Modeling tectonics and surfaces processes interaction in a continental and marine environment : the case of the Algerian margin

The dataset :

The directory DATASET.zip provides data from an analog modeling experiment investigating the mechanics of passive margin tectonic inversion and the couplings between tectonics and onshore/offshore morphogenetic processes, applied to the study of the Plio-Quaternary evolution of the Algerian Margin (Northern Africa). This experiment is fully described and the model outcomes discussed in Strzerzynski et al. (submited to JGR 06/2020).

The data set contains three Movies (referenced as 2D-S1, 3D-S2 and 2D-S3.mp4) showing the model evolution from three different points of view. Movie 2D-S1.mp4 and Movie 3D-S2.mp4 correspond to general upper and oblique views of the whole experiment, respectively. Movie Zoom 2D-S3.mp4 shows a focused upper view of a part of the experiment during the margin tectonic inversion.

Model evolution consists first by a massive sea level drop down and low stand in absence of tectonics simulating the Messinian Salinity Crisis (between 2'' and 28'' of video record) followed by an instantaneous, (rainfall is stopped), sea level rise (between 28'' and 41'' of video record). Second, after a short period of quiescence, shortening is applied to the model leading to the tectonic inversion of the margin (last 60 second of the record).

The analog model :

The experimental set-up used in this study has been developed at the Geosciences Montpellier Analog Modeling laboratory at the University of Montpellier, France (contact: Dr. S. Dominguez, stephane.Dominguez@gm.univ-montp2.fr). It is constituted by a mechanical apparatus to deform the analogue model, a rainfall system to erode its surface, and a digital monitoring device used to quantify model evolution during the experiment. The deformation device is made of an aluminum structure supporting a bended PVC plate bounded by glass/PVC walls and a rigid backstop. A Mylar/carbon sheet, lying on the PVC plate, is pulled beneath the backstop using a computerized stepping motor to impose model shortening. The rainfall system uses up to 8 sprinklers to diffuse water micro-droplets over the model surface. Water runoff enhances erosion of the emerged part of the model triggering several natural processes shaping the topography such as; channel incision in the drainage network, slope diffusion and gravity controlled landslides. In the submarine part of the model, sedimentation processes dominate but gravity driven instabilities also contribute to shape the submarine morphology.