3D geometrical modelling of the non-cylindrical V<acute accent>elodrome Miocene fold in the southwestern Alps

Fold geometries and kinematics within foreland basins is a major issue for understanding the late evolution of thrust fronts. In the foreland of the southwestern Alps, the Ve<acute accent>lodrome complex fold involves the whole Tertiary series which have recorded the evolution of the alpine front. From a geometrical and kinematic point of view, the Ve<acute accent>lodrome is classically described as a recumbent Mio-Pliocene syncline with a strongly curved axis; interpreted either as a classic growth-fold, a post-deposit fold, or a result of coeval salt activity. The debate reveals a lack of consensus on the internal structure of the Ve<acute accent>lodrome and the potential role of salt motion. By a detailed field analysis coupled with an implicit 3D geometrical modelling approach, we test the different hypotheses and provide a new 3D illustrated interpretation of the Ve<acute accent>lodrome series. The Ve<acute accent>lodrome consists in a complex noncylindrical structure composed by several folds with different orientations together with inter- and intraformations unconformities. Folding is partly syn-depositional and began earlier in the south, near Esclangon village, than in the north. In the north, deformation started with the marly and sandy molasse (m2, middle Burdigalian), attested by the transition from the conformable conglomeratic marine molasse (m1-2, Aquitanian and early Burdigalian) to the unconformable m2 to the Valensole formation. Deformation began earlier in the south, during the deposition of the m1-2, as shown by internal unconformities. We discuss the ingredients controlling the deformation in the Ve<acute accent>lodrome, regional tectonics (mainly since middle Burdigalian) versus salt tectonics. This study further brings new constraints on the timing and pattern of deformation of the southwestern orogenic front of the Alps. It also highlights the power of the 3D geometrical modelling approach for testing different hypotheses and better understanding 3D complex structures.