Lacustrine sedimentary responses to earthquakes—soft-sediment deformation structures since late Pleistocene:A review of current understanding

The traces left by earthquakes in lacustrine sediments are studied to determine the occurrence of ancient earthquakes by identifying seismically induced soft-sediment deformation structures(SSDS).Dating can help reconstruct the relative frequency of earthquakes.Identifying seismically induced seismites,which carry abundant seismic information from numerous SSDS,is both critical and challenging.Studying the deformation mechanism of SSDS and learning about the common criteria of seismically induced SSDS improve the identification of earthquake triggers.With better research into SSDS,seismic events can be effectively captured,and temporal constraints can be carried out by 14C dating and optically stimulated luminescence(OSL)dating to identify and date the occurrence of ancient earthquakes.The present contribution primarily addresses the meaning and mechanism of SSDS and their relationship with earthquake magnitude as well as the common criteria of the SSDS induced by earthquakes.

Earthquake-induced Soft-sediment Deformation Structures in the Dengfeng Area,Henan Province,China:Constraints on Qinling Tectonic Evolution during the Early Cambrian

Soft-sediment deformation structures are abundant in the Cambrian Zhushadong and Mantou formations of the Dengfeng area, Henan Province, China. Soft-sediment deformation structures of the Zhushadong Formation consist of fluidized deformation, synsedimentary faults, seismo-folds and plastic deformation; the Mantou Formation is dominated by small-scale horst faults, intruded dikes, fluidized veins, and seismo-cracks. These structures are demonstrated to be earthquake-related by analysis of trigger mechanisms, and may indicate the activity of the Qinling tectonic belt during the early Cambrian. Furthermore, the assemblages of soft-sediment deformation structures altered with time: large-scale, intense deformation in the Zhushadong Formation alters to small-scale, weak deformation in the Mantou Formation. This striking feature may have been caused by changes in hypocentral depth from deep-focus to shallow-focus earthquakes, indicating that the Qinling tectonic belt developed from the subduction of the Shangdan Ocean to the extension of the Erlangping back-arc basin. This study suggests that soft-sediment deformation structures can be used to reveal the activity of a tectonic belt, and, more importantly, changes in deformation assemblages can track the evolution of a tectonic belt.

Soft-sediment deformation structures in the Mesoproterozoic Kaimur Sandstone,Vindhyan Supergroup(Central India),and their seismotectonic implications

The unequivocal identification of soft-sediment deformation structures(SSDS)is a significant attribute to constrain the effect of transient geological events in the spatio-temporal evolution of ancient sedimentary basins.This paper reports and discusses,for the first time,the occurrence of several cm-to dm-scale SSDS within sandstone successions of the Mesoproterozoic Kaimur Group(Vindhyan Supergroup),exposed at the Hanumandhara Hill of Chitrakoot-Satna border region,Madhya Pradesh State,India.The SSDS are confined to a deformed interval comprising seven individual sedimentary units of variable composition and texture,which are sandwiched between nearly horizontally undeformed sandstone beds.The SSDS consist of load structures(load casts,flame structures,pseudonodules and ball-and-pillow structures),contorted lamination,convolute lamination,boudins and pinch-and-swell structures,deformed cross-stratification,slump structures,clastic injections,fluid escape structures,and syn-sedimentary fractures/faults.The pre-sent study suggests that the formation of these SSDS is essentially related to a combination of processes(gravitational instability,liquefaction,fluidization,and fluid escape)predominantly induced by seismic shocks.In addition,the restricted occurrence of fractures/faults in these deformed layers emphasizes the passage of seismically-induced Rayleigh waves.Considering the observed types of SSDS,their lateral homo-geneity and geographic distribution along with the geodynamic framework of the Vindhyan Basin,the whole area can be tentatively attributed to having experienced moderate-to high-magnitude(M≥5)seismicity.The present study combined with earlier reports of seismically-induced SSDS,from other regionally disposed formations belonging to the Lower(e.g.,Kajrahat Limestone,Chopan Porcellanite,Koldaha Shale,Rohtas Limestone,and Glauconitic Sandstone of the Semri Group)and Upper(e.g.,Bhander Limestone of the Bhander Group)Vindhyan Supergroup,respectively,provides evidence for the constant regional-scale seismo-tectonic activity within the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic Vindhyan Basin.Importantly,this observation further suggests that the intracratonic basins can be active tectonically contrary to the earlier propositions.

