Active tectonic influence on the evolution of drainage and landscape: Geomorphic signatures from frontal and hinterland areas along the Northwestern Himalaya, India

The Kangra Re-entrant in the NW Himalaya is one of the most seismically active regions, falling into Seismic Zone V along the Himalaya. In 1905 the area experienced one of the great Himalayan earthquakes with magnitude 7.8. The frontal fault system – the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) associated with the foreland fold – Janauri Anticline, along with other major as well as secondary hinterland thrust faults, provides an ideal site to study the ongoing tectonic activity which has influenced the evolution of drainage and landscape in the region. The present study suggests that the flat-uplifted surface in the central portion of the Janauri Anticline represents the paleo-exit of the Sutlej River. It is suggested that initially when the tectonic activity propagated southward along the HFT the Janauri Anticline grew along two separate fault segments (north and south faults), the gap between these two fault and the related folds allowed the Sutlej River to flow across this area. Later, the radial propagation of the faults towards each other resulted in an interaction of the fault tips, which caused the rapid uplift of the area. Rapid uplift resulted in the disruption and longitudinal deflection of the Sutlej river channel. Fluvial deposits on the flat surface suggest that an earlier fluvial system flowed across this area in the recent past. Geomorphic signatures, like the sharp mountain fronts along the HFT in some places, as well as along various hinterland subordinate faults like the Nalagarh Thrust (NaT), the Barsar Thrust (BaT) and the Jawalamukhi Thrust (JMT); the change in the channel pattern, marked by a tight incised meander of the Beas channel upstream of the JMT indicate active tectonic movements in the area. The prominent V-shaped valleys of the Beas and Sutlej rivers, flowing across the thrust fronts, with Vf values ranging from <1.0–1.5 are also suggestive of ongoing tectonic activity along major and hinterland faults. This suggests that not only is the HFT system active, but also the other major and secondary hinterland faults, viz. the MBT, MCT, SnT, NaT, BaT, and the JMT can be shown to have undergone recent tectonic displacement.     

Tectonic controls on the geomorphic evolution of alluvial fans in the Piedmont Zone of Ganga Plain,Uttarakhand, India

The Piedmont Zone is the least studied part of the Ganga Plain. The northern limit of the Piedmont Zone is defined by the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) along which the Himalaya is being thrust over the alluvium of the Ganga Plain. Interpretation of satellite imagery, Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) and field data has helped in the identification and mapping of various morphotectonic features in the densely forested and cultivated Piedmont Zone in the Kumaun region of the Uttarakhand state of India. The Piedmont Zone has formed as a result of coalescing alluvial fans, alluvial aprons and talus deposits. The fans have differential morphologies and aggradation processes within a common climatic zone and similar litho-tectonic setting of the catchment area. Morphotectonic analysis reveals that the fan morphologies and aggradation processes in the area are mainly controlled by the ongoing tectonic activities. Such activities along the HFT and transverse faults have controlled the accommodation space by causing differential subsidence of the basin, and aggradation processes by causing channel migration, channel incision and shifting of depocentres. The active tectonic movements have further modified the landscape of the area in the form of tilted alluvial fan, gravel ridges, terraces and uplifted gravels.     

Fault-related folding in the Ramshorn Peak area,Idaho-Wyoming thrust belt

The Ramshorn Peak area of the Idaho-Wyoming thrust belt lies in the toe of the Prospect thrust sheet along the eastern margin of the exposed part of the thrust belt. The terrain is folded with axes trending N-S and wavelengths ranging from 3 to 4.3 km. Thrusts occur exclusively along the eastern part of the map area where the toe of the Prospect thrust sheet is thinnest. The easternmost thrusts are backthrusts.Monoclinally folded rocks are thrust on less deformed rocks south of Ramshorn Peak. This fold and fault complex is interpreted to have formed by thrusting over a large oblique and small forward step. The oblique step is responsible for the formation of the monocline in the hanging wall of the thrust. All faults and associated folds are rotated by subsequent buckle folding.Second- and third-order folds (folds at the scale of the Ramshorn Peak fold and fault complex and smaller) appear to be isolated features associated with faults (fault-related folds rather than buckle folds) because they are not distributed throughout the map area. These folds were probably initiated by translation and adhesive drag. The early folding was terminated by large translation over a stepped thrust surface which caused additional folding as the hanging wall rocks conformed to the irregular shape of the footwall. The Rich model is utilized to explain the Ramshorn Peak complex because the fold is of monoclinal form and is an isolated feature rather than part of a buckle fold wave-train.     

