| Mesozoic contractional structures within central Idaho haven’t been previously described and synthesized at a regional scale. This warranted the new analysis and geologic modeling, which constrains the kinematics, magnitude of shortening, structural style, and timing of significant shortening-related structures within central Idaho.Balanced and sequentially-restorable-cross-sectional modeling suggest that majorthrust faults along the transect were rooted within décollements that exploited mechanically weak sedimentary rocks. This shortening, which was accommodated by thrust faults and folds with a WSW-ENE shortening direction, only involved Neoproterozoic and younger strata. Additionally, deformation within the region was finished by the end of Early Cretaceous time given that two plutons—dated to 95.7 ± 2.7and 91.4 ± 2.4 Ma—cross-cut contractional structures. Integrated with recent work in southwestern Montana, results from central Idaho suggest that the northeastward transition to a thick-skinned structural style occurred as a consequence of the pre-shortening stratigraphic architecture of the overlying plate. Key Words: fold-thrust belt, structural style, thin-skinned, thick-skinned, geologicmodeling, central Idaho. |