E–W opening of the Algerian Basin (Western Mediterranean)

We present geophysical and geological evidence of fast (2 cm yr^?1 in the east and 5 cm yr^?1 in the west) E–W spreading between 16 and 8 Ma in the region behind the Gibraltar Arc in the Algerian Basin.     

Large-scale slope failure involving Triassic and Middle Miocene salt and shale in the Gulf of Cádiz (Atlantic Iberian Margin)

Sheets of salt and ductile shale advancing beyond the thrust front of the Gibraltar Arc (Iberian–Moroccan Atlantic continental margin) triggered downslope movements of huge allochthonous masses. These allochthons represent the Cádiz Nappe, which detached from the Gibraltar Arc along low‐angle normal faults and migrated downslope from the Iberian and Moroccan continental margins towards the Atlantic Ocean. Extensional tectonics initiated upslope salt withdrawal and downslope diapirism during large‐scale westward mass wasting from the shelf and upper slope. Low‐angle salt and shale detachments bound by lateral ramps link extensional structures in the shelf to folding, thrusting and sheets of salt and shale in the Gulf of Cádiz. From backstripping analyses carried out on the depocentres of the growth‐fault‐related basins on the shelf, we infer two episodes of rapid subsidence related to extensional collapses; these were from Late Tortonian to Late Messinian (200–400 m Myr^?1) and from Early Pliocene to Late Pliocene (100–150 m Myr^?1). The extensional events that induced salt movements also affected basement deformation and were, probably, associated with the westward advance of frontal thrusts of the Gibraltar Arc as a result of the convergence between Africa and Eurasia. The complexities of salt and/or shale tectonics in the Gulf of Cádiz result from a combination of the deformations seen at convergent and passive continental margins.     

Study on Unified Inter-Spherical Acting of Continental Collision of Tibet Plateau

STUDY ON UNIFIED INTER-SPHERICAL ACTING OF CONTINENTAL COLLISION OF TIBET PLATEAU     

Neotectonics and intraplate continental topography of the northern Alpine Foreland

Research on neotectonics and related seismicity has hitherto been mostly focused on active plate boundaries that are characterized by generally high levels of earthquake activity. Current seismic hazard estimates for intraplate domains are mainly based on probabilistic analyses of historical and instrumental earthquake catalogues. The accuracy of such hazard estimates is limited by the fact that available catalogues are restricted to a few hundred years, which, on geological time scales, is insignificant and not suitable for the assessment of tectonic processes controlling the observed earthquake activity. More reliable hazard prediction requires access to high quality data sets covering a geologically significant time span in order to obtain a better understanding of processes controlling on-going intraplate deformation.The Alpine Orogen and the intraplate sedimentary basins and rifts in its northern foreland are associated with a much higher level of neotectonic activity than hitherto assumed. Seismicity and stress indicator data, combined with geodetic and geomorphologic observations, demonstrate that deformation of the Northern Alpine foreland is still on-going and will continue in the future. This has major implications for the assessment of natural hazards and the environmental degradation potential of this densely populated area. We examine relationships between deeper lithospheric processes, neotectonics and surface processes in the northern Alpine Foreland, and their implications for tectonically induced topography.For the Environmental Tectonics Project (ENTEC), the Upper and Lower Rhine Graben (URG and LRG) and the Vienna Basin (VB) were selected as natural laboratories. The Vienna Basin developed during the middle Miocene as a sinistral pull-apart structure on top of the East Alpine nappe stack, whereas the Upper and Lower Rhine grabens are typical intracontinental rifts. The Upper Rhine Graben opened during its Late Eocene and Oligocene initial rifting phase by nearly orthogonal crustal extension, whereas its Neogene evolution was controlled by oblique extension. Seismic tomography suggests that during extension the mantle-lithosphere was partially decoupled from the upper crust at the level of the lower crust. However, whole lithospheric folding controlled the mid-Miocene to Pliocene uplift of the Vosges–Black Forest Arch, whereas thermal thinning of the mantle–lithosphere above a mantle plume contributed substantially to the past and present uplift of the Rhenish Massif. By contrast, oblique crustal extension, controlling the late Oligocene initial subsidence stage of the Lower Rhine Graben, gave way to orthogonal extension at the transition to the Neogene.The ENTEC Project integrated geological, geophysical, geomorphologic, geodetic and seismological data and developed dynamic models to quantify the societal impact of neotectonics in areas hosting major urban and industrial activity concentrations. The response of Europe's intraplate lithosphere to Late Neogene compressional stresses depends largely on its thermo-mechanical structure, which, in turn, controls vertical motions, topography evolution and related surface processes.     

