Strains within thrust-wrench zones

Finite strains resulting from combined wrenching and thrusting (or extension) are expected to be rather common in many tectonic contexts, for example during oblique convergence. In this brevia, we examine finite strains resulting from such deformations using a numerical simulation. In our simulation, oblique convergence environments produce flattening or plane strains, whereas oblique divergence environments yield constrictional or plane strains. Different combinations of wrenching and thrusting can yield principal strain directions with comparable orientations. Results emphasize that finite strain analysis alone may be of rather limited interest, even in relatively simple kinematic environments.