Thermal regime and amplitude of lithosphere extension in the Sirte basin, Libya: Numerical estimates in the plane basin modeling system

The GALO basin modeling system has been applied for the numerical reconstruction of the subsidence history, variations in temperature, and maturity of the organic matter of sedimentary rocks composing the main tectonic structures of Sirte Basin. The reconstruction was carried out for eight sedimentary cross sections along the profile stretching from the Cyrenaica Platform on the eastern coast of the basin to the Hun Graben on its western wall. The interval of depths for temperature calculations included the sedimentary layer, consolidated crust, and the mantle to below 100 km. This extensive depth coverage made it possible to use the analysis of the variations in the tectonic subsidence of the basin for estimating the amplitudes and duration of the events of thermal activation and extension of the lithosphere of the basin in the history of its evolution. The modeling suggests that thermal activations of the lithosphere in the Albian-Cenomanian and Oligocene-Pleistocene are common for all tectonic structures of the Sirte Basin and the Cyrenaica Platform and that a relatively high temperature regime is also characteristic of the present-day conditions in the Sirte Basin and Cyrenaica Platform. To a considerable extent, such a regime is caused by the thermal activation of the lithosphere of the basin during the last 10 Ma. The intensity of this activation is highest in the western part of the basin, where it is accompanied by the highest erosion amplitudes. The analysis of the variations in tectonic subsidence of the basement also suggests a series of intervals of lithospheric extension, which accounts for the stages of relatively rapid subsidence of the basin. Two intervals of significant extension of the lithosphere in the Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene are common for all areas within the basin. Here, the total amplitudes of the crustal extension attained 1.5 in the central part of the Sirte Basin (the Ajdabiya and Maradah troughs and Zelten and Dahra platforms), was equal to 1.3 in the Hameimat and Zallah troughs, and were minimal (1.11–1.17) in the periphery of the basin (within the Hun Graben and Cyrenaica Platform).     

3D Crustal and Lithospheric Structures in the Southeastern Mediterranean and Northeastern Egypt

Crustal and lithospheric thicknesses of the southeastern Mediterranean Basin region were determined using 3D Bouguer and elevation data analysis. The model is based on the assumption of local isostatic equilibrium. The calculated regional and residual Bouguer anomaly maps were employed for highlighting both deep and shallow structures. Generally, the regional field in the area under study is considered to be mainly influenced by the density contrast between the crust and upper mantle. Use of the gravity and topographic data with earthquake focal depths has improved both the geometry and the density distribution in the 3-D calculated profiles. The oceanic-continental boundary, the basement relief, Moho depth and lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary maps were estimated. The results point to the occurrence of thick continental crust areas with a thickness of approximately 32 km in northern Egypt. Below the coastal regions, the thickness of crust decreases abruptly (transition zone). An inverse correlation between sediment and crustal thicknesses shows up from the study. Furthermore, our density model reveals the existence of a continental crustal zone below the Eratosthenes Seamount block. Nevertheless, the crustal type beneath the Levantine basin is typically oceanic; this is covered by sedimentary sequences more than 14 km thick. The modeled Moho map shows a depth of 28–30 km below Cyprus and a depth of 26–28 km beneath the south Florence Rise in the northern west. However, the Moho lies at a constant shallow depth of 22–24 km below the Levantine Basin, which indicates thinning of the crust beneath this region. The Moho map reveals also a maximum depth of about 33–35 km beneath both the northern Egypt and northern Sinai, both of which are of the continental crust. The resulting mantle density anomalies suggest important variations of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) topography, indicating prominent lithospheric mantle thinning beneath south Cyprus (LAB ~90 km depth), followed by thickening beneath the Eratosthenes seamount, Florence Rise, Levantine Basin and reaching to maximum thickness below Cyprian Arc (LAB ~115–120 km depth), and further followed by thinning in the north African margin plate and north Sinai subplate (LAB ~90–95 km depth). According to our density model profiles, we find that almost all earthquakes in the study area occurred along the western and central segments of the Cyprian arc while they almost disappear along the eastern segment. The active subduction zone in the Cyprian Arc is associated with large negative anomalies due to its low velocity upper mantle zone, which might be an indication of a serpentinized mantle. This means that collision between Cyprus and the Eratosthenes Seamount block is marked by seismic activity. Additionally, this block is in the process of dynamically subsiding, breaking-up and being underthrusted beneath Cyprus to the north and thrusted onto the Levantine Basin to the south.     

