From extension to contraction in syn-orogenic foredeep basins: the Contessa section, Umbria-Marche Apennines, Italy

Syn-orogenic deposits that occupy foredeep basins commonly experience contraction related to the migration of fold-and-thrust systems toward the foreland. This contraction may overprint the earlier extensional deformation that is related to the initiation of the basin. Although predicted by models for foredeep development, evidence for extension predating contraction at different scales is not extensively recorded in syn-orogenic deposits. Mesoscopic structures from the Contessa section, in the Umbria-Marche Apennines, Italy, reveal a complex history, characterized by extension soon before the contractional deformation. Normal faults predate the folds and thrusts that are related to the Miocene-age orogenic event responsible for the development of the Apennines. Extensional deformation may have resulted from flexuring of a lithospheric plate induced by the load of a stacking thrust pile. The transition from extension to contraction could play an important role in the evolution of belt–foredeep–foreland systems, as it could reflect the migration of advancing thrust fronts toward the foreland.     

西北婆罗洲深水褶皱冲断带相关褶皱构造样式

深水褶皱冲断带的构造形态和特征会随着时间而变化进而影响深水油气勘探开发,而针对这个方面的研究在西北婆罗洲褶皱冲断带内相对薄弱.利用地震和地质相结合的方法,确定了逆冲相关褶皱的构造样式,探讨了其形成演化过程和主控因素,建立了研究区逆冲相关褶皱成藏模式.结果表明:研究区深水褶皱冲断带内发育隐伏型、顶部断裂型、滑塌型以及埋藏型4种逆冲相关褶皱构造样式,且平面上这4种逆冲相关褶皱自海向陆依次发育,其中隐伏型背斜褶皱幅度较低,海底无突出地形显示,主要发育于褶皱冲断带最前端;顶部断裂型背斜在海底有清晰的地形显示,以背斜顶部断裂发育为特征;滑塌型背斜顶部受正断层效应影响,翼部发育块体滑塌沉积;埋藏型背斜主要发育于现今陆架边缘附近,上覆厚层沉积层,在海底无突出地形表现.研究区所发育的4种逆冲相关褶皱构造是成因上有密切联系的统一整体,一个典型逆冲相关褶皱的形成大致经历滑脱、初始逆冲、强烈逆冲和埋藏4个阶段,依次发育隐伏型、顶部断裂型、滑塌型以及埋藏型4种背斜构造样式.同时,沿逆冲褶皱冲断带走向,受地形、沉积物供给、天然气水合物发育等因素控制,在同一挤压应力作用下,不同部位发育的逆冲相关褶皱样式存在差异性.在这种特殊的构造背景下,研究区发育独特的断裂控藏模式,极具勘探潜力.      

燕山板内造山带中部“承德逆冲构造”的褶皱相关断裂构造模型

燕山板内造山带中部承德盆地复杂的中生代褶皱及逆冲断裂构造,曾被解释为土城子组沉积之后大型逆冲推覆构造(位移量大于40～45km)又经褶皱变形的结果。近年来,土城子组沉积相和物源区分析、中新元古界沉积古地理研究以及相关构造变形研究结果等,对这一变形大型逆冲构造模型提出了多方位质疑。但已有研究并未提出新的构造模型来解释这一复杂构造区域中生代构造变形样式和形成机制。文中通过对承德盆地区域主体构造——承德向斜、向斜两翼逆冲构造变形几何学与运动学特征、向斜转折端附近构造变形与断裂发育状况进行详细野外调查及对关键地质体同位素地质年代进行测试,发现承德向斜两翼逆冲断层为分别向向斜核部以外区域逆冲的独立逆冲断层,逆冲断层活动与承德向斜变形是在统一的收缩变形体制下准同时形成的。它们形成于土城子组之后、张家口组火山活动之前,即距今约139～136 Ma。据此提出了"承德逆冲构造"的背离向斜逆冲构造模型。这一模型合理地解释了燕山中部承德盆地区域中生代构造变形和相应的盆地充填特征,同时表明,燕山板内造山带并不存在碰撞造山带前陆褶皱逆冲带中常见的大型薄皮逆冲构造样式。这一研究结果展示了褶皱相关断裂构造模型在研究和揭示收缩构造变形区域大尺度褶皱与断裂构造相互关系及准确重建区域构造演化过程方面的重要意义。     

