Orogens and slabs vs. their direction of subduction

Subduction zones appear primarily controlled by the polarity of their direction, i.e., W-directed or E- to NNE-directed, probably due to the westward drift of the lithosphere relative to the asthenosphere. The decollement planes behave differently in the two end-members. In the W-directed subduction zone, the decollement of the plate to the east is warped and subducted, whereas in the E- to NNE-directed, it is ramping upward at the surface. There are W-directed subduction zones that work also in absence of active convergence like the Carpathians or the Apennines. W-directed subduction zones have shorter life (30–40 Ma) than E- or NE-directed subduction zones (even longer than 100 Ma). The different decollements in the two end-members of subduction should control different PTt paths and, therefore, generate variable metamorphic assemblages in the associated accretionary wedges and orogens. These asymmetries also determine different topographic and structural evolutions that are marked by low topography and a fast `eastward' migrating structural wave along W-directed subduction zones, whereas the topography and the structure are rapidly growing upward and expanding laterally along the opposite subduction zones. The magmatic pair calc-alkaline and alkaline–tholeiitic volcanic products of the island arc and the back-arc basin characterise the W-directed subduction zones. Magmatic rocks associated with E- or NE-directed subduction zones have higher abundances of incompatible elements, and mainly consist of calc-alkaline–shoshonitic suites, with large volumes of batholithic intrusions and porphyry copper ore deposits. The subduction zones surrounding the Adriatic plate in the central Mediterranean confirm the differences among subduction zones as primarily controlled by the geographic polarity of the main direction of the slab. The western margin of the Adriatic plate contemporaneously overridden and underthrust Europe toward the `west' to generate, respectively, the Alps and the Apennines, while the eastern margin subducted under the Dinarides–Hellenides. These belts confirm the characters of the end-members of subduction zones as a function of their geographic polarity similarly to the Pacific subduction zones.     

青藏高原中的古特提斯体制与增生造山作用

青藏高原古特提斯体系的特征表现为古特提斯洋盆中多条状地体的存在,多俯冲、多岛弧增生体系的形成和多地体汇聚、碰撞造山的动力学环境,其构架包括4条代表古特提斯洋壳残片的蛇绿岩或蛇绿混杂岩(昆南-阿尼玛卿蛇绿岩带、金沙江-哀牢山-松马蛇绿岩带、羌中-澜沧江-昌宁-孟连蛇绿岩带和松多蛇绿岩带)、5条火山岩浆岛弧带(布尔汗布达岛弧岩浆带、义敦火山岩浆岛弧带、江达-绿春火山岛弧带、东达山-云县火山岛弧带和左贡-临沧岛弧-碰撞岩浆带)、4个陆块或地体(松潘-甘孜地体、羌北-昌都-思茅地体、羌南-保山地体)、3条洋壳深俯冲形成的高压-超高压变质带(金沙江得荣高压变质带、龙木错-双湖高压变质带、松多高(超)压变质带),以及5条弧前增生楔或增生杂岩(西秦岭增生楔、巴颜喀拉-松潘-甘孜增生楔、金沙江增生楔、双湖-聂荣-吉塘-临沧增生楔、松多增生杂岩)。古特提斯洋盆的俯冲增生造山作用普遍存在于青藏高原古特提斯复合造山体中,构成与多条古特提斯蛇绿岩带(缝合带)相伴随的俯冲增生杂岩带(链)。古特提斯俯冲增生杂岩带包括由弧前强烈变形的沉积增生楔、以及高压变质岩、岛弧岩浆岩、蛇绿岩和外来岩块组成的混杂体,代表在洋盆俯冲过程中的活动陆缘的地壳增生。     

