Late Cretaceous stratigraphy,sediments and structure: Gems of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site (Jurassic Coast), England

Extraordinary, long-distance litho-marker beds such as the Lewes and Shoreham Tubular Flints and associated marl seams and fossils, recognised in cliff exposures and cliff-fall boulders, are keys to unlocking the stratigraphy and tectonic structures in the Late Cretaceous of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site (Jurassic Coast). Durdle Cove is a special gem exposing the Lewes and Seaford Chalk stratigraphy where new marker beds are identified and sediments and tectonic structures provide clues to timing of movements that produced a Late Cretaceous pericline which grew into a Miocene monocline along the line of the underlying Purbeck Reverse Fault. During ‘inversion’ along this fault some Late Cretaceous Chalk formations were in part or completely ‘lost’ (e.g. Middle Turonian New Pit Chalk Formation) and others were condensed (e.g. Late Santonian and Early Campanian Newhaven Chalk Formation). Excavation of the A354 road cutting at the Lower Bincombe Farm, has greatly added to the stratigraphical records of Late Cretaceous fossils in South Dorset, especially Coniacian and Early Campanian inoceramid bivalves and the various stratigraphically specific forms of the Late Santonian to Early Campanian echinoid fossil Echinocorys scutata spp. not recorded before in this coastline. The very large bivalve fossil Platyceramus sp. provides clues to chalk sea-floor environments.     

西藏岗巴晚白垩世有孔虫动物群与海平面变化

西藏南部岗巴地区上白垩统的有孔虫动物群十分丰富，经鉴定共有52属130种。根据岩性，该地区上白垩统可以划分出三个最基本的岩石地层单位：冷青热组、岗巴村口组及宗山组。依据其中有孔虫的形态结构、生态环境、系统演化及地史分布等特征，可以划分出五个主要的有孔虫动物群，Rotalipora动物群，Whiteinella-Helvetoglobotruncana动物群，Dicarinella-Marginotruncana动物群，Globotruncana-Globotuncanita动物群及Orbitoides-Omphalocyclus动物群。这五个有孔虫动物在晚白垩世相继绝灭，其绝灭与古水深有着十分密切的关系，主要是受海平面变化的影响。     

A chalk revolution: what have we done to the Chalk of England?

Inversion tectonic episodes are identified in the Upper Turonian - Lower Coniacian, Santonian - Lower Campanian and later Lower Campanian Chalk. It is suggested that episodic tectonism created the seabed topography on which sea levels and erosional currents acted. Marked differentiation into linear belts of local basins and swells with a greater variety of sediments is present in the Santonian and Lower Campanian. During this same period the locus of sedimentation shifts westwards from the southern margin of the Weald to Wessex as Weald Basin inversion increases. Tectonic episodes also produced synsedimenary fracturing of the Chalk and evolution of vein networks and stylolytes. Upper Cretaceous tectonic and sea-level events also affected the platform of Europe, the Carpathians and the Syrian Arc where sedimento-tectonic scenarios provide analogues for the Chalk. Linking sea-level oscillations and tectonic episodes with microtectonic studies suggests a frequency of events within the range of 0.35-1.5 Ma.     

Provenance of Cretaceous clastics in the Subhercynian Basin: constraints to exhumation of the Harz Mountains and timing of inversion tectonics in Central Europe

The Harz Mountains and the adjacent Subhercynian Cretaceous Basin figure as the most prominent surface representative for Late Cretaceous inversion structures in Central Europe. Facies, depositional architecture and provenance of the basin fill reflect mechanisms and timing of the exhumation of the Harz. From Hauterivian to Early Santonian there is no evidence for detrital input from the nearby Harz area. Sediments are mature quartzarenites derived from Paleozoic basement rocks and/or recycled Permian to Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. This situation changed drastically in Middle to Late Santonian when freshly exhumed and eroded Mesozoic sedimentary cover rocks of the Harz were delivered into the basin. Feldspar and lithoclasts reflect erosion of Triassic and, in places, Jurassic to Turonian strata. Apatite and garnet in heavy mineral spectra are derived from largely unweathered Lower Triassic Buntsandstein as indicated by apatite and garnet chemistry. In Early Campanian, Paleozoic lithoclasts indicate erosion cutting down into the basement of the Harz. Simultaneous strong decrease of feldspar, garnet and apatite suggest an almost complete removal of the 2–3 km thick Mesozoic cover of the Harz within only 2–4 Myr. This translates into an exhumation rate of approximately 1 mm/a consistent with apatite fission track data from granitoid rocks of the Harz Mountains.     

