Development,sand control mechanism and hydrocarbon accumulation of beach-bar sandstone in a saline lake basin:A case from the Neogene of southwestern Qaidam Basin,NW China

Based on the data of field outcrops,drilling cores,casting thin sections,well logging interpretation,oil/gas shows during drilling,and oil/gas testing results,and combined with modern salt-lake sediments in the Qinghai Lake,the Neogene saline lake beach-bars in southwestern Qaidam Basin are studied from the perspective of sedimentary characteristics,development patterns,sand control factors,and hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics.Beach-bar sand bodies are widely developed in the Neogene saline lake basin,and they are lithologically fine sandstone and siltstone,with wavy bedding,low-angle cross bedding,and lenticular-vein bedding.In view of spatial-temporal distribution,the beach-bar sand bodies are stacked in multiple stages vertically,migratory laterally,and extensive and continuous in NW-SE trending pattern in the plane.The stacking area of the Neogene beach-bar sandstone is predicted to be 3000 km^(2).The water salinity affects the sedimentation rate and offshore distance of beach-bar sandstone,and the debris input from the source area affects the scale and enrichment of beach-bar sandstone.The ancient landform controls the morphology and stacking style of beach-bar sandstone,and the northwest monsoon driving effect controls the long-axis extension direction of beach-bar sandstone.The beach-bars have a reservoir-forming feature of“one reservoir in one sand body”,with thick beach-bar sand bodies controlling the effective reservoir distribution and oil-source faults controlling the oil/gas migration and accumulation direction.Three favorable exploration target zones in Zhahaquan,Yingdong-eastern Wunan and Huatugou areas are proposed based on the analysis of reservoir-forming elements.

Paleogene and Early Neogene Lacustrine Reefs in the Western Qaidam Basin, China

Typical reefs in the Paleogene and early Neogene strata of the Qaidam Basin, Tibetan Plateau, China, reveal their internal structures and sedimentation environments and consist mainly of algal reef, stromatolite reef and thrombolite reef with distinct reef structures, fore-reef, back-reef and reef-plateau. The fore-reef is characterized by a combination of pinnacle reef, thrombolite and algal reef. The back reef is composed of stromatolite reef and algal reef. The pinnacle reefs (micro-atoll), most of which are several tens of centimeters in diameter (whereas some exceptionally big ones are over 200 cm in diameter), and several tens of centimeter to 2 m in height, are situated on the far front-edge of the reef; the pinnacle reef is also often of recumbent form with a gravel-filled circular hole in the center. The algal reef is in the form of dome and irregular beds, and filled with algal detritus, ostracodes, spirorbis fossils, ooid and terrigenous debris, and worm traces; cavities and scour marks are often developed. The algal reef is gray commonly when fresh and weathers to a brown color. The lacustrine thrombolite in the Qaidam Basin is light gray or deep gray when fresh, white-gray or brown when weathered, dense and homogeneous with abundant pores filled by oil and bitumen. Observed under the microscope, the thrombolite consists mainly of brown or brown-black clots with a little algal debris, ooid, pellet, ostracodes, spirorbis fossils and terrigenous debris, in some cases, terrigenous debris, even gravel, is abundant. Many features of the thrombolite suggest that it is formed in a high-energy envkonment. The stromatolite reefs developed on the lacustrine algal reef in the Qaidam Basin are very complex whether in shape or in internal structure. The simplest ones form laminated layers and the most complex ones have intensely branching structures. The size is also variable.

Evolution of Chinese Neogene Rhinocerotidae and Its Response to Climatic Variations

Chinese Neogene Rhinocerotidae has quite a complete record and its temporalrange is the Early Miocene to Late Pliocene. The samples include 25 species in 4 tribes of 2subfamilies. They are used as a foundation for the study of the evolution of the family and itsrelation to climatic changes. Taxonomic diversity, new records and extinctions are estimated foreach Chinese Neogene mammal faunal unit (NMU). The diversity of Chinese Rhinocerotidae variesnoticeably throughout the Neogene and is recognized within five stages: the Middle Miocene and LateMiocene are stages of high diversity and the Early Miocene, early Late Miocene and Pliocene arestages of low diversity. Rhinocerotid diversity and morphology are closely related to environmentalfactors and particularly sensitive to changes in ambient temperature and humidity. Theinterpretation of climatic variation reflected in the evolution of Rhinocerotidae correspondsprecisely with the conclusions drawn from other workers and provides new evidence for research onthe Neogene terrestrial ecosystem in China.

