Basin fill evolution and paleotectonic patterns along the Samfrau geosyncline: the Sauce Grande basin–Ventana foldbelt (Argentina) and Karoo basin–Cape foldbelt (South Africa) revisited

As integral parts of du Toit’s (1927) “Samfrau Geosyncline”, the Sauce Grande basin–Ventana foldbelt (Argentina) and Karoo basin–Cape foldbelt (South Africa) share similar paleoclimatic, paleogeographic, and paleotectonic aspects related to the Late Paleozoic tectono-magmatic activity along the Panthalassan continental margin of Gondwanaland. Late Carboniferou-earliest Permian glacial deposits were deposited in the Sauce Grande (Sauce Grande Formation) and Karoo (Dwyka Formation) basins and Falkland–Malvinas Islands (Lafonia Formation) during an initial (sag) phase of extension. The pre-breakup position of the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands on the easternmost part of the Karoo basin (immediately east of the coast of South Africa) is supported by recent paleomagnetic data, lithofacies associations, paleoice flow directions and age similarities between the Dwyka and the Lafonia glacial sequences. The desintegration of the Gondwanan Ice Sheet (GIS) triggered widespread transgressions, reflected in the stratigraphic record by the presence of inter-basinally correlatable, open marine, fine-grained deposits (Piedra Azul Formation in the Sauce Grande basin, Prince Albert Formation in the Karoo basin and Port Sussex Formation in the Falkland Islands) capping glacial marine sediments. These early postglacial transgressive deposits, characterised by fossils of the Eurydesma fauna and Glossopteris flora, represent the maximum flooding of the basins. Cratonward foreland subsidence was triggered by the San Rafael orogeny (ca. 270 Ma) in Argentina and propogated along the Gondwanan margin. This subsidence phase generated sufficient space to accommodate thick synorogenic sequences derived from the orogenic flanks of the Sauce Grande and Karoo basins. Compositionally, the initial extensional phase of these basins was characterized by quartz-rich, craton-derived detritus and was followed by a compressional (foreland) phase characterized by a paleocurrent reversal and dominance of arc/foldbelt-derived material. In the Sauce Grande basin, tuffs are interbedded in the upper half of the synorogenic, foldbelt-derived Tunas Formation (Early–early Late? Permian). Likewise, the first widespread appearance of tuffs in the Karoo basin is in the Whitehill Formation, of late Early Permian (260?Ma) age. Silicic volcanism along the Andes and Patagonia (Choiyoi magmatic province) peaked between the late Early Permian and Late Permian. A link between these volcanics and the consanguineous airborne tuffs present in the Sauce Grande and Karoo basins is suggested on the basis of their similar compositions and ages.     

The Cimmerian Orogeny in northern Iran: tectono-stratigraphic evidence from the foreland

From the Permian onwards, the Gondwana-derived Iran Plate drifted northward to collide with Eurasia in the Late Triassic, thereby closing the Palaeotethys. This Eo-Cimmerian Orogeny formed the Cimmeride fold-and-thrust belt. The Upper Triassic–Middle Jurassic Shemshak Group of northern Iran is commonly regarded as the Cimmerian foreland molasse. However, our tectono-stratigraphic analysis of the Shemshak Group resulted in a revised and precisely dated model for the Triassic–Jurassic geodynamic evolution of the Iran Plate: initial Cimmerian collision started in the Carnian with subsequent Late Triassic synorogenic peripheral foreland deposition (flysch, lower Shemshak Group). Subduction shifted south in the Norian (onset of Neotethys subduction below Iran) and slab break-off around the Triassic–Jurassic boundary caused rapid uplift of the Cimmerides followed by Liassic post-orogenic molasse (middle Shemshak Group). During the Toarcian–Aalenian (upper Shemshak Group), Neotethys back-arc rifting formed a deep-marine basin, which developed into the oceanic South Caspian Basin during the Late Bajocian–Late Jurassic.     

