Salt tectonics and tear faulting in the central part of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt,Iran

The central part of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt is characterized by a series of right-lateral and left-lateral transverse tear fault systems, some of them being ornamented by salt diapirs of the Late Precambrian–Early Cambrian Hormuz evaporitic series. Many deep-seated extensional faults, mainly along N–S and few along NW–SE and NE–SW, were formed or reactivated during the Late Precambrian–Early Cambrian and generated horsts and grabens. The extensional faults controlled deposition, distribution and thickness of the Hormuz series. Salt walls and diapirs initiated by the Early Paleozoic especially along the extensional faults. Long-term halokinesis gave rise to thin sedimentary cover above the salt diapirs and aggregated considerable volume of salt into the salt stocks. They created weak zones in the sedimentary cover, located approximately above the former and inactive deep-seated extensional faults. The N–S to NNE–SSW direction of tectonic shortening during the Neogene Zagros folding was sub-parallel with the strikes of the salt walls and rows of diapirs. Variations in thickness of the Hormuz series prepared differences in the basal friction on both sides of the Precambrian–Cambrian extensional faults, which facilitated the Zagros deformation front to advance faster wherever the salt layer was thicker. Consequently, a series of tear fault systems developed along the rows of salt diapirs approximately above the Precambrian–Cambrian extensional faults. Therefore, the present surface expressions of the tear fault systems developed within the sedimentary cover during the Zagros orogeny. Although the direction of the Zagros shortening could also potentially reactivate the basement faults as strike-slip structures, subsurface data and majority of the moderate-large earthquakes do not support basement involvement. This suggests that the tear fault systems are detached on top of the Hormuz series from the deep-seated Precambrian–Cambrian extensional faults in the basement.     

Geometry and evolution of fold-thrust structures at the boundaries between frictional and ductile detachments

Fold-thrust belts formed above a ductile detachment typically contain detachment folds, whereas those formed above frictional detachments contain fault-related fold complexes, such as imbricate thrust systems. Analog models, using silica sand to represent sediments and silicone gel to represent salt were conducted to study the fold geometry, fold-fault relations, and sequential development of structures formed in each setting and at the boundaries between the two settings. The results showed a relatively thinner wedge above a ductile detachment, so that the deformation front propagated farther forward than that above a frictional detachment. The thrust front connects across the two settings with a significant change in position and a resulting change in orientation. The geometry of the deformation front is strongly controlled by that of the detachment boundary, so that an oblique detachment boundary results in an oblique thrust front in the transition zone. Modifications in the taper geometry also result from the presence of a frictional belt behind a ductile belt, the width of the ductile detachment which limits the location of the deformation front, and the lateral propagation of thrust faults between the two regimes. The experimental models can be used to explain observed geometries in natural examples of fold-thrust belts marked by transitions between frictional and ductile detachments.     

Syntectonic fluid-flow along thrust faults: Example of the South-Pyrenean fold-and-thrust belt

During compressive events, deformation in sedimentary basins is mainly accommodated by thrust faulting and related fold growth. Thrust faults are generally rooted in the basement and may act as conduits or barriers for crustal fluid flow. Most of recent studies suggest that fluid flow through such discontinuities is not apparent and depends on the structural levels of the thrust within the fold-and-thrust belt.In order to constrain the paleofluid flow through the Jaca thrust-sheet-top basin (Paleogene southwest-Pyrenean fold-and-thrust belt) this study compares on different thrust faults located at different structural levels. The microstructures in the different fault zones studied are similar and consist of pervasive cleavage, calcite shear veins (S_V1), extension veins (E_V1) and late dilatation veins (E_V3). In order to constrain the nature and the source of fluids involved in fluid-rock interactions within fault zones, a geochemical approach, based on oxygen and carbon stable isotope and trace element compositions of calcite from different vein generations and host rocks was adopted. The results suggest a high complexity in the paleohydrological behaviors of thrust faults providing evidence for a fluid-flow compartmentalization within the basin. Previous studies in the southern part of the Axial Zone (North of the Jaca basin) indicates a circulation of deep metamorphic water, probably derived from the Paleozoic basement, along fault zones related to the major basement Gavarnie thrust. In contrast, in northern part of the Jaca basin, the Monte Perdido thrust fault is affected by a closed hydrological fluid system involving formation water during its activity. The Jaca and Cotiella thrust faults, in turn, both located more to the south in the basin, are characterized by a composite fluid flow system. Indeed, stable isotope and trace element compositions of the first generations of calcite veins suggest a relatively closed paleohydrological system, whereas the late calcite vein generations, which are probably associated with the late tectonic activity of the basin, support a contribution of both meteoric and marine waters. Based on these results, a schematic fluid-flow model is presented. This model allows visualization of three main fluid flow compartments along a N–S transect.     

