南海海盆区深部结构的不对称性及控制因素

南海海盆区具有复杂的构造演化史,但目前对其深部结构的不对称性的研究和控制因素的探讨还存在不足.利用南海最新的重力数据和从27条地震剖面上获取的海盆范围沉积物精确数据计算了全海盆的剩余地幔布格重力异常（residual mantle Bouguer anomaly,RMBA）,并反演了海盆的地壳厚度,运用Crust1.0数据进行了相关性分析.研究结果表明,南海海盆的残留扩张脊两翼在地形、RMBA和洋壳厚度上存在明显的不对称性,北翼比南翼有更多的海山分布、更低的RMBA值以及更厚的洋壳.这种明显的南北不对称性表明北侧比南侧有更高的地幔温度和更活跃的岩浆活动,反映了南海深部结构的不对称性.南海深部结构的不对称性可能与洋中脊向南的跃迁有关.洋脊跃迁导致在新老洋脊之间产生部分熔融,使扩张中心北侧产生更高的地幔温度,以及更强烈的岩浆活动,从而显示出更低的RMBA值和更厚的洋壳,并形成更多的后扩张期海山.      

西太平洋弧后地区新生代构造迁移的深部地震证据

为了研究西太平洋弧后边缘海盆地的深部构造特征，于2015年在东海琉球岛弧弧后地区布设了一条穿过东海陆架盆地、钓鱼岛隆褶带、南冲绳海槽地区和琉球岛弧的主动源广角反射/折射深部地震剖面.利用走时正演和反演的方法得到的二维速度结构模型展现了西太平洋边缘弧后地区莫霍面的深度由东海陆架地区的大于30 km显著抬升至南冲绳海槽轴部的约16 km，地壳高度拉张减薄，并存在一系列显著的不连续下地壳高速体，速度达6.8~7.3 km/s，这是地幔上涌的显著表现.模型从深部结构角度展现了新生代以来西太平洋弧后盆地扩张中心的变迁，证实了西太平洋洋陆过渡带内深部上涌的软流圈在弧后拉张过程中不断地向洋跃迁，形成自西向东的构造迁移，并带动岩石圈进行幕式伸展，认为新生代向洋变新的构造迁移是太平洋俯冲带后撤引起的一系列弧后深-浅部地球动力效应.      

Ocean Crust Character and Spreading Age of Northwest Sub-sea, the South China Sea: Evidence from Sediment Strata and the Abnormity of Gravity and Magnetism

利用沉积地层被动超覆和基底重磁异常特征对南海西北次海形成时代和洋壳性质进行了探讨.推断南海西北次海初始扩张时间为早渐新世,结束扩张时间为晚渐新世早期.地层变形、被动超覆特征、洋壳基底形态及对称性特点反映出两期洋壳扩张事件.第一期发生在早渐新世.由于洋壳扩张,上始新统被拉断,在洋壳边界处上始新统突然终止现象明显.受洋壳横向扩张推挤和纵向沉降作用影响,上始新统明显变形,并向扩张中心倾覆.第二期洋壳扩张发生在晚渐新世早期.该期洋壳扩张持续时间短,扩张幅度小,下渐新统被拉开的距离有限.由于南海西北次海形成期间不同部位地壳伸展减薄程度不同,南海西北次海洋壳基底呈北东部较宽,向南西方向变窄,并逐渐尖灭的不规则三角形.根据盆地边缘上始新统向海盆中心方向的断点/线和重磁异常资料,推测西北次海南西侧洋壳边界位于海盆基底坡角处附近,洋壳较窄;而北东侧洋壳边界位于海底坡角处附近,洋壳相对较宽.另外,重磁异常表明,在洋壳基底中有陆壳残留块体存在.上述这些现象说明南海西北次海在洋壳萌芽阶段就先天天折,停止发育.     

南海海底地震仪三维深地震探测的进展及挑战

获取深部速度结构是认识南海形成演化模式的基础.海底地震仪（OBS）二维与三维深地震探测技术是获取深部速度结构最成功的方法之一.OBS三维探测结果揭示:西南次海盆横跨残留扩张脊两侧洋壳不对称增生的速度结构特征;东部次海盆具有4种不同洋壳类型的速度结构;珍贝-黄岩海山链是在海盆停止扩张后6~10 Ma岩浆活动形成的;东沙隆起区显示了张裂期后的岩浆活动及其上涌通道;南海东北部马尼拉俯冲带前缘是受到张裂期后岩浆活动影响的减薄陆壳.IODP367-368钻探区实施的OBS三维探测将以建立南海洋陆转换带（COT）张裂-破裂机制模型为科学目标.OBS三维探测方法在南海各向异性、岩浆活动、形成演化等方面将继续发挥着不可替代的作用.      

