http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987115000791

Since the Tortonian, the geodynamic evolution of the Tyrrhenian Sea has been driven by an eastward roll-back of the entire Apennine subduction system, triggering distinct episodes of back-arc basin formation with spots of oceanic crust. Major structural differences are observed between northern and southern portions of the Tyrrhenian Sea, reflecting two distinct evolution stages of the Ionian slab retreat. In the central portion of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the seafloor morphology is characterized by a set of magmatic intrusions and structural highs associated to an Ee W magnetic lineament along the 41 st geographical parallel. The Vercelli seamount represents one example of structural highs correlated to Miocene magmatic episodes along the 41 st parallel zone. In this study, we discuss the results of new high resolution magnetic data and morphological mapping of the Vercelli seamount acquired during the VER2010 cruise. The seamount represents the relict part of a granitic intrusion emplaced during the Tortonian phase of Tyrrhenian rifting. Tectonic and deep-sea erosive processes have jointly modified the seamount structure that can be observed nowadays. Cumulative gradient analysis highlights an asymmetric morphology of the flanks as a result of erosive action of opposite water mass gyres which modelled the southern portion of the seamount. The joint interpretation of magnetic and bathymetric datasets identifies a high magnetized source laying close to the base of the seamount and located in correspondence to a small basin. This structure has been modelled as a post-Tortonian lava sequence emplaced between structural highs in correspondence of Ne S elongated flat sedimentary basin.Modelling of new geophysical data highlights the relationship between crustal setting and magnetic evidences of the central Tyrrhenian Sea, providing a new interpretation of the 41 st magnetic lineament.     

Evolution of the southern Taiwan–Sinzi Folded Zone and opening of the southern Okinawa trough

Recent interpretation of seismic sections and free-air gravity anomalies in offshore northern Taiwan reveals that the southern Taiwan–Sinzi Folded Zone began to form in late Middle Miocene, though it was mainly constructed in the Late Pliocene with strong reverse faulting and folding. Two westward progradational sequences were deposited in the shelf basin with sediments supplied from the southern Taiwan–Sinzi Folded Zone and the southern Ryukyu Arc. These two structures are displaced by several northwest-striking dextral strike–slip faults that were active in the early Quaternary when the clockwise-rotated southern Ryukyu Arc and the folded southern Taiwan–Sinzi Folded Zone were broken. It is believed that recent extension in the southern Okinawa Trough started in the early Quaternary because uplift on the southern Taiwan–Sinzi Folded Zone continued to latest Pliocene–early Quaternary. Paleogene–Miocene sediments of the East China Sea Shelf in the western part of the southern Okinawa Trough Basin are interpreted to indicate that the East China Sea Shelf Basin extended to the east of the southern Taiwan–Sinzi Folded Zone.     

青藏高原北缘新构造运动特征

ＮＥＥ向阿尔金主断裂带的新构造运动以左旋压扭性活动为特征，仅西端发育张性构造，并可划分出两期变形，新构造运动强度在时间上自上新世晚期开始至第四纪断裂活动强度增大，在空间上自ＳＷＷ向ＮＥＥ方向断裂活动强度逐渐减弱；柴达木北缘的新构造运动可划分为两期，其主要构造特征表现为向柴达木盆地逆冲的前进式叠瓦道冲带，柴达木盆地第四纪时的北界相对于第三纪时的北界向南迁移了数十公里；河西走廊盆地的新构造运动主要表现为盆地边缘断裂的逆冲兼走滑，盆地接受新生代沉积、盆地内第三系的轴面南倾的褶皱；ＮＥＥ向阿尔金主断裂带与其南侧的ＮＷＷ向断裂带是在统一构造应力场作用下相互协调、同时活动的两组关系紧密的构造带，两者的共同活动构成了断块运动。     

