First-order analysis of deformation of a thrust sheet moving over a ramp

John L. Rich introduced the revolutionary concept that many folds in the Appalachian Mountains can be explained as superficial structures formed by passive translation of thrust blocks over ramps in detachment surfaces. The amount of layer-parallel shortening can be negligible in the formation of these folds. Rich primarily was concerned with an explanation for the Powell Valley anticline, in the southern Appalachians, but the essential kinematic features of his model of folding have been verified in other folds in the Appalachians, in the Canadian Rockies, in the Idaho-Wyoming thrust belt, and in the Pyrenees. In this paper we solve the boundary-value problem for an idealized thrust block moving over a detachment surface and ramp with zero drag, and produce theoretical fold forms in the thrust block that closely resemble those in Rich's idealized model. The anticline is narrow and rounded if the translation is small, and broad and flat-topped if the translation is large. The limbs of the anticline are symmetric. We also incorporate drag along the ramp part of the detachment surface in order to derive a possible explanation for the asymmetry of dips of the two limbs of the Powell Valley anticline. We show that drag can explain the asymmetry, particularly if drag between relatively competent rocks in opposition at the ramp caused an initial anticline to form as the thrust block began to move, and then drag reduced markedly as relatively soft shales at the base of the block were thrust over competent rocks in the ramp. The existence of the initial anticline should be reflected in asymmetry of the two limbs and in a bulge at the distal edge of the broad anticline.     

南天山库车秋里塔格褶皱带三维构造分析

笔者利用库车秋里塔格地区3000km的二维地震反射资料，结合地表构造测量成果，分段叙述秋里塔格褶皱带的构造几何学和运动学性质，说明构造交汇部位断层和褶皱的叠加过渡关系，并通过二维构造剖面的组合，建立秋里塔格褶皱带的三维构造几何模型。研究发现秋里塔格褶皱带为浅部断层传播褶皱与深部断层转折褶皱叠加形成的复合型背斜带，深部台阶状逆断层的叠加作用、叠加断层位移量的转换、断层断坡高度的变化造成地表背斜沿走向发生变化，笔者通过测量断层叠加方式、断层位移量转换、断层断坡高度，说明秋里塔格褶皱带背斜叠加、扭曲、分叉现象的构造机理，并且给出了秋里塔格褶皱带断层的滑移量。     

南天山山前复杂褶皱的构造形态分析:以库车秋里塔克背斜和柯坪八盘水磨背斜为例

南天山山前发育叠瓦状断层和叠加褶皱,这类褶皱构造形态复杂,研究难度大。应用断层相关褶皱理论,依据地表倾角产状、二维地震剖面和钻测井数据,建立了南天山山前库车秋里塔克背斜和柯坪八盘水磨背斜的构造模型。该研究思路和手段对中国西部山前带复杂褶皱的研究有借鉴作用。     

Late Cenozoic Deformation Sequence of a Thrust System along the Eastern Margin of Pamir, Northwest China

A thrust belt formed in the basin along the eastern margin of Pamir. The thrust belt is about 50 km wide, extends about 200 km, and includes three compressive structures from south to north: the blind Qipan structural wedge and Qimugen structural wedge, and the exposed Yengisar anticline. The thrust belt displays a right-stepping en echelon pattern. The Qipan structural wedge dies out northward to the west of the Qimugen structural wedge, and the Qimugen structural wedge dies out northward to the west of the Yengisar anticline. Detailed analysis of seismic reflection profiles of the western Tarim Basin reveal that fan-shaped growth strata were deposited in the shallow part of the thrust belt, recording the deformation sequence of the thrust belt. The depth of the Cenozoic growth strata decreases from south to north. The growth strata of the Qipan structural wedge is located in the middle-lower section of the Pliocene Artux Formation (N2a), the growth strata of the Qimugen structural wedge is close to the bottom of the Pleistocene Xiyu Formation (Q1x), and the growth strata of the Yengisar anticline is located in the middle section of the Xiyu Formation (Q1x). Combined with magnetostratigraphic studies in the western Tarim basin, it can be preliminarily inferred that the deformation sequence of the thrust belt along the eastern margin of Pamir is progressively younger northward. The geometry and kinematic evolution of the thrust belt in the eastern margin of Pamir can be compared with previous analogue modeling experiments of transpressional deformation, suggesting that the thrust belt was formed in a transpressional tectonic setting.     