中国东南大陆边缘若干问题的认识

中国东南大陆边缘自元古宙以来就以沟-弧-盆形式向洋增生扩张。浙闽变质带属于震旦纪至早古生代岛弧。华南地槽区是在这一时期由扩张作用形成的弧后盆地。这一沟弧盆系统在加里东期褶皱变质,与大陆拼贴。在晚古生代,沿海地区有新的扩张带形成。周期性的扩张和挤压是中国东南大陆边缘地壳演化的特征。     

南海西北部重磁场及深部构造特征

通过对南海重磁数据的重新处理,得到南海西北部自由空间重力异常图、布格重力异常图、磁异常图和化极磁异常图,并对所反映的地球物理场特征加以分析。根据重力场资料对研究区的地壳结构进行了反演计算,结果表明地壳厚度在10～38km之间,总的趋势由陆向洋逐渐减薄,对应于地壳类型从陆壳、过渡壳到洋壳的分布特征。根据磁力资料计算了居里面深度,其埋深变化于11～27km之间,在陆区居里面是下地壳顶界面和莫霍面之间的另一个物性界面,而在海区则接近于莫霍面埋深。     

南海西北次海扩张时代和洋壳性质:沉积地层及重磁依据

利用沉积地层被动超覆和基底重磁异常特征对南海西北次海形成时代和洋壳性质进行了探讨。推断南海西北次海初始扩张时间为早渐新世,结束扩张时间为晚渐新世早期。地层变形、被动超覆特征、洋壳基底形态及对称性特点反映出两期洋壳扩张事件。第一期发生在早渐新世。由于洋壳扩张,上始新统被拉断,在洋壳边界处上始新统突然终止现象明显。受洋壳横向扩张推挤和纵向沉降作用影响,上始新统明显变形,并向扩张中心倾覆。第二期洋壳扩张发生在晚渐新世早期。该期洋壳扩张持续时间短,扩张幅度小,下渐新统被拉开的距离有限。由于南海西北次海形成期间不同部位地壳伸展减薄程度不同,南海西北次海洋壳基底呈北东部较宽,向南西方向变窄,并逐渐尖灭的不规则三角形。根据盆地边缘上始新统向海盆中心方向的断点/线和重磁异常资料,推测西北次海南西侧洋壳边界位于海盆基底坡角处附近,洋壳较窄;而北东侧洋壳边界位于海底坡角处附近,洋壳相对较宽。另外,重磁异常表明,在洋壳基底中有陆壳残留块体存在。上述这些现象说明南海西北次海在洋壳萌芽阶段就先天夭折,停止发育。     

发育大洋斜长花岗岩的南海管事平顶海山：深部地壳和莫霍面钻探的优选区？

本文紧密围绕IODP“面向2050年大洋钻探科学框架”中的“地球深部探测”旗舰计划和“莫霍面”梦想，研究并总结全球现代洋壳发现的大洋斜长花岗岩的分布规律、岩石组合特征和成因模式，探讨发育大洋斜长花岗岩的南海管事平顶海山是否为深部地壳和莫霍面钻探潜在优选区。统计结果表明大洋斜长花岗岩在多种不同构造背景形成的洋壳上均有发现，包括西南印度洋超慢速扩张构造环境，大西洋、西北太平洋、西印度洋和中印度洋慢速扩张构造环境，东太平洋快速扩张构造环境，南海等边缘海构造环境，伊豆- 小笠原- 马里亚纳(IBM)岛弧、九州- 帕劳海脊、Amami海底高原等洋内俯冲构造环境。多数大洋斜长花岗岩呈脉状零散分布于辉长岩中，意味大洋斜长花岗岩可能形成于洋壳深部，在后期断裂等地质作用下被剥蚀而更容易被发现，成为了解洋壳深部岩浆过程和洋壳结构的一个窗口。管事平顶海山位于南海东部次海盆古扩张脊附近，拖网获得MORB型大洋斜长花岗岩，前人基于地球化学数据认为其可能为辉长岩部分熔融形成。本文推测管事平顶海山大洋斜长花岗岩很可能为洋壳深部物质剥露海底，是南海的一个重要构造窗口，有望成为南海深部地壳和莫霍面钻探的潜在优选区，但需要开展进一步调查研究以验证推测：① 海山大洋斜长花岗岩为拖网所得，位置误差较大，需开展可精确定位的电视抓斗、浅钻或有缆遥控水下机器人(ROV)调查；② 海山目前只发现大洋斜长花岗岩，需调查海山是否发育辉长岩等深部地壳岩石组合；③ 需开展重磁、深反射地震、海底地震仪(OBS)、大地电磁等调查研究，建立管事平顶海山洋壳和上地幔结构模型，查明断裂带分布，揭示莫霍面深度。     

