Alkalic porphyry style Au-Cu deposits of the Cadia district are associated with Late-Ordovician monzonite intrusions, which were emplaced during the final phase of Macquarie Arc magmatism at the end of the Benambran Orogeny. N-striking faults, including the curviplanar, northerly striking, moderately west-dipping basement thrust faults of the Cadiangullong system, developed early in the district history. NE-striking faults formed during rifting in the late Silurian. Subsequent E-W directed Siluro- Devonian extension followed by regional E-W shortening during the Devonian Tabberabberan Orogeny dismembered these intrusions, thereby superposing different levels porphyry Au-Cu systems as well as the host stratigraphy. During the late Silurian, the partially exhumed porphyry systems were buried beneath the Waugoola Group sedimentary cover sequence, which is generally preserved in the footwall of the Cadiangullong thrust fault system. The Waugoola Group is a typical rift-sag sequence, deposited initially in local fault-bounded basins which then transitioned to a gradually shallowing marine environment as local topography was overwhelmed. Basin geometry was controlled by pre-existing basement structures, which were subsequently inverted during the Devonian Tabberabberan Orogeny, offsetting the unconformity by up to 300m vertically. In the Waugoola Group cover, this shortening was accommodated via a complex network of minor detachments that strike parallel to major underlying basement faults. For this reason, faults and folds measured at the surface in the sedimentary cover can be used as a predictive tool to infer basement structures at depth. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

In nature, rock masses are not static, but constantly changing with erosion, metamorphosis, tectonics and more. Rocks that bend and buckle can be seen almost as nature's origami, being folded into new shapes and structures. During shortening of a sequence of sedimentary layers, they fold and/or thrust to accommodate the convergence. Folds initiate as kinks which may evolve into thrusts. These folds and thrusts form a wedge which grows in height and length with continued convergence. This study examines the sequence of formation of kinking in fold and thrust belts, specifically the development of forekinks from thrusting and the evolution of the wedge. This was done through geometric analysis of images taken of an analogue sandbox model, run in 2011, which consisted of horizontal layers shortened from one end to 25% bulk convergence above a rigid basement. In nature, such wedges are found as accretionary prisms in convergence zones and as fold and thrust belts on either side of an orogen. By simulating the creation of these wedges and kinks with controlled parameters, it is possible to gain an understanding of the mechanical processes involved in their creation, which allows for a better understanding of these processes in nature. This study is mainly based on measurements of separation created by kinking, dip of the kinks at different levels, and the dimensions of the wedge, in addition to other geometric features. The results showed clear trends for the evolution of these geometric features with progressive model shortening. Results show that, forekinks become inactive when a new kink develops in its foreland. The amount of separation within a kink is dependent on how soon a new kink is developed in front of it and the throw (vertical component) is generally larger than the heave (horizontal component). Dip of a forekink steepens as the forekink cumulatively rotates backwards by the creation of new forekinks in front of it. Evolution of the forekinks has a direct impact on wedge development. Wedge length is larger than height and as the shortened layers are compacted, the dimensions of the wedge increase at different rates. Generally the results of this study are in agreement with previous research conducted within the subject. If rock folding is nature’s origami, then the study of these processes can allow us to understand how fold and thrust belts develop, just as studying how a piece of paper folds, can show us how a napkin can transform into a swan. / I naturen är bergmassor inte statiska utan förändras ständigt av erosion, metamorfos, tektonik med mera. Berg som böjs och bänds kan nästan ses som naturens origami; veckandes till nya former och strukturer. Under förkortning av en sekvens sedimentära lager viker de sig och/eller förkastas för att tillgodose konvergensen. Ett veck i ett lager kan så småningom utvecklas till en förkastning. Dessa veck och förkastningar bildar en kil som växer både på höjden och längden med fortsatt konvergens. Denna studie undersöker veckbildning i bergskedjor, specifikt utvecklingen av framåtvända veck och kilens utveckling. Detta gjordes genom geometrisk analys av bilder tagna av ett försök utfört i en analog Sandbox-modell (gjort 2011) som bestod av horisontella lager förkortade från ena änden till 25% bulk-förkortning ovanför en fast bas. Kilar såsom de som ses i modellen hittas i naturen som accretionära prismor i konvergenszoner och på vardera sida om bergskedjor. Genom att simulera skapandet av dessa kilar och veck i en kontrollerad miljö är det möjligt att skapa sig en förståelse för de mekaniska