Structural trends in the Cuddapah basin from deep seismic soundings (DSS) and their tectonic implications

Structural trends in the upper Proterozoic Cuddapah basin, at the basement level and at the Moho level have been discussed based on Deep Seismic Sounding (DSS) studies. Results of DSS studies along the Alampur-Koniki profile (profile 2 of Fig. 1) crossing the northern part of the Cuddapah basin have been discussed in detail. These results, combined with the results of the Kavali-Paranpalle section of the Kavali-Udipi DSS profile (profile 1 of Fig. 1, Kaila et al., 1979) crossing the basin on its southern flank, along with geological data and earthquake epicentral locations, are used to explain the structural trends of the area. It has been shown that the Cuddapah basin was first created in its western part by downfaulting of the crustal block between faults 7 and 14 towards the west and fault 6 in the east (Fig. 1). Subsequently, the eastern part was downfaulted against fault 6 before the commencement of upper Cuddapah sedimentation. Further downfaulting towards the north along fault 5 created the Srisailam block. Minor-scale downfaulting between faults 7 and 13 in the west and fault 6 in the east and fault 8 in the north gave rise to the Kurnool sub-basin at a later stage. Similar downfaulting east of fault 9 and north of fault 5 gave rise to the Palnad sub-basin. Both these sub-basins received Kurnool sediments.After the close of Kurnool sedimentation, the blocks between faults 4 and 6 along profile II and between 11 and 6 along profile I were uplifted at the basement level, thus giving rise to the Nallamalai hills and Iswarakuppam dome (Fig. 1). The low-angle thrust fault 3 on the eastern margin of the Cuddapah basin might be a post-Cuddapah phenomenon. The low-angle thrust fault 2 probably occurred in the post-Dharwar period. Faults 1, 17 and 10 near the east coast of India seem to be comparatively younger probably of Mesozoic time, along which the coastal block is downfaulted giving rise to the sedimentary basins.     

Deformation Pattern in the Kurnool and Nallarnalai Groups in the Northeastern Part (Palnad Area) of the Cuddapah Basin, South India and its Implication on Rodinia/Gondwana Tectonics

The Proterozoic basins of India adjoining the Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt (EGGB) in eastern and southern India contain both Mesproterozoic and Neoproterozoic successions. The intracratonic set-up and contractional deformation fo the Neoproterozoc successions in the Paland sub-basin in the northeastern part of Cuddapah basin and similar crustal shortening in contemporaneous successions lying west of the EGGB and Nellore Schist Belt (NSB) are considered in relation to the proposed geodynamic evolution of the the Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinents. Tectonic shortening in the Palnad sub-basin (northeast Cuddapah), partitioned into top-to-westnorthwest thrust shear, flexural folds and cleavage development under overall E-W contraction, suggests foreland style continental shortening within an intracratonic set-up. A thrust sheet containing the Nallamalai rocks and overlying the Kurnool rocks in the northeastern part of Palnad sub-basin exhibits early tight to isoclinal folds and slaty (phylllitic) cleavage, which can be correlated with early Mesoproterozoic deformation structures in the nothern Nallamalai Fold Belt (NFB). NNE-SSW trending folds and cleavage affect the Kurnool Group and overprint earlier structures in the thrust sheet. Thrusting of the Nallamalai rocks and the later structures may have been related to convergence of the Eastern Ghats terrane and the East-Dharwar-Bastar craton during Early Neoproterozoic (Greenvillian) and/or later rejuvenation related to Pan-African amalgamation of East and West Gondwana.     