Cenozoic structural deformation and dynamic processes of the Bohai Bay basin province,China

Cenozoic structures in the Bohai Bay basin province can be subdivided into eleven extensional systems and three strike-slip systems. The extensional systems consist of normal faults and transfer faults. The normal faults predominantly trend NNE and NE, and their attitudes vary in different tectonic settings. Paleogene rifting sub-basins were developed in the hanging walls of the normal faults that were most likely growth faults. Neogene–Quaternary sequences were deposited in both the rifting sub-basins and horsts to form a unified basin province. The extensional systems were overprinted by three NNE-trending, right-lateral strike-slip systems (fault zones). Although the principal displacement zones (PDZ) of the strike-slip fault zones are developed only in the basement and lower basin sequences in some cross sections, the structural deformation characteristics of the upper basin sequences also indicate that they are basement-involved, right-lateral strike-slip fault zones. According to the relationships between faults and sedimentary sequences, the extensional systems were mainly developed from the middle Paleocene to the late Oligocene, whereas the strike-slip systems were mainly developed from the Oligocene to the Miocene. Strike-slip deformation was intensified as extensional deformation was weakened. Extensional deformation was derived from horizontal tension induced by upwelling of hot mantle material, whereas strike-slip deformation was probably related to a regional stress field induced by plate movement.     

A sub-salt structural model of the Kelasu structure in the Kuqa foreland basin,northwest China

The Kuqa foreland basin, adjacent to the South Tianshan Mountains, is a major hydrocarbon accumulation basin in Western China. The Kelasu structural belt is the focus for hydrocarbon exploration in the basin due to the presence of ramp-related anticline traps and a thick salt seal. The model of the Kelasu sub-salt structure is still contentious because of the structural complexity and poor seismic imaging below the salt layer. The area–depth–strain (ADS) method is applied to the southern part of the Kelasu Fault, a regional fault that cuts basement rocks. The ADS results are consistent with the seismic data, which indicate that both thin-skinned thrusting and basement-involved deformation occur within the Kelasu structure, with the Kelasu Fault acting as the boundary between the two regions of contrasting deformation. The ADS results also suggest that the depth of the lower detachment of the thin-skinned thrust belt is 9.5–10 km, which may correspond to the base of the Triassic. The Kelasu structure has undergone approximately 8.15–10.76 km of horizontal shortening in the east and 16.34 km in the west of the structure.     

Nature and Distribution of the Deformation Front in the Luzon Arc-Chinese Continental Margin Collision Zone at Taiwan

Marine seismic reflection profiles from offshore SW Taiwan combined with onland geological data are used to investigate the distribution and nature of the deformation front west of Taiwan. Locations of the frontal structure west of Taiwan are generally connected in a linear fashion, although the alignment of frontal structures is offset by strike-slip faults. The deformation front begins from the northern Manila Trench near 21°N and continues northward along the course of the Penghu Submarine Canyon in a nearly N–S direction north of 21°N until it reaches the upper reaches of Penghu Canyon at about 22°15′N. The deformation front then changes direction sharply to the northeast. It connects to the Chungchou thrust fault or the Tainan anticline in the coastal plain and continues northwards along the outer Western Foothills to the northern coast of Taiwan near 25°N. Characteristics of structural style, strain regime, sedimentation and tectonics vary along the trend of the deformation front. Ramp anticlines, diapiric intrusion and incipient thrust faults are commonly associated with the deformation front. Variations in structural style along strike can be related to different stages of oblique collision in Taiwan. The deformation front (collision front) west of Taiwan can be considered as a boundary between contraction in the Taiwan orogen and extension west of the collision zone. The deformation front east of the Tainan Basin and its northward extension along the outer limit of the Western Foothills is the surface trace separating the foreland thrust belt from the nearby foredeep, not a boundary between the Chinese and Taiwan margins. The submarine deformation front off SW Taiwan is the surface trace separating the submerged Taiwan orogenic wedge from the Chinese passive continental margin, not a surface trace of the plate boundary between the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates.     

