Neotectonic transpressional intraplate deformation in eastern Eurasia: Insights from active fault systems in the southeastern Korean Peninsula

Transpression occurs in response to oblique convergence across a deformation zone in intraplate regions and plate boundaries. The Korean Peninsula is located at an intraplate region of the eastern Eurasian Plate and has been deformed under the ENE–WSW maximum horizontal compression since the late Pliocene. In this study, we analyzed short-term instrumental seismic (focal mechanism) and long-term paleoseismic (Quaternary fault outcrop) data to decipher the neotectonic crustal deformation pattern in the southeastern Korean Peninsula. Available (paleo-)seismic data acquired from an NNE–SSW trending deformation zone between the Yangsan and Ulleung fault zones indicate spatial partitioning of crustal deformation by NNW–SSE to NNE–SSW striking reverse faults and NNE–SSW striking strike-slip faults, supporting a strike-slip partitioned transpression model. The instantaneous and finite neotectonic strains, estimated from the focal mechanism and Quaternary outcrop data, respectively, show discrepancies in their axes, which can be attributed to the switching between extensional and intermediate axes of finite strain during the accumulation of wrench-dominated transpression. Notably, some major faults, including the Yangsan and Ulsan fault zones, are relatively misoriented to slip under the current stress condition but, paradoxically, have more (paleo-)seismic records indicating their role in accommodating the neotectonic transpressional strain. We propose that fluids, heat flow, and lithospheric structure are potential factors affecting the reactivation of the relatively misoriented major faults. Our findings provide insights into the accommodation pattern of strain associated with the neotectonic crustal extrusion in an intraplate region of the eastern Eurasian Plate in response to the collision of the Indian Plate and the subduction of the Pacific/Philippine Sea Plates.     

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.     

Geodynamics of the Amirante Ridge and Trench Complex,Western Indian Ocean

The formation and evolution of the ～600 km long arcuate Amirante Ridge and Trench Complex (ARTC) is a significant geomorphic–structural feature in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). The WIO contains evidence of at least two major magmatic episodes followed by continental rifting within the span of a little more than 20 million years. This involved the splitting of Madagascar from India at around 85 Ma and then separation between India and the Seychelles at 64–63 Ma as a possible consequence of two powerful volcanic eruptions from the Marion and Reunion hot spots, respectively. Formation and evolution of the ARTC represents this tumultuous period in the Indian Ocean, approximately between 85 and 60 Ma (Late Cretaceous–Early Tertiary).

We integrated geophysical, palaeomagnetical, and petrological data to examine three existing models that attempt to explain the formation of ARTC. In contrast, our study hints at several stages of extension and compression responsible for its formation. Our integrated data also suggest that the Carlsberg Ridge may have played a prominent role in the evolution of the ARTC that seems to have formed through a ridge-jump process after the conjugate spreading centres – Mascarene and Palitana ridges formed earlier during the India–Madagascar separation – ceased spreading because of violent eruption of the Reunion hot spot at around 65 Ma. The eruption disturbed the plumbing system of magma ascent, resulting in cessation of spreading along the conjugate spreading centres, forcing a ridge jump.

A collage of seismic refraction and reflection, free-air gravity, magnetic anomaly data, and Ar dating of rocks indicates that as the Carlsberg Ridge swept the Seychelles towards south, the crust between Madagascar and the Seychelles was increasingly compressed, with the abandoned northern Mascarene spreading centre absorbing the maximum stress. With continued compression, the western limb of the abandoned spreading ridge was thrust below the eastern limb to a limited degree. This partial subduction agrees with the gravity and seismic results. Our new study also accounts for the anomalous presence of 14 km-thick oceanic crust beneath the ARTC and its characteristic difference in petrology with other established subduction zones in the world.     

