Tectonic controls on carbonate sequence formation in an active strike–slip setting: Serranilla Basin, Northern Nicaragua Rise, Western Caribbean Sea

The Serranilla Basin is a flat-floored, semi-circular bathymetric depression (100×100 km; 1100–1200 m deep) at the western end of the northern Nicaragua Rise (NNR) in the Caribbean Sea. It is bound to the north by the Cayman Trough, an area of active sea floor spreading, and is part of the Northern Caribbean Plate Boundary Zone (NCPBZ). Single-channel, high-resolution seismic data were calibrated to rock dredges and ODP Site 1000 to define the geologic evolution and attempt to tie sequence formation within the basin to tectonic developments in this part of the Caribbean. Five seismic sequences were identified within the basin. The two lower sequences (A and B) are interpreted as neritic and shallow periplatform deposits which infill three distinct basins that make up the early to late Miocene Serranilla Basin. The three upper sequences (C through E) are interpreted as periplatform and pelagic deposits interspersed with turbidites, and in some areas, megabreccias. Faulting is prevalent in sequences A through C in the central basin, and becomes progressively younger toward the south, disrupting the seafloor in places and perhaps indicating renewed activity along the Pedro Fracture Zone. The timing of sequence boundary formation has been correlated to tectonic activity along the NCPBZ and closure of the Central American Seaway. Possible mechanisms of sequence boundary formation include tectonic tilting within the basin in conjunction with increased turbidite deposition, carbonate platform drowning and subsequent back-stepping associated with circulation changes resulting from tectonic ‘gateway' closure, and megabreccia deposition associated with bank demise. Although a direct genetic relationship is not proven, regional tectonic changes are considered more important than eustatic sea-level changes in controlling depositional sequence formation in the Serranilla Basin.     

Isochores and 3-D visualization of rising and falling slat diapirs

Diapir fall, which was predicted by physical models, has been identified in salt provinces, such as the South Atlantic margins, the North Sea, and the Paradox Basin (Colorado–Utah). However the 3-D geometry of falling diapirs and their country rock is still poorly understood. 3-D visualization and isochore patterns from a physical model help elucidate this geometry.The model initially comprised a unit of viscous silicone overlain by a prekinematic sand unit. Sand units representing brittle sediments were deposited episodically during gravity gliding and spreading. Regional extension triggered and eventually widened salt walls, causing them to sag. The 3-D visualization shows that regional hydrocarbon migration, which tends to be seaward during diapir rise and landward during diapir fall, can potentially be orthogonal to local migration along grabens at soft-linked zones of relay ramps. Furthermore, anticlinal culminations may form (1) in horsts that bend along strike and (2) adjoining the fork of Y-shaped salt walls.Sequential isochore maps of the overburden show how patterns of sedimentation, deformation, and underlying salt thickness changed through time. Isochores of prekinematic units record only strain: thinned belts record early extension. In contrast, isochores of synkinematic units record mostly thickness variations due to deposition on actively deforming topography. Isochores above sagging diapirs identify the thickest part of crestal depocenters, where the most rapid sagging occurred in regions of maximum extension near the unbuttressed downdip part of the gravity-spreading system. Additionally, asymmetric isochore patterns may reveal underlying half-grabens or tilted symmetric grabens. In relay systems, overlying isochores may indicate which part of a salt wall rose to compensate for sagging elsewhere in the relay.     

Morphotectonic zones along the coast of the Pacific continental margin, southern Mexico

Geomorphic analysis, employing topographic, morphologic, geologic, and bathymetric maps, and field studies show that the morphology of the southern coast of Mexico can be linked to lateral variations in the geometry and tectonism of the subduction zone. A reconnaissance study, based on the regional morphological characteristics and correlation with seismotectonic segments, regional tectonics and major bathymetric features, allows identification of several morphotectonic zones along the coast of southern Mexico: (1) Jalisco zone, (2) Colima zone, (3) Michoacan zone, (4) Guerrero zone, (5) Oaxaca zone, and (6) Tehuantepec zone. A range of geomorphological evidence, including marine terraces, river terraces, uplifted notches, and elevated wave-cut platforms, indicates local and regional uplift along the coast of the Jalisco, Michoacan, Guerrero and Oaxaca zones. Coasts of the Colima and Tehuantepec zones show morphological evidence of subsidence.     

