The Lithosphere Structure and its Implication for Different Metallogenic Belts beneath the Eastern South China Block

The South China Block(SCB)was formed through the Neoproterozoic amalgamation of the Yangtze Block(YB),the Cathaysia Block(CB),and the accreted components of the Jiangnan orogenic belt(JNO),it is bounded by the Jiangshan–Shaoxing–Pingxiang fault(JSPF)and the Jiujiang–Shitai–Jishou fault(JSJF)(Yao et al.,2019).The SCB has undergone a series of complex geological events,including Paleozoic orogeny,Mesozoic collisions with the North China Craton(NCC)and the Indochina Block,as well as the intracontinental orogeny,leading to extensive lithospheric modifications and magmatic activities(Zhang H J et al.,2023;Fig.1).

Triassic Nappe in the Central Part of the Southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(Ejinaq,NW China):Evidence from Structural Analysis and Geothermochronology

The thrust nappe played an important role in the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the middle part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB).However,the timing,structural style and kinematic processes of the thrust nappe remain controversial,particularly the detail of the thrust nappe in the Guaizihu region(110 km east of Ejinaq).In this study,we investigate new field mapping,seismic sections,geochronology and low-temperature thermochronometric dating to provide constraints on the history of this thrust nappe in the Chaheilingashun area(northwestern Guaizihu region).The field mapping,seismic sections and structural analysis reveal that the autochthonous system had developed a series of strong fold structures in the upper Permian strata.The allochthonous system mainly contains Devonian monzogranite(U-Pb age,ranges from 386.7 to 389.0 Ma)and Meso–Neoproterozoic schists(the maximum depositional age,~880 Ma),which were thrust upon the upper Permian strata during Middle to Late Triassic.Based on similar rocks,geochronological dating and the Yagan thrust,we suggest that the postulated root zone of this allochthon might have originated from the Huhetaoergai area(40–60 km northwest of the study area).The geochronological results reveal that the lower age limit of this thrust nappe is constrained by the Lower–Middle Triassic syntectonic sediments(tuffaceous sandstone,~247 Ma),which is the sedimentary response of the fold structure.,The timing of the termination of this thrust nappe is defined by the cooling age(^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar data,217–211 Ma)of the Devonian monzogranite and Meso–Neoproterozoic schists.Thus,we consider this thrust event in the study area to potentially have occurred in the period from 247 Ma to 211 Ma,which may represent the tectonic response to the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean.

Early Cretaceous Thrust and Nappe Tectonics in North Qilian Shan,Northern Tibetan Plateau:Evidence from Field Mapping,Geochronology,and Deep Structural Analysis

The North Qilian Shan fold and thrust belt,located at the northern Tibetan Plateau and southern margin of the Hexi Corridor,is a key tectonic unit to decode the formation and expansion of the plateau.Previous studies emphasize the Cenozoic deformation due to the far-field response to the Indo-Asian collision,but the Mesozoic deformations are poorly constrained in this area.We conducted detailed field mapping,structural analysis,geochronology,and structural interpretation of deep seismic reflectional profiling and magnetotelluric(MT)sounding,to address the superposed results of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic deformation.The results recognized the North Qilian thrust and nappe system(NQTS),the root and the frontal belt are the North Qilian thrust(NQT),and the Yumu Shan klippe(YK),respectively.The middle belt is located between the NQT and the YK.Monzonitic granite zircon U-Pb dating from the middle belt yields an age of ca.415 Ma,which is similar to south NQT.The thrusting displacement is estimated at ca.48 km by structural interpretation of deep profiles.The timing is constrained in the early stage of the Early Cretaceous by the formation of simultaneous growth strata.We suggest that the NQTS has resulted from the far-field effect of the Lhasa-Qiangtang collision,and the Yumu Shan is uplifted by the superposed Cenozoic deformation.

