Two-phase opening of Andaman Sea: a new seismotectonic insight

High-resolution reconstruction of Benioff zone depth–dip angle trajectory for Burma–Java subduction margin between 2° and 17°N Lat. reveals two major episodes of plate geometry change expressed as abrupt deviation in subduction angle. Estimation of effective rate of subduction in different time slices (and then length of subducted slab) allowed drawing of isochrones in Ma interval through these trajectories for the time period 5–12 Ma. With these isochrones, the deformation events on the subducting Indian plate are constrained in time as of 4–5 and 11 Ma old. This well-constrained time connotation offered scope for the correlation of slab deformation events with the well-established two-phase opening history of the Andaman Sea. While the 11 Ma event recorded from southern part of the study area is correlated with early stretching and rifting phase, the 4–5 Ma event is interpreted as major forcing behind the spreading phase of the Andaman Sea. Systematic spatio-temporal evaluation of Indian plate obliquity on the Andaman Sea evolution shows its definite control on the early rifting phase, initiated towards south near northwest Sumatra. The much young spreading phase recorded towards north of 7° Lat. is possibly the result of late Miocene–Pliocene trench retreat and follow-up transcurrent movement (along Sagaing and Sumatran fault system) with NW–SE pull-apart extension.Nonconformity between plate shape and subduction margin geometry is interpreted as the causative force behind Mid-Miocene intraplate extension and tearing. Enhanced stretching in the overriding plate consequently caused active forearc subsidence, recorded all along this plate margin. Initial phase of the Andaman Sea opening presumably remains concealed in this early–middle Miocene forearc subsidence history. The late Miocene–Pliocene pull-apart opening and spreading was possibly initiated near the western part of the Mergui–Sumatra region and propagated northward in subsequent period. A temporary halt in rifting at this pull-apart stage and northeastward veering of the Andaman Sea Ridge (ASR) are related with uplifting of oceanic crust in post-middle Miocene time in form of Alcock and Sewell seamounts, lying symmetrically north and south of this spreading ridge.     

Intramontane basin development related to contractional and extensional structure interaction at the termination of a major sinistral fault: The Huércal-Overa Basin (Eastern Betic Cordillera)

Among the classical minor structural associations on the termination of transcurrent faults are horsetail splays formed by reverse, normal or strike-slip faults developing duplexes. However, temporal and spatial coexistence of contractional and extensional structures is very rarely documented. We discuss the relationships of contractional and extensional structures and associated sedimentary depocenters at the termination of a major strike-slip fault in the Eastern Betic Cordillera. Field mapping, kinematic fault analysis, paleostress determination and gravity prospecting in the Huércal-Overa Basin, at the southern termination of the NE–SW Alhama de Murcia transcurrent fault (AMF), are used to establish the relationships of tectonic structures and associated sedimentary depocenters. Here, ENE–WSW and WNW–ESE folds interact with two sets of normal faults having the same orientation as well as ENE–WSW reverse faults. Progressive unconformities associated with folds reveal that the beginning of the AMF activity occurred in the Tortonian. The folds progressively grew and rotated from ENE–WSW up to WNW–ESE close to the transcurrent fault. We propose that the development of the normal faults developed during short-term episodes characterized by vertical major stress axis and are, in turn, related to gravitational instability linked to the thickening of a crust relatively hot at depth. This setting may have become predominant in between the main activity, compressive pulses along transcurrent faults.     

大庆长垣西缘断裂浅部构造特征

大庆石油物探资料结果表明,大庆长垣西缘断裂的上盘,即东侧的北西向断裂可能存在第四纪活动断裂。为了确定大庆长垣西缘断裂的空间展布以及该区的地壳浅部地质构造特征,本项研究布设了2条跨大庆长垣西缘断裂的浅层地震探测剖面。结果表明,大庆长垣西缘断裂表现为走向北东、倾向南东的逆断层,为一条中生代晚期活动断裂。断裂的上盘,即东侧发育有一系列次级断裂,断裂的断层性质以及断层倾向多样化,两条测线东部均发育错断第四纪地层的断层,使得该区浅部地层形成地堑与地垒构造。本项研究不仅可进一步提高对大庆长垣地区浅部构造特征的认识,而且为大庆市地震危险性评价提供依据。     

