Burial-exhumation history of the central Apennines (Italy), from the foreland to the chain building: thermochronological and geological data

A clear correlation between regional unconformities and related exhumation events was documented by thermochronological and geological data in the central Apennines. This approach allowed: (i) two major exhumation episodes to be identified, corresponding to turning points in the long-term burial history, from rifting to convergent margin development, and (ii) a quantification of the amount of section removed during the two exhumation events. The first exhumation event was connected with the foreland buckling process associated with the coupling between the Alpine–Apennines system, the Dinarides chain and their common foreland. During the Neogene a thrust-system development, the superposition of an allochthonous unit is envisaged to explain the second palaeoheating event. The dismantling of this additional load in central Apennines has been related to the formation of the Middle Pliocene Unconformity, during the development of the Pliocene–Quaternary frontal thrust of the Apennine Chain.     

Macro‐ and meso‐scale structural criteria for identifying pre‐thrusting normal faults within foreland fold‐and‐thrust belts: Insights from the Central‐Northern Apennines (Italy)

Reliable macro‐ and meso‐scale structural criteria for identifying pre‐thrusting normal faults within inversion‐dominated foreland thrust belts are here reappraised by showing field cases from the Central‐Northern Apennines of Italy. Field‐based analyses of relative chronologies among the structures allow determination of the timing of pre‐thrusting normal faulting, the positive inversion of the faults and their post‐thrusting reactivation when absolute chronostratigraphic constraints are lacking. The correct identification of pre‐thrusting normal faults allows recognition of shortcut and reactivation anticlines, and these have important implications for the definition of the thrust‐belt structural style and for the estimation of post‐orogenic extension.     

浙西北地区反转构造初步研究

通过浙西北地区金衢、乌马和杭嘉湖3个地震解译剖面及地表地质的综合分析,指出研究区在以T₂为主变形期的逆冲变形体制之前存在同方向的引张体制,并随后发生反转。通过计算反转比等综合分析,发现其总体反转程度自南东往北西方向逐渐变小,反映出反转后的褶皱冲断变形程度呈现自南东往北西方向变弱之趋势。     

Relationships between thrusts and normal faults in curved belts: New insight in the inversion tectonics of the Central-Northern Apennines (Italy)

The relationships between thrusts and normal faults represent primary constraints in the reconstruction of the modes and timing of pre-, syn- and post-orogenic deformation events in fold-and-thrust belts. Such relationships are well exposed in curved orogenic belts where the thrusts are oblique to the trend of normal faults.We study the NNE–SSW-trending Olevano-Antrodoco-Sibillini oblique thrust and its crosscutting relationships with NW–SE-trending normal faults in order to constrain the Neogene–Quaternary deformation history of the Central-Northern Apennine (Italy). The analysis of structural and geological data allowed us to reconstruct the geometric and kinematic constraints of two inversion events: 1 – During the Pliocene, positive inversion reactivated the NNE–SSW-trending pre-existing Ancona-Anzio normal fault as the Olevano-Antrodoco-Sibillini oblique thrust ramp and caused the shortcut of NW–SE-oriented normal faults; 2 – During the Quaternary, negative inversion reactivated NW–SE-trending pre-thrusting normal faults.The growth of the NW–SE Quaternary normal faults causes seismicity and is responsible of the development of wide Quaternary intramontane basins. Their distribution and the related seismicity have been controlled and compartmentalized by NNE–SSW-trending oblique thrusts. Thus, the crosscutting relationships between thrusts and normal faults are crucial in seismic hazard assessment.     

