Polyphase Deformation of the Weihai-Rongcheng UHP Unit Rocks,NE Sulu:Insights into the Tectonic Evolution of the Dabie-Sulu UHP and HP Belts,China

Different scales of structural data reveal a complex deformation history of ultrahigh- pressure （UHP） rocks exposed in the Weihai-Rongcbeng area, NE Sulu （northern Jiangsu-eastern Shandong）, eastern China. Excluding pre-UHP deformations, at least five major sequential deformational stages （D1-Ds） are recognized. The first deformation （DO produced a weak foliation and lineation in massive eclogites. The foliated eclogite with a dominant foliation containing a stretching and mineral lineation was developed during the I）2 deformation. Both the D1 and D2 deformations occurred under UHP metamorphic conditions, and are well preserved in the eclogite bodies. D3 structures which developed shortly after the formation of granulite/amphibolite facies symplectites are characterized by imbricated associations marked by a regional, steeply dipping foliation, compositional layering, eclogite boudinage, isoclinal folds and reverse ductile shear zones. The D3 deformation was accompanied by decompressional partial melting. A regional, gently dipping amphibolite facies foliation and stretching lineation, low-angle detachments, and dome- and arc-shaped structures formed during the D4 deformation stage dominate to some degree the map pattern of the Weihai-Rongcbeng UHP domain. The last stage of deformation （Ds） gave rise to the final exhumation of the UHP rocks. Ds is characterized by development of brittle-dominated high-angle faulting associated with emplacement of large volmnes of undeformed granite plutons and dykes dated at 134-100 Ma. The deformational and metamorphic sequence followed by the UHP rocks in the Weihai-Rongcheng area is similar to that studied in the entire Dabie-Sulu UHP and HP metamorphic belts from microscopic to mapping scale. Based on structural data, combined with available petrographic, metamorphic and geochronological data, a speculative tectonic evolutionary model for the Dabie-Sulu UHP and IIP belts is proposed, involving continental subduction/collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons and subsequent polyphase exhumation histories of the UHP and IIP metamorphic rocks.

Polyphase Tectonic Events and Cenozoic Basin-Range Coupling in the Tianshan Belt,Northwestern China

Studies show that the Tianshan orogenic belt was built in the late stage of the Paleozoic, as evidenced by the Permian red molasses and foreland basins, which are distributed in parallel with the Tianshan belt, indicating that an intense folding and uplifting event took place. During the Triassic, this orogenic belt was strongly eroded, and basins were further developed. Starting from the Jurassic, a within-plate regional extension occurred, forming a series of Jurassic-Paleogene extensional basins in the peneplaned Tianshan region. Since the Neogene, a collision event between the Indian and the Eurasian plates that took place on the southern side of the Tianshan belt has caused a strong intra-continental orogeny, which is characterized by thrusting and folding. Extremely thick coarse conglomerate and sandy conglomerate of the Xiyu Formation of Neogene System were accumulated unconformably on the Tianshan piedmont. Studies have revealed that the strong compression caused by the Indian-Eurasian collision had a profound influence over the orogenic belt in the hinterland, and MesozoiC-Cenozoic brittle deformed structures superposed on the ductile deformed Paleozoic rocks. The Mesozoic extensional basins were converted into Cenozoic compressional basins. The deformation in the basins is featured by step thrusts and fault-related folds. Statistics of joints show that the principal compressive stress since the Neogene is in a N-S direction. Meanwhile, owing to the underthrusting of the basin toward the orogenic belt, the Paleozoic strata were thrust on the Meso-Cenozoic rocks as tectonic slices, revealing distinct kinematic features in different geologic units. The basin-range coupling zones are characterized by intensive compression, folding and thrusting, accompanied by local sub-E-W-trending strike-slip faults. In the Tianshan region, Cenozoic thrusting is the most common basin-range coupling mode. The folding and faulting of Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, spontaneous combustion of Jurassic coal layers and formation of sintered rocks, the Cenozoic earthquakes and active faulting, and the unique mosaic pattern of basin-range framework of Xinjiang are all products of tectonism since the Neogene.

Structural Evolution of the Western Makran

The Makran represents a huge accretionary wedge in SE Iran that resulted from the long-lasting subduction of the Neotethys Ocean since the Mesozoic. From west to east, this accretionary wedge extends ~1000 km between the Minab Fault in Iran, and the Ornach-Nal Fault in Pakistan. The ongoing oceanic subduction characterizes this belt between the Iranian Plateau and the Tibetan Plateau, both of which were generated by collision of Eurasian with the Arabian and Indian plates, and provides an ideal target to recover the tectonic history of subduction. The western Makran located in Iran can be subdivided into four units: The North Makran ophiolitic mélange, the Inner Makran, the Outer Makran, and the Coastal Makran. Based on our detailed structural analysis and geochronological dating, we obtain several new results that can help us to better understand the structural evolution:(1) The North Makran ophiolitic mélange includes thick piles of volcanic rocks and limestone that directly cover the mantle peridotite, so it is likely to be part of an Early Cretaceous volcanic arc by our zircon dating at ~115 Ma on mafic intrusions;(2) The entire western Makran underwent three phases of deformation. D1 is characterized by top-to-the S/SW thrusting as evidence by southward emplacement of the ophiolitic mélange onto the Eocene sedimentary rocks. D2 deformation strongly folded the pre-late Miocene/early Pliocene strata that also corresponds to the final emplacement of the ophiolite to the surface. D3 structures extends in a N-S direction with top-to-the W kinematics that overthrust the Miocene sandstone onto the Pliocene fluvial sediments along the Minab Fault;(3) Combined with geological and geochronological relationship, D1 occurred at ~45-35 Ma, D2 initiated in middle Miocene and ended with a regional late Miocene-early Pliocene uncomformity, and D3 structures are still active as the subduction continues.