Braidplain deposition of the Upper Triassic Molteno Formation in the main Karoo (Gondwana) Basin, South Africa

ABSTRACT The Upper Triassic (Carnian?) Molteno Formation in the main Karoo (Gondwana) Basin, South Africa forms a northerly thinning, intracratonic clastic wedge comprising sandstones, shales and coals occurring within thick (up to 140 m) laterally persistent fining-upward sequences. These sequences were deposited by braided streams draining an alluvial plain which may have been built on to the distal slopes of alluvial fan complexes of glacial outwash type. Geometric relations between sequences indicate three phases of tectonic activity. The lowermost fining-upward sequence in the south accumulated against a rising mountain front; cessation of movement and an eastward shift in the main locus of tectonism and sedimentation was followed by renewed uplift and basinwide progradation of the second fining-upward sequence adjacent to a fault-block granite terrain located close to the present south-east coastline of South Africa. This is believed to be the granite at the eastern end of the Falkland Island Plateau, an interpretation consistent with its position on most continental reconstructions and the fracture zone marking its northern scarp face. Faulting is attributed to the first phase of extension prior to continental breakup. The sourceward recession and lack of gross fining-upward trends shown by the uppermost fining-upward sequences is accounted for by limited back-faulting of the still active basin margin. Cessation of activity and further basin margin recession occurred with deposition of the overlying floodplain deposits (Elliot Formation) which were distal equivalents of the braided alluvial plain.     

Three Palaeoproterozoic basins—Yerrida,Bryah and Padbury—Capricorn Orogen,Western Australia

The Palaeoproterozoic Yerrida, Bryah and Padbury Basins record periods of sedimentation and magmatism along the northern margin of the Archaean Yilgarn Craton. Each basin is characterised by distinct stratigraphy, igneous activity, structural and metamorphic history and mineral deposit types. The oldest of these basins, the Yerrida Basin (ca 2200 Ma) is floored by rocks of the Archaean Yilgarn Craton. Important features of this basin are the presence of evaporites and continental flood basalts. The ca 2000 Ma Bryah Basin developed on the northern margin of the Yilgarn Craton during backarc sea‐floor spreading and rifting, the result of which was the emplacement of voluminous mafic and ultramafic volcanic rocks. During the waning stages of the Bryah Basin this mafic to ultramafic volcanism gave way to deposition of clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks. At a later stage, the Padbury Basin developed as a retroarc foreland basin on top of the Bryah Basin in a fold‐and‐thrust belt. This resulted from either the collision of the Pilbara and Yilgarn Cratons (Capricorn Orogeny) or the ca 2000 Ma westward collision of the southern part of the Gascoyne Complex and the Yilgarn Craton (Glenburgh Orogeny). During the Capricorn Orogeny the Bryah Group was thrust to the southeast, over the Yerrida Group. Important mineral deposits are contained in the Yerrida, Bryah and Padbury Basins. In the Yerrida Basin a large Pb–carbonate deposit (Magellan) and black shale‐hosted gossans containing anomalous abundances of Ba, Cu, Zn and Pd are present. The Pb–carbonate deposit is hosted by the upper units of the Juderina Formation, and the lower unit of the unconformably overlying Earaheedy Group. The Bryah and Padbury Basins contain orogenic gold, copper‐gold volcanogenic massive sulfides, manganese and iron ore. The origin of the gold mineralisation is probably related to tectonothermal activity during the Capricorn Orogeny at ca 1800 Ma.     

南海南部礼乐盆地结构演化及其对区域地质背景的响应

运用丰富的二维地震资料,通过构造结构与地层结构的分析,对礼乐盆地的盆地结构演化与转型过程及其对南海地区复杂动力学背景的响应特征进行研究。结果表明:受控于NNE、NEE、NW和近EW向的断裂体系,礼乐盆地现今构造格局表现为"两坳一隆"的结构特征;两个关键的区域角度不整合T70和T50将礼乐盆地新生界自下而上划分为三层结构:陆缘裂陷层、漂移裂陷层和前陆-拗陷层;响应于太平洋板块俯冲、印度-欧亚板块碰撞、新南海扩张、古南海消亡和菲律宾海板块楔入等一系列周缘板块重组事件,礼乐盆地的盆地结构演化及转型经历了三个阶段:陆缘多幕裂陷阶段,盆地结构受控于NNE和NEE向断裂体系,南北坳陷连通;漂移裂陷阶段,NNE和NW向共轭断裂体系控制盆地格局,中部隆起形成,分隔南、北坳陷;前陆-拗陷阶段,前陆盆地结构形成,随后盆地因热沉降进入拗陷沉积阶段。     