2019年四川长宁MS6.0地震的地质构造成因——区域性构造节理贯通、破裂结果

根据野外地质调查结果并结合区域地质资料, 对2019年长宁MS6.0地震震区的地质背景和新构造运动特征进行分析后, 讨论了此次地震的发震构造并给出该地区孕震模型。基于区域地质与地震资料, 结合地表调查结果发现, 该区的新构造运动具有间歇性整体弱隆升、断裂晚第四纪活动不明显以及地震活动相对微弱等特征。此次强震的仪器震中位于长宁双河大背斜的西段, 该背斜经历了古老的NE向挤压应力场和顺时针旋转应力场的双重叠加构造作用。在大背斜的核部和翼部普遍发育了两组NW向节理和一组NE向节理, 并显示出区域性分布特征, 构成了具一定规模的构造破碎带(软弱带)。地震记录显示, 此次强震的地震序列呈现出明显的NW向线性条带, 震源机制解主要指示了NEE—NE向水平挤压应力作用的结果。结合地表构造特征可进一步推断, 长宁地震的震源破裂型式是以沿NW向破裂面发生以逆冲为主兼具左旋走滑分量的破裂过程为特征。综合分析认为, 2019年长宁MS6.0地震可能是双河背斜中的赋存超压环境叠加NE向古构造应力场和旋转应力场作用, 导致区域性NW向纵向节理发生构造强化、贯通, 并进一步破裂的结果。     

汶川地震断裂带科学钻探1号井(WFSD-1)非弹性应变恢复法(ASR法)三维地应力测试与"5.12"汶川地震的形成机制

汶川地震断裂带科学钻探1号井(WFSD-1)的ASR三维地应力测试结果表明,龙门山前陆逆冲带与其下伏的龙门山前陆盆地和上覆的松潘-甘孜地块的构造及地应力状态存在有重大差异。从整体上看,在汶川地震中,龙门山前陆逆冲带表现为在强烈的区域性挤压背景下,深部物质沿壳内拆离层自SW向NE方向的"层状"流动,在地壳上部转化为沿映秀-北川断裂(YBF)的快速垂向挤出,而其西侧的松潘-甘孜地块作自SE往NW方向的重力滑覆,东侧的龙门山前陆盆地则表现为自NE往SW方向的走滑或右行旋转。晚新生代以来,扬子地块相对于青藏高原东缘的龙门山造山带并无明显的或大尺度的陆内俯冲作用发生。龙门山前陆逆冲带深部高温低粘度物质垂直向上的、快速的流动和挤出,直接导致了"5.12"汶川地震的发生,而松潘-甘孜地块E向扩展导致龙门山前陆带的强烈挤压和陆壳增厚及深部应力和地震能量的积聚则是诱导深部位移场发生突变和物质快速垂向挤出的主因,E向扩展是深部地震能量积聚和快速垂向挤出作用的必要条件,而非地震发生的直接原因。ASR地应力测试得出的主压应力方向完全平行于GPS同震速度场的位移方向,似乎表明ASR测试获得的原地应力场或许真实地反映了或最接近于地震过程中的构造应力状态。     

Recent structures and tectonic regimes of the stress–strain state of the Earth’s crust in the northeastern sector of the Russian Arctic region

A comprehensive investigation aimed at determining seismotectonic types of destruction and the stress–strain state of the Earth’s crust in the main seismogenerating structures of the Arctic–Asian seismic belt is conducted for the territory of the northeastern sector of the Russian Arctic region. Based on the degree of activity of geodynamical processes, the regional principles for ranking neotectonic structures are elaborated, and neotectonic zoning is carried out based on the substantiated differentiation of the corresponding classes. Within the limits of the Laptev Sea, Kharaulakh, and Lena-Anabar segments, we analyzed I the structural–tectonic position of the most recent structures, II the deep structure parameters, III the parameters of the active fault system, and IV the parameters of the tectonic stress field, as revealed from tectonophysical analysis of Late Cenozoic fault and fold deformations. Based on the seismological data, the mean seismotectonic deformation tensors are calculated to determine, in combination with geological and geophysical data, the orientations of the principal stress axes and to reveal the structural–tectonic regularity for tectonic regimes of the stress–strain state of the Earth’s crust in the Arctic sector of the boundary between the Eurasian and North American lithospheric plates.     