反转构造与造山带研究

反转构造的研究已成为造山带构造研究的一个重要内容。反转构造模拟和实践所得出的断层组合形态和形成顺序有助于对造山带及前陆褶皱和逆冲带的正确认识。由于张性断层的控制作用，６０年代中期发展起来的薄壳构造模式在现实中并不普遍适用，构造剖面的平衡恢复因此亦需加倍谨慎。在造山带研究中，还需注意反转构造与走滑构造之间的区分。     

Evidence of positive tectonic inversion in the north-central sector of the Sicily Channel (Central Mediterranean)

In order to unravel the tectonic evolution of the north-central sector of the Sicily Channel (Central Mediterranean), a seismo-stratigraphic analysis of single- and multi-channel seismic reflection profiles has been carried out. This allowed to identify, between 20 and 50 km offshore the central-southern coast of Sicily, a ~80-km-long deformation belt, characterized by a set of WNW–ESE to NW–SE fault segments showing a poly-phasic activity. Within this belt, we observed: i) Miocene normal faults reactivated during Zanclean–Piacenzian time by dextral strike-slip motion, as a consequence of the Africa–Europe convergence; ii) releasing and restraining bend geometries forming well-developed pull-apart basins and compressive structures. In the central and western sectors of the belt, we identified local transpressional reactivations of Piacenzian time, attested by well-defined compressive features like push-up structures and fault-bend anticlines. The reconstruction of timing and style of tectonic deformation suggest a strike-slip reactivation of inherited normal faults and the local subsequent positive tectonic inversion, often documented along oblique thrust ramps. This pattern represents a key for an improved knowledge of the structural style of foreland fold-and-thrust belts propagating in a preexisting extensional domain. With regard to active tectonics and seismic hazards, recent GPS data and local seismicity events suggest that this deformation process could be still active and accomplished through deep-buried structures; moreover, several normal faults showing moderate displacements have been identified on top of the Madrepore Bank and Malta High, offsetting the Late Quaternary deposits. Finally, inside the northern part of the Gela Basin, multiple slope failures, originated during Pleistocene by the further advancing of the Gela Nappe, reveal tectonically induced potential instability processes.     

Styles of tectonic inversion within syn-orogenic basins: examples from the Central Apennines, Italy

The geometry of several thrust-related folds in the Central Apennines of Italy results from a switch in deformation regime, from extension to contraction. This switch in tectonic regime occurred during the deposition of syn-orogenic sediments, and the emplacement and migration of the thrust belt–foredeep system towards the foreland in Neogene time. The styles of positive tectonic inversion result from normal faults that were steepened, rotated and truncated by thrusts, with local development of minor folds due to buttressing. Normal fault-controlled escarpments are also locally preserved in the forelimbs and backlimbs of thrust-related anticlines. The location and amplitudes of contractional structures across the belt reflects the distribution of pre-thrusting normal faults within precursor syn-orogenic basins, a result that may improve our understanding of the evolution of Apennine, as well as other thrust belt–foredeep systems.     

Evidence of positive tectonic inversion in the north-central sector of the Sicily Channel (Central Mediterranean)

In order to unravel the tectonic evolution of the north-central sector of the Sicily Channel (Central Mediterranean), a seismo-stratigraphic analysis of single- and multi-channel seismic reflection profiles has been carried out. This allowed to identify, between 20 and 50 km offshore the central-southern coast of Sicily, a ~80-km-long deformation belt, characterized by a set of WNW–ESE to NW–SE fault segments showing a poly-phasic activity. Within this belt, we observed: i) Miocene normal faults reactivated during Zanclean–Piacenzian time by dextral strike-slip motion, as a consequence of the Africa–Europe convergence; ii) releasing and restraining bend geometries forming well-developed pull-apart basins and compressive structures. In the central and western sectors of the belt, we identified local transpressional reactivations of Piacenzian time, attested by well-defined compressive features like push-up structures and fault-bend anticlines. The reconstruction of timing and style of tectonic deformation suggest a strike-slip reactivation of inherited normal faults and the local subsequent positive tectonic inversion, often documented along oblique thrust ramps. This pattern represents a key for an improved knowledge of the structural style of foreland fold-and-thrust belts propagating in a preexisting extensional domain. With regard to active tectonics and seismic hazards, recent GPS data and local seismicity events suggest that this deformation process could be still active and accomplished through deep-buried structures; moreover, several normal faults showing moderate displacements have been identified on top of the Madrepore Bank and Malta High, offsetting the Late Quaternary deposits. Finally, inside the northern part of the Gela Basin, multiple slope failures, originated during Pleistocene by the further advancing of the Gela Nappe, reveal tectonically induced potential instability processes.

