The deep mantle upwelling beneath the northwestern South China Sea:Insights from the time-varying residual subsidence in the Qiongdongnan Basin

Deep hot mantle upwelling is widely revealed around the Qiongdongnan Basin on the northwestern South China Sea margin.However,when and how it influenced the hyper-extended basin is unclear.To resolve these issues,a detailed analysis of the Cenozoic time-varying residual subsidence derived by subtracting the predicted subsidence from the backstripped subsidence was performed along a new seismic reflection line in the western Qiongdongnan Basin.For the first time,a method is proposed to cal-culate the time-varying strain rates constrained by the faults growth rates,on basis of which,the pre-dicted basement subsidence is obtained with a basin-and lithosphere-scale coupled finite extension model,and the backstripped subsidence is accurately recovered with a modified technique of backstrip-ping to eliminate the effects of later episodes of rifting on earlier sediment thickness.Results show no residual subsidence in 45-28.4 Ma.But after 28.4 Ma,negative residual subsidence occurred,reached and remained ca.-1000 m during 23-11.6 Ma,and reduced dramatically after 11.6 Ma.In the syn-rift period(45-23 Ma),the residual subsidence is ca.-1000 m,however in the post-rift period(23-0 Ma),it is positive of ca.300 to 1300 m increasing southeastwards.These results suggest that the syn-rift sub-sidence deficit commenced at 28.4 Ma,while the post-rift excess subsidence occurred after 11.6 Ma.Combined with previous studies,it is inferred that the opposite residual subsidence in the syn-and post-rift periods with similar large wavelengths(＞102 km)and km-scale amplitudes are the results of transient dynamic topography induced by deep mantle upwelling beneath the central QDNB,which started to influence the basin at ca.28.4 Ma,continued into the Middle Miocene,and decayed at ca.11.6 Ma.The initial mantle upwelling with significant dynamic uplift had precipitated considerable con-tinental extension and faulting in the Late Oligocene(28.4-23 Ma).After ca.11.6 Ma,strong mantle upwelling probably occurred beneath the Leizhou-Hainan area to form vast basaltic lava flow.     

松辽盆地南部白垩纪裂后期异常沉降分离

为了研究松辽盆地白垩纪裂后期沉降的动力机制,以松辽盆地南部长岭、十屋凹陷为例,用回剥法和应变速率反演方法对研究区钻井和地层剖面资料进行了研究。结果表明：观测得到的裂后沉降和模拟预测的理论裂后沉降结果存在较大差异,异常沉降量达160~800 m;并且异常沉降经历了两次沉降高峰期,分别出现在裂后期的泉头组及嫩江组沉积时期,平均沉降速率最大值出现在泉头组沉积时期,达16 m/Ma,同期地壳应变速率也达到裂后期最大值,约为6 Ga^-1。该异常沉降除受到裂后期基底断裂和盆地小型正断层活动的小部分影响外,可能主要受控于中生代晚期Izanagi俯冲板片在松辽盆地深部的下拽作用及其诱发的深部地幔流动,属动力沉降。     

Stages in the Magura Basin: a case study of the Polish sector (Western Carpathians)

The Magura Basin domain developed in its initial stage as a Jurassic-Early Cretaceous rifted passive margin that faced the eastern parts of the oceanic Alpine Tethys. In the pre- and syn-orogenic evolution of the Magura Basin the following prominent periods can be distinguished: Middle Jurassic-Early Cretaceous syn-rift opening of basins (1) followed by Early Cretaceous post-rift thermal subsidence (2), latest Cretaceous–Paleocene syn-collisional inversion (3), Late Paleocene to Middle Eocene flexural subsidence (4) and Late Eocene - Early Miocene synorogenic closing of the basin (5). The driving forces of tectonic subsidence of the basin were syn-rift and thermal post-rift processes, as well as tectonic loads related to the emplacement of accretionary wedge. This process was initiated at the end of the Paleocene at the Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB)/Magura Basin boundary and was completed during Late Oligocene in the northern part of the Magura Basin. During Early Miocene the Magura Basin was finally folded, thrusted and uplifted as the Magura Nappe.     

