The northern New Hebrides back-arc troughs: history and relation with the North Fiji basin

The New Hebrides back-arc troughs (southwest Pacific) are located between the New Hebrides trench-arc system and the active North Fiji marginal basin. They are restricted to the southern and northern segments of the arc and were generally related to effects of the Indo-Australian subducting plate (rolling-back and/or subduction of the d'Entrecasteaux ridge). A detailed bathymetric and magnetic survey over the northern back-arc troughs is used to propose a new model for the origin of the New Hebrides back-arc troughs. The northern troughs extend over a width of 60 km and are composed of N-S trending grabens and horsts, discontinuous along strike and associated with volcanism. The troughs are disrupted southward at 13° 30′S, where the Hazel Holme fracture zone intercepts the New Hebrides island arc. The E-W trending Hazel Holme fracture zone is an extensional feature bisecting the North Fiji basin. In its western end, the Hazel Hohne fracture zone is composed of a succession of horsts and grabens striking N90 ° –N100 ° E. Geometrical and structural relationships between the back-arc troughs and the Hazel Holme fracture zone suggest that both these extensional features result from the same process and are closely linked. The northern troughs-western end of the Hazel Holme fracture zone region is dominated by N130°–135°E trending magnetic lineations typical of oceanic crust. These lineations are oblique to the horsts and grabens systems, and are characteristic of the old North Fiji basin oceanic crust. Consequently we conclude that the northern back-arc troughs are partly developed on the North Fiji basin oceanic basement and that extensional tectonic processes postdate the oldest North Fiji basin oceanic crust. Morphological and structural evidence suggests that both the back-arc troughs and the Hazel Holme fracture zone are recent, still active and result from NE-SW extensional tectonics. Because other tectonic features throughout the North Fiji basin are related to the same stress field, it is inferred that such a NE-SW extension could be a large-scale deformation affecting the North Fiji basin. It is proposed that the back-arc troughs are primarily related to this recent extension within the North Fiji basin, but their locations along the arc are also influenced by the subduction of the d'Entrecasteaux ridge which produces, south of 13°30′S, nearly E-W trending compression and prevents the formation of troughs. Possibly, these recent extensional tectonic processes result from a major reorganization in the spreading process of the North Fiji basin, and could be as young as 0.6–0.7 Ma.     

Regional sandstone-type uranium mineralization rooted in Oligo–Miocene tectonic inversion in the Songliao Basin,NE China

The tectonic inversion of the Songliao Basin during the Oligo–Miocene may have played an important role in controlling the development of sandstone-type uranium deposits (SUDs). Here we investigate drill holes along a southeast to northwest section in this basin based on apatite fission-track (AFT) and zircon fission-track (ZFT) techniques. We present 50 data from 15 deep boreholes at different depths between 665 and 3956 m and different structural units including grabens and horsts formed in the Early Cretaceous beneath the basin. The results of the effective AFT ages are 100 ± 11 to 2.3 ± 0.4 Ma (P(x²) > 5%) and ZFT ages are 97.5–20.4 Ma (including binomial peak ages). These results reveal that the basin underwent two distinct stages of rapid cooling after Late Cretaceous. In the first stage, during the Late Cretaceous–Early Paleogene (~80–50 Ma), tectonic uplift occurred in all of the structural units including grabens and horsts, which was marked by an unconformity between the latest Cretaceous Mingshui and the Eocene Yi'an formations. In the second stage, during the Oligo–Miocene (~40–10 Ma), tectonic uplift occurred mainly in the grabens but not in the horsts, corresponding with a few sediments of the Neogene Da'an and Taikang formations. We propose that the folds and the thrust faults mostly characterize in the second stage indicating a major tectonic inversion in the basin. The shifting of the two stages was probably in response to differences in the subduction angles and directions of motion of the Paleo-Pacific Plate from the southeast. Combined with previous information, it was demonstrated that most of the U mineralization ages are younger than 40 Ma, with a peak in the Miocene or later (<20 Ma). We thus propose that the SUDs have been redistributed and redeposited locally in successive stages during and after the Oligo–Miocene tectonic inversion.     

