Investigation of the Petrological and Geochemical Characteristics of Siderite in the Early Cretaceous Sandstone of Lacustrine Sedimentary Sequence in the Erlian Basin from Northeastern China

Siderite is a prevalent authigenic mineral in siliciclastic rocks, which usually occurred in eodiagensis period and could be used as an indicator of sedimentary environment. Some siderite precipitated in burial depth with geochemical information of basin fluid evolution. The crystal morphology, geochemical composition, and isotope values are influenced by physical and geochemical environment of precipitation. In this study, samples from the Early Cretaceous of Erlian basin in the northwestern China were collected, and mineralogy, bulk and in-situ geochemistry, C and O isotopes were analyzed to comprehensively investigate the sedimentary and diagenetic environment that the sediments experienced. Six lithofaices with three types of crystal habits were recognized in the siderite-rich sandstone, bundle crystal in spherical forms, blocky rhombs in intergranular pore and cleavage of muscovite, and micro bundle and mosaic crystals aggregates in nodular. The siderite growth proceeds through micro bundle and mosaic crystals to bundle siderite aggregates and then into blocky rhombs. The crystal evolution is also reflected by geochemical composition. The micro bundle and mosaic crystals are Casiderite. The spheritic shaped bundle aggregates are Ca-Mn-siderite. The blocky rhomb siderite shows gray part and bight part with Ca, Mg and Mn varies. Increase of Ca in block rhomb siderite suggests burial and mesodiagenesis, the high content of Mn may have linkage with eogenetic effects. The relatively positive and slightly negative δ13C value indicates meteoric water domination and influence of organic matter evolution in shallow buried time. The narrow ranges negative δ18O value suggest a small span of temperature of siderite formation.

Reservoir characteristics and formation model of Upper Carboniferous bauxite series in eastern Ordos Basin,NW China

Through core observation,thin section identification,X-ray diffraction analysis,scanning electron microscopy,and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption and isothermal adsorption experiments,the lithology and pore characteristics of the Upper Carboniferous bauxite series in eastern Ordos Basin were analyzed to reveal the formation and evolution process of the bauxite reservoirs.A petrological nomenclature and classification scheme for bauxitic rocks based on three units(aluminum hydroxides,iron minerals and clay minerals)is proposed.It is found that bauxitic mudstone is in the form of dense massive and clastic structures,while the(clayey)bauxite is of dense massive,pisolite,oolite,porous soil and clastic structures.Both bauxitic mudstone and bauxite reservoirs develop dissolution pores,intercrystalline pores,and microfractures as the dominant gas storage space,with the porosity less than 10% and mesopores in dominance.The bauxite series in the North China Craton can be divided into five sections,i.e.,ferrilite(Shanxi-style iron ore,section A),bauxitic mudstone(section B),bauxite(section C),bauxite mudstone(debris-containing,section D)and dark mudstone-coal section(section E).The burrow/funnel filling,lenticular,layered/massive bauxite deposits occur separately in the karst platforms,gentle slopes and low-lying areas.The karst platforms and gentle slopes are conducive to surface water leaching,with strong karstification,well-developed pores,large reservoir thickness and good physical properties,but poor strata continuity.The low-lying areas have poor physical properties but relatively continuous and stable reservoirs.The gas enrichment in bauxites is jointly controlled by source rock,reservoir rock and fractures.This recognition provides geological basis for the exploration and development of natural gas in the Upper Carboniferous in the study area and similar bauxite systems.

Natural gas characteristics and gas-source comparisons of the Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation,Eastern Sichuan Basin,China