中沙地块南部断裂发育特征及其成因机制

利用最新多道地震剖面资料，结合重力、磁力、地形等地球物理资料，揭示了中沙地块南部断裂空间展布特征、断裂发育时期、断裂内部构造形变特征及深部地壳结构，并基于认识探讨了断裂的发育机制。研究结果认为，中沙地块南部陆缘构造属性为非火山型被动大陆边缘：地壳性质从西北向东南由减薄陆壳向洋陆过渡壳再向正常洋壳发育变化；Moho面埋深从中沙地块下方的26 km快速抬升到海盆的10~12 km；从中沙地块陡坡至其前缘海域的重力异常明显负异常区为洋陆过渡带，在重力由高值负异常上升到海盆的低值正、负异常的边界为洋陆边界。中沙地块南部发育有4组阶梯状向海倾的深大正断裂，主要发育时期为晚渐新世到中中新世。断裂早期发育与南海东部次海盆近NS向扩张有关，后期遭受挤压变形、与菲律宾海板块向南海的NWW向仰冲有关。该研究有助于更好认识南海海盆的扩张历史和南海被动大陆边缘的类型。     

南海东北部及其邻近地区地壳上地幔P波速度结构

利用中国地震台网和ISC台站记录的P波到时数据,采用球坐标系有限差分地震层析成像方法反演了南海东北部及其邻近地区壳幔三维P波速度结构,并分析了不同地质单元的构造差异及其深部特征。结果表明:南海东北部表现出陆架地区的岩石层特性,属于华南大陆向海区的延伸,岩石层厚度较大,现今不存在大规模的地幔热流活动,推测大陆边缘张裂作用仅限于地壳内部而没有延伸进入上地幔,具有非火山型大陆边缘的深部特点。中央海盆附近上地幔P波速度明显降低,与海盆下方地幔热流活动密切相关。不同的速度异常特征表明:华南大陆暨台湾地区属于欧亚大陆的正常地壳或是与菲律宾海板块相互作用产生的增厚型地壳,冲绳海槽则是弧后扩张产生的减薄型地壳。滨海断裂带作为华南大陆高速异常和南海北部高速异常的分界,代表了一定地质时期华南地块和南海地块的拼合边界。断裂附近的上地幔低速异常揭示了闽粤沿海岩浆作用的深层动力机制。吕宋岛弧、马尼拉海沟、东吕宋海槽的速度异常与其所处的特殊构造位置有密切的关系,清晰地反映出岛弧俯冲带的地壳结构差异;台湾南部至吕宋岛弧的上地幔低速异常揭示了两个重要火山链的深部构造特征,北吕宋海脊下方100 km深度的条带状高速异常有可能代表了俯冲下沉的岩石层板片。     

北祁连山奥陶纪弧后盆地火山岩浆成因

本文对北祁连山早古生代弧后盆地熔岩的岩石地球化学研究结果加以报道。样品的分布将南部弧后盆地拉伸最早阶段发育的岛弧裂谷化区和北部的弧后海底扩张区联系起来。熔岩的岩相学和地球化学特点反映了拉伸方式的改变,北部是典型的弧后盆地基性熔岩,向南则逐渐向岛弧熔岩过渡。海底扩张区以玻质(现已脱玻化)、少斑基性熔岩为特征,长英质熔岩和斑状基性熔岩产于南部岛弧裂谷化区。成熟岛弧部分(Y<20×10-6,TiO2<0.60%,Th/Yb>0.60)和弧后扩张区(Y>20×10-6,TiO2>1.0%,Th/Yb<0.60)在地球化学上相互有别。从由海底扩张形成的弧后盆地基性熔岩,向南经过逐渐与岛弧岩石相似的熔岩,直至裂谷区最南部的岛弧熔岩,它们的地球化学成分显示逐渐的变化。这种变化反映了弧后盆地形成过程中弧后盆地之下地幔对流方式和熔体产生作用的改变:从初始岛弧裂谷之下由消减板片俯冲引起的地幔下沉,转变为弧后海底扩张带之下的地幔上隆。早期岛弧裂谷阶段,裂谷轴捕获了岛弧岩浆流,从而使得喷出的熔岩在成分上与岛弧熔岩无法区分;随着弧后拉张继续,弧后盆地变宽,岛弧岩浆流逐渐离开裂谷轴,最终产生一个似洋中脊的减压熔融系统———弧后盆地岩浆系统。     