邯郸、汤阴断陷地质结构及其活动性

根据人工地震及部分钻井资料研究,邯郸、汤阴断陷是太行山南段东麓的北北东向箕状断陷,邯郸断陷形成于早第三纪,主要受其东缘的邯东铲式正断裂控制。汤阴断陷形成于第三纪,其北部主要受东缘的汤东铲式正断裂控制,南部受东、西边缘的汤东、汤西铲式正断裂控制。两个断陷均为浅源震区,近几年来时有小震出现。邯东断裂没有明显的新活动,地震活动也较微弱,而汤阴断陷的汤东、汤西断裂,新活动明显,推测南部地震活动水平较高,是更应注意的地段     

准噶尔盆地古生代末大地构造动力学数值模拟

大地构造动力学数值模拟是构造物理研究的重要方向.本文利用有限元数值模拟方法研究准噶尔盆地古生代末的构造应力场.根据准噶尔盆地西部岩墙群和准噶尔盆地内部及周边地区应力标志,确定了晚二叠世准噶尔地区最大主应力方向为NW-SE向,方位在295°左右,局部地区略有偏转.以实测古构造应力场为拟合标志,对Seng(o)r和Alle...     

青藏高原东南缘滇缅地块NE向走滑断裂带的新构造活动与大地震危险性

2008年汶川大地震发生以来,位于青藏高原东南缘实皆断裂带和红河断裂系之间滇缅地块发生了一系列MS5.5以上中强地震,该地区未来是否可能发生MS7.0以上大地震的危险性,十分令人关注.本研究以滇缅地块内部最长的NE向走滑断裂带——南汀河断裂带为例,结合遥感图像、数字高程模型(DEM)和1∶20万地质图,对断裂带附近的水系系统拐弯地貌特征和大型地质体单元位错信息进行提取分析,并根据这些断裂带左旋走滑起始年代(5 Ma),推算其长期走滑速率.研究结果表明研究区NE向断裂带自上新世以来,具有2mm·a-1的长期走滑速率;此外,根据发生在断裂带上及其周边地区的历史地震、大震复发周期和区内现代构造应力场的分布分析发现,沿这些NE向大型左旋走滑断裂带未来具有MS7.0以上大地震发生的危险性.     

NEW EVIDENCES FOR LATE QUATERNARY ACTIVITY IN THE SOUTHERN SEGMENT OF THE YISHU-TANGTOU FAULT,THE TAN-LU FAULT ZONE,AND ITS TECTONIC IMPLICATION

The Tan-Lu Fault Zone(TLFZ), a well-known lithosphere fault zone in eastern China, is a boundary tectonic belt of the secondary block within the North China plate, and its seismic risk has always been a focus problem. Previous studies were primarily conducted on the eastern graben faults of the Yishu segment where there are historical earthquake records, but the faults in western graben have seldom been involved. So, there has been no agreement about the activity of the western graben fault from the previous studies. This paper focuses on the activity of the two buried faults in the western graben along the southern segment of Yishu through combination of shallow seismic reflection profile and composite drilling section exploration. Shallow seismic reflection profile reveals that the Tangwu-Gegou Fault(F₄)only affects the top surface of Suqian Formation, therefore, the fault may be an early Quaternary fault. The Yishui-Tangtou Fault(F₃)has displaced the upper Pleistocene series in the shallow seismic reflection profile, suggesting that the fault may be a late Pleistocene active fault. Drilling was implemented in Caiji Town and Lingcheng Town along the Yishui-Tangtou Fault(F₃)respectively, and the result shows that the latest activity time of Yishui-Tangtou Fault(F₃)is between(91.2±4.4)ka and(97.0±4.8)ka, therefore, the fault belongs to late Pleistocene active fault. Combined with the latest research on the activity of other faults along TLFZ, both faults in eastern and western graben were active during the late Pleistocene in the southern segment of the Yishu fault zone, however, only the fault in eastern graben was active in the Holocene. This phenomenon is the tectonic response to the subduction of the Pacific and Philippine Sea Plate and collision between India and Asian Plate. The two late Quaternary active faults in the Yishu segment of TLFZ are deep faults and present different forms on the surface and in near surface according to studies of deep seismic reflection profile, seismic wave function and seismic relocation. Considering the tectonic structure of the southern segment of Yishu fault zone, the relationship between deep and shallow structures, and the impact of 1668 Tancheng earthquake(M=8(1/2)), the seismogenic ability of moderate-strong earthquake along the Yishui-Tangtou Fault(F₃)can't be ignored.     