Typical earthquake-induced soft-sediment deformation structures in the Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation, Yongding River Valley, Beijing, China and interpreted earthquake frequency

The Mesoproterozoic Wumishan Formation, composed of dolomite is a widely distributed stratigraphic unit in the Beijing area. It was formed over a long period of time in the Yan-Liao aulacogen, a stable peritidal environment that was ideal for recording earthquakes in the form of soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS). Numerous examples occur in the upper part of the Wumishan Formation, along the Yongding River Valley. In addition, brittle structures include intrastratal fault and seismically cracked breccias. The soft-sediment deformation structures include liquefied features (diapirs, clastic dykes, convolute bedding), compressional deformation features (accordion folds, plate-spine breccias, mound-and-sag structures), and extensional plastic features (loop-bedding). Based on the regional geological setting and previous research, movements along the main axial fault of the Yan-Liao aulacogen are considered as the triggers for earthquakes since the Early Mesoproterozoic. The number and distribution of the SSDS suggest the major earthquake frequency in the Wumishan Formation of 20 to 32 thousand years.

Origin of soft-sediment deformation structures in Nihewan Basin

The Nihewan Basin is a rift basin at the junction of northern Shanxi Province and northwestern Hebei Province in north China.The basin is known for its rich paleontological fossils and ancient human remains.There are also abundant soft-sediment deformation structures(SSDS)in the thick lacustrine sediments.Previously,most SSDS have been interpreted as ice-edge features or ignored entirely.Recently,the authors have carried out several field surveys in the Nihewan Basin and found that many SSDS are sandwiched between normal lacustrine strata at multiple sections.In the excavation pit at the 10th Locality of Maliang Site(ML10),10 horizontal SSDS layers and two vertically developed geological features have been identified.Based on genesis analysis and related criteria,these features are divided into two categories:cryoturbation-triggered SSDS and earthquake-triggered SSDS.Among them,a special type of ancient ice-wedge pseudomorph(SSDS-8)of ML10 is recognized in the basin for the first time.The other 9 horizontal SSDS are mainly caused by earthquake-triggered liquefaction and slumping.They can be further divided into 14 seismic event layers.These findings indicate that the tectonic activity in the Nihewan Basin is very strong and frequent,and there were cold periods in the geological history of the basin.At the same time,the SSDS with distinct morphological characteristics and stable horizontal distribution in the basin can be used as an important indicator of stratigraphic correlation.

Salt-related structure and deformation mechanism of the Middle-Lower Cambrian in the middle-west parts of the Central Uplift and adjacent areas of the Tarim Basin

The salt beds of the Middle-Lower Cambrian are widespread in the middle-west parts of the Central Uplift and adjacent areas, the Tarim Basin. This paper presents the results of seismic interpretation and drilling data analysis, which discovered that the salt beds were formed in an old geologic age, deeply buried, with relatively small scaled flowing and gathering and uneven distribution. As the regional detachment layers, the salt sequences considerably control the structural deformation of the up-salt Paleozoic, forming a series of hydrocarbon traps. In due course, the salt beds of the Middle-Lower Cambrian provide excellent cap rocks and trap conditions; thus the value of exploring hydrocabon reservoir in the target strata of the sub-salt Sinian- Cambrian is greatly increased. Research has shown that the salt-related structures of the Middle-Lower Cambrian in the area mainly exist in the form of salt pillow, salt roller, up-salt anticline, salt diapir, assemblage of the salt arch and up-salt fault-block, assemblage of basement fault and salt anticline, assemblage of the basement fault-block and salt dome, assemblage of salt detachment and fault-related fold, and assemblage of basement fault-block, salt arch and up-salt imbricated thrusts. The evolution and deformation mechanisms of the salt-related structures are controlled largely by basement faulting, compressional shortening, plastic flowing and gathering, superstratum gravitation, and up-salt faulting and detaching. They are distributed in rows or belts along basement faults or fault block belts.

