Tectonic evolution of the ‘Liguride’ accretionary wedge in the Cilento area,southern Italy: A record of early Apennine geodynamics

The early stages of southern Apennine development have been unraveled by integrating the available stratigraphic record provided by synorogenic strata (of both foredeep and wedge-top basin environments) with new structural data on the Liguride accretionary wedge cropping out in the Cilento area, southern Italy. Our results indicate that the final oceanic subduction stages and early deformation of the distal part of the Apulian continental margin were controlled by dominant NW–SE shortening. Early Miocene subduction-accretion, subsequent wedge emplacement on top of the Apulian continental margin and onset of footwall imbrication involving detached Apulian continental margin carbonate successions were followed by extensional deformation of the previously ‘obducted’ accretionary wedge. Wedge thinning also enhanced the development of accommodation space, filled by the dominantly siliciclastic Cilento Group deposits. The accretionary wedge units and the unconformably overlying wedge-top basin sediments experienced renewed NW–SE shortening immediately following the deposition of the Cilento Group (reaching the early Tortonian), confirming that the preceding wedge thinning represented an episode of synorogenic extension occurring within the general framework of NW–SE convergence. The documented Early to the Late Miocene steps of southern Apennine development are clearly distinct with respect to the subsequent (late Tortonian-Quaternary) stages of fold and thrust belt evolution coeval with Tyrrhenian back-arc extension, which were characterized by NE-directed thrusting in the southern Apennines.     

The mineralogy of the Gosse pile ultramafic intrusion,central Australia. II. Pyroxenes

The orthopyroxenes of Gosse Pile, a layered ultramafic sequence within the Giles Complex of central Australia, show unusual exsolution features such as the development of ‘hour‐glass’ shapes by clinopyroxene lamellae, and also the exsolution of spinel and rutile. Both orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene have high R2O3 contents and their distribution coefficients for Mg and Fe are high (average KD = 0.88). Some, if not all, of these features are considered to indicate that the Gosse Pile rocks crystallized under high pressure. This interpretation also explains the predominance of orthopyroxene over olivine as an early cumulus phase. Estimated conditions during crystallization are 10–14 kilobars and between 1,200‐l,400°C.     

Formation of the Moping Dome in the Xuefengshan Orocline, Central China and its Tectonic Significance

Many equiaxial dome-like structures developed in the north segment of the Xuefengshan orocline, Central China are obviously inconcordant with the NE-trending linear structures in this area, which contain important records for understanding the structural framework and evolution of this belt. In this paper, taking one of the typical dome-like structures in the Xuefengshan orcline (e.g. Moping dome-like structure) as an example, based on its structural framework interpratatoin, superposed deformation analysis and paleo-stress fields reconstruction, we propose the Moping dome-like structure is composed of two populations of different-striking thrust-fold structures, ～E-trending and NE-striking structures, indicative of two-stages shortening, ～N- and NW-striking, respectively. Together with the geochronological analysis, we suggest the first stage of shortening occurred in Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, due to the Indosinian intercollisional orogeny of the Yangtze Block and the North China Block. The second occurred during Late Jurassic Early Cretaceous owing to Yanshanian intracontinental orogeny, leading to the intensive superposition of the NE-trending structures onto the ～E-trending structures, and the final ocurrence of the Moping dome. Thus, our study indicates the Xuefengshan arc-shape belt also experienced two-phase deformation, and resulted from the superposition of NE SW structures onto ～E-W structures in Late Jurassic Early Cretaceous, which could provide new structural evidence for probing the Mesozoic tectonic framework and evolution of the Xuefengshan orocline.     

Geometry and origin of folding in the Neogene sediments of the Gediz Graben,western Anatolia,Turkey

Abstract

A close relationship between formation of approximately upright folds with axes normal to the extension direction and ramp/flat extensional geometries is established for well exposed Neogene syn-extensional rocks on the presently low-angle Gediz detachment fault, along the southern margin of the Gediz Graben region of western Anatolia, Turkey. Three unconformity-bounded sedimentary sequences and several metamorphic extensional allochthons were mapped in the upper-plate of the Gediz detachment. The oldest sedimentary sequence consists of deformed and folded strata of sandstones and conglomerates that are regarded as being deposited in a supra-detachment basin during the Miocene-Early Pliocene. This unit rests unconformably on the extensional allochthonous, but directly in fault contact with the lower-plate mylonitic rocks. The younger slightly tilted Late Pliocene-Pleistocene sedimentary sequences are post-detachment units that are controlled by EW-trending high-angle normal faults. The youngest alluvium comprises the undeformed present-day basin fill of the Gediz Graben. The supra-detachment sedimentary rocks contain a number of kilometric-scale longitudinal folds that are nearly parallel to the east-west-trending fault system of the Gediz Graben. The folds have a steeply inclined bisecting surface, an interlimb angle of 130–150°, and a plunge of <10°. These folds may be interpreted to form as a result of bending in the underlying Gediz detachment fault. The bending may have an alternation of ramp and flat geometries on which a hanging-wall syncline and rollover anticline formed, respectively. This study again shows the importance of local geology in understanding of some spectacular structures of the extensional basins. © 2002 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.     