断层相关褶皱在塔里木盆地玛东地区的应用

玛东褶皱-冲断带是世界上保存最好的早古生代褶皱冲断带之一,也是塔里木油气勘探的重点区域之一。褶皱-冲 断带浅部构造由于遭受强烈剥蚀,为玛东褶皱-冲断带的构造样式和变形机制研究带来巨大的挑战。断层相关褶皱理论定 量化建立了断层形态和褶皱形态几何学和运动学的关系,是一种有效的利用断层形态来推测褶皱形态的方法,为恢复玛东 地区被剥蚀区域的构造形态提供了可能。文中详细介绍了断层转折褶皱和断层传播褶皱的几何学和运动学特征,并将其应 用于玛东地区的典型构造中,建立2 种玛东地区构造变形模式。最后结合工业地震剖面和钻井资料,认为玛东地区的主要 构造样式是断层转折褶皱, 并分析了构造样式对油气圈闭的影响。     

冲断构造带深层变形的空间分布规律——以库车坳陷克拉苏构造带为例

传统上认为前陆冲断带内部的背斜构造具有"成排成带分段"的特征,在表观认识和宏观尺度上讲,容易理解这一特征,并且通过"成排成带分段"的解剖,直接为含油气区带评价和地震解释方案的落实提供指导作用。随着前陆冲断带深层结构的精细解剖和三维空间内构造变形的准确刻画,发现前陆冲断带深层构造变形的分布并非成排成带分段的特征,褶皱构造的发育与分布明显受前陆冲断构造位移量及各个断层位移量的大小所控制,各个断层控制的逆冲岩席在垂向上相互叠置、侧向上交叉对接、走向上错落有致, 3D立体空间内由多个次级弧形体组成鳞片状分布。本文以中国天然气勘探最为成功、勘探资料最为详实的库车坳陷克拉苏构造带为例,通过地震剖面精细构造解释,揭示出构造变形的运动学特征及其构造位移量在传播过程中的分异和转换,进而控制冲断带内部构造岩席的生长发育和空间展布特征,并在3D立体空间内揭示冲断岩席受构造位移量的控制而成鳞片状分布的规律,控制这一分布规律的主控因素是冲断构造位移量与冲断岩席长度之间定量的几何关系。这一认识提升了油气藏评价和构造圈闭描述的精度。     

库车再生前陆盆地冲断构造楔特征

库车再生前陆盆地冲断构造楔由一系列向南运动的逆冲断层和相关褶皱组成。冲断楔的北部以断层转折褶皱、断层传播褶皱、双重逆冲构造为主。断层楔的前缘发育了很好的滑脱膝折背斜,全为盲断层控制,形成隐蔽式前锋。冲断层的就位从中新世开始,自北向南迁移,前锋的构造形成在第四纪。造成逆冲断层的地壳水平缩短作用速度在中新世较慢,平均为0．355mm/a,上新世中期达0．82mm/a,而到上新世晚期和第四纪速度增大了约一个数量级,达到1．29－3mm/a。     