北京西山寒武系滑塌构造的初步研究

北京西山地区的寒武系层序完整,剖面出露好,是中国地质学家研究寒武系的经典地区之一。前人对北京地区寒武系的研究集中于百花山北麓清水河—永定河流域的军庄、丁家滩、下苇甸、青白口至军饷之间的露头。作者等在北京房山地区百花山南麓进行地质考察中,在上寒武统崮山组下部的中薄层条带状灰岩和砾屑灰岩中发现了典型的滑塌变形层,变形主要表现为发育大量的小型层间微型断裂或褶皱,大部分断裂表现为小型的低角度逆冲性质,断裂面呈舒缓波状,平均倾角10°左右,微型断裂面上盘还可见更次级的微型褶曲或断层和布丁。滑塌变形层之下还发现了与古地震有成因关系的楔状构造和特殊的砾岩。结合前人在寒武系中已经发现的震积岩,初步认为,这种典型的滑塌变形的直接触发机制很可能是伴随着华北古板块在中寒武世末与晚寒武世之间的"翘翘板式运动"而发生的古地震。

塔中低凸起东端冲断构造与寒武系内幕白云岩油气勘探

塔里木南缘早古生代板块构造控制了塔南—塔中从伸展到挤压的演化。寒武纪—早奥陶世板缘拉张控制了塔中北斜坡断陷构造。中奥陶世北昆仑洋盆关闭后塔中前缘隆起。晚奥陶世—晚泥盆世塔中前陆冲断与走滑构造变形。晚奥陶世—泥盆纪塔南前陆冲断由东南向西北方向传播,形成塘北—塔中南—5号断裂等弧形断裂体系和塔中低凸起中西段与Ⅰ号断裂带小角度斜交的走滑断裂体系。塔中低凸起位于前陆冲断带的前锋位置。前陆冲断的传播受控于两个滑脱层,一是沿中寒武统内部膏盐岩的滑脱层,形成弧形冲断构造,终止于塔中南缘断裂带和塔中北缘断裂带的东端;沿该滑脱层形成大量的冲断构造将中寒武统以上的勘探目的层系抬升到浅层,成为目前主要钻探的对象;二是沿中地壳韧性变形带的滑脱层,形成塔中Ⅰ号断裂带北缘东端的弧形构造带,沿该滑脱层形成的基底卷入的冲断构造,将中寒武统膏盐岩封盖层以下的成藏组合抬升到浅层,一方面成为油气长期运移聚集成藏的重要部位,同时又使得该部位成为可以钻探到的潜在勘探领域。本文根据塔中寒武系内幕白云岩的油气成藏条件,提出了油气勘探的建议。

地质名山馒头山及其附近早寒武世古地震沉积事件研究

蜚声中外的地质名山馒头山处在济南南部山区。通过野外调查和室内研究,从馒头山及其附近的青杨村东山、红叶谷、滚球山等地的下寒武统中,鉴别出了许多地震引起的同沉积变形构造(震积岩),主要有卷曲变形(震褶岩)、粒序微断层、滑移构造、滑塌褶曲、负载构造、枕状体、混插沉积、软硅质脉、软硅质层底辟构造、硅藻叠层石变形、沉陷构造、触变楔、布丁、震裂缝、震裂角砾岩及震碎角砾岩等。本文较详细地阐述了它们的特征和形成机理。触变楔属国内首次发现。触变楔和沉陷构造发育在夹软硅质层的白云岩中,其原始沉积物是含软硅质层的白云质灰泥。受强震触动,因软硅质沉积物(SiO2.nH2O)的粘度变小,软硅质层的粘度变小而变得更软,灰泥同时发生液化;在竖向震动力作用下,软硅质层被断开、继而沉陷形成了沉陷构造;沉陷构造向下延伸,结果使断开的硅质层汇聚,形成了触变楔。根据早寒武世古构造板块与地震带的分布,认为这些地震沉积遗迹是早寒武世板内地震记录,推测由古郯庐带的构造活动的响应。这些古地震事件记录的发现,丰富了济南南部山区、尤其是馒头山的地质科学内涵。