processer som är involverade i dess skapande, vilket möjliggör en bättre förståelse av dessa processer i naturen. Denna studie är huvudsakligen baserad på mätning av separation skapad av veckning, veckens stupning vid olika djup och kilens dimensioner, tillsammans med andra geometriska egenskaper. Resultaten visade tydliga trender för utvecklingen av dessa geometriska egenskaper i samband med att modellen förkortades. Resultaten visar att framåtvända veck blir inaktiva när ett nytt veck utvecklas framför den. Mängden separation inom ett veck beror på hur snart det nya vecket utvecklas framför den och kast (vertikal komponent) är i allmänhet större än hiv (horisontell komponent). Stupning av ett veck blir brantare när vecket kumulativt roterar bakåt genom att det skapas nya veck framför den. Utvecklingen av vecken har en direkt inverkan på kilens utveckling. Kilen är längre än den är hög och då de förkortade lagren komprimeras växer kilens dimensioner i olika takt. Överlag överensstämmer resultaten av denna studie med tidigare forskning inom ämnet. Om veckandet av bergmassor är naturens origami, kan studerandet av dessa processer möjliggöra för oss att förstå hur bergskedjor utvecklas, precis som att studerandet av hur ett papper viker sig, kan visa oss hur en servett kan förvandlas till en svan.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第25259号 / 工博第5218号 / 新制||工||1995(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市社会工学専攻 / (主査)教授 林 為人, 教授 村田 澄彦, 教授 福山 英一 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Cette thèse traite de l’enregistrement de la déformation, à différentes échelles de temps et d’espace dans la chaîne plissée de Malargüe et le bloc de San Rafael, situés dans la partie septentrionale du bassin de Neuquén en Argentine. La première partie du travail comprend une analyse de la déformation finie (chaîne de Malargüe) et de la déformation active (bloc de San Rafael) à l’échelle macroscopique. De manière générale, les coupes structurales régionales proposées mettent clairement en évidence le rôle l’héritage structural lié aux structures générées lors de l’ouverture du bassin au Jurassique. Nous montrons également que les mécanismes de soulèvement actuels du bloc de San Rafael à l’est reprennent les modalités de la déformation d’âge Miocène dans la chaîne. Contrairement au mode de structuration des prismes critiques classiques caractérisés par la localisation de la déformation le long d’un niveau de décollement, la structuration de la chaîne est ici issue d’une déformation distribuée plus largement dans la lithosphère. A l’échelle de l’endommagement mesoscopique, la fracturation régionale nous a permis d’enregistrer les différents champs de contraintes régionaux liés aux phases de raccourcissement depuis le domaine pré-plissement jusqu’à la phase syn-plissement. Ces différentes phases sont en accord avec la cinématique de la convergence de la plaque Nazca depuis le Crétacé supérieur. A l’échelle microscopique, l’analyse des propriétés de susceptibilité magnétique des roches met en évidence, d’une part, une compartimentalisation de la déformation à l’échelle de la matrice liée à l’héritage structural extensif. D’autre part, la distribution spatiale de cet endommagement ne démontre pas l’existence de gradient clair des fabriques magnétiques depuis l’avant-pays vers les zones internes ce qui confirme le caractère atypique du système Andin à la latitude de 35°S. Ce dernier étant principalement contrôlé par une déformation distribuée, liée à l’héritage structural et singulièrement différente de celle attendu dans le cadre de la théorie du prisme critique. / This PhD project deals with multiscale record of the tectonic signal in the Malargüe fold-and-thrust-belt (MFTB) located in the northern part of the Neuquén basin (Argentina). The first results presented rely on the study of the macroscopic finite strain in the fold-belt and the characterization of the active deformation of the San Rafael Block uplift. The cross-sections we produce show that structural inheritance related to the Jurassic extension is the main parameter controlling the belt structure. In addition we proposed that the building mechanisms that controlled the MFTB evolution by Miocene times are the same than those triggering the present day San Rafael block uplift. The second part of this work is dedicated to mesoscopic strain pattern analysis recorded by fracture networks. Throughout the MFTB, we are able to describe the occurrence of four main fractures sets emplaced in several stress regime that are linked (1) to the inheritance and (2) to the well-known compression phases from pre-folding to syn-folding settings. Finally the third part of this work describes the microscopic damage recorded by the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility method. We mainly evidence that there is no clear gradient of magnetic fabrics from foreland to hinterland and that deformation is compartmentalized by structural inheritance. This atypical pattern of magnetic fabrics succession reveals that the matrix damage is governed by the same strain distribution as those observed at macroscopic scale thus providing a supplementary argument to consider the Andean system at these latitudes as singularly different from a classical Coulomb wedge.