滇东南楔形构造区发震构造背景探讨

滇东南楔形构造区的区域断裂几何结构突出地表现为半棋盘格式。具有区域应力场分界意义的红河断裂,把其它几条断裂限制在其北部,并与小江断裂带构成第一级的半断块。构造区内,曲江断裂被李浩寨断裂限制在其西侧;后者与异龙湖断裂交汇于建水盆地中;建水断裂把黑泥地断裂限制于其东,并与李浩寨断裂构成建水盆地右阶拉分岩桥区,向南终止于山花。 深部构造、区域形变及断裂活动表明该构造区是一个断块挤压隆起构造区。最后,对楔形构造区的地震活动与挤压隆起断块运动的关系作了简要的分析     

西藏格林错断层带的基本特征

格林错断层带是一条晚白垩纪以前形成,第四纪以来具明显活动性质的右旋走滑断层。断层带由4条次级走滑断层呈右行右阶羽列排列而成,在两条次级走滑断层的连接部位分别形成孜桂错、格林错、瓦昂错拉分区。格林错断层带是西藏中部地区的主要发震断层之一,全新世以来,至少有4期地震地表破裂沿该断层带发生。第四纪晚期,断层具明显的分段活动性质,并且断层活动有从北西向南东、向南迁移的迹象     

兰州马衔山-兴隆山活动断裂系的构造变形特征和机制

详细考察获得了兰州马衔山—兴隆山活动断裂系4条断裂的几何细结构、新活动性等定量资料。其中马衔山北缘断裂为一条规模大、活动性强的全新世逆左旋走滑断裂，而马衔山南缘断裂、兴隆山南缘断裂和兴隆山北缘断裂等其它3条断裂均为其伴生的逆断裂，为晚更新世活动断裂。它们在深部均可以归并到马衔山北缘断裂这一主走滑断裂带上，是兰州地区重要的控震断裂，影响和制约着本区的地震活动。     

拉分盆地形成机制三维数值模拟——以海原断裂带老龙湾盆地为例

拉分盆地是走滑断层系中受拉伸作用形成的断陷盆地.一般在两条平行断层控制下发育.盆地形似菱形,几何形态主要受两条主控走滑断层错距和叠接长度影响.本文以青藏高原东北缘海原断裂带老龙湾拉分盆地第四纪所处的构造环境为基础,参考盆地周围断层几何分布,建立了三维有限元数值模型,模拟该拉分盆地的演化过程;进一步分析了断层力学性质、地壳分层结构等各因素对盆地形成和演化的影响.模拟结果显示,盆地地表沉降伴随有下地壳物质的上涌,此上涌对盆地地表沉降存在阻碍作用.各因素的影响具体表现为:(1)断层力学性质(弹性模量和黏滞系数)越弱,其对构造应力较低的传递效率导致盆地两端差异性运动越明显,从而形成较大的盆地地表沉降和明显的上地壳减薄.(2)平行主控断层的叠接长度反映盆地形成的拉伸作用范围,叠接长度越大,相同的差异性运动在单位面积形成的拉伸应力越小,盆地地表沉降较小.(3)下地壳流变性影响其物质的上涌量,下地壳黏滞系数越小,其对上部拉伸作用的响应越明显,上涌量越大,此上涌对上地壳沉降形成的阻碍作用也越明显.根据老龙湾拉分盆地所处的构造格局,将平行断层的叠接长度取20km,当断层黏滞系数取值为周围基岩的1/10,参考该盆地第四纪构造演化历史,模拟得到的盆地第四纪下沉量与盆地内第四系沉积层厚度在规模上近似,下地壳黏滞系数取值在(2.5~5.0)×1021 Pa·s范围内时,盆地下沉量模拟结果与老龙湾拉分盆地第四系地层厚度吻合较好.     

