Paleomagnetism of the Middle–Late Jurassic to Cretaceous red beds from the Peninsular Thailand: Implications for collision tectonics

Jurassic to Cretaceous red sandstones were sampled at 33 sites from the Khlong Min and Lam Thap formations of the Trang Syncline (7.6°N, 99.6°E), the Peninsular Thailand. Rock magnetic experiments generally revealed hematite as a carrier of natural remanent magnetization. Stepwise thermal demagnetization isolates remanent components with unblocking temperatures of 620–690 °C. An easterly deflected declination (D = 31.1°, I = 12.2°, α₉₅ = 13.9°, N = 9, in stratigraphic coordinates) is observed as pre-folding remanent magnetization from North Trang Syncline, whereas westerly deflected declination (D = 342.8°, I = 22.3°, α₉₅ = 12.7°, N = 13 in geographic coordinates) appears in the post-folding remanent magnetization from West Trang Syncline. These observations suggest an occurrence of two opposite tectonic rotations in the Trang area, which as a part of Thai–Malay Peninsula received clockwise rotation after Jurassic together with Shan-Thai and Indochina blocks. Between the Late Cretaceous and Middle Miocene, this area as a part of southern Sundaland Block experienced up to 24.5° ± 11.5° counter-clockwise rotation with respect to South China Block. This post-Cretaceous tectonic rotation in Trang area is considered as a part of large scale counter-clockwise rotation experienced by the southern Sundaland Block (including the Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and south Sulawesi areas) as a result of Australian Plate collision with southeast Asia. Within the framework of Sundaland Block, the northern boundary of counter-clockwise rotated zone lies between the Trang area and the Khorat Basin.     

40Ar/39Ar dating of the Jiali and Gaoligong shear zones: Implications for crustal deformation around the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis

We conducted a comprehensive ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronological study of the Jiali and Gaoligong shear zones to obtain a better understanding of crustal deformation and tectonic evolution around the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis (EHS). The new age data reveal that the main phase of deformation in the Jiali and Gaoligong shear zones occurred from 22 to 11 Ma and from 18 to 13 Ma, respectively. Structural data collected during this study indicate that the Jiali shear zone underwent a change in shear sense from sinistral to dextral during its movement history. Based on a comparison with the deformation histories of other major shear zones in the region, we argue that the initial sinistral motion recorded by the Jiali shear zone was coincident with that of the Ailao Shan–Red River shear zone, which marked the northern boundary of the southeastward extrusion of the Indochina block during the Early Miocene. From the Middle Miocene (～18 Ma), the Jiali shear zone changed to dextral displacement, becoming linked with the dextral Gaoligong shear zone that developed as a consequence of continued northward indentation of the Indian continent into Asia. Since this time, the Jiali and Gaoligong shear zones have been united, defining the southwestern boundary of the EHS during clockwise rotation of the eastward-extruding Tibetan block, as revealed by recent GPS data. The temporal change in regional deformation pattern from southeastward block extrusion to clockwise rotation of crustal fragments may have played an important role in the development of the eastern Himalayan drainage system around the EHS.     

Paleomagnetic data bearing on the Mesozoic deformation of the Qiangtang Block: Implications for the evolution of the Paleo- and Meso-Tethys

