Formation of intracratonic basins by lithospheric shortening and phase changes: a case study from the ultra‐deep East Barents Sea basin

The origin of large subsidence in intracratonic basins is still under debate. We propose a new and self‐consistent model for the formation of those basins, where lithospheric shortening/buckling triggers metamorphism and densification of crustal mafic heterogeneities. We use a forward thermo‐mechanical finite element technique to evaluate this mechanism for the typical example of the East Barents Sea basin (EBB) where a very large and compensated subsidence, accommodating an up to 20‐km‐thick sediment succession, is observed. The lower crust in the dynamic model is modelled with petrologic‐consistent densities for a wet mafic gabbroic composition that depend on pressure and temperature taking into account dehydration at high PT conditions. The model successfully explains the main characteristics of the EBB, notably the large anomalous and fast subsidence during the Late Permian–Early Triassic, its present‐day geometry and the absence of a significant gravity anomaly.     

Formation mechanisms of ultradeep sedimentary basins: the North Barents basin. Petroleum potential implications

Consolidated crust in the North Barents basin with sediments 16–18 km thick is attenuated approximately by two times. The normal faults in the basin basement ensure only 10-15% stretching, which caused the deposition of 2–3 km sediments during the early evolution of the basin. The overlying 16 km of sediments have accumulated since the Late Devonian. Judging by the undisturbed reflectors to a depth of 8 s, crustal subsidence was not accompanied by any significant stretching throughout that time. Dramatic subsidence under such conditions required considerable contraction of lithospheric rocks. The contraction was mainly due to high-grade metamorphism in mafic rocks in the lower crust. The metamorphism was favored by increasing pressure and temperature in the lower crust with the accumulation of a thick layer of sediments. According to gravity data, the Moho in the basin is underlain by large masses of high-velocity eclogites, which are denser than mantle peridotites. The same is typical of some other ultradeep basins: North Caspian, South Caspian, North Chukchi, and Gulf of Mexico basins. From Late Devonian to Late Jurassic, several episodes of rapid crustal subsidence took place in the North Barents basin, which is typical of large petroleum basins. The subsidence was due to metamorphism in the lower crust, when it was infiltrated by mantle-source fluids in several episodes. The metamorphic contraction in the lower crust gave rise to deep-water basins with sediments with a high content of unoxidized organic matter. Along with numerous structural and nonstructural traps in the cover of the North Barents basin, this is strong evidence that the North Barents basin is a large hydrocarbon basin.     

Flexure of the lithosphere and continental margin basins

The accumulation of sediments at an Atlantic-type continental margin constitutes a load on the lithosphere which simply sags due to its weight. Studies of the geometry of deformation suggests the lithosphere will respond to these loads either by local loading of an Airy-type crust or flexural loading of a strong rigid crust. Sediment loading models of either type cannot, however, explain the substantial thicknesses of shallow-water sediments observed in commercial boreholes from Atlantic-type margins. Other factors such as thermal contraction, gravitational outflow of crustal material or deep crustal metamorphism may contribute to the subsidence. We have used biostratigraphic data from commercial boreholes from the Gulf of Lion and the East Coast U.S.A. to quantitatively determine the contribution of sediment loading to the subsidence. From these data we determined sea-floor and basement depths for sequential time intervals during margin development. Using the sediment loading models the sediment layers at each margin were progressively “backstripped” and the depth basement would have been without the sediment load calculated. The computed basement depths indicate there is a recognizable component of the subsidence of these margins which is caused by processes other than adjustments to the weight of the sediment. The nature of this subsidence is discussed and comparisons are made with that which would be expected from thermal-contraction models.     