四川盆地东部五百梯地区构造变形特征

基于四川盆地东部五百梯地区钻井和测井资料综合分析,通过对三维地震资料进行精细构造解释,结合典型地震剖面和建立的三维构造模型,研究五百梯地区构造变形特征,认为五百梯地区构造变形具有纵向分层、平面分段的特征,由4套滑脱层作为间隔在纵向上划分5套构造层:寒武系膏盐层底界以下构造层,构造简单,断裂少,多为低幅度隆起;寒武系膏盐层顶界—志留系底界构造层,受寒武系膏盐层控制,发育断层传播褶皱;志留系底界—二叠系底界构造层,受志留系泥页岩滑脱层控制,呈反冲背斜、断背斜;二叠系底界—下三叠统嘉陵江组四段底构造层,受二叠系煤系滑脱层控制,具双重构造和反冲背斜;上三叠统须家河组底界以上构造层,整体与主体构造形态一致,局部受控于三叠系嘉陵江组膏盐滑脱层,呈宽缓背斜。根据寒武系盐上各构造层变形差异,在平面上分为西南段、中段和东北段;结合各构造层变形程度和盐下震旦系古隆起顶界面上超下削的特征,认为研究区东北段盐下构造层油气保存条件最好,是深层勘探的有利目标。

Liquefaction structures induced by the M5.7 earthquake on May 28, 2018 in Songyuan, Jilin Province, NE China and research implication

An earthquake of magnitude M5.7 occurred in Yamutu village,Songyuan City,Jilin Province,NE China(45°16′12″N/124°42′35″E)on May 28,2018,with a focal depth of 13 km.The epicenter is located at the intersection of the Fuyu/Songyuan-Zhaodong Fault,Second Songhua River Fault and Fuyu North Fault which lies northwest of TanchengLujiang Fault(Tan-Lu Fault).The earthquake-induced widespread liquefaction structures and ground surface fissures within 3 km from the epicenter,caused serious disasters to the local surroundings.The visible liquefied structures include sand volcanoes,liquefied sand mounds,sand dikes and sand sills.Sand volcanoes can be divided into sand volcano with a crater,sand volcano without a crater and water volcano(no sand).Other soft-sediment deformation structures(SSDS)induced by the earthquake include deformation lamination,load and flame structures,deformation folds,dish structures,convolute bedding and water-escape structures.The formation process of the sand volcanoes comprises three stages:(1)building up excess pore-fluid pressure in the liquefied layer,(2)cracking of the low-permeable overlying layer,and(3)mixture of sand-water venting out of the ground surface.During the upward movement,the liquefied sand is injected into the low-permeable layer to form sand veins,sand sills and various types of deformation structures.Vertical distribution of seismic liquefaction structure can be divided into four zones:the thoroughly liquefied zone,the lower liquefied zone with SSDS,the upper liquefied zone with SSDS,and the ground surface liquefied zone.The liquefaction occurred at a burial depth of 2–5 m,and the thickness of liquefied sand is 2 m.NE-SW(35°–215°)trending compressive stress is possibly the seismogenic trigger of the Songyuan M5.7 earthquake that caused the fault(Fuyu/Songyuan-Zhaodong Fault)to reactivate.The study of the Songyuan seismic liquefaction structures gives insight into the prediction of modern earthquakes and disasterprone areas.Meanwhile it provides abundant basic material for studying earthquake-induced SSDS in both ancient and modern sediments.The research is obviously of great significance to reveal that the northern Tan-Lu Fault has entered a stage of active seismic activity since the twenty-first century.

广西西大明山地区寒武系小内冲组滑塌构造的发现及其地质意义

在广西崇左市大新县西大明山地区的寒武系小内冲组第一段上部粉砂岩、泥岩地层中,新发现了一处具有典型的滑塌构造特征的软沉积物变形层。根据滑塌层软沉积物变形强弱特征,自下而上可以将滑塌层分为强褶皱逆冲断裂带、弱滑塌褶皱带、波状层理—劈理化带。其中强褶皱逆冲断裂带构造变形最强烈,主要表现为发育大量的同沉积滑塌褶皱及一系列层间小断裂,同时在同沉积褶皱内部还发育有球枕状构造、石香肠构造、透镜状构造等。根据滑塌体内部沉积构造特征,推测其触发机制可能为由地震所引发的滑塌运动;根据同沉积滑塌褶皱及同沉积逆冲断层产状特征判断,滑塌体是从SSE向NNW方向滑塌堆积而成,揭示当时的盆地古斜坡倾向NNW,沉积物的物源区位于SSE侧。

