La première partie de ce travail s'attache à définir les frontières et la cinématique plio-quaternaire du Bloc Sud Mexcain (BSM), une microplaque tectonique découplée de l'Amérique du Nord au niveau de l'Axe Volcanique Trans-Mexicain (AVTM). L'analyse de profils sismiques, l'analyse d'images satellites ainsi que des observations de terrain montrent que le bassin de Veracruz et le volcanisme post-5Ma du Massif de Los Tuxtlas sont affectés par un grand décrochement sénestre. Cette faille est toujours active comme en témoignent la sismicité modérée ainsi que les marqueurs quaternaires (cônes, terrasses alluviales et volcanisme) affectés par la déformation. Le décrochement plio-quaternaire de la région de Veracruz est important car il établit la jonction entre le système transtensif senestre qui affecte l'AVTM et les décrochements également sénestres qui affectent la région des Chiapas au sud. Ces trois zones, sismiquement actives, accommodent une rotation antihoraire du BSM par rapport à l'Amérique du Nord. Le modèle cinématique proposé ici prédit une rotation du BSM par rapport à l'Amérique du Nord de 0.45°/Ma avec un pôle localisé à 24.2°N et 91.8°W. La seconde partie de ce travail se focalise sur l'évolution tectonique du Mexique central. Des données structurales ainsi qu'une étude paléomagnétique réalisée sur des unités volcaniques oligocènes permettent de mieux contraindre la cinématique des failles du système Tepehuanes-Zimapán (SFTZ), orienté N130°, à proximité des villes de San Luis Potosí et Guanajuato. Les données structurales collectées ainsi que les directions paléomagnétiques moyennes, indiquant des rotations antihoraires de ~10°, montrent que ce système était caractérisé par un mouvement transtensif sénestre. Cette déformation intra-arc oligocène est similaire à celle qui affecte l'AVTM actuel. Il est possible que le SFTZ ait constitué la limite nord du BSM durant l'Oligocène inférieur. Cette limite aurait migré en même temps que l'arc volcanique durant l'Oligocène supérieur et le Miocène pour atteindre sa position actuelle.

Ce travail de thèse est essentiellement consacré à l'étude du style tectonique et de l'évolution géodynamique de la "Trans-North China Belt", chaîne de collision marquant la fermeture du Craton de Chine du Nord au Paléoprotérozoïque. Cinq principaux massifs ont fait l'objet d'une étude de terrain détaillée, mettant l'accent sur la géométrie des structures et leur cinématique et permettant de distinguer plusieurs unités lithotectoniques aux caractères métamorphiques distincts. Les contraintes temporelles du magmatisme, du métamorphisme et de la déformation ont été obtenues par la datation U-Th-Pb sur monazite à la microsonde électronique, la datation 40Ar/39Ar sur monograins d'amphibole, de biotite et de muscovite et la datation U-Pb LA-ICP-MS sur zircon. Deux domaines sont distingués. Le premier est caractérisé par une tectonique tangentielle. L'unité "LGMU" (Low-Grade Mafic Unit) est interprétée comme une nappe ophiolitique qui s'enracine le long de la "Trans-North China Suture", située dans la partie ouest de la chaîne. Cette nappe chevauche vers le SE l'unité "OVU" (Orthogneiss-and-Volcanites Unit), composée d'une série volcano-sédimentaire et d'orthogneiss métamorphisés dans le faciès des amphibolites. Ces roches, dont les protolithes sont datés vers 2.5 Ga et 2.1 Ga, sont impliquées dans l'orogenèse de collision caractérisée par une histoire polyphasée entre 1900 Ma et 1800 Ma. En complément des résultats des datations U-Th-Pb et U-Pb, une étude thermobarométrique réalisée sur un micaschiste à disthène et staurotide conduit à la construction d'un chemin Pression-Température-Déformation-temps prograde qui vient confirmer l'âge de la mise en place des nappes et de l'épaississement crustal vers 1880 Ma. Le second domaine, constitue le para-autochtone sur lequel l'unité "OVU" est charriée. Ce domaine est caractérisé par une structure en "dôme-et-bassin", interprétée comme le résultat d'un diapirisme dans un champ de déformation défini par un étirement E-W et un raccourcissement N-S. Cette tectonique "archaïque" est datée vers 2.1 Ga. Enfin, l'étude préliminaire du massif de Zanhuang, situé à l'est du para-autochtone permet de mettre en évidence une seconde zone de suture où s'empilent, selon une vergence Est, des écailles de roches ophiolitiques et de marge passive continentale. La synthèse de l'ensemble des résultats conduit à la reconstruction de la structure globale du segment de chaîne considéré, depuis les zones internes jusqu'aux zones externes. En outre, nous proposons un modèle géodynamique qui implique trois blocs néoarchéens, le Bloc de l'Ouest, le Bloc de Fuping et le Bloc de l'Est, séparés par deux océans, l'Océan de Lüliang et l'Océan de Taihang. L'ouverture des domaines océaniques s'opère vers 2175 Ma. La collision à ~1880 Ma, en réponse à leur fermeture, est responsable de la structuration principale de la "Trans-North China Belt". Ce travail témoigne qu'au Paléoprotérozoïque, une chaîne de collision de type moderne peut se former, avec notamment le développement de chevauchements de type Alpin, suggérant une lithosphère continentale au comportement rhéologique proche de l'actuel.