There is great controversy regarding the origin and source of natural gas in the Lower Triassic Feix-ianguan Formation in the Eastern Sichuan Basin.This seriously restricts the study of natural gas dy-namics in the Feixianguan Formation and thus hampers natural gas exploration in the region,so further study is urgently required.Using experimental tests of natural gas composition,stable isotopes,and noble gas isotopes with gas chromatography(GC)and mass spectrometry(MS)studies of source rock and reservoir asphalt saturated hydrocarbons,the natural gas geochemical characteristics,the genetic identification and a gas-source comparison of the Feixianguan Formation were studied.Then,con-strained by the thermal history,the histories of gas generation and expulsion were restored by basin simulation technology.Finally,a gas accumulation model was established for the Feixianguan Formation.The results showed that(1)the H_(2)S-rich and H2S-poor gas reservoirs of the Feixianguan Formation are distributed on the east and west sides of the Kaijiang-Liangping trough in the Eastern Sichuan Basin,respectively.The carbon and hydrogen isotope compositions of the natural gas in the gas reservoirs are generally heavy and have typical characteristics of high-maturity dry gas reservoirs.(2)The natural gas of the Feixianguan Formation is organic thermogenic gas,which is mainly oil-type gas generated by the secondary cracking of crude oil.The gas-generating parent material is mainly type II kerogen.(3)The natural gas of the Feixianguan Formation in the Eastern Sichuan Basin was mainly generated by argil-laceous source rocks of the Upper Permian Longtan Formation.(4)Natural gas accumulation occurred as follows:the paleo-structure heights were filled with crude oil in the Early Jurassic,and paleo-oil res-ervoirs were formed in the Feixianguan Formation;during the Middle-Late Jurassic,the paleo-oil res-ervoirs were cracked when the reservoir temperatures rose above 160 C,and paleo-gas reservoirs were formed.Since the end of the Late Jurassic,the paleo-gas reservoirs have been adjusted and reformed to form the present-day natural gas reservoirs.These results provide a basis for studying natural gas accumulation dynamics of the Feixianguan Formation in the Eastern Sichuan Basin.

Superimposed hydrocarbon accumulation through multi-source and multi-stage evolution in the Cambrian Xixiangchi Group of eastern Sichuan Basin:A case study of the Pingqiao gas-bearing anticline

The Xixiangchi Group in eastern Sichuan Basin has great potential for natural gas exploration.However,there is a lack of in-depth studies of the hydrocarbon sources and the formation and evolution of gas reservoirs in this Group.Systematic investigation about the gas reservoir in Pingqiao anticline was consequently carried out in terms of characteristics of reservoir bitumen,the geochemical characteristics of natural gas,diagenetic minerals,and fluid inclusions.Based on this,combined with the reconstruction of the burial history,thermal evolution history and uplifting history of strata,and analysis of the regional tectonic settings,the hydrocarbon sources were identified and the formation and evolutionary processes of the gas reservoirs in Xixiangchi Group was revealed in this study.It was shown that the gas reservoirs have mixed gas sources from the shale source rocks in the Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation and in the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation,and experienced several evolutionary stages,including the paleo-oil reservoir stage from the Late Siliurian to the Middle Permian,the paleo-gas reservoir stage from the Late Permian to the Early Cretaceous,and the superimposed accumulation and mixed-source gas reservoir stage since the Late Cretaceous.The mixed-source gas reservoir is formed by the adjustment of the Xixiangchi Group paleo-gas reservoirs and depressurization of the overpressure Wufeng-Longmaxi shale gas reservoirs and the charging of gas into the Xixiangchi Group reservoir of the Pingqiao anticline since the Late Cretaceous,which show obvious superimposed accumulation characteristics.There are different accumulation patterns in different geological periods.The accumulation pattern of the“old source-young reservoir”(i.e.hydrocarbons generated from older source rocks accumulating in younger reservoirs)dominates before the Late Cretaceous,and that of“juxtaposed young source-old reservoir”(i.e.hydrocarbons generated from younger source rocks accumulating in juxtaposed older reservoirs)dominates after the Early Cretaceous.Moreover,faults acted as critical vertical pathways for hydrocarbon migration during the evolution of the Xixiangchi Group gas reservoirs.This model provides new insights and theoretical basis for evaluation and mapping of the Xixiangchi Group play fairway in eastern Sichuan Basin.