150 Years(1872-2022)of research on deep-water processes,deposits,settings,triggers,and deformation:A difficult domain of progress,dichotomy,diversion,omission,and groupthink

In capturing a snapshot of 150 years(1872-2022)of research on deep-water processes,deposits,settings,triggers,and deformation,the following 22 topics are selected:(1)H.M.S.Challenger expedition(1872-1876):The discovering of the“Challenger Deep”by the H.M.S.Challenger in the Mariana Trench has been the single most important achievement in deep-water research.(2)Five pioneers amid 50 notable contributors:R.A.Bagnold,J.E.Sanders,G.D.Klein,F.P.Shepard,and C.D.Hollister.(3)Mass transport:Mass-transport deposits(MTD)are the most important deep-water facies in terms of volume,geohazards,and petroleum reservoirs.(4)Gravity flows:There are six basic types,namely(a)hyperpycnal flows,(b)turbidity currents,(c)debris flows,(d)liquefied/fluidized flows,(e)grain flows,and(f)thermohaline contour currents.Sandy debrites are the most important petroleum reservoir facies.Despite their popularity,turbidites are not an important reservoir facies.(5)Kelvin-Helmholtz(KH)waves:Turbidites,related to KH waves,with internal hiatus are not qualified to function as predictive facies models;nor are they fit for stratigraphic correlations.(6)High-density turbidity currents(HDTC):Misclassification of density-stratified gravity flows with laminar debris flows and turbulent turbidity currents as HDTC is flawed.Experimental generation of density-stratified gravity flows in flume studies has debunked the concept of HDTC.(7)Classification of turbidites:Contrary to the popular groupthink,turbidites are exclusive deposits of turbidity currents.(8)Bottom currents:The four basic types of deep-marine bottom currents are:(a)thermohaline-induced geotropic contour currents,(b)wind-driven bottom currents,(c)tide-driven bottom currents(mostly in submarine canyons),and(d)internal wave/tide-driven baroclinic currents.(9)Classification of contourites:Contrary to the popular groupthink,contourites are the exclusive deposits of thermohaline-induced geotropic contour currents.(10)Tidal currents in submarine canyons:Their velocity measurements have been the single most important achievement in deep-water process sedimentology.(11)Modern and ancient systems:There is a dichotomy between rare observations of turbidity currents in modern settings and overwhelming cases of interpretations of ancient turbidites in outcrops and cores.The reason is that turbidity currents are truly rare in nature,but the omnipotent presence of turbidites in the ancient rock record is the manifestation of groupthink induced by the turbidite facies model(i.e.,the Bouma Sequence).(12)Internal waves and tides:Despite their ubiquitous documentation in modern oceans,their ancient counterparts in outcrops are extremely rare.This is another dichotomy.(13)Hybrid flows:They are commonly developed by intersecting of down-slope gravity flows with along-slope contour currents.However,they are often misapplied to down-slope flow transformation of gravity flows.(14)Density(sediment)plumes:Deflected sediment plumes by wind forcing are common.Despite their importance in provenance studies,they are not adequately studied.(15)Hyperpycnal flows:They occur near the shoreline,next to the plunge point;but are of no relevance in deep-water environments.However,their importance in deep-marine settings is overhyped in recent literature.(16)Omission of erosional contact and internal hiatus:In order to promote genetic facies models that must not contain internal hiatuses,some researchers selectively omit internal hiatuses observed by the original authors.(17)Triggers of sediment failures:There are 22 types,but short-term triggers,such as earthquakes and meteorite impacts are more important than the conventional long-term trigger known as Eustasy.(18)Tsunami waves:Despite their sedimentologic importance,there are no reliable criteria for recognizing tsunami deposits in the ancient rock record.(19)Soft-Sediment Deformation Structures(SSDS):Although most SSDS are routinely interpreted as seismites,not all SSDS are caused by earthquakes.There are 10 other mechanisms,such as sediment loading,which can trigger liquefaction that can develop SSDS.(20)The Jackfork Group,Pennsylvanian,Ouachita Mountains,USA:Our reinterpretation of this classic North American flysch turbidites as MTD and bottomcurrent reworked sands has resulted in the longest academic debate with 42 printed pages in the AAPG Bulletin history since its founding in 1917.(21)Basin-floor fan model,Tertiary,North Sea:Our examination of nearly 12,000 ft(3658 m)of conventional core from Paleogene and Cretaceous deep-water sandstone reservoirs cored in 50 wells in 10 different areas or fields in the North Sea and Norwegian Sea reveals that these reservoirs are predominantly composed of MTDs,mainly sandy slumps and sandy debrites,and bottom-current reworked sands.Our core-seismic calibration debunked the conventional wisdom(groupthink)that basin-floor fans are composed of sandy turbidites in a sequence-stratigraphic framework.(22)Turbidite groupthink:A case study in illustrating how turbidite groupthink functions,without sound scientific methods,on the basis of published information on modern turbidity currents in Bute Inlet(fjord and estuary),British Columbia,Canada.This compendium is hybrid in composition between an atlas(with 108 figures)and a review article(with 348 references).The author admonishes scientists against deep-sea groupthink and provides a roadmap for future researchers by identifying potential topics for research involving density plumes,internal waves,tidal currents,tsunami waves,sediment deformation,and lowstand braid deltas.