     

Tectonic burial and exhumation in a foreland fold and thrust belt: the Monte Alpi case history (Southern Apennines,Italy)

The Monte Alpi area of the Southern Apennines represents the only sector of the thrust belt where the reservoir rocks (i.e. Apulian Platform carbonates) for major hydrocarbon accumulations in southern Italy are interpreted to crop out. Tectonic evolution and exhumation of this area were analysed by integrating stratigraphic and structural data with different organic and inorganic parameters which record the burial and thermal evolution of the sediments (vitrinite reflectance, fluid inclusions, and I/S mixed layers in clayey sediments). Our analyses suggest that the presently exposed Monte Alpi structure suffered a loading of ca. 4000 m, owing to the emplacement of allochthonous units in Early Pliocene times. Available geological data indicate that erosion of the tectonic load occurred since the Late Pliocene, when the area first emerged. This implies an average exhumation rate in excess of 1 mm/year. A model can be constructed which matches the maturity indices and also takes into account intermediate stages of the evolution, resulting from combined structural and fluid inclusion data. By this model, a first stage of exhumation would have taken place at an average rate of about 0.36 mm/year. This was controlled by uplift and erosion associated with both: (i) thrusting at depth within the Apulian carbonates (Late Pliocene), and (ii) strike-slip faulting (Early Pleistocene). A second exhumation stage would have occurred in the last 700 ky at a much faster rate (ca. 4 mm/year) as a result of extensional tectonics.     

Studying travertines for neotectonics investigations: Middle–Late Pleistocene syn-tectonic travertine deposition at Serre di Rapolano (Northern Apennines, Italy)

Middle–Late Pleistocene tectonic activity has been inferred through studies on travertine deposits exposed in a tract of the hinterland Northern Apennines. A detailed study on the relationships between tectonics and travertine deposition coupled with ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U age determination of travertines at Cava Oliviera quarry, located close to Serre di Rapolano village (southern Tuscany, Northern Apennines), allowed us to recognise Pleistocene faults, whose activity has been referred to 157–24 ka, at least. Travertine deposition was tectonically controlled by WSW-ENE striking, oblique and normal faults, associated to a main fault (named as the Violante Fault). This structure dissected a regional normal fault (known as the Rapolano Fault) Early–Middle Pliocene in age, which bounded the eastern side of the Pliocene Siena Basin, and gave rise to space accommodation for clayey and sandy marine sediments. Hydrothermal circulation (and related travertine deposition) was favoured by the damaging enhancement due to the fault–fault intersection. Tectonic activity has been also documented by deformation recorded by travertines, which suggest a main tectonic event between 64 ± 5 and 40 ± 5 ka. The tectonic activity described for the study area agrees with the Quaternary tectonic evolution documented in the surrounding areas (e.g. Mt. Amiata and Mt. Vulsini), as well as the Tyrrhenian margin of the Central Apennines, indicating that a widespread tectonic activity affected the inner part of the Apennines until the latest Quaternary.     