Early Paleozoic accretionary orogens along the Western Gondwana margin

Early Paleozoic accretionary orogens dominated the Western Gondwana margin and were characterized by nearly continuous subduction associated with crustal extension and back-arc basin development.The southwestern margin is represented by Famatinian and Pampean basement realms exposed in South America,both related to the protracted Paleozoic evolution of the Terra Australis Orogen,whereas the northwestern margin is mainly recorded in Cadomian domains of Europe and adjacent regions.However,no clear relationships between these regions were so far established.Based on a compilation and reevaluation of geological,paleomagnetic,petrological,geochronological and isotopic evidence,this contribution focuses on crustal-scale tectonic and geodynamic processes occurring in Western Gondwana accretionary orogens,aiming at disentangling their common Early Paleozoic evolution.Data show that accretionary orogens were dominated by high-temperature/lowpressure metamorphism and relatively high geothermal gradients,resulting from the development of extended/hyperextended margins and bulk transtensional deformation.In this sense,retreating-mode accretionary orogens characterized the Early Paleozoic Gondwana margin,though short-lived pulses of compression/transpression also occurred.The existence of retreating subduction zones favoured mantle-derived magmatism and mixing with relatively young(meta)sedimentary sources in a thin continental crust.Crustal reworking of previous forearc sequences due to trenchward arc migration thus took place through assimilation and anatexis in the arc/back-arc regions.Therefore,retreating-mode accretionary orogens were the locus of Early Paleozoic crustal growth in Western Gondwana,intimately associated with major flare-up events,such as those related to the Cadomian and Famatian arcs.Slab roll back,probably resulting from decreasing convergence rates and plate velocities after Gondwana assembly,was a key factor for orogen-scale geodynamic processes.Coupled with synchronous oblique subduction and crustal-scale dextral deformation,slab roll back might trigger toroidal mantle flow,thus accounting for bulk dextral transtension,back-arc extension/transtension and a large-scale anticlockwise rotation of Gondwana mainland.     

Intracontinental thrusts and inclined transpression along eastern margin of the East Dharwar craton, India

Recent works suggest Proterozoic plate convergence along the southeastern margin of India which led to amalgamation of the high grade Eastern Ghats belt (EGB) and adjoining fold-and-thrust belts to the East Dhrawar craton. Two major thrusts namely the Vellikonda thrust at the western margin of the Nellore Schist belt (NSB) and the Maidukuru thrust at the western margin of the Nallamalai fold belt (NFB) accommodate significant upper crustal shortening, which is indicated by juxtaposition of geological terranes with distinct tectonostratigraphy, varying deformation intensity, structural styles and metamorphic grade. Kinematic analysis of structures and fabric of the fault zone rocks in these intracontinental thrust zones and the hanging wall and footwall rocks suggest spatially heterogeneous partitioning of strain into various combinations of E-W shortening, top-to-west shear on stratum parallel subhorizontal detachments or on easterly dipping thrusts, and a strike slip component. Although relatively less prominent than the other two components of the strain triangle, non-orthogonal slickenfibres associated with flexural slip folds and mylonitic foliation-stretching lineation orientation geometry within the arcuate NSB and NFB indicate left lateral strike slip subparallel to the overall N-S trend. On the whole an inclined transpression is inferred to have controlled the spatially heterogeneous development of thrust related fabric in the terrane between the Eastern Ghats belt south of the Godavari graben and the East Dharwar craton.     

班公湖—双湖—怒江—昌宁—孟连对接带时空结构——特提斯大洋地质及演化问题

班公湖—双湖—怒江（中北段）—昌宁—孟连对接带广泛出露特提斯大洋岩石圈俯冲消减过程中产生的不同时代、不同构造环境、不同变质程度、不同变形样式的洋板块构造地层系统、增生混杂的构造—岩石组合体,可识别出增生的远洋沉积岩、海沟浊积岩、古生代—中生代蛇绿岩、蛇绿混杂岩、洋岛-海山消减增生楔、洋底沉积增生杂岩,基底残块以及以蓝片岩、榴辉岩为代表的高压—超高压变质岩带,记录了青藏高原原古特提斯大洋形成演化的地质信息。班公湖—双湖—怒江—昌宁—孟连对接带是青藏高原中部一条重要的原古特提斯大洋自北向南后退式俯冲消亡的巨型增生杂岩带,构筑了冈瓦纳大陆与劳亚-泛华夏大陆分界带。     

