Platform Evolution in an Oligo-Miocene Back-arc Basin:An Example from the Central Iran Basin

The Qom Formation is the most important hydrocarbon reservoir target in Central Iran.The Qom platform developed in a back-arc basin during the Oligo-Miocene due to the closing of the Tethyan Seaway.This formation consists of a variety of carbonate and non-carbonate facies deposited on a platform ranging from supratidal to basin.A combination of tectonic and eustatic events led to some lateral and vertical facies variations in the study area.Six third-order depositional sequences and related surfaces were identified regarding vertical facies changes in the studied sections of this Oligo-Miocene succession.According to all results and data,this succession was initially deposited during the Chattian upon a distally steepened ramp of siliciclastic-carbonate composition,including the Bouma sequence.Then,from the late Chattian to the Aquitanian,the platform changed into a homoclinal carbonate ramp with a gentle profile.With respect to tectonic activity,this phase was a calm period during the deposition of the Qom Formation.Finally,a drowned carbonate platform and a rimmed shelf emerged during the Burdigalian,terminated by the continental deposits of the Upper Red Formation.Regarding all geological characteristics,three main tectono-eustatic evolutionary phases have been recognized in the Qom back-arcbasin.

Basement interface structural characteristics beneath Jiashi strong earthquake swarm area in Xinjiang, China

The seismic data obtained from high resolution seismic refraction profile in Jiashi strong earthquake swarm area in Xinjiang, China were further processed with ray hit analysis method and more complete basement interface structural characteristics beneath Jiashi strong earthquake swarm area were determined. The results show that there are two clear basement interfaces at the upper crust in Jiashi strong earthquake swarm area. The first one with buried depth ranging from 2.6 km to 3.3 km presents integral and continuous structure, and it appears an inclined plane interface and smoothly rises up toward Tianshan Mountain. The second basement interface with buried depth from 8.5 km to 11.8 km, is the antiquated crystalline basement of Tarim basin. Near the post number of 37 km, the buried depth of the crystalline basement changed abruptly by 2.5 km, which maybe result from an ultra crystalline basement fault. If taking this fault as a boundary, the crystalline basement could be divided into two parts, i.e. the southwestern segment with buried depth about 11.5 km, and the northeastern segment with buried depth approxi-mately from 8.5 km to 9.0 km. That is to say, in each segment, the buried depth changes not too much. The northeast segment rises up as a whole and upheaves slightly from southwest to northeast, which reflects the upper crustal deformation characteristics under the special tectonic background at the northwestern edge of Tarim basin.

A Preliminary Analysis of Relations Between Tectonic Deformation of Sedimentary Cover and Basement in Kuqa Depression

Study of seismic activity in the Kuqa area enables us to infer some possible active faults in basement from the epicentral distribution on different profiles. The relations between active faults in the basement and surface structures are analyzed and the difference between sedimentary cover and basement in their deformation characteristics and the genesis are discussed. The following conclusions have been drawn: (1) the epicentral distribution indicates that, the east Qiulitag and south and north Qiulitag deep faults in the basement correspond to the east and west Qiulitag anticlines, respectively. Moreover, deep faults also exist beneath the Yiqiklik and Yaken anticlines. It indicates that the formation of surface structures is controlled by deep structures; (2) A NE-trending strike-slip fault develops along the line from the western termination of Yiqiklik structure to Dongqiu Well 5 and a NW-trending active fault on the western side of Baicheng. The two active faults across the tectonic strike are the main causes for tectonic segmentation of the Kuqa depression and possibly the cause for the middle segment (Kuqa-Baicheng) of the depression to be more shortened than both its eastern and western terminations; (3) The difference between the sedimentary cover and basement in their deformation characteristics depends mainly on the different properties of media between them. The lithospheric strength of the basement in the basin is fairly high, which determines the basement deformation to be mainly of brittle fracture——seismic activity. While the strength of sedimentary cover is low, where there exist weak thin layers, such as coal and gyps. Under the effect of strong tectonic compression, the sedimentary rocks may undergo strong viscous or plastic flow deformation; meanwhile, an aseismic detachment may take place along the weak layers.

Effect of tectonic-climatic controllers on the transition of Endorheic to Exorheic Basins in the Zagros mountain range

Endorheic basins(ENBs) are inland drainage basins allowing no outflow to oceans.These basins in the active mountain chains of the convergence zones are under the influence of compressional tectonic activity and climate condition.The Zagros Mountains of Iran is one of the youngest convergence zones in which continental-continental collision has occurred.In this paper we hypothesize the formation of ENBs among the Zagros range after the epeirogenic stage in the Late Paleogene-Early Neogene.Due to tectonic activity and Quaternary climatic conditions,the ENBs pass the transition stage to exorheic,and still,some tectonic depressions are not linked to the evolutionary process of exorheic drainage of Zagros.The geometry of the drainage network of Kul and Mond basins in Fars arch shows that 67% of their water gaps are located along the thrusts and transverse basement faults in the east and west of the Fars arch.Geometrically,the Kul and Mond basins form triangles with their sides matching with the edges of the Arabian Plate where the major inherited faults of Arabian plate controls the shape of the Zagros basin and a low strain zone along the Razak fault with lower salt tectonic activity,where the wind gaps are created.The ENBs are located in the rainshadow slopes,but the Kul and Mond basins are located in the upwind slopes of rain waves.This factor and the heavy rains of the basin lead to increase of the erosion potential,destruction of depressions,and floods and consequently,the funnel-shaped gaps have a significant impact on the flood flow.

Analysis of Geological Background of Seismic Activity in the Chengdu Plain from Data of Seismic Prospecting for Oil

Summarizing the existing data of seismological and geological investigations and of strong and intermediate-strong earthquakes in the Sichuan basin and its adjacent areas accumulated by the seismological and petroleum organizations in Sichuan and of the results of seismic prospecting and detailed exploration in Chengdu depression during the last 20 years permitted us to study the types and distribution of hidden structures in Chengdu depression and its adjacent areas, in particular, to identify in detail the “hidden faults" in the Chenngdu-Deyang area on the one hand; The obtained data indicate that the NE-trending Xinjin fault runs northward and dies out in the south of Penzhen town of Shuangliu County. Meanwhile, we studied genetic relations of seismic activity to active faults and their corresponding movement characteristics on the other hand. Moreover, the surface faults and deep-seated faults are clearly defined and outlined, and 5 types of seismogenic faults suggested. The knowledge thus obtained enables us to delimit the focal zones for potential strong earthquakes in Chengdu depression. The study suggests that a zone of 40 km wide and more than 100 km long on sides along the Chengdu-Deyang line has a stable seismogeological background and good engineering-seismological conditions.