Seismic stratigraphy and the sedimentation history in the Laxmi Basin of the eastern Arabian Sea: Constraints from IODP Expedition 355

Detailed interpretation of seismic stratigraphic sequences in the Laxmi Basin of the eastern Arabian Sea are presented in this study using closely spaced high resolution multi-channel seismic (MCS) data. Our stratigraphic interpretation is further corroborated using recent drilling results in the Laxmi Basin, derived from the long sediment cores collected during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 355. Integrated core-log interpretation discussed in the present study, offer important insights about the lithostratigraphic variations in this region. Analyses of multi-channel seismic reflection data reveal five depositional sequences (ranging from Paleocene to Recent) that led to the development of this marginal basin since the Cenozoic period. Regional igneous basement is successfully imaged, which was also validated by deep sea coring during the IODP Expedition 355. In the present study, we primarily focus on the post-rift sedimentation in the Laxmi Basin and its possible mechanisms. Our detailed interpretation in the prevailing tectonic framework of the basin suggests that near-shelf oldest volcaniclastic sedimentation immediately overlying the acoustic basement is linked to the onset of India–Madagascar and India–Seychelles rifting activities during the Late Cretaceous period. Eventually, during the Early-Mid to Late Miocene, the basin received maximum sedimentation dominantly through an extensive mass transport mechanism implying possible large-scale deformation on the Indian shelf. Subsequent sediment input to the basin appears to have been fed variably via the Indus Fan as well as coastal discharge from the Indian mainland. The total sediment thickness in the Laxmi Basin ranges from 1.1 to 3.5 km. New stratigraphic information and sediment isopach maps presented here provide vital information about syn- and post-rift sedimentation pattern in the region and their long term tectonic implications.     

Late Mesozoic rift evolution and crustal extension in the central Songliao Basin,northeastern China: constraints from cross-section restoration and implications for lithospheric thinning

The Songliao Basin, the largest oil-producing basin in China, was the centre of late Mesozoic rifting and lithospheric thinning in northeastern China. However, the rifts are still poorly revealed due to a thick cover of subsidence successions. By structural interpretation and sequential restoration of cross-sections based on new 2D seismic data and well data, this study presents the structural style, basin evolution, and horizontal crustal extension of the central Songliao Basin. We have developed a novel method to retrieve the regional extension principal strains. The results enable an assignment of rifting into two episodes. The earlier episode (ca. 157–130 Ma) was dominated by distributed faulting of numerous planar normal faults trending NNE–SSW, NNW–SSE, or near NS, probably reflecting pre-existing basement fabrics; in contrast, the later episode (ca. 130–102 Ma) was controlled by localized extension along several major listric faults. Horizontal crustal extension during rifting is estimated to have been 11–28 km (10.6%–25.5%), with the long-term average rate varying from 0.20 to 0.51 mm yr^–1. Regional horizontal strains show a gradual evolution from biaxial extension at the beginning of rifting to WNW–ESE uniaxial stretching during the later rifting episode. Brittle crustal extension is interpreted to have been associated with vertical strain due to tectonic stretching, which is estimated to have contributed more in thinning the lower crust than the mantle lithosphere. Accordingly, a two-episode dynamic model is proposed to explain rifting in the Songliao Basin. We suggest that the earlier event was dominated by delamination of the thickened continental lithosphere, whereas the later event was probably controlled by regional crustal detachment due to slab subduction and stagnancy of the Izanagi lithospheric plate.     

Oil charge history of Paleogene–Eocene reservoir in the Termit Basin (Niger)

A total of 73 oils from the sandstone reservoir of Paleocene–Eocene Sokor 1 Formation in the Termit Basin (eastern Niger) were analysed to investigate the distribution characteristics of biomarkers. Most of the oil samples are quite similar in their organic geochemical characteristics and should have been derived from the same source bed/source kitchen. The homogenisation temperatures of aqueous inclusions in Paleocene–Eocene reservoir of the Termit Basin vary with a range of 76–125?°C. By combining the homogenisation temperatures with the burial and geothermal histories reconstructed by 1-dimensional basin modelling, the timing and episode of oil charge can be obtained, i.e. 13 to 0?Ma for Paleocene–Eocene reservoirs in the Termit Basin. Two presentative geochemical parameters, i.e. Ts / (Ts?+?Tm) and 2,4-dibenzothiophene/1,4-dibenzothiophene (2,4-DMDBT/1,4-DMDBT) were applied to trace the oil migration direction and filling pathway. The preferred oil-filling points in the northwest section of the Termit Basin were determined, and the promising exploratory targets were proposed for further oil exploration in this region.     