Paleomagnetism has played an important role in quantifying the Mesozoic evolution of “Proto-Tibet”. In this paper, we present new paleomagnetic data from five Middle-Upper Jurassic sedimentary sequences (Quemo Co, Buqu, Xiali, Suowa and Xueshan Fms.) of the eastern North Qiangtang Terrane (QT) at Yanshiping (33.6°N, 92.1°E). The new paleomagnetic results form a large dataset (99 sites, 1702 samples) and reveal a paleopole at 79.1°N/306.9°E (dp = 3.9°, dm = 6.3°) for the Quemo Co Fm., at 68.9°N/313.8°E (dp = 2.1°, dm = 3.7°) for the Buqu Fm., at 66.1°N/332.1°E (dp = 2.7°, dm = 4.6°) for the Xiali Fm., at 72.4°N/318.6°E (dp = 3.9°, dm = 6.7°) for the Suowa Fm., and at 76.9°N/301.1°E (dp = 7.9°, dm = 13.2°) for the Xueshan Fm. These results indicate clockwise (CW) rotations of ~ 19.8 ± 9.4° between ~ 171.2 and 161.7 Ma and counterclockwise (CCW) rotations of ~ 15.4 ± 13.4° between ~ 161.7 and < 157.2 Ma for Yanshiping. We attribute the change in rotation sense at approximately ~ 161.7 Ma to the initial collision of the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes. Using this and other paleomagnetic data from the Lhasa, Qiangtang and Tarim terranes, as well as other geological evidence (e.g., tectonism-related sedimentary sequences, volcanism, and HP metamorphism), we propose a new conceptual evolution model for the Mesozoic QT and Tethyan Oceans. The Longmo Co-Shuanghu oceanic slab was subducted before 248 Ma, followed by continental collision of the North-South Qiangtang subterranes between ~ 245 and 237 Ma. The Qiangtang Terrane experienced post-collisional exhumation between ~ 237 and 230 Ma during subduction of the Jinsha oceanic slab. The collision of the Qiangtang and Songpan-Ganzi terranes occurred between ~ 230 and 225 Ma. The QT experienced post-collisional relaxation from ~ 225 to ~ 200 Ma, followed by subsidence and extension-related exhumation between ~ 200 and 162 Ma in association with subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang oceanic slab. Finally, these events were followed by the scissor-like diachronous collisions of the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes between ~ 162 Ma and the mid-Cretaceous.     

Tropical northeast Africa in the middle–late Eocene: Paleomagnetism of the marine-mammals sites and basalts in the Fayum province,Egypt

The mid-late Eocene “Valley of Whales” in the Fayum province of Egypt contains hundreds of marine-mammals’ skeletons. Given its paleontological importance, we carried out a paleomagnetic study of the fossil-bearing formations. A sequence of basalts directly overlying the upper Eocene rocks in three distant clusters within a 25 km-long NW–SE graben in the southwestern part of the area was also studied. Thermal demagnetization of three-axis IRM was used to identify and eliminate sites dominated by hematite and/or goethite as potential remanence carriers. Progressive thermal demagnetization of the NRM isolated a characteristic NNE–SSW dual-polarity direction with a shallow inclination that passes both tilt and reversal tests. The mean tilt-corrected direction of the sedimentary formations is D/I = 16°/30° (k = 50, α₉₅ = 3°) yielding a paleomagnetic pole at 70°N/159°E. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) indicated that the observed inclinations were free from inclination shallowing, as did the nearly identical characteristic remanence of the overlying basalt flows (with a tilt-corrected reversed-polarity direction of D/I = 198°/−28° (k = 38, α₉₅ = 7°) and a pole at 68°N/158°E). The new paleopoles place the Fayum province at a lower paleolatitude (15–17°N) than today (29.5°N), and point to the possible prevalence of tropical climate in northeast Africa during mid-late Eocene times. This tropical position is nearly identical to the paleolatitudes extrapolated from the mean of 36 coeval poles rotated from the other major cratons and from Africa itself. The declinations show a minor easterly deviation from those predicted by extrapolation from other continents. This is interpreted as due to a small clockwise rotation internal to NE Africa, possibly related to Red Sea/Gulf of Suez rifting after the late Eocene. The alternative explanation that the geomagnetic field had a non-zonal non-dipole field contribution is not favored.     

