Dr. Dixon's current research involves physical and mathematical modelling of the structural evolution of foreland fold and thrust belts such as the Canadian Rocky Mountain Fold-Thrust Belt. Such belts form when flat-lying sedimentary strata are subjected to horizontal compression due to plate convergence and undergo horizontal shortening and vertical thickening by folding, thrust- faulting and pervasive strain (layer-parallel shortening).

The objectives of the research are to determine how such folds and faults nucleate and propagate in time and space, how the processes of folding and faulting are inter-related, and how they are influenced by stratigraphic and structural heterogeneities. This work aims to aid exploration for petroleum within fold-thrust belts by improving our understanding of structural geometry and sequence of trap formation, thus aiding assessment of reservoir potential.

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