Determination of Curie Point Depth and Heat Flow Using Airborne Magnetic Data over the Kom-Ombo and Nuqra Basins, Southern Eastern Desert, Egypt

The Kom-Ombo and Nuqra basins in southern Egypt have recently been discovered as potential hydrocarbon basins. The lack of information about the geothermal gradient and heat flow in the study area gives importance to studying the heat flow and the geothermal gradient. Several studies were carried out to investigate the geothermal analyses of the northwestern desert, as well as the west and east of the Nile River, using density, compressive wave velocity, and bottom hole temperature (BHT) measured from deep oil wells. This research relies on spectral analysis of airborne magnetic survey data in the Kom-Ombo and Nuqra basins in order to estimate the geothermal gradient based on calculating the depth to the bottom of the magnetic source that caused the occurrence of these magnetic deviations. This depth is equal to the CPD, at which the material loses its magnetic polarisation. This method is fast and gives satisfactory results. Usually, it can be applied as a reconnaissance technique for geothermal exploration targets due to the abundance of magnetic data. The depth of the top (Zt) and centroid (Z0) of the magnetic source bodies was calculated for the 32 windows representing the study area using spectral analysis of airborne magnetic data. The curie-isotherm depth, geothermal gradient, and heat flow maps were constructed for the study area. The results showed that the CPD in the study area ranges from 13 km to 20 km. The heat flow map values range from 69 to 109 mW/m2, with an average of about 80 mW/m2. The calculated heat flow values in the assigned areas (A, B, C, and D) of the study area are considered to have high heat flow values, reaching 109 mW/m2. On the other hand, the heat flow values in the other parts range from 70 to 85 mW/m2. Since heat flow plays an essential role in the maturation of organic matter, it is recommended that hydrocarbon accumulations be located in places with high heat flow values, while deep drilling of hydrocarbon wells is recommended in places with low to moderate heat flow values.

The Sedimentary Evolution During Late Triassic-Jurassic Period and the Hydrocarbon Exploration Direction in the Eastern Part of the Qiangtang Basin, Tibet

Based on the field outcrops surveyed,combined with recent published the regional tectonic evolution and geochronology data,we analyzed the lithologies and rock associations of strata,identified the sedimentary facies types,and discussed the distribution sedimentary facies and the hydrocarbon accumulation in the eastern Qiangtang basin during the Late Triassic–Jurassic.Marked by regional unconformities,there are two tectono-stratigraphic units(from the Carnian to the Norian and from the Rhaetian to the Kimmeridgian,respectively)in the eastern part of Qiangtang basin.We systematically described the distribution range,thickness variation and lithological characteristics of different formations in the tectonostratigraphic units.The Late Triassic-Jurassic is dominated by marine facies and marine-continental transitional facies.The marine-continental transitional facies include deltaic and tidallagoon facies.Marine facies including gentle carbonate slope,evaporative platform,restricted platform,littoral,neritic,bathyal and abysmal facies.The Carnian stage is dominated by littoral–neritic–bathyal–abysmal facies in the north Qiangtang depression otherwise the littoral–neritic facies in the south Qiangtang depression.The early Norian stage is dominated by carbonate gentle slope-mixed continental shelf facies.The late Norian,Bajocian,Callovian and Kimmeridgian stage are dominated by tidal flat-delta facies in the north Qiangtang depression and littoral-neritic facies in the south Qiangtang depression.The Bathonian and Oxfordian stage are dominated by evaporative platform-restricted platform-mixed continental shelf facies.The sedimentary facies formed zones from north to south and extended in an E–W direction.The Eastern Lower Uplift(ELU)played an important role in the division zones of sedimentary facies from north to south.During the Bathonian and Oxfordian,the ELU developed below the sea level and controlled the distribution of restricted platform,evaporative platform and platform margin.We analyzed 20 source rock samples from the upper Triassic-Jurassic.The total organic carbon(TOC)value from Qoimaco,Buqu and Adula Formations.of late TriassicJurassic in the eastern Qiangtang basin are ranges from 0.17~0.33%(average 0.28%),0.05~0.25%(average 0.15%)and 10.32~28.78%(average 19.33%),respectively.Obviously,the Adula Fm.developed good source rocks.The values of Tmax and S1+S2 in the Adula formation are 459-461℃(average 460℃)and 6.75-28.55 mg/g(average 18.18 mg/g),indicating that the Adula source rock has reached high-over-maturity stage.The bathyal,gentle slop and platform facie belts of the Upper Triassic can configurate the good hydrocarbon prospects in the northeastern area of the Qiangtang basin.