Neogene Paleoseismic Events and the Shanwang Biota's Burial in the Linqu Area,Shandong Province,China

Several paleoseismic events are recorded in the Neogene Linqu Group, exposed in the Linqu area, Shandong Province, China. The events were interpreted on the basis of fleldwork and laboratory analysis, which showed the presence of seismites with plastically deformed soft-sediment deformation structures in the Shanwang Formation, and of seismic volcanic rocks in the Yaoshan Formation which show brittle deformation. The earthquake-triggered soft-sediment deformations in the seismites include load structures, ball-and-pillow structures, flame structures, piUow-like beds, boudinage structures, slump folds, syn-depositional faults, veins of liquefied sand, and dikes of liquefied sandy lime-mud. The seismic activity is also reflected in what might be called ＇brittle seismites＇; these originated when, under the influence of seismic vibrations, semi-consolidated conglomerate was shattered. Moreover, volcanic activity is related to intense earthquakes that affected basalts intercalated with sand layers; these successions are known as ＇seismic volcanic rocks＇, which are characterized by veins of liquefied sand intruding the basalts. AH above traces of paleoseismic activity were left from one single time span of 4 Ma with active seismicity that took place 14-10 Ma. This time span is known as ＇the Linqu Neogene Paleoseismic Active Period＇, which is divided into four paleoseismic episodes, which were responses to tectonic extension and basin rifting in this area. It even includes the activity of the Yishu Fault Zone during the Miocene and the Neogene. The ratios of trace elements in the seismites, w（La）/w（Sc） and w （La）/w（Th） are higher than the average value of the upper crust, but w（Th）/w（Sc） is lower; this is geochemical evidence for the basin rifting that resulted in a high sedimentation rate. The intense and frequent paleo-earthquakes are held responsible for the rapid burial of the Shanwang Biota. Secondary earthquake-induced processes （e.g. slumping of a lake shore and the strongly increased lacustrine sedimentation rate） contributed to the rapid burial of the biota.

Neogene coupling between Kuqa Basin and Southern Tien Shan Orogen, Northwestern China

Based on the sedimentary and subsiding features of Kuqa foreland basin, this paper presents the following characteristics of Neogene coupling relationship between Kuqa Basin and Southern Tien Shan Orogen, Northwestern China: (1) The Southern Tien Shan Orogen underwent Neogene uplifting of 4 km in height and the Kuqa Basin underwent Neogene subsidence of 4?6 km in depth accordingly beginning in 25 Ma; (2) The Southern Tien Shan Orogen moved continuously toward the Kuqa Basin, with largest structural shortening rate of greater than 53.7%, and the north boundary of the Kuqa Basin retreated continuously southward accordingly since the Miocene; (3) There are two subsidence centers with high subsiding rates and large subsiding extent, located in the eastern and western Kuqa Basin respectively, with the subsiding maximizing in the deposition period of Kuqa Formation.

Sandbody architecture of the bar finger within shoal water delta front:Insights from the Lower Member of Minghuazhen Formation,Neogene,Bohai BZ25 Oilfield,Bohai Bay Basin,East China

Core, well logging and seismic data were used to investigate sandbody architectural characteristics within Lower Member of Minghuazhen Formation in Neogene, Bohai BZ25 Oilfield, and to analyze the sedimentary microfacies, distribution and internal architecture characteristics of the bar finger within shoal water delta front. The branched sand body within shoal water delta front is the bar finger, consisting of the mouth bar, distributary channel over bar, and levee. The distributary channel cuts through the mouth bar, and the thin levee covers the mouth bar which is located at both sides of distributary channel. The bar finger is commonly sinuous and its sinuosity increases basinward. The distributary channel changes from deeply incising the mouth bar to shallowly incising top of the mouth bar.The aspect ratio ranges from 25 to 50 and there is a double logarithmic linear positive relationship between the width and thickness for the bar finger, which is controlled by base-level changing in study area. For the bar finger, injection and production in the same distributary channel should be avoided during water flooding development. In addition, middle–upper distributary channel and undrilled mouth bar are focus of tapping remaining oil.