A tectonic origin of magnetic fabric in the Shemshak Group from Alborz Mts. (northern Iran)

The magnetic lineation observed in “undeformed” sedimentary units has been interpreted either as an indication of paleoflow direction, or as a result of tectonic overprint which progressively modifies the original sedimentary fabric related to compactional processes. Distinguishing between the two processes is not always easy. In fact, most studies of the Anistropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) of “undeformed” sequences have been carried out in fine-grained sediments from foredeep sequences, which are characterized by sedimentary flow directions which are almost parallel to the main deformation structures, like thrust faults and folds. In the Alborz Mts., the Upper Triassic–Lower Jurassic Shemshak Group was deposited in a foreland to molassic basin of the Eo-Cimmerian orogen and now outcrops in several folds which are oriented parallel to the curved chain. Paleoflow directions are generally oblique to the main tectonic structures, being directed SSW to SSE and showing negligible changes in their orientation along the Alborz Mountains. We have, therefore, the opportunity to distinguish between tectonic- or sedimentary-related origins of the magnetic lineation. The AMS results show that magnetic lineations of the Shemshak Group are oriented almost parallel to the main fold axes and thrust structures, which follow the Alborz Mts. curved trend, suggesting that magnetic lineation is of tectonic origin in fine to medium grained, mostly massive sandstones, and confirming that AMS is a valuable tool to study deformation processes in sedimentary rocks.     

余姚—丽水断裂带嵊州地区燕山期主要构造特征

余姚—丽水断裂带是浙东南地区活动时间长、延伸远、发育比较宽的一条NE—NNE展布的断裂构造带,在浙江嵊州地区上火山岩系磨石山群和下火山岩系永康群中构造形迹表现十分明显。余姚—丽水断裂带由一系列NE—NNE向控制区内白垩纪盆地形成与发展的正断层,以及NE—NNE走向、自北西向南东逆冲的叠瓦状断层和轴迹呈NE—NNE向的褶皱组成。通过对其构造活动特征及控制新老地层的时序关系研究,结合区域构造活动规律和时空演化关系等综合分析认为: 正断层形成时间较早,控制白垩纪盆地的形成和发展,与早白垩世岩石圈伸展减薄形成的拉张作用密切相关; 叠瓦状逆冲断层及斜歪褶皱、紧闭同斜褶皱等褶、断构造组合形成于晚白垩世之后,其动力学机制可能与古太平洋构造域向太平洋构造域的转换效应有关。研究成果为深入探讨浙东地区燕山期构造演化提供了新的素材和资料。     

Structure and tectonic history of the foreland basins of southernmost South America

The common elements and differences of the neighboring Austral (Magallanes), Malvinas and South Malvinas (South Falkland) sedimentary basins are described and analyzed. The tectonic history of these basins involves Triassic to Jurassic crustal stretching, an ensuing Early Cretaceous thermal subsidence in the retroarc, followed by a Late Cretaceous–Paleogene compressional phase, and a Neogene to present-day deactivation of the fold–thrust belt dominated by wrench deformation. A concomitant Late Cretaceous onset of the foreland phase in the three basins and an integrated history during the Late Cretaceous–Cenozoic are proposed. The main lower Paleocene–lower Eocene initial foredeep depocenters were bounding the basement domain and are now deformed into the thin-skinned fold–thrust belts. A few extensional depocenters developed in the Austral and Malvinas basins during late Paleocene–early Eocene times due to a temporary extensional regime resulting from an acceleration in the separation rate between South America and Antarctica preceding the initial opening of the Drake Passage. These extensional depocenters were superimposed to the previous distal foredeep depocenter, postdating the initiation of the foredeep phase and the onset of compressional deformation. Another pervasive set of normal faults of Paleocene to Recent age that can be recognized throughout the basins are interpreted to be a consequence of flexural bending of the lithosphere, in agreement with a previous study from South Malvinas basin. Contractional deformation was replaced by transpressive kinematics during the Oligocene due to a major tectonic plate reorganization. Presently, while the South Malvinas basin is dominated by the transpressive uplift of its active margin with minor sediment supply, the westward basins undergo localized development of pull-apart depocenters and transpressional uplift of previous structures. The effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere for different sections of each basin is calculated using a dynamic finite element numerical model that simulates the lithospheric response to advancing tectonic load with active sedimentation.     

Tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the Lower Pliocene Periadriatic foredeep in Central Italy

The Periadriatic foredeep (Italy) was generated by Neogene downbending of the Adria Plate under the Apennine Chain. The basin is filled with Plio-Pleistocene siliciclastic turbidites. Its substratum consists of the carbonate succession of the southwestern Adria Plate margin. The influence of the basin’s morphology on sedimentation and subsequent tectonic evolution is investigated in the Abruzzo sector of the foredeep (Cellino Basin). The substratum is composed of Messinian evaporites that dip towards the Apennines (W). A NNW component along the depocentral axis is divided into four blocks with different depths. The substratum was also affected by a Messinian extensional fault system, not involving the overlying Pliocene sequence. This morphology controlled the distribution of the turbidites in the lower part of the Cellino Basin. The Plio-Pleistocene compressional deformation of the foredeep produced an inner complex structure (Internal Structure), involving the foredeep substratum and an outer imbricate thrust system (Coastal Structure), detached over the faulted Messinian evaporites. This thrust system is parallel to the extensional faults, suggesting a strong influence of the substratum morphology on the development of the compressional structures. The overall structural setting was validated with a balanced cross-section. Out-of-sequence thrusting and non-coeval deformation within each thrust sheet characterize the local tectonic history.     

Structural style of the Marathon thrust belt, West Texas

The Marathon portion of the Ouachita thrust belt consists of a highly deformed allochthonous wedge of Cambrian-Pennsylvanian slope strata (Marathon facies) that was transported to the northwest and emplaced over Pennsylvanian foredeep sediments. The foredeep strata in turn overlie early-middle Paleozoic shelfal sediments which are deformed by late Paleozoic basement-involved reverse faults. The Dugout Creek thrust is the basal thrust of the allochthon. Shortening in this sheet and overlying sheets is 80%. Steep imbricate faults link the Dugout Creek thrust to upper level detachments forming complex duplex zones. Progressive thrusting and shortening within the allochthon folded the upper level detachments and associated thrust sheets. The Caballos Novaculite is the most competent unit within the Marathon facies and controlled development of prominent detachment folds.Deeper imbricate sheets composed of the Late Pennsylvanian foredeep strata, and possibly early-middle Paleozoic shelfal sediments developed concurrently with emplacement of the Marathon allochthon and folded the overlying allochthon. Following termination of thrusting in the earliest Permian, subsidence and deposition shifted northward to the Delaware, Midland and Val Verde foreland basins.     

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。      

塔北隆起西部不同构造层构造样式及其成因关系

塔北隆起西部经历多期复杂的构造演化,形成了下中上三个构造层,即震旦系到古生界构造层、中生界—古近系构造层和新近系—第四纪构造层。下构造层发育逆冲断层、褶皱、走滑构造和岩浆底辟构造;中构造层发育负反转构造和正断层;上构造层英买力地区发育盐上逆冲断层构造,东部牙哈地区仍发育负反转构造。不同地区构造层之间的关系不同,牙哈地区中上构造层与下构造层的断裂发育具有很好的继承性：深层逆冲断裂由下向上扩展,控制浅层断裂走向、倾向及其运动性质,它们在浅层发育负反转构造、兼具走滑性质。英买力地区由于发育中寒武统及古近系两侧膏盐层,膏盐层的分隔造成构造层之间构造样式的不协调及其分层性特征。     

Neotectonics of East Anatolian Plateau (Turkey) and Lesser Caucasus: implication for transition from thrusting to strike-slip faulting