The Southern Urals. Decoupled evolution of the thrust belt and its foreland: a consequence of metamorphism and lithospheric weakening

An analysis is presented of the mechanisms of tectonic evolution of the southern part of the Urals between 48N and 60N in the Carboniferous–Triassic. A low tectonic activity was typical of the area in the Early Carboniferous — after closure of the Uralian ocean in the Late Devonian. A nappe, ≥10–15 km thick, overrode a shallow-water shelf on the margin of the East European platform in the early Late Carboniferous. It is commonly supposed that strong shortening and thickening of continental crust result in mountain building. However, no high mountains were formed, and the nappe surface reached the altitude of only ≤0.5 km. No high topography was formed after another collisional events at the end of the Late Carboniferous, in the second half of the Early Permian, and at the start of the Middle Triassic. A low magnitude of the crustal uplift in the regions of collision indicates a synchronous density increase from rapid metamorphism in mafic rocks in the lower crust. This required infiltration of volatiles from the asthenosphere as a catalyst. A layer of dense mafic rocks, 20 km thick, still exists at the base of the Uralian crust. It maintains the crust, up to 60 km thick, at a mean altitude 0.5 km. The mountains, 1.5 km high, were formed in the Late Permian and Early Triassic when there was no collision. Their moderate height precluded asthenospheric upwelling to the base of the crust, which at that time was 65–70 km thick. The mountains could be formed due to delamination of the lower part of mantle root with blocks of dense eclogite and/or retrogression in a presence of fluids of eclogites in the lower crust into less dense facies.

The formation of foreland basins is commonly attributed to deflection of the elastic lithosphere under surface and subsurface loads in thrust belts. Most of tectonic subsidence on the Uralian foreland occurred in a form of short impulses, a few million years long each. They took place at the beginning and at the end of the Late Carboniferous, and in the Late Permian. Rapid crustal subsidence occurred when there was no collision in the Urals. Furthermore, the basin deepened away from thrust belt. These features preclude deflection of the elastic lithosphere as a subsidence mechanism. To ensure the subsidence, a rapid density increase was necessary. It took place due to metamorphism in the lower crust under infiltration of volatiles.

The absence of flexural reaction on the Uralian foreland on collision in thrust belt together with narrow-wavelength basement deformations under the nappe indicate a high degree of weakening of the lithosphere. Such deformations took also place on the Uralian foreland at the epochs of rapid subsidences when there was no collision in thrust belt. Weakening of the lithosphere can be explained by infiltration of volatiles into this layer from the asthenosphere and rapid metamorphism in the mafic lower crust. Lithospheric weakening allowed the formation of the Uralian thrust belt under convergent motions of the plates which were separated by weak areas.     

The intracratonic branch of the Damara Orogen in South West Africa I. Discussion of geodynamic models

The late Precambrian Damara Supergroup was deposited in a geosyncline. There is good evidence that the intracratonic branch of this geosyncline began its development with a stage of rifting which produced three widely spaced grabens in sialic crust. During a second stage of subsidence the grabens merged and formed a geosyncline. A third stage produced intense deformation associated with thrusting and nappe transport, high-grade metamorphism, anatexis and large-scale granodioritic to granitic plutonism.A discussion of lifely geodynamic interpretations leads to the conclusion that the development of the intracratonic geosyncline can be best explained by a multiple aulacogen model. The dynamics of the orogeny cannot be readily interpreted with the help of a plate tectonic subduction-collision model. Concepts based on Ramberg's (1972) gravitational instability models are considered applicable.The hypothesis is advanced that grabens, aulacogens and mobile belts may represent diverse responses of the crust to astenoliths of different sizes.     

峨眉地幔柱的动力学特征

峨眉地幔柱起源于赤道附近,头部直径约８００ｋｍ。它的动力学特征主要反映在四大地质事件上：１．基性岩浆活动,地幔柱头部减压熔融引起大规模玄武岩浆喷发和大量基性－超基性岩体侵入。峨眉山玄武岩分布面积约５０万ｋｍ２,主喷发期在早、晚二叠世之间,活动时限海西晚期－印支期;２．酸性岩浆活动,地幔柱对深部地壳的热改造引起大规模酸性岩浆喷发并形成３００ｋｍ长的花岗岩带,酸性火山喷发产物除流纹岩外,酸性火山灰沉积遍及整个华南地区;３．古地热场与改造成矿作用,在地幔柱作用下,上扬子及其外围地区曾经存在一个古地热场,地热异常从海西晚期持续到燕山期,长时期的地热异常驱动热水循环,引起大规模改造成矿作用,形成分布广泛的层控金属矿床;４．地壳升降与裂陷,华南海西－印支期的地壳运动与地幔柱有密切关系,当它到达岩石圈底部之后,上覆岩石圈受热软化,伸展变薄,地壳沉降引起栖霞期海平面大幅度上升以及茅口期的强烈拉张与裂陷,地幔柱活动对大气圈、水圈、生物圈都有重要影响,它可能造成大规模生物绝灭。     