Distribution,exploitation,and utilization of intermediate-to-deep geothermal resources in eastern China

The part of China,east of the Hu Huanyong Line,is commonly referred to as eastern China.It is characterized by a high population density and a well-developed economy;it also has huge energy demands.This study assesses and promotes the large-scale development of geothermal resources in eastern China by analyzing deep geological structures,geothermal regimes,and typical geothermal systems.These analyses are based on data collected from geotectology,deep geophysics,geothermics,structural geology,and petrology.Determining the distribution patterns of intermediate-to-deep geothermal resources in the region helps develop prospects for their exploitation and utilization.Eastern China hosts superimposed layers of rocks from three major,global tectonic domainsd namely Paleo-Asian,Circum-Pacific,and Tethyan rocks.The structure of its crust and mantle exhibits a special flyover pattern,with basins and mountains as well as well-spaced uplifts and depressions alternatively on top.The lithosphere in Northeast China and North China is characterized by a thin,low density crust and mantle,whereas the lithosphere in South China has a thin,low density crust and a thick,high density mantle.The middle and upper crust contain geobodies with high conductivity and low velocity,with varying degrees of development that create favorable conditions for the formation and enrichment of geothermal resources.Moderate-to-high temperature geothermal resources are distributed in the MesozoiceCenozoic basins in eastern China,although moderate temperature geothermal resources with low abundance dominate.Porous sandstone reservoirs,karstified fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs,and fissured granite reservoirs are the main types of geothermal reservoirs in this region.Under the currently available technical conditions,the exploitation and utilization of geothermal resources in eastern China favor direct utilization over large-scale geothermal power generation.In Northeast China and North China,geothermal resources could be applied for large-scale geothermal heating purposes;geothermal heating could be applied during winter along parts of the Yangtze River while geothermal cooling would be more suitable for summer there;geothermal cooling could also be applied to much of South China.Geothermal resources can also be applied to high value-added industries,to aid agricultural practices,and for tourism.

Application of seismic sedimentology in oilfield exploration and development： taking the eastern area of Pre-Caspian Basin as an example

滨里海盆地东部盐下下二叠统层序SⅢ主要发育辫状河三角洲和滨浅海沉积,该区钻井分布少、砂体厚度薄、典型地震相标志少,常规的沉积相研究方法受到一定的限制,沉积砂体分布范围不明确.利用90°相位转换和地层切片技术,对层序SⅢ的高位体系域进行了地震沉积学研究,通过对地层切片的解释,精细刻画出辫状河三角洲前缘砂体在不同时期的平面分布范围,预测了沉积相在时空上的演化规律,为油气勘探开发提供地质依据.

Quantitative Modelling of Multiphase Lithospheric Stretching and Deep Thermal History of Some Tertiary Rift Basins in Eastern China

The stretching process of some Tertiary rift basins in eastern China is characterized by multiphase rifting. A multiple instantaneous uniform stretching model is proposed in this paper to simulate the formation of the basins as the rifting process cannot be accurately described by a simple (one episode) stretching model. The study shows that the multiphase stretching model, combined with the back-stripping technique, can be used to reconstruct the subsidence history and the stretching process of the lithosphere, and to evaluate the depth to the top of the asthenosphere and the deep thermal evolution of the basins. The calculated results obtained by applying the quantitative model to the episodic rifting process of the Tertiary Qiongdongnan and Yinggehai basins in the South China Sea are in agreement with geophysical data and geological observations. This provides a new method for quantitative evaluation of the geodynamic process of multiphase rifting occurring during the Tertiary in eastern China.

The Impact of Atmospheric Heat Sources over the Eastern Tibetan Plateau and the Tropical Western Pacific on the Summer Rainfall over the Yangtze-River Basin

The variability of the summer rainfall over China is analyzed using the EOF procedure with a new parameter （namely, mode station variance percentage） based on 1951-2000 summer rainfall data from 160 stations in China. Compared with mode variance friction, the mode station variance percentage not only reveals more localized characteristics of the variability of the summer rainfall, but also helps to distinguish the regions with a high degree of dominant EOF modes representing the analyzed observational variable. The atmospheric circulation diagnostic studies with the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis daily data from 1966 to 2000 show that in summer, abundant （scarce） rainfall in the belt-area from the upper-middle reaches of the Yangtze River northeastward to the Huaihe River basin is linked to strong （weak） heat sources over the eastern Tibetan Plateau, while the abundant （scarce） rainfall in the area to the south of the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River is closely linked to the weak （strong） heat sources over the tropical western Pacific.