若尔盖与西秦岭地震反射岩石圈结构和盆山耦合

松潘地块北缘的若尔盖盆地与西秦岭造山带相接触，构成青藏高原东北缘典型的新生代盆山构造.其岩石圈结构与深部构造关系，记录了青藏高原东北缘板块碰撞的深部过程，同时又关联着若尔盖盆地油气远景的评价.2004年秋冬季，我们完成了第一条跨越若尔盖盆地和西秦岭造山带的深地震反射剖面.整个剖面全长254 km，分5段完成，其中第2段剖面（简称SP04_2）横过盆山结合部位.SP04_2剖面首次揭示若尔盖盆地－西秦岭造山带盆山结合部位的岩石圈结构，发现了若尔盖盆地和西秦岭造山带下地壳均以北倾为主的强反射特征，提供出若尔盖盆地下地壳整体向西秦岭造山带俯冲的地震学证据，揭示了若尔盖盆地和西秦岭造山带在挤压构造体系下形成的深部构造关系.而近于平的Moho反射特征又反映出两者在造山后期经历了强烈的伸展作用.     

松辽盆地地壳精细结构研究

基于东北地区已有的宽频带流动台阵远震数据,利用波场延拓和分解的H-β网格搜索法,对松辽盆地的沉积层及地壳结构进行了深入分析。结果显示:松辽盆地的沉积层厚度为0.2—2.5 km,整体呈现中央坳陷区厚、边缘薄且西南地区最薄的分布特征;研究区地壳较薄,厚度介于24—34 km之间,其横向变化特征与沉积层厚度分布具有一定的对应性。依据沉积层和地壳的厚度计算了地壳伸展系数,其平均值接近于以往接收函数研究估测的岩石圈伸展因子。因此,本文推测松辽盆地在伸展构造过程中,其地壳和岩石圈的减薄以纯剪切模式为主。此外,松辽盆地具有较高的地壳平均波速比v_P/v_S,暗示盆地下方岩石圈地幔的减薄过程中可能存在岩浆的底侵作用。      

佳木斯地块与松嫩地块俯冲碰撞的深反射地震剖面证据

佳木斯地块和松嫩地块是东北地区两个十分重要的地质构造单元,由于二者之间发育一套含有蓝片岩的俯冲增生杂岩-黑龙江杂岩(原称黑龙江群),其地质构造意义长期为人们所关注.巴彦—桦南深反射地震剖面揭示,佳木斯地块与松嫩地块之间存在明显向西俯冲的深反射信息,以壳内和幔内向西倾伏的楔状反射区为特征.壳内楔状反射区东与浅表层出露的黑龙江杂岩相连,向西倾伏延深至莫霍面,是俯冲增生杂岩在地壳深部的反映;幔内楔状反射区东起小兴安岭之下的莫霍面,向西倾伏延深至松辽盆地东缘,尖灭深度约78km,与多种方法得出的该区现今的岩石圈厚度(75~80km)基本一致.这一证据充分说明佳木斯地块的岩石圈地幔向西俯冲到松嫩地块岩石圈地幔之下.     

The state of the lithosphere in the junction zone of Tarim and Tien Shan according to the petrological interpretation of the magnetotelluric data

The geological-geophysical and petrological-geochemical studies of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle are combined to estimate the state of the lithosphere at the junction zone of Tarim and Tien Shan. The laboratory measurements of electric conductivity in the rocks sampled from the upper mantle and lower crust considered against the geoelectrical and thermal models revealed lherzolite, granulite, and eclogite massifs in the deep section of the Tarim and Tien Shan junction zone. The experimental results suggest that the crustal thickness in the southern Tien Shan attained 35–40 km 70 Ma ago.     

