Style of Deformation, Sedimentation, Kinematic and Thermal Evolution of Thrust-Top Basins: From Natural Examples to Models

Thrust-top basins (or piggyback, wedge-top, structural basins) are a very common feature in accretionary and orogenic wedges worldwide. Thrust-top basins are one of the most important sediment storage systems for foredeep basins within foreland basin systems and form in the wedge-top depositional zones. In thrust-top basins, deformation on the margins can produce distinctive successions with growth strata. The basin is separated by a growth fault-bend, shear fault-bend, fault-propagation, and detachment folds. Such successions are ideal indicators for exploring the nature, timing and kinematics of deformations occurring during basin filling.

Thrust-top basins have been intensely investigated to decipher their geometry and kinematic evolution. However, there are important questions that yet have to be fully understood:
(i) Types and systematic of thrust-top basins related to growth fault-related fold types and deformation sequences (piggyback and break-back);
(ii) What is the geometry and kinematic evolution of growth strata of thrust-top basins related to bi-vergent fault-related folds?
(iii) What is the geometry and kinematic evolution of thrust-top basins developed within double-sided flexural foreland basins located between two orogens?

The goal of this Research Topic is to showcase recent advances in the analysis and interpretation of thrust-top basins using actual data (e.g., seismic reflection profiles, wells, thermochronology, and surface geology), analog or numerical modeling, as well as thermal modeling.

We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Methods, and other article types of contributions suited for this topic. We particularly welcome contributions covering the following issues:
• Geophysical and geological observations about the geometry and structural evolution of thrust-top basins;
• Sedimentation model of thrust-top basins;
• Thermochronological evolution of sedimentary units and the dating of deformation episodes;
• Thermal evolution of thrust-top basins;
• Analog or numerical modeling of thrust-top basins.

Keywords: orogenic wedge, foreland basin, wedge-top depositional zone, thrust-top basin, growth fault-related fold, growth strata

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