Equal-area balancing

Abstract

Equal-area-balancing methods can be classified into: 1) the area-restoration method and 2) the excess-area method. Area-restoration methods are tested and applied to balance cross sections through the northeast Brooks Range and the southern Appalachians. The excess area method relates the excess area (A) above a reference unit and the shortening of the unit (1°-1′) to the depth of detachment (z) by the equation z=A/(1°-1′) . It is illustrated in an example from the Pennsylvania Valley and Ridge and some examples from the Taiwan and Jura fold and thrust belts. -from Authors