Controlled Source Audio Magneto Telluric (CSAMT) studies for uranium exploration in Durgi area,Palnad sub-basin,Cuddapah basin,India

Cuddapah basin is known for hosting unconformity proximal uranium deposits viz., Lambapur, Peddagattu, Chitirial and Koppunuru along the northern margin of the basin. It is well known that these deposits are mostly associated with basement granitoids in Srisailam Sub-basin, and with cover sediments in Palnad subbasin where basement topography and fault/fracture system influence the fluid flow causing basement alteration and ore deposition. Geological setup, surface manifestation of uranium anomalies and association of the hydro-uranium anomalies near Durgi area in southern part of the Palnad sub-basin, have prompted detail investigation by geophysical methods to probe greater depths. Controlled Source Audio Magneto Telluric (CSAMT) survey conducted over five decades of frequency (0.1-9600 Hz) delineated the various lithounits of Kurnool and Nallamalai Groups along with their thicknesses as there exist an appreciable resistivity contrast. Interpretation of CSAMT sounding data are constrained by resistivity logs and litholog data obtained from the boreholes drilled within the basin indicated three to four layered structure. Sub-surface 2-D and 3-D geo-electrical models are simulated by stitching 1-D layered inverted resistivity earth models. Stitched 1-D inverted resistivity sections revealed the unconformity between the Kurnool Group and Nallamalai Group along with basement undulations. The faults/fractures delineated from the CSAMT data corroborated well with the results of gravity data acquired over the same area. Simulated 3-D voxel resistivity model helped in visualising the faults/fractures, their depth extent, thickness of the Banganapalle quartzite and basement configuration. Integrated interpretation of CSAMT, gravity and borehole data facilitated in delineating the unconformity and the structural features favourable for uranium mineralisation in deeper parts of the Palnad sub-basin.     

Deep Crustal Electrical Signatures of Eastern Dharwar Craton, India

Wide band magnetotelluric (MT) investigations were carried out along a profile from Kavali in the east to Anantapur towards west across the Eastern Ghat Granulite Terrain (EGGT), Eastern Dhanvar Craton (EDC) and a Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin. This 300 km long profile was covered with 20 stations at an interval of 12–18 km. The MT data is subjected to robust processing, decomposition and static shift correction before deriving a 2-D model. The model shows a resistive crust (−10,000–30,000 ohm-m) to a depth of 8–10 km towards west of the Cuddapah basin. The mid crust is less resistive (about 500 ohm-m) and the lower crust with a slight increase in resistivity (about 1,500 ohm-m) in the depth range of 20–22 km. The resistivity picture to the east of the Cuddapah basin also showed a different deep crustal structure. The resistivity of upper crust is about 5,000 ohm-m and about 200 ohm-m for mid and lower crust. The sediment resistivity of Cuddapah basin is of the order of 15–20 ohm-m. MT model has shown good correlation with results from other geophysical studies like deep seismic sounding (DSS), gravity and magnetics. The results indicate that the lower crustal layers are of intermediate type showing hydrous composition in Eastern Dhanvar Craton.     

Crustal structure from deep seismic soundings along the Koyna II (Kelsi-Loni) profile in the Deccan Trap area, India

The crustal depth section obtained from deep seismic soundings along the Koyna II (Kelsi-Loni) profile, which lies near latitude 18°N roughly in the east-west direction in that part of the Deccan Trap Maharashtra State, India, shows a number of reflection segments below the Deccan Traps down to the Moho discontinuity. A deep fault below the Deccan Traps 13 km east of Mahad divides the entire cross-section including the Moho boundary into two crustal blocks. The reflection segments show updip towards the west coast in the western block. The Moho discontinuity which is at a depth of 39 km near the deep fault starts rising towards the coast, reaching a depth of 31.5 km at the west coast. The eastern block is thrown up by 1.5 km with respect to the western block along the deep fault. A structural contour map of the Moho discontinuity for the Koyna reservoir area has been prepared from the present results and the crustal information obtained along the Koyna I profile (Kaila et al., 1979a), shows that the deep fault in the Koyna area is aligned in the NNW-SSE direction.Refraction seismic data analysis by the wave front method reveals that the thickness of the Deccan Trap increases towards the west coast. The Deccan Trap is 600–700 m thick in the eastern region between Nira (SP 130) and Loni (SP 200) and attains a thickness of 1500 m at 10 km east of the west coast. The longitudinal wave velocity in the Deccan Traps along the profile varies from 4.8 to 5.0 km/sec and in the crystalline basement from 6.0 to 6.15 km/sec. A tentative isopach contour map of the Deccan Traps and a tentative structural contour map of the Pre-Deccan Trap contact have been prepared for the Koyna reservoir area from the results along the Koyna II and Koyna I profiles. A flexure aligned in a NNW-SSE direction, in the Pre-Deccan Trap contact, which is an expression of the deep fault into the basement, has been clearly brought out. The flexure coincides in general with the orientation of the Deccan volcanic scarp in this area.     