Folding of the Gediz Graben Fill,SW Turkey: Extensional and/or Contractional Origin?

Folds constitute a significant part within the dominantly extension-related deformation pattern of the Gediz Graben and their origin either extensional or contractional has been the subject of debate. Field and subsurface data presented in this paper suggest that folds of contractional and extensional origin coexist in the graben-fill sediments. Contractional folds are predominantly observed within the Alasehir formation. A north vergent, plunging, asymmetrical to overturned geometry characterizes these folds and they are commonly observed in association with south dipping both thrust and reverse faults; the presence of thrust/reverse faults in the Gediz Graben is documented for the first time here. Fault data suggest an approximately N–S direction of compression that has governed the contractional deformation. Yet the limited distribution of these structures prevents to relate them with confidence to a regional deformation phase.

Extensional folds occur in association with normal faults either as structures longitudinal or transverse with respect to the general graben trend. Transverse folds are a very common within the buried graben block, owing to the lateral displacement gradients (lateral difference in offset) on the individual fault segments along the southern margin of the graben. Synclines and anticlines have formed at displacement maxima and minima, respectively. Thickness of strata increases at synclines and decreases at anticlines, thus indicating the syn-depositional origin of the folding.     

Impact of faulting in depocentres development,facies assemblages,drainage patterns,and provenance in continental half-graben basins: An example from the Fanja Basin of Oman

Fault throw gradients create transverse folding, and this can influence accommodation creation and sedimentary routing and infill patterns in extensional half-graben basin. The Fanja half-graben basin (Oman) offers an excellent outcrop of an alluvial fan succession displaying cyclical stacking and basin-scale growth-fold patterns. These unique conditions allow for an investigation of fault-timing and accommodation development related to fault-transverse folding. Our study combines geological mapping, structural analysis, sedimentary logging and correlation, and bulk mineralogical compositions. Mapping reveals that the basin is bounded by a regional-scale fault, with local depocentres changing position in response to transverse syncline and anticline development ascribed to fault-displacement gradients. The alluvial Qahlah Formation (Late Cretaceous) is unconformably overlying the Semail Ophiolite, and is in turn overlain by the marine Jafnayn Formation (Late Palaeocene). Facies and stratigraphic analysis allows for subdivision of the Qahlah Formation into four informal units, from base to top: (i) laterite in topographic depressions of the ophiolite, (ii) greenish pebbly sandstones, deriving from axially draining braided streams deposited in the low-relief half-graben basin. This green Qahlah grades vertically into the red Qahlah, formed by alluvial fanglomerates and floodplain mudstones, with drainage patterns changing from fault-transverse to fault-parallel with increasing distance to the main fault. The red Qahlah can be divided into (iii) the Wadi al Theepa member, found in a western basin depocentre, with higher immaturity and sand: mud ratio, suggesting a more proximal source, and (iv) the Al Batah member, located in the eastern part of the basin. The latter shows better sorting, a lower sand: mud ratio, and more prominent graded sub-units. It also shows eastward expansion from an orthogonal monocline, ascribed to accommodation developed in a relay ramp. Changes in sedimentary facies and depositional patterns are consistent with differential mineralogical composition. The Green Qahlah is composed of quartz and lithic mafic rock fragments, sourced from the ophiolite and schists of the metamorphic basement. The Red Qahlah is composed of chert and kaolinite sourced from the Hawasina Nappe succession in the footwall of the master fault. These changes in source area are linked to unroofing of fault-footwalls and domal structures during the extensional collapse of the Semail Ophiolite. The novelty of this study resides in linking sedimentology and fault-displacement events controlling fault-perpendicular folding, and its influence on depocentre generation and stratigraphic architecture. This is an approach seldom considered in seismic analysis, and rarely analysed in outcrop studies, thus placing the results from this study among the key outcrop-based contributions to the field.     