西秦岭北缘北西向断层特征和形成的构造机制及地质意义

西秦岭北缘构造带不仅发育一系列继承性多期活动或新生的近东西向断层,而且新生代地层中还发育与近东西向断层走向不一致且具有独特构造特征的北西向左旋走滑断层。这种北西向左旋走滑断层带不发育断层角砾岩、磨砾岩、碎粉岩、断层泥、摩擦镜面、擦痕线理、断层阶步等脆性断层中常见的构造现象,仅表现为地层旋转和剪切拉断形成的一定宽度的透镜化带,两条断层之间地层产状发生旋转形成了约1 km宽,平面上类似膝折构造几何形态地层扭折带。该北西向断层横切了渐新统—中新统地层,并被上新统砾岩覆盖和第四纪以来的近东西向左旋走滑断层斜切,指示了其形成于渐新世—中新世沉积地层形成之后,上新世砾岩沉积之前,即上新世早期。北西向断层带不发育脆性断层典型构造现象和断层左旋走滑作用在渐新统—中新统沉积地层中形成了类似膝折构造几何形态地层扭折带,说明其变形具有韧脆性过渡和缓慢剪切变形的特征,是西秦岭北缘一种新的断层类型。其形成机制为基底或中下地壳中大型左旋走滑韧性或韧脆性剪切带向上扩展延伸到上部沉积盖层中之结果,也就是说,新生代沉积盖层中这种北西向断层和地层扭折带是下部韧性剪切带的左旋走滑剪切在盖层中被动构造响应。这种基底或中下地壳北西向左旋韧性剪切带可能指示了上新世初期西秦岭北缘构造带深部韧性地壳物质向南东流变蠕动的构造标志,代表深部地壳缩短增厚向地壳韧性物质侧向扩展流动的转换过程。这种特殊的断层类型对理解青藏高原东北缘新生代构造变形体制转换和地壳隆升具有重要的科学意义。     

Active right-lateral strike-slip fault zone along the southern margin of the Japan Sea

We describe an active right-lateral strike-slip fault zone along the southern margin of the Japan Sea, named the Southern Japan Sea Fault Zone (SJSFZ). Onshore segments of the fault zone are delineated on the basis of aerial photograph interpretations and field observations of tectonic geomorphic features, whereas the offshore parts are interpreted from single-/multichannel seismic data combined with borehole information. In an effort to evaluate late Quaternary activity along the fault zone, four active segments separated by uplifting structures are identified in this study. The east–northeast-trending SJSFZ constitutes paired arc-parallel strike-slip faults together with the Median Tectonic Line (MTL), both of which have been activated by oblique subduction of the Philippine Sea plate during the Quaternary. They act as the boundaries of three neotectonic stress domains around the eastern margin of the Eurasian plate: the near-trench Outer zone and NW–SE compressive Inner zone of southwest Japan arc, and the southern Japan Sea deformed under E–W compression from south to north.     

滇西北周城—清水断裂带晚新生代活动性初步研究

地表地质调查发现,位于滇西北菱形断块中南部的周城—清水断裂在上新世早期已经开始活动,而断裂强烈活动时期在中更新世,晚更新世以来活动性减弱。断裂运动方式以左旋走滑为主,兼有逆冲分量,并发生过从逆冲到正断的转换,全新世活动不明显。根据断裂断错的上新世昔格达组湖相沉积地质及河流地貌进行的初步分析,可以判断该断裂晚第四纪以来的垂直活动速率为0.1 mm/a左右,明显小于周城—清水断裂北侧川滇菱形块体向南东方向的运动速度(13~14 mm/a)。这表明周城—清水断裂对印度板块与欧亚板块碰撞所形成的次生构造———川滇菱形块体的侧向挤出的调节作用很有限。     

Late-Cenozoic pull-apart basins, Boconó fault zone, Venezuelan Andes

Several areas along the Boconó fault zone are characterized by elongate, almond-shaped basins containing thick alluvial sequences, mainly of Quaternary age, and bounded by faults with normal Quaternary displacements. These areas are separated by segments characterized by narrow fault traces and right-lateral displacements. The fault-bounded basins are interpreted as pull-apart basins that originated at releasing bends along the fault zone. The size of the La González pull-apart basin suggests that Pliocene (?)-Quaternary right-lateral slip on the Boconó fault zone was of the order of 7–9 km.     

Structural style and tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the Neogene–Quaternary Siderno Basin,southern Calabrian Arc,Italy

The Neogene–Quaternary Siderno Basin is located in the southern Calabrian Arc, along an E–W transect including the Ionian side and part of the Tyrrhenian margin. The orogenic belt was generated by ongoing northward subduction of Ionian oceanic lithosphere beginning in the Early Cretaceous. Since the Oligocene, the area has experienced complex tectonics, including NW–SE-oriented pull-apart basins. The forearc region contains >2000 m of Oligocene-to-Quaternary strata that cover pre-Tertiary rocks. The succession forms an E-dipping monocline, with tectonic growth structures increasing upward. Erosional truncations and thickness variations suggest a different evolution for the Siderno Basin, which in comparison with northern and southern parts of the Ionian accretionary wedge, evolved differently during the Serravallian–Tortonian stages. NW–SE and NE–SW fault systems are dominant, the first exhibiting strike–slip and normal kinematics in the Nicotera–Gioiosa and Molochio–Antonimina fault zones. These structures were active during infilling of the Neogene basin, and represent a complex transfer zone.