中国大陆印支碰撞造山系及其造山机制

古特提斯洋盆的闭合导致了诸多的微块体于晚三叠世至中侏罗世(T3-J2)碰撞,形成东亚大陆南部巨型印支造山系。中国大陆的印支碰撞造山系呈现巨大的"T"型复合造山系,位于西部的印支造山系(巴颜喀拉-北羌塘-南羌塘-拉萨印支造山带)形成于"多洋盆、多地体、多岛弧"的古特提斯的构造背景,伴随古特提斯多洋盆的俯冲和闭合,产生广泛的岛弧、增生楔和高压变质带的增生造山,以及多地体的碰撞造山作用,形成大型造山拼贴体,伴随以紧闭同劈理褶皱和逆冲、走滑断裂为特征的地壳变形。而位于中东部的印支造山系为北中国与扬子陆块之间的直接碰撞的产物,在扬子被动陆缘之上形成的松潘-甘孜、南秦岭造山带显示深层滑脱为造山机制的大规模地壳上部剪切应变;由于扬子地壳印支期深俯冲(>100km)和山根挤出机制,造成大别-苏鲁造山带中大规模高压-超高压变质带的出露。     

A geodynamic model of the Southern Apennines accretionary prism

The Apennines comprise a Neogen—Quaternary accretionary prism that shows several anomalies with respect to classic alpine-type mountain belts, namely (i) low elevation, (ii) a shallow new Moho below the core of the belt, (iii) high heat flow in the internal parts, (iv) mainly sedimentary cover involved in the prism, (v) a deep foredeep and (vi) a fully developed back-arc basin. The suction exerted by a relatively eastward migrating mantle can determine the eastward retreat of the subduction zone and an asthenospheric wedging at the retreating subduction hinge. Heat flow, geochemical and seismological data support the presence of a hot mantle wedge underlying the western side of the Apenninic accretionary prism. A thermal model of the belt with foreland dipping isotherms fits with deepening of the seismicity toward the east. Mantle volatiles signatures are also widespread in springs along the Apennines.     

俯冲增生杂岩带变形特征、成因机制及与后期变形的区别

俯冲增生杂岩带是造山带重要的组成单元,它记录了从俯冲到碰撞以及碰撞后陆内的演化历史,具有重要的研究价值。由于增生楔形成过程复杂,而后期的碰撞以及陆内变形又会强烈改造俯冲期的变形,因此如何区分增生杂岩中俯冲期间和碰撞阶段的变形就非常重要,但明确的区分两者又是非常困难的工作。我国几乎所有地区发育的俯冲-增生杂岩都经历了后期强烈的改造,因而正确合理地筛分俯冲阶段和碰撞阶段的变形,在我国的造山带研究中日益突出。本文在详细介绍俯冲期间相关变形及其机制的基础上,从不同构造要素的分布、发育特征、形成环境、成因机制等方面综合对比了俯冲阶段和碰撞阶段以及之后构造变形的异同,提出了区别不同阶段变形的主要原则。相比碰撞阶段变形,俯冲阶段的变形主要集中在俯冲隧道中,以简单剪切或一般剪切为主(逆冲断层多见),底板垫托以及双冲构造是变形的重要特征,变形呈弥散性,断层和面理以及褶皱等具有优势的构造极性,但缺少区域尺度的大型褶皱;纯剪变形少见,主要发育在俯冲隧道上方的增生楔中。流体作用以及水岩反应强烈,直接控制变形行为,发育有从显微尺度到区域尺度的变形分解现象。而碰撞阶段主要是在陆上环境进行,主要变形集中在接触带以及大型断裂/剪切带附近。断层和面理的构造极性不明显,增生楔整体变形,出现区域尺度的大型褶皱;流体作用虽有,但不如俯冲阶段明显和强烈,以逆冲和走滑断层多见。然而很多指标和依据并不是某种环境下唯一的,因此在实际工作中需要综合各方面信息和要素进行判断,合理区分不同阶段的变形。     