渤海湾盆地中北部沉降史分析及裂后期异常沉降分离

为了探究渤海湾盆地新生代沉降过程与西太平洋板块俯冲过程的对应关系,作者收集整理27口钻孔和1条地震地质 剖面数据,并运用回剥技术和应变速率反演方法,模拟出渤海湾盆地中北部裂陷期地壳应变速率变化,分离出裂后期异常 沉降。模拟获得裂陷期地壳应变速率曲线具有明显的三次大的波动,可指示三次构造沉降事件：裂陷Ⅰ幕（60~42 Ma）,对 应于渤海湾盆地孔店组-沙四段沉积过程,平均构造沉降速率为4.6 m/Ma;裂陷Ⅱ幕（42~36 Ma）,对应沙三段-沙二段沉 积过程,平均构造沉降速率为5.5~30.5 m/Ma;裂陷Ⅲ幕（36~24.6 Ma）,对应于沙一段-东营组沉积过程,平均构造沉降速 率为14.7~54.7 m/Ma。研究区内裂后期观测构造沉降与模拟的理论值存在明显的差异,即存在异常沉降。盆地北部异常沉 降值在100~200 m,中部渤海海域异常沉降值在500~700 m,裂后期异常沉降向海域增大。作者推测渤海湾盆地裂后异常沉 降主要是太平洋板块俯冲诱发的深部地幔物质流动导致向下拖拽力引起的。因此,渤海湾盆地中异常沉降可能是一种动力 沉降。     

新生代渭河盆地沉积-构造迁移与渭北隆起及东秦岭耦合关系探讨

渭河盆地、渭北隆起及东秦岭造山带地处青藏块体东北缘、华北克拉通和扬子克拉通的交界处,形成了特有的盆山体系,分布有油气、氦气及地热等多种能源矿产资源。新生代是渭河盆地沉积-构造演化及渭北隆起和东秦岭隆升的重要时期,缺乏该时期盆山体系耦合关系的研究,制约了对区域矿产资源分布规律的认识。盆山耦合体现在时间、空间、物质、构造作用及地表形态等多方面。以大量钻孔资料为依托,运用“回剥法”分析了渭河盆地新生代的沉降幅度及沉降速率,并根据主沉降期新近纪以来不同阶段沉积地层厚度展布特征恢复了盆地沉积演化历史。研究表明渭河盆地新生代以来沉降中心具有自西南方向西安凹陷向北东方向固市凹陷迁移的特征。古近纪始新世以来,渭河盆地发生快速构造沉降,中新世早-中期以西安凹陷为主要沉积、沉降中心,晚中新世以来以西安、固市两个凹陷为主要沉积、沉降中心,晚上新世-早更新世沉降中心转移到东北部固市凹陷,晚更新世以来,西安凹陷和固市凹陷均发生快速沉降。裂变径迹的分析测试结果表明渭北隆起约45～32 Ma整体快速抬升,同步于东秦岭太白山和华山约57～40 Ma的快速隆升阶段,与渭河盆地古近纪始新世约40 Ma的基底快速沉降具有耦合关系。晚中新世约7.3 Ma以来,渭河盆地的持续快速沉降,与渭北隆起上新世约5 Ma及东秦岭太白山约10～9.6 Ma、华山约8～5 Ma以来的快速耦合关系明显。太平洋板块的俯冲、欧亚板块与印度板块始新世约55～45 Ma碰撞及青藏高原约10～8 Ma隆升外扩的远程效应对研究区影响较大。     

Development of regional uplift and uplift-related strata in Gunsan Basin,Yellow Sea: implications for Cenozoic crustal extension