Construction of the Continental Asia in Phanerozoic:A Review

This is a review of the formation and tectonic evolution of the continental Asia in Phanerozoic.The continental Asia has formed on the bases of some pre-Cambrian cratons,such as the Siberia,India,Arabia,North China,Tarim,South China,and Indochina,through multi-stage plate convergence and collisional collages in Phanerozoic.The north-central Asia had experienced the expansion and subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean(PAO)in the early Paleozoic and the closure of the PAO in the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic,forming the PAO regime and Central Asian orogenic belt(CAOB).In the core of the CAOB,the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean(MOO)opened with limited expansion in the Early Permian and finally closed in the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous.The south-central Asia had experienced mainly multi-stage oceanic opening,subduction and collision evolution in the Tethys Ocean,forming the Tethys regime and Himalaya-Tibetan orogenic belt.In eastern Asia,the plate subduction and continental margin orogeny on western margin of the Pacific Ocean,forms the West Pacific regime and West Pacific orogenic belt.The PAO,Tethys,and West Pacific regimes,together with Precambrian cratons among or surrounding them,made up the major tectonic and dynamic systems of the continental Asia in Phanerozoic.Major tectonic events,such as the Early Paleozoic Qilian,Uralian,and Dunhuang orogeneses,the late Paleozoic East Junggar,Tianshan and West Junggar orogeneses,the Middle to Late Permian Ailaoshan orogeny and NorthSouth Lhasa collision,the early Mesozoic Indochina-South China and North-South China collisions,the late Mesozoic Mongolia-Okhotsk orogeny,Lhasa-Qiangtang collision,and intra-continental Yanshanian orogeny,and the Cenozoic IndoAsian,Arab-Asian,and West Pacific margin collisions,constrained the formation and evolution of the continental Asia.The complex dynamic systems have left large number of deformation features,such as large-scale strike-slip faults,thrustfold systems and extensional detachments on the continental Asia.Based on past tectonics,a future supercontinent,the Ameurasia,is prospected for the development of the Asia in ca.250 Myr.

Intra-continental deformation and tectonic evolution of the West Junggar Orogenic Belt,Central Asia:Evidence from remote sensing and structural geological analyses

The West Junggar Orogenic Belt(WJOB)in northwestern Xinjiang,China,is located in the core of the western part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB).It has suffered two stage tectonic evolutions in Phanerozoic,before and after the ocean–continental conversion in Late Paleozoic.The later on intracontinental deformation,characterized by the development of the NE-trending West Junggar sinistral strike-slip fault system(WJFS)since Late Carboniferous and Early Permian,and the NW-trending Chingiz-Junggar dextral strike-slip fault(CJF)in Mesozoic and Cenozoic,has an important significance for the tectonic evolution of the WJOB and the CAOB.In this paper,we conduct geometric and kinematic analyses of the WJOB,based on field geological survey and structural interpretation of remote sensing image data.Using some piercing points such as truncated plutons and anticlines,an average magnitude of^73 km for the left-lateral strike-slip is calculated for the Darabut Fault,a major fault of the WJFS.Some partial of the displacement should be accommodated by strike-slip fault-related folds developed during the strike-slip faulting.Circular and curved faults,asymmetrical folds,and irregular contribution of ultramafic bodies,implies potential opposite vertical rotation of the Miao’ergou and the Akebasitao batholiths,resulted from the sinistral strike-slipping along the Darabut Fault.Due to conjugate shearing set of the sinistral WJFS and the dextral CJF since Early Mesozoic,superimposed folds formed with N–S convergence in southwestern part of the WJOB.