Neogene faulting and volcanism in the Victoria Land Basin of the Ross Sea, Antarctica

The Neogene Terror Rift in the Antarctic Victoria Land Basin(VLB)of the Ross Sea,Antarctica,is composed of the Discovery Graben and the Lee Arch.Many Neogene volcanoes are aligned in the north-south direction in the southern VLB,belonging to the McMurdo Volcanic Group.However,due to multiple glaciations and limited seismic data,the volcanic processes are still unclear in the northern VLB,especially in the Terror Rift.Multichannel seismic profiles were collected at the VLB from the 32nd Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition(CHINARE).We utilized four seismic profiles from the CHINARE and additional historical profiles,along with gravity and magnetic anomalies,to analyze faults and stratigraphic characteristics in the northern Terror Rift and volcanism in the VLB.Negative flower structures found in the northern Terror Rift suggest that the Terror Rift was affected by dextral strike-slip faults extending from the northern Victoria Land(NVL).After the initial orthogonal tension,the rift transited into an oblique extension,forming a set of downward concaving normal faults and accommodation zones in the Terror Rift.On the Lee Arch,several imbricated normal faults formed and converged into a detachment fault.Under gravitational forces,the strata bent upward and formed a rollover anticline.Many deep faults and thin strata subjected to erosion facilitated volcanic activity.A brittle volcanic region in the VLB was affected by dextral strike-slip movements and east-west extension,resulting in two Neogene volcanic chains that connect three igneous provinces in the VLB:the Hallett,Melbourne,and Erebus Provinces.These two chains contain mud volcanoes with magnetic nuclei,volcanic intrusions,and late-stage volcanic eruptions.Volcanisms have brought about opposite polarities of magnetic anomalies in Antarctica,indicating the occurrence of multiple volcanic activities.

Formation conditions of Neogene large-scale high-abundance lithologic reservoir in the Laibei low uplift,Bohai Sea,East China

By using drilling,high-precision 3 D seismic data,data of geochemistry,logging and testing,the reservoir characteristics and accumulation conditions of the KL6-1 lithologic oilfield in the Laibei Low Uplift in the Bohai Sea are examined comprehensively.The study shows that:KL6-1 oilfield is a monolithic,high-quality,large-scale Neogene lithologic oilfield featuring shallow reservoir depth,high productivity,concentrated oil-bearing intervals,large oil-bearing area,and high reserve abundance;hydrocarbon source supply from two directions provides a sufficient material basis for the formation of large oil field;two types of"inherited structural ridge"developed under the effect of block rotation,late active faults formed by Neotectonic movement,and widely distributed contiguous sand bodies provide an efficient oil and gas transportation system for the large-scale accumulation of oil and gas;contiguous channel and lacustrine lowstand system sand bodies developed in low accommodation condition provide the basic condition for the formation of large-scale lithologic traps;deep formations structural ridge,faults(dominant migration pathways)and large-scale superimposed contiguous sand bodies constitute a"vine type"oil and gas migration and accumulation system in the Laibei Low Uplift,which is conducive to the formation of large-scale and high-abundance lithologic reservoir in this area.The successful discovery of KL6-1,100 million ton reserve order lithologic oil field,has revealed the exploration potential of Neogene large lithologic reservoirs in Bohai Sea,expanded the exploration field,and also has certain reference significance for the exploration of large lithologic reservoirs in similar areas.

Geochemical characteristics of Neogene sandstones of the East and West Siang Districts of Arunachal Pradesh,NE India:implications for source-area weathering,provenance,and tectonic setting

Sandstones from the Neogene Siwalik successions of the East and West Siang Districts of Arunachal Pradesh were analyzed to evaluate source-area weathering,provenance,and tectonic setting by using major,trace,and rare earth elements(REEs)as proxies.The sandstones are classified as lithic arenite and wacke arenite based on their mineralogical compositions.The values of different weathering indices such as Chemical Index of Alteration(CIA;60.93–89.86)and Chemical Index of Weathering(CIW;40–96.8)suggest moderate to intense weathering in the source area.The plot of Th/Sc versus Zr/Sc indicates enrichment of zircon by sediment sorting and/or recycling from a weathered source.The high positive correlation between Al2 O_(3) and K2 O points towards a strong influence of the constituent clay minerals on the major oxide composition of the sandstones.Petrographic analysis together with enriched LREE,flat HREE,negative Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu^(*)=0.47 to 0.90)in the chondrite-normalized diagrams,and the ratios of La/Sc,La/Co,Th/Sc,Th/Co,Cr/Th collectively suggests that the Neogene sediments were derived from felsic igneous and/or reworked sedimentary/metasedimentary sources in an upper continental crustal setting.The geochemical characteristics of the studied Neogene Siwalik sandstones indicate that the sediments were sourced from pre-Himalayan gneisses and granitoids together with metabasic rocks,which had formed in a passive margin tectonic setup.