ABSTRACT

The Mesozoic–Cenozoic Gunsan Basin is the northeastern part of the Northern South Yellow Sea Basin between eastern China and the Korean Peninsula. On the basis of seismic interpretation, this study presents and interprets geologic features of regionally uplifted structures, the Haema Arch, located in the central western part of the basin. The Haema Arch is defined as dome-shaped uplift complexes, 95 km long and 60 km wide. It is characterized by prominent basement uplifts along its margin and plunging syncline inside the arch. The marginal large-scale uplifts are bounded by outward-dipping faults. The uplift-related strata are identified on the hanging wall block of the bounding faults and within the Haema Arch, which can be divided into pre-, syn-, and post-uplift units. The pre-uplift unit rests on the acoustic basement and shows an upturned stratal pattern near the marginal large-scale uplift. The syn-uplift unit locally occurs on the hanging wall block of the bounding faults along the northern and southern margins. The uplift of the Haema Arch and its coeval fault-controlled subsidence possibly occurred during the late Oligocene. The post-uplift unit initially formed on remnant topographic lows during the early Miocene and subsequently covered the overall area of the Haema Arch and the Gunsan Basin. The late Oligocene uplifting of the Haema Arch can be interpreted as an isostatic response to tectonic unloading by the arch-bounding faults that possibly extend to detachment faults. We suggest that the Gunsan Basin underwent crustal thinning and extensional deformation during the late Oligocene, which accounts for the coeval uplifting and fault-controlled subsidence in the study area.     

High-precision geochronology of the Early Cretaceous Yingcheng Formation and its stratigraphic implications for Songliao Basin,China

The Songliao Basin in Northeast Asia is the largest and longest-lived rift basin and preserves a near-continuous continental succession of the most of the Cretaceous period, providing great material to investigate the adaption of the terrestrial systems to the Cretaceous greenhouse climate and tectonic events. However, the paucity of precise and accurate radioisotopic ages from the Early Cretaceous strata of the Songliao Basin has greatly held back the temporal and causal correlation of the continental records to the global Early Cretaceous records. Three tuff layers intercalated in the Yingcheng Formation have been intercepted by the SK-2 borehole, which offer excellent materials for radioisotopic dating and calibration of the chronostratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous sequence of Songliao Basin. Moreover, the Yingcheng Formation recorded the largest and the last of the two major volcanic events in Songliao Basin, which also represents a turning point in the basin evolution history of Songliao from syn-rift stage to post-rift stage. Here we report high-precision U–Pb zircon geochronology by the CA-ID-TIMS technique on three tuff samples from the Yingcheng Formation of the SK-2 borehole in the Songliao Basin to construct a greatly improved, absolute age framework for the Yingcheng Formation and provide crucial age constraints for the Songliao Lower Cretaceous Strata. The new CA-ID-TIMS geochronology constrained the Yingcheng Formation at 102.571 + 0.320/?2.346 Ma to ca. 113 Ma, correlating to the Albian Stage. Combined with the previous published Songliao geochronology, the Quantou Formation is constrained to between 96.442 + 0.475/?0.086 Ma and 91.923 + 0.475/?0.086 Ma; the Denglouku Formation is constrained to between 102.571 + 0.320/?2.346 Ma and 96.442 + 0.475/?0.086 Ma; the age of the Shahezi Formation is estimated at ca. 113 Ma to ca. 118 Ma, which could extend to ca. 125 Ma in some locations in Songliao Basin. The major unconformity between the Yingcheng Formation and the Denglouku Formation, which represents the transition of the basin from syn-rift to post-rift is thus confined to between 102.571 + 0.320/?2.346 Ma and 96.442 + 0.475/?0.086 Ma. This is roughly contemporaneous with the change in the direction of the paleo-Pacific plate motion from west-southwest to north or northwest in mid-Cretaceous, suggesting their possible connections.     