黄土构造节理研究及其应用

作者发现大量不同力学性质的黄土构造节理后，识别了它们的区域性、系统性特征；认定其两组扭裂面代表新构造应力场最大剪切应力方向，利用黄土构造节理系及由其控制的土层沟槽网络恢复了相应地区Q3-4构造应力场；提出构造节理是黄土区地下水运移的主要通道和赋存的场所；发现构造节理是黄土区地裂缝、滑坡、崩塌和水土流失等地质灾害的构造基础之一，证实构造节理是黄土地层的软弱面，风化和继之而来的应力侵蚀就由此开始，进而逐步塑造黄土碟、穴、井、桥、柱、墙、沟等潜蚀地貌和部分侵蚀地貌。研究黄土构造节理对恢复新构造应力场、帮助预测地裂乃至地震活动、控制水土流失和滑塌灾害、进行工程乃至区域稳定性评价、重新认识黄土潜蚀地貌发育规律、指导干旱半干旱黄土区找水，既有理论意义又有实际意义。     

Indications of neotectonic activity at the Barents Sea shelf

Geologic-geomorphic and structural indications of neotectonic, virtually present-day, activity at the Barents Sea shelf are considered. Wide belts of the secondary ruptures—linear zones of dynamic effects of faults with a strike-slip component in the acoustic basement—are mapped in the areas studied in detail. Some of these ruptures displace recent sediments. As a result, allochthonous blocks of Mesozoic or Paleozoic rocks occasionally barren of recent marine sediments arise under transpressional conditions. Other signs of the present-day secondary faulting include shallow-seated injection folds and a peculiar wavy topography of mud in deep areas of the bottom. The relationship of exotic submarine mounds and gas emissions in the eastern Pechora Sea with recent mud volcanoes controlled by the neotectonic activity of the Pai-Khoi-Novaya Zemlya Foldbelt under conditions of lateral compression is substantiated for the first time. A superimposed aggradational height is revealed in the most subsided portion of the Central Trench; the origin of this height is referred to the effect of seismic vibration of the seafloor that brings about partial fluidization of surficial marine mud and its ductile-viscous flow and local accumulation in a particularly favorable area of the bottom. The indications of neotectonic activity may be used as a tool for testing the tectonic concepts that are put forward.     

Late Cenozoic geodynamics and mechanical coupling of crustal and upper mantle deformations in the Mongolia-Siberia mobile area

Comprehensive analysis of the parameters characterizing contemporary and neotectonic deformations of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle developed in the Mongolia-Siberia area is presented. The orientation of the axes of horizontal deformation in the geodetic network from the data of GPS geodesy is accepted as an indicator of current deformations at the Earth’s surface. At the level of the middle crust, this is the orientation of the principal axes of the stress-tensors calculated from the mechanisms of earthquake sources. The orientation of the axes of stress-tensors reconstructed on the basis of structural data is accepted as an indicator of Late Cenozoic deformations in the upper crust. Data on seismic anisotropy of the upper mantle derived from published sources on the results of splitting of shear waves from remote earthquakes serve as indicators of deformation in the mantle. It is shown that the direction of extension (minimum compression) in the studied region coincides with the direction of anisotropy of the upper mantle, the median value of which is 310–320° NW. Seismic anisotropy is interpreted as the ordered orientation of olivine crystals induced by strong deformation owing to the flow of mantle matter. The observed mechanical coupling of the crust and upper mantle of the Mongolia-Siberia mobile area shows that the lithospheric mantle participated in the formation of neotectonic structural elements and makes it possible to ascertain the main processes determining the Late Cenozoic tectogenesis in this territory. One of the main mechanisms driving neotectonic and contemporary deformations in the eastern part of the Mongolia-Siberia area is the long-living and large-scale flow of the upper mantle matter from the northwest to the southeast, which induces both the movement of the northern part of the continent as a whole and the divergence of North Eurasia and the Amur Plate with the formation of the Baikal Rift System. In the western part of the region, deformation of the lithosphere is related to collisional compression, while in the central part, it is due to the dynamic interaction of these two large-scale processes.     