The Gibraltar Arc seismogenic zone (part 1): Constraints on a shallow east dipping fault plane source for the 1755 Lisbon earthquake provided by seismic data, gravity and thermal modeling

The Great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 with an estimated magnitude of 8.5–9.0 is the most destructive earthquake in European history, yet the source region remains enigmatic. Recent geophysical data provide compelling evidence for an active east dipping subduction zone beneath the nearby Gibraltar Arc. Marine seismic data in the Gulf of Cadiz image active thrust faults in an accretionary wedge, above an east dipping decollement and an eastward dipping basement. Tomographic and other data support subduction and rollback of a narrow slab of oceanic lithosphere beneath the westward advancing Gibraltar block.Although, no instrumentally recorded seismicity has been documented for the subduction interface, we propose the hypothesis that this shallow east dipping fault plane is locked and capable of generating great earthquakes (like the Nankai or Cascadia seismogenic zones). We further propose this east dipping fault plane to be a candidate source for the Great Lisbon earthquake of 1755. In this paper we use all available geophysical data on the deep structure of the Gulf of Cadiz–Gibraltar region for the purpose of constraining the 3-D geometry of this potentially seismogenic fault plane. To this end, we use new depth processed seismic data, have interpreted all available published and unpublished time sections, examine the distribution of hypocenters and perform 2-D gravity modeling. Finally, a finite-element model of the forearc thermal structure is constructed to determine the temperature distribution along the fault interface and thus the thermally predicted updip and downdip limits of the seismogenic zone.     

阿尔金断裂不同时间尺度下的滑移速率及构造意义

阿尔金断裂是亚洲大陆最大、也是最活跃的走滑断层之一.一般认为,印度板块与欧亚大陆间的汇聚通过地壳增厚与沿阿尔金等主要深大断裂的侧向滑移2种机制被青藏高原造山带的地壳形变所吸收.由于这2种机制所预测的阿尔金断裂的左旋滑移速率相差甚巨,因此,阿尔金断裂的滑移速率成为判断2种机制相对重要性的重要依据.采用地质学、大地测量学及数值模拟方法对阿尔金断裂滑移的研究结果表明,阿尔金断裂的滑移速率呈长期减小的趋势;青藏高原经历了由块体的侧向挤出向地壳增厚的转变过程;阿尔金断裂在不同地质时间尺度下的滑移速率尚需精确确定;单纯将阿尔金断裂滑移速率的大小作为判断青藏高原构造模式的依据也是应该受到质疑的.     

Palaeomagnetic constraints on the geodynamic evolution of the Gibraltar Arc

Subduction zone roll‐back was recently put forward as a convincing model to explain the geometry and evolution of the Gibraltar Arc. For other subduction‐related arc systems of the Mediterranean, such as the Calabrian Arc and the Hellenic Arc, palaeomagnetic rotation data from Neogene extensional basins provided important constraints on geodynamic evolution models. Here, we present the results of a palaeomagnetic study of 13 continuous sections that are located in E–W transects across the Neogene sedimentary basins of Morocco and Spain. They provide evidence that no significant rotation about vertical axes has occurred in the Gibraltar Arc since the late Tortonian. Comparison with other Mediterranean arc systems shows strong similarities as regards geodynamic evolution. The timing of rotation in the Gibraltar Arc is markedly older than in the Calabrian and Hellenic arcs, and suggests that it is related to the first Neogene extensional phase of the western Mediterranean in which the Algerian–Provençal Basin opened.     

