A modeling study of seawater intrusion in Alabama Gulf Coast,USA

A numerical model of variable-density groundwater flow and miscible salt transport is developed to investigate the extent of seawater intrusion in the Gulf coast aquifers of Alabama, USA. The SEAWAT code is used to solve the density-dependent groundwater flow and solute transport governing equations. The numerical model is calibrated against the observed hydraulic heads measured in 1996 by adjusting the zonation and values of hydraulic conductivity and recharge rate. Using the calibrated model and assuming all the hydrogeologic conditions remain the same as those in 1996, a predictive 40-year simulation run indicates that further seawater intrusion into the coastal aquifers can occur in the study area. Moreover, the predicted intrusion may be more significant in the deeper aquifer than the shallower ones. As the population continues to grow and the demand for groundwater pumping intensifies beyond the 1996 level, it can be expected that the actual extent of seawater intrusion in the future would be more severe than the model prediction. Better strategies for groundwater development and management will be necessary to protect the freshwater aquifers from contamination by seawater intrusion.

Evidence of regional subsidence and associated interior wetland loss induced by hydrocarbon production, Gulf Coast region, USA

Analysis of remote images, elevation surveys, stratigraphic cross-sections, and hydrocarbon production data demonstrates that extensive areas of wetland loss in the northern Gulf Coast region of the United States were associated with large-volume fluid production from mature petroleum fields. Interior wetland losses at many sites in coastal Louisiana and Texas are attributed largely to accelerated land subsidence and fault reactivation induced by decreased reservoir pressures as a result of rapid or prolonged extraction of gas, oil, and associated brines. Evidence that moderately-deep hydrocarbon production has induced land-surface subsidence and reactivated faults that intersect the surface include: (1) close temporal and spatial correlation of fluid production with surficial changes including rapid subsidence of wetland sediments near producing fields, (2) measurable offsets of shallow strata across the zones of wetland loss, (3) large reductions in subsurface pressures where subsidence rates are high, (4) coincidence of orientation and direction of displacement between surface fault traces and faults that bound the reservoirs, and (5) accelerated subsidence rates near producing fields compared to subsidence rates in surrounding areas or compared to geological rates of subsidence. Based on historical trends, subsidence rates in the Gulf Coast region near producing fields most likely will decrease in the future because most petroleum fields are nearly depleted. Alternatively, continued extraction of conventional energy resources as well as potential production of alternative energy resources (geopressured-geothermal fluids) in the Gulf Coast region could increase subsidence and land losses and also contribute to inundation of areas of higher elevation.     

Radiocarbon deficiencies of US Gulf Coast lakes compromise paleo-hurricane records

Radiocarbon assays of sediments from Lake Shelby, US Gulf Coast, exhibit substantial ¹⁴C deficiencies of 9.3% and 4.7% for the limnic sapropel and associated fresh-water clams Rangia cuneata, respectively. Measured radiocarbon dates from the sapropel and clams require corrections of 785 ± 80 and 365 ± 90 ¹⁴C yr (1σ), respectively, in order to achieve consistency with the radiocarbon time scale. Lake sediments of the US Gulf Coast serve as unique repositories of pre-historic hurricane strikes. Previously unrecognized radiocarbon deficiencies likely render compromised chronologies of the paleo-hurricane records, and erroneous estimates of return period and landfall probability that are derived from the storm chronologies. The recalculated severe hurricane chronologies suggest that the annual landfall probabilities of the last millennium on the US Gulf Coast are equal to, or higher than, the preceding three millennia.     

Gulf of Mexico Basin: Newest coal province

Post World War II oil came to replace coal as the dominant energy source in the U.S.A. Recently, coal in the form of lignite has again become a significant energy resource in the Gulf Coast region, where it occurs in Eocene and Oligocene rocks. Efficient exploitation requires a proper understanding of the facies in which it occurs. Studies of surface outcrops are providing the basis for predicting the nature of the reserves at depth.     