陆相湖盆三角洲—滩坝复合砂体分布模式及编图方法*

陆相湖盆与海洋环境不同,具有水体浅、能量弱、湖进湖退频繁等特点。综合应用高精度层序地层学和地震沉积学等关键技术,通过中国东部及中西部典型陆相湖盆的勘探实践、野外露头解剖和现代沉积考察,总结了陆相湖盆三角洲—滩坝复合砂体的分布模式,并提出了复合砂体地质编图法。研究结果表明:(1)陆相湖盆的“湖—陆过渡沉积体系”不仅发育分流河道,还发育河口坝和沿岸砂坝,这些不同时期的分流河道、河口坝和沿岸砂坝交织叠加在一起,在古代地层和现代沉积中得以保存;(2)地形平坦处,水体浅、波浪作用不强、河流作用为主,形成河道砂体;湖岸较陡处,波浪作用强,分流河道砂体被波浪改造,形成沿湖岸分布的滩坝砂体;(3)在高频湖平面变化背景下,岸线的迁移导致沉积坡折的迁移,形成了多期垂直于岸线分布的树枝状三角洲分流河道砂体,和多期平行于岸线呈带状分布的沿岸滩坝砂体相互交织的陆相湖盆三角洲—滩坝复合砂体的特殊结构;(4)复合砂体地质编图法基于传统单因素法,以复合砂体分布模式为指导,主要针对发育在水体较浅、地形平坦开阔背景下的陆相湖盆三角洲—滩坝砂体。     

东川运动及其对东川矿区褶皱构造的影响

分析了当前东川运动的各种认识,通过上下地层的特征、构造、变质作用、火山-岩浆活动、形成背景以及汤丹、落雪和拖布卡3个典型剖面的研究,确定该运动是一次大规模的构造运动。东川运动是南北向挤压运动,在东川矿区下（昆阳）亚群形成东西向褶皱构造,被后期小黑箐和晋宁运动叠加改造后,其构造形迹变得模糊和复杂,但经仔细研究分辨出了10个较大的褶皱构造。      

Migration of growth axial surfaces and its implications for multiphase tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Zhangwu fault depression,southern Songliao Basin,NE China

The normal fault-bend folding theory uses active axial surfaces, inactive axial surfaces, and growth axial surfaces to describe the geometric relationship between faults and deformation of a hanging wall. The dip of a growth axial surface is related to the fault slip rate and the basin sedimentation rate: higher fault slip rates result in smaller dips of growth axial surfaces, whereas higher basin sedimentation rates produce larger dips of growth axial surfaces. Moreover, the growth axial surface will be a straight line if both the fault slip and sedimentation rates remain relatively unchanged, but will become curved if both rates are variable. Therefore, the characteristics of growth axial surfaces can provide clear information on the evolution of faulting and deposition. By studying the seismic profiles of the Zhangwu fault depression of the southern Songliao Basin, we show that the migration of growth axial surfaces and unconformities can be used as indicators of basin development. Multiphase tectonic activity will not only produce unconformities but also result in migration of growth axial surfaces or inactive axial surfaces. Therefore, the normal fault-bend folding theory, particularly with regard to the evolution of growth axial surfaces, can be applied to the interpretation of geometric and kinematic evolutions of half-grabens and the exploration of related tectono-sedimentary processes.     

大巴山西北缘叠加褶皱研究

大巴山晚侏罗纪叠加褶皱可能是世界上区域规模或填图规模最典型的褶皱叠加构造之一,具有完美的干涉图像。作者在两期褶皱近乎正交的大巴山西北缘开展1/万填图和构造分析,重点研究露头尺度上的横跨褶皱的几何学、运动学特征。厘定了晚三叠世和晚侏罗世两期构造运动及其两期褶皱变形,确定地壳浅层发育的纵弯褶皱机制,在三维几何形态研究基础上,特别是根据同褶皱层间滑动线理的几何学和运动学及其相互配置关系,基于叠加褶皱力学作用方式和变形干涉图像将区内叠加褶皱划分为3类10种基本样式。研究表明晚侏罗世近南北-北北西向褶皱（F2）近垂直地跨过晚三叠世近东西-北东向褶皱（F1）,是大巴山地区最主要的定型构造,构成大巴山晚侏罗纪弧形前陆褶皱山系主体;而北西向褶皱（F3）与近南北-北北西向褶皱（F2）在其中-西部以小的角度相交,总体具非共轴的旋转应变特征,并主要表现为并置或重褶作用。