Interpretation of fracture and physiographic patterns in Alberta,Canada

Thousands of linear elements (joint traces, river trends and photolinears) have been identified and statistically analysed in the Province of Alberta, Canada, from the U.S. border to the Fort McMurray area. A statistical evaluation was performed on the data by fitting Dimroth-Watson distributions to groups of them. It is suggested that the joints represent shear surfaces formed in a neotectonic stress field whose maximum compression is oriented normal to the front of the Rocky Mountains, at least in the vicinity of that range. Further to the northeast, the stress trajectories swing to E-W and N-S directions. The river courses in Alberta do not align themselves with the joints and are presumably controlled by the general slope of the land towards Hudson's Bay. The photolineaments are features of uncertain origin and age.     

Structural deformation and evolution of right-lateral strike-slip tectonics of the Liaohe western depression during the early Cenozoic

The Tan-Lu fault zone (TLFZ) traverses the Liaohe western depression (LHWD), affords an exceptional opportunity to reveal the structural deformation and evolution of a major strike-slip fault of the LHWD using three dimensional seismic data and well data. In this paper, based on structural interpretations of the 3-D seismic data of the LHWD, combined with depth slice and seismic coherency, a variety of structural features in relation to right-lateral strike-slip fault (the western branch of the Tan-Lu fault) have been revealed presence in the depression, such as thrust faults (Xinlongtai, Taian-Dawa, and Chenjia faults), structural wedges, positive flower structures, and en echelon normal faults. Fault cutoffs, growth strata and the Neogene unconformity developed in the LHWD verify that the activity of right-lateral strike-slip from the late Eocene to Neogene (ca. 43–23 Ma). The study indicates that the right-lateral strike-slip played an important role in controlling the structural deformation and evolution of the LHWD in the early Cenozoic. Moreover, the front structural wedge generated the gross morphology of the Xinlongtai anticline and developed the Lengdong faulted anticline during the late Eocene, and the back structural wedge refolded the Lengdong faulted anticline zone in the late Eocene to the early Oligocene. Wrench-related structures (the Chenjia thrust fault and the en echelon normal faults) were developed during the late Oligocene. Uniform subsidence in the Neogene to Quaternary. Furthermore, the driving force of the right-lateral strike-slip deformation was originated from N–S extension stress related to the opening of the Japan Sea and NE–SW compression, as the far-field effect of India–Eurasia convergence.     

Neotectonics of the Kharaulakh sector of the Laptev Shelf

Seismotectonic deformation and crustal stress pattern have been studied comprehensively in major seismogenic structures of the Kharaulakh sector of the Verkhoyansk fold system and adjacent parts of the Chersky seismotectonic zone. The study focuses on neotectonic structures, deep structure, and systems of active faults, as well as tectonic stress fields inferred by tectonophysical analysis of Late Cenozoic faults and folds. The results, along with geological and geophysical data, reveal main strain directions and structural patterns of crustal stress and strain in the Arctic segment of the Eurasia-North America plate boundary. The area is a junction of mid-ocean and continental structures evolving in a mixed setting of extension, compression, and their various combinations. The rotation pole of the two plates is presumably located near Buor-Khaya Bay. In this case, extension is expected to act currently upon the neotectonic structures north of the bay and compression to control those in the south and southeast. This inference is consistent with the identified zoning of stress and strain in the Kharaulakh sector.     

磁西矿超深井筒原岩地应力研究

介绍了磁西超千米井筒设计和地质条件,展示了井壁受力的实测方案以及依据包神解析公式进行地层原岩应力反演计算的原理。实测结果反演得到了井筒1 208 m深处的水平应力平均估值以及不均匀分布情况,水平应力与垂直应力之比符合自重应力场的规律,侧压力系数估值约为0.256~0.278之间。通过有限元数值模拟,图形化展示了井筒地应力分布,验证了实测反演数据的合理性,同时也反映了岩层剪切模量和构造等地质条件对水平应力不均匀分布的影响规律。结合对该矿区宏观地质构造运动演化和地质力学的定性分析原理,综合地分析了实测结果、解析反演和数值计算之间的一致性,对水平原岩应力Hoek & Brown统计规律的普适性提出了质疑,讨论了现有原岩应力解析计算方法,为采用包神公式进行井壁设计供了参考。     