Mountain building processes in intracontinental oblique deformation belts: Lessons from the Gobi Corridor,Central Asia

This paper presents a review of the Quaternary–Recent deformation field and mountain building processes within the Gobi Corridor region of Central Asia, which includes the North Tibetan foreland, Beishan, Gobi Altai and easternmost Tien Shan. The region can be considered the ‘soft core’ of Central Asia which has been reactivated due to the continuing Indo-Eurasia collision to the south. Favourable preconditions for reactivation of Gobi Corridor basement include a mechanically weak Palaeozoic terrane collage sandwiched between rigid Precambrian basement blocks to the north and south, thermally weakened crust due to Jurassic–Miocene volcanism and widespread Palaeozoic–Mesozoic granitic magmatism with associated high radiogenic heat production, and crustal thinning due to widespread Cretaceous rift basin development. The network of Quaternary–Recent faults within the entire region defines a diffuse sinistral transpressional deformation field that has generated a transpressional basin and range physiographic province. Typically, thrust and oblique-slip thrust faults are WNW-striking and reactivate basement faults and fabrics, whereas left-lateral strike-slip faults are ENE-striking and cut across basement trends. The angular relationship between SHmax and pre-existing basement structural trends is the fundamental control on the kinematics of Late Cenozoic deformation. Along-strike and across-strike growth and coalescence of restraining bends, other transpressional ranges and thrust ridges is an important mountain building process. Thrust faults throughout the region are both NNE and SSW directed and thus there is no common structural vergence, nor orogenic foreland or hinterland. Root structures appear to be vertical faults, not low-angle decollements and flower structure fault geometries within individual ranges are common. Published earthquake and geodetic data are consistent with a diffusely deforming continental interior region with tectonic loading shared amongst a complex network of faults. Therefore, earthquake prediction is likely to be more complex than in plate boundary settings and extrapolation of derived Late Quaternary fault slip rates is not straightforward. Modern mountain building within the Gobi Corridor demonstrates that reactivation of ancient accretionary and collisional orogens within continental interiors can play an important role in continental evolution and the life cycle of orogenic belts.     

Structural evolution of the '41st parallel zone': Tyrrhenian Sea

The present study is based on the interpretation of more than 1300 km of 16 kJ sparker seismic profiles recorded in July 1990, during the Cruise T-41 of the Geological Institute of Urbino. The investigated area extends along the 41st parallel in the central Tyrrhenian Sea between the northern Sardinian margin to the west and the Latium–Campanian margin to the east. This zone, situated on continental crust, marks the boundary between the northern Tyrrhenian and the southern Tyrrhenian domains. A kinematic reconstruction is presented, based on the age-dating of the recognized structures (i.e. normal faults, reverse faults, anticline and flower structures). The evolution of the ‘41st parallel zone’ can be described in terms of polyphase tectonics characterized by different orientations of the stress field during time. The direction of the normal fault-trends, turned clockwise, striking NE–SW in the late Tortonian–Messinian, E–W in the early Pliocene, NNW–SSE in the late Pliocene and N–S during the Quaternary. The concurrence of compressional and strike-slip deformations suggests oblique shear motions across the 41st parallel. The occurrence of late Pliocene–Quaternary tectonic activity in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea, locally characterized by inversion tectonics, suggests active mechanisms (intraplate compression?) superimposed on the post-rift subsidence.     

前陆盆地冲断带构造分段特征及其对油气成藏的控制作用

以中国中西部典型前陆盆地为例,分析了典型前陆盆地前陆冲断带的构造分段特征,总结构造分段的主控因素主要包括构造动力学背景、调节构造、构造变形期次与构造叠加、滑脱层与构造变形强度的影响等。中国中西部前陆冲断带的油气勘探成果表明,构造分段特征对不同构造段油气成藏具有明显的影响和控制作用,主要表现为:不同构造段的油气富集层位不同;不同构造段的油气成藏时间及成藏期次特征存在差异,主成藏期也不同。     