冀中坳陷东北部石炭-二叠系烃源岩热史及成熟史模拟

石炭-二叠系煤成气藏是冀中坳陷东北部亟待突破的勘探领域。文中基于大量的钻井、测井、地球化学和古地温资
料,分别模拟构建了大城凸起、文安斜坡和武清凹陷的埋藏史和考虑岩浆热液侵入作用的热演化史。研究结果表明冀中坳
陷东北部石炭-二叠系地层总体上经历了“三沉两抬”的构造演化过程,在印支运动前全区具有近似的演化历史,印支
期、燕山期区内构造演化开始分异,至新生代形成总体“东隆西坳”的构造格局。区内烃源岩热演化包括一次生烃和二次
生烃,并可细分为长期隆升型、后期强烈沉降深成变质型和岩浆热变质型三种类型。一次成烃主要发生在三叠系末期,二
次成烃分别在新近纪和古近纪岩浆侵入期。区内斜坡浅部和隆起区一次成烃,斜坡和凹陷深部为后期强烈沉降深成变质二
次成烃、斜坡和凸起岩浆热液侵入区发生岩浆热变质二次成烃。一次成烃期Ro 值在0.7%左右,不具成藏潜力,二次成烃
期烃源岩可达高熟、过熟阶段,成藏配置条件好,成藏潜力巨大。     

Mechanism of formation of superdeep sedimentary basins: lithospheric stretching or eclogitization?

The superdeep North Caspian, South Caspian, and Barents basins have their sedimentary fill much thicker and the Moho, correspondingly, much deeper than it is required for crustal subsidence by lithospheric stretching. In the absence of large gravity anomalies, this crustal structure indicates the presence under the Moho of a thick layer of eclogite which is denser than mantle peridotite. Crustal subsidence in the basins can be explained by high-grade metamorphism of mafic lower crust. The basins produced by lithospheric stretching normally subside for the first ～100 myr of their history, while at least half of the subsidence in the three basins occurred after that period, which is another evidence against the stretching formation mechanism. According to the seismic reflection profiling data, stretching can be responsible for only a minor part of the subsidence in the Caspian and Barents basins. As for the South Caspian basin, there has been a large recent subsidence event in a setting of compression. Therefore, eclogitization appears to be a realistic mechanism of crustal subsidence in superdeep basins.     

U–Pb and Hf isotopic analysis of zircon in lower crustal xenoliths from the Navajo volcanic field: 1.4 Ga mafic magmatism and metamorphism beneath the Colorado Plateau

Zircon from lower crustal xenoliths erupted in the Navajo volcanic field was analyzed for U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic compositions to characterize the lower crust beneath the Colorado Plateau and to determine whether it was affected by ∼1.4 Ga granitic magmatism and metamorphism that profoundly affected the exposed middle crust of southwestern Laurentia. Igneous zircon in felsic xenoliths crystallized at 1.73 and 1.65 Ga, and igneous zircon in mafic xenoliths crystallized at 1.43 Ga. Most igneous zircon has unradiogenic initial Hf isotopic compositions (ɛ_Hf=+4.1–+7.8) and 1.7–1.6 Ga depleted mantle model ages, consistent with 1.7–1.6 Ga felsic protoliths being derived from “juvenile” Proterozoic crust and 1.4 Ga mafic protoliths having interacted with older crust. Metamorphic zircon grew in four pulses between 1.42 and 1.36 Ga, at least one of which was at granulite facies. Significant variability within and between xenoliths in metamorphic zircon initial Hf isotopic compositions (ɛ_Hf=−0.7 to +13.6) indicates growth from different aged sources with diverse time-integrated Lu/Hf ratios. These results show a strong link between 1.4 Ga mafic magmatism and granulite facies metamorphism in the lower crust and granitic magmatism and metamorphism in the exposed middle crust.     

