Intra-orogenic extension driven by gravitational instability: Carpathian-Pannonian orogeny

Research Article| December 01, 2007 Intra-orogenic extension driven by gravitational instability: Carpathian-Pannonian orogeny Gregory A. Houseman; Gregory A. Houseman 1Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lykke Gemmer Lykke Gemmer 1Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Gregory A. Houseman 1Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK Lykke Gemmer 1Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 14 Apr 2007 Revision Received: 01 Aug 2007 Accepted: 06 Aug 2007 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 The Geological Society of America, Inc. Geology (2007) 35 (12): 1135–1138. https://doi.org/10.1130/G23993A.1 Article history Received: 14 Apr 2007 Revision Received: 01 Aug 2007 Accepted: 06 Aug 2007 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Gregory A. Houseman, Lykke Gemmer; Intra-orogenic extension driven by gravitational instability: Carpathian-Pannonian orogeny. Geology 2007;; 35 (12): 1135–1138. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G23993A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The extensional Pannonian Basin was formed in a few million years during Miocene time synchronously with contraction in the surrounding Alpine and Carpathian orogens. This system is characteristic of a class of extensional basins that form in the midst of active orogenic (mountain-forming) belts. The mechanism that causes this type of geological event is enigmatic but usually has been associated with subduction. We examine a new hypothesis for intra-orogenic extensional basin formation in which gravitational spreading of previously thickened crust triggers gravitational instability of the mantle lithosphere. A basin is formed by lithospheric extension as shortening and lithospheric downwelling occur in the surrounding mountain belts. This mechanism provides a mechanically self-consistent explanation for all of the main structural features of the Pannonian-Carpathian system and presents a plausible alternative to the popular view that subduction and slab rollback have driven the development of this basin. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.