鄂尔多斯盆地西缘横山堡地区构造特征与油气勘探目标优选

鄂尔多斯盆地西缘北区横山堡地区是重要的油气接替区域。本文利用构造解析、地震勘探等技术方法,对研究区构造特征与油气勘探目标进行了研究。结果表明,晚侏罗纪末期,研究区为银川复背斜东翼,喜山期构造调整后转为前缘反冲带,由一系列西冲东倾逆冲断层与断背斜组成;该区可分为西部逆冲断褶带、中部逆冲断阶带和东部过渡构造带3个构造单元。断层可分为4级;以燕山期近南北—北北东向逆断层为主,其次为喜山期近东西向走滑断层,并错断了燕山期逆断层。构造样式为一系列东倾单向叠瓦状冲断组合,由近南北向逆断层及加持于其中的断块组成,断块往往为一些小型断背斜,其轴迹走向以近南北—北北东向为主。地质结构为深层滑脱型单向东倾冲断构造。根据上述研究,在沙亥庙断裂上盘断背斜构造高部位优选出一个钻探目标。     

Tectonic evolution of an active tectonostratigraphic boundary in accretionary wedge: An example from the Tulungwan-Chaochou Fault system,southern Taiwan

The Tulungwan-Chaochou Fault system in southern Taiwan represents the boundary between a slate belt of moderate metamorphic grade and a relatively unmetamorphosed fold-and-thrust belt. The offset between hanging wall and footwall of this fault ranges from 7 to 11 km and is considered one of the major tectonostratigraphic faults in Taiwan. This 75-km-long fault system is also one of the most conspicuous topographic features in Taiwan. The geometry, kinematic history and associated subsidiary structures have not been resolved. Field mapping of fabrics and brittle faults show that a 45-km-long west-northwest-vergent antiform defined by folded slaty cleavage exists in the hanging wall of the fault. This antiform has not been previously described and apparently formed in a brittle environment. The flat crest and tight forelimb of the antiform suggests a two-stage deformation model composed of a fault-bend fold followed by a trishear fold. We infer that regional scale fold is associated with a thrust that splays upward from the main detachment.     

淮北煤田构造特征和形成机制

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

尼日尔三角洲盆地泥收缩构造发育特征及对沉积的控制

泥收缩构造是发育在尼日尔三角洲盆地深水区的典型构造样式,属重力滑脱冲断构造,主要构造类型有冲断裂、塑性泥构造及相关褶皱和正断裂。基于地震地质解释,结合构造发育史分析,认为泥收缩构造主要受塑性泥构造控制,在中新世托尔托纳(Tortonian)晚期开始活动,中新世墨西拿期(Messinian)—上新世赞克勒期(Zanclean)达到最强,之后构造活动逐渐减弱,但至今仍在活动。通过古构造恢复,结合沉积展布分析,认为中新世托尔托纳晚期沉积开始受构造活动控制,托尔托纳阶上部及以上地层具有明显的同沉积特征,泥收缩构造相关的冲断裂上升盘厚度明显小于下降盘厚度,褶皱两翼的地层厚度明显厚于中间背斜顶部的地层厚度。     

Co-seismic Faults and Geological Hazards and Incidence of Active Fault of Wenchuan Ms 8.0 Earthquake,Sichuan,China

There are two co-seismic faults which developed when the Wenchuan earthquake happened. One occurred along the active fault zone in the central Longmen Mts.and the other in the front of Longmen Mts.The length of which is more than 270 km and about 80 km respectively.The co-seismic fault shows a reverse flexure belt with strike of N45°-60°E in the ground,which caused uplift at its northwest side and subsidence at the southeast.The fault face dips to the northwest with a dip angle ranging from 50°to 60°.The...     

Co‐seismic Faults and Geological Hazards and Incidence of Active Fault of Wenchuan Ms 8.0 Earthquake,Sichuan, China

Abstract: There are two co-seismic faults which developed when the Wenchuan earthquake happened. One occurred along the active fault zone in the central Longmen Mts. and the other in the front of Longmen Mts. The length of which is more than 270 km and about 80 km respectively. The co-seismic fault shows a reverse flexure belt with strike of N45°–60°E in the ground, which caused uplift at its northwest side and subsidence at the southeast. The fault face dips to the northwest with a dip angle ranging from 50° to 60°. The vertical offset of the co-seismic fault ranges 2.5–3.0 m along the Yingxiu-Beichuan co-seismic fault, and 1.5–1.1 m along the Doujiangyan-Hanwang fault. Movement of the co-seismic fault presents obvious segmented features along the active fault zone in central Longmen Mts. For instance, in the section from Yingxiu to Leigu town, thrust without evident slip occurred; while from Beichuan to Qingchuan, thrust and dextral strike-slip take place. Main movement along the front Longmen Mts. shows thrust without slip and segmented features. The area of earthquake intensity more than IX degree and the distribution of secondary geological hazards occurred along the hanging wall of co-seismic faults, and were consistent with the area of aftershock, and its width is less than 40km from co-seismic faults in the hanging wall. The secondary geological hazards, collapses, landslides, debris flows et al., concentrated in the hanging wall of co-seismic fault within 0–20 km from co-seismic fault.     