The east Anatolian plateau and the Lesser Caucasus are characterised and shaped by three major structures: (1) NW- and NE-trending dextral to sinistral active strike-slip faults, (2) N-S to NNW-trending fissures and /or Plio-Quaternary volcanoes, and (3) a 5-km thick, undeformed Plio-Quaternary continental volcano-sedimentary sequence accumulated in various strike-slip basins. In contrast to the situation in the east Anatolian plateau and the Lesser Caucasus, the Transcaucasus and the Great Caucasus are characterised by WNW-trending active thrust to reverse faults, folds, and 6-km thick, undeformed (except for the fault-bounded basin margins) continuous Oligocene-Quaternary molassic sequence accumulated in actively developing ramp basins. Hence, the neotectonic regime in the Great Caucasus and the Transcaucasus is compressional–contractional, and Oligocene-Quaternary in age; whereas it is compressional–extensional, and Plio-Quaternary in age in the east Anatolian plateau and the Lesser Caucasus.Middle and Upper Miocene volcano-sedimentary sequences are folded and thrust-to-reverse-faulted as a result of compressional–contractional tectonic regime accompanied by mostly calc-alkaline volcanic activity, whereas Middle Pliocene-Quaternary sequences, which rest with angular unconformity on the pre-Middle Pliocene rocks, are nearly flat-lying and dominated by strike-slip faulting accompanied by mostly alkali volcanic activity implying an inversion in tectonic regime. The strike-slip faults cut and displace dykes, reverse to thrust faults and fold axes of Late Miocene age up to maximum 7 km: hence these faults are younger than Late Miocene, i.e., these formed after Late Miocene. Therefore, the time period between late Serravalian (∼ 12 Ma) continent–continent collision of Arabian and Eurasian plates and the late Early Pliocene inversion in both the tectonic regime, basin type and deformation pattern (from folding and thrusting to strike-slip faulting) is here termed as the Transitional period.Orientation patterns of various neotectonic structures and focal mechanism solutions of recent earthquakes that occurred in the east Anatolian plateau and the Caucasus fit well with the N–S directed intracontinental convergence between the Arabian plate in the south and the Eurasian plate in the north lasting since Late Miocene or Early Pliocene in places.     

库车坳陷东部断裂特征与构造演化

山前逆冲褶皱带的几何学和运动学研究属于构造地质学前沿课题,也是全球山前盆地油气勘探开发所关注的问题.综合二维地震剖面、钻测井数据、地质填图资料,建立了库车坳陷东部两类断层几何学和运动学模型,绘制了吐孜洛克断层和东秋里塔格断层断距分布图以及东秋里塔格背斜位移缩短量分布图.研究资料表明库车坳陷东部发育两种类型断层,古近纪发育高角度逆冲断层,造成山前基底抬升,白垩系-古近系被剥蚀;上新世发育低角度逆冲断层,引发库车坳陷中生界-新生界变形,形成盆地腹部隐伏的叠瓦状逆冲构造.      

Structure of the Pre-Paleozoic Formation of the Central Ural Uplift in the Northern and Subpolar Urals and Its Relation with Gold Production

The Central Ural uplift occupies the near-Vodorazdelnaya part of the Urals. It is composed of metaterrigenous and metavolcanogenic Riphean–Vendian formations. Distributed folds, which formed in several stages, and various tectonic faults are widespread. The study of these structures in the areas located in the Northern and Subpolar Urals showed their lateral and temporal variability, which was reflected in the difference in morphology and nature of faulting. In the Vodorazdelnaya area of the Northern Urals, as a result of thrust–fold deformations, a complex fold structure of the sequence was formed, subsequently broken by two submeridional subparallel faults into blocks. In the Khalmerya area of the Subpolar Urals, there are several tectonic blocks bounded by gently eastward dipping and overlapping tectonic blocks that form a duplex structure. This series of thrust structures created a complex cover structure contrasting in composition and degree of deformation. Later, a northeastern strike-slip fault zone arose. The orientation of early isoclinal folds in the rocks indicates pressure from the northeast, during the formation of tectonic scales and sheets in the Precambrian basement. Then this pressure occurred from the southeast and the Lower Paleozoic sediments were involved in the thrust process. Differences in the features of the formation of structures apparently depend on the morphology of the eastern margin of the East European platform and the change in the vector of displacement of the thrust sheet. The movement of the thrust sheets within the continental margin occurred along the main surface of the fault, with which the thrust structures are articulated at depth. At the final stages, extended strike-slip-upthrust zones were established, which affected the distribution of he gold mineralization.

