BASIN-RANGE SYSTEM EVOLUTION OF QINLING-DABIE OROGENIC BELT AND ITS IMPACT ON REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT

As the structural body related to temporal-spatial evolution and tectonic dynamic system, the orogenic belt and basin are not only dependent on each other in space but also closely related with each other in terms of infrastructure, matter transference and dynamic mechanisms. By using apatite fission-track method, the authors firstly analyze the uplift and denudation ratios of the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt, and by using tectonically deformed combination analysis and tectonic-thermal simulation the main geological occurrences are also illustrated. It is found that there must have had multi-phase differential uplift and denudation phenomena in the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. Then, the regional evolution pattern of qualitative and quantitative denudation process is obtained during the post-orogenic period. On the basis of summarizing evolution process of the basin-range system in the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic and its effects on regional environment, the influence of evolution process on geomorphologic landscapes change, water system vicissitude, eco-environment succession and drainage basin system evolution is discussed.

Lower crustal delamination in the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt

Geological, geophysical and geochemical evidence for lower crustal delamination in the Qinling-Dabie oro-genic belt is presented and a chemical geodynamic model for lower crustal delamination is developed. The synthetic results suggest that eclogite from the Dabie-Sulu ultrahigh pressure metamorphic belt is the most likely candidate as the de-laminated material, and that a cumulative 37-82 km thick eclogitic lower crust is required to have been delaminated in order to explain the relative deficits in Eu, Sr, Cr, Ni, Co, V and Ti in the present total crust composition of the Qin-ling-Dabie orogenic belt. Delamination of the lower crust can well interpret many geological, geophysical and geochemical characteristics of the belt.

Lateral variation in seismic velocities and rheology beneath the Qinling-Dabie orogen

The Qinling-Dabie orogen is an important tectonic belt that trends east-west and divides continental China into northern and southern parts.Due to its strong deformation,complicated structure,multiphase structural superposition and the massive exposed high and ultrahigh metamorphic rocks,its tectonic formation and geodynamical evolution are hot research topics worldwide.Previous studies mainly focused on the regional geological or geochemical aspects,whereas the geophysical constraints are few and isolated,in particular on the orogenic scale.Here,we integrate the available P- and S-wave seismic and seismicity data,and construct the rheological structures along the Qinling-Dabie orogen.The results demonstrate that:(1)there are strong lateral variations in the crustal velocity between the western and eastern sections of the Qinling-Dabie orogen,indicating the different origin and tectonic evolution between these two parts;(2) the lateral variations are also manifested in the rheological structure.The rigid blocks,such as South China and Ordos basin(North China Craton),resist deformation and show low seismicity.The weak regions,such as the margin of Tibet and western Qinling-Dabie experience strong deformation and accumulated stress,thus show active seismicity;(3) in the lower crust of most of the HP/UHP terranes the values of P-wave velocity are higher than the global average ones;finally(4) low P- and S-wave velocities and low strength in the lower crust and lithospheric mantle beneath Dabie indicate lithospheric delamination,and/or high temperature,and partial melting condition.

THE THRUST AND NAPPE TECTONIC ZONE ALONG THE SOUTHERN MARGIN OF THE COAL-FORMING REGION OF NORTH CHINA

A thrust and nappe tectonic zone with imbricate branch thrusts is developed along the southern margin of the coal-forming region of North China. This tectonic zone is tightly related to the Qinling-Dabie collision orogen in genesis and belongs to the frontal zone of a huge thrust system developed during Yanshanian episode at the northern foot of the orogen. It is pointed out that thrusting had distorted the original depositional margin of the coal-forming region and some new coal-bearing blocks would be found out in the frontal sheets and under the undulate sole thrust.