Tectonics, basin subsidence mechanisms, and paleogeography of the Caribbean-South American plate boundary zone

Using a mega-regional dataset that includes over 20,000 km of on- and offshore 2D seismic lines and 12 wells, we illustrate three different stages of fault formation and basin evolution in the Caribbean arc-South American continent collisional zone. Transpressional deformation associated with oblique collision of the Caribbean arc migrates diachronously over a distance of ∼1500 km from western Venezuela in Paleogene time (∼57 Ma) to a zone of active deformation in the eastern offshore Trinidad area. Each diachronous stage of pre-, syn-, and post-collisional basin formation is accompanied by distinct patterns of fault families. We use subsidence histories from wells to link patterns of long-term basinal subsidence to periods of activity of the fault families.

Stage one of arc-continent collision

Initial collision is characterized by overthrusting of the south- and southeastward-facing Caribbean arc and forearc terranes onto the northward-subducting Mesozoic passive margin of northern South America. Northward flexure of the South American craton produces a foreland basin between the thrust front and the downward-flexed continental crust that is initially filled by clastic sediments shed both from the colliding arc and cratonic areas to the south. As the collision extends eastward towards Trinidad, this same process continues with progressively younger foreland basins formed to the east. On the overthrusting Caribbean arc and forearc terranes, north-south rifting adjacent to the collision zone initiates and is controlled by forward momentum of southward-thrusting arc terranes combined with slab pull of the underlying and subducting, north-dipping South American slab. Uplift of fold-thrust belts arc-continent suture induces rerouting of large continental drainages parallel to the collisional zone and to the axis of the foreland basins.

Stage two

This late stage of arc-continent collision is characterized by termination of deformation in one segment of the fold-thrust belt as convergent deformation shifts eastward. Rebound of the collisional belt is produced as the north-dipping subducted oceanic crust breaks off from the passive margin, inducing inversion of preexisting normal faults as arc-continent convergence reaches a maximum. Strain partitioning also begins to play an important role as oblique convergence continues, accommodating deformation by the formation of parallel, strike-slip fault zones and backthrusting (southward subduction of the Caribbean plate beneath the South Caribbean deformed belt). As subsidence slows in the foreland basins, sedimentation transitions from a marine underfilled basin to an overfilled continental basin. Offshore, sedimentation is mostly marine, sourced by the collided Caribbean terranes, localized islands and carbonate deposition.

Stage three

This final stage of arc-continent collision is characterized by: 1) complete slab breakoff of the northward-dipping South American slab; 2) east-west extension of the Caribbean arc as it elongates parallel to its strike forming oblique normal faults that produce deep rift and half-grabens; 3) continued strain partitioning (strike-slip faulting and folding). The subsidence pattern in the Caribbean basins is more complex than interpreted before, showing a succession of extensional and inversion events. The three tectonic stages closely control the structural styles and traps, source rock distribution, and stratigraphic traps for the abundant hydrocarbon resources of the on- and offshore areas of Venezuela and Trinidad.     

Structural evolution of the Kopeh Dagh fold-and-thrust belt (NE Iran) and interactions with the South Caspian Sea Basin and Amu Darya Basin

