Quaternary folding of the eastern Tian Shan, northwest China

The Tian Shan, east–west trending more than 2000 km, is one of most active intracontinental mountain building belts that resulted from India–Eurasia collision during Cenozoic. In this study, Quaternary folding related to intracontinental mountain building of the Tian Shan orogenic belt is documented based on geologic interpretation and analyses of the satellite remote sensing images [Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM)/Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) and India Remote Sensing (IRS) Pan] combined with field geologic and geomorphic observations and seismic reflection profiles. Analyses of spatial–temporal features of Quaternary folded structure indicate that the early Quaternary folds are widely distributed in both piedmont and intermontane basins, whereas the late Quaternary active folds are mainly concentrated on the northern range-fronts. Field observations indicate that Quaternary folds are mainly characterized by fault-related folding. The formation and migration of Quaternary folding are likely related to decollement surfaces beneath the fold-and-fault zone as revealed by seismic reflection profiles. Moreover, analysis of growth strata indicates that the Quaternary folding began in late stage of early Pleistocene (2.1–1.2 Ma). Finally, tectonic evolution model of the Quaternary deformation in the Tian Shan is presented. This model shows that the Quaternary folding and faulting gradually migrate toward the range-fronts due to the continuous compression related to India–Eurasia collision during Quaternary time. As a result, the high topographic relief of the Tian Shan was formed.     

Tectonic wedging along the rear of the offshore Taiwan accretionary prism

The structural geometry, kinematics and density structure along the rear of the offshore Taiwan accretionary prism were studied using seismic reflection profiling and gravity modeling. Deformation between the offshore prism and forearc basin at the point of incipient collision, and southward into the region of subduction, has been interpreted as a tectonic wedge, similar to those observed along the front of mountain ranges. This tectonic wedge is bounded by an east-dipping roof thrust and a blind, west-dipping floor thrust. An east-dipping sequence of forearc-basin strata in the hanging wall of the roof thrust reaches a thickness in excess of 4 km near the tip of the interpreted tectonic wedge. Section restoration of the roof sequence yields an estimate of 4 km of shortening, which is small compared with that inferred in the collision area to the north, based on the variation in distance between the apex of the prism and the island arc.Previous studies propose that either high-angle normal faulting or backfolding has exhumed the metamorphic rocks along the eastern flank of the Central Range in the collision zone on land. To better constrain the initial crustal configuration, we tested 350 crustal models to fit the free-air gravity anomaly data in the offshore region to study the density structure along the rear of the accretionary prism in the subduction and initial collision zones before the structures become more complex in the collision zone on land. The gravity anomaly, observed in the region of subduction (20.2°N), can be modeled with the arc basement forming a trenchward-dipping backstop that is overlain by materials with densities in the range of sedimentary rocks. Near the point of incipient collision (20.9°N), however, the free-air gravity anomaly over the rear of the prism is approximately 40 mgal higher, compared with the region of subduction, and requires a significant component of high density crustal rocks within the tectonic wedge. These results suggest that the forearc basement may be deformed along the rear of the prism, associated with the onset of collision, but not in the subduction region further to the south.     

西昆仑—塔里木—天山岩石圈深地震探测综述

沿新疆地学断面走廊域实施了3种深地震探测方法：近垂直深地震反射剖面、宽角反射与折射深地震测深剖面和移动式宽频地震观测，揭露出西屁仑-塔里木-天山岩石圈的结构与横向变化，发现了塔里木大陆地块与青藏高原西北部西昆仑造山带碰撞的地震学证据，揭示出天山与塔里木、天山与准噶尔，以及昆仑山与塔里木之间的岩石圈尺度盆山耦合关系。阶段成果发表后引起国内外学者广泛注意，本文结合相关资料对这些新成果进行了系统综述，旨在对比研究青藏高原南北两缘不同的碰撞变形之深部过程。     

Geochemical evolution of the Dras–Kohistan Arc during collision with Eurasia: Evidence from the Ladakh Himalaya, India

Abstract   The Dras 1 Volcanic Formation of the Ladakh Himalaya, India, represents the eastern, upper crustal equivalent of the lower crustal gabbros and mantle peridotites of the Kohistan Arc exposed in Pakistan. Together these form a Cretaceous intraoceanic arc now located within the Indus Suture zone between India and Eurasia. During the Late Cretaceous, the Dras–Kohistan Arc, which was located above a north-dipping subduction zone, collided with the south-facing active margin of Eurasia, resulting in a switch from oceanic to continental arc volcanism. In the present study we analyzed samples from the pre-collisional Dras 1 Volcanic Formation and the postcollisional Kardung Volcanic Formation for a suite of trace elements and Nd isotopes. The Kardung Volcanic Formation shows more pronounced light rare earth element enrichment, higher Th/La and lower ɛ_Nd values compared with the Dras 1 Volcanic Formation. These differences are consistent with an increase in the reworking of the continental crust by sediment subduction through the arc after collision. As little as 20% of the Nd in the Dras 1 Volcanic Formation might be provided by sources such as the Karakoram, while approximately 45% of the Nd in the Kardung Volcanic Formation is from this source. However, even before collision, the Dras–Kohistan Arc shows geochemical evidence for more continental sediment contamination than is seen in modern western Pacific arcs, implying its relative proximity to the Eurasian landmass. Comparison of the lava chemistry in the Dras–Kohistan Arc with that in the forearc turbidites suggests that these sediments are partially postcollisional, Jurutze Formation and not all pre-collisional Nindam Formation. Thus, the Dras–Eurasia collision can be dated as Turonian–Santonian (83.5–93.5 Ma), older than it was previously considered to be, but consistent with radiometric ages from Kohistan.     