Crustal Structure of the Chuan-Dian Block Revealed by Deep Seismic Sounding and its Implications for the Outward Expansion of the East Tibetan Plateau

The Chuan-Dian Block(CDB)is located in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau,with a complex geological structure and active regional faults.The present tectonic condition with strong crustal deformation is closely related to the ongoing collision of the India and Eurasia plates since 65 Ma.The study of the crustal structure of this area is key to revealing the evolution and deep geodynamics of the lateral collision zone of the Tibetan Plateau.Deep seismic sounding is the most efficient method with which to unravel the velocity structure of the whole crust.Since the 1980s,19 deep seismic sounding profiles have been captured within the CDB area.In this study,we systematically integrate the research results of the 19 profiles in this area,then image the 3D crustal velocity,by sampling with a 5 km spacing and 2D/3D Kriging interpolation.The results show the following.(1)The Moho depth in the study area deepens from 30 km in the south to 66 km in the north,whereas there is no apparent variation from west to east.The Pn wave velocity is higher in stable tectonic units,such as 7.95 km/s in the Lanping-Simao block and 7.94 km/s in the western margin of the Yangtze block,than in active or mobile tectonic units,such as 7.81 km/s in the Baoshan block,7.72 km/s in the Tengchong block and 7.82 km/s in the Zhongdian block.(2)The crustal nature of the Tengchong block,the northern Lanping-Simao block and the Zhongdian block reflects a type of orogenic belt,having relatively strong tectonic activities,whereas the crustal nature of the central Lanping-Simao block and the western margin of the Yangtze block represents a type of platform.The different features of the upper-middle crust velocity,Moho depth and Pn wave velocity to both sides of the Red River fault zone and the Xianshuihe fault zone,reflect that they are clearly ultra-crustal.(3)Based on the distribution of the low velocity zones in the crust,the crustal material of the Tibetan Plateau is flowing in a NW–SE direction to the north of 26°N and to the west of 101°E,then diverting to flowing eastwards to the east of 101°E.

Late Paleozoic Element Migration and Accumulation under Intracontinental Sinistral Strike-slip Faulting in the West Junggar Orogenic Belt, NW China

The migration,accumulation and dispersion of elements caused by tectonic dynamics have always been a focus of attention,and become the basis of tectono-geochemistry.However,the effects of faulting,especially strike-slip faulting,on the adjustment of geochemical element distribution,are still not clear.In this paper,we select the West Junggar Orogenic Belt(WJOB),NW China,as a case study to test the migration behavior of elements under tectonic dynamics.The WJOB is dominated by NE-trending large-scale sinistral strike-slip faults such as the Darabut Fault,the Mayile Fault,and the Baerluke Fault,which formed during the intracontinental adjustment under N-S compression during ocean-continental conversion in the Late Paleozoic.Geochemical maps of 13 elements,Al,W,Sn,Mo,Cu,Pb,Zn,As,Sb,Hg,Fe,Ni,and Au,are analyzed for the effects of faulting and folding on element distribution at the regional scale.The results show that the element distribution in the WJOB is controlled mainly by two mechanisms during tectonic deformation:first is the material transporting mechanism,where the movement of geological units is consistent with the direction of tectonic movement;second is the diffusion mechanism,especially by tectonic pressure dissolution driven by tectonic dynamics,where the migration of elements is approximately perpendicular or opposite to the direction of tectonic movement.We conclude that the adjustment of element distributions has been determined by the combined actions of transporting and diffusion mechanisms,and that the diffusion mechanism plays an important role in the formation of geochemical Au blocks in the WJOB.

Three-dimensional P-wave Velocity Structure Modelling of the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt: Crustal Architecture and Metallogenic Implications

