Doctoral defence – Sebastian Wolf

The objective of this project is to advance our understanding of mountain building processes in different plate tectonic settings and with specific focus on the interaction between surface processes and tectonics. Three topics are investigated:

1. The factors controlling overriding plate extension or shortening in ocean-continent

subduction systems.

2. The evolution of continent-continent collision orogens from small to large, their

typical distribution of shortening, variable structural style, and associated controlling

factors.

3. The relation between surface processes and tectonics during orogenic growth and

decay and the factors controlling height, width, and longevity of collisional mountain

belts.

The three research aspects are investigated with the help of numerical models and comparison to natural examples. The newly developed models allow for the first time to efficiently model the coupling between tectonic deformation, erosion and deposition. Results are synthesized in published or submitted articles, provide new geodynamic relationships, ideas, and theory, and simplify understanding of mountain building on Earth.