HEFEI BASIN IN EARLY CRETACEOUS -CHARACTERIZATION AND ANALYSIS OF PETROLEUM POTENTIAL

Comprehensive analyses were made based on seismic prospecting data, electrical prospecting data and basin simulation data as well as regional geological data and thorough discussions were conducted about the complicated structures, features and evolution of Hefei Basin in Early Cretaceous in this study, and it was derived that that Hefei Basin was a composite basin formed during the transformation of the stress field from compressive toward tensile in Early Cretaceous. In other words, this basin was a foreland basin of gliding-thrust type, which is mainly controlled by the Dabie orogenic belt in the south side in the early to middle period of Early Cretaceous, while being a strike-slip basin of pull-apart type, which is mainly controlled by the activity of Tanlu fracture in the east side in the middle to late period of Early Cretaceous. Moreover, the potential Lower Cretaceous oil and gas system in the pull-apart basin and the vista for its prospecting were explored in this study. Tectonism of the Tanlu fracture was further discussed based on the results of characterization of the basin, and it was pointed out that this is beneficial and instructive to the oil and gas prospecting in Hefei Basin.     

Tectonic Evolution of the Tianhuan Depression and the Western Margin of the Late Triassic Ordos

Abstract: The Ordos Basin is one of the most important oil and gas basins in China. Based on surface outcrop, key exploratory wells and seismic reflection data and by using the technology of “prototype basin recovery”, seismic profile “layer flattening” and “restoration of balanced section”,and other methods, the sedimentary boundary, structure and the evolution history of the Tianhuan depression on the western margin of the Ordos Basin are reestablished. The following results have been obtained. (1) The west boundary of the Late Triassic Ordos Basin was far beyond the scope of the current basin. The basin is connected with the Late Triassic Hexi Corridor Basin, and its western margin did not have tectonic characteristics of a foreland basin. (2) The Tianhuan depression was first formed in the Late Jurassic. At the late stage it was impacted by the late Yanshanian and Himalayan tectonic movement and the depression axis gradually moved eastwards to the present location with a cumulative migration distance of ~30 km. (3) Eastward migration of the depression axis caused adjustment and even destruction of the originally formed oil and gas reservoirs, so that oil and gas remigrated and aggregated, resulting in secondary structural reservoirs formed at high positions on the western flank of the depression.     

Characteristics of Coal Accumulation of Transform-Extensional Basins in Linear Fracture Zones: A Case Study of the Meihekou Basin

This paper discusses the characteristics of coal accumulation of transfor-extensional basins in linearfracture zones on the basis of an analysis of tectonic evolution and sequence stratigraphy in the Meihekou basin.Coal accumulation of the basin occurred mainly in the accelerated rifting period of the transtentional regime and inthe late period of tectonic transformation of the transpressional regime. In the former period, swamps developed inshallow lakes. The thickness of coal seams was controlled by the activity of fault block. Thick coal was formed in adownfaulted trough. In the latter period, swamps developed in a braided fan delta plain. The coal seams are thin andhave poor lateral continuity. The thickness of coal seams was controlled by the migration of water channels in thebraided plain.     

Tectonic Evolution of the Wanan Basin,Southwestern South China Sea

Quantitative studies on the extension and subsidence of the Wanan Basin were carried out based on available seismic and borehole data together with regional geological data.Using balanced cross-section and backstripping techniques,we reconstructed the stratigraphic deposition and tectonic evolution histories of the basin.The basin formed from the Eocene and was generally in an extensional/transtensional state except for the Late Miocene local compressoin.The major basin extension ocurred in the Oligocene and Early Miocene(before ~16.3 Ma) and thereafter uniform stretch in a smaller rate.The northern and middle basin extended intensely earlier during 38.6–23.3 Ma,while the southern basin was mainly stretched during 23.3–16.3 Ma.The basin formation and development are related to alternating sinistral to dextral strike-slip motions along the Wanan Fault Zone.The dominant dynamics may be caused by the seafloor spreading of the South China Sea and the its peripheral plate interaction.The basin tectonic evolution is divided into five phases:initial rifting,main rifting,rift-drift transition,structural inversion,and thermal subsidence.     