We present a detailed stratigraphic and structural study of the Kopeh Dagh fold-and-thrust belt in NE Iran, which is an investigation of the complex polyphased tectonic history of this belt and its links with the adjacent South Caspian Sea and Amu Darya basins. Based on numerous field surveys, a large amount of 2D and 3D seismic data, borehole data and more than 150 new biostratigaphic datings, a new detailed biostratigraphic chart and 4 main regional cross-sections illustrate the importance of lateral facies variations and structural inheritance in the present-day structure of the belt.After the Cimmerian orogeny corresponding to the closure of the Paleotethys Ocean in Late Triassic/Early Jurassic times, a Middle Jurassic post-collisional rifting event was associated with the deposition of one of the main source rocks of the Kopeh Dagh and the Amu Darya Basin (Kashafrud Formation). Following this rifting event, over 7 km of sediments were accumulated until the Tertiary above a regional post-Triassic unconformity. The occurrence of local uplifts during the Late Cretaceous-Early Paleocene is interpreted as a consequence of regional-scale modification of plate-slab coupling in the Neotethys subduction zone. The main inversion of the Kopeh Dagh occurred at Late Eocene times, when the far-field deformation developed in Eurasia as a consequence of the locking of the Neo-Tethys subduction. This folding phase is sealed in the western part of the belt by a major Eocene-Oligocene unconformity at the base of the thick sedimentary series belonging to the South Caspian Sea Basin. The bulk of sedimentary infill in the South Caspian Sea Basin is Oligocene and younger, and it is probably related to syn-compressional downward flexure of the resistant basement basin at the onset of the Alpine phase. In the eastern part of the Kopeh Dagh, this deformation is characterized by Middle Jurassic graben inversion with evidence of forced folding, short-cuts and as well by larger scale basement uplifts. In contrast, the northwestern part of the belt shows thrust faults involving basement and fault-propagation folds within the sedimentary sequence. The Kopeh Dagh presents tectonic structures that are parallel to the Paleotethys suture zone, which emphasizes the importance of the structural inheritance and inversion processes during the structural evolution of the belt. Finally, a change from a mostly dip-slip to a mostly strike-slip tectonics occurred during the Pliocene within the Kopeh Dagh as a consequence of a major tectonic reorganization in North-East Iran.     

Lower Miocene structural evolution of the central Vienna Basin (Austria)

The tectonic evolution of the Vienna Basin overlying the Alpine-Carpathian fold and thrust belt includes two stages of distinct basin subsidence and deformation. The earlier phase contemporaneous with thrusting of the Alpine-Carpathian floor thrust is related to the formation of a wedge-top basin (“piggy-back”), which was connected to the evolving foreland basin (Lower Miocene; c. 18.5–16 Ma). This stage is followed by the formation of a pull-apart basin (Middle to Upper Miocene; c. 16–8 Ma). Sediments of the latter unconformably overly wedge-top basin strata and protected them against erosion.     

The role of syntectonic sedimentation in the evolution of doubly vergent thrust wedges and foreland folds

This paper shows the evolution of time-constrained two-dimensional scaled analogue models of doubly vergent thrust systems in the presence of syntectonic sedimentation. Two sets of experiments were considered: (1) the addition of a syntectonic layer composed of a polymer and overlying sand in the prowedge; and (2) the addition to the previous condition of a progradational sedimentary load. Results from the first set of experiments indicate that the foreland fold-and-thrust belt has a strong relationship with the competence of the syntectonic layers. When the competence is low, the deformation produces tight asymmetric detachment-folds. As the competence increases, the fold-and-thrust belt shows break-trough folds with longer and better defined foreland-vergence. Results from the second set of experiments indicate that structural vergence is determined by the sense of progradation of the syntectonic layers, and in the case of strong aggradation at the prowedge, extension and reactive diapirism form contemporaneously with the contraction. Three end-members are proposed for mountain front thrust systems formed in the presence of syntectonic polymer and sand sedimentation: (1) outcropping fold-and-thrust belt sequence, in the case of no syntectonic sedimentation; (2) long displacement blind-thrust sheets, in the case of under-filled basins and (3) short displacement blind-thrust sheets, in the case of over-filled basins. All results indicate that ductile units at the base of syntectonic layers increase the displacement of the underlying frontal thrusts at the prowedge, and reduce the critical taper. Results also indicate that at very high sedimentary rates and hyper-critical taper conditions the prowedge collapses. Conclusions drawn from this research may be applied as an analogue to foreland evolution and to evaluate hydrocarbon generation, migration, and entrapment in thrust belts in areas where seismic imaging is generally poor.     

Thrust tectonics in the Andean retro-foreland basin of northern Peru: Permian inheritances and petroleum implications

In northern Peru, the Huallaga-Moyabamba-Marañon Subandean foreland basin system results from the interaction between thin and thick-skinned tectonics. Geophysical data and the construction of two balanced cross-sections show that this structural configuration has been controlled by Permian inheritances. A fossilized west-verging Middle Permian fold and thrust belt, which developed during the Gondwanide orogeny, has been partly reactivated by the Andean compression and controlled thick-skinned tectonics propagation. This west-verging thrust system is still active and causes the crustal and damaging seismicity of the Moyabamba region. Late Permian salt, which has sealed the Middle Permian fold and thrust belt, controlled thin-skinned tectonics propagation and the development of the must large overthrust of the Peruvian Subandean zone. The fossilized and partly reactivated Middle Permian fold and thrust belt constitutes a new petroleum play for the exploration in the northern Peruvian Subandean basins. Sub-thrust traps of the Moyabamba and Huallaga wedge-top basins are particularly attractive but stay unexplored.     