Why the Sacramento Delta area differs from other parts of the great valley: Numerical modeling of thermal structure and thermal subsidence of forearc basins

Data on present-day heat flow, subsidence history, and paleotemperature for the Sacramento Delta region, California, have been employed to constrain a numerical model of tectonic subsidence and thermal evolution of forearc basins. The model assumes an oceanic basement with an initial thermal profile dependent on its age subjected to refrigeration caused by a subducting slab. Subsidence in the Sacramento Delta region appears to be close to that expected for a forearc basin underlain by normal oceanic lithosphere of age 150 Ma, demonstrating that effects from both the initial thermal profile and the subduction process are necessary and sufficient. Subsidence at the eastern and northern borders of the Sacramento Valley is considerably less, approximating subsidence expected from the dynamics of the subduction zone alone. These results, together with other geophysical data, show that Sacramento Delta lithosphere, being thinner and having undergone deeper subsidence, must differ from lithosphere of the transitional type under other parts of the Sacramento Valley. Thermal modeling allows evaluation of the rheological properties of the lithosphere. Strength diagrams based on our thermal model show that, even under relatively slow deformation (10⁻¹⁷ s⁻¹), the upper part of the delta crystalline crust (down to 20–22 km) can fail in brittle fashion, which is in agreement with deeper earthquake occurrence. Hypocentral depths of earthquakes under the Sacramento Delta region extend to nearly 20 km, whereas, in the Coast Ranges to the west, depths are typically less than 12–15 km. The greater width of the seismogenic zone in this area raises the possibility that, for fault segments of comparable length, earthquakes of somewhat greater magnitude might occur than in the Coast Ranges to the west. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Geodynamic evolution of the lithosphere of the Sea of Okhotsk region from geophysical data

The tectonic structure and anomalous distributions of geophysical fields of the Sea of Okhotsk region are considered; the lack of reliable data on the age of the lithosphere beneath basins of various origins in the Sea of Okhotsk is noted. Model calculations based on geological and geophysical data yielded an age of 65 Ma (the Cretaceous-Paleocene boundary) for the Central Okhotsk rise underlain by the continental lithosphere. This estimate agrees with the age (the end of the Cretaceous) derived from seismostratigraphic data. A comparative analysis of theoretical and measured heat fluxes in the Akademii Nauk Rise, underlain by a thinned continental crust, is performed. The analysis points to a higher (by 20%) value of the measured thermal background of the rise, which is consistent with a high negative gradient of gravity anomalies in this area. Calculations yielded an age of 36 Ma (the Early Oligocene) and a lithosphere thickness of 50 km for the South Okhotsk depression, whose seafloor was formed by processes of backarc spreading. The estimated age of the depression is supported by kinematic data on the region; the calculated thickness of the lithosphere coincides with the value estimated from data of magnetotelluric sounding here. This indicates that the formation time (36 Ma) of the South Okhotsk depression was estimated correctly. Numerical modeling performed for the determination of the basement age of rifting basins in the Sea of Okhotsk gave the following estimates: 18 Ma (the Early Miocene) for the Deryugin basin, 12 Ma (the Middle Miocene) for the TINRO basin, and 23 Ma (the Late Oligocene) for the West Kamchatka trough. These estimates agree with the formation time (Oligocene-Quaternary) of the sedimentary cover in rifting basins of the Sea of Okhotsk derived from geological and geophysical data. Model temperature estimates are obtained for lithologic and stratigraphic boundaries of the sedimentary cover in the Deryugin and TINRO basins and the West Kamchatka trough; the temperature analysis indicates that the latter two structures are promising for oil and hydrocarbon gas generation; the West Kamchatka trough possesses better reservoir properties compared to the TINRO and Deryugin basins. The latter is promising for the generation of hydrocarbon gas. Paleogeodynamic reconstructions of the Sea of Okhotsk region evolution are obtained for times of 90, 66, and 36 Ma on the basis of kinematic, geomagnetic, structural, tectonic, geothermal, and other geological and geophysical data.     