库车褶皱冲断带前缘盐层厚度对滑脱褶皱构造特征及演化的影响

库车褶皱冲断带前缘发育一系列滑脱褶皱,虽然卷入变形的新生代地层及底部滑脱层(古近系盐层)相同,但滑脱褶皱的构造特征及演化存在显著差异。文中结合野外地质调查结果以及钻井资料和高品质二维地震反射剖面解析,以南喀背斜和米斯坎塔克背斜为例,估算出盐层初始厚度,并讨论其对于滑脱褶皱样式及其演化过程的影响。结果表明,南喀背斜和米斯坎塔克背斜下伏盐层初始厚度不同,估算出前者厚度介于0.1~0.5 km,主要为0.1~0.3 km,而后者却大约为1.0 km。与此同时,南喀背斜和米斯坎塔克背斜均表现出分段差异变形特征。南喀背斜为低缓的滑脱褶皱,其东段隐伏地下,变形方式为褶皱作用;而西段出露地表,背斜核部发育隐伏的逆冲断层,变形方式为褶皱作用和断层作用。背斜西段平均隆升速率大于东段,导致西段隆升出露地表。米斯坎塔克背斜表现为大规模滑脱褶皱,根据变形特征的不同可以分为3段,东段背斜倾向北,盐岩在其核部及北翼下方聚集加厚;而中-西段背斜倾向南,其中中段背斜核部位置盐岩聚集加厚,两翼下伏盐岩减薄甚至形成盐焊接。而在西段背斜呈箱状,两翼下方盐岩厚度至少为1.0 km。笔者总结出库车褶皱冲断带前缘发育的7种滑脱褶皱变形样式,通过构造分析得出,研究区滑脱褶皱的变形主要受盐层厚度、构造缩短量及盐岩流动变形共同控制,其中盐层厚度起主导作用,控制了滑脱褶皱的发育位置,并影响了滑脱褶皱的变形样式。研究结果将为其他褶皱冲断带中滑脱褶皱的相关研究提供重要参考,特别是在缺少高品质地震资料,或者构造变形强烈、地震资料品质较差的地区。     

Evidence of fault-propagation folds in foreland basin: the case of Chemsi and Belkhir anticlines of southern Tunisian Atlas

Structural analysis of Jebel Chemsi and Belkhir located in southern Tunisian Atlas lead to propose the fault-propagation fold as a model for these anticlines. Geometric analogy is settled after dip surveys and observation of several anticline kinks. Several, independent geomorphologic observations support the hinge migration kinematics characterizing this numerical model. The geomorphological hallmarks used matches to (1) alluvial fan progradation, (2) knick points on longitudinal profiles of channel streams and (3) anomalies on the drainage net in the eastern limits of the fold. These anomalies proved a centrifugal hinge migration of, at least, last folding stages in the direction prospected by the model. Results of numerical modelling using Ramp EM software showed detachment layer at 5.5 km that matches to Triassic series. Shortening amplitude is about 2 km for Jebel Chemsi and 1.5 km for Jebel Belkhir. Locally, we highlighted the role of inherited faults in locating and controlling the compressive deformation. In active tectonic region, the use of geomorphological approach is suitable to highlight the folding kinematics and thus to prove the deformation model. In our case study, many special conditions, such as excellent outcropping resulting of arid climate, constant base level and good lithological contrast, allow objective interpretations     

扬子地块西侧米仓山基底卷入式冲断带的结构分析

米仓山基底卷入的巨型背斜带位于扬子地块的西北侧,西与龙门山薄皮冲断体系斜列状错位连接,东与大巴山弧形薄皮冲断带相互叠加,北侧为南秦岭造山带与扬子地块之间重要的大地构造界线——勉略缝合带。作为与周围大地构造和变形特征完全不同的构造样式,其结构的精细分析非常重要,本文利用现代构造地质学的几何解析技术对于这一特殊的基底背斜进行了研究。通过3条大型综合剖面的建立,本文对该巨型背斜的形成及空间分布进行了研究,探索性的解决米仓山背斜所卷入层序、层序的分布和彼此的接触关系问题;解决控制褶皱形成的断层分布、卷入深度、几何特点和彼此的交接关系问题;解决变形分析的构造样式问题和褶皱形成的平衡恢复问题。     