东非凯瑞巴斯盆地多期构造变形及对油气聚集的控制作用

利用最新的钻井、地震资料,对东非凯瑞巴斯盆地(Kerimbas Basin)进行构造–地层解释和构造演化过程恢复。结果显示,凯瑞巴斯盆地共发育了4期构造变形:(1)二叠纪–早侏罗世晚期的冈瓦纳陆内裂谷活动,全区发生伸展构造变形;(2)早侏罗世晚期–早白垩世晚期马达加斯加向南漂移,全区发生右行走滑变形;(3)新发现晚白垩世局部伸展构造变形;(4)中新世–第四纪的东非裂谷海域分支活动,导致研究区发生第三期伸展构造变形,形成凯瑞巴斯盆地现今地堑形态。三期伸展构造变形的应力方向均为近E-W向,断层展布方向均为近S-N向。每一期构造变形的范围,强度及对沉积地层的控制作用差异显著。凯瑞巴斯盆地控坳断层活动具有继承性。基于研究结果,建立凯瑞巴斯盆地构造成因模式。冈瓦纳陆内裂谷活动有利于二叠系–下侏罗统构造圈闭的形成,并沟通了烃源岩和储层,有利深层油气的聚集;东非裂谷海域分支裂谷活动沟通了前新生界烃源岩和西部陆坡古近系储层,但同时也破坏了盆地内及东部的圈闭。断层不发育的西部陆坡为主要油气聚集区。     

济阳盆地中生代构造特征与油气

济阳盆地中生代构造主要包括：印支期ＮＷ向压性构造（褶皱及逆断层）、消亡的ＮＷ向负反转半地垒及半地堑、燕山期ＥＮＥ向压性构造（褶皱或逆断层）、ＳＮ向地垒。印支期ＮＷ向压性构造是华北板块同扬子板块的聚敛运动的产物,而ＮＷ向负反转地垒和地堑、ＥＮＥ向压性构造及ＳＮ向地垒导源于郯庐断裂的左旋剪切作用,新生代郯庐断裂右旋剪切运动导致上述构造消亡并成为隐伏构造。中生代隐伏构造为济阳盆地深层勘探提供了潜山圈闭（     

Structure of the sea of Galilee graben, Israel, from magnetic measurements

The results of recent magnetic measurements in the southern part of the Sea of Galilee, Israel and in the land area south of it, indicate the presence in the subsurface of elongated intrusive bodies of basic composition. These bodies are thought to be associated with faults which formed a rhomb shaped graben during movement along the main Jordan Rift Valley shear system and may mark the southern boundary of that graben. If that is the case, the Sea of Galilee may be considerably shorter in the N-S direction than previously thought. The proposed new dimensions of the graben as outlined in this study are more readily explained by the accepted mechanisms for the formation of rhomb shaped grabens.     

“汾渭地堑”之厘定及其意义

现有各种资料都说明,"汾渭地堑"实际上包含着分别从始新世和上新世开始发生的3个相互斜列,向西南收敛,向东北撒开的独立地堑。3个地堑分别是由3个背斜轴部的纵向张断裂发育而成的,3个背斜是祁吕贺山字型构造体系弧顶东侧的组分。据此,对该区地震、现今地裂缝、地热异常、地下水量和水质,以及某些地方性疾病的分布等,都给予了合理的地质解释。      

塔北隆起北部叠加断裂构造特征与成因背景分析

塔北隆起在塔里木叠合盆地演化时期经历了古克拉通隆起、早期前陆前缘隆起、库车再生前陆盆地斜坡3个阶段。经过两期成盆构造变革阶段，塔北隆起北部垂向上叠加深、浅层两组断裂系统：深层断裂系统为基底逆冲断裂，发育冲断构造、背冲构造组合；浅层断裂系统为正断层，发育地堑、地垒构造样式组合。两组不同性质断裂系统的发育均对应于两期造山挤压背景下前陆盆地形成阶段。笔者认为，深层断裂并非是处于早期前陆变形区域，而是处于挤压背景下板内塔北古克拉通隆起“纵弯”构造变形中岩层破裂的结果。浅层断裂是库车再生前陆盆地阶段塔北隆起北部基底（前中生界构造层）受水平挤压翘曲变形（纵弯变形）导致上覆岩层引张破裂的结果。     