     

The effects of pre-existing normal faults on thrust ramp development: An example from the northern Apennines,Italy

The Umbria-Marche foreland fold-and-thrust belt in the northern Apennines of Italy provides excellent evidence to test the hypothesis of synsedimentary-structural control on thrust ramp development. This orogenic belt consists of platform and pelagic carbonates, Late Triassic to Miocene in age, whose deposition was controlled by significant synsedimentary extension. Normal faulting, mainly active from Jurassic through Late Cretaceous-Paleogene time, resulted in significant lateral thickness variability within the related stratigraphic sequences. By Late Miocene time the sedimentary cover was detached from the underlying basement and was deformed by east-verging folds and west-dipping thrusts. Two restored balanced cross sections through the southernmost part of the belt show a coincidence between the early synsedimentary normal faults and the late thrust fault ramps. These evidences suggest that synsedimentary tectonic structures, such as faults and the related lithological lateral changes, can be regarded as mechanically important controlling factors in the process of thrust ramp development during positive tectonic inversion processes.     

Plio-Quaternary megasequence geometry and its tectonic controls within the Maghrebian thrust belt of south-central Sicily

Sequence stratigraphy in marine foredeep and thrust-top basins is controlled by the conventional variations in eustatic sea-level and sedimentation rate together with tectonics. Vertical motions reflect combinations of subsidence due to regional flexure and uplift on local thrust anticlines which act to modify the volume and shape of accommodation space together with syn-depositional slopes. Plio-Pleistocene successions on Sicily were deposited in thrust-top and foredeep basins, above and ahead of evolving structures of the Maghrebian fold and thrust belt. Collectively the sediments represent a single megasequence defined at its base by a maximum flooding surface of earliest Pliocene age following reconnection with global sea-level at the end of the Messinian. The internal stratigraphy of this megasequence consists of Trubi chalks, blue marls and a coastal calcarenite package with subordinate silciclastic sand. Plankton biostratigraphy allows these facies to be placed in a chronostratigraphic framework. Regionally the upper assemblage progrades away from the orogenic hinterland, recording a tectonically forced regression in response to regional uplift from late Pliocene times. This uplift may be associated with isostatic unloading in the orogenic hinterland due to tectonic collapse of the more internal thrust sheets. Prior to this, flexure from orogenic loading is inferred to have been sufficient for regional subsidence locally to outstrip uplift associated with the growth of some thrust structures. For shallow-water facies the competition between thrust-related uplift and flexural subsidence can be investigated from the stacking patterns of parasequence sets. For structures developed at greater palaeobathymetries receiving fine-grained pelagic sediment, active tectonics may be recognized from depositional hiatuses.     

Evolution of thrust system deformation in an intracratonic chain: Study of the Southern-Central Tunisian Atlas

The development of belt structures in intracratonic chains is guided by the convergence system. In the Southern-Central Tunisian Atlas, several parameters control the evolution of thrust folds during different tectonic phases. One of these phases is tectonic inheritance, which leads to the reactivation of pre-existing normal faults during compressive phases. The angle between the direction of these faults and the shortening axis (NNW-SSE) is the most important parameter for interpreting the mode of the evolution of thrust folds. Jebel Elkebar is an example of a structure developed on NW-SE-oriented faults that is perpendicular to the shortening axis. Based on the geometry of its folds, Jebel Elkebar is interpreted as a 'Fault Related Fold'. The E-W-oriented Orbata structure is oblique to the direction of the shortening axis and is interpreted through the model 'Fault Propagation Fold' with 'Breakthrough'. The Gafsa Fault, which is parallel to the shortening axis, is a transpressional fault interpreted through the 'Strain Partitioning' mode, which is associated with the oblique ramp fold. The development of various thrust folds requires the presence of a basal decollement level during the Triassic succession. In the Southern-Central Tunisian Atlas, the deformation is variable (geometry of fold closure) and is correlated with the depth of the decollement level; indeed, the intensity of deformation is proportional to the depth of the decollement level. Consequently, the most important deformation is in the higher successions and is a vertical migration of the decollement level associated with thin-skinned deformation.     