塔西南阿其克背斜地质构造特征及与油气关系

阿其克背斜是塔里木盆地西南坳陷南缘的一个横向转换构造, 该构造的特殊性在于其枢纽走向与造山带总体是垂直的, 而非平行。笔者通过分析阿其克背斜南、中、北3段地质剖面及各剖面中核部与两翼地层的极射赤平投影, 揭示了阿其克背斜的几何学、运动学、动力学特征。结合地震解释剖面、区域构造背景及前人研究成果, 建立了阿其克背斜形成过程的地质模型, 认为它是在断层传播褶皱和断层转折褶皱共同作用下, 以断层传播作用为主分3个阶段形成的断坡背斜构造, 垂向上自下而上分原地系统、准原地系统和外来系统中的推覆体3个构造层次。塔里木盆地的菱形边界性质造成阿其克地区EW向的挤压应力场。由于背斜上部外来系统中的推覆体南部翘起遭受剥蚀, 东侧被阿其克断层破坏, 因此对油气圈闭不利, 但在北部异地推覆体之下, 原地系统中过熟烃源岩及毗邻凹陷内的烃源岩可以通过断层、不整合面向上部准原地系统中的宽缓背斜圈闭供给油气。     

库车坳陷-南天山盆山过渡带的收缩构造变形模式

用地面露头、地震和CEMP(连续电磁剖面法)勘探资料揭示的库车坳陷-南天山盆山过渡带构造变形特征难以用经典的“A型俯冲”冲断褶皱楔变形模型来解释,因而文中提出一种“分层变形、垂向叠置”的“非俯冲”收缩构造解释模型。所谓分层变形是指受古近系膏盐岩层和侏罗系含煤地层等软弱岩层分隔,不同深度的岩层发育不同的收缩变形样式;所谓垂向叠置是指不同层次的强变形带在垂向上叠置,不存在区域性大位移的拆离断层。位于盐岩层之上的新生界以滑脱褶皱变形为主,而盐下层的中生界沉积层及盆地基底则以收缩断裂变形为主。浅部的滑脱褶皱表现出紧闭背斜和宽缓向斜组合,背斜具有不对称形态,其核部在古近系盐岩层或侏罗系含煤地层中滑脱,可在陡翼发育破冲断层或缓翼发育顺层滑脱逆冲断层。深层断裂变形以向山脉倾斜的高角度基底卷入逆冲断层为主干断层,断层上盘形成冲断隆起,次级断层相对较少,下盘则发育一系列同向倾斜的次级逆冲断层构成楔状叠瓦冲断构造。深层断层向上延伸在古近系盐岩层中尖灭,部分次级断层向下延伸并在侏罗系含煤地层中或盆地基底面滑脱,但是主干逆冲断层高角度切入基底,向上则对应于浅层背斜的核部。基底卷入的高角度主干逆冲断层可能利用了先存正断层发生反转位移,并成为控制局部构造变形的主要构造要素。天山上升引起的垂直剪切作用是导致库车坳陷-南天山盆山过渡带发育高角度逆冲断层或促成先存正断层的反转的可能原因。     

Geomorphic response to growing fault-related folds: example from the foothills of central Taiwan

In this paper we concentrate particularly on the geomorphological indicators left by active tectonics. In the central foothills of Taiwan, we used topography, drainage pattern and structural data to perform quantitative morphometric analysis and to determine relative age of fault-related anticlines. The Tiehchen, Tatu and Pakua ridge belt is a fault-related anticline system located in the hanging wall of the Changhua fault along the western thrust front of the foothills. Geomorphic systems are analysed with intent to detect the various responses of landforms and drainage pattern to late Quaternary deformation. Topography and drainage basin register uplift and are valuable tools to discriminate lateral propagation of an active frontal fold. Geomorphic field evidence and quantitative morphometric parameters are used to define the evolution of the rising anticline ridges and to infer tectonism style along an active front. Geometry of alluvial fans, formed along the frontal side of the anticlines, and weathered terrace deposits provide relevant information on neotectonics. Knowledge concerning these younger anticline ridges, makes this area a good example of an actively forming mountain front. We discuss in detail the origin of N045°, N095 and N120° trending oblique fault scarps which delimite numerous fault blocks. The fault scarps morphology is characterized by imbricate talus facets. Steeper topography accompanied by breaks in the slope along some transverse profiles, seems to correspond to the traces of successive uplifts.     