造山带双层结构的厘定及意义

当前,增生型造山带和碰撞型造山带的研究均取得了丰富的成果和创新性认识。二者过渡期间常常发生陆壳俯冲。然而,该俯冲具有什么样的构造变形特点,并如何影响造山带演化过程,长期未受到足够的关注。基于此,文中选择曾发生了陆壳俯冲的两个新生代时期的造山带（中国台湾造山带和雅鲁藏布江造山带）和一个中生代时期的造山带（羌塘造山带）开展研究,以期阐明陆壳俯冲的独特构造变形特征以及和造山过程的交互作用。研究发现,陆壳俯冲常常在造山带形成双层结构,上部为一套由史密斯地层组成的逆冲叠瓦扇构造体系,下部为一套具“岩块–基质”结构特征的俯冲杂岩。双层结构的上下部分物质组成相似,均以斜坡相–海底扇相沉积为主,也有陆棚相沉积。因此,由于构造变形时间相近,双层结构应是由同一套被动陆缘物质俯冲形成的深浅不同的构造体系。研究认为,在陆壳俯冲过程中,早期的斜坡–海底扇俯冲是形成双层结构的主要因素。后续的陆棚俯冲则对碰撞作用的发生起到了主导作用,从而使应变逐渐向克拉通内部扩展,形成前陆褶皱–冲断带。随着碰撞作用的持续,双层结构常常遭到构造破坏,深部的俯冲杂岩因此得以剥露至浅表。因此,文章的研究强调了陆壳俯冲和深俯冲物质的折返在造山带演化中的重要意义。      

Mesozoic transpression,transtension, subduction and metallogenesis in northern and central California

Middle Paleozoic to Middle Jurassic terrane assemblies in the Klamaths and Sierran Foothills consist of mafic–ultramafic complexes + fine‐grained terrigenous strata derived from previously accreted continental‐margin belts. Sutured oceanic terranes reflect c. 230 Myr of margin‐parallel slip involving chiefly transtension and transpression. Quartzofeldspathic clastic rocks and blueschists ± eclogites are very rare. Little devolatilization occurred at magmagenic depths; hence, coeval hydrothermal ore deposits and granitoids are uncommon. In contrast, nearly head‐on Cretaceous subduction of the Farallon plate generated the massive Klamath–Sierra Nevada volcanic–plutonic arc, reflecting dewatering of the eastward descending oceanic lithosphere in the magmagenic zone. Immature Great Valley forearc and Franciscan trench deposits shed from the arc record c. 70 Myr. of rapid crustal growth. Au‐bearing solutions rising from magmagenic depths, exsolved from plutons, and expelled from heated wall rocks were mobilized attending arc construction. Precipitation of gold‐bearing quartz veins occurred where H₂O + CO₂‐bearing fluids encountered major geochemical discontinuities in the wall rocks.     

大陆中洋壳俯冲增生杂岩带特征与识别的重大科学意义

大洋或弧后洋盆俯冲增生是大陆地壳增长的主导地质作用.重建大陆中消亡的洋地层岩石组合序列是当代大陆动力学和地学研究的重大前沿.洋壳消减杂岩带的厘定是洋板块地质构造重建乃至全球大地构造研究之纲,是理解区域大地构造形成演化及动力学的核心.俯冲增生杂岩带的基本特征:(1)俯冲增生杂岩带物质组成的共性是:以强烈构造变形洋底沉积的硅质岩-硅泥质岩-粉砂岩、凝灰岩;弧-沟浊积岩等为基质;以洋岛-海山灰岩-玄武岩及塌积砾岩,洋内弧残留岩块,超镁铁质蛇绿岩、绿片岩、蓝片岩等为岩块.(2)变形样式:同斜倒转冲断叠瓦构造、增生柱前缘重力滑动构造以及泥质岩的底辟构造;增生楔前缘变形和增生形式受控于大洋或弧后洋盆的规模和洋壳的俯冲速度,也取决于陆缘碎屑供给量及洋底沉积厚度和岩性.(3)宽度和厚度:厚常达几千米,宽达几十公里至数百公里,延长上千公里,是洋壳俯冲消亡过程洋盆地层系统及陆缘沉积物加积的结果.(4)形成机制:是大陆碰撞前大洋(或弧后洋盆)岩石圈俯冲消减的产物.结合带中的早期俯冲增生杂岩带往往卷入晚期的构造混杂作用.     