In Situ Stress Measurements in the Lhasa Terrane, Tibetan Plateau, China

Tectonic activities are frequent in the Lhasa terrane because of the ongoing collision between the India and Eurasia plates. Knowledge of the stress state is critical to evaluate the crustal stability and the design of underground excavations. Because of the limitations imposed by natural conditions,little research has been performed on the present crustal in situ stress in the Tibetan Plateau,and further study is imperative. In this study,hydraulic fracturing measurements were conducted in Nyching County(LZX) and Lang County(LX),Lhasa terrane to characterize the shallow crustal stress state. The results indicate that the stress state in the LZX borehole is markedly different from that in the LX borehole,in both magnitude and orientation. At the same measurement depths,the magnitudes of horizontal principal stresses in the LX borehole are 1.5–3.0 times larger than those in the LZX borehole. The stress regime in the LX borehole favors reverse faulting characterized by SHShSv,where SH,Sh,and Sv are maximum horizontal,minimum horizontal,and vertical principal stresses,respectively. The SH and Sh values are approximately three and two times greater than Sv. Fracture impression results reveal that SH in the LX borehole are predominantly N–S,while in the LZX borehole the maximum horizontal principal stress is mainly in the NNE-direction. The heterogeneity of the regional stress state might be a result of the population and distribution of local structures and seismic activities. The stress state in the LX borehole has exceeded the critical state of failure equilibrium,and there is an optimally orientated pre-existing fault near the borehole. It can be concluded that the optimally orientated fault is likely to be active when the stress has built up sufficiently to destroy the frictional equilibrium; it is suggested that research focus should be placed on this in future. The stress states in boreholes LZX and LX indicate uniformity of the regional stress field and diversity of the local stress fields resulting from the interactions among regional dynamic forces,tectonic stress field,and geological structures.     

构造解析、地质学研究范式与理论创新——藏东南侧向碰撞带构造演化研究实践

运用板块构造理论解释造山带地质演化是当前地质学研究的难点，也是地质学基础理论创新的可能方向。包括印度 欧亚大陆侧向碰撞带在内的国内、外造山带构造演化尚未取得共识，大多表现为“大量高质量数据与诸多充满争议的演化模型共存”。产生这些争议的主要原因包括“高质量数据”的时、空分布样式未受足够重视、以及部分关键地质体物理属性鉴别存在争议。这些问题为地质学发展与理论创新留下了巨大的空间。持续10多年西南三江造山带区域地质填图、构造解析揭示了侧向碰撞带构造格架、地壳变形历史，提出了印度 欧亚大陆碰撞新的三阶段模型。这一研究实践表明，严格按照 “构造解析方法”体现的“三步骤”研究范式开展区域地质填图是造山带理论创新的基础与保障。区域地质填图是造山带研究中难度最大的工作之一，要求填图人员必须具备广泛、坚实的地质学理论基础，以及运用基础理论解决实际问题的能力。     

Geodymanics of Tibet,Tarim, and the Tien Shan in the Late Cenozoic

The tectonic and geodynamic consequences of the collision between Hindustan and Eurasia are considered in the paper. The tectonic evolution and deformation of Tibet and the Tien Shan in the Late Cenozoic is described on the basis of geological, geophysical, and geodetic data. The factual data and their interpretation, which shed light on the kinematics of the tectonic processes in the lithosphere and the geodynamics of the interaction between the Tien Shan, Tarim, and Tibet are discussed. A geodynamic model of their interaction is proposed.     

Some considerations on the recent tectonic stress field of China

Based on the improved hydrofracturing method, the in-situ principal stresses are determined in the north, northeast, south and the northwest of China, and the results of many fault-plane solutions, crustal deformations, geological and geophysical observations are used to discuss the distribution of subcrustal stress in space, the difference between seismically active regions and stable regions, and the variations of the stress field near the source region before and after the Tangshan earthquake. Finally, the characteristics of intraplate tectonic stress fields in China are explained in relation with the combined actions of the movement of the major Indian Ocean, Pacific and Philippine Sea plates.     