Early Carboniferous paleomagnetic results from the northeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau and their implications

We conducted paleomagnetic investigations on limestone from the Lower Carboniferous Huaitoutala Formation in the Qaidam Basin near Delingha City, Qinghai Province, China. The characteristic remanent magnetization (D = 5.8°, I = − 25.7°, k = 114.3, α₉₅ = 4.8°) passes a fold test and indicates a paleopole position of − 39.2°N, 90.4°E and a paleolatitude of 13.5°N for the Qaidam Block for the early Carboniferous. Based on global tectonic reconstructions and paleontological evidence, we suggest that the Qaidam Block was adjacent to, but independent from, the North China, South China, Alashan–Hexi and Tarim blocks at this time. This result suggests that Pre-Carboniferous sutures reported around the Qaidam Basin represent collisional events within Gondwana, rather than the final sutures that gave rise to the present tectonic configuration.     

Tectonic evaluation of the Indochina Block during Jurassic-Cretaceous from palaeomagnetic results of Mesozoic redbeds in central and southern Lao PDR

Rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic studies were performed on Mesozoic redbeds collected from the central and southern Laos, the northeastern and the eastern parts of the Khorat Plateau on the Indochina Block. Totally 606 samples from 56 sites were sampled and standard palaeomagnetic experiments were made on them. Positive fold tests are demonstrated for redbeds of Lower and Upper Cretaceous, while insignificant fold test is resulted for Lower Jurassic redbeds. The remanence carrying minerals defined from thermomagnetic measurement, AF and Thermal demagnetizations and back-field IRM measurements are both magnetite and hematite. The positive fold test argues that the remanent magnetization of magnetite or titanomagnetite and hematite in the redbeds is the primary and occurred before folding. The mean palaeomagnetic poles for Lower Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Upper Cretaceous are defined at Plat./Plon. = 56.0°N/178.5°E (A₉₅ = 2.6°), 63. 3°N/170.2°E (A₉₅ = 6.9°), and 67.0°N/180.8°E (A₉₅ = 4.9°), respectively. Our palaeomagnetic results indicate a latitudinal translations (clockwise rotations) of the Indochina Block with respect to the South China Block of −10.8 ± 8.8° (16.4 ± 9.0°); −11.1 ± 6.2° (17.8 ± 6.8°); and −5.3 ± 4.7° (13.3 ± 5.0°), for Lower Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Upper Cretaceous, respectively. These results indicate a latitudinal movement of the Indochina Block of about 5–11° (translation of about 750–1700 km in the southeastward direction along the Red River Fault) and clockwise rotation of 13–18° with respect to the South China Block. The estimated palaeoposition of the Khorat Plateau at ca. 21–26°N during Jurassic to Cretaceous argues for a close relation to the Sichuan Basin in the southwest of South China Block. These results confirm that the central part of the Indochina Block has acted like a rigid plate since Jurassic time and the results also support an earlier extrusion model for Indochina.     

Autunian age constrained by fold tests for paleomagnetic data from the Mezarif and Abadla basins (Algeria)

A paleomagnetic study has been conducted on a formation dated as Autunian in the Nekheila area (31.4°N, 1.5°W) in the Mezarif basin. ChRM was thermally isolated in 117 samples from seven sites. This ChRM (D = 131.8°, I = 15.7°, k = 196, α₉₅ = 3.8° after dip correction; corresponding pole 29.3°S, 56.4°E) is very similar to that obtained in the neighboring Abadla basin from a formation of the same age. Fold tests associated with progressive unfolding applied to the full merged data from the dated formations of these two basins clearly indicate that the magnetization acquisition predates the deformation, which is attributed to the last phase of the late-Hercynian. The magnetization in these basins is therefore primary or acquired just after deposition. For the African Apparent Polar Wander Path, the age of the paleomagnetic poles of the Autunian part is now confirmed by paleomagnetic test.     