郯庐断裂带晚中生代演化历史及其对华北克拉通破坏过程的指示

郯庐断裂带晚中生代的演化历史是华北克拉通破坏过程的重要记录。中侏罗世末(燕山运动A幕),郯庐断裂带局部发生左行平移活动,而华北克拉通上出现了一系列北北东走向的缩短构造,指示了西太平洋伊泽奈崎板块俯冲的开始。晚侏罗世期间,郯庐断裂带没有发生活动,而华北克拉通出现局部伸展与岩浆活动及区域性隆升,应为弧后弱拉张背景。早白垩世初(燕山运动B幕),郯庐断裂带再次发生强烈的左行平移活动,华北克拉通北部与东部出现了一系列近南北向挤压产生的构造,应是鄂霍茨克洋最终关闭与伊泽奈崎板块高速俯冲双重作用的结果。随后的早白垩世期间,华北克拉通在弧后拉张背景下发生峰期破坏,郯庐断裂带呈现为强烈的伸展活动。早白垩世末的区域性挤压作用,结束了华北克拉通的峰期破坏,并使郯庐断裂带再次发生了一期左行平移活动。这期挤压作用出现在太平洋板块接替伊泽奈崎板块这一重大板块调整的背景之中。     

Variation on Foraminiferal Composition in Cretaceous Black-Gray-Red Bed Sequence of Southern Tibet, China

An Upper Cretaceous black-gray-red bed sequence was deposited in the Tethys-Himalayan Sea where abundant foraminifera, especially planktons, were yielded. In the shallow shelf to the upper slope on the north margin of Indian plate was recorded an extinction-recovery-radiation cycle of foraminiferal fauna highly sensitive to paleoceanographical changes. The black unit, consisting of the Late Cenomanian-earliest Turonian beds, displays a major extinction, with keeled planktonic and many benthic species as the principal victims at the end of the Cenomanian when existed only low diversity, sin-face water-dwelling foraminifera. The gray unit spans a long-term recovery interval from the Turonian to the early Santonian with keeled planktonic foraminifera returning stepwise to the water colunm. The planktonic biota in the red unit, extremely abundant, indicate a biotic radiation during the Late Santonian and the Early Campanian, implying that the high oxygen levels had returned to all the oceanic depth levels,and that the water stratification disappeared, followed by the radiation of all depth-dwellers. The variation on foraminiferal faunas from the whole sequence refers to the extreme warm climate that appeared in the Middle Cretaceous and to the declined temperature toward the late epoch. Substantial deposits for this warming and cooling zones represent the black shales in the Middle Cretaceous and the red beds in the later period of the southern Tibet. The change in the foraminiferal composition corresponded to the formation of dysaerobic facies and to the development of high-oxidized circumstances.     

Diversity of theropod ootaxa and its implications for the latest Cretaceous dinosaur turnover in southwestern Europe

The scarcity of diagnostic skeletal elements in the latest Cretaceous theropod record of the Ibero-Armorican domain (southwestern Europe) prevents to perform accurate phylogenetic, paleobiogeographic, and diversity studies. In contrast, eggs and eggshells of theropod dinosaurs are relatively abundant and well known in this region from which several ootaxa have been described. Here, we describe the first Late Maastrichtian theropod ootaxon (Prismatoolithus trempii oosp. nov.) from SW Europe and demonstrate that oological record can be used as a proxy for assessing diversity of egg-producers and may help to complement their scarce bone record. The performed analyses indicate that the theropod taxa and ootaxa reach their diversity maxima during the Late Campanian and start to decrease near the Campanian–Maastrichtian boundary at both global and regional scales. The oological diversity of theropods in the Ibero-Armorican domain is consistent with the theropod diversity identified at high taxonomic level. Two distinct assemblages of theropod ootaxa can be recognized in the latest Cretaceous of the Ibero-Armorican domain. Their temporal transition can be correlated with other dinosaur faunal changes recorded in the region. This faunal turnover took place around the Early–Late Maastrichtian boundary, involving ornithopods, sauropods, ankylosaurs and, according to the present results, theropods as well.     