印度板块向欧亚板块俯冲碰撞的新模式及其对青藏高原构造演化的影响

青藏高原南部与北部的断裂带走滑方向不同，断裂带在高原东、西两侧的展布规律和构造运动方式也存在极大的差异。通过高原南缘横向地球物理特征的对比，发现该地区东、西两侧深部岩石圈结构存在明显不同，表明印度次大陆向欧亚大陆俯冲碰撞的方式和强度在横向上差异明显。在充分利用高原地质研究最新成果的基础上，提出印度次大陆向欧亚大陆碰撞前地壳增厚及斜向碰撞是造成上述地质现象的根本原因，并由此对青藏高原构造演化的一些特点作了新的解释和探讨。     

Early to mid-Paleozoic magmatic and sedimentary records in the Bainaimiao Arc: An advancing subduction-induced terrane accretion along the northern margin of the North China Craton

The early to mid-Paleozoic subduction-induced terrane accretion along the northern margin of the North China Craton is not well understood. To address this issue, we investigate the magmatic and sedimentary records, including both new and previously published geochemical, Sr–Nd isotopic, and zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic data from the Bainaimiao Arc. The collected gabbro–diorites and granitoids have been dated to 431–453 Ma. The gabbro–diorites have high Mg/(Mg + Fe) molar ratios (44.41–73.39); depleted Nb, Ta and Ti; and negative ε_Nd(t) values (-9.43–-6.80). They were derived from a mantle wedge metasomatized by subduction-derived fluids with crustal contamination. The granitoids are characterized by high silica, low to high K, low Fe and Mg contents, strong fractionation of rare earth elements, and positive ε_Hf(t) values (+1.42–+8.19). They were derived from crustal melts with juvenile additions. The clastic rocks from the Baoerhantu Group and Xibiehe Formation are dominated by early Paleozoic zircons, whereas those from the Bainaimiao Group are dominated by early Paleozoic and Precambrian zircons. Detrital zircon geochronology and field geology confirm their deposition in early to mid-Paleozoic. The U–Pb ages and petrographic and geochemical analyses indicate that the clastic rocks were deposited in arc-related basins with felsic sources from the Bainaimiao Arc. The xenocrystic and detrital zircons in the magmatic and clastic rocks, respectively, imply a Precambrian basement for the Bainaimiao Arc. The early Paleozoic magmatic rocks of the Bainaimiao Arc show secular changes with decreasing age: increasing K₂O contents and Sr/Y ratios and decreasing Fe₂O₃^T + MgO contents and ε_Hf(t) and ε_Nd(t) values. This is likely in response to advancing subduction and related crustal thickening. Accordingly, the following tectono-paleogeographic model was proposed for the Bainaimiao Arc: (a) ∼500–455 Ma initial subduction and juvenile arc development, (b) ∼455–415 Ma continuous subduction with mature arc development, and (c) ∼415–400 Ma accretion to the North China Craton.     

New overview of the neotectonic and seismotectonic studies in Tunisian domains

The Tunisian domain is formed following the convergence between Nubia and Eurasia which is responsible for folding and still active faulting. We used 62 earthquake focal mechanisms to constrain the present stress field of the Tunisian domain. The results show that the tectonic regime is compressional with a dominant direction NW-SE maximum horizontal principal stress direction. The focal depth distribution indicates that Northern Tunisia is an area of convergence with a thin crust and a shallow Moho. However, in the central and southern Atlas, the presence of focal mechanisms with strike-slip faulting shows that this zone is a deep seismogenic area with a thick crust.These results are consistent with the neotectonic and seismotectonic stress field determined by other studies. The neotectonic deformations of Tunisia are like the past deformations guided by the convergence between the African and the Eurasian plates.     