La péninsule de la Gaspésie (Québec, Canada) présente un potentiel pétrolier dans les roches datées de l'Ordovicien tardif au Dévonien inférieur. Dans l'est de la ceinture de Gaspé, des puits producteurs de gaz prouvent la présence de réservoirs pétroliers. Des nouvelles études structurales et des études de bassin dans la ceinture de Gaspé permettent de mieux évaluer le potentiel pétrolier de cette région. Nous présentons ici une nouvelle méthodologie pour la prospection d'hydrocarbures dans les régions de piémont de type « fold and thrust belt » comme la ceinture de Gaspé. Nous avons développé cette méthodologie en la testant au niveau de la partie centrale de la ceinture de Gaspé. Nous avons intégré les données géologiques et géophysiques disponibles pour l'étape d'imagerie sismique 2D afin de construire une image sismique directement en profondeur, ce qui a permis d'améliorer l'interprétation structurale, notamment la caractérisation des structures profondes et des failles majeures. Ce travail est suivi d'une modélisation de bassin afin d'évaluer le potentiel pétrolier. Cette étude s'effectue en plusieurs étapes : 1) La construction du modèle structural : L'intégration des données géologiques dans l'étape de la migration en profondeur avant sommation permet d'améliorer le rendu des images sismiques. Ces nouvelles images sont plus fiables et, étant migrées directement en profondeur, rendent les interprétations plus proches de la géometrie réelle du sous-sol. Ces informations permettent de construire un modèle géologique plus complexe et de mieux contraindre le modèle structural de la ceinture acadienne. Les nouvelles interprétations ont permis en particulier, de mieux comprendre la relation entre les ceintures acadienne et taconienne. 2) L'évolution du modèle structural : il a été possible de valider la cohérence de la géométrie structurale grâce aux techniques de restauration. Cependant ce procédé n'a été appliqué qu'au niveau du Synclinal du Lac des Huit-Miles sur les successions stratigraphiques siluro-dévoniennes de la ceinture acadienne : les formations cambroordoviciennes ont été déformées par les orogenèses taconiennes et acadiennes ce qui rend impossible leur restauration. Ce scénario cinématique a été utilisé pour comprendre l'évolution géodynamique de la ceinture de Gaspé et ainsi permettre de proposer une nouvelle géométrie plus favorable à la production et à la migration des hydrocarbures. 3) Évaluation du système pétrolier : Suite à l'étape de restauration, la modélisation de bassin avec le logiciel Temis2D® a été appliquée à la succession stratigraphique Silurien-Dévonien du synclinal du Lac des Huit-Milles et à l'anticlinal de Causapscal. Temis2D® a permis de prédire l'évolution de la roche mère et le degré de maturation ainsi que la génération et l'expulsion des hydrocarbures, en utilisant le modèle structural et les données géochimiques des puits de la ceinture de Gaspé.

Enhancement methods applied on various satellite images (ASTER, ETM and RADAR SAT-1) facilitated the identification and mapping of tectonic fractures in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt in southwest Iran. The results of the fracture analysis on these enhanced images reveal four principal fracture sets within each fold structure: (i) an axial set defined by normal faults oriented parallel to the fold axial trace, (ii) a cross-axial, extensional fracture set oriented perpendicular to the fold axial trace, (iii) and two sets of intersecting shear fractures, oriented at an acute angle to the cross-axial set. Study of the enhanced images also revealed five fracture sets along the Kazerun fault zone: (i) Riedel R- and R'-shear fracture sets, (ii) extensional T fracture set oriented at a high angle to the trace of the main Kazerun fault, (iii) oblique, synthetic P-shear fracture set, at a low angle to the trace of the main Kazerun fault, and (iv) synthetic Y-shear displacement fracture set, oriented sub-parallel to the main trace of the fault. The estimated mean azimuths of the shortening that developed the fold- and fault-related fracture systems are remarkably close, and are oriented perpendicular to the general NW-SE trend of the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt. The sampling and analysis of the fold- and fault-related fracture systems were done in a GIS environment. This study shows that an analysis of enhanced satellite images can reveal significant information on the deformation style, timing, and kinematics of the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt. This study suggests that the Zagros orogenic belt, which has mainly been forming since Miocene, due to the convergence of the Iranian and Arabian subplates, has evolved both by thin- and thick-skinned tectonics. Reconfiguration of the Precambrian basement blocks, and the ensuing slip and rotation along the Precambrian faults during the Zagros orogeny, have deformed the folds, and redistributed the fold-related fractures through rigid-body rotation.