GEOMORPHIC FEATURES AND LATE QUATERNARY SLIP RATE OF THE SOUTHERN ZONGWULONG SHAN FAULT

With the continuous collision of the India and Eurasia plate in Cenozoic, the Qilian Shan began to uplift strongly from 12Ma to 10Ma. Nowadays, Qilian Shan is still uplifting and expanding. In the northern part of Qilian Shan, tectonic activity extends to Hexi Corridor Basin, and has affected Alashan area. In the southern part of Qilian Shan, tectonic activity extends to Qaidam Basin, forming a series of thrust faults in the northern margin of Qaidam Basin and a series of fold deformations in the basin. The southern Zongwulong Shan Fault is located in the northeastern margin of Qaidam Basin, it is the boundary thrust fault between the southern margin of Qilian Shan and Qaidam Basin. GPS studies show that the total crustal shortening rate across the Qilian Shan is 5~8mm/a, which absorbs 20% of the convergence rate of the Indian-Eurasian plate. Concerning how the strain is distributed on individual fault in the Qilian Shan, previous studies mainly focused on the northern margin of the Qilian Shan and the Hexi Corridor Basin, while the study on the southern margin of the Qilian Shan was relatively weak. Therefore, the study of late Quaternary activity of southern Zongwulong Shan Fault in southern margin of Qilian Shan is of great significance to understand the strain distribution pattern in Qilian Shan and the propagation of the fault to the interior of Qaidam Basin. At the same time, because of the strong tectonic activity, the northern margin of Qaidam Basin is also a seismic-prone area. Determining the fault slip rate is also helpful to better understand the movement behaviors of faults and seismic risk assessment.Through remote sensing image interpretation and field geological survey, combined with GPS topographic profiling, cosmogenic nuclides and optically stimulated luminescence dating, we carried out a detailed study at Baijingtu site and Xujixiang site on the southern Zongwulong Shan Fault. The results show that the southern Zongwulong Shan Fault is a Holocene reverse fault, which faulted a series of piedmont alluvial fans and formed a series of fault scarps.The 43ka, 20ka and 11ka ages of the alluvial fan surfaces in this area can be well compared with the ages of terraces and alluvial fan surfaces in the northeastern margin of Tibetan Plateau, and its formation is mainly controlled by climatic factors. Based on the vertical dislocations of the alluvial fans in different periods in Baijingtu and Xujixiang areas, the average vertical slip rate of the southern Zongwulong Shan Fault since late Quaternary is(0.41±0.05)mm/a, and the average horizontal shortening rate is 0.47~0.80mm/a, accounting for about 10% of the crustal shortening in Qilian Shan. These results are helpful to further understand the strain distribution model in Qilian Shan and the tectonic deformation mechanism in the northern margin of Qaidam Basin. The deformation mechanism of the northern Qaidam Basin fault zone, which is composed of the southern Zongwulong Shan Fault, is rather complicated, and it is not a simple piggy-back thrusting style. These faults jointly control the tectonic activity characteristics of the northern Qaidam Basin.     

Seismotectonic Study on the West Part of the Interaction Zone Between Southern Tianshan and Northern Tarim

The interaction zone between southern Tianshan and northern Tarim is located at the northeast side of Pamir. It is a region with high seismicity. We constructed a seismotectonic model for the west part of this zone from geological profiles, deep crust seismic detection and earthquake focal mechanisms data. Based on the synthesized geological features, deep crust structure, and earthquake focal mechanisms, we think that the main regional tectonic feature is that the Tianshan tecto-lithostratigraphic unit overthrusts on the Tarim block. The Tianshan tectonic system includes the Maidan fault and thrust sheets in front of the fault; The Tarim tectonic system includes the underground northern Tarim margin fault, conjugate faults in basement and overthrust fault in shallow. The northern Tarim margin fault is a high angle fault deep in the Tarim crust, adjusting different trending deformation between Tianshan and Tarim. It is a major active fault that can generate large earthquakes. The other faults, such as the Tianshan overthrust system and the Tarim basement faults in this area may generate moderately strong earthquakes with different styles.     

青藏高原中部五道梁-曲麻莱断裂系西段晚第四纪滑动速率厘定

五道梁-曲麻莱断裂系位于青藏高原中部,关于其晚第四纪活动性迄今鲜有介绍.由高分辨率卫星影像解译和野外地质考察可知,断裂系西段由五道梁南山北缘断裂和五道梁南山南缘断裂组成,二者分别断错了五道梁南山两侧的各级洪积扇.通过洪积扇上的断错地貌分析和光释光测年方法得到南缘断裂缩短速率为(0.25±0.11)mm/a,北缘断裂缩短...     