Coexisting tectonic settings: the example of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea

We performed geodetic strain rate analyses in southern Italy, using new GPS velocities. Two-dimensional strain and rotation rate fields were estimated and results show that most of the shortening is distributed in the northern Sicily offshore. Extension becomes more evident and comparable with shortening on the eastern side of the same margin, and greater in the eastern Sicily offshore. Principal shortening and extension rate axes are consistent with long-term geological features: seismic reflection profiles show both active compressive and extensional faults affecting Pleistocene strata. We show evidence for contemporaneous extension and transtension in the Cefalù Basin. Combining geodetic data and geological features point to the coexistence of independent geodynamic processes, i.e., the active E–W backarc spreading in the hangingwall of the Apennines subduction zone and shortening along the southern margin of the Tyrrhenian backarc basin operated by the NNW-motion of Africa relative to Eurasia.     

Recent large fold nucleation in the upper crust: Insight from gravity,magnetic, magnetotelluric and seismicity data (Sierra de Los Filabres–Sierra de Las Estancias,Internal Zones,Betic Cordillera)

Rheological heterogeneities in the upper-crust have a close relationship with the fold position where rigid bodies could constitute initial perturbations that allow the nucleation of folds. Consequently, establish the position and geometry of anomalous rocks located in the upper-crust by geophysical studies help to understand the folded structure observed on surface. New geological observations in the field, along with gravity, magnetic, magnetotelluric and seismicity data, reveal the subsurface structure in the Sierra de Los Filabres–Sierra de Las Estancias folded region part of the Alpine belt in southern Spain. The geometry of the upper crust is determined by geological field data, 2D gravity models, 2D magnetic models and 2D MT resistivity model, while seismicity evidences the location of the deep active structures. These results allow us to propose that a basic rock body at 4 to 9 km depth has determined the nucleation and development of the Sierra de Los Filabres kilometric antiform. N-vergent large late folds are subjected to a variable present-day stress field. Earthquake focal mechanisms suggest the presence in depth of a regional NW–SE compressive stress field. However, most of the seismogenetic structures do not extend up to the surface, where NW–SE and WNW–ESE outcropping active normal faults are observed, thus indicating a NE–SW extension in the upper crust simultaneous to orthogonal NW–SE compression related to reverse faults and minor folds developed in the Eastern Almanzora Corridor and in the nearby Huércal–Overa Basin. The recent and active tectonic studies of cordilleras hinterland subjected to late folding greatly benefits from the integration of surface observations together with geophysical data.     

On tectonophysical interpretation of recent vertical crustal movements

Recent crustal movements are components and the direct continuation of some neotectonic movements i.e. the Neogene-Quaternary stage of the earth's development. According to geodetic and oceanographic data these crustal movements are constantly taking place everywhere on the continents and probably on the ocean floor. Their velocity and velocity gradients are certainly different on platforms from that in orogenic regions. Orogenic regions are characterized by higher velocity, varying from several mm to several cm per year, and to an even greater degree by the different character of the movement. The velocity gradient in these regions reaches values of 10^?6–10^?5/year.A peculiar indication of recent movements is their irregularity in time. Periodic movements are typical for platforms; orogenic regions are characterized by sharp increases in velocity by 1–2 orders of magnitude and their gradients by 2–3 orders, close to the time occurrence of earthquakes.The deep processes generating the measured recent crustal movements are manifested also in earthquakes, the state of stress of rocks and anomalies of gravitational and other fields. Thus estimations of recent tectonic activity should be based on the whole complex of quantitative data, such as the velocity and velocity gradients of recent movements, values of stress in mines, and seismicity.To study the deep processes causing the present tectonic activity, it is necessary to determine the types of crustal deformation occurring in different geotectonic regions. The relationships between recent movements and the distribution of earthquakes in the regions with a high degree of crustal activity allow to identify four types of movement: pleistoseismic, hyposeismic, kryptoseismic and teleseismic.     