Debate persists on the timing, magnitude and style of crustal shortening, uplift and basin evolution in the Andes. Many studies suggest that the central Andes, including the Altiplano plateau, were gradually uplifted as a result of protracted Cenozoic retroarc shortening. However, recent isotopic studies conclude that the Andes instead rose in pulses, with the most significant event occurring at 10-6 Ma. Many researchers attribute these rapid pulses of uplift to lower lithosphere delamination events. A better understanding of the history of Cenozoic crustal shortening is essential for determination of the mechanism(s) of Andean uplift. The well-exposed Cenozoic San Jerónimo Group was studied in the Ayaviri basin of the northern Altiplano in southern Peru. The 3-5 km-thick succession is situated at 3900-4800 m elevation, between the Western Cordillera magmatic arc and the Eastern Cordillera fold-thrust-belt. New detrital zircon U-Pb geochronological results from four sandstones and one reworked tuff in the San Jerónimo succession show large age populations indicative of syndepositional volcanism between approximately 38 and 27 Ma. A 1600-m-thick magnetostratigraphic section further constrains the depositional timing and accumulation rate of the upper portion of the succession. Sedimentological observations show a rapid transition from cross-stratified braided-fluvial sandstones to proximal channel-fill and alluvial-fan conglomerates at ~30 Ma. Paleocurrent measurements show important temporal and spatial variations in sediment dispersal patterns while conglomerate clast counts show an upsection transition from almost exclusively volcanic input to increasing contributions of clastic, quartzite, and limestone detritus. The corresponding shifts in depositional environment and sediment provenance are attributed to the activation of new thrust structures in close proximity to the basin, namely the Pucapuca-Sorapata fault system, indicating the presence of an eastward advancing fold-thrust belt dating to at least 38 Ma and reaching the Ayaviri basin within the northern Altiplano plateau at ~30 Ma. / text

The southern Patagonian Andes record the Late Cretaceous closure and inversion of the Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous Rocas Verdes marginal basin, subsequent development of the Patagonian retroarc fold-thrust belt and the Neogene to present tectonic superposition of a left-lateral strike-slip plate margin defined by the Magallanes- Fagnano fault zone. In this dissertation, I present new geologic maps, cross sections and detailed macro- and microscopic structural analyses that describe the geometry and kinematic evolution of the fold-thrust belt and superposed strike-slip deformation over ~200 km along-strike between 53° and 55° S latitude. Results are discussed in the context of the regional tectonic development of the southernmost Andes and are relevant to the understanding of important tectonic processes including the development of a retroarc fold-thrust belt, the formation of a basal décollement below and toward the hinterland of a fold-thrust belt and the spatial distribution of deformation along a strike-slip plate margin. New maps and balanced cross-sections of the Patagonian fold-thrust belt show that it developed during two main phases of Late Cretaceous to Paleogene shortening that were partly controlled by the antecedent geology and mechanical stratigraphy of the Rocas Verdes basin. During the Late Cretaceous, a thin-skinned thrust belt developed above a décollement that formed first in relatively weak shale deposits of the Rocas Verdes basin and later deepened to <1 km below the basement-cover contact. Ramps that cut mechanically rigid volcanic rocks of the marginal basin link the two décollements. Basement-involved reverse faults that cut the early décollements and probably reactivate Jurassic normal faults reflect Paleogene shortening. Shortening estimates increase northwest to southeast from 26 to 37% over 100 km along-strike and are consistent with regional models of the fold-thrust belt. Structural data, kinematic analyses, and microstructural observations from the lower décollement show that it is defined by transposition of several generations of northeast-vergent noncylindrical folds, shear bands, and a quartz stretching lineation that are kinematically compatible with first-generation structures of the fold-thrust belt. Quartz microstructural data from the décollement