Formation and Tectonic Evolution of the Pattani Basin,Gulf of Thailand

The stratigraphic and structural evolution of the Pattani Basin, the most prolific petroleum basin in Thailand, reflects the extensional tectonic regime of continental Southeast Asia. E-W extension resulting from the northward collision of India with Eurasia since the Early Tertiary resulted in the formation of a series of N-S-trending sedimentary basins, which include the Pattani Basin. The sedimentary succession in the Pattani Basin is divisible into synrift and post-rift sequences. Deposition of the synrift sequence accompanied rifting and extension, with episodic block faulting and rapid subsidence. The synrift sequence comprises three stratigraphic units: (1) Upper Eocene to Lower Oligocene alluvial-fan, braidedriver, and floodplain deposits; (2) Upper Oligocene to Lower Miocene floodplain and channel deposits; and (3) a Lower Miocene regressive package consisting of marine to nonmarine sediments. Post-rift succession comprises: (1) a Lower to Middle Miocene regressive package of shallow marine sediments through floodplain and channel deposits; (2) an upper Lower Miocene transgressive sequence; and (3) an Upper Miocene to Pleistocene transgressive succession. The post-rift phase is characterized by slower subsidence and decreased sediment influx. The present-day shallow-marine condition in the Gulf of Thailand is the continuation of this latest transgressive phase.

The subsidence and thermal history of the Pattani Basin is consistent with a nonuniform lithospheric-stretching model. The amount of extension as well as surface heat flow generally increases from the margin to the basin center. The crustal stretching factor (β) varies from 1.3 at the basin margin to 2.8 in the center. The subcrustal stretching factor (5) ranges from 1.3 at the basin margin to more than 3.0 in the basin center. The stretching of the lithosphere may have extended the basement rocks by as much as 45 to 90 km and has led to passive upwelling of the aesthenosphere, resulting in high heat flow (1.9 to 2.5 Heat Flow Units [HFU]) and high geothermal gradient (45 to 60° C/km). The validity of nonuniform lithospheric stretching as a mechanism for the formation of the Pattani Basin is confirmed by the good agreement between the level of organic maturation modeled on the basis of the predicted heatflow history and measured vitrinite reflectance at various depths measured in some 30 boreholes.     

Sea level changes in the upper Aptian-lower/middle(?) Turonian sequence of Cauvery Basin,India – An ichnological perspective

Cauvery Basin, a pericratonic rift basin along the Eastern Continental Margin of India, evolved during the breakup of the Eastern Gondwanaland. It exposes both syn-rift and later post-rift passive margin deposits ranging from Barremian to Miocene. The Karai Formation, upper Aptian-lower/middle (?) Turonian represents the oldest passive margin in the Cauvery Basin. It is bounded at both contacts by major sequence boundaries viz. the break-up unconformity and the Turonian tilt event. The present communication deals with the ichnology of the Karai Formation and its integration with sedimentary facies and biostratigraphy to interpret the sea level changes during deposition. A traverse between the villages Karai and Kulakkalnattam was studied in detail for this purpose. Based on the lithological position, characters and internal grain size trends, the Karai Formation is sub-divided into four informal lithologic units; the lower three units, constitute a lithostratigraphic unit known in literature as the Gypsiferous Clay Member, while the uppermost, corresponds to the Sandy Clay Member. At the base, clays of the Karai Formation unconformably onlap onto the Precambrian basement or the fluvial syn-rift deposits across the break-up unconformity. Upper Aptian to middle Cenomanian, units I and II showing the distal Cruziana ichnofacies, deepening of the basin and a retrogradational stacking pattern represent a transgressive system tract (TST). This long phase of transgression is attributed to continuous accommodation created by the post-breakup thermal subsidence. The upper part of unit II (middle Cenomanian) shows condensation, with its top representing the maximum flooding surface (MFS). Upper Cenomanian to lower/middle (?) Turonian, units III and IV characterised by a shift from the distal Cruziana to the Skolithos ichnofacies, an initial aggradational and later deltaic, progradational stacking pattern resulting from a fall in the relative sea level and filling up of accommodation space represent the highstand system tract (HST). A further fall in the relative sea level led to the exposure, incision and erosion of the Karai Formation over which the younger transgressive sequence of the Trichinopoly Group was deposited with an angular unconformity.     