The NE–SW system shows two types of tectonic kinematics: (1) a compressive stage, with NW–SE-orientated shortening, responsible for inversion tectonics documented by east-verging folds, thrusts, and back-thrusts, and (2) emplacement of the variegated clay during the Langhian, which is related to back-thrust propagation. The strike–slip accommodated stress generated in the accretionary prism in response to subduction of Ionian lithosphere and progradation of the accretionary front of the Calabrian forearc.     

Quaternary strike-slip faults in southeastern spain

The Gibraltar Arc (Western Mediterranean Sea) is traversed by a NE-trending fault system that extends from northern Morocco to southeastern Spain. In this area, three main faults (the Carboneras, Palomares and Alhama de Murcia faults) have been active in Quaternary time. The faults are characterized by left-lateral strike-slip motion. The Quaternary faulting and current seismicity in this part of the Meditterranean area are related to a collision-type tectonics produced by the northwestward relative motion of the African Plate toward the European Plate.     

The Tyrrhenian back－arc basin and subduction of the Ionian lithosphere

A deep, narrow, and distorted Benioff zone, plunging from the Ionian Sea towards the southern Tyrrhenian basin, is the remnant of a long and eastward migrating subduction of eastern Mediterranean lithosphere. From Oligocene to Recent, subduction generated the Western Mediterranean and the Tyrrhenian back-arc basins, as well as an accretionary wedge constituting the SouthernAoenninic Arc.In the Tyrrhenian Sea, stretching started in late Miocene and eventually produced two small oceanic areas: the Vavilov Plain during Pliocene (in the centralsector) and the Marsili Plain during Quaternary (in the southeastern sector). They are separated by a thicker crustal sector, called the Issel Bridge. Back-arc exten-sion was rapid and discontinuous, and affected a land locked area where continental elements of various sizesoccurred. Discontinuities in extension were mirrored bychanges in nature of the lithosphere scraped off to form the Southern Apenninic Arc. Part of the tectonic units of the southern Apennines, accreted into the wedge from late Miocene to Pliocene, had originally been laid down on thinned conti-nental lithosphere, which should constitute the deep portion of the present slab. After Plio-cene, only Ionian oceanic lithosphere wassubducted, because the large buoyancy of thewide and not thinned continental lithosphere of Apulia and Africa (Sicily) preserved the seelements from roll back of subduction. After Pliocene, the passively retreating oceanic slabhad to adjust and distort according to the geometry of these continental elements.The late onset of arc volcanism in respect to the duration of extension in the Tyrrhenian-Ionian system may find an expla-nation considering an initial stage of subduc-tion of thinned continental lithosphere. The strong Pleistocene vertical movements that occurred in the whole southeastern system(subsidence in the back-arc basin and upliftin the orogenic arc) may instead be related to the distortion of the oceanic slab.     

南大西洋东岸尼日尔三角洲大型重力滑动构造东南缘的断裂和泥构造

尼日尔三角洲位于南大西洋东岸被动大陆边缘之上,以大型重力滑动构造为主要构造特征。该大型重力滑动构造的东南缘位于喀麦隆境内,断裂和泥构造都很发育。这里的断裂包括重力滑动构造后缘伸展形成的正断层、侧翼剪切形成的撕裂断层和泥底辟成因的断层。泥柱和泥墙是研究区的两种类型的泥构造。泥柱代表主动泥底辟;泥墙是撕裂断层控制下被动泥底辟的结果。研究区重力滑动构造相关的断裂活动起始于中新世中期,随后,在上新世和第四纪各有一个断裂活动的加速期。每个断裂活动的加速期都伴随有泥底辟。中新世中期有一次泥底辟,上新世和第四纪各有两次泥底辟。     

南海北缘古近纪断裂活动规律及控盆特征:以阳江东凹为例

南海北缘发育了一系列新生代陆缘盆地,从西向东可划分为北部湾盆地、琼东南盆地、珠江口盆地及台西南盆地,这些盆地记录了新生代南海北缘构造演化过程.为加深对南海北部陆缘新生代盆地断裂活动及构造演化的认识,本文以珠三坳陷阳江东凹为例,基于覆盖阳江东凹研究区的高分辨率三维地震资料,对该地区的断裂体系进行了系统解剖,阐述了古近纪断...     