Geochemical characteristics and genetic model of dolomite reservoirs in the eastern margin of the Pre-Caspian Basin

The widespread Carboniferous KT-I dolomite in the eastern margin of the Pre-Caspian Basin is an important hydrocarbon reservoir. The dolomite lithology is dominated by crystalline dolomite. The δ18O values range from -6.71‰ to 2.45‰, and average 0.063‰, obviously larger than -2.5‰, indicating low-temperature dolomite of evaporation origin. Stable strontium isotope ratios （87Sr/86Sr） range from 0.70829 to 0.70875 and average 0.708365, very consistent with 87Sr/86Sr ratios in Carboniferous seawater. Chemical analysis of Ca and Mg elements shows that the dolomite has 9.1 mole% excess Ca or even higher before stabilization. The degree of order of dolomite is medium–slightly poor, varying in a range of 0.336-0.504 and averaging 0.417. It suggests that the dolomite formed under near-surface conditions. There are two models for the origin of the Carboniferous KT-I dolomite reservoir. These are 1） the evaporation concentration – weathering crust model and 2） the shoal facies – seepage reflux model. The former is mainly developed in restricted platforms – evaporate platforms of restricted marine deposition environments with a representation of dolomite associated with gypsum and mudstone. The latter mainly formed in platform edge shoals and intra-platform shoals and is controlled by dolomitization due to high salinity sea water influx from adjacent restricted sea or evaporate platform.

Geochemical characteristics and diagenetic systems of dolomite reservoirs of the Changxing Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin, China

In order to discuss the relationship between dolomite reservoirs and diagenetic systems of the Changxing Formation, we studied carbon, oxygen and strontium stable isotopes, iron, manganese and strontium trace elements and the Mg/Ca （mol%） ratio, dolomite order degree, and determined that burial dolomitization is the key to controlling the distribution of high quality dolomite reservoir in the Changxing Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin. The dolomite of the Changxing Formation is divided into four diagenetic systems： （1） penecontemporaneous stage syngenetic brine diagenetic system, （2） early diagenetic stage strata seal brine diagenetic system, （3） middle-late diagenetic stage mixed hot brine diagenetic system and （4） tectonic uplift stage mixed hydrothermal fluid diagenetic system. New understanding of the controlling factors and distribution of dolomite reservoir development is discussed. Reef shoal facies belts controlled regional reservoir distribution and the scale of development. Burial dolomitization of a strata seal brine diagenetic system is the foundation of reservoir development, mainly developing pore reservoir. Burial dolomitization of mixed hot brine diagenetic system expanded the reservoir distribution and improved the reservoir quality, mainly developing pore-vug reservoir. Fracturing and dissolution of a mixed hydrothermal fluid diagenetic system is the key to improving the reservoir quality, mainly developing pore-vug-crack complex reservoirs.

Characteristics of Tight Sandstone Reservoirs and Controls of Reservoir Quality: A Case Study of He 8 Sandstones in the Linxing Area, Eastern Ordos Basin, China

Determining the process of densification and tectonic evolution of tight sandstone can help to understand the distribution of reservoirs and find relatively high-permeability areas.Based on integrated approaches of thin section,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),cathode luminescence(CL),nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),X-ray diffraction(XRD),N2 porosity and permeability,micro-resistivity imaging log(MIL)and three-dimensional seismic data analysis,this work discussed the reservoir characteristics of the member 8 of the Permian Xiashihezi Formation(He 8 sandstones)in the Linxing area of eastern Ordos Basin,determined the factors affecting reservoir quality,and revealed the formation mechanism of relatively high-permeability areas.The results show that the He 8 sandstones in the Linxing area are mainly composed of feldspathic litharenites,and are typical tight sandstones(with porosity<10%and permeability<1 mD accounting for 80.3%of the total samples).Rapid burial is the main reason for reservoir densification,which resulted in 61%loss of the primary porosity.In this process,quartz protected the original porosity by resisting compaction.The cementation(including carbonate,clay mineral and siliceous cementation)further densified the sandstone reservoirs,reducing the primary porosity with an average value of 28%.The calcite formed in the eodiagenesis occupied intergranular pores and affected the formation of the secondary pores by preventing the later fluid intrusion,and the Fe-calcite formed in the mesodiagenetic stage densified the sandstones further by filling the residual intergranular pores.The clay minerals show negative effects on reservoir quality,however,the chlorite coatings protected the original porosity by preventing the overgrowth of quartz.The dissolution of feldspars provides extensive intergranular pores which constitute the main pore type,and improves the reservoir quality.The tectonic movements play an important role in improving the reservoir quality.The current tectonic traces of the study area are mainly controlled by the Himalayan movement,and the high-permeability reservoirs are mainly distributed in the anticline areas.Additionally,the improvement degree(by tectonic movements)of reservoir quality is partly controlled by the original composition of the sandstones.Thus,the selection of potential tight gas well locations in the study area should be focused on the anticline areas with relatively good original reservoir quality.And the phenomena can be referenced for other fluvial tight sandstone basins worldwide.