Development of grabens and associated fault-drags: An experimental study

Experiments on extensional faulting were performed with semi-brittle talc-sand beds resting on a ductile clay base. The experiments show that the development of graben in the talc-sand beds is controlled by the deformation in the ductile basement. Graben-like structures form only when there is a non-uniform stretching in the basement. Uniform extension at the basement level fails to produce any such structures. Grabens initiate as large synclinal structures (sag). The sag is generated either by a downward flexing of the talc-sand bed on a ductile basement or by non ****-uniform thinning of beds. Listric master faults bounding the grabens intersect the basement at high angles. The master faults that initiate as curved shear planes rotate further with continued extension. At the initial stage, the graben structures are associated with normal drags, and with progressive deformation, drag patterns change from normal to a reverse one.     

太行山东麓含煤区构造特征与深部找煤方向

太行山东麓含煤区以中生代末期以来的伸展构造变形为主导,煤系埋深自西向东逐渐加大,沿太行山前呈NNE向条带状展布。区内构造样式丰富,以NE、NNE向正断层组合为特征。其深部控煤构造样式主要为两类堑垒构造组合和掀斜断块组合两类。通过研究区构造组合的分析,掌握了太行山东麓含煤区煤田构造的特征,为老矿区外围深部找煤提供了依据。     

二连盆地乌尼特坳陷早白垩世构造特征——深部构造与浅部构造的关联

乌尼特坳陷属于二连盆地五大坳陷之一,内部发育一系列地堑、半地堑,主要充填地层为下白垩统。坳陷基底由晚古生代复式向斜及二连-贺根山混杂岩带(Pz_2)组成。乌尼特坳陷早白垩世断陷结构和分布组合与基底构造紧密相关。复式向斜断陷带基底为北东向、北北东向晚古生代复式向斜,受基底控制早白垩世发育一系列北东向、北北东向断陷。断陷带北部主干断层向深部延伸时受复式向斜构造层韧性伸展变形影响而在浅层滑脱,形成浅而宽阔的断陷,主要为并联式组合。断陷带南部终止于混杂岩带并与之斜交,主干断层向深部延伸时受混杂岩带伸展走滑构造变形影响而在浅层滑脱,形成浅而狭长的断陷,主要为斜列式组合。二连-贺根山混杂岩断陷带基底为混杂岩带,受基底控制早白垩世发育一系列北东向、北北东向断陷。断陷主干断层向深部延伸时受以伸展为主的构造变形影响而在混杂岩深层滑脱,形成深而狭长的断陷,以串联或并联式组合。     

The Çubukludağ graben,south of İzmir: its tectonic significance in the Neogene geological evolution of the western Anatolia

Field studies on the Neogene successions in south of İzmir reveal that subsequent Neogene continental basins were developed in the region. Initially a vast lake basin was formed during the Early–Middle Miocene period. The lacustrine sediments underwent an approximately N–S shortening deformation to the end of Middle Miocene. A small portion of the basin fill was later trapped within the N–S-trending, fault-bounded graben basin, the Çubukludağ graben, opened during the Late Miocene. Oblique-slip normal faults with minor sinistral displacement are formed possibly under N–S extensional regime, and controlled the sediment deposition. Following this the region suffered a phase of denudation which produced a regionwide erosional surface suggesting that the extension interrupted to the end of Late Miocene–Early Pliocene period. After this event the E–W-trending major grabens and horsts of western Anatolia began to form. The graben bounding faults cut across the Upper Miocene–Pliocene lacustrine sediments and fragmented the erosional surface. The Çubukludağ graben began to work as a cross graben between the E–W grabens, since that period.     