Three-dimensional viscoelastic LDDA method and its application in geoscience

Introduction A lot of work has been done in studying geological problems in terms of finite-element method (FEM). Assuming the material of fault as a perfect plastic one, WANG, et al (1980, 1982) simulated the transference of the larger earthquakes in North China by elasto-plastic FEM, the earthquakes are simulated by reducing frictional coefficients of the fault. YIN and ZHANG (1982) investigated the instability of earthquakes by FEM with strain-softening material model. WANG and C…     

三维粘弹性LDDA方法及其在地学中的初步应用

在二维弹性LDDA方法的基础上提出了三维粘弹性LDDA方法，并开发了相应的计算机软件．通过两个三维块体的摩擦滑动数值实验，证明了这个方法的理论和程序是正确和可靠的．用该程序研究了印度板块碰撞引起的东亚地区的现今速度场和沿主要断裂带的相对位移速率．初步结果表明，碰撞边界附近的速度最大，向内部衰减很快．青藏高原向北东方向运动，华北平原向东运动，东南亚向东南运动．在祁连山西南和东北速率变化的衰减梯度分别为0.05和0.007mm/a/km，衰减是非线性的，运动方向由北东转向近东西方向，变化很大．穿过龙门山断裂的速度衰减基本是线性的，其值为0.01 mm/a/km，运动方向为南东．印度板块碰撞对于东经115以东和北纬45以北的区域影响很小．由计算得到的速度场与GPS观测结果基本一致．计算得到的班公湖——怒江——澜沧江断裂带在近1Ma以来的相对滑动速率平均约0.5mm/a；金沙江断裂带相对滑动速率最大，为0.8 mm/a；郯庐断裂带基本不动．理论和计算表明，三维粘弹性LDDA方法可以用于研究具有断层的地球动力学问题．      

与陆-陆碰撞作用相关的盆-山构造数值模拟

陆-陆碰撞作用是导致大陆岩石圈各种地质作用发生的最重要的驱动机制,如何识别和标定陆-陆碰撞作用,特别是其四维时空演化,是地学界长期以来关注和研究的重点。陆-陆碰撞作用的主要表现形式为下伏地块沿陆内俯冲带的强烈下插(俯冲)和上覆地块沿陆内俯冲带的不断仰冲(逆冲扩展),在垂直俯冲带方向出现盆-山相间的构造格局和MOHO的弯曲、错断。通过数值模拟计算,详细论述了在仰冲(逆冲扩展)和俯冲作用过程中,盆地坳陷、山体抬升、MOHO上抬和下坳等各种位移量和位移速率之间的耦合关系及盆地中心的迁移规律。说明它们有可能成为判断或标定陆-陆碰撞作用的一种标志或尺度。     

大陆碰撞过程中的多地体变形模式

几乎所有的大陆碰撞造山带都含有多个增生地体,它们是大陆造山带的重要组成部分.前人对地体拼贴过程及其相应地质记录都做过详细探讨,但对后期大陆持续汇聚过程中的多地体之间的变形行为及拆离模式目前研究得仍较为薄弱.为此,我们以"两地体"结构为代表,通过系统的动力学模型试验,来探讨多地体流变结构及其几何参数对大陆碰撞动力学过程的影响.模型结果显示,大陆碰撞过程中的地体变形行为主要受控于靠近主碰撞带的地体流变强度(确切来说是地壳流变强度,下同)及其几何宽度,而与远离主碰撞带的地体流变和几何属性关系较弱.同时,模型结果也揭示出大陆碰撞造山带中地体之间的相互俯冲仅发生在靠近主碰撞带一侧地体较宽的情况下,且总是弱地体向相对强的地体之下俯冲.该研究成果不仅对喜马拉雅—青藏高原造山带中地体变形演化给予重要的动力学启示,也对含有多地体结构的碰撞造山带的动力学演化研究提供一定的理论支撑.     

Geochemical characteristics and Sr‐Nd‐Hf isotope compositions of Late Triassic post‐collisional A‐type granites in Sarudik,SW Sumatra,Indonesia

Late Triassic A‐type granites are identified in this study in Sarudik, SW Sumatra. We present new data on zircon U–Pb geochronology, whole‐rock major and trace elements and Sr‐Nd‐Hf isotope geochemistry, aiming to study their petrogenesis and tectonic implications. LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb dating of zircon separated from one biotite monzogranite sample yields a concordia age of 222.6 ±1.0 Ma, indicating a Late Triassic magmatic event. The studied granites are classified as weakly peralumious, high‐K calc‐alkaline granites. They exhibit high SiO₂, K₂O + Na₂O, FeO/(FeO + MgO) and Ga/Al ratios and low Al₂O₃, CaO, MgO, P₂O₅ and TiO₂ contents, with enrichment of Rb, Th and U and depletion of Ba, Sr, P and Eu, showing the features of A‐type granites. The granites have zircon ε_Hf(t) values from ?4.6 to ?0.4 and whole‐rock ε_Nd(t) values from ?5.51 to ?4.98, with Mesoproterozoic T_DM2 ages (1278–1544 Ma) for both Hf and Nd isotopes. Geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the source of these A‐type granites is the Mesoproterozoic continental crust, without significant incorporation of mantle‐derived component, and their formation is controlled by subsequent fractional crystallization. The Sarudik A‐type granites are further assigned to A2‐type formed in post‐collisional environment. Combined with previous knowledge on the western SE Asia tectonic evolution, we conclude that the formation of the Late Triassic A‐type granites is related to the post‐collisional extension induced by the crustal thickening, gravitational collapse, and asthenosphere upwelling following the collision between the Sibumasu and the East Malaya Block.