In this study,we compiled and analyzed 69310 P-wave travel-time data from 6639 earthquake events.These events(M≥2.0)occurred from 1980 s to June 2019 and were recorded at 319 seismic stations(Chinese Earthquake Networks Center)in the study area.We adopted the double-difference seismic tomographic method(tomo DD)to invert the 3-D P-wave velocity structure and constrain the crust-upper mantle architecture of the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt(MLYB).A 1-D initial model extracted from wide-angle seismic profiles was used in the seismic tomography,which greatly reduced the inversion residual.Our results indicate that reliable velocity structure of th e uppermost mantle can be obtained when Pn is involved in the tomography.Our results show that:(1)the pattern of the uppermost mantle velocity structure corresponds well with the geological partitioning:a nearly E-W-trending low-velocity zone is present beneath the Dabie Orogen,in contrast to the mainly NE-trending low-velocity anomalies beneath the Jiangnan Orogen.They suggest the presence of thickened lower crust beneath the orogens in the study area.In contrast,the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks are characterized by relatively high-velocity anomalies;(2)both the ultra-high-pressure(UHP)metamorphic rocks in the Dabie Orogen and the low-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Zhangbaling dome are characterized by high-velocity anomalies.The upper crust in the Dabie Orogen is characterized by a low-velocity belt,sandwiched between two high velocity zones in a horizontal direction,with discontinuous low-velocity layers in the middle crust.The keel of the Dabie Orogen is mainly preserved beneath its northern section.We infer that the lower crustal delamination may have mainly occurred in the southern Dabie Orogen,which caused the mantle upwelling responsible for the formation of the granitic magmas emplaced in the middle crust as the low-velocity layers observed there.Continuous deep-level compression likely squeezed the granitic magma upward to intrude the upper crustal UHP metamorphic rocks,forming the'sandwich'velocity structure there;(3)high-velocity updoming is widespread in the crust-mantle transition zone beneath the MLYB.From the Anqing-Guichi ore field northeastward to the Luzong,Tongling,Ningwu and Ningzhen orefields,high-velocity anomalies in the crust-mantle transition zone increase rapidly in size and are widely distributed.The updoming also exists in the crust-mantle transition zone beneath the Jiurui and Edongnan orefields,but the high-velocity anomalies are mainly stellate distributed.The updoming high-velocity zone beneath the MLYB generally extends from the crust-mantle transition zone to the middle crust,different from the velocity structure in the upper crust.The upper crust beneath the Early Cretaceous extension-related Luzong and Ningwu volcanic basins is characterized by high velocity zones,in contrast to the low velocity anomalies beneath the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous compression-related Tongling ore field.The MLYB may have undergone a compressive-to-extensional transition during the Yanshanian(Jurassic-Cretaceous)period,during which extensive magmatism occurred.The near mantle-crustal boundary updoming was likely caused by asthenospheric underplating at the base of the lower crust.The magmas may have ascended through major crustal faults,undergoing AFC(assimilation and fractional crystallization)processes,became emplaced in the fault-bounded basins or Paleozoic sequences,eventually forming the many Cu-Fe polymetallic deposits there.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology of the newly discovered Kulabiye Cu-Ni sulfidemineralized gabbroic complex,East Junggar Basin in Xinjiang,China

1.Objective As an important component of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB),North Xinjiang in NW China is characterized by numerous Cu-Ni sulfide-bearing maficultramafic intrusions,and this region constitutes the secondlargest Cu-Ni metallogenic province in China.Zircon U-Pb chronology studies reveal that these intrusions predominantly formed in the Early Permian(300–270 Ma;Qin KZ et al.,2011).

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of A-type Granites in Zhaheba in the East Junggar Region of Xinjiang,China:Evidence from Geochronology,Geochemistry and Sr-Nd Isotopic Compositions

