ABSTRACT
The ability to construct an integrated salt and sediment model, which evolves with time and space, is by no means a complete description of the combined interaction of salt and sediments. The thermal anomaly size, with both depth and lateral location from the salt, is influenced by the dynamical development, as is the corresponding thermal maturation of sediments. The contemporaneous motion and distortion of the sediments, in response to movement of the salt, then influence the distribution of sedimentary load bearing down on the underlying salt and so change the withdrawal characteristics of the salt in creating a rim syncline. Observations of sedimentary beds in the vicinity of salt structures indicate a variety of phenomena, ranging from upturning and thinning of beds, to complete overturning under mushroom caps, to downward warping in and near rim synclines. Observations of fracturing and faulting in sediments suggest that the evolving salt may have stressed the sediments beyond their ability to remain competent formations.