Structures,uplift, and magmatism of the Western Myanmar Arc: Constraints to mid-Cretaceous-Paleogene tectonic evolution of the western Myanmar continental margin

Knowledge of Trans-Himalayan tectono-magmatic evolution is critical to understanding the complex pre-collisional history of southern Eurasia active continental margin. It has been proposed that magmatic rocks of the Trans-Himalayan batholith, extending from southern Tibet to Southeast Asia, are now exposed as the Western Myanmar Arc and Central Granite Belt in Myanmar, yet origin, emplacement, and relationships of the two juxtaposed belts remain poorly constrained. In this study, 2D seismic and drilling data for the Western Myanmar Arc, zircon U-Pb age and Hf isotope and whole-rock geochemical data for magmatic rocks from the arc have been applied. Our seismic profiles, borehole stratigraphic sequences and zircon U-Pb data show that a typical arc-basin system was well developed along the western Myanmar continental margin. The magmatic arc has experienced at least three igneous events in the mid-Cretaceous (110–90 Ma), latest Cretaceous-Early Paleocene (69–64.5 Ma) and Eocene (53–38 Ma), as well as three associated uplift processes in the Late Cretaceous, Eocene and Late Oligocene. Whole-rock geochemical characteristics and zircons showing variable but predominately positive ε_Hf(t) values, suggest a significant juvenile mantle source involving a proportion of ancient subducted sediments and juvenile crustal materials for these typical arc-related magmatic rocks. The identification of mid-Cretaceous to Paleogene magmatic rocks having positive ε_Hf(t) values from the Western Myanmar Arc: 1) indicates that the magmatism can be correlated with the Gangdese arc within the Lhasa terrane of the southern Tibetan Plateau; 2) provides evidence for the proximal-derived model that Paleogene sediments in the Central Myanmar Basin were from the Western Myanmar Arc, but were not delivered by the paleo-Yarlung Tsangpo-Irrawaddy river system from the Gangdese arc; and 3) enables a model of eastward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan/Indian oceanic crust to reflect onset of the magmatism at the mid-Cretaceous and a long-existed back-arc extension in western Myanmar.     

Detrital zircon ages and Hf isotopic compositions of metasedimentary rocks in the Wuqia area of Southwest Tianshan,NW China: implications for the early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Tianshan orogenic belt

ABSTRACT

The Chinese Southwest Tianshan Orogenic Belt is located along the boundary between the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and the Tarim Block (TB), NW China. It records the convergence of the Tarim Block and the Middle Tianshan, and is, therefore, a crucial region for understanding the Eurasia continental growth and evolution. The Wulagen (geographical name) metasedimentary rocks of the Wuqia area (mainly metamorphic sandstones and mica schists) form one of the metamorphic terranes in the Southwestern Tianshan Orogenic Belt. The geochronology of these rocks is poorly known, which hampers our understanding of the tectonic evolution of the belt. We analyzed 517 zircon grains for detrital zircon U–Pb dating and 93 zircon grains for in situ Lu–Hf isotopic compositions from the Wulagen metasedimentary rocks. The analyzed zircon grains yield Neoarchean to late Paleozoic U–Pb ages with major age peaks at ~2543 Ma, 1814 Ma, 830 Ma, 460 Ma, and the youngest cluster of zircon (magmatogene) ages is 395 Ma. The zircon U–Pb data show that the late Paleozoic (Early Devonian) is the maximum depositional age of the Wulagen metasedimentary rocks, rather than the previously considered Precambrian period. The zircons with Paleozoic ages yield εHf(t) values of ?22.0 to +11.3 and two-stage model ages (TDM₂) of 3.95 to 1.30 Ga, suggesting that the parental magmas were formed from partial melting of pre-existing crustal rocks. Our zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopic data indicate the major source regions for the Wulagen metasedimentary rocks was the Kyrgyzstan North Tianshan. The zircon age population of 600–400 Ma (peak at ~460 Ma) has negative εHf(t) values (?15.0 to ?0.6) and Mesoproterozoic two-stage model ages, suggesting that the early Paleozoic magmatism resulted mainly from the melting of ancient crust, which played an important role in crustal evolution in the southern CAOB.