First paleomagnetic data for the New Siberian Islands: Implications for Arctic paleogeography

In this paper we present new paleomagnetic and paleontological data from the Ordovician and Silurian carbonate rocks of Kotelny Island (the Anjou Archipelago), and from the Ordovician turbidities of Bennett Island (the De Long Archipelago). It is assumed that both archipelagos belong to the NSI (New Siberian Islands) terrane — a key tectonic element in the Arctic region. Ages of the studied rocks have been established by paleontological data and lithological correlations. Our new data on conodonts combined with those from previous studies of Ordovician and Silurian fauna indicate a biogeographic similarity between the shelves of the Siberian paleocontinent and the NSI in the Early Paleozoic. Three new paleomagnetic poles for the NSI (48.9°N, 13.8°E, A₉₅ = 18.1° for 475 Ma; 45.5°N, 31.9°E, A₉₅ = 11.0° for 465 Ma, and 33.7°N, 55.7°E, A₉₅ = 11.0° for 435 Ma) fall between the south-eastern part of Central Europe and the Zagros Mountains. The similarity of paleomagnetic directions from Kotelny and Bennet islands confirms that both the Anjou and De Long archipelagos belong to the same terrane. Calculated paleolatitudes indicate that in Ordovician–Silurian times this terrane has been located between 30° and 45°, possibly in the northern hemisphere. Based on this observation, we suggest a linkage between the NSI and the Kolyma–Omolon superterrane. Comparison of apparent polar wander paths (APWPs) of the NSI, Siberia and other cratons/terranes suggests that the NSI drifted independently. We demonstrate that the structural line between Svyatoy Nos Peninsula and Great Lyakhovsky Island is the continuation of the Kolyma Loop suture on the Arctic shelf, and expect that the continuation of the South Anyui suture is to be found east of the NSI.     

Magnetic fabric and paleomagnetism of the Middle Triassic siliciclastic rocks from the Nanpanjiang Basin,South China: Implications for sediment provenance and tectonic process

A combined magnetic fabric and paleomagnetic study has been carried out on the siliciclastic rocks gathered from a stratigraphic cross-section through the Nanpanjiang Basin, South China, in an attempt to extract the paleoflow information preserved in and, thus, constrain the possible origins of these clastic rocks. The sediments used for this study were formed by sediment-gravity flows along the southern margin of the South China block in the Middle Triassic time (ca. 245–228 Ma). The results show a normal distribution of both low field magnetic susceptibility values and natural remanent magnetization intensities, which along with the monotonic detrital framework mode, mainly comprising quartz and lithic particles, may suggest a single provenance involved in deposition of these clastic deposits. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis acquires primarily the sedimentary magnetic fabrics, which, in this study, reveal paleoflow directions ranging from NNW to ENE with an overall mean orientation of NE. Demagnetization on a part of samples isolates a characteristic remanent component averaged at D = 44.8°, I = 16.9°, κ = 9.7, α₉₅ = 6. 5°, n = 55, corresponding to a paleolatitude N8.6° and a clockwise rotation of ca. 45° since the Middle Triassic for the studied cross-section. This mean direction passes fold tests and is consistent with the reference direction expected from the South China block at the 95% confidence level. Restoring this ∼45° declination renders an overall northward paleoflow, which, combined with other evidence, suggests a southern provenance for these sediments during deposition in the Middle Triassic time. In terms of the early Mesozoic plate framework of southeastern Asia, a tectonic scenario is proposed here, whereby the nearly N–S convergence of the Indochina and South China blocks and its related Indosinian orogeny in the Middle Triassic caused the formation of the Nanpanjiang foreland basin, which was filled by voluminous detritus shed from the uplifted orogenic belt on its southern side.     

Combined paleomagnetic and geochronological study on Cretaceous strata of the Qiangtang terrane,central Tibet