地表剥蚀、下地壳流变与造山作用研究进展

岩石圈的流变特性研究已经成为固体地球科学研究中的重要领域,是地球科学新理论、新观点的重要渊源。最近的研究表明,下地壳普遍存在的韧性流是造山作用的重要制约因素。在下地壳物质层流变作用机制的调节下,地表剥蚀作用并不仅仅是传统意义上地表夷平的因素,它还能打破地壳动力学和热力学平衡,引起地壳内物质和结构的重置,进而促成山脉的加剧隆升;地表剥蚀作用的强度既受控于造山带的抬升,也受制于地球外圈层(大气圈、水圈、生物圈)。以天山山脉和喜马拉雅山山脉的隆起、喜马拉雅山山脉的变质作用以及相关的构造活动为例,说明在造山过程中,尽管传统意义上的造山作用与地球内部动力过程,即构造作用有密切联系,但是与构造运动的时空尺度不同,地表剥蚀作用也能够在相对较小的时空尺度内,通过影响和控制造山带下地壳的韧性流动,成为地壳抬升和造山带构造演化的重要动力因素。对地壳的流变特性和变质变形研究是当前地球系统科学研究的一个重要切入点。     

Types of crust beneath the Ligurian Sea

The structural setting beneath the Ligurian Sea resuJts from several tectonic events reflected in the nature of the crust. The central-western sector, called the Ligurian basin, is part of the northwestern Mediterranean. It is a marginal basin that was generated in Oligocene-Miocene time by subduction of the Adriatic plate beneath the European plate and by the eastward drift of the Corsica-Sardinia block. The eastern sector belongs to the Tyrrhenian basin system and is characterized by extensional activity which since Tortonian time superimposed an earlier compressional regime. Our effort has been addressed in particular towards simplifying the complex nature of the crust of the Ligurian basin by modelling its genesis using uniform extension and sea-floor depth variation with age. In the rift stage of the basin's evolution, the initial subsidence reaches the isostatic equilibrium level of the asthenosphere by a thinning factor of 3.15. The additional passive process, corresponding to the cooling of the lithosphere since 21 Ma, leads to a total tectonic subsidence of 3.4 km, representing the boundary of the extended continental crust. For values up to 4.1 km a transitional-type crust is expected, whereas for higher tectonic subsidence values a typical oceanic crust should exist. After setting these constraints, the boundaries of the different crust types have been drawn based on total tectonic subsidence observations deduced from bathymetry and post-rift sediment thickness. Although there is a general agreement with the previous reconstructions deduced from other experimental data, the oceanic realm has wider extent and more complex shape. The northernmost part of this realm shows crust of sub-oceanic type altemating basement highs with lower subsidence values. The observed surface heat flux is consistent with the predicted geothermal held in the Alpine-Provençal continental margin and in the oceanic domain. However, a characteristic thermal asymmetry is clearly visible astride the basin, due to the enhanced heat flux of the Corsica margin. Even if the uniform extension model accounts well at a regional level for the present basement depth, a remarkable tectonic subsidence excess has been found in the Alpine-Provençal continental margin. This evidence agrees with the reprise in compression of the margin; the direction of the greatest principal stress is N120°E on average.     

On formation mechanisms of deep sedimentary basins: Is there enough evidence for eclogitization?

This is a critical comment on the model of basin formation by eclogitization of mafic crust suggested by E. Artyushkov. The eclogitization model bears uncertainties in average parameters (thickness, density, pressure) of lithospheric mantle, crust, and sediments, which may bias the estimates of subsidence magnitude. Main pitfalls, however, lie in high-pressure petrology: The lithostatic pressure is insufficient for eclogite to form in the lower crust beneath deep basins. It is shown that linear extrapolation of laboratory data on the gabbro-to-eclogite transition onto the field of relatively low pressures and temperatures in the lithosphere is incorrect. The hypothesized role of hot mantle fluids in the gabbro-eclogite transformation appears doubtful in terms of both petrology and kinetics of metamorphic reactions. Eclogite volumes in none of well known eclogitic sites agree with those required for eclogitization-driven subsidence. Artyushkov’s criticism of the extension basin formation model is not quite just. There are recent models of a two-layer lithosphere that imply a possibility of brittle and ductile deformation at different crust rheologies. The models we refer to predict most of extension to occur in mantle lithosphere rather than in the crust, this extension being able to produce deep continental basins.     