Style and timing of salt tectonics in the Dniepr-Donets Basin (Ukraine): implications for triggering and driving mechanisms of salt movement in sedimentary basins

The Ukrainian Dniepr-Donets Basin (DDB) is a Late Palaeozoic intracratonic rift basin, with sedimentary thicknesses up to 19 km, displaying the effects of salt tectonics during its entire history of formation, from Late Devonian rifting to the Tertiary. Hundreds of concordant and discordant salt structures formed during this time. It is demonstrated in this paper that the variety of styles of salt structure formation in the DDB provide important constraints on understanding the triggering and driving mechanisms of salt kinematics in sedimentary basins in general. Salt movement in the DDB began during the Devonian syn-rift phase of basin development and exerted controls on the later distribution of salt structures though the geometry of basement faults is not directly responsible for the regular spacing of salt structures. Post-rift salt movements in the DDB occurred episodically. Episodes of salt movement were triggered by tectonic events, specifically two extensional events during the Carboniferous, an extensional reactivation at the end of Carboniferous–earliest Permian, and a compressional event at the end of the Cretaceous. Extensional events that induced salt movement were ‘thick-skinned’ (i.e. basement involved in deformation) rather than ‘thin-skinned’. Most overburden deformation related to salt movements is ductile regardless of sedimentary bulk lithology and degree of diagenesis, while the deformation of sedimentary cover in areas where salt is absent is mainly brittle. This implies that the presence of salt changes the predominant mode of deformation of overlying sedimentary rocks. Episodes of salt movement lasted longer than the periods of active tectonics that initiated them. Buoyancy, erosion, and differential loading all played a role in driving halokinesis once tectonic forces had pushed the salt-overburden system into disequilibrium; among these factors, erosion of overburden above growing salt structures acted as a key self-renewing force for development of salt diapirs. Very high sedimentation rates (related to high post-rift tectonic subsidence rates), particularly during the Carboniferous, were able to bury diapirs and to load salt bodies such that buoyancy, erosion, and differential loading forces eventually became insufficient to continue driving diapirism—until the system was perturbed by an ensuing tectonic event. In contrast, some salt anticlines and diapirs developed continuously during the entire Mesozoic because of much-reduced tectonic subsidence rates (and sedimentation supply) during this time. However, a Lower Permian salt series and overhangs of buried diapirs played an important role in preventing overburden piercing (and fracturing) during the Mesozoic and, specifically, during the Late Cretaceous salt diapirism phase.     

On the role of incompetent strata in the structural evolution of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt,Dezful Embayment,Iran

The Dezful Embayment is the most important fertile oil province of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt. It includes several incompetent strata as basal and intermediate décollement levels that play a significant role on the structural styles and hydrocarbon preservation. Based on the interpretation of seismic profiles, the influence of the Gachsaran Formation and the evaporitic Kalhur Member of the Asmari Formation on the geometry of deformation was investigated in different parts of the Dezful Embayment. Obtained results revealed that the thickness of the incompetent strata plays a crucial role in the formation and geometry of different types of fold structures (e.g. rounded, box, chevron, detachment fold) in the Dezful Embayment. There is a sharp difference between the geometry of surface and deep-seated structures due to the existence of thick intermediate décollements (e.g. Gachsaran and Kalhur) in the Dezful Embayment. Therefore, fault geometry and fold styles in upper and lower parts of these décollements are totally different. In addition, these incompetent strata act as a barrier level against the propagation of deep-seated faults into the overlying layers. Therefore, it seems that most of the faults exposed on the surface have originated from the upper décollement levels in the study area.     

