AbstractThe paper is concerned with the finiteelement modelling of geologic phenomena. More specifically, the paper presents numerical models of folding and sait doming. A (penalty) finiteelement model based on the equations governing a viscous incompressible fluid is used to simulate the folding is used to simulate the folding of a viscous layer in a less viscous matrix and the salt dome formation, and to predict the location of active faulting and deformation in prograding delta systems on continentalmargins. The initiation and development of drape folding and associated faulting are also modelled. The United States continental margin of the Gulf of Mexico is used as an example of prograding delta system. The finiteelement predictions seem to agreewith the published results.
