Displacement-distance methods in the analysis of fold-thrust structures and linked-fault systems

A new method for analysing the internal strain in thrust sheets is described, in which the displacement-distance diagram is used to quantify the relative shortening (or stretching) between the hangingwall and footwall of a thrust. The stretch is a function of the relative rates of thrust propagation and thrust slip. A cumulative displacement-distance diagram can be used to calculate the absolute shortening or extension, when this is accommodated above a single decollement in a linked-fault system. The method can be used as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, balanced cross-sections.