Depositional System of the Carboniferous Huanglong Formation,Eastern Sichuan Basin:Constraints from Sedimentology and Geochemistry

Using analyses of the lithology,sequences,paleoenvironment,and tectonic setting,the depositional system of the Carboniferous Huanglong Formation in the eastern Sichuan Basin was identified.The lithological characteristics of the Lower Member,Middle Member,and Upper Member were analyzed and classified.Before the use of carbon,oxygen,and strontium isotopes in the analysis,all of the geochemical data were tested for validity.On the basis of the Z values obtained from carbon and oxygen isotopes,the paleoenvironments of the three members were elucidated.Lower Member was dominantly an enclosed marine environment with intense evaporation and little freshwater input into the sea.Middle Member developed in a semi-enclosed to normal marine environment with many rivers.Upper Member was formed in a normal marine environment.The east Sichuan Basin was enclosed by paleouplifts before the deposition of the Huanglong Formation,forming a relatively enclosed depositional setting.Paleogullies developed in the Silurian strata that underlie the Carboniferous rocks;these paleogullies can be identified.On the basis of a comprehensive analysis,we propose that the Huanglong Formation developed in a platform system.Four microfacies were identified：supratidal flat,dolostone flat,grain shoal,and shelf microfacies.The high-permeability and high-porosity characteristics of the grain shoal microfacies are favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation,while the supratidal flat and shelf microfacies developed very few high-quality reservoirs.The paleogullies,in which increased amounts of grain shoal microfacies developed,controlled the distribution of high-quality reservoirs.

Discovery of Multiple Tectonic Reformations of the Eastern Yingen-Ejinaqi Basin:Evidence from Detrital Chronology

Objective The widely-distributed reformed basins in China are currently major areas for oil and gas exploration.Poststage tectonic movement of modified basins often plays an important role in controlling petroleum accumulation,migration and distribution(Liu and Yang,2000).The petroliferous Carboniferous-Permian Yingen-Ejinaqi Basin is located in the junction area between the North China Craton and the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(Fig.1 a).

Application of the Material Balance Method in Paleoelevation Recovery: A Case Study of the Longmen Mountains Foreland Basin on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

We applied the material balance principle of the denudation volume and sedimentary flux to study the denudation-accumulation system between the Longmen Mountains （Mts.） and the foreland basin. The amount of sediment in each sedimentation stage of the basin was estimated to obtain the denudation volume, erosion thickness and deposit thickness since the Late Triassic Epoch, to enable us to recover the paleoelevation of the provenance and the sedimentary area. The results show the following： （1） Since the Late Triassic Epoch, the elevation of the surface of the Longmen Mts. has uplifted from 0 m to 2751 m, and the crust of the Longmen Mts. has uplifted by 9.8 km. Approximately 72% of the materials introduced have been denuded from the mountains. （2） It is difficult to recover the paleoelevation of each stage of the Longmen Mts. foreland basin quantitatively by the present-day techniques and data. （3） The formation of the Longmen Mts. foreland basin consisted of three stages of thrust belt tectonic load and three stages of thrust belt erosional unload. During tectonic loading stages （Late Triassic Epoch, Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous, Late Cretaceous-Miocene）, the average elevation of Longmen Mts. was lower （approximately 700-1700 m）. During erosional unloading stages （Early and Middle Jurassic, Middle Cretaceous and Jiaguan, Late Cenozoic）, the average elevation of Longmen Mts. was high at approximately 2000-2800m.