Architecture of late orogenic Quaternary basins in northeastern Mediterranean Sea

In the northeastern Mediterranean Sea, Pliocene to Quaternary depocentres have formed in extensional basins bounded by splays of the East Anatolian Transform Fault. This tectonic regime is superimposed on a Miocene and older back-arc environment, that experienced late Miocene compression along the Misis-Kyrenia thrust, which now lies in the middle of the extensional zone. The thrust zone is now represented by a narrow horst that appears to be bounded by strike-slip faults. Pliocene-Quaternary extension took place on listric fault fans that are orthogonal to the bounding transform splays and sole at a Messinian evaporite horizon, and on some deeper-soling listric faults parallel to and near the bounding faults. The rapid extension has resulted in progressive landward migration of paleoshorelines and low depositional gradients. Glacio-eustatic fluctuations in shoreline positions strongly influenced sediment distribution. Most sediment dispersion was from deltaic plumes, with turbidites of minor significance. Depocentres landward of the maximum seaward extent of paleoshorelines were formed almost entirely by tectonic subsidence. Minor deep-water depocentres, controlled by halokinesis, accumulated mud turbidites during extreme low-stands of sea-level.     

牛首山-罗山断裂带北段柳木高断裂第四纪活动特征

牛首山-罗山断裂带是青藏高原东北缘弧形断裂系最外缘断裂带,自南向北由固原断裂、罗山东麓断裂、牛首山断裂及三关口断裂组成。通过遥感解译、野外调查及探槽揭露等方法对牛首山断裂北段柳木高断裂第四纪几何学、运动学特征进行了研究,并通过断层截切地层关系及年代学测试,限定了该断裂第四纪演化过程及全新世的地震事件。研究结果表明,柳木高断裂上新世至晚更新世自南西向北东逆冲,晚更新世至全新世左行走滑逆冲,表现为正花状构造,而全新世则发生了正倾滑运动。全新世期间,1690±30 yr BP（公元320-415）之后发生了一次古地震事件,推测柳木高断裂可能是公元876年青铜峡南6.5级地震的发震断裂。柳木高断裂第四纪早期活动特征与固原断裂、罗山东麓断裂及牛首山断裂一致,是青藏高原北东向持续扩展引起的,而全新世的正倾滑运动可能与银川地堑的伸展作用有关。      

新构造运动在南黄海盆地的表现及其对油气成藏的影响

在精细地震资料构造解释基础上,认为上新世—第四纪是南黄海盆地新构造运动的主要活动期,对应南黄海盆地第二个阶段的断裂活动期。垂向上,新构造运动具有早晚构造响应差异:早期南北向弱挤压背景下以张性正断层为主,晚期东西向两幕挤压背景下以逆断层和褶皱为主;平面上,新构造运动影响亦具有差异:北部坳陷活动强烈、正断层发育、逆断层少量,而南部坳陷活动较弱。新构造运动与北部坳陷烃源岩的生排烃时期吻合,断裂带是重要输导体系,也是重要的潜在成藏区。     

Tectono-sedimentary analysis of a complex,extensional, Neogene basin formed on thrust-faulted,Northern Apennines hinterland: Radicofani Basin,Italy

Large NW–SE oriented, Neogene–Quaternary structural depressions, up to about 200 km long and 25 km wide, have developed on the western side (hinterland) of the Northern Apennines over thrust substrate. The depressions are now, for the most part, laterally bounded by normal faults and are longitudinally separated into basins by transfer zones. A debate exists in the literature as to whether these basins have developed as half-graben under a predominantly extensional regime since late Miocene, or as thrust-top basins under a predominantly compressional regime that has continued until the Pleistocene. The Radicofani Basin is one of the best-preserved basins. It developed mainly during the late Miocene–Early Pliocene in the southern half of the Siena–Radicofani structural depression, and is now bounded on the east by normal faults that transect a thrust anticline “nose“ in the substrate, to the north by a substrate high or transfer zone, and to the south and west by Quaternary igneous/volcanic edifices. The basin experienced variable differential tectonic and associated sedimentation along linking, normal boundary faults. Along its eastern margin it shows the development of thick (∼600 m) alluvial fans that developed in relay areas between boundary faults and transverse faults and transfer zones. Well-exposed sections generally show upward transitions from conglomeratic alluvial fans, to shoreface sandstone, to offshore mudstones. Locally, the transition is marked by deltas primarily characterised by thick gravelly, sandy, stacked cross-sets The thicker, sandy-gravel to gravelly-sand cross-sets (5–8 m thick) are interpreted as Gilbert-type deltas; interstratified thinner (0.5–1 m thick), generally openwork gravelly strata are part of delta topset assemblages and probably represent prograding fluvial bars. Tectonic movements provided the accommodation space for the total, ∼2700 m thick basin fill. Sea level fluctuations that led to the repeated development of the cross-sets may also have been influenced by climatic or eustatic changes, possibly related to the effects of early Antarctic glaciations.Some features of the Radicofani Basin can be found in both extensional and compressional basins. However, the position of the basin in the mountain chain and the development of alluvial fans, fandeltas and associated deposits along the main boundary fault, combined with structural evidence from seismic lines, show that during the early Pliocene this basin best conforms to existing models of half-graben.     