Crustal structure of the Ordovician Macquarie Arc,Eastern Lachlan Orogen,based on seismic‐reflection profiling

In the Eastern Lachlan Orogen, the mineralised Molong and Junee‐Narromine Volcanic Belts are two structural belts that once formed part of the Ordovician Macquarie Arc, but are now separated by younger Silurian‐Devonian strata as well as by Ordovician quartz‐rich turbidites. Interpretation of deep seismic reflection and refraction data across and along these belts provides answers to some of the key questions in understanding the evolution of the Eastern Lachlan Orogen—the relationship between coeval Ordovician volcanics and quartz‐rich turbidites, and the relationship between separate belts of Ordovician volcanics and the intervening strata. In particular, the data provide evidence for major thrust juxtaposition of the arc rocks and Ordovician quartz‐rich turbidites, with Wagga Belt rocks thrust eastward over the arc rocks of the Junee‐Narromine Volcanic Belt, and the Adaminaby Group thrust north over arc rocks in the southern part of the Molong Volcanic Belt. The seismic data also provide evidence for regional contraction, especially for crustal‐scale deformation in the western part of the Junee‐Narromine Volcanic Belt. The data further suggest that this belt and the Ordovician quartz‐rich turbidites to the east (Kirribilli Formation) were together thrust over ?Cambrian‐Ordovician rocks of the Jindalee Group and associated rocks along west‐dipping inferred faults that belong to a set that characterises the middle crust of the Eastern Lachlan Orogen. The Macquarie Arc was subsequently rifted apart in the Silurian‐Devonian, with Ordovician volcanics preserved under the younger troughs and shelves (e.g. Hill End Trough). The Molong Volcanic Belt, in particular, was reworked by major down‐to‐the‐east normal faults that were thrust‐reactivated with younger‐on‐older geometries in the late Early ‐ Middle Devonian and again in the Carboniferous.     

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.     

Tectonic wedging along the rear of the offshore Taiwan accretionary prism

The structural geometry, kinematics and density structure along the rear of the offshore Taiwan accretionary prism were studied using seismic reflection profiling and gravity modeling. Deformation between the offshore prism and forearc basin at the point of incipient collision, and southward into the region of subduction, has been interpreted as a tectonic wedge, similar to those observed along the front of mountain ranges. This tectonic wedge is bounded by an east-dipping roof thrust and a blind, west-dipping floor thrust. An east-dipping sequence of forearc-basin strata in the hanging wall of the roof thrust reaches a thickness in excess of 4 km near the tip of the interpreted tectonic wedge. Section restoration of the roof sequence yields an estimate of 4 km of shortening, which is small compared with that inferred in the collision area to the north, based on the variation in distance between the apex of the prism and the island arc.Previous studies propose that either high-angle normal faulting or backfolding has exhumed the metamorphic rocks along the eastern flank of the Central Range in the collision zone on land. To better constrain the initial crustal configuration, we tested 350 crustal models to fit the free-air gravity anomaly data in the offshore region to study the density structure along the rear of the accretionary prism in the subduction and initial collision zones before the structures become more complex in the collision zone on land. The gravity anomaly, observed in the region of subduction (20.2°N), can be modeled with the arc basement forming a trenchward-dipping backstop that is overlain by materials with densities in the range of sedimentary rocks. Near the point of incipient collision (20.9°N), however, the free-air gravity anomaly over the rear of the prism is approximately 40 mgal higher, compared with the region of subduction, and requires a significant component of high density crustal rocks within the tectonic wedge. These results suggest that the forearc basement may be deformed along the rear of the prism, associated with the onset of collision, but not in the subduction region further to the south.     

Deep structure, recent deformation and analog modeling of the Gulf of Cadiz accretionary wedge: Implications for the 1755 Lisbon earthquake