Inversion of calcite twin data,paleostress reconstruction and multiphase weak deformation in cratonic interior – Evidence from the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin,India

Paleostress orientations from mechanically twinned calcite in carbonate rocks and veins in the neighborhood of large faults were investigated to comment on the nature of weak upper crustal stresses affecting sedimentary successions within the Proterozoic Cuddapah basin, India. Application of Turner's P–B–T method and Spang's Numerical dynamic analysis on Cuddapah samples provided paleostress orientations comparable to those derived from fault-slip inversion. Results from the neighborhood of E–W faults cutting through the Paleoproterozoic Papaghni and Chitravati groups and the Neoproterozoic Kurnool Group in the western Cuddapah basin, reveal existence of multiple deformation events − (1) NE–SW σ₃ in strike-slip to extensional regime along with an additional event having NW–SE σ_3, for lower Cuddapah samples; (2) compressional/transpressional event with ESE–WNW or NNE–SSW σ₁ mainly from younger Kurnool samples.Integrating results from calcite twin data inversion, fault-slip analysis and regional geology we propose that late Mesoproterozoic crustal extension led to initial opening of the Kurnool sub-basin, subsequently influenced by weak compressional deformation. The dynamic analysis of calcite twins thus constrains the stress regimes influencing basin initiation in the southern Indian cratonic interior and subsequent basin inversion in relation to craton margin mobile belts and plausible global tectonic events in the Proterozoic.     

Geophysical studies of the major sedimentary basins of the indian craton, their deep structural features and evolution

The peninsular shield of India is characterized by a number of intra-cratonic sedimentary basins of which the Cuddapah and Vindhyan Basins are conspicuous.The crescent-shaped Cuddapah Basin (~1400 m.y.) covering roughly 35,000 square kilometers in the southern peninsula and enclosing the Cuddapah formations (Precambrian) includes shallow marine shales, limestones, sandstones and quartzites. These sediments are overlain by the younger Kurnool formations of Vindhyan (Upper Precambrian) age in the western and northern marginal portions of the basin and are intruded by basaltic sils and dykes. The eastern margin of the basin is characterized by an overthrust with steeply folded beds, while in the remaining parts, the formations show a gentle eastward dip. Evidence for Recent epeirogenic movements is provided by geomorphic features and current seismicity.The Great Vindhyan Basin of north-central India covering more than 100,000 square kilometers encloses Vindhyan sediments including some marine shales and limestones in the lower parts and shallow-water deposits of red sandstones and shales in the upper parts. The beds are generally horizontal, but are strongly disturbed along the southern margin. There are intrusions of basaltic dykes and kimberlite pipes.The Gondwana basins (Upper Carboniferous to Jurassic) are relatively smaller cratonic units in Archaean faulted troughs.Gravity and magnetic investigations, both regional and detailed, supplemented by deep seismic sounding profiles in the Cuddapah Basin have brought out the deep structural features of the basin, including the Moho, indicating a total thickness of generally 5–8 km with a maximum thickness of sediments of nearly 12 km in the eastern part. The beds show both a layered structure in the horizontal and block structure in the vertical, disturbed by a low-angle thrust fault on the eastern margin. In the Vindhyan Basin, the gravity and magnetic data indicate about 5000 m of sediments in the central portions, with major, roughly faults over the western and southern margins.The deep structural features of these intra-cratonic basins, as indicated by the geophysical results, are discussed in relation to the geological theories proposed for their genesis and development.     