淮北煤田构造特征和形成机制

淮北煤田位于徐宿弧形推覆构造带前缘和外缘带。通过分析区域地质资料,并结合野外地质调查,探讨了淮北煤田的构造、演化特征及其形成机制。结果表明:①以宿北断裂为界将淮北煤田划分为南、北2个构造分区,北区构造线总体走向近SN-NNE,呈向西凸出的弧形展布,以逆冲断层为主,发育侏罗山式长轴褶皱;南区构造线走向NNW和NNE,以正断层和开阔短轴褶皱为主。②北区处于徐宿推覆构造主体部位,萧县背斜及其以东地区为上盘推覆体,萧县背斜以西地区属上盘推覆体;南区以西寺坡断层为界,该断层以东地带位于徐宿弧形构造带东南末端,属推覆构造上覆系统,西寺坡断层以西地区为推覆体下伏系统。③自石炭-二叠纪含煤地层沉积后,淮北煤田至少经历了3期较大的构造事件,即印支期近SN方向的挤压,形成近EW向断裂构造为主;燕山早期NWW-SEE方向的强烈挤压作用,形成徐宿弧形构造;燕山晚期NNE-SSW方向挤压,在煤田内形成大量NNE-SSW方向正断层。      

Structural geometry and deformation mechanism of the Longquan anticline in the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt,eastern Tibet

The 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake is a consequence of ongoing India-Tibet collision and reflects the growth of the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt. In this paper, we present new constraints on the deformation mechanism of the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt, by comparing the physical models to the example of the Longmen Shan fold-and-thrust belt. The result indicates that the deformation mechanism of the belt is mainly dominated by the pre-Sinian layer, whereas locally is controlled by the Lower Triassic layer, such as the Longquan anticline. In addition, we discuss the deformation style of the Longquan anticline various along strike, based on the seismic reflection data, interpretations of structural cross-sections and field observations, as well as physical modeling. The sandbox modeling suggests that the deformation of the central segment of Longquan anticline is likely controlled by higher displacement rate, higher erosion and lower sedimentation, which is in contrast with the southern and northern segment. Moreover, the structural geometry of the central segment of Longquan anticline is more complex than the end-member models of fault-related folds, which is mainly controlled by pure-shear wedge fault-bend fold and bounded by west-verging thrust fault.Combining the studies of the structural geometry, deformation mechanism, and previous studies, we infer that the Longquan anticline is active and potentially seismogenic. Therefore, a quantitative re-evaluation of seismic hazard in Longquan anticline and adjacent area directly beneath the densely populated Sichuan basin is urgently needed.     

Evolution of thrust system deformation in an intracratonic chain: Study of the Southern-Central Tunisian Atlas

The development of belt structures in intracratonic chains is guided by the convergence system. In the Southern-Central Tunisian Atlas, several parameters control the evolution of thrust folds during different tectonic phases. One of these phases is tectonic inheritance, which leads to the reactivation of pre-existing normal faults during compressive phases. The angle between the direction of these faults and the shortening axis (NNW-SSE) is the most important parameter for interpreting the mode of the evolution of thrust folds. Jebel Elkebar is an example of a structure developed on NW-SE-oriented faults that is perpendicular to the shortening axis. Based on the geometry of its folds, Jebel Elkebar is interpreted as a 'Fault Related Fold'. The E-W-oriented Orbata structure is oblique to the direction of the shortening axis and is interpreted through the model 'Fault Propagation Fold' with 'Breakthrough'. The Gafsa Fault, which is parallel to the shortening axis, is a transpressional fault interpreted through the 'Strain Partitioning' mode, which is associated with the oblique ramp fold. The development of various thrust folds requires the presence of a basal decollement level during the Triassic succession. In the Southern-Central Tunisian Atlas, the deformation is variable (geometry of fold closure) and is correlated with the depth of the decollement level; indeed, the intensity of deformation is proportional to the depth of the decollement level. Consequently, the most important deformation is in the higher successions and is a vertical migration of the decollement level associated with thin-skinned deformation.     