The magma source,petrogenesis,tectonic setting and geochronology of the late Paleozoic A-type granites widely exposed in the Zhaheba area,East Junggar,have thus far not been well-constrained.A better understanding of these issues will help to reveal the magmatic processes and continental growth of Central Asia.The A-type granites in Zhaheba include the Ashutasi alkaline granites and the Yuyitasi syenogranites,which were emplaced at 321.5±4.8 Ma and 321.7±0.6 Ma,respectively.The major rock-forming minerals are orthoclase,perthite,arfvedsonite and quartz,which exhibit the following principal geochemical characteristics of A2-type granites.(1)Their REE distribution curves each exhibit a‘V’-shaped pattern and a marked depletion in Eu.They are rich in large-ion lithophile elements Rb,Th and U as well as high-field-strength elements Nb,Ta,Zr and Hf,but significantly depleted in Ba,Sr,P and Ti.(2)Their(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i values(0.7021-0.7041),εNd(t)values(4.57-5.16)and REE distribution patterns are in basic agreement with those of the Kalamaili A-type granite belt in East Junggar.The T DM2 values of the alkaline granites and syenogranites range from 661 to 709 Ma.The A-type granites may be the products of upwelling asthenosphere-triggered partial melting of immature lower crust.The alkaline granites were late-stage products of crystallization and differentiation.Compared to the syenogranites,the alkaline granites are significantly lower in K_(2)O,Na_(2)O,Al_(2)O 3,FeO,MgO and CaO,but significantly higher in incompatible elements(e.g.,SiO_(2),Rb,and Sr).The magmatic crystallization temperatures of the syenogranites and alkaline granites are 874℃ and 819℃,respectively.As their age gradually decreases(peak ages:322 Ma and 307 Ma,respectively),there is a gradual decrease in the T_(DM2)of the A-type granites and a gradual increase in theεNd(t)value from the Ulungur belt to the Kalamaili belt in East Junggar.The study of A-type granites is therefore one of the keys to understanding the laws and mechanisms of crustal accretion during the Phanerozoic period,as well as also being of great significance for understanding the Paleozoic accretion.

Relationship between the regional tectonic activity and crustal structure in the eastern Tibetan plateau discovered by gravity anomaly

The eastern Tibetan plateau has been getting more and more attention because it combines active faults,uplifting, and large earthquakes together in a high-population region. Based on the previous researches, the most of Cenozoic tectonic activities were related to the regional structure of the local blocks within the crustal scale. Thus,a better understanding of the crustal structure of the regional tectonic blocks is an important topic for further study. In this paper, we combined the simple Bouguer gravity anomaly with the Moho depths from previous studies to investigate the crustal structure in this area. To highlight the crustal structures, the gravity anomaly caused by the Moho relief has been reduced by forward modeling calculations. A total horizontal derivative（THD） had been applied on the gravity residuals. The results indicated that the crustal gravity residual is compatible with the topography and the geological settings of the regional blocks,including the Sichuan basin, the Chuxiong basin, the Xiaojiang fault, and the Jinhe fault, as well as the Longmenshan fault zone. The THD emphasized the west margin of Yangtze block, i.e., the Longriba fault zone and the Xiaojiang fault cut through the Yangtze block. The checkboard pattern of the gravity residual in the SongpanGarze fold belt and Chuandian fragment shows that the crust is undergoing a southward and SE-directed extrusion,which is coincident with the flowing direction indicatedfrom the GPS measurements. By integrating the interpretations, the stepwise extensional mechanism of the eastern Tibetan plateau is supported by the southeastward crustal deformation, and the extrusion of Chuandian fragment is achieved by Xianshuihe fault.