From foredeep to orogenic wedge-top: The Cretaceous Songliao retroforeland basin,China

Songliao Basin, the largest Mesozoic intracontinental nonmarine basin in eastern China, initiated during the latest Jurassic as a backarc extensional basin; rifting failed and thermal cooling controlled subsidence through the early Late Cretaceous. Integrating 2-D and 3D reflection seismic and borehole data with regional geological studies, we interpret sedimentary sequence and structural patterns of the Coniacian-Maastrichtian fill of Songliao Basin as defining a retroforeland basin system developed after 88 Ma (marked by the T11 unconformity in the basin), including (1) significant increase in the thickness of the Nenjiang Formation eastward towards orogenic highlands of the Zhangguangcai Range and the convergent continental margin; (2) a shift of detrital provenance in the basin from north to southeast; and (3) propagation of E-W shortened structures, increasing eastward in amplitude, frequency, and degree of inversion toward the orogen. During latest Cretaceous, foreland basin fill progressively deformed, as the foredeep evolved to a wedge-top tectonic setting, marked by the basin-wide T04 unconformity within the upper Nenjiang Formation at 81.6 Ma. Much of the basin was brought into the orogenic wedge and eroded by the end of the Cretaceous. Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous backarc rifting of uncratonized basement comprised of accreted terranes likely facilitated and localized the foreland. Synrift normal faults reactivated and extensively inverted as thrust faults are prominent in the eastern 1/3 of the basin, whereas folds developed above detachments in shaley early post-rift strata dominate the western 2/3 of the basin. Songliao foreland development likely was driven by changing plate dynamics and collision along the Pacific margin after 88 Ma.     

A mantle plume origin for the Siberian traps: uplift and extension in the West Siberian Basin, Russia

The West Siberian Basin (WSB) records a detailed history of Permo-Triassic rifting, extension and volcanism, followed by Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentation in a thermally subsiding basin. Sedimentary deposits of Permian age are absent from much of the basin, suggesting that large areas of the nascent basin were elevated and exposed at that time. Industrial seismic and well log data from the basin have enabled extension and subsidence modelling of parts of the basin. Crustal extension (β) factors are calculated to be in excess of 1.6 in the northern part of the basin across the deep Urengoy graben. 1-D backstripping of the Triassic to Cenozoic sedimentary sequences in this region indicates a period of delayed subsidence during the early Mesozoic. The combination of elevation, rifting and volcanism is consistent with sublithospheric support, such as a hot mantle plume.

This interpretation accords with the geochemical data for basalts from the Siberian Traps and the West Siberian Basin, which are considered to be part of the same large igneous province. Whilst early suites from Noril'sk indicate moderate pressures of melting (mostly within the garnet stability field), later suites (and those from the West Siberian Basin) indicate shallow average depths of melting. The main region of magma production was therefore beneath the relatively thin (ca. 50–100 km) lithosphere of the basin, and not the craton on which the present-day exposure of the Traps occurs. The indicated uplift, widespread occurrence of basalts, and short duration of the volcanic province as a whole are entirely consistent with published models involving a mantle plume. The main argument against the plume model, namely lack of any associated uplift, appears to be untenable.     

珠江口盆地构造演化旋回及其新生代沉积环境变迁

目前对珠江口盆地中生代以来的演化过程及其与沉积环境演变的响应关系尚缺乏系统性认识.基于珠江口盆地中-新生代岩浆活动、断陷结构样式及其改造、典型构造变形样式、沉积中心的转换等特征的对比分析,将盆地中-新生代的构造演化划分为4个阶段、7个期次：（1）中侏罗世-晚白垩世早期（～170～90 Ma）为古太平洋板块俯冲主控的陆缘岩浆弧-弧前盆地演化阶段;（2）晚白垩世-始新世中期（～90～43 Ma）为太平洋板块俯冲后撤背景下弧后周缘前陆/造山后塌陷-主动裂谷演化阶段;（3）始新世中期-中中新世（～43～10 Ma）为华南挤出-古南海俯冲拖曳主导的被动陆缘演化阶段;（4）晚中新世以来（～10～0 Ma）为菲律宾板块NWW向仰冲主导的挤压张扭演化阶段.～90 Ma、～43 Ma、～10 Ma分别实现了由安第斯型俯冲向西太平洋型俯冲、由主动裂谷向被动陆缘伸展、由被动陆缘伸展向挤压张扭的转换.在此过程中,伴随着古南海和南海的发育-消亡,新生代裂陷期沉积环境由东向西、由南向北逐渐海侵,裂后期由南向北阶段性差异沉降,由陆架浅水向陆坡深水转换,这使得珠一/三、珠二、珠四坳陷的石油地质条件具有显著的分带差异性...     

