Hinge migration as a mechanism of superimposed folding

Paraffin wax analogue modelling of superimposed folding shows how early fold shape and orientation determine fold-axis orientation, type of interference pattern and mechanism of superposed folding. During two successive deformations, the behaviour depends on the angle between the first and second compression directions. (i) When they are perpendicular to each other, classic superposed folding with either domes and basins, or folds with vertical axes develop, depending on whether the earlier folds were open or closed. (ii) When the two compression directions are oblique, the earlier folds rotate. The degree of rotation depends on the angle between the first folds and the later compression direction and is proportional to the amount of strain. The orientations of the new folds are close to those of the earlier open folds. The final deformation pattern consists of domains where the orientations of the axes depend on whether the early folds were previously either open or closed. Many early folds are reused to become later folds by the mechanism of hinge migration.These results are consistent with the pattern of superimposed folding observed in the Devoluy structure of the French Alps. They show that simply by studying the directions of fold axes in areas of superposed folding, it is not possible to define compression directions. Moreover there is the possibility that superposed folding may go unnoticed if hinge migration has occurred.