Mesozoic exhumation history of the Grenvillian Oaxacan Complex,southern Mexico

We present the first fission‐track results from the Grenvillian Oaxacan Complex, southern Mexico. Time–temperature modelling of the data indicates that two significant Mesozoic cooling episodes are recorded in the Oaxacan Complex and these are interpreted as resulting from exhumation. The older cooling event took place from the Late Triassic to Middle Jurassic and is possible linked to the break‐up of Pangea (including the initial opening of the Gulf of Mexico during the Jurassic). The younger exhumation period in the Early Cretaceous is contemporaneous with the final stages of rifting of the Gulf of Mexico. Key stratigraphic records also provide independent evidence for these exhumation episodes. In our view, both Mesozoic rapid exhumation events were controlled by the activity of the Caltepec Fault Zone and the Oaxaca Fault. Our data suggest that both these large fault systems have remained active since, at least, the Late Triassic.     

Distributional patterns of enchodontoid fishes in the Late Cretaceous

Enchodontoidei are extinct marine teleost fishes with a long temporal range and a wide geographic distribution. We propose here to apply Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE), Track Analysis and Brooks Parsimony Analysis (BPA) to analyze the distributional patterns of these fishes during the Late Cretaceous. Matrices were built according to their respective geological age in the Late Cretaceous. The occurrence data of enchodontoids produced consistent results for the Cenomanian, Turonian, and Santonian. The generalized track found for the Cenomanian (GT 1) can be associated to oceanic currents, whereas for the Turonian the generalized tracks (GT 2, GT 3 and GT 4) were associated with eutrophication/sedimentation effects. During the Santonian, the third Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE 3) promoted vicariant events that could explain the generalized track found therein (GT 5). The BPA recovered the area formed by Middle East and Europe, which is congruent with GT 1 and GT 5.     

Structural Evolution and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Upper Paleozoic Northern Ordos Basin, North China

The hydrocarbon potential of the Hangjinqi area in the northern Ordos Basin is not well known, compared to the other areas of the basin, despite its substantial petroleum system.Restoration of a depth-converted seismic profile across the Hangjinqi Fault Zone(HFZ) in the eastern Hangjinqi area shows one compression that created anticlinal structures in the Late Triassic, and two extensions in ~Middle Jurassic and Late Early Cretaceous, which were interrupted by inversions in the Late Jurassic–Early Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous, respectively.Hydrocarbon generation at the well locations in the Central Ordos Basin(COB) began in the Late Triassic.Basin modeling of Well Zhao-4 suggests that hydrocarbon generation from the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian coal measures of the northern Shanbei Slope peaked in the Early Cretaceous, predating the inversion in the Late Cretaceous.Most source rocks in the Shanbei Slope passed the main gas-migration phase except for the Hangjinqi area source rocks(Well Jin-48).Hydrocarbons generated from the COB are likely to have migrated northward toward the anticlinal structures and traps along the HFZ because the basin-fill strata are dipping south.Faulting that continued during the extensional phase(Late Early Cretaceous) of the Hangjinqi area probably acted as conduits for the migration of hydrocarbons.Thus, the anticlinal structures and associated traps to the north of the HFZ might have trapped hydrocarbons that were charged from the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian coal measures in the COB since the Middle Jurassic.     