The Gulf of Cadiz spans the plate boundary between Africa and Eurasia west of the Betic-Rif mountain belt. A narrow east dipping subduction zone descends beneath the Gulf of Cadiz and the straits of Gibraltar. The deep crustal structure of the Gulf and the adjacent SW Iberian and Moroccan margins is constrained by numerous multi-channel seismic reflection and wide-angle seismic surveys. A compilation of these existing studies is presented in the form of depth to basement, sediment thickness, depth to Moho and crustal thickness maps. These structural maps image an E-W trending trough, with thin (< 10 km) crust beneath the Gulf of Cadiz. This trough is filled by an eastward thickening wedge of sediments, reaching a thickness of 10-15 km in the eastern Gulf. These sediments are tectonically deformed, primarily along a series of westward-vergent thrust faults and represent a 200-250 km wide accretionary wedge. The northern and especially the southern limits of the accretionary wedge are marked by sharp morphological lineaments showing evidence of recent deformation. These tectonic limits are situated in an internal position with respect to the Miocene deformation front (external Betic and Rif allocthons), which has been abandoned. At the western boundary of the accretionary wedge, near the adjacent Seine and Horseshoe abyssal plains, an E-W trending basement high (Coral Patch Ridge) can be seen indenting the deformation front in an asymmetric manner. Analog modeling is performed using granular materials accreted against a semicircular backstop (representing the basement of the Rif and Betic mountain belts). The modeling initially produces a symmetric, arcuate accretionary wedge. The ensuing collision of an oblique rigid indenter retards accretion on one side, resulting in an embayment and a locally steeper deformation front. The deformation pattern observed in morphology and high-resolution seismic profiles suggests the accretionary wedge and underlying subduction system is still active. The implications of active subduction for the source region of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and the regional seismic hazard assessment are discussed.     

Growth of accretionary wedges and pulsed ophiolitic mélange formation by successive subduction of trench‐parallel volcanic elevations

Fault‐bounded coherent belts alternating with belts of mélanges are common in accretionary wedges and are usually interpreted as a result of imbrication along subduction zone megathrusts. Using the Neoproterozoic/early Cambrian Blovice accretionary complex (BAC), Bohemian Massif, as a case example, we present a new model for the origin of alternating belts through the repetition of several cycles of (1) offscraping and deformation of trench‐fill sediments to form the coherent units, interrupted by (2) arrival and subduction of linear, trench‐parallel volcanic elevations. The latter process leads to an increase in the wedge taper, triggering mass‐wasting and formation of olistostromes. At the same time, ophiolitic mélanges form by disruption of an upper part of the volcanic ridge and incorporation of the disrupted ocean‐floor succession into the olistostromes. Specifically, the BAC represents a complete section across an accretionary wedge and records three such major pulses of ophiolitic mélange formation through subduction of an outboard back‐arc basin.     

Fragments of oceanic islands in accretion–collision areas of Gorny Altai and Salair, southern Siberia, Russia: early stages of continental crustal growth of the Siberian continent in Vendian–Early Cambrian time

The Altai-Salair area in southern Siberia is a Caledonian folded area containing fragments of Vendian–Early Cambrian island arcs. In the Vendian–Early Cambrian, an extended system of island arcs existed near the Paleo-Asian Ocean/Siberian continent boundary and was located in an open ocean realm. In the present-day structural pattern of southern Siberia, the fragments of Vendian–Early Cambrian ophiolites, island arcs and paleo-oceanic islands occur in the accretion–collision zones. We recognized that the accretion–collision zones were mainly composed of the rock units, which were formed within an island-arc system or were incorporated in it during the subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean under the island arc or the Siberian continent. This system consists of accretionary wedge, fore-arc basin, primitive island arc and normal island arc. The accretionary wedges contain the oceanic island fragments which consist of OIB basalts and siliceous—carbonate cover including top and slope facies sediments. Oceanic islands submerged into the subduction zone and, later were incorporated into an accretionary wedge. Collision of oceanic islands and island arcs in subduction zones resulted in reverse currents in the accretionary wedge and exhumation of high-pressure rocks. Our studies of the Gorny Altai and Salair accretionary wedges showed that the remnants of oceanic crust are mainly oceanic islands and ophiolites. Therefore, it is important to recognize paleo-islands in folded areas. The study of paleo- islands is important for understanding the evolution of accretionary wedges and exhumation of subducted high-pressure rocks.     