Progress of Deep Geological Survey Project under the China Geological Survey

Serving as a way to understand the material composition,structure,and dynamic process of the Earth's interior,deep earth exploration is driven by not only mankind's pursuit of natural mysteries but also mankind's basic need to obtain resources and guarantee economic and social development.The first phase of deep earth exploration of China(SinoProbe)was carried out from 2008 to 2016 and tremendous results were achieved.In 2016,the China Geological Survey launched a Deep Geological Survey Project(also referred to as the Project)to continuously explore the deep Earth.Focusing on the national energy resources strategy,the Belt and Road Initiative,and major basic issues of the geological survey,the Project was carried out in Songliao Basin(an important energy base in China)and major geological boundaries and tectonic units including Qilian Mountains-Tianshan Mountains and Qinzhou-Hangzhou juncture belt.The purpose of it is to reveal the process,structure,and forming patterns of the deep ore deposits and petroleum reservoirs,clarify the evolutionary pattern and controlling factors of Mesozoic environmental climate,and discover deep fine structures of key orogens,basins,and mountains by comprehensive geophysical exploration and scientific drilling.Great achievements have been obtained after more than three years of efforts,including a cumulative 1552 km of deep seismic reflection profiles and magnetotelluric profiles,an ultra-deep continental scientific crilling well,a scientific drilling pilot hole,and a magnetotelluric array and a portable broadband seismic array,both of which cover South China.Moreover,significant progress has been made in ultra-deep drilling technology,deep oil and gas discovery in Songliao Basin,and basic geological issues of Qilian Orogen and Qinzhou-Hangzhou juncture belt in South China,greatly accelerating the deep earth exploration in China and further consolidating China's position as a power in deep earth exploration.

The hydrochemical characteristics and its significance of geothermal water in both sides of large fault: Taking northern section of the Liaokao fault in north China as an example

Based on comparative analysis on hydrochemical characteristics of geothermal water in the north part of Liaokao fault,this research focuses on studying the indicative significance of hydrochemical characteristics for the formation of geothermal water.The result shows that:(1)There is no obvious hydraulic connection between the karst geothermal water(occurred in the east part of the Liaokao fault)and the sandstone geothermal water(occurred in the west part of Liaokao fault).(2)In a close hydrological environment,caused by tectonic activities,geothermal water remains longer time in reservoir,hence the water-rock interaction is more complete,with high degree of concentrations,whereas the renewable capacity of the water is weaker.(3)There is no high temperature mantle source fluid mixed in the geothermal water.Karst geothermal water occurred deep circulatory convection along Liaokao fault and its secondary fault,therefore there is deep crust source fluid added into the geothermal water,closer to the Liaokao fault,the greater affected by the deep crust fluid.However,sandstone geothermal water has weak deep circulatory convection.

Distributed optical fiber acoustic sensor for in situ monitoring of marine natural gas hydrates production for the first time in the Shenhu Area,China

The distributed acoustic sensor(DAS)uses a single optical cable as the sensing unit,which can capture the acoustic and vibration signals along the optical cable in real-time.So it is suitable for monitoring downhole production activities in the process of oil and gas development.The authors applied the DAS system in a gas production well in the South China Sea for in situ monitoring of the whole wellbore for the first time and obtained the distributed acoustic signals along the whole wellbore.These signals can clearly distinguish the vertical section,curve section,and horizontal production section.The collected acoustic signal with the frequency of approximately 50 Hz caused by the electric submersible pump exhibit a signal-to-noise ratio higher than 27 dB.By analyzing the acoustic signals in the production section,it can be located the layers with high gas production rates.Once an accurate physical model is built in the future,the gas production profile will be obtained.In addition,the DAS system can track the trajectory of downhole tools in the wellbore to guide the operation.Through the velocity analysis of the typical signals,the type of fluids in the wellbore can be distinguished.The successful application of the system provides a promising whole wellbore acoustic monitoring tool for the production of marine gas hydrate,with a good application prospect.

Ambient Noise Tomography of Jinan:The Migration of Groundwater and the Formation of Geothermal Water

