Experimental modelling of orogenic wedges: A review

Experimental modelling applied to the study of orogenic wedge dynamics has been a subject of fruitful research for more than 30 years, although the technique dates back as far as the early XIXth century. On one hand, several first order parameters controlling the structural evolution of mountain belts have been intensively investigated using the classic tectonic “sandbox” models. The main parameters are the properties of the basal décollement, the deforming material, the backstop, and fluxes, kinematics and surface processes. On the other hand, the morphological evolution of a mountain relief subjected to changing tectonic or climatic forcing has been addressed using another kind of approach called “geomorphic” models. Nowadays, the literature is extremely rich, particularly for the sandbox technique, so that it becomes difficult to have an exhaustive view of the effects of the above parameters on mountain evolution. In this article, we propose a detailed review of the main results obtained using both “tectonic” and “geomorphic” approaches. Our goal is to provide an almost complete state-of-the-art in the experimental study of relief dynamics to guide present and future researchers in their understanding of mountain belt evolution.

► Experimental modelling approaches have provided insights on our understanding of the dynamical evolution of mountain belts.
► Several first order and interdependent parameters control the evolution of accretionary wedges.
► The influence of each parameter is reviewed to help and guide researchers in their understanding of mountain belt evolution.