Do experts use idealised structural models? Insights from a deepwater fold–thrust belt

Theoretical models are often used to aid interpretation of geological data. For fold–thrust belts, structural and kinematic models have existed for over a century. While greatly contributing to our understanding of thrust systems, the usage of models can result in oversimplification and false kinematic interpretations. This paper investigates how and if experts use structural models in the interpretation of a seismic image from a deepwater fold–thrust belt. The results show that in the majority of cases experts produced interpretations that were compliant with key features in existing structural models. Those interpretations that were less compliant to existing models, better accounted for features present in natural and experimental analogues. This has implications for the general applicability of structural models in interpretation.