Stratigraphic and structural characteristics of the Romanian Black Sea shelf

The Western Black Sea basin opened during Cretaceous times by back-arc rifting in association with a north dipping subduction at the rear of the Cretaceous–Early Tertiary Pontide volcanic arc. The sedimentary wedge developed on the shelf of the Romanian Black Sea sector reflects a complex interplay between large scale rifting, uplift of the orogenic flanks, large-scale post-rift subsidence and sea level changes. We examine the detailed structural configuration of this sector for a regional correlation with the adjacent offshore in Ukraine and Bulgaria. The evolution of the western Black Sea basin started in the Albian–Cenomanian times, when two extensional phases with significantly different directions (N–S and subsequently E–W) lead to the formation of a complex interplay between isolated blocks organised in horsts and grabens generally deepening eastwards. Superposition of normal faults footwall blocks from the two extensional episodes generated a deeply subsided area with enhanced accommodation space, i.e., the Histria Depression, and, consequently, recorded a larger thickness of Paleogene sediments in the post-rift stage. (Re)activation of faults and associated folding reflects repeated inversion during the Late Cretaceous–Oligocene times, associated with subsequent periods of non-deposition and/or erosion during moments of basin fill exposure. These periods of inversion recorded in the Black Sea are controlled by coeval orogenic deformations taking place in the Balkans, Pontides and the Crimean thrust belt. Sea level fluctuations during the Neogene and late Alpine tectonics in the neighbouring orogens caused massive sedimentation followed by sediment starvation and/or significant erosion. Large thicknesses of sediments accumulated during the Pontian, presumably associated with an extensional episode deepening the distal parts of the basin and with differential compaction structures. The interpretation of a high-quality seismic dataset combined with published data allowed the correlation of major structural units and lineaments defined onshore towards the Carpathians with the ones deeply buried below the western Black Sea basin sediments. Unit correlations are furthermore used to derive an integrated tectonic image of the western Black Sea area.     

Fault-induced perturbed stress fields and associated tensile and compressive deformation at fault tips in the ice shell of Europa: implications for fault mechanics

Secondary fractures at the tips of strike-slip faults are common in the ice shell of Europa. Large magnitude perturbed stress fields must therefore be considered to be a viable driving mechanism for the development of part of the fracture sequence. Fault motions produce extensional and compressional quadrants around the fault tips. Theoretically, these quadrants can be associated with tensile and compressive deformational features (i.e. cracks and anti-cracks), respectively. Accordingly, we describe examples of both types of deformation at fault tips on Europa in the form of extensional tailcracks and compressional anti-cracks. The characteristics of these features with respect to the plane of the fault create a fingerprint for the mechanics of fault slip accumulation when compared with linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) models of perturbed stress fields around fault tips. Tailcrack kink angles and curving geometry can be used to determine whether opening accompanies sliding motion. Kink angles in the 50–70° range are common along strike-slip faults that resemble ridges, and indicate that little to no opening accompanied sliding. In contrast, tailcrack kink angles are closer to 30° for strike-slip faults that resemble bands, with tailcrack curvatures opposite to ridge-like fault examples, indicating that these faults undergo significant dilation and infill during fault slip episodes. Anti-cracks, which may result from compression and volume reduction of porous near-surface ice, have geometries that further constrain fault motion history, corroborating the results of tailcrack analysis. The angular separation between anti-cracks and tailcracks are similar to LEFM predictions, indicating the absence of cohesive end-zones near the tips of Europan faults, hence suggesting homogeneous frictional properties along the fault length. Tailcrack analysis can be applied to the interpretation of cycloidal ridges: chains of arcuate cracks on Europa that are separated by sharp kinks called cusps. Cusp angles are reminiscent of tailcrack kink angles along ridge-like strike-slip faults. Cycloid growth in a temporally variable tidal stress field ultimately resolves shear stresses onto the near-tip region of a growing cycloid segment. Thus, resultant slip and associated tailcrack development may be the driving force behind the initiation of the succeeding arcuate segment, hence facilitating the ongoing propagation of the cycloid chain.     