A combined paleomagnetic and geochronological investigation has been performed on Cretaceous rocks in southern Qiangtang terrane (32.5°N, 84.3°E), near Gerze, central Tibetan Plateau. A total of 14 sites of volcanic rocks and 22 sites of red beds have been sampled. Our new U–Pb geochronologic study of zircons dates the volcanic rocks at 103.8 ± 0.46 Ma (Early Cretaceous) while the red beds belong to the Late Cretaceous. Rock magnetic experiments suggest that magnetite and hematite are the main magnetic carriers. After removing a low temperature component of viscous magnetic remanence, stable characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) was isolated successfully from all the sites by stepwise thermal demagnetization. The tilt-corrected mean direction from the 14 lava sites is D = 348.0°, I = 47.3°, k = 51.0, α₉₅ = 5.6°, corresponding to a paleopole at 79.3°N, 339.8°E, A₉₅ = 5.7° and yielding a paleolatitude of 29.3° ± 5.7°N for the study area. The ChRM directions isolated from the volcanic rocks pass a fold test at 95% confidence, suggesting a primary origin. The volcanic data appear to have effectively averaged out secular variation as indicated by both geological evidence and results from analyzing the virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) scatter. The mean inclination from the Late Cretaceous red beds, however, is 13.1° shallower than that of the ~ 100 Ma volcanic rocks. After performing an elongation/inclination analysis on 174 samples of the red beds, a mean inclination of 47.9° with 95% confidence limits between 41.9° and 54.3° is obtained, which is consistent with the mean inclination of the volcanic rocks. The site-mean direction of the Late Cretaceous red beds after tilt-correction and inclination shallowing correction is D = 312.6°, I = 47.7°, k = 109.7, α₉₅ = 3.0°, N = 22 sites, corresponding to a paleopole at 49.2°N, 1.9°E, A₉₅ = 3.2° (yielding a paleolatitude of 28.7° ± 3.2°N for the study area). The ChRM of the red beds also passes a fold test at 99% confidence, indicating a primary origin. Comparing the paleolatitude of the Qiangtang terrane with the stable Asia, there is no significant difference between our sampling location in the southern Qiangtang terrane and the stable Asia during ~ 100 Ma and Late Cretaceous. Our results together with the high quality data previously published suggest that an ~ 550 km N–S convergence between the Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes happened after ~ 100 Ma. Comparison of the mean directions with expected directions from the stable Asia indicates that the Gerze area had experienced a significant counterclockwise rotation after ~ 100 Ma, which is most likely caused by the India–Asia collision.     

Late Mesozoic compressional to extensional tectonics in the Yiwulüshan massif,NE China and their bearing on the Yinshan–Yanshan orogenic belt: Part II: Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and gravity modeling

Granitoids play an important role in deciphering both crustal growth and tectonic evolution of Earth. In the eastern end of the Yinshan–Yanshan belt of North China Craton, the Yiwulüshan massif is a typical region that presents the tectonic evolution features of this belt. Our field work on the host rocks has demonstrated two phases of opposite tectonics: compressional and extensional, however, the deformation is almost invisible in the intrusive rocks. To improve the understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Yiwulüshan massif and the Late Mesozoic tectonics of East Asia, a multidisciplinary study has been carried out. In this study, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and gravity modeling have been applied on these Jurassic plutons (Lüshan, Jishilazi and Guanyindong), which intrude into the Yiwulüshan massif. According to laboratory measurements and microscopic observations on thin sections, the AMS of the Yiwulüshan massif is characterized by secondary fabrics, indicating that the intensive post solidus deformation has reset the (primary) magmatic magnetic fabrics. A relatively gentle NW dipping magnetic foliation has been identified with two distinct groups of magnetic lineations of N34°E and N335°E orientations, namely L_M1 and L_M2, relatively. Gravity modeling reveals a southward thinning of the massif with a possible feeding zone rooted in the northern part of the massif. Integrating all results from structural observation, geochronological investigation, AMS measurement and gravity modeling, two tectonic phases have been identified in the Yiwulüshan massif, posterior to the Jurassic (180–160 Ma) magmatism in the Yinshan–Yanshan area. The early one concerns a Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous (~ 141 Ma) compressional event with a top-to-the-south to southwest sense of shear. The second one shows an Early Cretaceous (~ 126 Ma) NW–SE ductile extensional shearing. At that time, sedimentary basins widened and Jurassic plutons started to be deformed under post solidus conditions. In fact, the NW–SE trend of the maximum stretching direction is a general feature of East Asian continent during Late Mesozoic.     