朝鲜平南盆地古元古界-下古生界沉积岩碎屑锆石年龄谱对比及意义

中朝古陆(华北古陆)平南盆地面积~25000km~2,位于朝鲜半岛中部,发育从中元古界到下古生界地层,但经历了低级变质作用(绿片岩相及以下)。变质基底岩石中有一套角闪岩相-麻粒岩相的变质的古元古界地层。本文根据盆地不同时代沉积岩碎屑锆石/变质锆石U-Pb LA-ICP MS年龄数据讨论沉积源区的变化,并对区域演化进行制约。甑山群/杂岩为盆地基底岩系,变质砂岩样品中碎屑锆石出现ca.2500~2100Ma的年龄峰值。另外,36.5亿年的碎屑锆石是朝鲜迄今发现的最古老碎屑锆石;夕线榴片麻岩样品记录了~1850Ma(1859±9Ma)的变质年龄;推测甑山群沉积于ca.2100~1900Ma,变质于1850 Ma。黄海群局限分布于朝鲜半岛中部,碎屑锆石年龄谱显示~1850 Ma的峰值,可见~1250 Ma的年龄,推测对应物源为古元古代基底岩浆岩和变质岩系;结合其上覆直岘群的沉积时代,推测地层沉积于ca.1250~1000Ma。直岘群是平南盆地分布最广的地层之一,底部长峰组样品显示明显的~1850Ma的峰值,而其上第二个和第三个组则显示明显的ca.1400~1600Ma和ca.1000~1200 Ma年龄峰值,~1850 Ma年龄很少;推测直岘群开始沉积时,物源主体是盆地基底岩系,但之后出现大量中元古代物质;推测其沉积时代为ca.1000~900Ma。黄州群有~1850Ma和~2500Ma的峰值,另外,还有较少的ca.1000~1200Ma及1400~1600 Ma年龄,表明沉积物源主体仍是基底岩系,可能有中新元古代沉积岩(黄州群-直岘群)的再沉积。这些沉积岩碎屑锆石年龄峰值与辽东和山东半岛沉积地层相似,并且中新元古代地层中均有大量1000~1200Ma及1400~1600Ma的物质,推测可能来自华北古陆之外,如圣弗朗西斯科克拉通。     

Cretaceous sedimentary basins in Sichuan,SW China: Restoration of tectonic and depositional environments

This study documents sediment infill features and their responses to the tectonic evolution of the Sichuan Basin and adjacent areas. The data include a comparison of field outcrops, well drillings, inter-well correlations, seismic data, isopach maps, and the spatial evolution of sedimentary facies. We divided the evolutionary history of the Sichuan Cretaceous Basin into three stages based on the following tectonic subsidence curves: the early Early Cretaceous (145–125 Ma), late Early Cretaceous to early Late Cretaceous (125–89.8 Ma), and late Late Cretaceous (89.8–66 Ma). The basin underwent NW–SE compression with northwestward shortening in the early Early Cretaceous and was dominated by alluvial fans and fluviolacustrine sedimentary systems. The central and northern areas of the Sichuan Basin were rapidly uplifted during the late Early Cretaceous to early Late Cretaceous with southwestward tilting, which resulted in the formation of a depression, exhibited southwestward compression, and was characterized by aeolian desert and fluviolacustrine deposits. The tectonic framework is controlled by the inherited basement structure and the formation of NE mountains, which not only affected the clastic supply of the sedimentary basin but also blocked warm-wet currents from the southeast, which changed the climatic conditions in the late Late Cretaceous. The formation and evolution of Cretaceous sedimentary basins are closely related to synchronous subtle far-field tectonism and changes in climate and drainage systems. According to the analysis of the migration of the Cretaceous sedimentation centers, different basin structures formed during different periods, including periods of peripheral mountain asynchronous thrusting and regional differential uplift. Thus, the Sichuan Cretaceous sedimentary basin is recognized as a superimposed foreland basin.     