Density variations in the thickened crust as a function of pressure, temperature, and composition

Constraints on density as a function of pressure, temperature, and composition are crucial to understand isostatic movements during geodynamic processes. Here, we provide a systematic series of density diagrams extracted from thermodynamic calculations for a variety of crustal compositions within a wide P–T range. We quantify systematic density changes in collisional settings for relevant compositional variations and attempt to simplify the density–composition relationships. Rock densities depend strongly on pressure, temperature, and composition. Densities at some selected pressure–temperature conditions increase linearly with increasing Al₂O₃ as well as MgO/FeO contents in pelitic rocks. Al- and Fe-rich pelites yield the highest densities, which is mostly due to the formation of garnet but also depends on other minerals and changes of reactions. The effect of loading on densities is investigated, and we show that for deep burial, a meta-pelite rich in Fe and Mg yields much larger density changes than a dry basalt and that the burial of such a rock with a composition close to typical lower crust may result in significant negative buoyancy. Metamorphism of hydrous lower crust due to pressurization and heating thus leads to densification of thickened lower crust, while heating of dry crust leads to a decrease in density. Hence, water-loaded isostatic subsidence due to metamorphism of water-saturated lower crust is substantial and increases with the thickness and depth of the reacting layer, while dry compositions show much less or only transient densification and subsidence. The density change due to thermal expansion, an extensively used concept in geodynamic models, predicts uplift under the same P–T conditions and is an order of magnitude smaller than the density variation calculated from petrologically consistent diagrams.     

塔里木盆地地震剖面地质解释及其构造演化

从地震剖面显示塔里木盆地发育为手风琴式演化史,大体上形成三层"断-坳"结构:(l)震旦系的"断",古生界—三叠系的"坳";(2)侏罗系的"断",白垩系的"坳";(3)古近系的"断",新近系的"坳"。断陷与坳陷分别由拉张与挤压应力场所致,这种应力场的变化是由相邻洋壳板块俯冲倾角由小到大的变化所引起的。由于地壳的多旋回运动,多次发生构造沉积演变,构成了多套生储盖组合,多领域、多种圈闭类型的油气藏,从震旦系—古生界—中生界—新生界,各断陷-坳陷结构的盆地都具有可能形成油气藏的地质条件。     

A feedback model of geosynclinal development

A model concerning the temporal development of geosynclines was evolved on the basis of the assumption that a positive feedback relationship existed between two types of vertical forces acting on the earth crust: (1) the time-independent force acting from the earth interior, originating crustal downwarp, and (2) the load of sediments in the depression formed by this original force. The result of formulation by applying linear feedback control theory indicated that this model was characterized by accelerated subsidence.     

新疆阜康大黄山煤矿煤变质作用探讨

新疆阜康大黄山煤矿位于准噶尔盆地南缘乌鲁木齐山前坳陷东段，多项煤变质指标分析结果表明：该区煤变质程度沿煤层走向分带较为明显，沿煤层倾向上煤变质程度虽未突变，但挥发份却随深度加深明显减少．结合煤矿区域构造特征，煤层的变质以深成变质作用为主，动力变质作用为辅．同时推测深大断裂有利于隐伏热异常形成，它的多期次活动可为地下水从地壳内部获得热量提供通道，并为煤层变质提供热源．     

The evolution of the layered lower crust and the Moho through geological time in Western Europe: contribution of deep seismic reflection profiles

Deep seismic reflection images from a set of profiles shot in Western Europe have been reviewed and compared, and tentative conclusions have been proposed concerning the evolution of the layered lower crust and the Moho. The disappearance of Variscan mountain roots is related to the set-up of a new Moho at a typical 30-km depth and the creation of seismic layering in the lower crust. Deep seismic profiles suggest that these processes resulted, at least in part, from magmatic intrusion, partial crustal melting and metamorphism of deep crustal rocks into eclogite. On the other hand, the layered lower crust is greatly attenuated beneath Cretaceous basins and Tertiary rifts in relation to prominent Moho upwellings. The unusual amplitude of the Moho reflection and the presence of anomalously high seismic velocities in the lowermost crust beneath the Tertiary rifts suggest that the Moho and part of the layering are comparatively young features related to interactions between crust and mantle. Beneath Triassic-Jurassic basins, the layered lower crust was not affected by the subsidence of the basement, with the whole crustal thinning being entirely concentrated in the upper crust. This indicates that the layered lower crust and the Moho were formed or restored during or after the main rifting phase. Seismic data reveal constraints on the processes that affect the crust-mantle transition and seem to restore the Moho to its typical depth after any mechanical deformation of the lithosphere.     