Late Cretaceous – Early Tertiary sedimentation and tectonic inversion in the southern Netherlands

Analysis of the Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy of the Peel Block reveals the basin development of the block to have been influenced by both the inversion of the Roer Valley Graben and Central Netherlands Basin, and the overall Late Cretaceous transgression. Sediments of Santonian to Danian age were deposited on the block. These sediments are compared with the detailed lithostratigraphy of southern Limburg, where Late Cretaceous strata are exposed. Four successions can be recognised in southern Limburg. The two oldest successions, the Santonian Oploo Formation (new name, proposed in the present contribution) and the mainly Early Campanian Vaals Formation, are restricted to the central and northern parts of the block. These siliciclastic formations were deposited under the influence of inversion of the Roer Valley Graben and the Central Netherlands Basin, as well as under the influence of a rising sea level. Towards the north, sands of the Oploo Formation grade into marls and chalks of the Ommelanden Formation. The two youngest successions comprise the largely Late Campanian to Maastrichtian Gulpen and Maastricht Formations and the Danian Houthem Formation. These chalk formations were deposited under the influence of regional subsidence during a sea-level highstand. Subsequent to deposition of the Houthem Formation, a regional regression triggered a change from shallow-marine carbonate to paralic siliciclastic deposition.     

Late Cenomanian–Early Turonian ammonites of the southern Tethys margin from Morocco to Oman: Biostratigraphy,paleobiogeography and morphology

The Cenomanian–Turonian ammonite biostratigraphical framework for the southern Tethys margin (North Africa, Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula) is becoming better understood. A first attempt at a synthetic range chart is presented, with 85 taxa and precise correlations for ammonites along a west–east transect from Morocco to Oman, inclusive of the Trans-Saharan Seaway as far south as northern Nigeria. On the basis of a critical review of ammonite taxonomy, 13 bioevents can be identified in the interval from the Late Cenomanian to the Early Turonian (c. 3.5 myr) with each bioevent corresponding to a time interval of approximately 270,000 years, on average. They are consistent throughout several regions along the southern Tethys margin, though some gaps remain, at least at the stage boundary. These bioevents are correlated with the zonation defined for the stratotype (GSSP) of the base of the Turonian in the Western Interior (USA). The paleobiogeographic distribution of ammonites reveals some endemism but the predominant picture is that of a homogeneous fauna throughout the area, even though distinct Boreal and Western Tethys (Atlantic domain) marine influences are evident. An interpretation of the evolution of conch morphology and ornamentation through the zones of the Late Cenomanian–Early Turonian is proposed.     

Nannostratigraphy and investigation of sedimentation conditions of the lower boundary and the upper boundary of the Aitamir Formation in the east and west Kopet Dagh,northeast of Iran

By attention to the stratigraphic value of calcareous nannoplanktons for the age determination of sedimentary beds, for the first time Late Cretaceous calcareous nannofossil taxa, their distributions and relative abundances were recorded from the lower and the upper boundary of Aitamir Formation located in northeast Iran. In the present study, biostratigraphy and paleoecological conditions were reconstructed. The Aitamir Formation comprises glauconitic sandstones and olive-green shales. In this work, samples were prepared with smear slides, and nannofossils of these boundaries are listed and figured. They were photographed under a light microscope. Based on nannoplanktons and as a result of biostratigraphic studies, the age of the lower boundary of the Aitamir Formation in the east Kopet Dagh is Early/Middle Turonian, the age of the lower boundary in the west Kopet Dagh is Late Turonian/Early Coniacian, the age of the upper boundary of the Aitamir Formation in the east Kopet Dagh is Late Santonian, and the age of the upper boundary of this Formation in the west Kopet Dagh is Early Campanian. Based on paleoecological interpretation, the Aitamir Formation was deposited in a shallow marine environment, at relatively low latitude. A deepening trend of the sedimentary basin is recognized passing from Aitamir Formation to the overlying Abderaz Formation while in the lower boundary from Sanganeh to Aitamir Formation depth decreased.     

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.     