第32届国际地质大会构造地质研究进展综述

第32届国际地质大会系统地反映了构造地质学近年来研究的最新成果。这些成果概括起来包括下列5个方面的内容。（1）构造变形与沉积作用：重点是不同构造体制,如伸展、挤压（包括斜压）体制下,各构造区域的构造+沉积关系,在利用层序地层等进行定量的构造反演方面,取得了重要进展;（2）挤压作用下的构造样式：这一传统构造地质学的研究内容仍然为构造地质学家所关注,如薄皮构造与厚皮构造在碰撞和非碰撞造山作用方面的表现样式;（3）山链内构造反转过程和构造的继承：描述经历了变形体制转换的区域运动学演化,是构造地质学研究的前缘课题;（4）大陆边缘前陆逆冲+褶皱的形成：特别强调盆地-山脉的藕合关系;（5）高应变带的研究及技术方法：包括制图、模型、实验方法和材料等。     

Normal faults in thrust sheets: pre-orogenic extension,post-orogenic extension,or both?

In fold-and-thrust belts that experienced both pre-orogenic and post-orogenic extension, it may be difficult to establish whether observed normal faults pre-dated, post-dated, or were synchronous with thrusting. Geometrical structural patterns may be insufficient to constrain the relative chronology of extensional and contractional deformations. The systematic use of kinematic criteria makes it possible to unequivocally define the timing relationships of reverse and normal fault development, and hence to correctly unravel complex structural evolutions. Kinematic analysis in the southernmost Umbria–Marche Apennines of Italy, where both normal and thrust faults are present, revealed a history of repeated tectonic inversion, characterised by two distinct stages of extension separated by an episode of folding and thrusting. Structural overprinting relationships observed at thrust–normal fault intersections were useful for: (i) removing sequentially younger deformations; and hence (ii) separating and quantifying the effects of orogenic contraction from those of both pre-orogenic and post-orogenic extension.     

造山带逆冲推覆构造研究的主要新进展

造山带逆冲推覆构造研究是造山带研究中最为重要的课题之一。造山带外带即前陆褶皱冲断带(主要发育盖层冲断推覆体,一般遵循薄皮构造变形规则)与造山带内带(主要是基底褶皱推覆体,呈现厚皮构造变形规律)结晶逆冲推覆构造的几何学、运动学特征存在较大差异,二者形成机制也不相同,但其间仍有紧密的联系。近20年来造山带逆冲推覆构造研究的主要新进展为:①前陆褶皱冲断带逆冲断层及其相关褶皱的几何学特征分析已趋定量化,对其组合类型与演化时序有了更全面的认识,且对前陆褶皱冲断带的发展演化模式取得了新的共识,即遵循临界库仑楔模式;②平衡剖面技术在前陆褶皱冲断带的应用已从二维平衡与复原演进到三维平衡与复原,且日渐计算机化;③对造山带内带结晶基底逆冲推覆构造的主要类型(C型与F型逆冲岩席)及其特征已有较深的理解;④对前陆褶皱冲断带与结晶基底逆冲构造的相互关系及其形成演化模式有了新认识。目前造山带逆冲推覆构造研究过程中存在的主要问题为:①造山带内带结晶逆冲推覆构造的研究比较薄弱;②造山带晚期走滑构造及伸展构造的叠加与改造使得造山带内结晶逆冲推覆构造更为复杂化,致使其研究难度加大;③全面、精细的造山带深部地球物理资料较缺乏;④造山带内结晶逆冲岩席变形变质历史与超高压变质岩的形成机制及折返过程之间的关系尚未揭示清楚。在今后研究过程中应加强对上述问题的深入研究。     

Upper crust “boudinage” during post-collisional Miocene extension in Tuscany: Insights from the southern part of the Larderello geothermal area (Northern Apennines,Italy)