Evidence for early miocene wrench faulting in the Marlborough fault system,New Zealand: structural implications

In New Zealand, the Marlborough strike-slip faults link the Hikurangi subduction zone to the Alpine fault collision zone. Stratigraphic and structural analysis in the Marlborough region constrain the inception of the current strike-slip tectonics.Six major Neogene basins are investigated. Their infill is composed of marine and freshwater sediments up to 3 km thick; they are characterised by coarse facies derived from the basins bounding relief, high sedimentation rates and asymmetric geometries. Proposed factors that controlled the basins' generation are the initial geometry of the strike-slip faults and the progressive strike-slip motion. Two groups of basins are presented: the early Miocene (23 My) basins were generated under wrench tectonics above releasing-jogs between basement faults. The late Miocene (11 My) basins were initiated by halfgrabens tilted along straighter faults during a transtensive stage. Development of faults during Cretaceous to Oligocene times facilitated the following propagation of wrench tectonics. The Pliocene (5 My) to current increasing convergence has shortened the basins and distorted the Miocene array of faults. This study indicates that the Marlborough Fault System is an old feature that connected part of the Hikurangi margin to the Alpine fault since the subduction and collision initiation.     

Incipient subduction and deduction along the eastern margin of the Japan Sea

The eastern margin of the Japan Sea has been under convergent tectonics since sometime after the Pliocene. The suture line is on the ocean-continent boundary between the Japan-Yamato Basins and the Tohoku (Northeast Japan) Arc. Incipient subduction, and obduction, of the oceanic and sub-oceanic crust are observed along the suture line with the occurrence of numerous N-S trending, fault-bounded ridges and troughs. Focal mechanism solutions of several compressional type earthquakes with magnitudes of M = 6.9 to 7.7 which have occurred along the zone are consistent with the observation of geological thrust faults. The convergent stresses in the Japan Sea may be due to India-Eurasia collision and its associated intra-plate or inter-microplate movements in East Asia. The eastward movement of the Amurian Plate causes Baikal extension along its western margin and the Japan Sea convergence along its eastern margin.     

Evidence for Early Miocene wrench faulting in the Marlborough Fault System,New Zealand: structural implications

Abstract

In New Zealand, the Marlborough strike-slip faults link the Hikurangi subduction zone to the Alpine fault collision zone. Stratigraphic and structural analysis in the Marlborough region constrain the inception of the current strike-slip tectonics.

Six major Neogene basins are investigated. Their infill is composed of marine and freshwater sediments up to 3 km thick; they are characterised by coarse facies derived from the basins bounding relief, high sedimentation rates and asymmetric geometries. Proposed factors that controlled the basins generation are the initial geometry of the strike-slip faults and the progressive strike-slip motion. Two groups of basins are presented: the early Miocene (23 My) basins were generated under wrench tectonics above releasing-jogs between basement faults. The late Miocene (11 My) basins were initiated by halfgrabens tilted along straighter faults during a transtensive stage. Development of faults during Cretaceous to Oligocene times facilitated the following propagation of wrench tectonics. The Pliocene (5 My) to current increasing convergence has shortened the basins and distorted the Miocene array of faults. This study indicates that the Marlborough Fault System is an old feature that connected part of the Hikurangi margin to the Alpine fault since the subduction and collision initiation. © Elsevier, Paris     

Slab rollback suggested by latest Miocene to Pliocene forearc stress and migration of volcanic front in southern Kyushu, northern Ryukyu Arc

The northern Ryukyu Arc has active backarc rift, neutral-stress forearc, and active accretionary prism. The Okinawa Trough has been shaped by the episodic rifting in the backarc. Paleostresses were inferred in this study from mesoscale faults in Neogene forearc sediments called the Miyazaki Group, southeast Kyushu in the northern Ryukyu Arc. The forearc stress changed from compressional to extensional from the latest Miocene through Early Pliocene time. The stress history is concordant with the transition in tectonic regime from folding to rifting in the backarc. The transition in the stress state occurred simultaneously also with trenchward movement of the volcanic front. These phenomena suggest that the subducting slab under southern Kyushu became steeper in the Early Pliocene. Extensional tectonics ceased sometime in the late Pliocene or early to mid-Pleistocene, concordant with the counterclockwise change of subducting direction of the Philippine Sea Plate.