are consistent with deformation temperatures that decrease from ~500-650° C to ~400-550° C over ~75 km in the transport direction, indicating that the décollement dipped shallowly (~6°) toward the hinterland. The décollement decoupled the underthrust continental margin from the fold- thrust belt and exemplifies the kinematic relationship between shortening that occurs coevally in a retroarc fold thrust-belt and its polydeformed metamorphic ‘basement’. Fault kinematic data and crosscutting relationships show kinematic and temporal relationships between populations of thrust, strike-slip and normal faults that occur in the study area. Thrust faults form an internally compatible population that shows subhorizontal northeast-trending shortening of the fold-thrust belt and is kinematically distinct from populations of normal and strike-slip faults. Both strike-slip and normal faults crosscut the fold-thrust belt, are localized near segments of the Magallanes- Fagnano fault zone, have mutually compatible kinematic axes and are interpreted to be coeval. Strike-slip faults form Riedel and P-shear geometries that are compatible with left-lateral slip on the Magallanes-Fagnano fault-zone. Strike-slip and normal faults occur in a releasing step-over between two overlapping left-lateral, left-stepping segments of the Magallanes fault zone and record a tectonic event defined by sinistral transtension that probably reflects changing plate dynamics associated with the opening of the Drake Passage during the Early Miocene. / text

The Late Cretaceous Trail Member of the Ericson Sandstone represents a regionally extensive fluvial system that transported sediments from the Sevier fold and thrust belt and Uinta Mountain uplift to the Western Interior Seaway. The Trail Member is a petroleum reservoir target that has unpredictable production rates due to the unknown behavior and connectivity of channel sandstones. The abundant outcrop, wellbore, and core data available allows for a comprehensive analysis of how the fluvial architecture, connectivity, and reservoir quality change along 65 km of depositional dip. Observations made at Flaming Gorge and Clay Basin (most landward field locations) suggest a highly mobile fluvial system that was influenced by both autogenic channel clustering and allogenic forcing. Evidence is seen for movement along the Sevier fold and thrust belt and early Laramide uplift of the Uinta Mountains. Specifically, three zones identify temporal tectonic changes throughout deposition of the Trail Member. The Upper and Lower Trail zones represent times of low accommodation as the fluvial system must avulse and move laterally to find available space. The Middle Trail zone represents a higher accommodation setting with internal autogenic channel clustering. This shows that on a finer timescale, autogenic processes control sediment distribution, while on a longer timescale, external drivers, specifically tectonics, control the distribution of sediment in the Trail fluvial system. Significant changes were observed within the Trail Member towards the basin. At Northern Colorado, lenticular, fluvial-dominated sands are still common, preserved organic and woody material, mud cracks, and increased bioturbation are observed that are not present elsewhere. The sandstone channels are slightly wider, have more common occurrences of low flow-regime sedimentary structures such as ripples and mud cracks, and appear to be more individually isolated with thin fine-grained material surrounding the channels. On a larger scale, photogrammetric analysis shows a rapid lateral change (0.3 km) from a sand-rich, channel-dominated expression to a mud-rich, channel-poor character. These observations suggest a lower energy fluvial system focused within a possible incised valley showing that the fluvial system is being influenced primarily by eustatic forces, rather than tectonics. Subsurface data from twelve wells located north of the Northern Colorado locality show a rapid (15 km) increase in thickness (97 m to 182 m) and decrease in net-to-gross (89.3% to 65.3%). Early subsidence of the Washakie sub-basin just east of the wells could account for the rapid increase in accommodation. Another possible explanation for the rapid thickness increase to the northeast could be the presence of an incised valley. These possibilities show the complexity of the environment within which the Trail Member fluvial system deposited sediments.