活动大陆边缘的板片窗构造

正俯冲的洋中脊的持续扩张作用将会使该洋中脊两侧的洋壳板片之间形成一个持续加宽的间隙,这个间隙称为板片窗。板片窗往往形成于小于10Ma左右具浮力的大洋岩石圈俯冲时期。板片窗形态依赖于3个主要因素：板块的相对运动、俯冲前的洋脊一转换断层组合样式、俯冲角度。影响板片窗形态的次要因素还有热侵蚀、相变等因素。在板片窗出现的活动大陆边缘,软流圈、岩石圈、大气圈、水圈发生独特的多圈层相互作用,是地球系统最为活跃的地带。由于该地带的洋底消减往往与生长轴呈一定角度相交,不仅引起盆地的不对称消减,而且使得板片窗之上的活动大陆边缘的构造、岩浆、成矿和热效应明显不同于洋中脊平行于俯冲带的消减作用产生的构造、岩浆、成矿和热效应。     

Mesozoic-Cenozoic Basin Features and Evolution of Southeast China

The Late Triassic to Paleogene(T_3-E) basin occupies an area of 143100 km~2,being the sixth area of the whole of SE China;the total area of synchronous granitoid is about 127300 km~2;it provides a key for understanding the tectonic evolution of South China.From a new 1:1500000 geological map of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins of SE China,combined with analysis of geometrical and petrological features,some new insights of basin tectonics are obtained.Advances include petrotectonic assemblages, basin classification of geodynamics,geometric features,relations of basin and range.According to basin-forming geodynamicai mechanisms,the Mesozoic-Cenozoic basin of SE China can be divided into three types,namely:1) para-foreland basin formed from Late Triassic to Early Jurassic(T_3-J_1) under compressional conditions;2) rift basins formed during the Middle Jurassic(J_2) under a strongly extensional setting;and 3) a faulted depression formed during Early Cretaceous to Paleogene (K_1-E) under back-arc extension action.From the rock assemblages of the basin,the faulted depression can be subdivided into a volcanic-sedimentary type formed mainly during the Early Cretaceous(K_1) and a red -bed type formed from Late Cretaceous to Paleogene(K_2-E).Statistical data suggest that the area of all para-foreland basins(T_3-J_1) is 15120 km~2,one of rift basins(J_2) occupies 4640 km~2,and all faulted depressions equal to 124330 km~2 including the K_2-E red-bed basins of 37850 km~2.The Early Mesozoic (T_3-J_1) basin and granite were mostly co-generated under a post-collision compression background, while the basins from Middle Jurassic to Paleogene(J_2-E) were mainly constrained by regional extensional tectonics.Three geological and geographical zones were surveyed,namely:1)the Wuyishan separating zone of paleogeography and climate from Middle Jurassic to Tertiary;2)the Middle Jurassic rift zone;and 3)the Ganjiang separating zone of Late Mesozoic volcanism.Three types of basin-granite relationships have been identified,including compressional(a few),strike-slip(a few), and extensional(common).A three-stage geodynamical evolution of the SE-China basin is mooted:an Early Mesozoic basin-granite framework;a transitional Middle Jurassic tectonic regime; intracontinental extension and red-bed faulted depressions since the Late Cretaceous.     

甘肃景泰崔家墩下奥陶统阴沟组砂岩化学组分特征及物源区构造背景判别

甘肃景泰一带早奥陶世沉积了以浊流砂岩夹板岩为主的阴沟组。崔家墩剖面阴沟组较为发育,总体分为两个岩性段,但东西向逆冲断层造成地层垂向不连续。北段（下段）为粉-细砂岩、板岩夹硅质岩;南段（上段）为岩屑含量较多的岩屑砂岩夹板岩,硅质岩少或无。对阴沟组砂岩进行主化学组分特征分析,其特征指标：Fe₂O*3+MgO值为503%～17.63%,Al₂O₃/SiO₂值为0.12%～0.28%,K₂O/Na₂O值为0.25%～1.26%及 Al₂O₃/（CaO+Na₂O）值为1.01%～3.53%。利用砂岩的化学组分特征结合岩相学分析,可以判断物源区特征及大地构造背景。研究表明:该套浊积砂岩下部物源主要来自北部的阿拉善地块及该地块上的古老造山带,为被动大陆边缘背景;上部碎屑主要来自南侧岛弧中基性火山岩,为活动大陆边缘初始弧后盆地构造背景。     