The evolution of the southern margin of the East European Craton based on seismic and potential field data

This paper presents an integrated geophysical study of the southern margin of the East European Craton (EEC) in the Karpinksy Swell-North Caucasus area. It presents new interpretations of deep refraction and wide-angle reflection “deep seismic sounding” (DSS) data as well as conventional seismic and CDP profiling and new analyses of potential field data, including three-dimensional gravity and magnetic modelling. An integrated model of the physical properties and structure of the Earth's crust and, partially, upper mantle displays distinct features that are related to tectonic history of the study area. The Voronezh Massif (VM), the Ukrainian Shield and Rostov Dome (RD) of the EEC as well as the Donbas Foldbelt (DF), Karpinsky Swell (KS), Scythian Plate (SP) and Precaspian Basin (PCB) constitute the geodynamic ensemble that developed on the southern margin of the continent Baltica. There proposed evolutionary model comprises a stage of rifting during the middle to late Devonian, post-rift extension and subsidence during Carboniferous–early Permian times (synchronous with and related to the southward displacement of the Rostov Dome and extension in a palaeo-Scythian back-arc basin), and subsequent Mesozoic and younger evolution. A pre-Ordovician, possibly Riphean (?), mafic magmatic complex is inferred on a near vertical reflection seismic cross-section through the western portion of the Astrakhan Dome in the southwest part of the Precaspian Basin. This complex combined with evidence of a subducting slab in the upper mantle imply the presence of pre-Ordovician (Riphean?) island arc, with synchronous extension in a Precaspian back-arc basin is suggested. A middle Palaeozoic back-arc basin ensemble in what is now the western Karpinsky Swell was more than 100 km to the south from its present location. The Stavropol High migrated northwards, dislocating and moving fragments of this back-arc basin sometime thereafter. Linear positive magnetic anomalies reflect the position of associated faults, which define the location of the eastern segment of the Karpinsky Swell. These faults, which dip northward, are recognised on crustal DSS profiles crossing the Donbas Foldbelt and Scythian Plate. They are interpreted in terms of compressional tectonics younger than the Hercynian stage of evolution (i.e., post-Palaeozoic).     

Two contrasting magmatic types coexist after the cessation of back-arc spreading

Amongst island arcs, Izu–Bonin is remarkable as it has widespread, voluminous and long-lived volcanism behind the volcanic front. In the central part of the arc this volcanism is represented by a series of seamount chains which extend nearly 300 km into the back-arc from the volcanic front. These back-arc seamount chains were active between 17 and 3 Ma, which is the period between the cessation of spreading in the Shikoku Basin and the initiation of currently active rifting just behind the Quaternary volcanic front. In this paper we present new age, chemical and isotopic data from the hitherto unexplored seamounts which formed furthest from the active volcanic front. Some of the samples come from volcanoes at the western limit of the back-arc seamount chains. Others are collected from seamounts of various sizes which lie on the Shikoku Basin crust (East Shikoku Basin seamounts). The westernmost magmatism we have sampled is manifested as a series of volcanic edifices that trace the extinct spreading centre of the Shikoku Basin known as the Kinan Seamount Chain (KSC).Chemically, enrichment in fluid-mobile elements and depletion in HFSE relative to MORB indicates that the back-arc seamount chains and the East Shikoku Basin seamounts have a significant contribution of slab-derived material. In this context these volcanoes can be regarded as a manifestation of arc magmatism and distinct from the MORB-like lavas of the Shikoku back-arc basin. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages range from 15.7 to 9.6 Ma for the East Shikoku Basin seamounts, indicating this arc magmatism started immediately after the Shikoku Basin stopped spreading.Although the KSC volcanoes are found to be contemporaneous with the seamount chains and East Shikoku Basin seamounts, their chemical characteristics are very different. Unlike the calc-alkaline seamount chains, the KSC lavas range from medium-K to shoshonitic alkaline basalt. Their trace element characteristics indicate the absence of a subduction influence and their radiogenic isotope systematics reflect a mantle source combining a Philippine Sea MORB composition and an enriched mantle component (EM-1). One of the most remarkable features of the KSC is that their geochemistry has a distinct temporal variation. Element ratios such as Nb/Zr and concentrations of incompatible elements such as K₂O increase with decreasing age and reach a maximum at ca. 7 Ma when the KSC ceased activity.Based on the chemical and temporal information from all the data across the back-arc region, we have identified two contrasting yet contemporaneous magmatic provinces. These share a tectonic platform, but have separate magmatic roots; one stemming from subduction flux and the other from post-spreading asthenospheric melting.     