Active tectonics of Himalayan Frontal Fault system

In the Sub-Himalayan zone, the frontal Siwalik range abuts against the alluvial plain with an abrupt physiographic break along the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT), defining the present-day tectonic boundary between the Indian plate and the Himalayan orogenic prism. The frontal Siwalik range is characterized by large active anticline structures, which were developed as fault propagation and fault-bend folds in the hanging wall of the HFT. Fault scarps showing surface ruptures and offsets observed in excavated trenches indicate that the HFT is active. South of the HFT, the piedmont zone shows incipient growth of structures, drainage modification, and 2–3 geomorphic depositional surfaces. In the hinterland between the HFT and the MBT, reactivation and out-of-sequence faulting displace Late Quaternary–Holocene sediments. Geodetic measurements across the Himalaya indicate a ~100-km-wide zone, underlain by the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT), between the HFT and the main microseismicity belt to north is locked. The bulk of shortening, 15–20 mm/year, is consumed aseismically at mid-crustal depth through ductile by creep. Assuming the wedge model, reactivation of the hinterland faults may represent deformation prior to wedge attaining critical taper. The earthquake surface ruptures, ≥240 km in length, interpreted on the Himalayan mountain front through paleoseismology imply reactivation of the HFT and may suggest foreland propagation of the thrust belt.     

雪峰山西部中生代厚皮逆冲推覆构造样式与变形特征研究

雪峰山厚皮逆冲推覆构造带位于扬子地块东南缘,由南向北,主构造线走向由北北东向渐变为北东东向,形成向北西突出的弧形。构造带内基底新元古界板溪群大面积出露,这些基底出露的原因和构造方式是华南中生代大地构造分析的核心问题之一。以野外构造解析为基础,结合相关地球物理资料解释,对雪峰山西部逆冲推覆构造的构造样式与变形序列进行了系统的解析。结果表明,雪峰山构造带从印支期开始发育由南东向北西的大规模的逆冲推覆构造,逆冲断层在近地表向南东陡倾,向下逐渐收敛于基底内的滑脱断层之上。基底新元古界板溪群及早古生界均卷入了推覆构造,同时逆冲覆盖于中生代地层之上,形成厚皮构造,并造成了基底板溪群的大面积出露。     

新疆乌孙山北缘断裂晚第四纪活动及区域构造意义

乌孙山北缘断裂位于新疆伊宁盆地南部,是伊宁盆地与乌孙山的边界断裂,由多条平行或斜列的次级断层组成.断裂呈近东西走向,总体倾向南,山前主断裂主要表现为高角度逆冲,倾角50°~80°,前缘冲断面相对较缓.断裂上盘主要由石炭系-二叠系组成,下盘主要为第四系和侏罗系,断层两盘沉积物的ESR年代表明断裂带多处错断中、上更新统地层.野外地层接触关系和区域构造研究表明,在中更新世末以来,断裂强烈向北逆冲,与伊犁盆地北缘断裂共同控制了盆山地貌格局.伊宁盆地及邻区中更新世末的区域构造运动与青藏高原的共和运动时代相当,这次事件由南北天山向伊犁盆地的对冲挤压引起,动力来源于青藏高原向外扩展生长.      

Geomorphic and structural evidences of neotectonic activity in the Sub-Himalayan belt of Nahan Salient,NW India

Neotectonism in the Sub-Himalayan belt is not new. Moreover, the word ‘Sub-Himalaya’ is almost synonymous with ‘neotectonic activity’. In the present paper, we report some of the most convincing geomorphic and structural evidences of neotectonic activity from the Sub-Himalayan belt in the Nahan Salient. The geomorphic evidences mainly include the four geomorphic surfaces identified from the transverse topographic profiles drawn parallel to the Himalayan front. These surfaces are commonly covered with terrace deposits that are tilted as well as faulted at a number of places. A number of faults, directly observable in the field, are normal in nature and they are oriented at high angles to the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT). These faults are similar to the E-W extension in southern Tibet in response to the oblique convergence of India at ∼N20°E in the NW Himalaya. They are attributable to the kinematics of neotectonic compression along the HFT, the frontal ramp-oblique ramp-frontal ramp geometry of the thrust fault and related adjustments.     