A geological study carried out in the southern part of the Larderello geothermal area (Northern Apennines) provides new information on the development mechanism and timing of the earlier extensional structures that formed during the Miocene post-collisional tectonics which affected the orogen. Staircase low-angle normal faults (LANFs) affected a multilayered thickened upper crust after the collisional stage, producing the lateral segmentation of the Tuscan Nappe, the deeper non-metamorphic tectonic unit of the Northern Apennines in the Tuscan area. The tectonic history recorded in two Tuscan Nappe discontinuous bodies revealed that the LANFs took place during the Middle–Late Miocene, displacing collisional structures developed from the Late Oligocene. These Tuscan Nappe bodies are delimited by detachment faults located at the base, within the Tuscan evaporites, and at the top within the Ligurian Units. Their western and eastern margins coincide with east-dipping ramps. These structures and the Tuscan Nappe bodies were later dissected by Pliocene–Quaternary high-angle normal faults. The reconstructed deformation history implies that the Tuscan Nappe bodies are extensional horses developed through an earlier asymmetrical east-dipping extensional duplex system, involved in block faulting during the later, Pliocene-Quaternary, stage of extension.     

库车坳陷中部构造分层差异变形特征和构造演化

基于地表露头调查、地震资料解释、钻井及与盐相关的构造样式分析,对库车坳陷中部构造变形特征进行研究。结果表明:库车坳陷中部具有南北分带、东西分段、垂向分层的变形特征。以库姆格列木群膏盐岩为界可以分为盐上构造层、盐构造层、盐下构造层及基底构造层4层结构。该区域主要发育收缩构造样式及盐构造样式,盐上构造层、盐构造层及盐下构造层的构造样式及分布具有明显差异。盐上层主要发育逆冲断层及褶皱,盐岩层则以盐流动构造样式为主,盐下层则发育逆冲叠瓦断层等大规模推覆构造。研究区具有明显的分段变形特征,可划分为博孜—却勒构造段、大北—西秋构造段、克深—西秋构造段、克拉3—东秋构造段,其差异性主要表现为地表线性褶皱带分布、盐构造样式、盐下构造变形的差异。区域构造演化剖面研究表明库车坳陷主要经历了中生代伸展坳陷盆地(三叠纪—白垩纪)、新生代早期"挠曲"盆地(古近纪—中新世)及新生代晚期前陆盆地(上新世—第四纪)的演化过程。现今构造主要形成于库车组沉积的中晚期。     

准噶尔盆地南缘前陆冲断带深层地质结构及对油气藏的控制作用:以霍尔果斯—玛纳斯—吐谷鲁褶皱冲断带为例

准噶尔盆地南缘前陆冲断带位于天山北麓,在晚新生代强烈的挤压作用下,地表发育数排背斜带。由于构造变形复杂、地震反射成像质量较差,对深层地质结构争议较大,另外前新生代盆地原型对晚新生代以来的褶皱冲断带构造格局的影响也尚未探讨。霍尔果斯—玛纳斯—吐谷鲁(简称霍-玛-吐)褶皱冲断带位于准噶尔盆地南缘前陆冲断带地表第二排背斜带,利用最新采集和处理的地震反射资料,并结合地表地质露头建立深层构造模型;利用平衡地质剖面复原和构造物理模拟实验的方法探索早侏罗世盆地原型结构对现今褶皱冲断带构造格局的影响;在此基础上分析霍-玛-吐褶皱冲断带深层天然气富集规律。霍-玛-吐褶皱冲断带垂向上发育古近系—第四系逆冲推覆构造、中上侏罗统—白垩系构造楔和下侏罗统半地堑断陷结构。控制早侏罗世半地堑系统的高角度正断层在晚期挤压构造变形体系中充当逆断坡,并控制上覆构造楔和浅层逆冲推覆构造的发育。早侏罗世半地堑系统具有分段性,并通过侧向断坡进行连接,侧向断坡上覆地层发育南北向走滑调节断层。油气勘探现状表明,霍-玛-吐褶皱冲断带内部南北向走滑调节断层具有高效沟通下侏罗统烃源岩的特点,是控制天然气的富集的重要因素。以上研究表明,中西部陆内前陆冲断带前新生代古构造对于晚新生代挤压冲断构造格局和深层天然气富集规律具有重要意义。