LITHOSPHERIC DYNAMICS AND THE TECTONICS OF SEDIMENTARY BASINS

Numerical modelling and observations of modem and paleo-stress fields demonstrate the existence of stress provinces of great areal extent in the interiors of plates. These tectonic stresses are of fundamental importance for sedimentary basin evolution as a cause for short-term deviations from long-term patterns of thermal subsidence. Fluctuations in tectonic stress levels in the lithosphere influence basin stratigraphy and basin fill, and affect fluid flow and diapirism in rift basins. Changes in stress regime also provide a tectonic explanation for short-term relative sea-level variations inferred from the sedimentary record of rift basins and foreland basins. Temporal and spatial variations in the mechanical properties of the lithosphere inherited from the preceeding rift basin stage, as well as flexural coupling with flank uplifts produced by lithospheric necking, exert a major control on the evolution of foreland basins. These aspect of the dynamics of sedimentary basin evolution are illustrated with examples of tectonic modelling for a number of basins in Western Europe and the western Mediterranean region.