嘉南前麓地區之地質構造，可視為台灣本島弧陸碰撞運動變形的一部份。本區以西北-東南向之左鎮斷層為界，左鎮斷層以北地區之地表地質構造特性顯示出典型的覆瓦狀逆衝斷層構造，左鎮斷層以南地區在東側為覆瓦狀逆衝斷層之特性，其西則有構造三角帶之發育。左鎮以北區域之逆衝斷層由西自東分別有觸口斷層(最西)、崙後斷層、竹頭崎斷層、平溪斷層、旗山斷層(最東)之岀露。其中崙後斷層以西之關子嶺背斜構造，其地下構造形貌尚有爭議，學者多數同意關子嶺背斜為多個逆衝斷塊堆疊時伴生之褶皺，但對於逆衝斷塊之上部脫離面—六重溪斷層，部分學者將其解釋為正斷層；亦有人將其解釋為反向逆衝斷層因而形成一構造三角帶(triangle zone)。
本研究針對嘉南前麓地區之地質構造，利用砂盒物理模型為分析工具，透過不同界面條件之實驗，評估關子嶺地區之地質構造發育模式與左鎮斷層鄰近地區地質構造發育差異之成因。研究結果發現當具斷坪-斷坡形貌之逆衝斷層於其上部斷坪之上存在一早期發育之弱面(上部脫離面)，其位態傾向與下部斷坡傾向相反時，會有構造三角帶之發育並於斷坡處形成局部之構造高區。因此當六重溪斷層比對成模型中之反向逆衝斷層時，關子嶺背斜為多個逆衝斷塊堆疊時發育之構造三角帶在斷坡處伴生之褶皺。此外，左鎮斷層南側區域因有構造三角帶之發育(那拔林反向逆衝斷層-龍船斷層)，此構造三角帶導致斷層南、北兩側變形量集中位置不同，促使左鎮斷層南、北兩側發育不同的構造型態而發育出撕裂斷層(tear fault)，因此，左鎮斷層之發育可能是由於正斷層反轉發育走向滑移斷層所形成，且兼具撕裂斷層之特性。
本研究發現早期存在之反向弱面其發育位置不同，會影響構造三角帶發育形貌，本研究共歸納出三種不同形貌之構造三角帶：(1)反向逆衝斷層出露之構造三角帶，(2)" "形構造三角帶，(3)"人"形構造三角帶。

The geological structures of Chiayi-Tainan area could be view as one part of Arc-Continent Collision orogeny on Taiwan island. This area is divided by the NW-trending Tsochen fault into two regions. The exposed structures in the northern region exhibit typical imbricate structures which from west to east include Chukou fault, Lunhou fault, Chutouchi fault, Pingchi fault and Chishan fault.The southern part has the imbricate structures on its eastern side and a triangle zone on its western side. The Kuantzulin anticline locates in the west part of Lunhou fault. Most of previous studies show that the Kuantzulin znticline could be the co-generated fold of several duplexes, but some studies indicate the Liuchungchi fault is a normal fault and the anticline can be interpreted as a triangle zone.
This research uses sandbox model to evaluate the role of Tsochen fault on the structural development of the Chiayi-Tainan area. In addition, the genesis of the Kuantzulin anticline is also studied through the model simulation.
The study results show that the pre-existing weakness plane above the hanging wall flat in the flat-ramp-flat geometry is the main factor to control the initiation of a triangle zone. If the dip of the pre-existing fault is opposed to the dip of ramp, the triangle zone will form above the ramp. In addition, three different triangle zones (1)back thrust exposed triangle zone, (2) -shape triangle zone, and (3)人-shape triangle zone which depend on the location of pre-existing weakness plane are recognized. Compared to the regional geology, the Kuantzulin anticline can be interpreted as a triangle zone if the Liuchungchi fault is a west-dipping back thrust. In addition, a triangle zone develops in the south side of Tsochen fault which prompt different deformation style on its north and south side.

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