Paleomagnetism of the Late Cretaceous intrusions from the Minusa trough (southern Siberia)

The paper summarizes paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic data on the Late Cretaceous diatremes and associated dikes from the Minusa trough located within the southwestern Siberian Platform. It is shown that the stable characteristic component of magnetization is superimposed magnetization (in physical sense). It is linked to Fe-rich titanomagnetite produced by the decay and oxidation of Ti-rich titanomagnetite derived from a primary magma. This process, however, coincides in time with the intrusion cooling, which is supported by paleomagnetic tests. Correlation of magnetic polarity with ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar ages suggests that the acquired stable characteristic component of magnetization corresponds to magnetic Chrons C33-C32 and characterizes the Middle Campanian magnetic field (74–82 Ma). The mean paleomagnetic pole for this span is located at 82.8° N, 188.5° E, with α₉₅ = 6.1 and, within confidence intervals, coincides with the reference data from the European part of the Eurasian plate. The excellent agreement between virtual paleomagnetic poles testifies that the intraplate motions in the Mesozoic resulting in the crust deformation of Central Asia ceased in the late Cretaceous or were so small that elude detection by the paleomagnetic method.     

Present-day crustal motion around the Pamir Plateau from GPS measurements

We have used geodetic techniques to improve constraints on the crustal motion of the Pamir Plateau. Three campaigns of Global Position System data acquisition between 2011 and 2015 demonstrate that, in association with the India–Asia collision, a complex pattern of crustal motion exists in the Pamir Plateau. In a north–south direction from the Indian Plate to the Hazak Block, the crust has absorbed ~ 35 mm/yr of shortening, of which ~ 35% is distributed around the Hindu Kush region (~ 12 mm/yr), and another ~ 35% is taken up around the Alai Valley (also ~ 12 mm/yr). Global Position System measurements also show ~ 5 mm/yr of shortening between the Pamir Plateau and the Tajik Basin, whereas between the Pamir and the Tarim Basin, an ~ 10 mm/yr extension rate is observed. With respect to the stable Eurasian Plate, the Pamir rotates counterclockwise at a rate of ~ 1.822°Myr^− 1, with an Euler pole positioned about the west end of the Tajik Basin (37.03 ± 0.74°N, 65.89 ± 0.12°E). The strain rate field calculated from Global Position System velocities reveals that the crustal motion is consistent with localized deformation around the Hindu Kush and the Alai Valley, the latter representing a zone with strong shallow seismic activity.     

The 1420 Ma Indiavaí Mafic Intrusion (SW Amazonian Craton): Paleomagnetic results and implications for the Columbia supercontinent

The configuration and the timing of assembly and break-up of Columbia are still matter of debate. In order to improve our knowledge about the Mesoproterozoic evolution of Columbia, a paleomagnetic study was carried out on the 1420 Ma Indiavaí mafic intrusive rocks that crosscut the polycyclic Proterozoic basement of the SW Amazonian Craton, in southwestern Mato Grosso State (Brazil). Alternating field and thermal demagnetization revealed south/southwest ChRM directions with downward inclinations for sixteen analyzed sites. These directions are probably carried by SD/PSD magnetite with high coercivities and high unblocking temperatures as indicated by additional rock magnetic tests, including thermomagnetic data, hysteresis data and the progressive acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetization. Different stable magnetization components isolated in host rocks from the basement 10 km NW away to the Indiavaí intrusion, further support the primary origin of the ChRM. A mean of the site mean directions was calculated at Dm = 209.8°, Im = 50.7° (α₉₅ = 8.0°, K = 22.1), which yielded a paleomagnetic pole located at 249.7°E, 57.0°S (A₉₅ = 8.6°). The similarity of this pole with the recently published 1420 Ma pole from the Nova Guarita dykes in northern Mato Grosso State suggests a similar tectonic framework for these two sites located 600 km apart, implying the bulk rigidity of the Rondonian-San Ignacio crust at that time. Furthermore these data provide new insights on the tectonic significance of the 1100–1000 Ma Nova Brasilândia belt—a major EW feature that cuts across the basement rocks of this province, which can now be interpreted as intracratonic, in contrast to previous interpretation. From a global perspective, a new Mesoproterozoic paleogeography of Columbia has been proposed based on comparison of these 1420 Ma poles and a 1780 Ma pole from Amazonia with other paleomagnetic poles of similar age from Baltica and Laurentia, a reconstruction in agreement with geological correlations.     