Early formation of K-feldspar in shallow-marine sediments at near-surface temperatures (southern Israel): evidence from K-Ar dating

Authigenic K‐feldspar was investigated in two Albian to Turonian sections in Israel using K‐Ar and Ar‐Ar dating, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and chemical analysis. Both sections comprise a similar succession of shallow‐marine limestones, dolomites and marls, with some sandstone and shale beds of continental origin. The HCl‐insoluble residue fraction of the studied samples consists of clays, quartz, feldspars, goethite and trace amounts of heavy minerals. Most of the insoluble residues have a relatively high K‐feldspar content that has an adularia habit and is concentrated in the 4–7 µm size fraction. The authigenic origin of the K‐feldspar in the fine silt fraction is indicated by its high content relative to quartz, the uniform and idiomorphic shape of the crystals and its limited size range. Of the fine silt (4–7 or 4–10 µm) separates, 40% have ages that are similar to stratigraphic ages within the analytical and biostratigraphic errors. Ar‐Ar dating of a fine silt fraction with 94% K‐feldspar (4–10 µm, sample GYP 7) yields a plateau age identical to the total gas age and similar to the stratigraphic age. These results indicate that the K‐Ar age is not a mixture between detrital and late diagenetic K‐feldspar ages, but is rather an age of formation within a few million years after deposition. It is suggested that the early formation of the K‐feldspar was associated with dolomitization and was induced by residual brines as part of a reflux process.     

页岩孔隙演化及其与残留烃量的耦合关系：来自地质过程约束模拟实验的证据

加强页岩孔隙演化规律研究,特别是定量评价其与残留烃之间的关系对页岩油的勘探具有重要意义。采集鄂尔多斯盆地低成熟度湖相Ⅰ型富有机质页岩,通过地质条件约束(埋藏史、地层压力、地层水矿化度等)成岩物理模拟实验模拟页岩演化,利用压汞法、氮气吸附法和二氧化碳吸附法获得不同温压段页岩的比孔容、比表面积和孔径分布,结合氯仿沥青A抽提定量结果,确定孔隙演化规律及其与残留烃的关系。结果表明页岩大孔比孔容与残留烃含量先增加后减小,微孔和中孔的比孔容随着模拟实验温度的增加呈现先减小后增大。XRD分析显示黄铁矿含量控制大孔,有机质丰度和粘土含量控制微孔和中孔。微孔和中孔的比孔容增加为高—过成熟度阶段页岩气提供储集空间,大孔比孔容与残留烃含量变化一致,生油窗阶段大孔增加是页岩油的有利储集带。     

Modelling and in-situ measurements of intense currents during a winter storm in the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes (NW Mediterranean Sea)

While oceanic circulation in the Gulf of Lion (GoL) has often been studied in calm weather or with northerly winds (Tramontane or Mistral) through observations and numerical circulation models, few studies have focused on southeasterly storm events. Yet, correct representation of the circulation during storms is crucial if the suspension of sediments is to be correctly modelled throughout the Gulf. The purpose of this paper is to describe the hydrodynamics in the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes (NW of the GoL) during the storm of 18 February 2007 by using a set of data from an ADCP station placed at a depth of 65 m on the sea bed off the coast at Sète, supplemented by the ocean circulation model SYMPHONIE. This storm was characterized by a moderate south-easterly wind (15 m . s^?1) and waves of up to 5 m of significant height at its apex. At the ADCP, strong currents of up to 0.8 m . s^?1 near the surface and 0.5 m . s^?1 near the bottom were recorded, parallel to the coast, flowing towards the south-west. The simulated currents were widely underestimated, even taking the effect of waves into account in the model. It was suspected that the representation of the wind in the atmospheric model was an underestimation. A new simulation was therefore run with an arbitrarily chosen stronger wind and its results were in much better agreement with the measurements. A simplified theoretical analysis successfully isolated the wind-induced processes, responsible for the strong currents measured during the apex and the strong vertical shear that occurred at the beginning of the storm. These processes were: 1/ the barotropic geostrophic current induced by a wind parallel to the coast and 2/ the Ekman spiral. The duration of the storm (about 36 h at the apex) explains the continuous increase of the current as predicted by the theory. The frictionally induced Ekman transport explains the current shear in the surface layer in the rising stage of the storm, and the addition of high waves and strong wind at the apex is more in favour of strong vertical mixing in the surface layer.     

华南沿海第四纪类网纹红土的赋存层位及其年代问题

根据地质学、地貌学、沉积学、地球化学和年代学的研究,将华南沿海(南岭以南)不同时代的杂色粘土(暂称类网纹红土)划分为基岩风化壳型和松散沉积风化壳型两种类型;将第四纪松散沉积系列中的杂色粘土划分为第四纪早期(年代为1.8～1.6 Ma BP)、中期(年代为1.0～0.8Ma BP)和晚期(年代为0.07～0.01 Ma BP)3个发育期;主要讨论了发育好、厚度大、分布广的第四纪中期杂色粘土与长江流域和西南丘陵区典型网纹红土之间在赋存层位、剖面结构和发育年代等方面的差别和存在问题,提出了需进一步研究杂色粘土-网纹红土的年代和发育规律及其反映的中国南方地质-气候环境演化规律等重要科学问题.     

3D seismic analysis of the Coast Shear Zone in SE Alaska and Western British Columbia: Broadside analysis of ACCRETE wide-angle data

The multidisciplinary ACCRETE project addresses the question of continental assemblage in southeast Alaska and western British Columbia by terrane accretion and magmatic addition. The previous studies of this project yielded important information for understanding the structures across the Coast Shear Zone (CSZ) and the formation of the CSZ and the Coast Mountains Batholith (CMB). The present study extends these interpretations into pseudo-3-D by using two additional wide-angle ACCRETE seismic lines. By analyzing the broadside wide-angle data using a series of laterally homogeneous 2-D models, we derive a lower-resolution 3-D velocity model of the outboard terranes and constrain variations in crustal thickness across and along the CSZ. Models of the broadside data confirms major structural and compositional trends extend along strike to the northwest. The key features are: a) a steep Moho ramp only  15-km wide is coincident with the CSZ and divides thin (25 ± 1 km) crust to the west below the west-vergent thrust belt (WTB) from thicker ( 31 ± 1 km) crust to the east below the CMB, (b) low-velocity mantle (7.7--7.9 km/s) extends beneath the entire study region indicating high crustal and upper-mantle temperatures below the WTB and CMB, and (c) the Alexander terrane is characterized by strong mid-crustal reflectivity and high lower crustal velocities that are consistent with gabbroic composition. This study extends the earlier interpretation and implies that the ramp is indeed likely associated with transpressional tectonics and magmatic crustal addition east of the CSZ.     

Experimental determination of argon solubility in silicate melts: An assessment of the effects of liquid composition and temperature

The argon solubility of 38 liquids in the system Na₂O-CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (NCMAS) has been determined at 1873 K and 1 bar, the argon concentration of presaturated glasses being measured using a static mass spectrometer. For compositions in the subsystem diopside (CaMgSi₂O₆), nepheline (NaAlSiO₄), albite (NaAlSi₃O₈), anorthite (CaAl₂Si₂O₈), argon solubility is generally a linear function of the relative proportion of each end member, solubility being lowest in diopside melt (1.53 10⁻⁵ cm³ STP · g⁻¹ · bar⁻¹) and highest in albite melt (2.88 10⁻⁴ cm³ STP · g⁻¹ · bar⁻¹). For the tectosilicate joins studied (SiO₂-Na₂Al₂O₄, SiO₂-CaAl₂O₄, SiO₂-MgAl₂O₄) solubility decreases with decreasing silica content in all cases, being highest for Na-bearing liquids and lowest for Mg-bearing liquids at constant molar silica content. Where comparison is possible our results are in good agreement with data from the literature. When our data are considered in isolation we find that argon solubility shows an excellent correlation with calculated ionic porosity. The covariation of argon solubility and liquid density is also reasonable, that with molar volume less convincing and that with polymerization state (as defined by the ratio of the number of nonbridging oxygens and tetrahedral network forming cations; NBO/T) nonexistent. However, when our data are combined with those from the literature no well constrained correlation between argon solubility and ionic porosity is apparent. Based upon this observation and consideration of the temperature dependence of noble gas solubility it is concluded that ionic porosity is not a universally applicable parameter which may be used to predict noble gas solubility as a function of composition, temperature and pressure. Two new models for calculating argon solubility are proposed, both employing the notion of partial molar argon solubilities. The first uses oxide components, for which partial molar argon solubility is directly proportional to partial molar ionic porosity calculated at 1873 K, irrespective of the temperature of experimental equilibration. The second model, which offers the best fit to the available data, employs tetrahedral units rather than oxides as the proposed melt components. This latter model successfully accounts for reported argon solubilities in simple Al-free systems, in simple Al-bearing systems and in natural liquids. This is interpreted to infer that argon is incorporated in large sites in the liquid structure (such as the space within rings of n-tetrahedra) although further work is required to understand the quantitative links between melt structure and noble gas solubility.     

库车前陆盆地与波斯湾盆地盐构造对比研究

通过对库车前陆盆地和波斯湾盆地的盐层发育状况、盐构造特征以及盐构造与油气关系的对比研究,认为盐底辟构造与油气密切相关。库车前陆盆地勘探程度较低,应注重寻找盐底辟构造,以及与其相关的圈闭。库车前陆盆地盐构造的形成机制与波斯湾盆地下法尔斯组/加奇萨兰组相似,与霍尔姆兹组不同。根据波斯湾盆地下法尔斯组/加奇萨兰组盐构造在油气成藏中的作用,认为库车前陆盆地南部盐层较厚的地区应加强盐下勘探的力度,寻找盐下圈闭。北部山前盐层欠发育地区应注重寻找盐上圈闭,同时兼顾盐下圈闭。库车前陆盆地具有良好的三叠系和侏罗系烃源岩,应该有很广阔的勘探前景。     

Resonance in rocks: Building a sustainable learning and engagement programme for the Jurassic Coast

World Heritage Sites have a duty, through educational and information programmes, to strengthen appreciation and respect by their peoples of the cultural and natural heritage of that site. The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site (JCWHS) showcases nearly 185 million years of Earth’s history across 95 miles of coast and exemplifies some of the most spectacular rocks, fossils and landforms in the world. However, imparting these values to non-specialist audiences of all ages, abilities and needs provides unique challenges and opportunities. A critical factor for success in addressing such a wide audience is ensuring that content is relevant, meaningful and focused on the expectations of the end user. In this paper we present our learning framework that is based around two approaches. Firstly, we map out the needs and expectations of each of our four core audience groups and set out guidelines for who we should aim our content at and how that should be delivered. Secondly, we set out three pathways (Inspire, Curious and Motivated) through which a person may choose to engage with the Jurassic Coast. We argue that if our tailored content and experiences can resonate with a person at an emotional and intellectual level, they will ultimately become devoted to the Jurassic Coast. Through empowering a community of people who understand and appreciate the geoheritage of the Jurassic Coast, they can become advocates and champions for its protection and conservation in the future.     

Heritage and landscape change: Recording,archiving and engaging with photogrammetry on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site

The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is a landscape defined by change and process. As such, the approach to its heritage must be similarly flexible and active. A balance must be found between celebrating these processes of change, whilst also conserving those invaluable discoveries and features that so define this coast, as well as encouraging ongoing research and public engagement. This delicate task can be aided firstly by thinking about this geologically defined World Heritage Site as a landscape. In this way it is possible to develop rich and nuanced narratives between the human and geological. Secondly, by embracing new technologies and methodologies to record, archive and communicate features and finds, as well as the process of change itself. Here, we explore these ideas through two unique sites of geological and palaeontological interest discovered in the process of quarrying. To balance keeping the sites open to the public with the risk of natural and human damage to the sites, Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry was used to create accurate, high-resolution, georeferenced 3D models. The process and potentials of the technique are discussed, alongside a discussion of the broader ideas of heritage and approaches already at play on this coastline.     

Tsunami Hazard in the Eastern Mediterranean: Strong Earthquakes and Tsunamis in the Corinth Gulf,Central Greece

The exhaustive review of a long number of historical documents, books, reports,scientific and press reports, instrumental recordings, previous catalogues andpersonal field observations, concluded with the production of a completely newtsunami catalogue for the Corinth Gulf, Central Greece, which is arranged in theformat adopted by the GITEC group for the new European Tsunami Catalogue.The catalogue is presented in three sections: the Quick-Look Table, the Quick-LookAccounts File and the References File. An Appendix explains why some particularsea disturbances were not included in the new catalogue although they were consideredas tsunami events by previous researchers. Past history clearly shows that most tsunamis in the Corinth Gulf are produced by strong (Ms 5.5) offshore and near shore earthquakes. However, seismic or aseismic sliding of coastal and submarine sediments is a significant factor in tsunamigenesis. Calculations based on the random model indicate that the probability for at least one tsunami occurrence of intensity TI 2 TI 3 and TI 4 within 50 years equals 0.851, 0.747 and 0.606, respectively. From the intensity–frequency relationship the mean return period of tsunami intensity TI 2, TI 3 and TI 4 equals to 16, 40 and 103 years. The tsunami geographicaldistribution, however, is non-random with a clear trend for the tsunamigenesis todecrease drastically from west to east within the Corinth Gulf. In fact, the probabilityfor a strong earthquake to cause a tsunami of TI 3 in the Corinth Gulf consideredas an entity is 0.35, while in the western part of the Gulf it goes up to 0.55. Therefore, the rapid and accurate determination of the earthquake focal parameters is of great importance in an algorithm of a real-time tsunami warning system in the Corinth Gulf.     

Gas-generation potential of shales in small and medium-sized basins: a case study from the Xuanhua Basin,north China

Abstract

Small- and medium-sized basins are widely distributed, and some contain commercial gas reservoirs demonstrating their gas-generation potential. The Xuanhua Basin, which is a small-sized coal-bearing basin in north China, includes a promising target for shale-gas exploration in the Xiahuayuan Formation. In this study, we used this basin as a case study to assess the critical geochemical features for small or medium-sized basins to form commercial gas reservoirs. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, microscopic observation of macerals, vitrinite reflectance measurement and kerogen stable carbon isotope analysis were performed to characterise the organic geochemistry of the Xiahuayuan shales. The original total organic carbon (TOC_o) content and hydrocarbon-generative potential (S_2o) were reconstructed to further evaluate the gas-generation potential of these shales. In addition, geochemical data of shales from other similar-sized basins with gas discoveries were compared. The results showed that the kerogen from the Xiahuayuan Formation is Type III (gas-prone), and macerals are dominated by vitrinite. TOC values showed a strong heterogeneity in the vertical profiles, with most higher than 1.5?wt%. The measured R_o values ranged from 1.4 to 2.0%. However, thermal maturity was not correlated with the present-day burial depth with higher maturity in the wells closest to the diabase intrusion centre. The remaining generation potential (S₂) averaged 0.91?mg HC/g rock, equal to 1.4?cm³ CH₄/g rock, and the average amount of hydrocarbon generated was 4.33?cm³ CH₄/g rock. In small and medium-sized basins, the TOC content of commercially developed gas shales ranged from 0.5 to 2.5?wt%, organic matter was mainly humic (gas-prone), and the burial depth was generally shallow. Biogenic gas reservoirs for commercial exploitation tend to have larger shale thicknesses (120–800?m) than thermogenic gas reservoirs (60–90?m).

1. The Xiahuayuan Formation is a good gas-source rock with gas-prone kerogen type, relatively high TOC values and moderate thermal maturity.

2. The average amount of hydrocarbon generated from the Xiahuayuan shales is about 4.33?cm³ CH₄/g rock, indicating a potential to form a shale gas reservoir.

3. Owing to the influence of diabase intrusions, the Xiahuayuan shales have entered the dry gas window at relatively shallow-buried depths.

4. Small- and medium-sized basins have the potential to generate commercial gas reservoirs with the generated volume mainly a product of the thickness and maturity of black shales.

     

An alternative Pangea reconstruction for Middle America with the Chortis Block in the Gulf of Mexico: tectonic implications

Understanding Pangea breakup requires a robust reconstruction, and this article focuses on the Middle America sector of the supercontinent. Although most Pangean reconstructions locate the Yucatan Block along the southern USA, the Chortis Block is generally placed off southern Mexico (Pacific model), undergoing sinistral relative motion during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic. However, the Pacific model is inconsistent with the absence of a Cenozoic fault linking the Cayman transforms and the Middle America Trench. We present an alternative Pangean reconstruction, where both the Yucatan and Chortis Blocks are placed in the future Gulf of Mexico, moving Mexico westwards along the Mojave–Sonora megashear to accommodate overlap with South America. Subsequent Mesozoic and Cenozoic evolution is inferred to have occurred in two stages: (i) Jurassic clockwise rotation along the Mojave–Sonora and West Florida megashears, followed by (ii) Cenozoic anticlockwise rotation along the Sierra Madre Oriental and East Yucatan megashears. The first stage is linked to the breakup of Pangea where the Gulf of Mexico formed as a pull-apart basin. The second stage is related to the evolution of the Caribbean where the Chortis and Yucatan Blocks rotated into the trailing side of the Caribbean Plate (pirate model). The new reconstruction is consistent with major parameters, such as (i) gravity, magnetic, and palaeomagnetic data; (ii) the westward continuation of the Cayman transform faults through the Chiapas foldbelt and along the N–S front of the Sierra Madre Oriental foldbelt; (iii) the 27–19 Ma removal of the southern Mexican forearc; (iv) offset of the Cretaceous volcanic arc (Guerrero-Suina); (v) the deflection of the Laramide orogen (Sierra Madre Oriental–Zongolica–Colon); and (vi) the continuity of Cretaceous platformal carbonates containing Caribbean fauna across Middle America. In this latter context, the Motagua high-pressure belt is interpreted as a Cretaceous extrusion zone into the upper plate above a subduction zone rather than as an oceanic suture.     

The sandy channel-lobe depositional systems in the Gulf of Cadiz: Gravity processes forced by contour current processes

The sedimentation in the Gulf of Cadiz (NE Atlantic Ocean) is significantly controlled by the Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW). Along its pathway onto the continental slope, the MOW is canalized by contourite channels, some of them feeding gravity sandy channel-lobe depositional systems firstly recognized in previous study [Habgood et al., 2003. Deep-water sediment wave fields, bottom current sand channels and gravity flow channel-lobe systems: Gulf of Cadiz, NE Atlantic. Sedimentology 50(3), 483-510.].Using very high resolution acoustic data and cores, a detailed characterization and a new evolution pattern of these channel-lobe depositional systems is established. Complex internal geometry of the lobes shows several depositional units revealing a polyphase evolution of these systems, with a general progradation punctuated by retrogradation and avulsion phases. A gravity origin controlled by contouritic processes and climatic changes is demonstrated for the feeding and the evolution of these sandy channel-lobe depositional systems. Climate oscillations, via the MOW variations, act as a major forcing of the activity of the channel-lobe depositional systems during the Late Quaternary.     

置换碎石桩联合强夯在北部湾填海复杂型软弱地基处理中的应用

从广西北部湾大量填海（塘）造陆工业基地所遇到的复杂型软弱与夹层地基处理工程实例中,结合建（构）筑物具体特点,扩展应用置换（挤密加固,纵横排水）碎石桩联合强夯的地基处理方法,在解决大面积地基不均匀沉降,软弱夹层纵横排水与挤密固结、综合夯实提高总体地基持力层承载力方面取得了“安全、经济、高效”的良好效果,并具有推广前景和意义。     

Control of slope deformations in high seismic area: Results from the Gulf of Corinth observatory site (Greece)

The northern coast of the Peloponnesus (Greece) is characterized by high seismic activity related to the Gulf of Corinth opening with an extension rate of 16 mm y^− 1. Studies presented in this paper focus on the characterization of links between tectonic and slope deformations on the Panagopoula slope, located on the southern coast. The approach is centred on qualitative and quantitative data acquisition based on geological and geomorphological investigations, geophysical imagery by electrical resistivity tomography and slope displacement monitoring.Firstly, we highlight two different types of slope deformation on Panagopoula: a superficial landslide affecting weathered limestone, and a large-scale deformation without global failure expressed in the field. Tectonic features play a major role in these two dynamic processes, taking into account the strong geometrical link between the inherited fractures and gravitational scarps mapped in the field.Secondly, the displacements survey network, distributed on both sides of a significant fault crossing the slope, allows the quantification of slope displacements underlying two components: (i) a gravitational sliding (N010) along the slope, and (ii) a supposed tectonic component (N240).     

Structure of the rift basins in the central Gulf of California: Kinematic implications for oblique rifting

We use structural and seismostratigraphic interpretation of multichannel seismic reflection data to understand the structure and kinematic history of the central Gulf of California. Our analysis reveals that oblique strain in the central Gulf formed two tectono–sedimentary domains during distinct deformation stages. The eastern domain, offshore Sonora, is bounded by the East and West Pedro Nolasco faults that may constitute the southernmost segments of the Tiburón Fault System. Within this domain, the dip-slip Yaqui Fault controlled deposition of 3.9 km of sediments in the half-graben Yaqui Basin. The western domain, offshore Baja California, is bounded by the Guaymas Transform Fault, which controlled the accumulation of 1.45 km of sediments within a half-graben that formed the early Guaymas Basin. The tectono–sedimentary activity offshore Sonoran likely ranges from Late Miocene–Pliocene to Late Pliocene time, while activity in the Guaymas Basin commenced in Late Pliocene time. Extinction of the main faults offshore Sonora was nearly coeval to the initiation of the Guaymas Transform Fault. Our results suggest that oblique strain has been accommodated by strain partition since the onset of rifting in the central Gulf. The Guaymas Basin is now a nascent spreading center, but prior to this, it evolved as a half-graben controlled by the Guaymas Transform Fault; such drastic transition is not constrained, but likely occurred during the Pleistocene time and must be localized < 30 km north of the axial troughs. The faults within the central Gulf transpose the Miocene N–S oriented grabens of Basin and Range style preserved onshore in the conjugate rifted margins.