Geodynamic evolution of a forearc rift in the southernmost Mariana Arc

The southernmost Mariana forearc stretched to accommodate opening of the Mariana Trough backarc basin in late Neogene time, erupting basalts at 3.7–2.7 Ma that are now exposed in the Southeast Mariana Forearc Rift (SEMFR). Today, SEMFR is a broad zone of extension that formed on hydrated, forearc lithosphere and overlies the shallow subducting slab (slab depth ≤ 30–50 km). It comprises NW–SE trending subparallel deeps, 3–16 km wide, that can be traced ≥ ∼30 km from the trench almost to the backarc spreading center, the Malaguana‐Gadao Ridge (MGR). While forearcs are usually underlain by serpentinized harzburgites too cold to melt, SEMFR crust is mostly composed of Pliocene, low‐K basaltic to basaltic andesite lavas that are compositionally similar to arc lavas and backarc basin (BAB) lavas, and thus defines a forearc region that recently witnessed abundant igneous activity in the form of seafloor spreading. SEMFR igneous rocks have low Na₈, Ti₈, and Fe₈, consistent with extensive melting, at ∼23 ± 6.6 km depth and 1239 ± 40°C, by adiabatic decompression of depleted asthenospheric mantle metasomatized by slab‐derived fluids. Stretching of pre‐existing forearc lithosphere allowed BAB‐like mantle to flow along the SEMFR and melt, forming new oceanic crust. Melts interacted with pre‐existing forearc lithosphere during ascent. The SEMFR is no longer magmatically active and post‐magmatic tectonic activity dominates the rift.     

The composition of back-arc basin lower crust and upper mantle in the Mariana Trough: A first report

Abstract The Mariana Trough is an active back-arc basin, with the rift propagating northward ahead of spreading. The northern part of the Trough is now rifting, with extension accommodated by combined stretching and igneous intrusion. Deep structural graben are found in a region of low heat flow, and we interpret these to manifest a low-angle normal fault system that defines the extension axis between 19°45' and 21°10'N. A single dredge haul from the deepest (∼5.5 km deep) of these graben recovered a heterogeneous suite of volcanic and plutonic crustal rocks and upper mantle peridotites, providing the first report of the deeper levels of back-arc basin lithosphere. Several lines of evidence indicate that these rocks are similar to typical back-arc basin lithosphere and are not fragments of rifted older arc lithosphere. Hornblende yielded an ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 1.8 ± 0.6 Ma, which is interpreted to approximate the time of crust formation. Harzburgite spinels have moderate Cr# (<40) and coexisting compositions of clinopyroxene (CPX) and plagioclase (PLAB) fall in the field of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) gabbros. Crustal rocks include felsic rocks (70-80% SiO₂) and plutonic rocks that are rich in amphibole. Chemical compositions of crustal rocks show little evidence for a 'subduction component', and radiogenic isotopic compositions correspond to that expected for back-arc basin crust of the Mariana Trough. These data indicate that mechanical extension in this part of the Mariana Trough involves lithosphere that originally formed magmatically. These unique exposures of back-arc basin lithosphere call for careful study using ROVs and manned submersibles, and consideration as an ocean drilling program (ODP) drilling site.     

地幔热导率的选取对动力学数值模拟的影响——以岩石圈张裂过程为例

目前存在有多种地幔热导率模型,不同模型在数值和随温压变化的特征上有明显的差异.为探究不同热导率模型对动力学数值模拟结果的影响,本文对不同模型下的岩石圈张裂过程进行模拟研究,探讨地幔热导率对岩石圈热传输、变形和熔融过程的影响及其作用机理.结果显示,不同热导率模型下,岩石圈的变形和熔融特征表现出明显差异.高热导率模型下,岩石圈破裂较晚,形成陆缘较为宽阔,地壳熔融强烈而地幔熔融较弱;低热导率模型下,岩石圈破裂较早,形成陆缘较为狭窄,地幔熔融强烈而地壳熔融较弱.这种差异源于不同地幔热导率下岩石圈和地幔热状态的变化及相应力学性质的改变.高热导率下,热传导的增温效应显著,岩石圈呈现较热的状态,其强度整体较低,壳幔耦合减弱;而低热导率下,热对流的增温效应显著,岩石圈呈较冷的状态,其强度整体较高,壳幔耦合增强.基于模拟结果,本文认为地幔热导率的选取对动力学模拟的结果有着较为显著的影响,相对于随温压的变化,热导率数值的差异对动力学数值模拟的结果影响更大,尤其是对于地幔熔融过程的影响.     

张裂大陆边缘形成演化的数值模拟

本文在等黏态角落流模型的基础上,建立了上升离散地幔流场,将该流场作用于大陆岩石圈底部,能解释岩石圈减薄、裂解并最终形成海底扩张和张裂大陆边缘等一系列过程.数值模拟的结果表明,岩石圈在上升离散地幔流的作用下发生依赖于深度的伸展减薄,表现为不同深度的拉张因子不同,地表热流显著升高,热扰动引起的均衡调整造成地表沉降,同时热扰动造成岩石圈流变强度尤其是在变形中心处显著减小,脆性变形临界深度变浅,而韧性变形范围扩大.在上升离散地幔流的持续作用下最终导致大陆裂解,岩石圈地幔出露,形成海底扩张和张裂大陆边缘.     