The Byers Basin: Jurassic-Cretaceous tectonic and depositional evolution of the forearc deposits of the South Shetland Islands and its implications for the northern Antarctic Peninsula

ABSTRACT

This paper addresses the Jurassic–Cretaceous stratigraphic evolution of fore-arc deposits exposed along the west coast of the northern Antarctic Peninsula. In the South Shetland Islands, Upper Jurassic deep-marine sediments are uncomformably overlain by a Lower Cretaceous volcaniclastic sequence that crops out on Livingston, Snow and Low islands. U-Pb zircon ages are presented for the upper Anchorage Formation (153.1 ± 1.7 Ma) and the Cape Wallace granodiorite of Low Island (137.1 ± 1.7 Ma) as well as ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of 136–139 Ma for Low Island andesites. Data are also presented for a U-Pb age of 109.0 ± 1.4 Ma for the upper volcanic succession of Snow Island. In combination with published stratigraphy, these data provide a refined chrono- and litho-stratigraphic framework for the deposits herein referred to as the Byers Basin. Tentative correlation is explored with previously described deposits on Adelaide and Alexander islands, which could suggest further continuation of the Byers Basin towards the south. We also discuss possible correlation of the Byers Basin with the Larsen Basin, a sequence that shows the evolution of foreland to back-arc deposits more or less contemporaneously with the fore-arc to intra-arc evolution of the Byers Basin.     

塔里木盆地盆内震旦系特征

结合前人对盆地周边露头研究成果,根据钻井和地震资料给出了盆地上、下震旦统的沉积体系分布。以阿满地区相对隆起为界,震旦系厚度总体上为东西厚、中间薄,沉积中心分布在盆地的东、西两端,并以东北角的库鲁克塔格山前地带沉积最厚,下震旦统达3400m,上震旦统也达2000m以上。早震旦世塔里木盆地主要发育了塔东和塔西两个沉积沉降凹陷,构成了塔东海洋冰川—浅海沉积体系区、塔西滨浅海沉积体系区、阿满海岸沉积体系区以及塔西南浅海—次深海沉积体系区,塔东和塔西两个沉积区以阿满海岸沉积区为界近乎对称分布。晚震旦世是在早震旦世沉积填平补齐的基础上的继承性沉积。     

循化-化隆盆地晚白垩世以来盆山耦合过程: 来自物源与磷灰石裂变径迹年代学分析的证据

循化-化隆盆地新生代沉积及盆地基底和周缘山系磷灰石裂变径迹年代学分析揭示了青藏高原东北缘晚白垩世以来经历过3期隆升剥露事件: (1)盆地基底及拉脊山和西秦岭北缘构造带磷灰石裂变径迹年龄分析普遍记录了晚白垩世-始新世中期相对快速的区域性的隆升剥露事件, 西秦岭北缘快速抬升的起始时间为84Ma, 受控于向北的逆冲抬升; 向北到循化-化隆盆地中部的拉目峡抬升的起始时间为69Ma; 更北的拉脊山一带快速抬升期主要为40~50Ma, 从而反映晚白垩世-始新世中期的快速抬升由南向北逐渐扩展.这一期构造隆升事件导致循化-化隆盆地和临夏盆地缺失了北部西宁-民和盆地古近纪所具有的西宁群沉积.隆升剥露结束于31Ma左右, 此时化隆-循化盆地向东与同时期的临夏盆地相连为一个统一的大型西秦岭山前盆地, 两者具有相同的构造、沉积演化史, 因此循化-化隆盆地他拉组底部地层年龄最老不会超过临夏盆地最老地层的古地磁年龄, 即29Ma.(2)渐新世晚期约26Ma拉脊山开始双向逆冲隆升, 并可能延续到中新世早期约21Ma, 隆升作用使循化-化隆盆地成为挟持于拉脊山逆冲带和西秦岭构造带之间的山前挤压型前陆盆地, 循化-化隆盆地开始大规模沉积巨厚的他拉组冲积扇相粗碎屑岩.(3)通过循化-化隆盆地咸水河组和临夏组的沉积相分析、古流方向和砾石成分分析, 揭示出拉脊山构造带在中新世8Ma左右发生的最大规模的双向逆冲隆升事件, 这次事件直接导致循化-化隆盆地由前陆挤压盆地转变为山间盆地, 形成现今青藏高原东北缘的盆山地貌基本格局.      