Early Cretaceous provenance change in the southern Hailar Basin,northeastern China and its implication for basin evolution

Gamma-ray (GR) logging and detrital zircon geochronology provide new constraints on changing provenance in the southern Hailar Basin of northeastern China. The basement of this region is characterized by low GR values of 70–90 API. This is overlain by a rift-fill sequence, the GR values of which exhibit a broad range in its lower part (70–160 API), but a more restricted range (80–110 API) in its upper part. Post-rift sediments dominate the basin fill, and are characterized by higher GR values of 120–160 API. Detrital zircon samples from the lower rift sequence and post-rift sediments share similar age distributions, with a single dominant age population of 150–110 Ma. Samples from the upper rift sequence exhibit a bimodal age distribution with peaks at 180–150 Ma and 360–300 Ma. The synchronous changes in zircon age populations and GR values in the strata suggest changing sedimentary source characteristics, thus revealing a rapid shift from active rifting to post-rift thermal sagging of the Hailar Basin in the Early Cretaceous. The basal rift-fill deposits are interpreted to have been mainly derived from erosion of local highs internal to the basin itself, although acidic air-fall ash from the extensive late Mesozoic volcanism in the Great Xing'an Range probably also contributed. Post-rift sediments are dominated by materials shed from the Great Xing'an Range magmatic belt.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of the Devonian Gumbardo Formation (Adavale Basin): evidence for cratonisation of the Central Thomson Orogen by the Early Devonian

Abstract

The Devonian subsurface Adavale Basin occupies a central position in the Paleozoic central Thomson Orogen of eastern Australia and records its tectonic setting during this time interval. Here, we have focussed on the basal volcanics of the Gumbardo Formation to clarify the tectonic setting of the basin. The approach has been to undertake stratigraphic logging, LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon geochronology and whole-rock geochemical analysis. The data indicate that basin initiation was rapid occurring at ca 401?Ma. The volcanic rocks are dominated by K-feldspar phyric rhyodacitic ignimbrites. The whole-rock geochemical data indicate little evidence for extensive fractional crystallisation, with the volcanic suite resembling the composition of the upper continental crust and exhibiting transitional I- to A-type tectonomagmatic affinities. One new U–Pb zircon age revealed an Early Ordovician emplacement age for a volcanic rock previously interpreted to be part of the Early Devonian Gumbardo Formation, and older basement age is consistent with seismic interpretations of uplifted basement in this region of the western Adavale Basin. Five ignimbrites dated from different stratigraphic levels within the formation yield similar emplacement ages with a pooled weighted age of 398.2?±?1.9?Ma (mean square weighted deviation?=?0.94, n?=?93). Significant zircon inheritance in the volcanic rocks records reworking of Ordovician and Silurian silicic igneous basement from the Thomson Orogen and provides insight into the crustal make-up of the Thomson Orogen. Collectively, the new data presented here suggest the Adavale Basin is a cover-type basin that developed on a stabilised Thomson Orogen after the major Bindian deformation event in the late Silurian.     

华北盆地新生代裂陷机制与过程的数值模拟

采用McKenzie的纯剪切动力学模型对似环状的“大华北盆地”的形成机制与过程进行初步的数值模拟。模拟结果表明：(1)“大华北盆地”新生代以来经历了两次伸展减薄--热事件．而不是原来所认为的一次事件的两个阶段;(2)第二次伸展减薄--热事件(即新近纪一第四纪)的沉降幅度要小于第一次伸展减薄--热事件(即古近纪)的沉降幅度;(3)“大华北盆地”古近纪的第一次伸展减薄一热事件可能已经进入后裂谷相,并且是处于后裂谷相的初期;(4)现今盆地的演化可能处于第二次伸展减薄--热事件的同裂谷相的晚期。这一研究对认识华北地区新生代的盆地演化及动力学背景有重要的意义。     

Basin analysis study of block 10 in the Say'un-Masilah Basin, Yemen, using a 1D backstripping method

