Changes

==History==

==History==

Structural balancing was first applied (but not introduced as a term) by Chamberlin (1910) to predict the geometry of the subsurface based on outcrop relationships.‎<ref name=Chamberlin_1910>Chamberlin, R. T. (1910). The Appalachian folds of central Pennsylvania. The Journal of Geology, 18(3), 228-251.</ref> At the start of the Twentieth Century, deciphering the evolution of mountain belts and orogens represented an early stage of studying the kinematics associated with deformation.‎<ref name=Peach_1907>Peach, B. N. (1907). The geological structure of the North-West Highlands of Scotland. HM Stationery Office.</ref> As a defined term, balancing initially referred to the conservation of bed lengths and thicknesses.‎<ref name=Dahlstrom_1969 />

Structural balancing was first applied (but not introduced as a term) by Chamberlin‎<ref name=Chamberlin_1910>Chamberlin, R. T., 1910, The Appalachian folds of central Pennsylvania: The Journal of Geology, v. 18, no. 3, p. 228-251.</ref> to predict the geometry of the subsurface based on outcrop relationships. At the start of the Twentieth Century, deciphering the evolution of mountain belts and orogens represented an early stage of studying the kinematics associated with deformation.‎<ref name=Peach_1907>Peach, B. N. (1907). The geological structure of the North-West Highlands of Scotland. HM Stationery Office.</ref> As a defined term, balancing initially referred to the conservation of bed lengths and thicknesses.‎<ref name=Dahlstrom_1969 />

In the 1960s, Bally et al (1966) and Dahlstrom (1969) first used restoration as a tool to assess interpretation and predict geometry of structures whose interpretations were highly uncertain.‎<ref name=Ballyetal_1966>Bally, A. W., Gordy, P. L., & Stewart, G. A. (1966). Structure, seismic data, and orogenic evolution of southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 14(3), 337-381.</ref>‎<ref name=Dahlstrom_1969 /> Advancements in computer science at the end of the century has had great impact in converting balancing and restoration concepts into software applications that can handle structural analysis of 2D sections and maps. Most recently as computer power increased and algorithms enhanced, commercial software applications allowed for the handling of 3D volumes balancing and restoration.

In the 1960s, Bally et al (1966) and Dahlstrom (1969) first used restoration as a tool to assess interpretation and predict geometry of structures whose interpretations were highly uncertain.‎<ref name=Ballyetal_1966>Bally, A. W., Gordy, P. L., & Stewart, G. A. (1966). Structure, seismic data, and orogenic evolution of southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 14(3), 337-381.</ref>‎<ref name=Dahlstrom_1969 /> Advancements in computer science at the end of the century has had great impact in converting balancing and restoration concepts into software applications that can handle structural analysis of 2D sections and maps. Most recently as computer power increased and algorithms enhanced, commercial software applications allowed for the handling of 3D volumes balancing and restoration.

[[file:AlHawajAlQahtaniFigure3.jpg|thumb|300px|{{figure number|3}}Examples of 2D restoration at extensional (left) and compressional (right) regimes.‎<ref name=Neumaier_2016 />]]

[[file:AlHawajAlQahtaniFigure3.jpg|thumb|300px|{{figure number|3}}Examples of 2D restoration at extensional (left) and compressional (right) regimes.‎<ref name=Neumaier_2016 />]]

* Validation/invalidation of interpretation and prediction of unseen geometries: Structural restoration and balancing assist in evaluating the interpretation, making them powerful tools in predicting the geometries of horizons and faults that are not imaged or only poorly imaged. In doing so, the interpreted faults and horizons are checked against geologically plausible deformational models and styles to test their viability. For instance, Chamberlin (1910) used balancing methods to predict the geometry of the subsurface based on outcrop relationships.‎<ref name=Chamberlin_1910 />

* Validation/invalidation of interpretation and prediction of unseen geometries: Structural restoration and balancing assist in evaluating the interpretation, making them powerful tools in predicting the geometries of horizons and faults that are not imaged or only poorly imaged. In doing so, the interpreted faults and horizons are checked against geologically plausible deformational models and styles to test their viability. For instance, Chamberlin<ref name=Chamberlin_1910 /> used balancing methods to predict the geometry of the subsurface based on outcrop relationships.‎

* Estimating extension, shortening and sub-seismic deformation: Balancing and restoration can be used to quantify the amount of extension and shortening by measuring the length difference between the deformed state and undeformed (restored) state ([[:file:AlHawajAlQahtaniFigure3.jpg|Figure 3]]). Additionally, restoration allows for the simulation of strain and dilatancy ([[:file:AlHawajAlQahtaniFigure2.jpg|Figure 2]]).

* Estimating extension, shortening and sub-seismic deformation: Balancing and restoration can be used to quantify the amount of extension and shortening by measuring the length difference between the deformed state and undeformed (restored) state ([[:file:AlHawajAlQahtaniFigure3.jpg|Figure 3]]). Additionally, restoration allows for the simulation of strain and dilatancy ([[:file:AlHawajAlQahtaniFigure2.jpg|Figure 2]]).

* Estimation of uplift and erosion: Rock and surface uplifts can lead to erosion and non-deposition, which would result in the removal of previously deposited sections. This means that there will be a difference between the area/volume/line length of the restored and the deformed rock. The importance of balancing and restoration is that such dissimilarity can be pinpointed in space and time to reincorporate missing section/volume back into the geological evolution.

* Estimation of uplift and erosion: Rock and surface uplifts can lead to erosion and non-deposition, which would result in the removal of previously deposited sections. This means that there will be a difference between the area/volume/line length of the restored and the deformed rock. The importance of balancing and restoration is that such dissimilarity can be pinpointed in space and time to reincorporate missing section/volume back into the geological evolution.