The Recognition of the Chuxiong Foreland Basin System in Yunnan, China

THE RECOGNITION OF THE CHUXIONG FORELAND BASIN SYSTEM IN YUNNAN,CHINA     

从构造热事件探讨湖南志留纪沉积时限兼论盆地演化特征

湖南地区志留纪的沉积时限一直以来争议颇多,笔者通过对该区沉积特征及层序地层、构造运动分析发现:小溪峪组属于一套有障壁海岸浅海细碎屑沉积,是海水由南东向北西退却期的沉积响应,属于早期高水位体系域;泥盆系云台观组属一套海侵型的海相陆源碎屑岩沉积,从野外的界面特征分析云台观组为一套开阔海岸受波浪作用明显的以石英砂为主体的沉积物,属于广西运动之后由东南向北西形成的海侵过程的沉积响应。小溪峪组与云台观组二者所属沉积盆地环境和演化不同,其界面属于Ⅰ型层序界面,不整合接触。广西运动导致的江南造山带的隆起在430Ma左右结束,志留纪沉积盆地应大部分消亡,由此认为志留纪沉积盆地接受的沉积物时间也应在相对应时段中,小溪峪组在湖南地区不存在晚志留纪沉积物。     

Tectonic Evolution of the Wanan Basin,Southwestern South China Sea

Quantitative studies on the extension and subsidence of the Wanan Basin were carried out based on available seismic and borehole data together with regional geological data.Using balanced cross-section and backstripping techniques,we reconstructed the stratigraphic deposition and tectonic evolution histories of the basin.The basin formed from the Eocene and was generally in an extensional/transtensional state except for the Late Miocene local compressoin.The major basin extension ocurred in the Oligocene and Early Miocene(before ~16.3 Ma) and thereafter uniform stretch in a smaller rate.The northern and middle basin extended intensely earlier during 38.6–23.3 Ma,while the southern basin was mainly stretched during 23.3–16.3 Ma.The basin formation and development are related to alternating sinistral to dextral strike-slip motions along the Wanan Fault Zone.The dominant dynamics may be caused by the seafloor spreading of the South China Sea and the its peripheral plate interaction.The basin tectonic evolution is divided into five phases:initial rifting,main rifting,rift-drift transition,structural inversion,and thermal subsidence.     

Structural characteristics and evolution of the South Yellow Sea Basin since Indosinian

Based on the seismic data gathered in past years and the correlation between the sea and land areas of the Lower Yangtze Platform, the structural characteristics of the South Yellow Sea Basin since the Indosinian tectonic movement is studied in this paper. Three stages of structural deformation can be distinguished in the South Yellow Sea Basin since the Indosinian. The first stage, Late Indosinian to Early Yanshanian, was dominated by foreland deformation including both the uplifting and subsidence stages under an intensively compressional environment. The second stage, which is called the Huangqiao Event in the middle Yanshanian, was a change for stress fields from compression to extension. While in the third stage (the Sanduo Event) in the Late Himalayan, the basin developed a depression in the Neogene-Quaternary after rifting in the Late Cretaceous-Paleogene. The long-time evolution controlled 3 basin formation stages from a foreland basin, then a fault basin to a final depression basin. In conclusion, since the Indosinian, the South Yellow Sea Basin has experienced compressional fold and thrust, collisional orogen, compressional and tensional pulsation, strike-slip, extensional fault block and inversion structures, compression and convergence. The NE, NEE, nearly EW and NW trending structures developed in the basin. From west to east, the structural trend changed from NEE to near EW to NW. While from north to south, they changed from NEE to near EW with a strong-weak-strong zoning sequence. Vertically, the marine and terrestrial facies basins show a “seesaw” pattern with fold and thrust in the early stages, which is strong in the north and weak in the south and an extensional fault in later stages, which is strong in the north and weak in the south. In the marine facies basin, thrust deformation is more prevailing in the upper structural layer than that in the lower layer. The tectonic mechanism in the South Yellow Sea Basin is mainly affected by the collision between the Yangtze and North China Block, while the stress environment of large-scale strike-slip faults was owing to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate. The southern part of the Laoshan uplift is a weak deformation zone as well as a stress release zone, and the Meso-Paleozoic had been weakly reformed in later stages. The southern part of the Laoshan uplift is believed, therefore, to be a promising area for oil and gas exploration.     