Jinan is an important city in eastern China,with rich groundwater in the region.There are four famous springs in the urban area and an abundance of geothermal water in the northern part,which makes the migration of groundwater in this area a very important issue.To study the shallow shear wave velocity structure and groundwater migration in Jinan,we utilized almost a month of continuous waveform data from 175 short period seismometers deployed by the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences,in order to calculate the cross-correlation function.We picked 7749 group dispersion curves and 6117 phase dispersion curves with a period range of 0.2–2 s.Through inversion,we obtained the fine threedimensional shear wave velocity and azimuthal anisotropy structure(0–2.4 km).Combining the results with local geological and hydrological data,the following conclusions were reached.(1)There are widespread high velocity anomalies in the region between the Qianfoshan and Wenhuaqiao faults,as well as to the east of the Wenhuaqiao Fault,which may be related to the intrusive gabbro known as the Jinan Intrusive Rock.(2)The two distinct high velocity anomalies in our model(referred to as west and east Jinan Intrusive Rock in this paper)may indicate that the Jinan Intrusive Rock was broken through crustal movement.(3)There is an obvious low velocity layer under the intrusive rock,which could be the channel of groundwater migration.The precipitation in the southern mountain region seeps down into the ground,then is blocked by the Jinan Intrusive Rock and can only progress downwards to a deeper part,where the groundwater is heated by the geothermal gradient.The heated water finally arrives at the northern part and forms geothermal water.(4)The depth of the low velocity layer beneath the Jinan Intrusive Rock varies laterally,which may indicate that the depth of the groundwater migration is different beneath the west and east Jinan Intrusive Rock.(5)There is strong azimuthal anisotropy in southern Jinan,with nearly E-W fast orientation,which may be related to the tilt limestone layering structure.

Discrete Element Modeling of a Subduction Zone with a Seafloor Irregularity and its Impact on the Seismic Cycle

Seafloor irregularities influence rupture behavior along the subducting slab and in the overriding plate,thus affecting earthquake cycles.Whether seafloor irregularities increase the likelihood of large earthquakes in a subduction zone remains contested,partially due to focus put either on fault development or on rupture pattern.Here,we simulate a subducting slab with a seafloor irregularity and the resulting deformation pattern of the overriding plate using the discrete element method.Our simulations illustrate the rupture along three major fault systems:megathrust,splay and backthrust faults.Our results show different rupture dimensions of earthquake events varying from tens to ca.140 km.Our results suggest that the recurrence interval of megathrust events with rupture length of ca.100 km is ca.140 years,which is overall comparable to the paleoseismic records at the Mentawai area of the Sumatran zone.We further propose the coseismic slip amounts decrease and interseismic slip amounts increase from the surface downwards gradually.We conclude that the presence of seafloor irregularities significantly affects rupture events along the slab as well as fault patterns in the overriding plate.

The Lithospheric Structure in the South China Block from Receiver Function: Implications for the Source of Mineral System

The South China block(SC),composed of Cathaysia(CA),Jiangnan Orogenic belt(JNB),and Yangtze block(YB),is one of the most important poly-metallic metallogenic provinces in the world(Zhang et al.,2013),containing of four famous major Mesozoic metallogenic belts,involving the Middle-Lower Yangtze Fe-Cu-Au metallogenic belt(MYMB).

Receiver function imaging of dense seismic array and deep dynamic mechanism beneath the eastern South China

The Mesozoic tectonic framework of the eastern South China is mainly controlled by subduction,turning toward,and rollback of the Pacific Plate.Recent studies of receiver function imaging and ambient noise tomography have revealed the“Yshaped”thinnest crustal belt in the eastern South China under the overall extension of the lithosphere.However,the deep dynamic environment and formation mechanisms of the thin crustal belt remain debatable.Here we obtained high-resolution images of the crustal thickness and Poisson’s ratio in the eastern South China Block applying the recently proposed H-κ-c receiver function method,using data recorded by 305 dense portable broadband stations and 219 permanent stations surrounding.Additionally,we discussed the deep dynamic formation mechanism of the“Y-shaped”thinnest crustal belt coupled with two common conversion point stacked images at key locations.Results show that the average crustal thickness of the study area is 33 km(thin crust)and the average Poisson’s ratio is 0.24(low ratio).The overall crustal thinning toward the continental margin is likely because eastern South China was in a back-arc extension environment,which was induced by the rollback of the subducted plate in the Early Cretaceous.The crustal thickness of the“Y-shaped”thinnest crustal belt is<30 km,which is 3-5 km thinner than that outside the zone.The eastern branch is distributed along the trajectory of Nanchang-Ji’an-Ganzhou-Shaoguan-Guangzhou,and the western branch is around the Jianghan-Xiangzhong Basin,both of which intersect in Nanling.The eastern branch of the thin crustal zone indicates the potential location of the Pacific subduction slab breakoff,and the formation mechanism may be related to the interaction of deep-shallow processes,including the upwelling of mantle heat flow through the slab window and transtensional pre-existing faults.We developed a dynamic model that combines subduction-breakoff-rollback processes of the Paleo-Pacific Plate and accompanying deep fluid upwelling to explain the regional extension of the South China lithosphere,the formation mechanism of the thinnest crustal belt,and the distribution of granitic plutons.