Restrictions to the application of 'diagnostic'criteria for recognizing ancient seismites

Soft-sediment deformation structures induced by seismic liquefaction and/or fluidization receive much attention in sedimentological,structural and palaeoseismic studies.The direct record of larger earthquakes is restricted to instrumental and historical data; the recognition of prehistoric earthquakes requires criteria to recognize seismites in the geological record.The areal distribution of seismites can sometimes be related to active faults since distances to the epicenter(for a given magnitude) tend to be related to the liquefaction effects of seismic shocks.The use of soft-sediment deformation structures for palaeoseismic studies has limitations,however.Hardly anything is known,for instance,about the effects that modern seismic events have on the sediments in most environments.Moreover,criteria for the recognition of seismites are still under discussion.The following characteristics seem,particularly in combination,the most reliable:(1) Soft-sediment deformation structures should occur in laterally continuous,preferably recurring horizons,separated by undeformed beds;(2) These deformation structures should be comparable with structures known to have been triggered by modern seismic activity;(3) The sedimentary basin should have experienced tectonic activity at the time when the deformations were formed; and(4) The intensity or abundance of the soft-sediment deformation structures in a presumed seismite should change laterally,depending on the distance to the epicenter.It turns out that all of these four criteria have important exceptions.(1) Soft-sediment deformation structures occurring over large lateral distances in a specific layer can be triggered also by other processes.Moreover,in environments with a low sedimentation rate,the time between successive earthquakes is often too short to allow accumulation of beds that remain undisturbed.Furthermore,total liquefaction of a sandy bed may result in the absence of deformation features.(2) No truly diagnostic soft-sediment deformation structures exist to prove seismic activity.Moreover,the final configuration of a soft-sediment deformation structure is independent of the type of trigger.(3) Seismites occur frequently in areas where seismic activity is low today.(4) The lateral changes in the intensity of soft-sediment deformation structures in seismites as a factor presumed to depend on the distances to the epicenter,pose a complicated problem.The 2012 Emilia earthquakes,for instance,affected sandy fluvial channels but not the fine-grained floodplains.It must thus be deduced that specific soft-sediment deformation structures cannot be used without additional evidence to identify seismites.In particular,the magnitude of seismic shocks and the recurrence time of main events(the most important features that allow recognition of seismites) seem to be sedimentological in nature:facies changes in space and time seem theparameters that most strongly control the occurrence,morphology,lateral extent and the vertical repetition of seismites.

Genesis of an unusual clastic dike in an uncommon braided river deposit

A clastic dike containing unusually large clasts occurs in the Quaternary deposits that unconformably cover the Mesoproterozoic sediments in the Fangshan District,Beijing area,China.The material into which the dike intruded is also uncommon because it consists mainly of loess-type silts that were deposited by braided rivers.The intrusion of the dike is explained as the result of the expulsion of pore water into the coarse,gravel-containing layers of a braided river system.The large size of the clasts in the dike is explained by an exceptionally strong upwards directed flow which owed its high energy to a high hydrostatic pressure that had been built up because pore water could not gradually seep through the impermeable silt-sized material during ongoing burial.This uncommon dike is compared with a second example,in similar Quaternary sediments covering the Mesozoic rocks in the Huairou District.