How normal faulting and sedimentation interact to produce listric fault profiles and stratigraphic wedges

In a series of scale-experiments, we generated listric normal faults by extending models composed of colored sand layers deposited at regular time intervals throughout deformation during syntectonic sedimentation. Progressive bulk extension along a single set of faults caused domino-type tilting of fault blocks. Underlying tilted faults propagated upwards, with constant dips into newly sedimented layers. Hence fault profiles become progressively more listric. Tilting of the free surface resulted in asymmetrical depressions and in fan-shaped deposits.Stepwise or continuous geometric models of domino-tilting and synchronous sedimentation yield the same structural and stratigraphic features as observed in the sand models. The continuous geometric model shows that a critical parameter governing fault curvature is the ratio R between rates of bulk strain and sedimentation.Both types of models reveal that synchronous sedimentation and bulk extension are capable by themselves of generating listric normal faults.