully unraveling the tectonic evolution of these system. The fault systems are also potentially important pathways for fluid flow, and currently active systems can pose a significant seismic hazard.
With this Research Topic we aim to bring together research that constrains the origins, spatial and temporal evolution, and deformation mechanisms of extensional basins associated with compressional tectonic settings. We encourage manuscripts from a wide range of disciplines such as field and remote sensing based structural geology, seismic interpretation, sedimentology, geochronology, earthquake seismology, geodesy, geochemistry, and numerical and lab-based modelling. We also encourage manuscripts that link to hazard assessment and future research developments.
Despite sedimentary basins forming from crustal extension and subsidence, a large proportion of basins are in some form associated with collisional tectonics. This is thought to happen due to diverse range of processes and driving forces that can cause localized extension, such as slab role-back, plate flexure, and crustal loading. The resultant sedimentary basins can form over a wide range of spatial scales, and also vary from relatively short-lived continental features to basins beneath which the continental lithosphere stretches and thins to the point of rupture and subsequent seafloor spreading. Since sedimentary and volcanic rocks accumulate in basins as they form and grow, they not only capture the record of the extension and subsidence, but commonly also elements of the plate collision in which they are set. In addition, the architecture and structural evolution of the basins can both be significantly influenced by prior compressional structures and fabrics, but can also potentially influence later compression if and when the basin is inverted. As a result, understanding the evolution of the extensional basins in space and time is fundamental for fully unraveling the tectonic evolution of these system. The fault systems are also potentially important pathways for fluid flow, and currently active systems can pose a significant seismic hazard.
With this Research Topic we aim to bring together research that constrains the origins, spatial and temporal evolution, and deformation mechanisms of extensional basins associated with compressional tectonic settings. We encourage manuscripts from a wide range of disciplines such as field and remote sensing based structural geology, seismic interpretation, sedimentology, geochronology, earthquake seismology, geodesy, geochemistry, and numerical and lab-based modelling. We also encourage manuscripts that link to hazard assessment and future research developments.