Finite element modelling of evaporite flow constrained by kinematic markers in the Messinian of the Eastern Mediterranean

Salt has the unique ability to flow on geological timescales in response to even low differential stresses. This has facilitated the formation of complex structures in many sedimentary basins globally. Since many salt basins experience multiple deformational phases after deposition, disentangling the key drivers of deformation is often challenging. Here, we use basin-scale numerical modelling focusing on the geological creep of salt in order to recreate displaced fluid escape pipes acting as kinematic markers in the Eastern Mediterranean. We use a parameter sweep to demonstrate that a numerical solution of the maximum horizontal pipe displacement is contained within realistic values of basinal tilt and evaporite rheologies. Optimal modelled flow profiles were found to be parabolic, with lower viscosity models tending to a sigmoidal solution and higher viscosity models tending to a laminar linear solution. There are significant discrepancies between model-derived flow profiles and idealised Couette flow, which may lead to challenges regarding prior bulk flow reconstructions. These results are uniquely observationally constrained, and provide insights into the driving forces behind basin-scale salt flow, along with the stress evolution of basins and the nature of passive strain markers within evaporite sequences. • Basin-scale numerical modelling is used to predict the flow of evaporites (salt). • Models are found to accurately represent the displacement of a pipe trail, internal to the salt. • The flow profile in the salt is sensitive to base salt relief, salt viscosity and basinal tilt angle.