Neotectonics of East Anatolian Plateau (Turkey) and Lesser Caucasus: implication for transition from thrusting to strike-slip faulting

Abstract

The east Anatolian plateau and the Lesser Caucasus are characterised and shaped by three major structures: (1) NW- and NE-trending dextral to sinistral active strike-slip faults, (2) N-S to NNW-trending fissures and /or Plio-Quatemary volcanoes, and (3) a 5-km thick, undeformed Plio-Quatemary continental volcanosedimentary sequence accumulated in various strike-slip basins. In contrast to the situation in the east Anatolian plateau and the Lesser Caucasus, the Transcaucasus and the Great Caucasus are characterised by WNW-trending active thrust to reverse faults, folds, and 6-km thick, undeformed (except for the fault-bounded basin margins) continuous Oligocene-Quaternary molassic sequence accumulated in actively developing ramp basins. Hence, the neotectonic regime in the Great Caucasus and the Transcaucasus is compressional-contractional, and Oligocene-Quaternary in age; whereas it is compressional-extensional, and Plio-Quatemary in age in the east Anatolian plateau and the Lesser Caucasus.

Middle and Upper Miocene volcano-sedimentary sequences are folded and thrust-to-reverse-faulted as a result of compressional- contractional tectonic regime accompanied by mostly calc-alkaline volcanic activity, whereas Middle Pliocene-Quaternary sequences, which rest with angular unconformity on the pre-Middle Pliocene rocks, are nearly flat-lying and dominated by strike-slip faulting accompanied by mostly alkali volcanic activity implying an inversion in tectonic regime. The strike-slip faults cut and displace dykes, reverse to thrust faults and fold axes of Late Miocene age up to maximum 7 km: hence these faults are younger than Late Miocene, i.e., these formed after Late Miocene. Therefore, the time period between late Serravalian (~ 12 Ma) continent-continent collision of Arabian and Eurasian plates and the late Early Pliocene inversion in both the tectonic regime, basin type and deformation pattern (from folding and thrusting to strike-slip faulting) is here termed as the Transitional period.

Orientation patterns of various neotectonic structures and focal mechanism solutions of recent earthquakes that occurred in the east Anatolian plateau and the Caucasus fit well with the N-S directed intracontinental convergence between the Arabian plate in the south and the Eurasian plate in the north lasting since Late Miocene or Early Pliocene in places. © 2001 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS     

Ancient synsedimentary structural control on thrust ramp development: an example from the Northern Apennines, Italy

The Umbria-Marche-Sabina foreland fold and thrust belt (Northern Apennines, Italy) provides excellent test-cases for the hypothesis of ancient syndepositional structural features controlling thrust ramp development. The sedimentary cover, Late Triassic to Miocene in age, is made of platform and pelagic carbonates, whose deposition was controlled by significant synsedimentary extension. Normal faulting, mainly during the Jurassic and the Late Cretaceous-Palaeogene, determined sensible lateral thickness variations within the relative sequences. By late Miocene the sedimentary cover was detached from its basement along a mainly evaporitic horizon, and was deformed by means of eastward-verging folds and thrusts.
In order to locate the points where thrust ramps branch-off the basal detachment, both line-length and equal-area techniques were used in the construction of a balanced cross-section through three major fault-related folds in southeastern Umbria. The nucleation of thrust ramps was controlled by the occurrence of Jurassic and Cretaceous-Palaeogene synsedimentary normal faults. These interrupted the lateral continuity of the evaporitic unit (the Late Triassic Anidriti di Burano Fm.) at the base of the sedimentary cover, and acted as obstacles to the eastward propagation of the thrust system, giving rise to major folds which originated from tip-line folding processes.
Therefore, the inferred relationships between ancient normal faults and late thrusts indicate that synsedimentary tectonic structures and the related lateral stratigraphic variations can be envisaged as mechanically important perturbations, which effectively control the nucleation and development of thrust ramps.     