Modelling of the thermal history of metamorphic zoning in the Connemara region (western Ireland)

The Connemara region of the Irish Caledonides is a classic example of regional-scale metamorphism of low pressure and high temperature. This terrane is considered as part of a fold belt comprising metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks that are correlated with the Neoproterozoic–Lower Paleozoic Dalradian Supergroup of Scotland. In mid-Ordovician time, the extensive and high-temperature metamorphism was superimposed on the Dalradian rocks resulting in the Connemara zoning. The key feature of the zoning is elevated horizontal thermal gradient of ca. 14 °C/km. Geological data and geochronological evidence point to a causative link between metamorphism and associated magmatic intrusions, and a brief period of development for the metamorphic zoning. Magmatic intrusion into the middle part of continental crust is treated as a most plausible source of heat for metamorphism, and other conjectures as to the origin of the zoning (flow of hot fluid through the permeable rocks, fracture conduit flushed by flowing magma) are believed to be improbable. To examine in sufficient detail the problem of the nature of heat source, a series of appropriate calculations have been performed to reach the best agreement between the observed and simulated spatial distribution of maximum temperatures at different times. The mathematical modelling shows that the temperature–spatial structure of the Connemara zoning is best explained by the model version based on mid-crustal heating above the upper contact of magmatic intrusive body gently curved and tilted at an angle between 20° and 40°, with an initial temperature of the magma appropriate to a basaltic melt. The model estimate of total lifetime of the temperature anomaly in the crust is of the order of 5–6 Ma. In general, this is in rather good agreement with the currently available evidence of geochronological duration of metamorphism and magmatism in Connemara.     

The superdeep North Chukchi Basin: formation by eclogitization of continental lower crust,with petroleum potential implications

The large North Chukchi Basin in the northeastern Eurasian shelf is filled with up to 22 km of sediments, which is far thicker than filling a basin upon oceanic crust would require. The basin sedimentation began 380 Myr ago, and about 16 km of sediments have been deposited for the past 125 Myr, long after the oceanic crust would have completed its subsidence. This fact is in favor of the continental instead of oceanic crust origin. Rapid basin subsidence appears to be driven by a mechanism other than crustal stretching as the latter has no evidence over the greatest part of the basin area. The suggested basin formation model implies a transformation of gabbro into denser eclogite in the lower crust and related contraction of mafic rocks. To sustain consolidated crust beneath 22 km thick sediments, the layer of dense eclogites under the granitic layer must be at least ～25 km thick. The presence of basement flexures formed at several stages of the basin evolution indicates a considerable loss of lithospheric rigidity under the effect of fluid infiltration from small mantle plumes. The fluids catalyzed the eclogitization and thus increased the subsidence rate. Rapid subsidence apparently occurred in Barremian-Albian time when the basin had accumulated up to 11.5 km of sediments. Besides the Early Cretaceous event, there were, possibly several older events of rapid subsidence. This basin subsidence history, along with the evidence of steep lithospheric flexure, is a known feature of large petroleum basins. Therefore, the North Chukchi Basin may be expected to be an oil and gas producer.     

东海陆架盆地新生代扩张率的估算

东海陆架盆地是位于中国大陆东部边缘大陆地壳之上的边缘海盆地。盆地新生代构造演化经历了断陷(初始沉降)和坳陷(热控沉降)两个阶段。本文利用钻井及地震反射剖面资料,通过钻井古地层剥蚀量和剥蚀时间的恢复,应用Mckenzie(1978)的均一拉伸模式和Sclater(1985)的双层拉伸模式对陆架盆地,主要是浙东坳陷的西湖凹陷进行了基底沉降和地壳岩石圈扩张率的定量估算。计算结果表明东海陆架盆地沉降速率早期较快,后期变慢。西湖凹陷新生代以来地壳岩石圈扩张率,在凹陷北部(D800测线)为40%-50%,中部(D688测线)为100%-140%,南部(G455测线)为60%-120%。