The Structure and Stratigraphy of the Western External Sierras of the Pyrenees,Northern Spain

The External Sierras of the southern Pyrenees represent the frontal thrust complex of a south Pyrenean thrust sheet which was active from the late Eocene to early Miocene. Triassic, Cretaceous and Eocene limestones, sandstones and mudstones involved in this thrusting can be divided into eight mappable units. Mapping and the construction of serial sections across the Western External Sierras show that the amount of southward translation of the thrust sheet increases eastwards from the thrust tip. There is an increased slip of at least 5km along 30km of the External Sierras. Structures show a progressive development from a “primitive” form in the west to a more complex thrust and fold geometry in the east. The general pattern is one of thrust and fold development in response to compression from the north. Backthrusting has occurred on the forward side of the frontal thrust complex. These backthrusts cut up section towards the north and form triangle zones where they intersect thrusts which cut up sections towards the south. The latest thrust movements deformed early Miocene fanglomerates and were out-of-sequence reactivations of earlier thrusts.     

库车前陆褶皱-冲断带盐构造差异变形和分段性特征探讨

通过野外地质调查、GIS分析、三维可视化分析、盐相关构造变形样式的探讨、平衡剖面分析以及缩短量和缩短率的估算,表明库车前陆褶皱—冲断带盐构造具有明显的差异变形和分段性特征。差异变形主要表现为纵向上不同层次变形的差异性以及平面上构造变形的分带性与分段性。段与段的分界一般为走滑断层,在野外可见大量断层三角面、擦痕、阶步、错断的山脊和河谷等现象,地貌GIS分析可以揭示一些构造分段的细节特征,三维可视化反映了隐伏的残留盐枕的分段性。不同的段具有迥然不同的构造变形样式,平衡剖面分析可以估算出不同段落缩短量和缩短率的明显差异。盐构造差异变形和分段性的形成一方面受控于天山造山带的分段性活动过程,还和盐岩层本身的沉积学特征及盐体展布格局有关,同时还明显受到基底构造的控制,与基底古隆起、基底断裂及古构造断坡的发育密切相关。     

青藏高原东缘龙门山 晚新生代走滑-逆冲作用的地貌标志*

文章以青藏高原东缘龙门山活动构造的地貌标志为切入点,在汶川-茂汶断裂、北川断裂、彭灌断裂和大邑断裂等主干活动断裂的关键部位,对断错山脊、洪积扇、河流阶地、边坡脊、断层陡坎、河道错断、冲沟侧缘壁位错、拉分盆地、断层偏转、砾石定向带、坡中槽、弃沟和断塞塘等活动构造地貌和断裂带开展了详细的野外地质填图和地貌测量,利用精确的地貌测量数据和测年数据,定量计算了龙门山主干断裂的逆冲速率和走滑速率,结果表明在晚新生代时期龙门山构造带仅具有微弱的构造缩短作用,其中逆冲速率的速度值小于1.1mm/a,走滑速率的速度值小于1.46mm/a,表明走滑分量与逆冲分量的比率介于6 ∶ 1~1.3 ∶ 1之间,以右行走滑作用为主。在此基础上,对各主干活动断裂的逆冲速率和走滑速率进行了定量的对比研究,结果表明自北西向南东4条主干断裂的最大逆冲分量滑动速率具有变小的趋势,而走滑分量的滑动速率则具有逐渐变大的趋势,显示了从龙门山的后山带至前山带主干断裂的走滑作用越来越强。由此推测现今的龙门山及其前缘盆地不完全是由于构造缩短作用形成的,而主要是走滑作用和剥蚀卸载作用的产物。另外,根据沉积、构造、盆地充填体的几何形态、地貌、古地磁等标定和对比了龙门山在中生代和新生代的走滑方向,表明龙门山构造带在中生代与新生代之交走滑方向发生了反转,即由中生代时期的左行变为新生代时期的右行。