Intraplate seismicity in the western Bohemian Massif (central Europe): A possible correlation with a paleoplate junction

Locations of the Eger Rift, Cheb Basin, Quaternary volcanoes, crustal earthquake swarms and exhalation centers of CO₂ and ³He of mantle origin correlate with the tectonic fabric of the mantle lithosphere modelled from seismic anisotropy. We suggest that positions of the seismic and volcanic phenomena, as well as of the Cenozoic sedimentary basins, correlate with a “triple junction” of three mantle lithospheres distinguished by different orientations of their tectonic fabric consistent within each unit. The three mantle domains most probably belong to the originally separated microcontinents – the Saxothuringian, Teplá-Barrandian and Moldanubian – assembled during the Variscan orogeny. Cenozoic extension reactivated the junction and locally thinned the crust and mantle lithosphere. The rigid part of the crust, characterized by the presence of earthquake foci, decoupled near the junction from the mantle probably during the Variscan. The boundaries (transitions) of three mantle domains provided open pathways for Quaternary volcanism and the ascent of ³He- and CO₂-rich fluids released from the asthenosphere. The deepest earthquakes, interpreted as an upper limit of the brittle–ductile transition in the crust, are shallower above the junction of the mantle blocks (at about 12 km) than above the more stable Saxothuringian mantle lithosphere (at about 20 km), probably due to a higher heat flow and presence of fluids.     

白云深水区新生代沉降及岩石圈伸展变形

为认识白云深水区新生代构造沉降和岩石圈伸展变形特征,本文对过研究区的两条测线进行了回剥分析和伸展系数计算,结果表明:白云深水区新生代构造沉降具有幕式特点,由快到慢共分4幕:①65～24.4 Ma;②24.4～18.5 Ma;③18.5～13.8 Ma;④13.8～0 Ma,在裂后存在3期快速沉降(24.4～21Ma,1...     

Shear velocity structure of crust and uppermost mantle in China from surface wave tomography using ambient noise and earthquake data

We present a 3D model of shear velocity of crust and upper mantle in China and surrounding regions from surface wave tomography.We combine dispersion measurements from ambient noise correlation and traditional earthquake data.The stations include the China National Seismic Network,global networks,and all the available PASSCAL stations in the region over the years.The combined data sets provide excellent data coverage of the region for surface wave measurements from 8 to 120 s,which are used to invert for 3D shear wave velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle down to about150 km.We also derive new models of the study region for crustal thickness and averaged S velocities for upper,mid,and lower crust and the uppermost mantle.The models provide a fundamental data set for understanding continental dynamics and evolution.The tomography results reveal significant features of crust and upper mantle structure,including major basins,Moho depth variation,mantle velocity contrast between eastern and western North China Craton,widespread low-velocity zone in midcrust in much of the Tibetan Plateau,and clear velocity contrasts of the mantle lithosphere between north and southern Tibet with significant E–W variations.The low velocity structure in the upper mantle under north and eastern TP correlates with surface geological boundaries.A patch of high velocity anomaly is found under the eastern part of the TP,which may indicate intact mantle lithosphere.Mantle lithosphere shows striking systematic change from the western to eastern North China Craton.The Tanlu Fault appears to be a major lithosphere boundary.     

汕头－吕宋岛岩石圈速度结构与震源构造──台湾浅滩7．3级地震构造之一

汕头－吕宋岛岩石圈速度结构剖面，划分出华南陆缘古生代陆壳、陆架区晚古生代－中生代陆壳、陆坡带中生代－早第三纪过渡壳、新生代南海海盆洋壳及吕宋岛中生代－新生代岛弧陆壳与东吕宋海槽洋壳等地壳构造组分，并确定了上述地壳构造之间的边界断裂构造及其性质。结合地震震源分布及机制，初步确定了华南陆架盆岭构造带北、南两侧地震构造的控震构造与发震构造性质及其震源力学特征；１）指出１９９４年９月１６日台湾浅滩７．３级地震属于板缘壳幔地震及造成一千公里有感范围的原因；２）马尼拉海沟的海底地堑构造与南海海盆岩石圈地幔上隆是马尼拉海沟俯冲带震源显示正断层性质的原因，且为被动的或转换俯冲带；３）东吕宋海槽仍属于菲律宾海俯冲带性质；吕宋岛东西两侧俯冲带岩石圈板片震源深度的准三层分布，可能表明俯冲带岩石圈板片存在相应的低速滑移层。     