右江盆地层序充填动力学初探

在盆地分析及层序地层研究成果基础上,采用层序 -盆地 -地球系统的动态成因分析方法,对右江盆地进行了初步的层序充填动力学研究。首次识别出 5个级别的层序界面及相应的沉积层序,讨论了层序界面与地质事件、层序级别与盆地类型等的关系,进而建立了右江盆地层序地层格架。通过对裂谷盆地层序发育明显受同沉积断裂及基底沉降控制的分析,建立了层序成因与盆地构造活动的关系模型。在此基础上,探讨了层序充填动力学过程及其与盆地演化的关系。右江盆地层序充填过程包括陆内裂陷、陆缘裂谷、弧后裂谷和前陆造山四个阶段,经历了海西 -印支期由拉张到挤压的完整构造旋回。     

华南二叠纪层序地层与盆地演化

新兴的层序地层学,是盆地分析的重要手段。华南二叠纪是华南板块海西-印支阶段盆地演化的重要时期,沉积盆地类型划分为克拉通盆地、板内及板缘伸展盆地,以及东吴运动后出现的前陆盆地和弧后盆地。南方二叠系由11个层序和1个半超层序组成,不同类型沉积盆地中层序地层具有不同的层序特征和充填形式。二叠纪是海西-印支期盆地演化由成熟到消亡的转折阶段,它们发育于扩张环境下,总体上是由两个克拉通盆地夹持一个伸展盆地。两个克拉通盆地的发展不均衡,中央伸展盆地沿着加里东的拼合带发育。这一古地理古构造格局与加里东期十分相似,由此认为,华南晚古生代沉积的构造背景,并不是稳定的克拉通环境。     

祁连山新元古代中—晚期至早古生代火山作用与构造演化

祁连山地区的新元古代中—晚期至早古生代火山作用显示系统地时、空变化,其乃是祁连山构造演化的火山响应。随着祁连山构造演化从Rodinia超大陆裂谷化—裂解,经早古生代大洋打开、扩张、洋壳俯冲和弧后伸展,直至洋盆闭合、弧-陆碰撞和陆-陆碰撞,火山作用也逐渐从裂谷和大陆溢流玄武质喷发,经大洋中脊型、岛弧和弧后盆地火山活动,转变为碰撞后裂谷式喷发。850~604 Ma的大陆裂谷和大陆溢流熔岩主要分布于祁连和柴达木陆块。从大约550 Ma至446 Ma,在北祁连和南祁连洋-沟-弧-盆系中广泛发育大洋中脊型、岛弧和弧后盆地型熔岩。与此同时,在祁连陆块中部,发育约522~442 Ma的陆内裂谷火山作用。早古生代洋盆于奥陶纪末(约446 Ma)闭合。随后,从约445 Ma至约428 Ma,于祁连陆块北缘发育碰撞后火山活动。此种时-空变异对形成祁连山的深部地球动力学过程提供了重要约束。该过程包括:(1)地幔柱或超级地幔柱上涌,导致Rodinia超大陆发生裂谷化、裂解、早古生代大洋打开、扩张、俯冲,并伴随岛弧形成;(2)俯冲的大洋板片回转,致使弧后伸展,进而形成弧后盆地;(3)洋盆闭合、板片断离,继而发生软流圈上涌,诱发碰撞后火山活动。晚志留世至早泥盆世(420~400 Ma),先期俯冲的地壳物质折返,发生强烈的造山活动。400 Ma后,山体垮塌、岩石圈伸展,相应发生碰撞后花岗质侵入活动。     

The structure and stratigraphy of deepwater Sarawak,Malaysia: Implications for tectonic evolution