扬子北缘复合构造带的结构、演化和动力学

扬子北缘复合构造带位于秦岭—大别造山带南缘与扬子板块北缘之间,由桐柏—大别造山带、武汉—怀宁断褶带、九岭—江南隆起带、瑞昌—铜陵断褶带和大冶—宿松对接带等构造单元组成,是中生代不同时期构造体制叠加,不同方向构造复合、联合的结果。该复合构造带北侧的桐柏—大别山南缘构造带和武汉—怀宁前陆断褶带由北向南逆冲,主要形成于晚印支期,是特提斯构造体制作用的产物; 而南侧的九岭—江南隆起带和瑞昌—铜陵断褶带,则由南向北逆冲,主要形成于早燕山期,是太平洋构造体制作用的产物,同时北侧的大别山南缘构造带和前陆断褶带受到影响,再次活动; 位于该复合构造带中部的大冶—宿松对接带是上述不同构造体制下,不同方向应力叠加,多期构造形迹复合最终形成的复杂构造带。所以,扬子北缘复合构造带是特提斯构造体制与太平洋构造体制转换的产物,是中下扬子两大构造体系转换的经典记录。     

Geomorphic evidence of active deformation and uplift in a modern continental wedge-top–foredeep transition: Example of the eastern Ecuadorian Andes

The eastern Ecuadorian Andes appear as a fold-and-thrust belt adjacent to a continental foredeep represented by one of the world's largest tropical alluvial megafans, the Pastaza megafan, debouching into the Amazonian lowland. The apex of the Pliocene–Pleistocene megafan situated in the present-day wedge top (Subandean Zone) has been cut by an erosion surface, the western part of which has been uplifted of 500 m along the frontal thrust, forming a poorly dissected plateau, the Mera plateau. This erosion surface erased most of the previous fluvial landscape but preserved a large thrust-related anticlinal hinge deforming less erodible underlying strata, the Mirador fold and smaller-sized anticlines. This surface has been then incised by two antecedent major rivers, the Pastaza and the Napo, and few tributaries. The plateau edge is marked by a series of large scale gently sloping landslides clustered along a 70 km long concave eastward line associated with the frontal thrust fault. The newly formed immature rivers issued from the landslides or sourced within east-dipping remnants of the erosion surface downstream of the landslide line constitute the greatest part of the streams feeding the Ecuadorian Amazonian basin. At 70 to 100 km from the landslide line, the drainage abruptly changes from highly immature to mature with a well-defined hinge line representing the outer limit of landslide and tectonic control. The diversions of the Pastaza River indicate ongoing fold growth since at least the late Pleistocene in the Eastern Cordillera, and the early Holocene in the Mera plateau. The preserved terraces of the Pastaza valley are all degradational and are ascribed to periods of tectonic (seismic) activity alternating with periods of tectonic quiescence or decreased seismic activity rather than to climatic events. ¹⁴C dating of the plateau erosion surface and of the upper Pastaza terraces indicates that the minimum average incision rate since 18,000 years BP varies locally in the upper Pastaza valley from 0.5 to 0.67 cm year⁻¹ , increasing from 18,000 years BP to now. A comparison of these incision rates with fold-and-thrust fault uplift rates indicates that incision in the upper Pastaza valley was a result of rapid uplift (up to 1 cm year⁻¹) along the Mirador fold-and-thrust which caused a restoration of the local equilibrium profile of the upper reach, combined with smaller local fault uplift along the westernmost thrust faults. The uplift of the whole Mera plateau with respect to the upper Amazonian basin gives a minimum average uplift rate of 2.8 cm year⁻¹ since 18,000 years BP. The overall uplift of the Mera plateau and the Eastern Cordillera is likely to have been caused by a regional-scale low angle thrust ramp emerging as the frontal thrust fault.