Cretaceous volcanic belts and the evolution of the Black Sea Basin

Deposits in southwestern Crimea that contain Late Albian, Middle Senomanian, and Middle Campanian volcanic material are described and dated. Supposedly volcanic edifices are identified in the Black Sea (the Shatsky Swell) based on seismic data. The Albian, Senomanian, and Campanian volcanic belts are reconstructed for the entire Black Sea Region. The suggestion is made that the Black Sea Basin formed as a back-arc basin that started from rifting in the Albian and finished with spreading of the oceanic crust in the Senomanian-Early Santonian.     

An evolutionary model of the western churchill province and western margin of the superior province in Canada and the North-Central United States

Regional-scale geophysical information, which includes aeromagnetic, gravity, seismic refraction, multi-channel seismic reflection and electromagnetic induction data, is used to extend our knowledge of the Canadian Shield beneath the Phanerozoic Williston basin of south-central Canada and the north-central United States. A new tectonic map based on this information shows the Proterozoic Flin Flon-Snow Lake and La Ronge-Lynn Lake volcanic island arcs and their associated fore-arc (Kisseynew belt) and back-arc (Reindeer-South Indian Lakes belt) basins wedged between the Archean Superior craton on the east and the Archean parts of the Churchill and Wyoming cratons on the west. Along the western margin of the Superior craton the Thompson nickel belt, including its extension southwards beneath the Williston basin, is interpreted to have been successively the site of continental rifting and rupturing, an evolving continental margin, a continent-volcanic island arc “suture” zone and eventually a continental-scale strike-slip fault. The North American Central Plains electrical conductivity anomaly and closely related seismic low-velocity zones are explained by the presence in the lower crust of buried slices of hydrated oceanic-type material, situated within the southward extension of the Reindeer-South Indian Lakes remnant back-arc basin and adjoining tectonic units. A new plate tectonic model is proposed for this region that involves the rifting and rupturing of the Archean continents and the opening and closing of one or more oceanic basins. This model is shown to be consistent with most of the geological, geophysical and geochronological data that pertains to the Proterozoic evolution of the exposed Shield and similar geophysical data and subsurface geochronological information from further south.     