南海南部地壳结构的重力模拟及伸展模式探讨

对南海南部地壳结构研究有助于揭示南海完整的演化历史。本研究对南海南部获取的两条多道地震剖面进行了地震 解释,并对重力数据进行了壳幔密度反演。其中 NH973-1 测线始于南海西南次海盆,覆盖了南沙中部的北段;NH973-2 测 线始于南海东部次海盆,穿越礼乐滩东侧。反演结果显示,莫霍面埋深在海盆区 10~11 km,陆缘区 15~21 km 左右,洋壳向 陆壳莫霍面深度迅速增加。海盆区厚度在 6~7 km,为典型的洋壳;陆缘区地壳厚度在 15~19 km,为减薄型地壳。进一步研 究表明(1)在西南次海盆残余扩张脊之下,莫霍面比两侧略深;(2)在礼乐滩外侧海盆区有高值重力异常体,推测为洋壳与深 部岩浆混合的块体;(3)南沙区域上地壳存在高密度带,且横向上岩性可能变化。南海南部陆缘未发现有下地壳高速层,有 比较一致的构造属性和拉张样式,为非火山型陆缘。我们对两条测线陆缘的伸展因子进行了计算,发现上地壳脆性拉伸因 子与全地壳拉伸因子存在差异,其陆缘的拉张模式在纵向上是不均匀一的。     

Seismic image of the deep crust at the eastern margin of the Alps (Austria): indications for crustal extension in a convergent orogen

A 39-km-long deep seismic reflection profile recorded during two field campaigns in 1996 and 2002 provides a first detailed image of the deep crust at the eastern margin of the Eastern Alps (Austria). The ESE–WNW-trending, low-fold seismic line crosses Austroalpine basement units and extends approximately from 20 km west of the Penninic window group of Rechnitz to 60 km SSE of the Alpine thrust front.The explosive-source seismic data reveals a transparent shallow crust down to 5 km depth, a complexly reflective upper crust and a highly reflective lowermost crust. The upper crust is dominated by three prominent west-dipping packages of high-amplitude subparallel reflections. The upper two of these prominent packages commence at the eastern end of the profile at about 5 and 10 km depth and are interpreted as low-angle normal shear zones related to the Miocene exhumation of the Rechnitz metamorphic core complex. In the western portion of the upper crust, east-dipping and less significant reflections prevail. The lowermost package of these reflections is suggested to represent the overall top of the European crystalline basement.Along the western portion of the line, the lower crust is characterised by a 6–8-km-thick band of high-amplitude reflection lamellae, typically observed in extensional provinces. The Moho can be clearly defined at the base of this band, at approximately 32.5 km depth. Due to insufficient signal penetration, outstanding reflections are missing in the central and eastern portion of the lower crust. We speculate that the result of accompanying gravity measurements and lower crustal sporadic reflections can be interpreted as an indication for a shallower Moho in the east, preferable at about 30.5 km depth.The high reflectivity of the lowermost part of the lower crust and prominent reflection packages in the upper crust, the latter interpreted to represent broad extensional mylonite zones, emphasises the latest extensional processes in accordance with eastward extrusion.     

The age of the Cuddapah and Kurnool systems,southern India

In southern India the older Precambrian is overlain unconformably in the Cuddapah Basin by the Cuddapah and Kurnool Systems. The former is tilted and unmetamorphosed in the west but eastwards becomes strongly folded and metamorphosed. It contains lavas and sills, particularly in the lower two groups, is intruded by dolerites and at Chelima by diatremes of kimberlitic affinities related to those intruding the older gneisses west of the Cuddapah Basin in the Wajrakarur area. The Kurnool System lacks any igneous rocks; its basal conglomerate is diamondi‐ferous.

Rb‐Sr dating of lava samples from the lowest group of the Cuddapah System shows that the age of the base of the system may be as great as 1,700 m.y. Together with data for a granite which intrudes probable Cuddapah rocks near the disturbed eastern margin of the basin the data imply that the base is unlikely to be younger than 1,555 m.y. Metamorphism affected some lavas at about 1,360 m.y. The diatremes have two ages of intrusion, about 1,225 m.y. and 1,140 m.y., the latter being the age of the Majhgawan pipe near Panna in northern India. Pre‐Kurnool dolerites have an age of 980 ±110 m.y.

The lavas and dolerites show a range of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Rb ratios from about 0.704 to 0.708 and possibly 0.712.