Des modèles géométriques ont été proposés pour reconstruire la géométrie de plis associés aux rampes (par exemple pli sur flexure de faille), en identifiant en particulier la profondeur de niveau de décollement et le déplacement total sur la rampe. Ces méthodes de reconstruction géométrique sont appliquées pour des plis partiellement érodés. Au cours de l'érosion, le cut-off de la rampe peut être érodé et, par conséquent, le déplacement sur la rampe est difficile à quantifier. Dans cette thèse, nous développons onze modèles thermo-géométriques. Les modèles combinent les données géométriques et les données d’enfouissement pour proposer une évolution cinématique d’un pli avec cut-off érodé. Nous supposons que la mise en place d'une unité tectonique produit une anomalie thermique dans le mur de la faille, et que cette anomalie thermique pourrait indiquer une épaisseur de bloc chevauchant. Les modèles fournissent une estimation de la profondeur de décollement et le déplacement total sur une rampe érodée, qui ne dépend pas de taux d’érosion. Dans le cas de chevauchements actifs, les modèles proposent un taux de déplacement et un âge de l'initiation de la faille en fonction de taux d'érosion. Ces données sont utilisées pour proposer un développement cinématique de coupes érodées. Nous appliquons les modèles sur les plis érodés et actif à Taiwan dans les zones de Choshui et Miaoli. On propose des coupes régionales équilibrées en utilisant la technique de modélisation directe. Dans la section Choshui, nous proposons un niveau de détachement de ~5 km à ~14 km, marquée par deux sauts successifs de rampes de ~5 km and ~4 km. En supposant un taux d'érosion à 4 mm/an, l'âge de l’initiation de chevauchement active est entre 3,3 Ma dans la partie intérieure de prisme (Chevauchement de Tili) à 0,9 Ma dans la partie extérieur (Chevauchement de Chelungpu). Le raccourcissement totale sur la coupe de Choshui est ~100 km et le taux de déplacement calculé est ~1 cm/an. Pour tester nos modèles thermo-géométriques dans une chaîne plissée inactive, on applique nos modèles sur les plis érodés associés aux failles de Pine Mountain et Jones Valley dans la chaîne plissée des Appalaches. L'application des modèles thermo-géométriques nous permet d’estimer une quantité de déplacement sur les deux failles et expliquer de manière satisfaisante l'anomalie thermique dans le mur des failles de Pine Mountain et Jones Valley. Afin d'améliorer la description de l’anomalie thermique qui se développe dans le soubassement des failles, on a étudié l'évolution des minéraux magnétiques des roches argileuses le long de quatre sections dans la chaîne plissée à Taiwan. On a remarqué que la greigite (Fe3S4) domine l'assemblage magnétique dans les roches enfouies à moins à moins de de 70°C. La magnétite (Fe3O4) se développe pour des températures d’enfouissement de ~50°C et domine l’assemblage magnétique jusqu'à ~350° C. A partir ~300°C, la pyrrhotite monoclinique (Fe7S8) se développe aux dépens de la magnétite, et à ~350°C, la magnétite n'est plus détecté. Ces résultats peuvent être utilisés en complément d'autres géothermomètres pour identifier les anomalies thermiques dans une gamme de de 50-70°C et de 300-350°C où les caractéristiques des minéraux magnétiques sont identifiées / Geometric models have been proposed to account satisfactorily for ramp-related folds (e.g. fault-bend fold), identifying in particular detachment depth and total shortening. These methods of geometric reconstruction are applied on partially eroded folds. During erosion, the fault cut-off may be removed and as a result, the displacement is difficult to quantify. In this thesis, we develop 11 thermo-geometric models combining geometric description of folds and burial data to propose kinematic evolution of folds with eroded cut-offs. We assume that the emplacement of a tectonic unit will result in a thermal anomaly in the footwall, and that this thermal anomaly might indicate a thickness of the overriding unit. The models provide an estimation of the detachment depth and the total shortening on an eroded ramp, independent of the erosion rate. In the case of active thrusts, the models provide an estimation of the slip rate and the age of the initiation of the thrust as a function of the erosion rate. These data are used to unravel the kinematic development of eroded cross-sections. We apply the models on eroded folds from Taiwan underlined by active thrusts in the Choshui and Miaoli sections. We propose regional balanced cross-sections using forward modeling technique. In the Choshui section, we propose a detachment profile with a depth between ~ 5 km and ~ 14 km, marked by two steps of ~ 5 km. Assuming erosion rate at 4 mm/a, the age of initiation of the active thrusts is ranging from 3.3 Ma inward (Tili thrust) to 0.9 Ma outward (Chelungpu thrust). The total shortening from the whole section is ~100 km and the calculated slip rate is about 1 cm/a. To test our models in a non-active fold-and-thrust belt, we study eroded folds associated to the Pine Mountain thrust and Jones Valley thrust from the Appalachian belt. The application of the thermo-geometric models provides a value of the total shortening and explains satisfactorily the thermal anomaly in the footwall of the Jones Valley thrust. In order to improve the description of the thermal anomaly, we have studied the evolution of magnetic minerals of argillaceous rocks in four sections from the Taiwan thrust belt. We found that the iron sulfide greigite (Fe3S4) is dominating the magnetic assemblage in the less buried rocks (<70°C). The magnetite (Fe3O4) develops at burial temperature of ~50°C and is dominating the magnetic assemblage up to ~350°C. By ~300°C, the monoclinic pyrrhotite (Fe7S8) develops at the expense of magnetite, and at ~350°C, the magnetite is no longer detected. These results can be used complementary to other geothermometers to identify thermal anomalies in the range 50-70°C and 300-350°C where characteristic magnetic minerals are identified