Plio-Quaternary stress states in NE Iran: Kopeh Dagh and Allah Dagh-Binalud mountain ranges

NE Iran, including the Kopeh Dagh and Allah Dagh-Binalud deformation domains, comprises the northeastern boundary of the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone. This study focuses on the evolution of the Plio-Quaternary tectonic regimes of northeast Iran. We present evidence for drastic temporal changes in the stress state by inversion of both geologically and seismically determined fault slip vectors. The inversions of fault kinematics data reveal distinct temporal changes in states of stress during the Plio-Quaternary (since ～ 5 Ma). The paleostress state is characterized by a regional transpressional tectonic regime with a mean N140 ± 10°E trending horizontal maximum stress axis (σ₁). The youngest (modern) state of stress shows two distinct strike-slip and compressional tectonic regimes with a regional mean of N030 ± 15°E trending horizontal σ₁. The change from the paleostress to modern stress states has occurred through an intermediate stress field characterized by a mean regional N trending σ₁. The inversion analysis of earthquake focal mechanisms reveals a homogeneous, transpressional tectonic regime with a regional N023 ± 5°E trending σ₁. The modern stress state, deduced from the youngest fault kinematics data, is in close agreement with the present-day stress state given by the inversions of earthquake focal mechanisms. According to our data and the deduced results, in northeast Iran, the Arabia–Eurasia convergence is taken up by strike-slip faulting along NE trending left-lateral and NNW trending right-lateral faults, as well as reverse to oblique-slip reverse faulting along NW trending faults. Such a structural assemblage is involved in a mechanically compatible and homogeneous modern stress field. This implies that no strain and/or stress partitioning or systematic block rotations have occurred in the Kopeh Dagh and Allah Dagh-Binalud deformation domains. The Plio-Quaternary stress changes documented in this paper call into question the extrapolation of the present-day seismic and GPS-derived deformation rates over geological time intervals encompassing tens of millions of years.     

The origin of Neogene tectonic rotations in the Galatean volcanic massif, central Anatolia

A paleomagnetic study was carried out on Neogene volcanic rocks at 30 sites within the Galatean massif (40.4°N, 31.5°E) to determine possible block rotations due to stress variations. Two phases of rotation could be characterized as the result of Neogene volcanic activity. We suggest that the first stage of rotation was isolated in Early Middle Miocene calc-alkali rocks, with a relative counterclockwise rotation of R ± ΔR = −20.2 ± 9.3° with respect to Eurasia. This accommodates the south-westward rotational collapse of the Western Anatolia peninsula across a pole on the Bitlis suture. In the neotectonic period, on other hand, a relative clockwise rotation of R ± ΔR = 27.3 ± 6.4° with respect to Eurasia is predicted. In contrast to the uniform clockwise rotations, extremely large clockwise rotations up to 264° are restricted in a narrow zone between two dextral faults. We believe that the second stage rotations support the idea of individual microblock rotations due to deformation along the North Anatolian Fault zone.     