The age data suggest that no simple correlation can be made with other Precambrian sequences in northern peninsular India. Deposition of the Cuddapah System appears to have started well before the start of the deposition of the Vindhyan System, while the Kurnool System is coeval with only part of the Upper Vindhyan. The data also suggest that present interpretations of the structural development of the Cuddapah Basin may need some revision.     

Crustal density model across West Bengal basin,India: An integrated interpretation of seismic and gravity data

An integrated interpretation of the seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection data, geological and structural details, bore-hole litholog information and gravity particulars along Beliator-Burdwan-Bangaon deep seismic sounding (DSS) profile in West Bengal basin has helped in getting a crustal density model. This model is consistent with all available surface and bore-hole geophysical data that can realistically explain the trend, shape and magnitude of gravity data across the West Bengal basin. The present exercise pointed out that the thick sedimentary column (with thickening trend towards east), conspicuous lateral variations in the Moho configuration (with a prominent 40 km wide domal feature covering the eastern part of the stable shelf and trie western segment of the deep basinal part) coupled with the structural trends in the basement, mid and lower crustal columns have combinedly contributed to the gravity effect and as such the prominent lateral variations in the Bouguer gravity anomalies could be mainly attributed to regionally extending causative factors. The synthesis clearly points out the need to take proper care in selecting the density values as direct conversion of velocities into densities, adapting well-known conversion formulae, does not always hold good specially in the eastern part of the West Bengal basin where a huge thickness of sediments (velocities ranging between 4 to 5 km/sec) of high density 2.6 to 2.8 g/cm³ are sandwiched between younger sediments and the crystalline basement.     

印度南部元古代Cudappah盆地白云岩中的菱镁矿成矿作用及其构造-气候指示意义

Cudappah盆地是位于印度南部的一个元古代盆地，盆地中含有许多矿床，包括菱镁矿和滑石矿。该盆地发育于Chat活动带东部边缘，并发育沙质、粘土质和碳酸盐岩的多期重复沉积旋回。盆地可划分为四个次级盆地，即Papaghni、Nallamalai、Srisailam和Kurnool次级盆地。晶质菱镁矿床赋存于Papashni次级盆地的Vempalli组地层中。每个次级盆地很可能都沿着一系列裂谷中的断块发育，并且这些裂谷形成于中元古代的热事件。每个沉积旋回中发育有相似的沉积岩套表明，在盆地演化过程中具有相同的构造和气候环境。根据盆地中矿床(重晶石矿、菱镁矿和滑石矿)的产出，我们对每个次级盆地均提出了一个多期重复沉积旋回的演化模式，该旋回包括了从角砾岩到白云岩的变化。     

庐江-枞阳矿集区深部结构与成矿

为探测长江中下游成矿带庐江?枞阳白垩纪火山岩盆地和铁、硫矿集区深部构造和地壳结构, 探讨成矿深部控制条件, 作者完成了穿越火山岩盆地的深反射地震剖面(记录30 s)和罗河铁矿区浅层高分辨反射地震剖面, 揭示了矿集区全地壳精细结构, 同时开展区域构造测量和应力场反演研究, 获得了新的认识。证实“耳状”的庐?枞火山岩盆地是一个沿北东向罗河断裂向东发育的非对称火山盆地, 排除了另一半被断在西侧红层之下的判断;罗河断裂是一条切穿MOHO的深断裂, 倾向南东, 是引导地幔流体和岩浆上涌和喷发的通道;鉴别出多层界面, 火山岩?侏罗系砂岩厚约4?5 km(其中火山岩厚度约3 km), 三叠系?震旦系变形层底界深度大致18?20 km, 变质基底组成中下地壳, MOHO平缓向西北倾, 深度33?31 km;追踪郯?庐断裂带的深部产状, 陡立延伸到MOHO, 宽约10 km。     

Detrital mineral age,radiogenic isotopic stratigraphy and tectonic significance of the Cuddapah Basin,India