A study on neogene volcanic landforms of the middle Tanlu fault belt

The west block of the middle belt of TanLu fault belt is one of the areas where volcanic landforms are mainly distributed. This paper divides the volcanic landforms into four grades according to formation, morphology, and ingredient of matter. Lava cones are divided into two types based on the force of top-support and the fluid form of magma: the arc-projecting type and spring-spilling type. Furthermore, the courses of development of volcanic landforms are divided into three stages according to the form and strength of volcanic activities.

Geochemistry of Neogene Mudrocks from Sitakund Anticline, Bengal Basin: Implications for Provenance, Weathering, Tectonic Setting and Depositional Environment

Geochemical analysis of Neogene mudrocks from Sitakund anticline, Chittagong Tripura Fold Belt (CTFB), Bengal Basin, Bangladesh, was deployed to delineate the provenance, tectonics and depositional environments. Representative samples went through mineralogical and geochemical analysis concerning major, trace and rare earth element analysis. Rigaku ZSX Primus and NITON XL3t 800 XRF instruments were utilized for the determination of major and trace elements. The experiment results reveal that the Neogene mudrocks are rich in silica having concentration of 58.10% to 62.60% with an average of 59.90%. Therefore, the geochemical response from the experiments apparently proved the existence of the active continental margin setting for the Neogene mudrocks. Different concentrations and ratios of major oxides satisfy that the mudrocks were derived from felsic source rocks. In addition, chemical index of alteration (CIA) values for the Neogene mudrocks vary from 67.81 to 77.57 with an average 74.41 indicating significant weathering at the source areas. Moreover, U/Th, Cu/Zn, Ni/Co and V/Cr ratios designate that the mudrocks were deposited in oxidizing depositional environment.

Neogene integrative stratigraphy,biotas,and paleogeographical evolution of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas

The remarkable uplift of the Tibetan Plateau in the Neogene had great impacts on the climate and environment of East Asia and even the world.Therefore,establishment of the Neogene stratigraphic framework of the Tibetan Plateau is of great significance to research in various fields of geosciences.Based on marine sediments,the international chronostratigraphic system of the Neogene is divided into six stages in the Miocene and two stages in the Pliocene.Since the beginning of the Cenozoic,the share of terrestrial strata on continents has increased rapidly.By the Neogene,it had far exceeded that of marine strata,and almost all deposits on the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas were terrestrial strata.In China,the Miocene includes five stages and the Pliocene includes two stages.Except for the Tunggurian of the Miocene,which has a lower boundary at 15 Ma,the other stages have the same paleomagnetic definitions and time intervals as the corresponding international marine stages.Mammalian fossils play a very important role in the division and correlation of Cenozoic terrestrial strata,and rodent,carnivore,proboscidean,perissodactyl and artiodactyl fossils are especially important in Neogene terrestrial biostratigraphy.There are many basins with well-exposed strata and abundant mammalian fossils in the Tibetan Plateau.The lower boundary stratotype sections of the Neogene Xiejian and Bahean stages are located respectively in the Xining and Linxia basins,and there are precise paleomagnetic dates in coordination with mammalian fossils.The lower boundary stratotypes of other stages can also be effectively determined in the Tibetan Plateau.Many first appearing mammalian genera in East Asia also appeared in the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas,especially in the Linxia Basin on the northeast margin and in the Siwaliks on the southwest margin.Among them,Prodeinotherium first appeared at the bottom of the Miocene in the Siwaliks,and the earliest Hipparion of the Old World first appeared at the bottom of the Bahean Stage in the Linxia Basin.Carbon and oxygen isotope analysis of enamel and paleosols of Cenozoic sediments and mammal fossils in the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas have been used to reconstruct the climate,environment and vegetation development characteristics,and revealed that these changes were not only related to global change,but also had regional features.Evidence of the Late Miocene C4plant expansion event based on carbon isotope changes comes from the southern margin of the Tibetan Plateau,but in sharp contrast,δ13C indicates that there was still no clear or significant C4plant signal on the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau until the end of the Neogene.Theδ18O analysis shows that there were several major climate change events in the Cenozoic,especially in the Late Miocene at about 7 Ma,when positive drift ofδ18O indicates that the northern and southern sides of the Tibetan Plateau were changing to drier environments.The strong uplift of the Tibetan Plateau in the Late Miocene strengthened the thermal contrast between sea and land,which strengthened monsoon circulation and led to the expansion of C4vegetation in South Asia.However,the East Asian summer monsoon,which can bring atmospheric precipitation and a climate suitable for C4plants to northern China,was not enough to affect the northern Tibetan Plateau.The Tibetan Plateau on the whole rose to an altitude of about 3000 m in the Miocene,becoming a barrier to mammalian migration;it reached its modern altitude of more than 4000 m in the Pliocene,thus forming a cryosphere environment,which led to the emergence of ancestral types of the Ice Age fauna.