Tectonic evolution of the Cape and Karoo basins of South Africa

The Cape and Karoo basins formed within the continental interior of Gondwana. Subsidence resulted from the vertical motion of rigid basement blocks and intervening crustal faults. Each basin episode records a three-stage evolution consisting of crustal uplift, fault-controlled subsidence, and long periods of regional subsidence largely unaccompanied by faulting or erosional truncation. The large-scale episodes of subsidence were probably the result of lithospheric deflection due to subduction-driven mantle flow. The early Paleozoic Cape basin records the combined effects of a north-dipping intra-crustal décollement (a late Neoproterozoic suture) and a right-stepping offset between thick Rio de la Plata craton and Namaqua basement. Following the Saldanian orogeny, a suite of small rift basins and their post-rift drape formed at this releasing stepover. Great thicknesses of quartz sandstone (Ordovician–Silurian) and mudstone (Devonian) accumulation are attributed to subsidence by rheological weakening and mantle flow. In contrast, the Karoo basin is a cratonic cover that mimics the underlying basement blocks. The Permian Ecca and lower Beaufort groups were deposited in a southward-deepening ramp syncline by extensional decoupling on the intra-crustal décollement. Reflection seismic and deep-burial diagenetic studies indicate that the Cape orogeny started in the Early Triassic. Deformation was partitioned into basement-involved strike-slip faults and thin-skinned thrusting. Uplift of the Namaqua basement resulted in erosion of the Beaufort cover. East of the Cape fold belt, contemporaneous subsidence and tilting of the Natal basement created a late Karoo transtensional foreland basin, the Stormberg depocentre. Early Jurassic tectonic resetting and continental flood basalts terminated the Karoo basin.     

Influence of lithosphere and basement properties on the stretching factor and development of extensional faults across the Otway Basin,southeast Australia

The NW-SE striking Otway Basin in southeastern Australia is part of the continental rift system that formed during the separation of Australia from Antarctica. The development of this sedimentary basin occurred in two phases of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous rifting. The evolution of this basin is mainly associated with extensional processes that took place in a pre-existing basement of Archean, Proterozoic to Paleozoic age. In this study, the total amounts of extension and stretching factor (β factor) have been measured for six transects across the entire passive margin of the Otway Basin region. The results show significant variation in extensional stretching along the basin, with the smallest stretching factors in the easternmost (β = 1.73, 1.9) and westernmost part of the basin (β = 2.09), and the largest stretching factors in the central part (β = 2.14 to 2.44). The domain with the lowest β factor is underlain mostly by thicker lithosphere of the Delamerian Orogen and older crustal fragments of the Selwyn Block. In contrast, the region with the largest β factor and amount of extension is related to younger and thinner lithosphere of the Lachlan Orogen. The main basement structures have been mapped throughout eastern South Australia and Victoria to examine the possible relationships between the younger pattern of extensional faults and the older basement fabrics. The pattern of normal faults varies considerably along onshore and offshore components of the Otway Basin from west to east. It appears that the orientation of pre-existing structures in the basement has some control on the geometry of the younger normal faults across the Otway Basin, but only in a limited number of places. In most areas the basement fabric has no control on the younger faulting pattern. Basement structure such as the north-south Coorong Shear Zone seems to affect the geometry of normal faults by changing their strike from E-W to NW-SE and also, in the easternmost part of the basin, the Bambra Fault changes the strike of normal faults from NW-SE to the NE-SW. Our results imply that the properties of the continental lithosphere exert a major influence on the β factor and amount of crustal extension but only a minor influence on the geometry of extensional faults.     

Cover deformation above steep, basement normal faults: Insights from 2D discrete element modeling

A discrete element model is used to investigate progressive cover deformation above a steep (70°), basement normal fault. The cover materials are homogenous with frictional material behavior. In the model shown here both normal and reverse faults in the cover accommodate displacement on the underlying basement fault. The earliest faults are curved, reverse faults which propagate upwards from the basement fault tip into the proto hanging wall. These are replaced, progressively towards the footwall, by subvertical to steep normal faults and finally by a normal fault which dips at an angle predicted by Mohr-Coulomb theory. Thus, most early, secondary structures are located in the hanging-wall of the final, through-going, fault. This structural evolution produces an asymmetric, triangular zone of deformation above the basement fault tip which superficially resembles that associated with trishear; however, its progressive development is quite different. Results also emphasize that the occurrence of reverse faults in extensional settings is not diagnostic of inversion.     

