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Backstop (geology)

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In geology, a backstop is the region of forearcs that has much higher shear strength and yield strength than other overriding material closer to the oceanic trench.[1][2] The area between the backstop and the trench deforms more than the area from the backstop away from the trench, resulting in different degrees of accumulated deformation.[2] In other words, it can be said that the backstop is relatively resistant to deviatoric stresses induced by subduction.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Byrne, Daniel E.; Wang, Wei-hau; Davis, Dan M. (1993). "Mechanical role of backstops in the growth of forearcs". Tectonics. 12 (1): 123–144. Bibcode:1993Tecto..12..123B. doi:10.1029/92TC00618.
  2. ^ a b c Kopp, Heidrun; Kukowski, Nina (2003). "Backstop geometry and accretionary mechanics of the Sunda margin". Tectonics. 22 (6): 1072. Bibcode:2003Tecto..22.1072K. doi:10.1029/2002TC001420.