Scientific Responsible:

Dr. Marco Bonini (CNR Researcher)

People:

Dr. Giacomo Corti (CNR Researcher)

Prof. Federico Sani (University of  Florence)

Dr. Giovanna Moratti (CNR Researcher)

Dr. Andrea Agostini (University of  Florence)

Telephone Number:

055 2757528 

E-mail:

Dr. Marco Bonini:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  

Photo of the prototype apparatus for the deformation of analogue models under pure and simple shear conditions.

Instruments:

• Prototype apparatus for the deformation of analogue models under simple and pure shear conditions. The apparatus consists of two stepping motors with axis settled at 90°. The motors are connected to a mobile wall that transmits the deformation to the model. The resulting vector allows to vary the movement imposed to the mobile plate, thereby allowing the simulation of different deformation settings. A piston controlled by a third motor allows to simulate the  emplacement of magma into the analogue continental crust.

• Large-capacity centrifuge  allowing the deformation of analogue models in enhanced gravitational field. This capability makes this apparatus particularly useful for modelling geological processes in which the gravitational contrast plays a fundamental role, such as during the emplacement of magma, diapirism and salt tectonics.

• Pure shear squeeze box built at the Hans Ramberg Tectonic Lab, Uppsala University, Sweden. The apparatus allows to include in the modelling the isostatic compensation provided by asthenosphere.

• Coni-cylindrical viscometer for the measurement of rheological properties (such as the viscosity) of ductile experimental materials, for instance silicone putty.

Lines of research:

• Continental extension processes
• Emplacement of magma in various geodynamic processes
• Analysis of thrust systems
• Continental collision processes and development of orogenic belts
• Inversion tectonics
• Evolution of sedimentary basins
• Modelling of ice-flow dynamics
• Modelling of some landsliding processes

Related Pubblications:

Agostini A., Corti G. Zeoli A., Mulugeta G., 2009. Evolution, pattern and partitioning of deformation during oblique continental rifting: Inferences from lithospheric-scale centrifuge models. Geochemistry, Geosphysics, Geosystems (GCubed), 10,  Q11015,  doi:10.1029/2009GC002676.

Corti G., 2008. Control of rift obliquity on the evolution and segmentation of the main Ethiopian rift. Nature Geoscience, 1, 258-262.

Bonini M., 2007. Deformation patterns and structural vergence in brittle–ductile thrust wedges: An additional analogue modelling perspective. Journal of Structural Geology, 29, 141-158. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2006.06.012.

Corti G., Bonini, M., Innocenti, F., Manetti, P., Piccardo, G.B., Ranalli, G., 2007. Experimental models of extension of continental lithosphere weakened by percolation of asthenospheric melts. Journal of Geodynamics, 43, 465–483.

Corti G., 2005. Dynamics of periodic instabilities during stretching of the continental lithosphere: View from centrifuge models and comparison with natural examples. Tectonics, 24, TC2008, doi:10.1029/2004TC001739.

Corti G., Bonini M., Sokoutis D., Innocenti F., Manetti P., Cloetingh S., Mulugeta G., 2004. Continental rift architecture and patterns of magma migration: a dynamic analysis based on centrifuge models. Tectonics, 23, TC2012, doi:10.1029/2003TC001561.

Bonini M., 2003. Detachment folding, fold amplification, and diapirism in thrust wedge experiments. Tectonics, 22 (6), 1065; doi:10.1029/2002TC001458, 2003.

Corti G., Bonini M., Conticelli S., Innocenti F., Manetti P., Sokoutis D., 2003. Analogue modelling of continental extension: a review focused on the relations between the patterns of deformation and the presence of magma. Earth-Science Reviews, 63, 169-247.

Bonini M., D. Sokoutis, C.J. Talbot, M. Boccaletti, A.G. Milnes, 1999. Indenter growth in analogue models of Alpine-type deformation. Tectonics, 18, 119-128.

Bonini M., T. Souriot, M. Boccaletti, J.-P. Brun, 1997. Successive orthogonal and oblique extension episodes in a rift zone: Laboratory experiments with application to the Ethiopian Rift. Tectonics, 16, 347-362.

Other pictures:

Magma injection system of the pure/simple shear deformation apparatus

Large-capacity centrifuge (maximum model dimensions are 25cmx15cmx5cm

Optix 400 Laser Scanner (produced by 3D Digital Corp.). The laser scanner technology allows the reconstruction of accurate digital elevation models of the analogue experiments. Successive scans of the models allows the analysis of the evolution of model topography,  fault displacement and morphology, etc.

Coni-cylindrical viscometer. This apparatus was built at the Hans Ramberg Tectonic Lab of Uppsala, Sweden. It is designed to measure the viscosity of silicones and silicone mixtures (such as sand-silicone or plasticine-silicone mixtures).