Paleomagnetism of Upper Jurassic basalts from Transbaikalia: new data on the time of closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean and Mesozoic intraplate tectonics of Central Asia

The Upper Jurassic basalts (150–160 Ma) described as the Ichetui Formation over the territory of the Tugnui, Margintui, and Maly Khamar-Daban volcanic structures have been studied paleomagnetically. It is shown that natural remanent magnetization still contains a component which may reflect the geomagnetic field direction at the beginning of the Late Jurassic. This is supported by reversal and conglomerate tests. Calculation of mean paleopole gives: Plat = 63.6°, Plong = 166.8°, α₉₅ = 8.5°. These values well coincide with the data for the Badin Formation from Mogzon depression, which lies east of the study area and approximately dates from the Kimmeridgian-Oxfordian interval of the Late Jurassic. At the same time, those poles statistically differ from the European and Southeast Asian poles of the same age. The available paleomagnetic data suggest that at the beginning of the Late Jurassic the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean was probably still open. Since the early Late Jurassic the continental blocks of Southeastern Asia and Siberian part of the Eurasian plate had been approaching, with the Siberian domain rotating clockwise. Analysis of the total of data shows that sinistral strike-slip deformations were present not only in southern Siberia but also between the Siberian and European Platforms. Thus, the deformations of the Central Asian crust in the early Late Jurassic reflect the intraplate strike-slip motions coeval with the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean and are governed by the clockwise rotation of the Siberian part of the Eurasian plate relative to its European part.     

3D mantle structure of Central Asia from Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion

The mantle structure in Central Asia was investigated by surface-wave tomography from dispersion of the fundamental mode of the Rayleigh wave group velocities along more than 3200 earthquake-station paths within 40° N to 60° N and 80° E to 132° E. The velocities were processed by the frequency-time analysis at periods from 10 to 250 s to obtain their dispersion curves. Then group velocity maps were computed separately for each period, at different sampling intervals: at every 5 s for the short periods from 10 to 30 s, at 10 s for periods between 30 and 100 s, and at 25 s for the longest periods of 100 to 250 s. Resolution was estimated according to the effective averaging radius (R) and presented likewise in the form of maps. To estimate the depths of the revealed inhomogeneties, locally averaged dispersion curves were calculated using the group velocity maps, with reference to the radius R, and were then inverted to S-wave velocity-depth profiles. The resulting three-dimensional S-wave velocity structure to depths of about 700 km revealed large lateral inhomogeneties through the entire depth range. This pattern may be due to the history of the major tectonic structures, as well as to ongoing processes in the mantle.     

Further paleomagnetic results from the ~ 155 Ma Tiaojishan Formation,Yanshan Belt,North China,and their implications for the tectonic evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk suture

A new paleomagnetic study on well-dated (~ 155 Ma) volcanic rocks of the Tiaojishan Formation (Fm) in the northern margin of the North China Block (NCB) has been carried out. A total of 194 samples were collected from 26 sites in the Yanshan Belt areas of Luanping, Beipiao, and Shouwangfen. All samples were subjected to stepwise thermal demagnetization. After removal of a recent geomagnetic field viscous component, a stable high temperature component (HTC) was isolated. The inclinations of our new data are significantly steeper than those previously published from the Tiaojishan Fm in the Chengde area (Pei et al., 2011, Tectonophysics, 510, 370–380). Our analyses demonstrate that the paleomagnetic directions obtained from each sampled area were strongly biased by paleosecular variation (PSV), but the PSV can be averaged out by combining all the virtual geomagnetic poles (VGPs) from the Tiaojishan Fm in the region. The mean pole at 69.6°N/203.0°E (A₉₅ = 5.6°) passes a reversal test and regional tilting test at 95% confidence and is thus considered as a primary paleomagnetic record. This newly determined pole of the Tiaojishan Fm is consistent with available Late Jurassic poles from red-beds in the southern part of the NCB, but they are incompatible with coeval poles of Siberia and the reference pole of Eurasia, indicating that convergence between Siberia and the NCB had not yet ended by ~ 155 Ma. Our calculation shows a ~ 1600-km latitudinal plate movement and crustal shortening between the Siberia and NCB after ~ 155 Ma. In addition, no significant vertical axis rotation was found either between our sampled areas or between the Yanshan Belt and the major part of the NCB after ~ 155 Ma.