The Çubukludağ graben,south of İzmir: its tectonic significance in the Neogene geological evolution of the western Anatolia

Abstract

Field studies on the Neogene successions in south of ?zmir reveal that subsequent Neogene continental basins were developed in the region. Initially a vast lake basin was formed during the early-Middle Miocene period. The lacustrine sediments underwent an approximately N-S shortening deformation to the end of Middle Miocene. A small portion of the basin fill was later trapped within the N-S-trending, fault-bounded graben basin, the Çubukluda? graben, opened during the Late Miocene. Oblique-slip normal faults with minor sinistral displacement are formed possibly under N–S extensional regime, and controlled the sediment deposition. Following this the region suffered a phase of denudation which produced a regionwide erosional surface suggesting that the extension interrupted to the end of Late Miocene–Early Pliocene period. After this event the E–W-trending major grabens and horsts of western Anatolia began to form. The graben bounding faults cut across the Upper Miocene–Pliocene lacustrine sediments and fragmented the erosional surface. The Çubukluda? graben began to work as a cross garden between the E–W grabens, since that period. © 2001 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS     

High‐resolution seismic reflection profiling of neotectonic faults in Lake Timiskaming,Timiskaming Graben,Ontario‐Quebec,Canada

The Timiskaming Graben is a 400 km long, 50 km wide north‐west trending morphotectonic depression within the Canadian Shield of eastern North America and experiences frequent intraplate earthquakes. The graben extends along the border of Ontario and Quebec, connecting southward with the Nipissing and Ottawa‐Bonnechere grabens and the St. Lawrence Rift System which includes a similar structure underlying the Hudson Valley of the eastern USA. Together they form a complex failed rift system related to regional extension of North American crust during the breakup of Rodinia and, later, Pangea. The Timiskaming Graben lies within a belt of heightened seismic activity (Western Quebec Seismic Zone) with frequent moderate magnitude (greater than magnitude 5) earthquakes including a magnitude 6.2 in 1935. These events threaten aging urban infrastructure built on soft glacial sediments; post‐glacial landslides along the Ottawa Valley suggest earthquakes as large as magnitude 7. The inner part of the Timiskaming Graben is filled by Lake Timiskaming, a large 110 km long post‐glacial successor to glacial Lake Barlow that was ponded by the Laurentide Ice Sheet 9500 years ago. The effects of frequent ground shaking on lake floor sediments was assessed by collecting more than 1000 line kilometres of high‐resolution ‘chirp’ seismic profiles. Late glacial Lake Barlow glaciolacustrine and overlying post‐glacial sediments are extensively deformed by extensional faults that define prominent horsts and grabens; multibeam bathymetry data suggest that faults influence the morphology of the modern lake floor, despite high sedimentation rates, and indicate recent neotectonic deformation. The Lake Timiskaming area provides evidence of post‐glacial intracratonic faulting related to recurring earthquake activity along a weak spot within the North American plate.     

东海盆地西湖凹陷构造样式及其演化

西湖凹陷是经历多期构造作用的白垩—第三纪盆地。多期裂陷和反转构造作用的叠加导致了相对复杂的构造格架样式和盆地地质结构。凹陷总体上具有东西分带,南北分块的构造格局。裂陷期的同沉积断裂组成了多种复合的构造样式：西部斜坡带主要发育断阶、地堑和地垒构造;中央洼陷带则以复合“Y”字型、羽状和似花状断裂组合为主;东缘断阶带主要发育“Y”字型、梳状和羽状组合。坳陷反转期,早期的同沉积断裂发生了不同程度的逆冲反转,形成了多种复合的构造样式,例如反冲叠瓦扇构造、后断叠瓦式逆冲构造等叠合构造样式。从盆地的构造样式出发,探讨了盆地的形成演化和构造- 沉积充填过程对有利圈闭带发育分布的控制作用,对富生烃凹陷油气预测具有重要指导意义。     