大别-苏鲁超高压和高压变质带构造演化

大别—苏鲁是世界上超高压 (UHP) ( >2 .7GPa)和高压 (HP)变质岩石出露最为广泛的地区。通过区域研究 ,尤其是在选择的 30多个关键位置上不同尺度构造记录的深入观察 ,结合已有的可利用的变质、热事件及同位素年代学资料分析 ,揭示出它们曾遭受过一个复杂的从深俯冲到折返构造演化历程 ,识别出 5个主要的构造变质事件 :( 1)由块状榴辉岩中发育的微弱面理和线理所代表的第 1期变形变质事件 (D1) ;( 2 )面状榴辉岩中发育的含拉伸线理的透入性主面理、中小型鞘状褶皱及网络状韧性剪切带 ,代表第 2期构造变质事件 (D2 ) ;( 3)第 3期变形事件主体发生于麻粒岩 /角闪岩相后成合晶形成之后 ,主要构造记录是区域性陡倾斜面理及不均一置换的成分层、榴辉岩透镜体及布丁群、面理内褶皱、网状韧性剪切带系统以及减压部分熔融作用形成的混合岩和含榴花岗质岩石组构 ;( 4)区域性的碰撞期后地壳韧性薄化及剪张作用 (D4)形成缓倾斜角闪岩相主面理及线理、穹状及弧形构造和多层韧性拆离带 ,它们主导了现今观察到的大别—苏鲁超高压和高压变质带的区域构造几何图像 ;( 5 )第 5期构造热事件 (D5)表现为不均一断块抬升、红色沉积盆地发育及大规模的岩体和岩脉就位 ,代表造山晚期的构造揭顶及坍陷作用 ,该期构造控制着造山带     

Ocean Plate Stratigraphy in East and Southeast Asia

Ancient accretionary wedges have been recognised by the presence of glaucophane schist, radiolarian chert and mélange. Recent techniques for the reconstruction of disrupted fragments of such wedges by means of radiolarian biostratigraphy, provide a more comprehensive history of ocean plate subduction and successive accretion of ocean floor materials from the oceanic plate through offscraping and underplating.Reconstructed ocean floor sequences found in ancient accretionary complexes in Japan comprise, from oldest to youngest, pillow basalt, limestone, radiolarian chert, siliceous shale, and shale and sandstone. Similar lithologies also occur in the mélange complexes of the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and other regions. This succession is called ‘Ocean Plate Stratigraphy’ (OPS), and it represents the following sequence of processes: birth of the oceanic plate at the oceanic ridge; formation of volcanic islands near the ridge, covered by calcareous reefs; sedimentation of calcilutite on the flanks of the volcanic islands where radiolarian chert is also deposited; deposition of radiolarian skeletons on the oceanic plate in a pelagic setting, and sedimentary mixing of radiolarian remains and detrital grains to form siliceous shale in a hemipelagic setting; and sedimentation of coarse-grained sandstone and shale at or near the trench of the convergent margin.Radiolarian biostratigraphy of detrital sedimentary rocks provides information on the time and duration of ocean plate subduction. The ages of detrital sediments becomes younger oceanward as younger packages of OPS are scraped off the downgoing plate.OPS reconstructed from ancient accretionary complexes give us the age of subduction and accretion, direction of subduction, and ancient tectonic environments and is an important key to understanding the paleoenvironment and history of the paleo-oceans now represented only in suture zones and orogenic belts.     

A proposal for the kinematic modelling of W-dipping subductions - possible applications to the Tyrrhenian-Apennines system

In W-dipping subduction zones there is a general eastward progression of the back-arc basin-accretionary wedge-foredeep complex. With the forward progression, early stages of the complex are revealed by slices of upper crust and sedimentary cover abandoned to the west left floating above a new section of mantle. A major shear zone should form at the new Moho separating upper crust slices of earlier accretionary stages and the eastward flowing mantle. The mantle wedging at the top of the subduction plane could be responsible for the uplift of the central parts of the belt. The retreating of the subduction hinge is interpreted as due to the push generated by the ‘eastward mantle flow detected in the hot spot reference frame. The foredeep depth is mainly a function of the radius of curvature of the subduction hinge. The frontal wedge is constructed from the stacking of the upper layers of the subducting plate and the syntectonic clastics that fill the foredeep which are progressively involved in thrusting and later by extension. In order to preserve volume balance, the lithosphere of the eastern plate before subduction has to be the same size as that which has been subducted: due to the longer length of the arc with respect to the original length of the linear margin between the two converging plates, laterally stretched subducted lithosphere is predicted at depth. W-dipping subductions usually have a short life probably due to their inherent capability to produce new lateral heterogeneities of the lithosphere (the thin back-arc) which are a key factor in controlling and generating new subductions (both E- and W-dipping). This model is applied to the Apennines-Tyrrhenian Sea system.