Magnetic zoning and seismic structure of the South China Sea ocean basin

We made a systematic investigation on major structures and tectonic units in the South China Sea basin based on a large magnetic and seismic data set. For enhanced magnetic data interpretation, we carried out various data reduction procedures, including upward continuation, reduction to the pole, 3D analytic signal and power spectrum analyses, and magnetic depth estimation. Magnetic data suggest that the South China Sea basin can be divided into five magnetic zones, each with a unique magnetic pattern. Zone A corresponds roughly to the area between Taiwan Island and a relict transform fault, zone B is roughly a circular feature between the relict transform fault and the northwest sub-basin, and zones C, D, and E are the northwest sub-basin, the east sub-basin, and the southwest sub-basin, respectively. This complexity in basement magnetization suggests that the South China Sea evolved from multiple stages of opening under different tectonic settings. Magnetic reduction also fosters improved interpretation on continental margin structures, such as Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary basins and the offshore south China magnetic anomaly. We also present, for the first time, interpretations of three new 2D reflection seismic traverses, which are of ~2,000 km in total length and across all five magnetic zones. Integration of magnetic and seismic data enables us to gain a better 3D mapping on the basin structures. It is shown that the transition from the southwest sub-basin to the east sub-basin is characterized by a major ridge formed probably along a pre-existing fracture zone, and by a group of primarily west-dipping faults forming an exact magnetic boundary between zones D and E. The northwest sub-basin has the deepest basement among the three main sub-basins (i.e., the northwest sub-basin, the southwest sub-basin, and the east sub-basin). Our seismic data also reveal a strongly faulted continent–ocean transition zone of about 100 km wide, which may become wider and dominated with magmatism or transit to an oceanic crust further to the northeast.     

Neogene history of Bone Gulf,Sulawesi, Indonesia

Bone Gulf is one of the inter-arm basins of the unusual K-shaped island of Sulawesi. Its age, character and origin are disputed. This study is based on recently acquired 2D seismic lines, seabed multibeam mapping and limited well data, and is linked to stratigraphy on land. The gulf is probably underlain by pre-Neogene volcanogenic, sedimentary, metamorphic and ultramafic rocks, and includes crust of Australian origin. We favour basin initiation in the Miocene rather than Eocene, by extension associated with strike-slip deformation. The main basin trends N–S and is divided into several sub-basins and highs. The highs segment the gulf and their WNW–ESE orientations reflect pre-Neogene basement structures. They are interpreted as strike-slip fault zones active at different times in the Neogene. A southern high was active relatively early, whereas further north there is evidence of young displacements during the Late Neogene. These are visible on the seabed above a high linked to the Kolaka Fault on land. Early basin-bounding faults are oriented NNW–SSE and record extension and strike-slip movements, like the sub-parallel Walanae Fault of South Sulawesi which can be traced offshore into extensional faults bounding the young and narrow Selayar Trough. Sediment in the basins came mainly from the north with contributions from both west and east. Carbonate deposits formed at the margins while deeper marine sediments were deposited in the axial parts of the gulf. An Early Pliocene unconformity can be mapped across the study area marking major uplift of Sulawesi and subsidence of Bone Gulf. This regional event caused major influx of clastic sediments from the north, development of a southward-flowing canyon system, and back-stepping and drowning of carbonates at the basin margins. Hydrocarbons are indicated by seeps, and Bone Gulf has potential sources, reservoirs and seals, but the complex faulting history is a risk.     

深水褶皱冲断带的构造变形和油气地质特征

深水褶皱冲断带是目前全球油气勘探的重要领域,其构造变形和油气地质特征是勘探研究的主要内容。通过对不同地区深水褶皱冲断带的地震剖面解释和综合分析,结合沉积特征对其构造样式、变形特征和石油地质特征进行了研究。研究表明,在主动大陆边缘和被动大陆边缘存在4种不同构造样式的深水褶皱冲断带,即:主动大陆边缘型深水褶皱冲断带;被动大陆边缘背景下的泥岩滑脱型、盐岩滑脱型和重力垮塌滑动型深水褶皱冲断带。由于他们具有不同的驱动机制、构造特征和演化特征,导致了其含油气性差别较大。主动大陆边缘背景下发育的深水褶皱冲断带主要发育倾向陆地的逆冲断层、叠瓦构造以及相关的褶皱构造,缺乏有效的烃源岩和储层。被动大陆边缘背景下发育的深水褶皱冲断带可以划分为伸展区、过渡区和挤压区3部分,并发育相关构造,其中泥岩滑脱型和盐岩滑脱型深水褶皱冲断带已经有大量的油气发现。