周向应力在地壳运动中的作用

地壳运动的驱动力一直存在争议。目前虽然提出了很多假说,但这些假说所描述的驱动力数量级均较小,不足以推动地壳运动;另外,大量实际地应力测量表明,水平主压应力在三个地应力分量中最大,被看作地壳“异常”压力,其机理也没有统一的认识。因此,有必要弄清楚地壳运动的动力来源是什么及为什么会出现这种水平应力占主导的现象。受背斜构造或石拱桥的侧向支撑的启发,通过地球模型受力分析得出,地壳作为球壳在自重下会相互挤压,在圆周方向产生很强的周向应力。周向应力大于重力,且由重力派生,和实测的地应力特征是一致的。推测该应力在20 km深处约为900 MPa,足以驱动板块运动(>500 MPa)。因软流圈是可流动的,其上面的岩石圈只要存在薄弱带,该应力就会释放,板块之间从而产生相对运动。整个洋壳和拱桥类似,在该力的作用下,会在俯冲带处下插至陆壳深部,俯冲带就是岩石圈的薄弱区,它因此会承担部分甚至全部洋壳的重量。最后提出,没有独立于重力的、可独立起作用的构造力或碰撞力,周向应力是地壳运动的唯一具有足够数量级的驱动力。     

松辽盆地中南部及其邻区新构造运动与铀成矿

松辽盆地中南部及其邻区位于滨太平洋新构造域的内蒙 东北新构造区南部。晚第三纪以来 ,本区新构造运动比较强烈 ,最显著的特征是断块大幅度升降运动和强烈的火山活动。新构造所形成的巨型盆岭构造及其它微地貌为可地浸砂岩型铀矿成矿创造了有利的地质构造和地貌条件。新构造运动在铀成矿过程中发挥了积极作用 ,也产生了一些负面影响。松辽盆地东部和南部的盆缘区新构造发育 ,控矿明显 ,是寻找可地浸砂岩型铀矿的有利地段     

First-order regional seismotectonic model for South Africa

A first-order seismotectonic model was created for South Africa. This was done using four logical steps: geoscientific data collection, characterisation, assimilation and zonation. Through the definition of subunits of concentrations of earthquake foci and large neotectonic and structural domains, seismotectonic structures, systems and domains were created. Relatively larger controls of seismicity exist between the Great Escarpment and the coast. In the south, this region is characterised by large aeromagnetic anomalies and large EW trending faults. In the west, it is characterised by the NW–SE trending Wegener stress anomaly, radial-trending dykes and earthquake clusters. In the east, it is characterised by a large neotectonic domain where several large historical earthquakes occurred. In the centre of South Africa, several clusters of earthquake activity are found, often related to mining activity. Further north, seismicity is related to both mining activity and neotectonic deformation. This work contributes to the development of a seismotectonic model for South Africa by (1) bringing together, digitally, several data sets in a common GIS platform (geology, geophysics, stress, seismicity, neotectonics, topography, crustal and mantle structure and anisotropy), (2) understanding the significance of data sets for seismotectonic zonation and limitations thereof and (3) obtaining a reasonable regional model for use in seismic hazard assessments.     

中国东部海域及其邻区现代构造应力场研究

中国东部海域是指渤海、黄海和东海地区。前人利用震源机制解、井壁崩落和水压致裂等资料,分别对有关海区的现代构造应力场作过不同程度的研究。文中根据前人的工作并结合海陆地区新构造运动及其动力条件分析,对东部海域及邻区的现代构造应力场进行较深入的研究。该区现代构造应力场以水平至近于水平挤压作用为主要特征,压应力方向从北到南由NE逐渐转为NEE、EW、SEE至SE向,总体呈向东发散的扇形分布。构造应力作用强度具有非一致性,北强南弱。海域具有与大陆统一的现代构造应力场,相应可划为东北、华北和华南3个应力区。中国东部大陆和海域在青藏高原东部被印度板块挤出的构造块体往NE-SE方向滑动推挤及东边太平洋和菲律宾海板块向NWW俯冲推挡的共同作用下,形成现代构造应力场,且青藏高原东部被挤出块体东向滑动的推挤是现代构造应力场产生的主要动力。     