甘-新北山金窝子金矿田构造控矿解析

金窝子金矿田位于中朝—塔里木板块与哈萨克斯坦板块俯冲碰撞带南缘的甘—新北山中带，是受断裂构造控制的岩浆热液型金矿床。区域构造格局控制成矿带的分布，不同构造单元具有不同的控矿构造型式。金矿田内基本构造格局是走向：NE、倾向NW的低角度逆冲断层及其伴生(派)生的同走向高角度逆冲断层、紧闭褶皱以及与其垂直的高角度横张断层组成的推覆构造体系。NE向低角度逆冲断层控制蚀变糜棱岩型金矿化(以210金矿床为代表)，NNW向高角度横张断层控制石英脉型金矿化(以金窝子金矿床为代表)，而NE向高角度逆冲断层和紧闭褶皱中无金矿化。NE向低角度断层不仅是重要的含矿构造，而且在成矿过程中起着控制成矿物理化学界面的作用。所以，金窝子金矿田2种不同金矿化类型是同一成矿作用在不同控矿构造动力学条件下的具体表现。     

Late Cenozoic Tectonics Along the Northwestern Margin of the Tarim Basin: Interactions Between the Tarim Basin and the Southern Tian Shan, West China

LATE CENOZOIC TECTONICS ALONG THE NORTHWESTERN MARGIN OF THE TARIM BASIN: INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE TARIM BASIN AND THE SOUTHERN TIAN SHAN, WEST CHINAgrants 4 98340 50and 4 9732 0 90fromtheNSFofChina;;andproject96 913 0 7 0 1fromtheMinistryofSci enceandTechnology ,China…     

Concealed thrusts in the Middle Gangetic plain,India – A ground penetrating radar study proves the truth against the geomorphic features supporting normal faulting

As no evidence for thrusting has yet been reported from the Indo-Gangetic plain so, the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) has been considered to be the southern most limit of the Siwaliks to the Indo-Gangetic plain. The present study highlights the thrusting activities between the Gandak and Kosi megafan area in the Middle Gangetic plain. As these thrust sheets are concealed beneath thick sediment cover, direct surficial studies of the discontinuity planes are not possible. Further, the topographic breaks formed by the backward erosion of the uplifted thrust faces resemble normal faults with hanging walls to south. Due to gradual decreasing upliftment and/or erosion from north to south, the area shows a step like topographic appearance. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) studies reveal the concealed thrust planes beneath the sediments and the topographic breaks looking like normal faults are interpreted to be the relief created by backward erosion of the thrust sheets along with the overlying sediments. Out of four GPR profiles taken using 100 MHz antennae, three are across the topographic breaks along which most of the terminal fans are formed and one across the basement fault to study its subsurface nature. Initially GPR failed to strike any subsurface discontinuities at the topographic breaks. However, at certain distance to the south of the topographic breaks, GPR was able to strike the northerly dipping subsurface discontinuity planes. By combining the seismological signatures (distribution of earthquake epicenters) with geomorphology, these discontinuities are identified as thrusts. The GPR profiles show a gradual decrease of dip of the thrust planes from north to south across the area. Hence, by the geomorphology, seismological behavior, topography, orientation and continuity, other topographic breaks can be compared with the proven thrusts. GPR study on the basement fault revealed that the NE–SW trending basement faults are not active in the area. The compression between the South Muzaffarpur fault and the peninsular shield led to the generation of the N–S trending extensional Hathauri–Simariaghat fault with downthrown block towards east. Due to depth penetration limit, the GPR study was confined within 15 m depth. The presence of the discontinuity planes up to the base of the GPR profiles indicate their continuity at least up to the base of Holocene sediments. Although this study brought out the presence of concealed thrusts to the south of the HFT, more detailed work is needed further to study their depth extension, relation to the basement and their implication in Himalayan tectonics in a broad manner. At present, we consider these thrusts to be the splays of the HFT. For confirmation, we propose to carryout detail seismic surveys in future research work.     