西太平洋典型边缘海盆的岩浆活动

在发育有全球最大、最复杂的弧—沟—盆体系的西太平洋地区,集中了全球75％左右的边缘海盆(弧后盆地).根据磁异常条带年龄,这些边缘海盆可粗略分为3个扩张幕.主要根据DS-DP,ODP和IODP计划实施以来所获得的成果,结合其他海洋调查航次研究成果,系统阐述了分属3个扩张幕的西菲律宾海盆(第一扩张幕)、南海—四国海盆(第二扩张幕)和冲绳海槽(第三扩张幕)—马里亚纳海槽内的岩浆活动特点.西菲律宾海盆(扩张时代为65～35 Ma BP)从原先的赤道位置迁移至现今的位置,其内存在如似正常洋中脊玄武岩(NMORB)、洋岛玄武岩(OIB)及弧火山岩等多种岩石类型,其地球动力学背景分别与弧后扩张、地幔柱及火山弧等背景有关,其复杂的构造演化样式需要进一步研究;四国海盆(扩张时代为27 ～ 15 Ma BP)是由古伊豆—小笠原—马里亚纳弧(IBM)裂解形成的,其内除发育正常(N)—富集(E)的洋中脊玄武岩(NMORB-EMORB)外,还在扩张停止的同时出现了板内火山作用,形成了中K-超K碱性玄武岩.四国海盆的扩张模式并没有从岩石学和地质年代学角度进行明确制约,板内火山作用的地球动力学背景也不甚清楚.南海(扩张时代为32～15.5 MaBP)是由来自华南地块的一些微陆块向东南裂离后的海底扩张所形成,并在海底扩张后2 ～8 Ma出现板内火山作用,截止目前,并没有获取到洋壳基底样品,主要获取到了南海海山似OIB的玄武岩,未来需要从岩石学和地质年代学角度对南海海底扩张动力学和时代以及扩张期后的板内火山作用动力学背景进行进一步制约.马里亚纳海槽(扩张时代为5 Ma BP至今)为一年青的洋内弧后盆地,其北段处于裂解增进阶段,其内出露有似MORB(中南段)及介于似MORB与似岛弧岩石之间过渡类型的玄武岩(增进端);虽然在扩张时代上与马里亚纳海槽相当,但冲绳海槽(扩张时代为4 Ma BP至今)为一陆缘、初生弧后盆地,从西南往东北方向,不同区段处于不同的伸展发育阶段,西南段出露有似MORB岩石,中段岩石主要为玄武质岩石和流纹质岩石组成双峰组合,而东北段为中酸性火山岩.正在活动的马里亚纳海槽与冲绳海槽的岩浆作用研究应和其伴随的火山岛弧及其相邻的海沟处正在俯冲的洋壳板块结合起来,完整理解板块俯冲输入(subduction input)与弧及弧后输出(volcanic output)之间的关系,这将为揭示西太平洋地区构造演化提供重要证据.即将在西太平洋地区实施的IODP 349 ～ 352航次,为我国科学家提供了研究西太平洋地区构造演化的契机.     

An expression of Philippine Sea plate rotation: the Parece Vela and Shikoku Basins

The Philippine Sea plate, located between the Pacific, Eurasian and Australian plates, is the world's largest marginal basin plate. The motion of the Philippine Sea plate through time is poorly understood as it is almost entirely surrounded by subduction zones and hence, previous studies have relied on palaeomagnetic analysis to constrain its rotation. We present a comprehensive analysis of geophysical data within the Parece Vela and Shikoku Basins—two Oligocene to Miocene back-arc basins—which provide independent constraints on the rotational history of the Philippine Sea plate by means of their seafloor spreading record. We have created a detailed plate model for the opening of the Parece Vela and Shikoku Basins based on an analysis of all available magnetic, gravity and bathymetric data in the region. Subduction along the Izu–Bonin–Mariana trench led to trench roll-back, arc rupture and back-arc rifting in the Parece Vela and Shikoku Basins at 30 Ma. Seafloor spreading in both basins developed by chron 9o (28 Ma), and possibly by chron 10o (29 Ma), as a northward and southward propagating rift, respectively. The spreading orientation in the Parece Vela Basin was E–W as opposed to ENE–WSW in the Shikoku Basin. The spreading ridges joined by chron 6By (23 Ma) and formed a R–R–R triple junction to accommodate the difference in spreading orientations in both basins. At chron 6No (20 Ma), the spreading direction in the Parece Vela Basin changed from E–W to NE–SW. At chron 5Ey (19 Ma), the spreading direction in the Shikoku Basin changed from ENE–WSW to NE–SW. This change was accompanied by a marked decrease in spreading rate. Cessation of back-arc opening occurred at 15 Ma, a time of regional plate reorganisation in SE Asia. We interpret the dramatic change in spreading rate and direction from E–W to NE–SW at 20±1.3 Ma as an expression of Philippine Sea plate rotation and is constrained by the spacing between our magnetic anomaly identifications and the curvature of the fracture zones. This rotation was previously thought to have begun at 25 Ma as a result of a global change in plate motions. Our results suggest that the Philippine Sea plate rotated clockwise by about 4° between 20 and 15 Ma about a pole located 35°N, 84°E. This implies that the majority of the 34° clockwise rotation inferred to have occurred between 25 and 5 Ma from paleomagnetic data may have in fact been confined to the period between 15 and 5 Ma.     