阿尔金断裂新生代构造活动的两阶段性——来自地震属性分析的证据

自新生代以来,柴达木盆地西北缘各构造单元受青藏高原持续挤压和阿尔金断裂走滑的影响,构造变形复杂,发育有多种不同性质,不同规模的断裂.地震属性技术是三维(3D)地震资料解释和构造分析的可靠依据,有助于客观、准确的揭示断裂的空间分布情况,是复杂地区地质解释的重要工具.本文利用地震属性技术,对位于阿尔金断裂南侧柴达木盆地西部的小梁山背斜深、浅层进行详细的断裂解译,发现该地区深部发育早期EW向逆冲断层;晚期由于阿尔金断裂大规模走滑的作用,形成由深部引发的NW向“楔形”逆冲断层,深部NW向断层的活动引发浅层的滑脱褶皱.综合分析认为阿尔金断裂新生代的活动分为早期隆升形成EW向斜向逆冲断层,晚期走滑运动发育控制现今背斜形态的NW向断层,具有两阶段活动的特点.     

东山峰背斜走廊剖面构造特征及其对铅锌矿的控制作用

东山峰背斜是湘鄂西褶皱冲断带的一部分,剖面构造为基底和盖层组成的双层结构。由于江南-雪峰基底拆离推覆隆起带向NW方向的推挤,导致湘鄂西区沉积盖层沿南华系和震旦系陡山沱组下段、寒武系牛蹄塘组、志留系龙马溪组等三个主滑面发生了三个层次的滑脱和褶皱,形成自底部滑脱层向上传播的以前展式的正向(倾向SE)冲断系。铅锌矿的产出层位与矿源层的分布层位有一定的依存关系,寒武系下统牛蹄塘组是区内主要的铅锌矿源层,矿源层与构造形迹共同控制了东山峰背斜范围内的铅锌矿分布。背斜两翼构造形迹的不同,造成了两翼铅锌矿化特征的差异,背斜西部轴部转折区带是最具找矿潜力的部位。     

天山北缘晚新生代快速变形时间的确定及其成藏意义

生长地层分析及区域研究成果表明天山北缘冲断带晚新生代快速变形主要形成于10～7Ma以来。10Ma以来准南前陆冲断带持续扩展,形成现今地表可见的三排褶皱冲断带,其构造形成时间明显晚于天山南缘,显示印-藏碰撞引起的区域构造变形由南向北传播的特征。10Ma以来的变形强度显示天山北缘乌鲁木齐以西—齐古背斜地区的构造变形相对较弱,向两侧剥蚀作用、构造变形有所增强。晚新生代快速变形与晚期成藏匹配良好,决定冲断带前缘是油气成藏的有利部位,而山前构造带的剥蚀、隆升强烈,构造变形较弱的构造(带)应是早期成藏得以保存的有利部位。     

Geomorphic response to growing fault-related folds: example from the foothills of central Taiwan

Abstract

In this paper we concentrate particularly on the geomorphological indicators left by active tectonics. In the central foothills of Taiwan, we used topography, drainage pattern and structural data to perform quantitative morphometric analysis and to determine relative age of fault-related anticlines. The Tiehchen, Tatu and Pakua ridge belt is a fault-related anticline system located in the hanging wall of the Changhua fault along the western thrust front of the foothills. Geomorphic systems are analysed with intent to detect the various responses of landforms and drainage pattern to late Quaternary deformation. Topography and drainage basin register uplift and are valuable tools to discriminate lateral propagation of an active frontal fold. Geomorphic field evidence and quantitative morphometric parameters are used to define the evolution of the rising anticline ridges and to infer tectonism style along an active front. Geometry of alluvial fans, formed along the frontal side of the anticlines, and weathered terrace deposits provide relevant information on neotectonics. Knowledge concerning these younger anticline ridges, makes this area a good example of an actively forming mountain front. We discuss in detail the origin of N045°, N095 and N120° trending oblique fault scarps which delimite numerous fault blocks. The fault scarps morphology is characterized by imbricate talus facets. Steeper topography accompanied by breaks in the slope along some transverse profiles, seems to correspond to the traces of successive uplifts. © 2001 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS