Tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen,southeast Australia: Historical review,data synthesis and modern perspectives

The Lachlan Orogen,like many other orogenic belts,has undergone paradigm shifts from geosynclinal to plate-tectonic theory of evolution over the past 40 years. Initial plate-tectonic interpretations were based on lithologic associations and recognition of key plate-tectonic elements such as andesites and palaeo-subduction complexes. Understanding and knowledge of modern plate settings led to the application of actualistic models and the development of palaeogeographical reconstructions, commonly using a non-palinspastic base. Igneous petrology and geochemistry led to characterisation of granite types into ‘I’ and ‘S’, the delineation of granite basement terranes, and to non-mobilistic tectonic scenarios involving plumes as a heat source to drive crustal melting and lithospheric deformation. More recently, measurements of isotopic tracers (Nd, Sr, Pb) and U–Pb SHRIMP age determinations on inherited zircons from granitoids and detrital zircons from sedimentary successions led to the development of multiple component mixing models to explain granite geochemistry. These have focused tectonic arguments for magma genesis again more on plate interactions. The recognition of fault zones in the turbidites, their polydeformed character and their thin-skinned nature, as well as belts of distinct tectonic vergence has led to a major reassessment of tectonic development. Other geochemical studies on Cambrian metavolcanic belts showed that the basement was partly backarc basin- and forearc basin-type oceanic crust. The application of ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar geochronology and thermochronology on slates,schist and granitoids has better constrained the timing of deformation and plutonism,and illite crystallinity and b_o mica spacing studies on slates have better defined the background metamorphic conditions in the low-grade parts. The Lachlan deformation pattern involves three thrust systems that constitute the western Lachlan Orogen, central Lachlan Orogen and eastern Lachlan Orogen. The faults in the western Lachlan Orogen show a generalised east-younging (450–395 Ma), which probably relates to imbrication and rock uplift of the sediment wedge, because detailed analyses show that the décollement system is as old in the east as it is in the west. Overall, deformation in the eastern Lachlan Orogen is younger (400–380 Ma), apart from the Narooma Accretionary Complex (ca 445 Ma). Preservation of extensional basins and evidence for basin inversion are largely restricted to the central and eastern parts of the Lachlan Orogen. The presence of dismembered ophiolite slivers along some major fault zones, as well as the recognition of relict blueschist metamorphism and serpentinite-matrix mélanges requires an oceanic setting involving oceanic underthrusting (subduction) for the western Lachlan Orogen and central Lachlan Orogen for parts of their history. Inhibited by deep weathering and a general lack of exposure, the recent application of geophysical techniques including gravity, aeromagnetic imaging and deep crustal seismic reflection profiling has led to greater recognition of structural elements through the subcrop, a better delineation of their lateral continuity, and a better understanding of the crustal-scale architecture of the orogen. The Lachlan Orogen clearly represents a class of orogen, distinct from the Alps, Canadian Rockies and Appalachians, and is an excellent example of a Palaeozoic accretionary orogen.     

Imaging glacial sediment inclusions in 3‐D using ground‐penetrating radar at Kongsvegen,Svalbard

The quiescent‐phase surge‐type glacier, Kongsvegen, flows confluent with the continuously fast‐flowing Kronebreen in northwestern Spitsbergen. The lower regions of Kongsvegen overlie glaciomarine sediments, which have been incorporated into the ice during multiple surge events. The resulting englacial structures are exposed at the surface and on a cliff section. These structures have variously been interpreted as thrusts, formed by compression, or sediment‐filled crevasses, formed by extension. We collected a grid of closely spaced ground‐penetrating radar profiles in the area adjacent to the cliff section. Several structures were imaged in 3‐D, including a strong subhorizontal basal reflector, which was underlain by a second, weaker subhorizontal reflector. The basal reflector was occasionally reverse faulted, suggesting compression. Clear englacial features extended upwards from it, dipping up‐glacier at angles of <40° and steepening towards the glacier surface; they had complex geometries that changed rapidly cross‐glacier. The structures were orientated at ～30° to ice flow, suggesting modification by lateral compression from Kronebreen. Some of these englacial structures clearly crossed the basal reflector. We conclude that the englacial features imaged are not likely to be derived from crevasse filling and were probably formed by thrusting. The results contribute to our understanding of surge initiation and termination processes, and interpretation of features in the palaeorecord. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

西藏谢通门斯弄多地区新生代逆冲推覆构造的基本特征

谢通门县斯弄多地区发育大型新生代逆冲推覆构造,逆冲断层面倾向200°左右,断层倾角15～25°。逆冲断层上盘主要由上石炭统昂杰组灰岩、白云质灰岩构成,形成陡峭高耸的推覆前缘断崖;下盘以始新统年波组火山岩为主。断层全长约60km,断层带宽2～3km。逆冲推覆上盘推覆体向北北东方向滑移,根据飞来峰的相对位置估算,推覆体推覆距离约15km。逆冲推覆构造的形成可能与印度板块向北俯冲导致冈底斯地区强烈的陆内挤压作用有关。     

Kinematics and dynamics of the Mesozoic orogeny and late-orogenic extensional collapse in the Sino-Mongolian border areas

Extensional tectonic models with the major features of metamorphic core complexes were established in the Cordilleran region of western North America dur- ing the late 1970s to early 1980s of last century[1—4].Since there were previous thrust events, some re- searchers attributed the extension to crust-thickening of Mesozoic orogen[5—8], i.e. the crust thickening dur- ing orogeny led to the fact that the materials at depthswere heated and partially melted, and the heated and low-density mat…     

关于河西走廊盆地榆木山北缘断裂晚第四纪活动特征的新认识

榆木山北缘活动断裂属于河西走廊中段盆地内的次级隆起——榆木山隆起北侧断裂系的组成部分,它位于榆木山北缘断裂北侧山前,是与榆木山隆起有成生联系、活动时间很新的现代活动断裂。榆木山北缘活动断裂呈向北北东略微凸出的弧形,走向总体为北西向,倾向南西,自南东向北西走向由北西向渐变为北西西向,甚至近东西向,倾角自中等—低角度,东段较陡。榆木山北缘断裂的活动性质在剖面上表现为以南西盘向上逆冲为主,水平位移不明显,特别是中段的石炭口—窑儿沟口一带,在向南缓倾的主逆冲上盘往往发育反向逆冲断层,并导致上更新统砂砾层发生牵引褶皱。该断裂在距今13.1～13.3ka之间和距今3～5ka期间发生过2次明显的新构造活动。     

汝阳南部逆冲推覆构造的地质特征

汝阳南部中元古界熊耳群火山岩与中、新生代地层分布区之间存在一条北西─南东向展布的逆冲推覆构造。调查区内延伸约３５ｋｍ。本文综述了该逆冲推覆构造的运动系统、滑脱面及原地系统的构造变形特征，并根据逆冲推覆的最晚地层、指向标志等特征，推断其形成于早第三纪末期，是喜马拉雅运动期的构造产物。     

Thrusting and Exhumation Processes of a Bounding Mountain Belt: Constraints from Sediment Provenance Analysis of the Hefei Basin

Lithic (or gravel) composition analyses of the Jurassic Sanjianpu Formation and Fenghuangtai Formation in the Hefei basin show that the sediment provenance consists mainly of four kinds of rock units: the basement metamorphic complex, granitic rocks, medium- and low-grade metamorphic rocks, and sandy and muddy sedimentary rocks, which are distributed along the bounding thrust belt. The whole stratigrapnic section can be divided into 2 lithic sequences and 7 subsequences. The regular distribution and changes of lithic fragments and gravels in lithic (or gravel) sequences reflect that the bounding thrust belt of basin has undergone 2 thrusting cycles and 7 thrusting events. Lithic (or gravel) composition analyses of the basin fully reveal that the northern Dabie basement metamorphic complex was exhumed on the earth's surface in the Middle and Late Jurassic, and extensive intermediate and acid intrusive rocks were developed in the southern North Huaiyang or northern Dabie Mountains during the basin's synde     

冀北崇礼—赤城大断裂的多相逆冲——兼论内蒙地轴隆升的构造制约因素

阐述了内蒙地轴南缘崇礼—赤城东西向大断裂的多变形变质相构造岩带特征,确定并阐明了五台—吕梁期的角闪岩相韧性逆冲、海西晚期的绿片岩相脆—韧性逆冲及燕山早期的表层次脆性逆冲的多次逆冲运动。根据各期构造岩的变质温压条件,对北盘内蒙地轴在几次逆冲期的抬升幅度进行了分析,提出内蒙地轴是水平挤压体制控制下的隆起带。     

A Large-Scale Palaeozoic Dextral Ductile Strike-Slip Zone:the Aqqikkudug-Weiya Zone along the Northern Margin of the Central Tianshan Belt,Xinjiang,NW China

The nearly E-W-trending Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone, more than 1000 km long and about 30 km wide, is an important segment in the Central Asian tectonic framework. It is distributed along the northern margin of the Central Tianshan belt in Xinjiang, NW China and is composed of mylonitized Early Palaeozoic greywacke, volcanic rocks, ophiolitic blocks as a mélange complex, HP/LT-type bleuschist blocks and mylonitized Neoproterozoic schist, gneiss and orthogneiss. Nearly vertical mylonitic foliation and sub-horizontal stretching lineation define its strike-slip feature; various kinematic indicators, such as asymmetric folds, non-coaxial asymmetric macro- to micro-structures and C-axis fabrics of quartz grains of mylonites, suggest that it is a dextral strike-slip ductile shear zone oriented in a nearly E-W direction characterized by "flower" strusture with thrusting or extruding across the zone toward the two sides and upright folds with gently plunging hinges. The Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone experienced at least two stages of ductile shear tectonic evolution: Early Palaeozoic north vergent thrusting ductile shear and Late Carboniferous-Early Permian strike-slip deformation. The strike-slip ductile shear likely took place during Late Palaeozoic time, dated at 269(5 Ma by the40Ar/39Ar analysis on neo-muscovites. The strike-slip deformation was followed by the Hercynian violent S-type granitic magmatism. Geodynamical analysis suggests that the large-scale dextral strike-slip ductile shearing is likely the result of intracontinental adjustment deformation after the collision of the Siberian continental plate towards the northern margin of the Tarim continental plate during the Late Carboniferous. The Himalayan tectonism locally deformed the zone, marked by final uplift, brittle layer-slip and step-type thrust faults, transcurrent faults and E-W-elongated Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins.     

准噶尔南缘逆冲带多个逆冲断层同期活动的几何学证据

天山北缘为典型的大陆内部活动构造特征,发育准噶尔盆地南缘逆冲带,主要表现为新生代时期形成的多排平行山体的背斜和逆冲断层。野外地质考察、地表填图指出,第二排背斜带玛纳斯背斜和吐谷鲁背斜核部均发育一条逆冲断层,背斜北翼发育一条逆冲断层,并导致河流阶地变形和断层崖的形成。地震资料解释和钻井数据证实玛纳斯背斜和吐谷鲁背斜北翼和核部存在多条向北逆冲的断层,在这些背斜和南侧第一排构造清水河背斜和奇古背斜之间的向斜之下存在隐伏的东湾背斜。二维地震测网构造解释指出东湾背斜为同时活动的、叠置的双重逆冲构造,并造成玛纳斯背斜和吐谷鲁背斜浅层发育一系列无序叠瓦逆冲断层。野外观察和地震解释的生长地层和地层不整合分析证实,这些无序逆冲断层形成时间主要为中新世晚期,一直到第四纪西域组(Q_1x)和乌苏群(Q_2)时期和第四纪中晚期(Q_4)。我们提出准南地区多个逆冲断层同期活动模式不同于新逆冲断层向前陆方向扩展时,旧断层不活动的模式。同期逆冲作用模式展示由于深部有序逆冲作用形成的双重逆冲构造发育期间,同期活动的逆冲作用可在浅层地表形成一系列无序逆冲断层,类似于叠瓦扇逆冲断层。