Aspects of the structural evolution of the Lusitanian Basin in Portugal and the shelf and slope area offshore Portugal

The study provides a regional seismic interpretation and mapping of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic succession of the Lusitanian Basin and the shelf and slope area off Portugal. The seismic study is compared with previous studies of the Lusitanian Basin. From the Late Triassic to the Cretaceous the study area experienced four rift phases and intermittent periods of tectonic quiescence. The Triassic rifting was concentrated in the central part of the Lusitanian Basin and in the southernmost part of the study area, both as symmetrical grabens and half-grabens. The evolution of half-grabens was particularly prominent in the south. The Triassic fault-controlled subsidence ceased during the latest Late Triassic and was succeeded by regional subsidence during the early Early Jurassic (Hettangian) when deposition of evaporites took place. A second rift phase was initiated in the Early Jurassic, most likely during the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian. This resulted in minor salt movements along the most prominent faults. The second phase was concentrated to the area south of the Nazare Fault Zone and resulted here in the accumulation of a thick Sinemurian–Callovian succession. Following a major hiatus, probably as a result of the opening of the Central Atlantic, resumed deposition occurred during the Late Jurassic. Evidence for Late Jurassic fault-controlled subsidence is widespread over the whole basin. The pattern of Late Jurassic subsidence appears to change across the Nazare Fault Zone. North of the Nazare Fault, fault-controlled subsidence occurred mainly along NNW–SSE-trending faults and to the south of this fault zone a NNE–SSW fault pattern seems to dominate. The Oxfordian rift phase is testified in onlapping of the Oxfordian succession on salt pillows which formed in association with fault activity. The fourth and final rift phase was in the latest Late Jurassic or earliest Early Cretaceous. The Jurassic extensional tectonism resulted in triggering of salt movement and the development of salt structures along fault zones. However, only salt pillow development can be demonstrated. The extensional tectonics ceased during the Early Cretaceous. During most of the Cretaceous, regional subsidence occurred, resulting in the deposition of a uniform Lower and Upper Cretaceous succession. Marked inversion of former normal faults, particularly along NE–SW-trending faults, and development of salt diapirs occurred during the Middle Miocene, probably followed by tectonic pulses during the Late Miocene to present. The inversion was most prominent in the central and southern parts of the study area. In between these two areas affected by structural inversion, fault-controlled subsidence resulted in the formation of the Cenozoic Lower Tagus Basin. Northwest of the Nazare Fault Zone the effect of the compressional tectonic regime quickly dies out and extensional tectonic environment seems to have prevailed. The Miocene compressional stress was mainly oriented NW–SE shifting to more N–S in the southern part.     

150 Million year history of North China Craton disruption preserved in Mesozoic sediments of the Ordos basin

ABSTRACT

The Ordos Basin, situated in the western part of the North China Craton, preserves the 150-million-year history of North China Craton disruption. Those sedimentary sources from Late Triassic to early Middle Jurassic are controlled by the southern Qinling orogenic belt and northern Yinshan orogenic belt. The Middle and Late Jurassic deposits are received from south, north, east, and west of the Ordos Basin. The Cretaceous deposits are composed of aeolian deposits, probably derived from the plateau to the east. The Ordos Basin records four stages of volcanism in the Mesozoic–Late Triassic (230–220 Ma), Early Jurassic (176 Ma), Middle Jurassic (161 Ma), and Early Cretaceous (132 Ma). Late Triassic and Early Jurassic tuff develop in the southern part of the Ordos Basin, Middle Jurassic in the northeastern part, while Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks have a banding distribution along the eastern part. Mesozoic tectonic evolution can be divided into five stages according to sedimentary and volcanic records: Late Triassic extension in a N–S direction (230–220 Ma), Late Triassic compression in a N–S direction (220–210 Ma), Late Triassic–Early Jurassic–Middle Jurassic extension in a N–S direction (210–168 Ma), Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous compression in both N–S and E–W directions (168–136 Ma), and Early Cretaceous extension in a NE–SW direction (136–132 Ma).     