Geology and geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic Tuludimtu Ophiolite suite,western Ethiopia

The Kemashi Domain, a lithotectonic subdivision of the Neoproterozoic Tuludimtu Orogenic Belt of western Ethiopia, consists of a suite of mafic–ultramafic volcanic and plutonic rocks, and interbedded deep marine sediments, mainly graphite-bearing pelitic schists and phyllites, and graphitic quartzites and cherts. Pillow structures indicate submarine extrusion of the volcanics, whilst partings within some of the basalts may represent sheeted dykes. An associated mélange unit, composed of blocks of the same rock types as above, set in a fine schistose matrix, also occurs. This assemblage is interpreted as a dismembered ophiolite—the Tuludimtu Ophiolite—formed in a deep oceanic environment. A turbiditic sequence is also present in the domain.The Tuludimtu Ophiolite underwent intense compression during the Neoproterozoic Pan African Orogeny, resulting in early recumbent folding and westwards-directed thrusting, followed by reactivation of steeper zones of the thrusts as N–S orogen-parallel strike-slip shear zones, accompanied by refolding of early folds into upright horizontal folds. This was followed by development of deep crustal NNW–SSE orogen-transecting shear zones, which were reactivated as brittle faults during orogenic collapse of the Tuludimtu Belt. Metamorphism to lower greenschist facies grade accompanied orogenesis.Major, trace and REE geochemistry of volcanic and some plutonic igneous rocks, has been employed to define the tectonic setting of the terrane. Tectonic discrimination diagrams, utilising REE and HFSE, indicate a wide distribution spectrum but with the majority of samples plotting in arc basalt and MORB fields, suggesting derivation from sources similar to N-MORB and depleted MORB (typical of many arc basalts). Most of the samples exhibit a slight depletion of immobile elements, relative to N-MORB values and also show depletion of Zr, Ti, Nb and Y, implying that their source had been depleted by an earlier melting episode. Overall, the geochemistry typifies spreading centre basalts with some compositional features transitional to those of arc basalts, a characteristic of back-arc basalts.Lithological association, structural style and geochemistry of the rock assemblage in the Kemashi Domain thus define an ophiolite interpreted to have formed within a deep marine environment. This is thought to have been due to rifting of continental crust within a back-arc basin regime in a continental margin type extensional setting. Comparison with other ophiolitic terranes within the Arabian Nubian Shield, suggests that many of these terranes may represent back-arc basin type tectonic settings, similar to the Kemashi Domain. This supports the multi-stage accretion model for closure of the Mozambique Ocean, for which the Pacific Ocean may be a present day analogue.     

东海盆地中、新生代盆架结构与构造演化

基于地貌、钻井、岩石测年和地震等资料,分析盆地地层分布、盆架结构、构造单元划分和裂陷迁移规律,结果表明东海盆地由台北坳陷、舟山隆起、浙东坳陷、钓鱼岛隆褶带和冲绳坳陷构成,是以新生代沉积为主、中生代沉积为辅的大型中、新生代叠合含油气盆地;古元古代变质岩系构成了盆地的基底。该盆地不仅是印度-太平洋前后相继的动力体系作用下形成的西太平洋沟-弧-盆构造体系域一部分,而且也是古亚洲洋动力体系作用下形成的古亚洲洋构造域和特提斯洋动力体系作用下形成的特提斯洋构造域一部分,晚侏罗世至早白垩世经历了构造体制转换,盆地格局发生重大变革,早白垩世以前主要受古亚洲-特提斯洋构造体制影响的强烈挤压造山和地壳增厚作用演变为早白垩世以来主要受太平洋构造体制控制的陆缘伸展裂陷和岩石圈减薄作用,经历侏罗纪古亚洲-特提斯构造体制大陆边缘拗陷和白垩纪以来太平洋构造体制弧后裂陷两大演化阶段。白垩纪以来太平洋构造体制的弧后裂陷演化阶段可细分为早白垩世至始新世裂陷期、渐新世至晚中新世拗陷期和中新世末至全新世裂陷期。     

Tectonics in the Northwestern West Philippine Basin

The West Philippine basin (WPB) is a currently inactive marginal basin belonging to Philippine Sea plate, which has a complex formation history and various crust structures. Based on gravity, magnetic and seismic data, the tectonics in West Philippine basin is characterized by amagnma spreading stage and strike slip fractures. NNE trending Okinawa-Luzon fracture zone is a large fracture zone with apparent geomorphology and shows a right-handed movement. The results of joint gravity-magnetic-seismic inversion suggest that the Okinawa-Luzon fracture zone has intensive deformation and is a transform fault. Western existence of the NW trending fractures under Ryukyu Islands Arc is the main cause of the differences between south and north Okinawa Trough. The Urdaneta plateau is not a remained arc, but remnant of mantle plume although its lava chemistry is similar to oceanic island basalt (OIB).