The Bouguer correction using a mean sea level reduction datum compensates the gravitational effect of the mass of the terrain above sea level. This correction generally results in long -wavelength Bouguer gravity anomalies if the mass of the terrain is isostatically compensated. These anomalies correlate with regional elevations, especially in areas with significant regional variations in elevation, such as western North America. The adverse effect of this correlation is that other anomalies of potential interest in a tectonic or geologic analysis may be overshadowed. To circumvent this problem in an analysis of gravity in Arizona, a residual Bouguer gravity anomaly map has been constructed for the state in which a trend surface of the elevation is used as the reduction datum in the Bouguer correction. Elevation values from topographic maps and not gravity station elevations have been used to prepare the regional elevation datum because station elevations do not adequately sample the range in elevations. Small- and large-wavelength residual Bouguer gravity anomalies and trends of anomalies are brought out more clearly by the residual Bouguer gravity anomaly map than by previous gravity maps. The most prominent features in the residual anomalies are a strong gravity gradient 50 km wide striking west -northwest across southern Arizona and a large wavelength residual Bouguer gravity anomaly low in the Coconino Plateau of northwest Arizona . The long-wavelength residual Bouguer gravity anomalies reflect lateral density variations in the crust and mantle that may be related to lateral temperature variations.

Golden Gate Mountain appears as a spur projecting westward from the Tucson Mountain range. It is made up of the capping Cat Mountain Rhyolite, the slope - forming Amole Formation, and a variety of intrusions of differing compositions. The emplacement of the andesitic portion of the intrusions occurred during, and probably lasted long after, the deposition of Amole Formation. The hot magma fluidized the wet sediments. Part of the fluidized materials formed pipes and dikes of tuffisites and part was brought up into the basin and contributed to the sedimentation of Amole Formation. During upper Amole time the intrusion of andesite increased in intensity. Part of the basin rapidly subsided and thick deltaic sediments and graywacke were formed. The development of a hinge line accompanied this subsidence. The hinge line controlled the occurrence of fluidization which undercut the Amole beds. The beds slumped into the fluidized parts. The process culminated in forming a large orifice through which the Cat Mountain Rhyolite welled up. The orifice is reflected in the sedimentary beds by the development of a funnel- shaped structure in the central part of which the capping of Cat Mountain Rhyolite is located. The bordering brecciated Amole beds represent the associated slump effects.

Paleomagnetic data were collected from Miocene volcanic rocks in the Turtle Mountains, Clipper Mountain, Colton Hills, and Piute Range of the southern Basin and Range (SBR) province in southeastern California as well as in the Soledad Mountains of the Mojave block in southern California. The data from these two tectonic provinces yield significantly different paleomagnetic directions, which probably indicates the existence of a major crustal and /or lithospheric discontinuity in the area between the Barstow Basin and the Clipper Mountain. Comparing the mean direction from the SBR data to the Miocene expected direction indicates no statistically significant rotation (R = -0.2° ± 18.2°) or flattening (F = -6.5° ± 9.2°). A similar comparison for the Soledad Mountain data, which were combined with data of Burke et al. (1982) from the Barstow Basin, yields a significant rotation of -43.5° ± 12.9° and flattening of 19.3° ± 10.6° for the Mojave block. These Mojave block values may be exaggerated a few degrees due to inadequate averaging of secular variation and possible improper structural corrections.

Karst environments are interconnected landscapes vulnerable to degradation. Many instances of anthropogenic karst disturbance are unintentional, and occur because of the public's lack of understanding or exposure to karst knowledge. When attempts are made to educate the general public about these landscapes, the concepts taught are often too abstract to be fully understood. Thus, karst educational pursuits must use only the most efficient and effective learning materials. A technique useful for assessing educational effectiveness of learning materials is eye-tracking, which allows scientists to quantitatively measure an individual's points of interest and eye movements when viewing a 2D or 3D visualization. Visualization developers use eye-tracking data to create graphics that hold the observer's attention and, thereby, enhance learning about a particular concept. This study aimed to assess and improve the educational effectiveness of 2D karst visualizations by combining eye-tracking techniques with Geographic Information Systems, knowledge assessments, and semi-structured interviews. The first phase of this study consisted of groups of 10 participants viewing 2D karst visualizations with one category of manipulated visual stimuli. The second phase consisted of groups of 10-15 participants viewing 2D karst visualizations that were created based on the results from the first phase. The results of this study highlighted both effective stimuli in karst visualizations and stimuli that hinder the educational effectiveness of visualizations.