Late Cenozoic uplift of the Liupan Mountains:Evidence from the Neogene loess deposits

The Liupan Mountains,one of the important mountain ranges in western China,are located on the boundary between the northeastern Tibetan Plateau and the Ordos Block.The uplift history of the Liupan Mountains remains controversial.Loess deposits are good tracers of regional tectonic and geomorphic changes,because loess is sensitive to erosion and the formation and preservation of loess requires relatively flat highlands and relatively stable tectonic environments.We investigated the distribution of Neogene loess deposits on the western piedmont of the Liupan Mountains and examined a near-continuous loess section(Nanping section)on the piedmont alluvial highlands.Correlation of magnetic susceptibility stratigraphy with the QA-ⅠMiocene loess sequence dates this 56-m section covering the interval from~8.1 to 6.2 Ma.The lower boundary age of this section,together with previously reported Zhuanglang red clay(sand-gravel layers with intercalated loess during~9–8 Ma and near-continuous loess during~8–4.8 Ma)and Chaona red clay(~8.1–2.58 Ma),indicates that the Liupan Mountains were uplifted in the late Miocene(~9–8 Ma)and basically formed by~8 Ma,attesting to no intense mountain building since that time.In addition,based on the information from the Zhuanglang core and the QA-Ⅰsection,we infer that sizable parts of the Liupan Mountains were uplifted during the late Oligocene–early Miocene and did not experience intense uplift during~22–9 Ma.

Neogene subduction initiation models in the western Pacific and analysis of subduction zone parameters

The Neogene is an important period for studying the onset of subduction,with numerous subduction zones forming in the western Pacific,including the Ryukyu,Manila,Philippine,North Sulawesi,Halmahera,New Britain,Solomon,and New Hebrides subduction zones.However,studies on these subduction zones are relatively independent,so it is important to conduct systematic comparative studies.In this paper,we review the initiation models of Neogene subduction in the western Pacific,with the three typical types of subduction initiation models including polarity-reversal,induced subduction re-initiation,and noninherited subduction initiation to form new ruptures.In addition,the parameters of different subduction zones are collated to form five categories:basic features,subducting plate features,upper plate features,kinematic features,and subsequent activity.The regularity of the subduction processes,the specificity of the different subduction cases,and the possible constraints between the subduction initiation types and the characteristics of the subduction zone parameters are discussed and analyzed.The compiled dataset of the subduction zone parameters can provide data support for related studies.

Petrology and Petrographic Delineation of Kamlial Formation Sandstone Mong and Thorar Village, Northern Pakistan

The origin of sandstone in the Rawalpindi group is disputed because of the lesser Himalayas complicated geological structure and ongoing tectonic activity. The goal of the study is to learn more about the petrographic and geological aspects of the Siwalik molasses deposits, which are formations that belong to the same age group. The Early Miocene Kamlial Formation, the Middle to Late Miocene Chinji Formation, and the Late Miocene Nagri Formation are the stratigraphic units revealed in the project area. The texture of the sandstone found in the Rawalpindi Group and Siwalik is fine to medium-grained. The hue ranges from grey to greenish grey. The sandstone displays thin to medium-bedded layers and exhibits thin lamination throughout. The sandstone of the Kamlial Formation contains load casts, potholes, worm burrows, hematite layers, and filled and unfilled mud cracks in basic structures. Model petrographic research reveals that the Murree Formation primarily consists of light minerals like feldspar, quartzite, and felice, whereas the Kamlial Formation is composed of heavy minerals like garnet and tourmaline. Sandstone from the Rawalpindi group undergoes analysis to ascertain its provenance using the quartz feldspar lithic fragments ternary diagram technique. Each plot in the QFL diagram’s recycled orogeny provenance field is plotted.