The structural-stratigraphic history of the North Luconia Province, Sarawak deepwater area, is related to the tectonic history of the South China Sea. The Sarawak Basin initiated as a foreland basin as a result of the collision of the Luconia continental block with Sarawak (Sarawak Orogeny). The foreland basin was later overridden by and buried under the prograding Oligocene-Recent shelf-slope system. The basin had evolved through a deep foreland basin (‘flysch’) phase during late Eocene–Oligocene times, followed by post-Oligocene (‘molasse’) phase of shallow marine shelf progradation to present day.Seismic interpretation reveals a regional Early Miocene Unconformity (EMU) separating pre-Oligocene to Miocene rifted basement from overlying undeformed Upper Miocene–Pliocene bathyal sediments. Seismic, well data and subsidence analysis indicate that the EMU was caused by relative uplift and predominantly submarine erosion between ∼19 and 17 Ma ago. The subsidence history suggests a rift-like subsidence pattern, probably with a foreland basin overprint during the last 10 Ma. Modelling results indicate that the EMU represents a major hiatus in the sedimentation history, with an estimated 500–2600 m of missing section, equivalent to a time gap of 8–10 Ma. The EMU is known to extend over the entire NW Borneo margin and is probably related to the Sabah Orogeny which marks the cessation of sea-floor spreading in the South China Sea and collision of Dangerous Grounds block with Sabah.Gravity modelling indicates a thinned continental crust underneath the Sarawak shelf and slope and supports the seismic and well data interpretation. There is a probable presence of an overthrust wedge beneath the Sarawak shelf, which could be interpreted as a sliver of the Rajang Group accretionary prism. Alternatively, magmatic underplating beneath the Sarawak shelf could equally explain the free-air gravity anomaly. The Sarawak basin was part of a remnant ocean basin that was closed by oblique collision along the NW Borneo margin. The closure started in the Late Eocene in Sarawak and moved progressively northeastwards into Sabah until the Middle Miocene. The present-day NW Sabah margin may be a useful analogue for the Oligocene–Miocene Sarawak foreland basin.     

Evolution of the eastern margin of Korea: Constraints on the opening of the East Sea (Japan Sea)

We interpreted marine seismic profiles in conjunction with swath bathymetric and magnetic data to investigate rifting to breakup processes at the eastern Korean margin that led to the separation of the southwestern Japan Arc. The eastern Korean margin is rimmed by fundamental elements of rift architecture comprising a seaward succession of a rift basin and an uplifted rift flank passing into the slope, typical of a passive continental margin. In the northern part, rifting occurred in the Korea Plateau that is a continental fragment extended and partially segmented from the Korean Peninsula. Two distinguished rift basins (Onnuri and Bandal Basins) in the Korea Plateau are bounded by major synthetic and smaller antithetic faults, creating wide and considerably symmetric profiles. The large-offset border fault zones of these basins have convex dip slopes and demonstrate a zig-zag arrangement along strike. In contrast, the southern margin is engraved along its length with a single narrow rift basin (Hupo Basin) that is an elongated asymmetric half-graben. Analysis of rift fault patterns suggests that rifting at the Korean margin was primarily controlled by normal faulting resulting from extension rather than strike-slip deformation. Two extension directions for rifting are recognized: the Onnuri and Hupo Basins were rifted in the east-west direction; the Bandal Basin in the east–west and northwest–southeast directions, suggesting two rift stages. We interpret that the east–west direction represents initial rifting at the inner margin; while the Japan Basin widened, rifting propagated southeastward repeatedly from the Japan Basin toward the Korean margin but could not penetrate the strong continental lithosphere of the Korean Shield and changed the direction to the south, resulting in east–west extension to create the rift basins at the Korean margin. The northwest–southeast direction probably represents the direction of rifting orthogonal to the inferred line of breakup along the base of the slope of the Korea Plateau; after breakup the southwestern Japan Arc separated in the southeast direction, indicating a response to tensional tectonics associated with the subduction of the Pacific Plate in the northwest direction. No significant volcanism was involved in initial rifting. In contrast, the inception of sea floor spreading documents a pronounced volcanic phase which appears to reflect asthenospheric upwelling as well as rift-induced convection particularly in the narrow southern margin. We suggest that structural and igneous evolution of the Korean margin, although it is in a back-arc setting, can be explained by the processes occurring at the passive continental margin with magmatism influenced by asthenospheric upwelling.