Further Morphologicai Data from the Taiku Basin

During a somewhat rapid reconnaissance journey taken throughpart of northern China in October and November,1936,the author tookthe opportunity,when passing through Shansi,to stop at Taiku to viewthe famous basin first described by G.·B.Barbour.~1 The basin was later     

Temporo-spatial Coordinates of Evolution of the Ordos Basin and Its Mineralization Responses

The Ordos basin was developed from Mid-Late Triassic to Early Cretaceous, and then entered into its later reformation period since the Late Cretaceous. Its main body bears the features of an intra-cratonic basin. The basin also belongs to a multi-superposed basin which has overlapped on the large-scale basins of the Early and Late Paleozoic. Currently, Ordos basin has become a residual basin experienced reformation of various styles since the Late Cretaceous. It＇s suggested that there were at least four obvious stages of tectonic deformations existing during the basin＇s evolution, dividing the evolution and sedimentation into four stages. The prior two stages were of the most prosperous, during which the lake basin was broad, the deposition range was more than twice larger than the current residual basin, resulting in major oil- and coal-bearing strata. The two stages were separated by regional uplift fluctuations in the area. At the end of the Yan＇an Stage, the depositional interruption and erosion were lasting for a short period of time. The third one is the Mid- Jurassic Zhiluo-Anding stage, in which the sedimentation extent was still broad but the lake area was obviously reduced. In the Late Jurassic tectonic deformation was intensive. A thrust-nappe belt was formed on the basin＇s western margin while conglomerate of different thickness were accumulated within the foredeep of the eastern side. The central and eastern parts of the basin were subject to erosion and reformation. A regional framework with ＂uplift in the east and depression in the west＂ took shape in the area west of the Yellow River. In the Early Cretaceous sediments were widely distributed, unconformably overlapping the former western margin thrust belt and the ridges on the northern and southern borders. There are abundant energy resources such as oil, natural gas, coal and uranium deposits formed in Ordos Basin. The main stages of generation, mineralization and positioning of the multiple energy resources have obvious responding co     

Magnetostratigraphy and Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility of the Lulehe Formation in the Northeastern Qaidam Basin

The timing of onset of deposition of the Lulehe Formation is a significant factor in understanding the genesis of the Qaidam basin and the evolution of the Tibetan Plateau. Here, we describe a detailed magnetostratigraphic and magnetic fabric study of the middle and lower parts of the Lulehe Formation. A total of 234 samples were collected from 117 sites throughout a thickness of almost 460 m of fluvial and lacustrine deposits at the Xitieshan section in the northeastern Qaidam basin. Out of these sites, 94 sites yielded well-defined characteristic remanent magnetization components by stepwise thermal demagnetization and were used to establish the magnetostratigraphy of the studied section. Based on correlation with the geomagnetic polarity timescale, the studied section spans the period from 53.8 Ma to 50.7 Ma. Our results show a three-fold decrease in sedimentation rates as well as marked change in facies from braided river to delta and shore–shallow lake around 52.6 Ma, which suggests tectonic uplift of the northeastern Qaidam basin margin ridge was rapid at the onset of formation of the Qaidam basin and subsequently weakened after 52.6 Ma. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility results indicate that tectonic compression stress had reached the northeastern Tibetan Plateau by the early stages of Indo–Eurasian plate collision and that the direction of stress in the study area was NE–SW. Furthermore, a weakening of tectonic compression stress around 52.6 Ma is consistent with sedimentary records. The age of initial deposition of the Qaidam basin (around 53.8 Ma) was almost synchronous with that of the Qiangtang, Hoh Xil, Xining, and Lanzhou basins, which implies that stress was transferred rapidly through the Tibetan Plateau during or immediately after the onset of Indo–Eurasian collision.     

Tectonic Evolution of the Junggar Foreland Basin in the Late Carboniferous-Permian

A comprehensive study has been carried out to subdivide and correlate the Upper Carboniferous and Permian sedimentary successions in the Junggar basin based on outcrops and drilling and geophysical data. The study results, combined with geological analyses of the basin's periphery and the basement, as well as studies of the sedimentary rocks within the basin, the unconformities, tectonic geometry, kinematics and geodynamics, lead to the conclusion that the Junggar basin was characterized by the development of foreland basin systems during the Late Carboniferous and Permian. During that period, three foreland basin systems were developed: (1) the northwest foreland basin system, which trended nearly north-south from Mahu to the Chepaizi Palaeo-mountain during its early stage of development and thus it was also referred to as the west foreland basin system; (2) the Karamaili foreland basin system in the east and (3) the Northern Tianshan foreland basin system in the south. These systems are different in s     

The Identification of an Alkaline Salt Lake:A Case Study from the Permian Fengcheng Formation in Hashan-Wuxia Area

正The study area is located in the northwest of Junggar basin which was in the relaxation stage of foreland basin accompanied by momentary extend volcanic activities when the Fengcheng Formation developed in early     

Provenance of Conglomerate and Sandstone from Early Permian Shoushangou Formation in Xi Ujimqin, Inner Mongolia: Implications for Understanding Paleo-Asian Ocean Subduction

During the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian, a rift was formed by post-collisional extension after ocean closure or an island arc-related basin formed by Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO) subduction in the Xi Ujimqin area. Nevertheless, the closure time of the PAO is still under debate. Thus, to identify the origin of the PAO, the geochemistry and U-Pb age of zircons were analyzed for the extra-large deep marine, polymict clastic boulders and sandstones in the Shoushangou Formation within the basin. The analyses revealed magmatic activity and tectonic evolution. The conglomerates include megaclasts of granite (298.8 ± 9.1?Ma) and granodiorite porphyry (297.1 ± 3.1?Ma), which were deposited by muddy debris flow. Results of this study demonstrated that the boulders of granitoids have the geochemistry of typical I-type granite, characterized by low Zr + Nb + Ce + Y and low Ga/Al values. The granitoid boulders were formed in island arc setting, indicating the presence of arc magmatism in the area that is composed of the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian subduction-related granitoid in southern Xi Ujimqin. Multiple diagrams for determining sedimentary provenance using major and trace elements indicate that Shoushangou sediments originated from continental island arc-related felsic rocks. Detrital zircon U-Pb age cluster of 330–280?Ma was obtained, indicating input from granite, ophiolite, Xilin Gol complex, and Carboniferous sources to the south. The basin was geographically developed behind the arc during the Early Permian period because the outcropped intrusive rocks in the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian form a volcanic arc. The comprehensive analyses of source areas suggest that Shoushangou sediments developed in a backarc basin in response to the northward subduction of the PAO. The backarc basin and intrusive rocks, in addition to previously published Late Carboniferous to Early Permian magmatic rocks of arc unit in Xilin Gol, confirm the presence of an Early Permian trench-arc-basin system in the region, represented by the Baolidao arc and Xi Ujimqin backarc basin. This study highlights the importance and potential of combined geochemical and geochronological studies of conglomerates and sandstone for reconstructing the geodynamic setting of a basin.     

Ore-forming material sources of the Baiyangping Cu-Co-Ag polymetallic deposit in the Lanping Basin,western Yunnan Province

The ore-forming material sources of the Baiyangping copper-cobalt-silver polymetallic deposit have been studied in view of the S, Pb, C, O and H isotopic characteristics and the ratio of Co/Ni of cobaltite. The results showed that sulfur in metallic sulfides may have come from a mixed sulfur-source consisting of the sulfur-source from metamorphic rocks in the basin basement with basic volcanic rocks and the sulfur-source from basin sulfates; lead in the ores was provided by the sedimentary rocks and basement rocks; CO2 in ore-forming fluids was derived from thermolysis of altered and normal marine facies carbonates and decarboxylation of sedimentary organic matter respectively; the ore-forming fluids belong to the SO4-Cl-Na-Ca-type basin thermal brines derived from paleo-meteoric waters; cobalt in the deposit may also be derived from the metamorphic rocks in the basin basement with basic volcanic rocks.     

Late Paleozoic Sequence-Stratigraphic Frameworks and Sea Level Changes in Dianqiangui Basin and Its Adjacent Areas with Systematic Revision of Regional Unconformities

The formation process of the Dianqiangui basin, a special basin, occurred after the Caledonian orogeny, in the south of Guizhou, the west of Giamgxo and the southeast of Yunnan, experienced three periods:it began in the Devonian, persisted in the Carboniferous, and became fiercer in the Permian. Controlled by syndepositional fault-zones, varieties of isolated carbonate platforms, large and small, were developed in the of a deep-water basin, namely, an inter-platform ditch. And a special paleogeographical Late Paleozoic pattern marked by “platform-basin-hill-trough” was produced in both the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent arms. Affected by regional tectonic activities and the global changes in the sea level, the platform carbonates and coal measures superimposed each other cyclically on the attached platform. The reef-building on the isolated platform and the margin of the attached platform corresponds to the development of the shale succession in the deep-water basin. All of these elementary characteristics reflect a regular and sophisticated filling sucoession of the Dianqiangui basin, a result of the dual controls of the regionally tectonic activities and the eustacy.Based on the two elementary features of the third-order sequences, i.e. the regularity of sedimentary-facies succession in space and the simultaneity of environmental changes in time, 25 third-order sequences could be discerned in the Upper Paleozoic strata in the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent areas. On the basis of the two kinds of facies-changing surfaces and the two kinds of diachronisms in stratigraphic records, the regional Late Paleozoic sequence-sequence-stratigraphic framework in the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent areas can be established.There are two types of facies-changing surfaces and two types of diachronisms in stratigraphic records: the static type, a result of the change in sedimentary facies in space, and the dynamic type, a remit of the change in time. These two types of facies-changing surfaces led to the generation of the two types of diachronisms: the diachronism of facies-changing surfaces that was formed by the static facies-changing surfaces, and the diachronism of punactuated surfaces that was formed by the dynamic facies-changing surfaces. The two types of facieschanging surfaces and the two types of diachronisms in stratigraphic records are the key to the establishment of the sequence-stratigraphic framework, The sequence boundaries could be divided geologically into four types:tectonic unconformity, sedimentary unconformity,drowned unconformity and their correlative surfaces,All of these four types can be further grouped into exposed punctuated surfaces and deepened punctuated surfaces,The tectonic unconformity in similar to Type Ⅰ sequence boundary,and the sedimentary unconformity is similar to Type Ⅱ sequence boundary defined by Vail et al.In terms of sequence stratigraphy,the tectonic unconformities of the Ziyun movement,the Qiangui epeirogeny and the Dongwu revolution as well as the drowned unconformity in the transitional period from the Permian to the Triassic can be systematically defined and their geological characteristics are briefly presented.     

The Cretaceous Songliao Basin: Volcanogenic Succession, Sedimentary Sequence and Tectonic Evolution, NE China

The Songliao basin (SB) is a superposed basin with two different kinds of basin fills. The lower one is characterized by a fault-bounded volcanogenic succession comprising of intercalated volcanic, pyroclastic and epiclastic rocks. The volcanic rocks, dating from 110 Ma to 130 Ma, are of geochemically active continental margin type. Fast northward migration of the SB block occurred during the major episodes of the volcanism inferred from their paleomagnetic information. The upper one of the basin fill is dominated by non-marine sag-style sedimentary sequence of siliciclastics and minor carbonates. The basin center shifted westwards from the early to late Cretaceous revealed by the GGT seismic velocity structure suggesting dynamic change in the basin evolution. Thus, a superposed basin model is proposed. Evolution of the SB involves three periods including (1) Alptian and pre-Aptian: a retroarc basin and range system of Andes type related to Mongolia-Okhotsk collisional belt (MOCB); (2) Albian to Companian: a sag-like strike-slip basin under transtension related to oblique subduction of the Pacific plate along the eastern margin of the Eurasian plate; (3) since Maastrichtian: a tectonic inverse basin under compression related to normal subduction of the Pacific plate under the Eurasian plate, characterized by overthrust, westward migration of the depocenter and eastward uplifting of the basin margin.     

Application of the Material Balance Method in Paleoelevation Recovery: A Case Study of the Longmen Mountains Foreland Basin on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

We applied the material balance principle of the denudation volume and sedimentary flux to study the denudation-accumulation system between the Longmen Mountains(Mts.) and the foreland basin. The amount of sediment in each sedimentation stage of the basin was estimated to obtain the denudation volume,erosion thickness and deposit thickness since the Late Triassic Epoch,to enable us to recover the paleoelevation of the provenance and the sedimentary area. The results show the following:(1) Since the Late Triassic Epoch,the elevation of the surface of the Longmen Mts. has uplifted from 0 m to 2751 m,and the crust of the Longmen Mts. has uplifted by 9.8 km. Approximately 72% of the materials introduced have been denuded from the mountains.(2) It is difficult to recover the paleoelevation of each stage of the Longmen Mts. foreland basin quantitatively by the present-day techniques and data.(3) The formation of the Longmen Mts. foreland basin consisted of three stages of thrust belt tectonic load and three stages of thrust belt erosional unload. During tectonic loading stages(Late Triassic Epoch,Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous,Late Cretaceous–Miocene),the average elevation of Longmen Mts. was lower(approximately 700–1700 m). During erosional unloading stages(Early and Middle Jurassic,Middle Cretaceous and Jiaguan,Late Cenozoic),the average elevation of Longmen Mts. was high at approximately 2000–2800m.     

PRELIMINARY NOTE ON AN OCCURRENCE OF LATE PALAEOZOIC TILLITE IN THE KURUK-TAGH MOUNTAINS, SINKIANG, CHINA.

In the summer of 1928 a new locality of glacigene sediments and moraines of late Palaeozoic age was discovered in the mountain ranges of Kuruktagh, which border the Tarim basin on the north between long. 88~0-99~0 and lat. 40~0-42~0 N.     

The Petrology, Geochemistry, and Petrogenesis of E-MORB-type Mafic Rocks from the Guomangco Ophiolitic Mélange, Tibet

The Guomangco ophiolitic melange is situated in the middle part of the Shiquanhe- Yongzhu-Jiali ophiolitic melange belt （SYJMB） and possesses all the subunits of a typical Penrose- type ophiolite pseudostratigraphy. The study of the Guomangco ophiolitic melange is very important for investigating the tectonic evolution of the SYJMB. The mafic rocks of this ophiolitic melange mainly include diabases, sillite dikes, and basalts. Geochemical analysis shows that these dikes mostly have E-MORB major and trace element signatures; this is the first time that this has been observed in the SYJMB. The basalts have N-MORB and IAB affinities, and the mineral chemistry of harzburgites shows a composition similar to that of SSZ peridotites, indicating that the Guomangco ophiolitic melange probably originated in a back-arc basin. The Guomangco back-arc basin opened in the Middle Jurassic, which was caused by southward subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean in central Tibet. The main spreading of this back-arc basin occurred during the Late Jurassic, and the basalts were formed during this time. With the development of the back-arc basin, the subducted slab gradually retreated, and new mantle convection occurred in the mantle wedge. The recycling may have caused the metasomatized mantle to undergo a high degree of partial melting and to generate E- MORBs in the Early Cretaceous. E-MORB-type dikes probably crystallized from melts produced by about 20%-30% partial melting of a spinel mantle source, which was metasomatized by melts from low-degree partial melting of the subducted slab.     

Geothermal Model of the Fore-Yenisey Sedimentary Basin―Transitional Structure between the Ancient Siberian Platform and the Young West Siberian Plate

Results of the investigation into the geothermal regime of the Fore-Yenisey sedimentary basin, formed during the collision and subsidence of the Kas-Turukhan microcontinent and the western margin of the Siberian craton in the late Neoproterozoic and early Paleozoic are reported. It was established that the structural and geothermal conditions of the upper Precambrian–Paleozoic sections are similar to those in the western regions of the Siberian platform and are characterized by rather low geothermal gradients (12.5–25.5 °С/km). In the western parts of the basin, formation temperatures in the uppermost pre-Jurassic sediments are 50°С–85°С, decreasing eastward to 30°С–55°С. For the first time, the detailed geothermal model of the basin sedimentary fill was developed. This model allows predictions of the geothermal conditions of Earth’s interior.     

Salt-Gathering and Potassium Formation of Potassium-Rich Brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin, China

Potassium-rich brine in the Sichuan Basin has been much studied in recent years, but few studies have focused on the distribution and migration of salt basin and the differences of potassium formation mechanisms. This work examined the salt-gathering and potassium formation of potassium-rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin using lithofacies palaeogeographic depiction and geochemical analyses. (1) The favorable sedimentary facies controlling the formation of potassium-rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin are evaporation platform and restricted platform, whereas the salt basin is one of the main factors controlling the poly-salt center. (2) The distribution and migration of this salt basin were affected by certain factors. The salt basin of the Jialingjiang Formation was mainly distributed in the east and central Sichuan Basin, whereas that of the Leikoupo Formation was mainly distributed in the central and west Sichuan Basin. The sedimentary centers have gradually moved westward and become smaller. (3) Three main formation mechanisms were identified for the potassium-rich brine during the Triassic in the Sichuan Basin, i.e., evaporation and concentration of seawater, surface fresh water leaching, and deep water-rock reaction. Fresh water leaching was characterized by low anomaly δ18O and δ13C values. Water-rock reaction was mainly related to temperature, and high temperature environment (caused by burial depth, overthrust and deep hydrothermal fluids) was beneficial to water-rock reaction. The characteristics of water-rock reaction do not correspond to the increase ratio of K?103/Cl and Br?103/Cl in brine, and the Rb+ content of the brine was high. (4) The formation mechanisms of potassium-rich brine differed between different areas of the Sichuan Basin. In east Sichuan, the evaporation and concentration of seawater, together with meteoric fresh water leaching, was the main formation factor, whereas the evaporation and concentration of seawater and water–rock reaction predominated in west Sichuan. This study of the sedimentary environment and formation mechanisms is of significance to the exploration and exploitation of potassium-rich brine in the Sichuan Basin.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113000546

In the eastern part of the Indian shield,late PaleozoiceMesozoic sedimentary rocks of the Talchir Basin lie precisely along a contact of Neoproterozoic age between granulites of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt(EGMB)and amphibolite facies rocks of the Rengali Province.At present,the northern part of the basin experiences periodic seismicity by reactivation of faults located both within the basin,and in the Rengali Province to the north.Detailed gravity data collected across the basin show that Bouguer anomalies decrease from the EGMB(wt15 mGal),through the basin(w 10 mGal),into the Rengali Province(w 15 mGal).The data are consistent with the reportedly uncompensated nature of the EGMB,and indicate that the crust below the Rengali Province has a cratonic gravity signature.The contact between the two domains with distinct sub-surface structure,inferred from gravity data,coincides with the North Orissa Boundary Fault(NOBF)that defnes the northern boundary of the Talchir Basin.Post-Gondwana faults are also localized along the northern margin of the basin,and present-day seismic tremors also have epicenters close to the NOBF.This indicates that the NOBF was formed by reactivation of a Neoproterozoic terrane boundary,and continues to be susceptible to seismic activity even at the present-day.     

The Mid-Miocene Pollen Record of the Xunhua Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau: Implications for Global Climate Change

The northeastern Tibetan Plateau is located at the convergence of the Asian winter and summer monsoons and westerlies; thus, this area has witnessed historic climate changes.The Xunhua basin is an intermontane basin on the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.The basin contains more than 2000 m of Cenozoic fluvial–lacustrine sediments, recording a long history of climate and environmental changes.We collected the mid-Miocene sediments from the Xunhua basin and used palynological methods to discuss the relationship between aridification in the interior of Asia, global cooling, and uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.Based on the palynological analysis of the Xigou section, Xunhua basin, the palynological diagram is subdivided into three pollen zones and past vegetation and climate are reconstructed.Zone I, Ephedripites–Nitraridites–Chenopodipollis–Quercoidites(14.0–12.5 Ma), represents mixed shrub–steppe vegetation with a dry and cold climate.In zone II, Pinaceae–Betulaepollenites–Ephedripites–Chenopodipollis–Graminidites(12.5–8.0 Ma), the vegetation and climate conditions improved, even though the vegetation was still dominated by shrub–steppe taxa.Zone III, Ephedripites–Nitrariadites–Chenopodipollis(8.0–5.0 Ma), represents desert steppe vegetation with drier and colder climate.The palynological records suggest that shrub–steppe dominated the whole Xigou section and the content gradually increased, implying a protracted aridification process, although there was an obvious climate improvement during 12.5–8.0 Ma.The aridification in the Xunhua basin and surrounding mountains during 14.0–12.5 Ma was probably related to global cooling induced by the rapid expansion of the East Antarctic ice-sheets and the relatively higher evaporation rate.During the 12.5–8.0 Ma period, although topographic changes(uplift of Jishi Shan) decreased precipitation and strengthened aridification in the Xunhua basin on leeward slopes, the improved vegetation and climate conditions were probably controlled by the decrease in evaporation rates as a result of continuous cooling.From 8.0 to 5.0 Ma, the rapid development of the desert steppe can be attributed to global cooling and uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.