The 2010 M w 7.2 El Mayor-Cucapah Earthquake Sequence, Baja California, Mexico and Southernmost California, USA: Active Seismotectonics along the Mexican Pacific Margin

The El Mayor-Cucapah earthquake sequence started with a few foreshocks in March 2010, and a second sequence of 15 foreshocks of M?>?2 (up to M4.4) that occurred during the 24?h preceding the mainshock. The foreshocks occurred along a north?Csouth trend near the mainshock epicenter. The M _w 7.2 mainshock on April 4 exhibited complex faulting, possibly starting with a ~M6 normal faulting event, followed ~15?s later by the main event, which included simultaneous normal and right-lateral strike-slip faulting. The aftershock zone extends for 120?km from the south end of the Elsinore fault zone north of the US?CMexico border almost to the northern tip of the Gulf of California. The waveform-relocated aftershocks form two abutting clusters, each about 50?km long, as well as a 10?km north?Csouth aftershock zone just north of the epicenter of the mainshock. Even though the Baja California data are included, the magnitude of completeness and the hypocentral errors increase gradually with distance south of the international border. The spatial distribution of large aftershocks is asymmetric with five M5+ aftershocks located to the south of the mainshock, and only one M5.7 aftershock, but numerous smaller aftershocks to the north. Further, the northwest aftershock cluster exhibits complex faulting on both northwest and northeast planes. Thus, the aftershocks also express a complex pattern of stress release along strike. The overall rate of decay of the aftershocks is similar to the rate of decay of a generic California aftershock sequence. In addition, some triggered seismicity was recorded along the Elsinore and San Jacinto faults to the north, but significant northward migration of aftershocks has not occurred. The synthesis of the El Mayor-Cucapah sequence reveals transtensional regional tectonics, including the westward growth of the Mexicali Valley and the transfer of Pacific?CNorth America plate motion from the Gulf of California in the south into the southernmost San Andreas fault system to the north. We propose that the location of the 2010 El Mayor-Cucapah, as well as the 1992 Landers and 1999 Hector Mine earthquakes, may have been controlled by the bends in the plate boundary.     

喀喇昆仑断层与塔什库尔干地震形变带

喀喇昆仑断层位于我国新疆、西藏和阿富汗、克什米尔之间,是亚洲大陆中部一条巨型的右旋走滑断裂带,长约1000km,呈北西向展布,十分醒目。喀喇昆仑断层和阿尔金断层形成一个巨大的挤出构造,使青藏高原向东运动,对东亚的新构造和地震活动具有重要的控制作用。木吉-塔什库尔干盆地是公格尔山和慕士塔格山西侧一条串珠状断陷盆地带,东西两侧发育系列山前活动断裂,主要表现为正断层。这里曾发生多次强震活动,3条地震形变带(地震断层)已被发现。塔什库尔干断裂带呈北北西走向,是喀喇昆仑断层北部的一条分支     

内蒙古乌海断陷岗德尔山西麓断裂晚第四纪特征分析

岗德尔山西麓断裂是乌海断陷的一条控盆边界断裂。通过野外地质调查、构造剖面解析结合浅层物探、地球化学探测,综合对断裂的第四纪活动特征进行分析和研究。结果显示,岗德尔山西麓断裂整体走向NNE,倾角60°~80°,具有成束成带发育特点,是一条全新世活动断裂,表现出以拉张为主的活动特征。     

A revised fit of South America and South Central Africa

A new set of parameters for the total plate tectonic reconstruction of South America and south central Africa is presented: euler pole 46.75°N, 32.65°W; rotation angle 56.40°. This fit is constrained by at least three pre-drift tectonic features crossing from one continent to the other: (1) the geophysically defined eastern and western boundaries of the submarine Jurassic Outeniqua Basin (South Africa) and the Falkland Plateau Basin; (2) the Late Precambrian transcurrent fault and mylonite belts of Pernambuco (Brazil) and Foumban (West Africa); and (3) the Triassic northern tectonic front of the Cape Fold Belt and the major morphological feature on the Falkland Plateau with which it is closely lined up. Isotopic ages of Falkland Plateau gneisses correspond to Cape Pluton and Cape Fold Belt ages, suggesting their palaeoposition was within the realm of the Cape Fold Belt.In addition, the bathymetrically and geophysically defined northeastern apex of the Falkland Plateau fits into the re-entrant angle defined on the South African margin by the steep southeast-facing sheared Agulhas margin and the southern face of the Tugela Cone. Simultaneously known Precambrian outcrops in northeastern Brazil and in the Gulf of Benin area of West Africa are juxtaposed rather than overlapped. Reconstructions producing a closer fit of these cratonic areas are considered untenable.     