The Cuddapah Basin is one of a series of Proterozoic basins that overlie the cratons of India that, due to limited geochronological and provenance constraints, have remained subject to speculation as to their time of deposition, sediment source locations, and tectonic/geodynamic significance.Here we present 21 new, stratigraphically constrained, U–Pb detrital zircon samples from all the main depositional units within the Cuddapah Basin. These data are supported by Hf isotopic data from 12 of these samples, that also encompass the stratigraphic range, and detrital muscovite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data from a sample of the Srisailam Formation. Taken together, the data demonstrate that the Papaghni and lower Chitravati Groups were sourced from the Dharwar Craton, in what is interpreted to be a rift basin that evolved into a passive margin. The Nallamalai Group is here constrained to be deposited between 1659 ± 22 Ma and ~ 1590 Ma. It was sourced from the coeval Krishna Orogen to the east, and was deposited in its foreland basin. Nallamalai Group detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope values directly overlap with similar data from the Ongole Domain metasedimentary rocks. Depositional age constraints on the Srisailam Formation are permissive with it being coeval with the Nallamalai Group and it was possibly deposited within the same basin. The Kurnool Group saw a return to Dharwar Craton derived provenance and is constrained to being Neoproterozoic. It may represent deposition in a long-wavelength basin forelandward of the Tonian Eastern Ghats Orogeny. Detrital zircons from the Gandikota Formation, which is traditionally considered a part of the Chitravati Group, constrain it to being deposited after 1181 ± 29 Ma, more than 700 Ma after the lower Chitravati Group. It is possible that the Gandikota Formation is correlative with the Kurnool Group.The new data suggest that the Nallamalai Group correlates temporally and tectonically with the Somanpalli Group of the Pranhita–Godavari Valley Basin, which is tightly constrained to being deposited at ~ 1620 Ma. These syn-orogenic foreland basin deposits firmly link the SE India Proterozoic basins to their orogenic hinterland with their discovery filling a ‘missing-link’ in the tectonic development of the region.     

青藏高原东北缘岩石圈密度与磁化强度及动力学含义

利用横贯柴达木盆地南北的格尔木—花海子剖面岩石圈二维P波速度结构以及地震波速度与介质密度之间的关系,建立了该剖面岩石圈二维密度结构与二维磁化强度的初始模型。依据重磁同源原理,在柴达木盆地重、磁异常的二重约束下完成了重磁联合反演,获得了该剖面岩石圈二维密度结构与二维磁化强度分布。结果表明:柴达木盆地地壳厚度沿测线变化较大,平均厚度约60km。在柴达木盆地南缘地壳厚约50km,达布逊湖附近地壳最厚为63km左右,大柴旦附近地壳较薄,为50km左右。柴达木盆地的地壳纵向上可分为三层,即上地壳、中地壳与下地壳。位于盆地中部的中、下地壳分别发育大范围的壳内低密度体,并处于上地幔隆起的背景之上;横向上可将盆地分成南北两个部分,分界在达布逊湖附近。整个剖面结晶基底埋深变化也很大,在达布逊湖附近为12km,在昆仑山北缘基底几乎出露地表。结晶基底的展布形态与地壳底界,即莫霍面呈近似镜像对称。综合研究认为,柴达木盆地的岩石圈结构存在着明显的南北差异,其分界在达布逊湖的北面。在盆地南部,岩石圈介质横向变化较小,各层介质分布正常;在盆地的北侧,岩石圈结构特别在中、下地壳和上地幔顶部横向上发生了变化。壳内低密度体的存在意味着柴达木盆地具有较热的岩石圈和上地幔,加之基底界面与莫霍面的镜像对称分布,形成与准噶尔盆地和塔里木盆地的构造差异。多种地球物理参数所揭示的地壳上地幔结构及其横向变化特点为柴达木盆地构造演化及青藏高原北部边界的地球动力学研究提供了岩石圈尺度的地球物理证据。     

Crustal structure of the Paleozoic Kunlun orogeny from an active-source seismic profile between Moba and Guide in East Tibet, China