Geohistory analysis was carried out on block 10 in the Say??un-Masilah Basin. The present study is based on the analysis of the well logs of six exploration wells. In the Middle Jurassic to the Middle Eocene, Say??un-Masilah Basin exhibited a complex subsidence history over a period of about 155?Ma. Backstripped subsidence curves are constructed by removing the effects of decompaction to the water column and sediment loads. In the Middle Jurassic, slow subsidence was driven under the effect of sediment load as Kuhlan and Shuqra Formations were deposited as pre-rift deposits. The average total subsidence value of the basement during the deposition of Shuqra Formation was 276?m. The highest subsidence rates during this time are observed northeast of the study area. Rapid subsidence initiated in the Upper Jurassic driven by mechanical extension of the rift, resulting in the deposition of Madbi and Safer Formations, or the so-called Syn-rift deposits. The average tectonic subsidence value of the basements during the deposition of Madbi Formation was 368?m. The highest subsidence rates during this time are observed southwest of the study area. Mechanical extension ceased at about 145?Ma, being replaced by a phase of post-rift subsidence, resulting in more widespread uniform sedimentation, with reduced tectonic subsidence rates forming post-rift deposits represented by Nayfa Formation, Sa??ar Formation, Biyad Formation, and Mahra Group. The total subsidence value of the basement during the deposition of the post-rift sediments increases gradually due to the increase of the sediment load as the rate of deposition was high especially northeast of the area.     

Fault slip analysis in the Koralm Massif (Eastern Alps) and consequences for the final uplift of “cold spots” in Miocene times

The Paleogene and Neogene evolution of Austroalpine basement units east of the Tauern Window is characterised by the formation of two major sets of faults: (1) ESE–WNW- to E–W-trending faults, associated with ENE- and NNW-trending conjugate structures and (2) N–S to NNE-SSW striking structures, mainly acting as high-angle normal faults, often associated with E-dipping low-angle normal faults along the western margin of the Styrian Basin.Together with the stratigraphic evolution of the Styrian and Lavanttal Basins and the related subsidence histories a tectonic evolution may be reconstructed for this part of the Eastern Alps. In the southern part of the Koralm Massif, WNW-trending fractures were activated as dextral strike-slip faults, associated with the evolution of WNW-trending troughs filled up with coarse block debris. W- to WNW-trending fractures were reactivated as normal faults, indicating N–S extension. It is assumed that these phases resulted in subsidence and block debris sedimentation in Karpatian and Badenian times (ca. 17–13 Ma).In the Western Styrian Basin no Sarmatian (13–11.5 Ma) sediments are observed; Pannonian (11.5 to 7.1 Ma) sediments are restricted to the Eastern Styrian Basin. This indicates, that the Koralm basement and the Western Styrian Basin were affected by post-Sarmatian uplift, coinciding with a re-activation of N-trending normal faults along the eastern margin of the Koralm Massif. Therefore, we suggest that the final uplift of the Koralm Complex, partly together with the Western Styrian Basin, occurred during the early Pannonian (at approximately 10 Ma). The elevation of clastic deposits indicates that the Koralm Complex was elevated by approximately 800 m during this phase, associated with an additional phase of E–W-directed extension accommodated by N–S striking normal faults.     

From late Visean to Stephanian: pinpointing a two-stage basinal evolution in the Variscan belt. A case study from the Bosmoreau basin (French Massif Central) and its geodynamic implications

Post-convergence evolution of the Variscan belt is characterized by the development of intramontane coal-bearing basins containing volcano-sedimentary successions. In the French Massif Central, K––Ar ages on clay particles from fine-grained sediments of the Bosmoreau basin (Limousin area), help pinpoint the evolution of the basin. In the lower part of the sedimentary pile, illite in a siltstone underlying a volcanic layer previously dated at 332±4 Ma by the U––Pb method on zircon, yields a consistent K––Ar age of ca. 340 Ma. Upward in the sedimentary succession, illite yields Stephanian K––Ar ages, which can be combined to provide a mean deposition age of 296.5±3.5 Ma. The Bosmoreau basin, albeit mainly filled with Stephanian deposits, was initiated during the late Visean, i.e. ca. 30 Ma earlier than inferred from biostratigraphical constraints. During the Stephanian, the same structure was reactivated and late Visean deposits were eroded and subsequently blanketed by thick clastic sediments. These results emphasise a two-stage evolution for the Bosmoreau basin, which is closely related to extensional tectonics identified on basement country rocks, and they are used to propose a geodynamic evolution of the studied area.