扬子北缘黄陵地区晚中生代盆地演化及其构造意义

扬子北缘黄陵地区古构造应力场于晚中生代经历发生了重大转变,是扬子板块与华北板块在三叠纪碰撞造山之后陆内构造变形的体现。由黄陵背斜周缘晚中生代盆地充填记录所反映出这一变革的起始时间为中侏罗世晚期。早侏罗世-中侏罗世早期,盆地内沉积了以桐竹园组为代表的河流-湖泊相岩层,由沉积碎屑成分和古水流统计所得出的物源区为北部的秦岭地区,黄陵背斜上部可能也接受了碎屑沉积;中侏罗世晚期-晚侏罗世,沉积中心发生了改变,表现为仅仅在黄陵背斜西侧的秭归盆地内有所保存,沉积环境以曲流河到辫状河流和三角洲为主,物源区则局限于黄陵背斜;早白垩世初期,周坪盆地和宜昌盆地为沉积中心,近缘冲积扇和辫状河流体系占据主体,物源区依然为黄陵地区,两盆地在黄陵背斜南缘可能相连,黄陵背斜上部的原下侏罗统被剥蚀;早白垩世晚期-晚白垩世,远安盆地逐渐发育,盆地西缘为冲积扇-辫状河流体系,中、 东部则以曲流河-湖泊沉积环境为主体,并间有干旱沙漠环境。原型盆地再造结果显示,早侏罗世-中侏罗世早期盆地展布具有近东西向特点,古地貌总体呈现出北部为山脉、 南部为盆地的格局;中侏罗世晚期以来,盆地呈近南北向,黄陵背斜逐渐形成山脉,盆地位于其东西两侧。两期盆地沉积特征反映了扬子北缘古构造应力场由近南北向转变为近东西向的过程。     

长春市南湖-桑家窝堡断层特征及活动性研究

南湖-桑家窝堡断层是一条穿越长春市区的北西向隐伏活动断层,该断层对长春地区的地壳稳定性影响较大。利用高分辨率遥感信息解译、探地雷达探测、浅层人工地震勘探和钻孔联合剖面探测等资料,并结合第四纪沉积物的ESR 年龄测定资料,讨论了南湖-桑家窝堡断层的空间展布和运动特征。南湖-桑家窝堡断层沿逯家窝堡、后三家子、南湖公园、长春公园、桑家窝堡、大合隆一线展布,断层产状为45°∠65°,断层线较平直。在断层西北端大合隆一带,南湖-桑家窝堡断层错断了上白垩统嫩江组( K2n) 岩层,并在嫩江组岩层顶部沿断层形成了侵蚀沟谷,但没有错断早更新世和中更新世地层。在断层东南端的逯家窝堡附近,南湖-桑家窝堡断层错断了白垩纪泉头组( Kq) 岩层,但没有错断中更新世和晚更新世地层。南湖-桑家窝堡断层形成于中生代末期,第四纪早期曾经活动,活动方式以左旋走滑运动为主,第四纪中更新世以来断层没有明显的活动迹象。     

Latest Triassic to Early Jurassic Thrusting and Exhumation in the Southern Ordos Basin,North China: Evidence from LA‐ICP‐MS‐based Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology

The contractional structures in the southern Ordos Basin recorded critical evidence for the interaction between Ordos Basin and Qinling Orogenic Collage. In this study, we performed apatite fission track(AFT) thermochronology to unravel the timing of thrusting and exhumation for the Laolongshan-Shengrenqiao Fault(LSF) in the southern Ordos Basin. The AFT ages from opposite sides of the LSF reveal a significant latest Triassic to Early Jurassic time-temperature discontinuity across this structure. Thermal modeling reveals at the latest Triassic to Early Jurassic, a ~50°C difference in temperature between opposite sides of the LSF currently exposed at the surface. This discontinuity is best interpreted by an episode of thrusting and exhumation of the LSF with ~1.7 km of net vertical displacement during the latest Triassic to Early Jurassic. These results, when combined with earlier thermochronological studies, stratigraphic contact relationship and tectono-sedimentary evolution, suggest that the southern Ordos Basin experienced coeval intense tectonic contraction and developed a north-vergent fold-and-thrust belt. Moreover, the southern Ordos Basin experienced a multi-stage differential exhumation during Mesozoic, including the latest Triassic to Early Jurassic and Late Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous thrust-driven exhumation as well as the Late Cretaceous overall exhumation. Specifically, the two thrust-driven exhumation events were related to tectonic stress propagation derived from the latest Triassic to Early Jurassic continued compression from Qinling Orogenic Collage and the Late Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous intracontinental orogeny of Qinling Orogenic Collage, respectively. By contrast, the Late Cretaceous overall exhumation event was related to the collision of an exotic terrain with the eastern margin of continental China at ~100 Ma.