准噶尔盆地北部基底结构与属性问题探讨

准噶尔盆地的基底结构与属性一直是地学界关注的焦点问题之一.横跨准噶尔盆地北部,走向近东西的克拉玛依—喀姆斯特地震剖面提供了该盆地北部详细的地壳与上地幔顶部的速度结构与构造,特别是基底顶界面的速度.沿剖面发现了数条走向近南北的“H”型超壳断裂,它们没有明显的断差,断裂处反射系数明显降低,介质的Q值减小,推测具“开裂”性质;利用盆地内1:20万重磁数据完成了重磁联合反演,获得了沿剖面的地壳与上地幔顶部的二维密度结构与二维磁性结构.根据在一定深度范围内介质的速度-密度-岩性之间的关系,确定了盆地北部基底岩性分布.结果表明,准噶尔盆地北部的基底多处为基性和超基性物质,推测为深部（上地幔）物质沿超壳断裂进入地壳内部并对地壳物质进行改造的结果.这一推断得到盆地内部高磁性、高重力异常的支持,也与盆地具有较高的地壳平均速度相一致.综合其他地球物理与地质资料综合分析,给出了综合地质解释剖面,建立了准噶尔盆地北部基底结构与属性的动力学模型.     

华南陆缘高热流区的壳幔温度结构与动力学背景

华南陆缘是我国重要的矿产、地热资源区.晚中生代以来,在太平洋板块西向俯冲,地幔热对流活动共同作用下,该区出现多期岩浆-热事件和大规模爆发式成矿作用.在前人研究基础上,本文利用地表热流观测资料、地震剪切波资料、重力位球谐系数,计算了壳-幔温度结构,分析了动力学背景.计算结果表明：华南陆缘东南沿海地带,地壳10 km以浅温度达200℃以上,居里点温度475℃,莫霍面平均温度550℃.地壳浅层较热,花岗岩中放射性元素衰变放热是地壳浅层地下水热活动的重要热源,但地壳总体温度不高,为"冷壳热幔"型热结构.地幔中,90 km深度,温度950~1250℃;120 km深度,温度1050~1400℃;150 km深度,温度1200~1450℃;220 km深度,温度1500~1700℃."热"岩石圈底界深度在110~150 km之间,西深东浅.岩石圈内,地幔应力场为挤压-伸展相间格局;岩石圈之下,地幔应力场为一个以南昌为中心、长轴NE-SW向的椭圆.分析认为,晚中生代以来,太平洋板块的西向俯冲,导致华南陆缘在区域性SE向地幔对流背景上叠加局域性不稳定热扰动,在175~85Ma期间,上地幔物质向上流动,形成不同的岩浆活动高峰期.同时,岩石圈地幔受俯冲洋壳流体的影响,含水量高,黏度小,在地幔流切向应力场作用下,岩石圈底界由西向东"波浪"状减薄.现今岩石圈之下仍具备地幔小尺度热对流温度条件,但除地表浅层外,地壳整体温度不高,岩石圈构造稳定.     

Neogene deformation of the Kuqa-Tianshan Basin-range System

The Neogene deformation of the Kuqa-Tianshan Basin-range System is characterized by discrepancy in paleostress patterns on the basin-range boundary and in the basin interior, and by discrepancy in deformation styles of the basement and the cover. Measurement and paleostress reconstruction of the brittle faults display a stress pattern with NW-SE and/or NNW-SSE extension on the basin margin and NW-SE compression in the basin interior. The basement was cut into blocks separated by boundary faults and upthrusts that were recognized in the seismic reflection profile. The block-faulting could have caused vertical uplift of the basement and gravitational sliding in the overlying sedimentary cover. Theoretical calculation indicates two generations of potential decollement folds within the basin, with one being mudstone in the Triassic Huangshanjie formation and the other the Cenozoic salt-gypsum layers.