蒙山断裂地应力特征及其稳定性分析

蒙山断裂带是沂沭断裂（郯庐断裂带山东段）西侧的一条北西向断裂,控制着长清-临沂中强地震带,该蒙山断裂带的地应力状态对研究山东中部地震活动的危险性有重要的意义。在蒙山断裂附近开展了2个深孔的水压致裂地应力测量,得到最大水平主应力SH为7.0～17.0 MPa,最小水平主应力Sh为5.0～11.0 MPa。测量结果显示,300 m以上的三向主应力的相对大小表现为SH＞Sv≥Sh（Sv为垂直主应力）;400～450 m范围内,三向主应力相对大小表现为SH＞Sv＞Sh;最大水平主应力的方向为NE-NEE,与利用其他资料得到的结果一致;实测资料得到侧压力系数K的平均值,ZK134孔KHmax=1.54（KHmax为最大水平侧压系数）,ZK8孔KHmax=1.38。根据Byerlee定律判定蒙山断裂处于相对稳定的地应力状态,2个孔的? m(最大剪应力与平均主应之比)在2010－2011年间几乎没有变化,亦表明该断层处在一个稳定的状态。     

Finite element models to represent seismic activity of the Indian plate

Quantification of seismic activity is one of the most challenging problems faced by earthquake engineers in probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. Currently, this problem has been attempted using empirical approaches which are based on the regional earthquake recurrence relations from the available earthquake catalogue. However, at a specified site of engineering interest, these empirical models are associated with large number of uncertainties due to lack of sufficient data. Due to these uncertainties, engineers need to develop mechanistic models to quantify seismic activity. A wide range of techniques for modeling continental plates provides useful insights on the mechanics of plates and their seismic activity. Among the different continental plates, the Indian plate experiences diffused seismicity. In India, although Himalaya is regarded as a plate boundary and active region, the seismicity database indicates that there are other regions in the Indian shield reporting sporadic seismic activity. It is expected that mechanistic models of Indian plate, based on finite element method, simulate stress fields that quantify the seismic potential of active regions in India. This article explores the development of a finite element model for Indian plate by observing the simulated stress field for various boundary conditions, geological and rheological conditions. The study observes that the magnitude and direction of stresses in the plate is sensitive to these conditions. The numerical analysis of the models shows that the simulated stress field represents the active seismic zones in India.     

Fault tectonics,neotectonic stresses,and hidden uranium mineralization in the area adjacent to the Strel’tsovka Caldera

The scheme of recent fault tectonics and neotectonic stresses of the area adjacent to the Strel’tsovka Caldera in the southeastern Transbaikal region has been compiled for the first time on the basis of structural and geomorphic study. The faults were ranked by criteria of slip direction stability along separate segments and their expression in topography. Neotectonic stresses of corresponding ranks were ascertained as well. The heterogeneity of neotectonic stress field is related to the mosaic development of compression, extension, and the three-axial stress state. Comparison of morphogenetic features of recent and older faults shows the different character of the deformation mechanism and orientation of tectonic displacements. It has been established that the Strel’tsovka Caldera and its northwestern segment, in particular, developed as an echeloned system of pull-apart grabens, but the caldera itself is situated in a recent rise, whereas the northwestern segment is located in a neotectonic depression corresponding to the Dry Urulyungui Basin filled with volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Such a structure markedly expands the outlook for discovery of hidden uranium mineralization in the studied area. The elaborated scheme of neotectonic faults and stresses reflects the postore geodynamic setting and completes the reconstruction of geodynamic conditions pertaining to the periods of preore preparation and ore-forming tectonomagmatic reactivation.