We herein present a new seismic refraction/wide-angle reflection profile that crosses the Songpan–Ganzi terrane, the Animaqing suture zone and the eastern Kunlun mountains (comprised of the South Kunlun and Middle Kunlun blocks separated by the Middle Kunlun fault). The profile is 380 km long and extends from Moba to Guide in eastern Tibet. The crustal thickness is about 62 km under the Songpan–Ganzi terrane, 62–64 km under the South Kunlun, and 60 km under the Middle Kunlun block. The Songpan–Ganzi flysch seems to be present up to a depth of 15 km south of the Animaqing suture zone, and up to a depth of 10 km in the Middle Kunlun block, with thicknesses elsewhere that depend on assumptions about the likely lithologies. The profile exhibits clear lateral variations both in the upper and lower crust, which are indicative of different crustal blocks juxtaposed by the Kunlun fault system. Whether or not the Songpan–Ganzi flysch was originally deposited on oceanic crust, at the longitude of our profile (100°E) it is now underlain by continental crust, and the presence of continental crust beneath the Songpan–Ganzi terrane and of a continental arc under the South Kunlun block suggest Paleozoic continent–continent arc collision in the eastern Kunlun Mountains. Comparison of crustal velocity columns from all wide-angle seismic profiles across the eastern Kunlun mountains indicates a remarkable west-to-east change in the Moho topography across the Kunlun fault system (15–20 km Moho step at 95°E, but only 2–5 km along our profile at 100°E). Lower-crustal thickness of the Kunlun terranes is rather uniform, about 35 km, from 80°–95°E, which suggests that similar thrust-thickening processes have played a role where the Qaidam Basin abuts the Kunlun fault, but thins to 20–25 km at 100°E, east of the Qaidam Basin. The increased crustal thickness from 93° to 98°E compared to that at 100°E may be due to the differences in the thickness of the crust of the two plates before their collision, and/or largely achieved by thickening of the lower crust, perhaps indicating a crustal flow mechanism operating more strongly in the western region.     

南海西北次海盆及其邻区地壳结构和构造意义

西北次海盆的深部地壳结构蕴含着南海北部陆缘拉张过程的重要信息.广角反射/折射测线(OBS2006-2)长386 km,是目前唯一的一条沿NEE向穿过西沙地块、并平行于西北次海盆扩张脊的深地震测线.通过射线追踪与走时模拟方法(RAYINVR),获得了OBS2006-2测线下方的速度结构.结果表明:西沙地块的沉积层厚度约为1~2 km,而西北次海盆的沉积层厚度大约为2~3 km;Moho界面从西沙地块的27 km逐步抬升到西北次海盆的12 km,Moho界面下方的速度为7.8~8.0 km/s;未发现壳内高速层和低速层.在西沙地块和西北次海盆的过渡区,有着较大量的岩浆活动信息,推测与西北次海盆的初始扩张有关.OBS2006-2测线中114.5°E以西的地区为减薄的陆壳,而114.5°E以东的地区为洋壳,莫霍面在陆壳与洋壳的结合处剧烈抬升,地壳厚度明显减薄.西北次海盆的扩张脊下方可能有残余岩浆的存在.      

北黄海盆地东部前中生界基底特征

北黄海盆地是中国近海唯一未获得油气突破及勘探程度最低的含油气盆地（朝鲜已在该盆地东部实现了工业性油气突破）,朝鲜在东部凹陷的3口钻井证实北黄海盆地东部凹陷主体前中生界基底是下古生界(Pz₁)地层,与上覆以砂泥岩为主的中-新生界地层在地球物理特征上有很大差异,该特征提供了以地球物理资料推断和确定中-新生界盆地基底特征的可靠性。通过重力、磁力及大量多道地震资料解释认为,北黄海盆地前中生界基底最大埋深约5.5 km,凹陷主体部位前中生界基底以下古生界碳酸盐岩为主,其东北角可能存在上古生界碎屑岩基底,而凹陷南部可能是元古界浅变质岩基底。     

中南-礼乐断裂带在南海海盆北部的时空展布与深部结构

中南-礼乐断裂带是协调南海各次海盆扩张的重要断裂.深入研究中南-礼乐断裂带时空展布和深部结构对于认识南海海盆多期次海底扩张和构造演化具有重要意义.本文主要基于深反射多道地震的精细剖析,结合重力、磁力与地形等地质与地球物理资料,揭示了中南-礼乐断裂带在南海海盆北部的时空展布特征、内部构造形变及其深部结构特征.结果表明:中...