The Yanshan orogeny and late Mesozoic multi-plate convergence in East Asia—Commemorating 90th years of the “Yanshan Orogeny”

The Yanshan movement/orogeny has been proposed for 90 years, which is of special significance in the history of geological research in China. This study conducted a review by synthesizing major achievements regarding episodic deformation features, sedimentary and magmatic records of the Yanshan orogeny in China, and clarified the episodic tectono-magmatism and its geodynamic origins. The tectonic implications of the Yanshan orogeny are discussed in the context of global plate tectonics and supercontinent reconstruction. Lines of evidence from structural, sedimentary and magmatic data suggest that the Yanshan orogeny represents a regional-scale tectonic event that affected the entire China continent in late Mesozoic period. Numerous age and structural constraints consistently indicate that the Yanshan orogeny was initiated in the Jurassic(at ～170±5 Ma). and was characterized by alternating stages of crustal shortening at ～170–136 Ma, crustal extension at ～135–90 Ma, and weak shortening at ～80 Ma. The 170–136 Ma crustal shortening was reflected in the generation of two regional stratigraphic unconformities(the Tiaojishan and Zhangjiakou unconformities), which were initially named the A and B episodes of "the Yanshan Orogeny" by Mr.Wong Wenhao in 1928. Geodynamically, the Yanshan orogeny in East Asia was associated with nearly coeval oceanic subduction and continental convergence in the Paleo-Pacific, Neo-Tethys, and Mongol-Okhotsk tectonic domains. As a consequence, three giant accretionary-collisional tectonic systems were formed along the continental margins of East Asia, i.e., the Mongol-Okhotsk, Bangonghu-Nujiang, and SE China subduction-and collision-related accretionary systems. The Yanshan orogeny induced widespread crustal-scale folding and thrusting, tectonic reactivation of long-lived zones of crustal weakness,and extensive magmatism and mineralization in intraplate regions. Based on the time principle of supercontinent assembly and break-up, we propose that the mid-Late Jurassic multi-plate convergence in East Asia might represent the initiation of the assembly of the Amasia supercontinent, and the Yanshan orogeny might be the first "stirrings" that is a prerequisite for the birth of the Amasia supercontinent.

Seismic reflection evidence of crustal duplexing and lithospheric underthrusting beneath the western Qilian Mountains,northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau

The geological processes responsible for outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau are debated.The Qilian Mountains on the northeastern margin of the plateau comprise one of the youngest structural components of the plateau whose understanding is key to deciphering the broader geological evolution of the region.Here,based on a reprocessed deep seismic profile which was originally collected during the 1990 s across the northeast margin of the western Qilian Mountains and previous geological and geophysical data,we find evidence for decoupled crustal deformation that was partitioned by a decollement,in which lowercrustal deformation featured by local duplexing preceded upper-crustal deformation featured by imbricate thrusts.Furthermore,we propose that the Asian lithospheric mantle is being underthrust beneath the western Qilian Mountains,as inferred from patterns of lower crustal deformation which is marked by the Moho geometry.Integrating these results yields a better understanding of lithospheric deformation of western Qilian Mountains,northeastern margin of the plateau during the Cenozoic.