黔南地区古生代正断层对构造特征的制约

黔南地区发育东西向的古生代正断层以及南北向的中、新生代逆冲断层和褶皱。通过对地层、褶皱和断层的平面展布、野外地质调查以及地震剖面的解释,结合雪峰隆起的逆冲推覆特征,研究黔南地区古生代正断层对构造特征的制约作用。研究结果表明东西向的古生代正断层在中、新生代的构造变形过程中起构造转换带的作用。通过建立区内构造转换带的几何学模型,对地震线上的构造变形特征进行了解释。在构造转换带（正断层）附近,断层上盘逆冲推覆不明显;在远离断层处,逆冲断层和与断层相关的褶皱发育。随着距离断层面越来越远,构造转换带（正断层）下盘地层的逆冲推覆特征逐渐消失。     

Crustal structure of the ancestral northwestern California forearc region from seismic reflection imaging: implications for convergent margin tectonics

Analysis of a suite of 2-D seismic reflection profiles reveals that the northwestern Sacramento Valley and eastern Coast Range foothills, northern California, are underlain by a system of blind, west-dipping thrust faults. Homoclinally east-dipping and folded Mesozoic marine forearc strata exposed along the western valley margin define the forelimbs of northeast-vergent fault-propagation folds developed in the hanging walls of the thrusts. Exhumed coherent blueschists of the accretionary complex and attenuated remnants of the ophiolitic forearc basement presently exposed in the eastern Coast Ranges are in the hanging wall of the blind thrust system, and have been displaced from their roots in the footwall. Deep, east-dipping magnetic reflectors in the footwall of the thrust system may be fragments of sheared, serpentinized and attenuated ophiolitic basement. Restoration of slip on the thrusts suggests that the Coast Range fault, which is the exposed structural contact between the coherent blueschists and attenuated ophiolite, originally dipped east and is associated with the east-dipping magnetic reflectors in the footwall. This interpretation of the reflection data is consistent with previous inferences about the deep structure in this region, and supports a two-stage model for blueschist exposure in the eastern Coast Ranges: (1) blueschist exhumation relative to the forearc basin by attenuation of the ophiolitic basement along the east-dipping Coast Range fault system in late Cretaceous; (2) blueschists, attenuated ophiolite, and forearc strata all were subsequently uplifted and folded in the hanging wall of the blind thrust system beginning in latest Cretaceous–early Tertiary. The blind thrust system probably rooted in, and was antithetic to, the east-dipping subduction zone beneath the forearc region. Active transpressional plate motion in western California is locally accommodated, in part, by reactivation of blind thrust faults that originally developed during the convergent regime.     

Magnetotelluric impedance tensor analysis for identification of transverse tectonic feature in the Wagad uplift,Kachchh, northwest India

The 2001 Bhuj earthquake (Mw 7.7) occurred in northwestern region of Indian peninsula has reactivated a couple of transverse faults to its surroundings. Intermediate to moderate magnitude earthquakes are occurring along these faults which includes recent Dholavira earthquake (Mw 5.1, 2012) suggesting distinct tectonic scenario in the region. We present the results of magnetotelluric (MT) impedance tensors analyses of 18 sites located along a profile cutting various faults in the uplifted Wagad block of the Kachchh basin. The MT time series of 4–5 days recording duration have been processed and the earth response functions are estimated in broad frequency range (0.01–1000 s). The observed impedance tensors are analyzed by using three decomposition techniques as well as by the phase tensor method constraining with the induction arrows. The analyses suggest distinct tectonic feature within the block bounded by the South Wagad Fault (SWF) and the North Wagad Fault (NWF) particularly in the period band of 1–10 s. In the south of NWF, the telluric vectors and the major axes of the phase ellipses are aligned in the NNW–SSE to NW–SE direction where as a dominant E–W strike is obtained for northern side of the NWF. The transverse geo-electric strike coincides with the prominent clustering of seismicity after the Bhuj earthquake and trend of the Manfara transverse fault is located in close vicinity of the study area. We therefore suggest the presence NNW–SSE trending transverse structural feature in the Wagad uplift of the basin appears to play significant role in the current seismicity of the active intraplate region.     

大凉山次级块体的整体抬升和逆时针转动

大凉山次级块体现今仍处于强烈隆升状态,周边地震活动频繁,对研究青藏高原东缘晚新生代以来的构造变形和隆升方式具有重要意义。本文基于90 m 分辨率的SRTM 数据,对大凉山次级块体及周边地区的高程进行了200 m 间隔的地形重分类,计算了地形起伏度、坡度及横跨主要断裂的廊带剖面,统计对比了该块体和相邻块体之间的高程-坡度分布。结合地震活动、大地电磁测深剖面、GPS 速度场和地质剖面,发现大凉山次级块的整体高程较高、地形较平坦,向四川盆地阶梯式下降。以安宁河断裂与则木河断裂交汇处为界,块体北部和南部的地形地貌差异较大。北部存在大量挤压抬升,南部挤压分量减少,走滑分量有所增加。在四川盆地和川滇块体的挟持下,大凉山次级块体在南东向运动时,以自身的逆时针旋转变形取代了块体内部的结构破坏和差异隆升,实现北部挤压至南部拉张的构造变形转换和整体抬升。