二连盆地乌尼特坳陷伸展构造特征及成盆演化

乌尼特坳陷属于二连盆地五大坳陷之一,早白垩世在区域引张力下形成一系列地堑、半地堑,其伸展构造由伸展断层及变换构造组成。伸展断层中的主边界断层主要为铲式,混杂岩断陷带主边界断层多在混杂岩深层滑脱,复式向斜断陷带主边界断层多在浅层滑脱。平面上主边界断层表现为简单弧形或波状延伸,位移量通过变换断层及走向斜坡等进行调节/传递。首尾相连的断陷间主要以狭窄的背向型(divergent)及宽阔的相向型(convergent)变换带进行构造变换,穿过变换带断陷极性常常发生变化。早白垩世早期,乌尼特坳陷由多个相互独立的小型断陷组成;早白垩世中期,随着伸展量不断加大,相邻断陷边界断层逐渐侧向连接成为区域性边界断层,相邻断陷侧向连接成为大型复式断陷;早白垩世晚期,断陷群下沉坳陷进入后裂陷期。     

大陆伸展构造综述

简述了大陆伸展构造的研究历史,并从基本概念、构造样式、变形机制和动力背景等方面对大陆伸展构造进行了综述.伸展是大陆构造一种主要类型,并以正断层为主形成多种构造样式,如地堑、裂谷、拆离断层和变质核杂岩等.大陆伸展的变形机制包括纯剪切、简单剪切及分层剪切模式,并由此产生对称与非对称构造.大陆伸展构造的地表表现形式主要为裂谷或变质核杂岩,两者的形成主要取决于岩石圈的流变学结构.大陆伸展的动力学背景主要包括地幔柱上涌、俯冲板片反转与俯冲带后撤、增厚地壳的重力垮塌以及走滑体系的派生拉张等.     

Geology of the Yap Trench: new observations from a transect near 10°N from manned submersible Jiaolong

This paper describes the petrology and geochemistry of rocks from the Yap Trench acquired by three dives of the Jiaolong research submarine. Combining the geophysical data and submersible observations, this paper describes the geomorphology, shallow structures, and sedimentology of the Yap Trench and further discusses the tectonics and activities of this region. Two obvious slope breaks are found on the landward slope, and horsts and grabens with small fault offsets are observed in the ocean-ward slope of the trench. Peridotites sampled from the Yap Trench inner wall are highly depleted subduction-related mantle residues. Volcanic rocks in the northern segment of the trench have subduction-related characteristics that Yap fore-arc rocks underwent metasomatism during Cenozoic subduction. The rocks with remarkable lithologic difference from lithospheric mantle and upper crust sampled in the break slopes suggest that the slope break area may represent a lithologic boundary or transition zone. The landward slope of the Yap Trench was removed by subduction erosion as a result of collision with the Caroline Ridge. The bending of the down-going plate caused normal faults, horsts, and grabens with little or no sediments indicating that the Caroline Ridge is subducting beneath the Yap arc along the trench even though the convergence rate is very slow.     

Seismogenic basin and range and intra‐arc normal faulting in the central Mexican Volcanic Belt,Querétaro,México

North‐northwest normal faults intersect ENE normal faults in the vicinity of Querétaro City, in central México, affecting the Miocene–Pliocene northern‐central sector of the Mexican Volcanic Belt province. This intersection produced an orthogonal arrangement of grabens, half‐grabens and horsts that include the Querétaro graben. The NNW faults are part of the Taxco–San Miguel de Allende fault system, which is proposed here as part of the southernmost Basin and Range province in México. The ENE to E–W faults are part of the E–W oriented Chapala–Tula fault zone, which has been interpreted as an active intra‐arc fault system of the Mexican Volcanic Belt. Seventy‐four normal faults were mapped, of which the NNW faults are the largest and have the best morphological expression in the region. More numerous, although shorter, are the ENE faults. Total length of the ENE faults is greater than the total length of the NNW faults. Both sets are dominantly normal faults, indicating ENE extension for the NNW set and NNW extension for the ENE set. Field data indicate that displacement on the two fault sets has overlapped in time, as some NNW faults are younger than some ENE faults, which are supposed to be the younger ones. Seismicity in 1998 on a NNW fault indicates ENE active extension on the NNW faults. These observations support our interpretation that the northern Mexican Volcanic Belt lies on the boundary between the Basin and Range province, which is undergoing ENE extension, and the central Mexican Volcanic Belt province, which is undergoing northerly extension. The apparent overlap in space and time of displacements on the two fault sets reflects the difference in stress regime between the two provinces. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.