Petrogenesis and its significance to continental dynamics of the Neogene high-potassium calc-alkaline volcanic rock association from north Qiangtang,Tibetan Plateau

Detailed studies indicate that the main rock type of the Neogene high-potassium calc-alkaline volcanic rock association from north Qiangtang is andesite, dacite and rhyolite. They belong to typical crust-generation magmatic system and originate from the special thickened crust of the Tibetan Plateau by dehydration melting. This group of rocks exhibits LREE enrichment but no remarkable Eu anomaly that shows their source region should be a thickened deep crust consisting of eclogitic mass group, implying that the crust had been thickened and an eclogitic deep crust had been formed during the Neogene period in Qiangtang area. This understanding is important and significant to making further discussion on the uplift mechanism and continental dynamics of the Tibetan Plateau.

Neogene oxygen isotopic stratigraphy,ODP Site 1148,northern South China Sea

A detailed stable isotopic study based on benthic foraminifera from 1165 samples of ODP Site 1148 (18° 50.17.3’N, 116° 33.93’E, water depth 3308.3 m), northern South China Sea, provides an excellent oxygen isotopic record with an average resolution of 30 ka. It contains the most continuous δ18O data with highest resolution for the whole Neogene sequence in the world. The δ18O curve shows a step-like increasing upwards and records 5 increases, 3 decreases and 2 stable stages during the Neogene, reflecting the general trend of global cooling. Among these events the δ18O decrease at 17.2–14.5 Ma, and two δ18O increases at 14.5-13.6 and 3.0-2.4 Ma are most marked and globally comparable. The intervals at 13.6-10.2 and 6.0-3.0 Ma with the lowest-amplitude and least fluctuation in δ18O represent the most stable bottom water periods for the South China Sea.

Neogene integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

The widely exposed Chinese Neogene terrestrial deposits provide the best circumstance for the establishment of an accurate chronostratigraphic system of Eurasia, and the rapidly evolved mammalian fossils contribute efficiently to the division and correlation of Asian Neogene strata. A uniform Neogene biostratigraphic framework for China has already been established,with seven mammalian ages named. With a developed stratigraphic basis for the geochronologic "ages", seven chronostratigraphic "stage" have been established for the Chinese Neogene terrestrial strata, namely the Miocene Xiejian, Shanwangian,Tunggurian, Bahean, and Baodean stages, and the Pliocene Gaozhuangian and Mazegouan stages. Based on a series of research achievements, refined biostratigraphic, paleomagnetic and isotopic methods were combined and applied to continuous sections,and a Chinese Neogene chronostratigraphic sequence with accurate geological ages was established and improved in recent years. The lower boundaries of most of the stages could be correlated with those of the marine stages in the International Chronostratigraphic Chart, except the Tunggurian Stage, which is correlated with the European land mammal age. The biostratigraphic markers of the Chinese Neogene stages are usually first appearance of a single taxon, some representing regional species replacement, others indicating intercontinental migration of certain taxa. Candidate stratotype sections have been proposed for all the Chinese Neogene stages according to the principle and rule of modern stratigraphy, and other Chinese Neogene strata in different regions are comprehensively correlated.

Neogene deformation of the Kuqa-Tianshan Basin-range System

The Neogene deformation of the Kuqa-Tianshan Basin-range System is character-ized by discrepancy in paleostress patterns on the basin-range boundary and in the basin interior, and by discrepancy in deformation styles of the basement and the cover. Measurement and paleostress reconstruction of the brittle faults display a stress pattern with NW-SE and/or NNW-SSE extension on the basin margin and NW-SE compression in the basin interior. The basement was cut into blocks separated by boundary faults and upthrusts that were recognized in the seismic reflection profile. The block-faulting could have caused vertical uplift of the basement and gravitational sliding in the overlying sedimentary cover. Theoretical calculation indicates two generations of potential decollement folds within the basin, with one being mudstone in the Triassic Huangshanjie formation and the other the Cenozoic salt-gypsum layers.