Sub-salt oil and gas formations in deep-water northern Gulf of Mexico are high priority targets. Advances in seismic processing allow for high-resolution, below-salt imaging. Understanding the modes of salt emplacement provide insight into sub-salt traps and potential drilling hazards. A sub-salt sedimentary unit lies in the Keathley Canyon protraction. Autosutures created the transport-parallel lineaments of the upper surface of the unit. In addition, highly variable sediment aggradation rates created ramps, flats, and basal cutoffs along the base of the allochthon as salt and sediment competed for space. Seismic models identify modes of salt emplacement, salt/sediment interactions, and mechanisms responsible for the morphology. Petrophysical assessments highlight an abnormally pressured, dirty salt environment transitioning into a gouge zone. Dirty salt adds an element of difficulty to managing borehole pressures requiring a unique mud-weight plan designed to resist formation pressures without fracturing lithology.

The largest earthquakes on Earth take place on the megathrusts of subduction zones, but the slip behavior of megathrusts is variable. This thesis considers why by conducting local, regional and global studies of the interrelationships between the structure and seismogenic behavior of subduction zones. New marine geophysical data collected from the collision zone between the Louisville Ridge seamount chain with the Tonga-Kermadec trench constrain overthrusting and subducting plate structure. Mo'unga seamount is identified beneath the outer-forearc, which calibrates the association of residual bathymetric anomalies and subducting relief, implies an E-W geometry for the subducted ridge and suggests the 200 km wide Louisville seismic gap is modulated by the sediment filled flexural moat. Spectral averaging is then applied along the Tonga-Kermadec margin and along strike variations in overthrusting plate structure are verified by wide-angle seismic transects. The remnant Tonga-Ridge occupies the inner fore-arc and residual free-air gravity anomalies constrain its latitudinal extent (north of 30.5°S), width (110±20 km) and strike (~005° south of 25°S). Plate tectonic reconstructions suggest the Lau Ridge is unmodified by subduction related erosion, <200 km of the Tonga Ridge has been eroded, and neither ridge ever occupied the southern Kermadec arc. Crustal thickness variations are thus inherited, reflecting the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Tonga-Kermadec-Hikurangi margin. Spectral averaging is finally applied to all subduction zones on Earth. Part one develops a global catalogue of subducting relief, which is compared with seismological and geodetic inferences of fault-slip behavior. Most seamounts are aseismic, relatively undeformed and observations are not consistent with mechanical models proposing full-decapitation. Aseismic ridges are also associated with megathrust complexity, but are of a larger wavelength and contrasting mode of isostatic compensation. Part two shows almost all intra-margin along-strike transitions in seismogenic behavior are related to pre-existing crustal structure. A paired forearc anomaly is interpreted consisting of a trench-parallel ridge landward of the deep-sea-terrace basin. The ridge crest correlates with the down-dip limit of coseismic slip and strong interplate coupling, the up- dip limit of tremor epicentres, and is interpreted as defining the boundary between the velocity-weakening and seismogenic portion of the subduction interface and the down-dip frictional transition zone. Paired anomalies may be attributed to unrecovered interseismic elastic strain, the preferential subduction erosion of the outer-forearc and/or underplating beneath the inner forearc.

Deformation in continents is not restricted to narrow bands but is spread over great distances within their interiors. A number of lines of evidence, including the distribution of earthquakes, reveal that the strength of different continental regions varies markedly. While it is relatively easy to qualitatively map out these variations, little progress has been made in quantifying the range of strength in the continents and identifying the physical mechanisms that control these variations. I investigate crustal deformation associated with the earthquake cycle, inflation of magma chambers beneath volcanoes, and changes in surface loads. Results of these models has important implications for our understanding of large-scale continental deformation and mountain building, in addition to both seismic and volcanic hazard assessment. Novel analytic solutions for simple shear with depth-dependent linear and non-linear viscoelastic rheologies are derived, in addition to analytical solutions for imposed harmonic tractions and displacements on an elastic layer over a Maxwell viscoelastic half space.

Remnants of planation surfaces in Hrubý Jeseník were noted in many geomorphological studies made in the studied area. However, the levels of planation surfaces were never described. The present study deals with the determination of the levels of planation surfaces (the amount of levels) and its connection to neotectonics. The whole area was divided into three parts (Pradědská, Keprnická and Orlická part). Histograms of elevation frequency, the cumulative graph of the area of planation surfaces and the statistical test show six levels of planation surfaces. Six levels were determined in Pradědská and Orlická part and four levels in Keprnická part. The levels of planation were compared to similar areas in the Sudetes. These intervals have significant representation of the flat surfaces within. Six levels of planation surfaces were determined. The main periods of uplift were presented based on the intervals between the levels of planation surfaces. The minimum uplift in the central, most active part is estimated to be 450 m.