冲绳海槽南段与中、北段构造活动性对比的热模拟研究

受新生代太平洋板块弧后扩张剧烈活动的地缘特性影响,冲绳海槽构造特征复杂,南、中、北段在热液活动、断裂性质、火成岩特性、扩张时代等方面存在显著不同,因此认识该区各段构造活动性对查清其复杂地质特征具有重要意义.本文依据前人通过磁异常反演得到的居里面深度资料,利用热模拟的方法,对冲绳海槽各段深、浅构造活动性进行了探讨.模拟结果表明,南段软流层构造活动强度约为中、北段的6倍,而岩石圈浅层构造活动却相对较弱.该结论与前人所得到的地质地球物理资料相符,主要表现为:相对于中、北段,南段在海槽总体演化历程上裂陷较深;海底火成岩岩浆源区较深,结晶分异程度较弱,同化混染程度较强;切穿沉积基底的大型断裂较为发育,而沉积层内部的小型断裂分布相对稀疏;沉积层岩浆侵入活动较弱,海底所呈现出的热液活动区数量较少;现代地震活动较多,震源深度较大.根据模拟结果与实际资料的对比分析我们可以推测:(1)冲绳海槽北段可能还有一些热液区没有被探测到,也可能在历史演化进程中失去活力,或者被第四系沉积物覆盖;(2)南段存在孕育更多热液活动区的潜力.     

Lithospheric structure and faulting characteristics of the Helan Mountains and Yinchuan Basin:Results of deep seismic reflection profiling

The Helan Mountains and Yinchuan Basin(HM-YB) are located at the northern end of the North-South tectonic belt,and form an intraplate tectonic deformation zone in the western margin of the North China Craton(NCC).The HM-YB has a complicated history of formation and evolution,and is tectonically active at the present day.It has played a dominant role in the complex geological structure and modern earthquake activities of the region.A 135-km-long deep seismic reflection profile across the HM-YB was acquired in early 2014,which provides detailed information of the lithospheric structure and faulting characteristics from near-surface to various depths in the region.The results show that the Moho gradually deepens from east to west in the depth range of 40-48 km along the profile.Significant differences are present in the crustal structure of different tectonic units,including in the distribution of seismic velocities,depths of intra-crustal discontinuities and undulation pattern of the Moho.The deep seismic reflection profile further reveals distinct structural characteristics on the opposite sides of the Helan Mountains.To the east,The Yellow River fault,the eastern piedmont fault of the Helan Mountains,as well as multiple buried faults within the Yinchuan Basin are all normal faults and still active since the Quaternary.These faults have controlled the Cenozoic sedimentation of the basin,and display a "negative-flower" structure in the profile.To the west,the Bayanhaote fault and the western piedmont fault of the Helan Mountains are east-dipping thrust faults,which caused folding,thrusting,and structural deformation in the Mesozoic stratum of the Helan Mountains uplift zone.A deep-penetrating fault is identified in the western side of the Yinchuan Basin.It has a steep inclination cutting through the middle-lower crust and the Moho,and may be connected to the two groups of faults in the upper crust.This set of deep and shallow fault system consists of both strike-slip,thrust,and normal faults formed over different eras,and provides the key tectonic conditions for the basin-mountains coupling,crustal deformation and crust-mantle interactions in the region.The other important phenomenon revealed from the results of deep seismic reflection profiling is the presence of a strong upper mantle reflection(UMR) at a depth of 82-92 km beneath the HM-YB,indicating the existence of a rapid velocity variation or a velocity discontinuity in that depth range.This is possibly a sign of vertical structural inhomogeneity in the upper mantle of the region.The seismic results presented here provide new clues and observational bases for further study of the deep structure,structural differences among various blocks and the tectonic relationship between deep and shallow processes in the western NCC.