Origin of the Volcanic Rocks Erupted in the Eastern Manus Basin：Basaltic Andesite-Andesite-Dacite Associations

There has been much recent interest in the origin of intermediate lava and several hypotheses are: 1) direct melting of the mantle under water-saturated conditions, 2) partial melting of altered crust, 3) fractional crystallization of parent magma, and 4) magma mixing of mafic magmas with dacitic/rhyolitic magmas. Volcanic rocks series ranging from basaltic andesite to dacite(SiO_2 ranges from 53.8 to 63.0 wt.%) from the eastern Manus Basin were detected for major and trace element compositions to understand their origin. Low H_2O contents, positive correlations of La-SiO_2 and Yb-SiO_2, oxygen isotope data and the indistinct change of trace element concentrations in oscillatory zoning of plagioclase phenocrysts rule out the models in which silicic lava results from direct melting of hydrous mantle, partial melting of altered oceanic crust or gabbros, and magma mixing, respectively. Besides, the geochemical data of whole rock and melt inclusions indicate that fractional crystallization plays a dominant role in generating the intermediate lava with subduction features.

TECTONO-SEDIMENTARY EVOLUTION OF THE TERTIARY BASINS IN EASTERN TIBET: CONSTRAINING THE RAISING OF TIBETAN PLATEAU

The Tertiary basins are distributed in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau along the large\|scale arc\|shaped strike\|slip belt of the Qiangtang—Hengduan Shan—Jinshajiang—Red River belt. Most of basins were controlled by regional northwest\| and south\|north treading faults, and a few basins were constrained by northwest\| or north\|north\|east\|treading local faults.The detailed field mapping and sedimentologic observations for 6 typical Tertiary basins in eastern Tibet show that their types include depressive basins, rifting basins, pull\|apart and extensional basins related to strike\|slip faulting, and erosion\|residual basins. Recently, most of them are controlled by compression\| or thrust\|related margin faults in single side or double laterals of these basins. Not\|well\|developed strata in the Tertiary basins were deformed to form various tight folds and thrusts. High\|K magma intruded widely into the basins. The tectono\|sedimentary evolution of the Tertiary basins appears tempo\|spatially inhomogeneous. The preliminary model to interpret the Tertiary basin evolution is described as below.

Subsidence History of the Eastern Depression in the North Yellow Sea Basin

Using a back-stripping method, our paper simulated the subsidence history of the eastern depression in the North Yellow Sea Basin. The subsidence history curve pattern and the subsidence chorisogram during every subsiding period were exposed. Combining with the regional geologic background and the distribution features of the subsiding centers in every period, a contrasting study of the pattern and the classical subsidence history curves shows the subsi- dence history is made up of Mesozoic (J3-K1) and Cenozoic (E2-Q) subsiding cycles. The two subsiding cycles are separated by the late Cretaceous and Paleocene (K2-E1) uplift denudation. Both subsiding cycles have the characteristics of an extension basin. The rapid subsidence during the late Jurassic and Eocene is equivalent to the initial subsiding phases in both cycles.. The slow subsidence of both, the early Cretaceous and Neogene, can be regarded as thermal sub-sidence phases .

Paleoseismological Study of the Late Quaternary Slip-rate along the South Barkol Basin Fault and Its Tectonic Implications,Eastern Tian Shan,Xinjiang

The easternmost Tian Shan lies in eastern Xinjiang, Central Asia. The South Barkol basin fault（SBF） in the northern part of the easternmost Tian Shan is a major tectonic structure in this orogenic region. The late Quaternary activity, paleoseismology, and deformation characteristics of the fault provide important clues for understanding the tectonic process of the eastern Tian Shan orogen and implementing seismic mitigation. Through interpretation of high-resolution satellite images, unmanned aerial vehicle measurements, and detailed geological and geomorphic investigations, we suggest that the fault exhibits clear left-lateral slip along its western segment. Paleoseismic trenches dug near Xiongkuer reveal evidence of six large paleoearthquakes. The four latest paleoearthquakes were dated： the oldest event occurred at 4663 BC–3839 BC. Data on the horizontal offsets along the probable 1842 Barkol earthquake coseismic rupture suggest clear multiple relationships between cumulative offsets and possible ~4 m of coseismic left-lateral slip per event. From the cumulative offsets and 14 C sample ages, we suggest an average Holocene left-lateral slip rate of 2.4–2.8 mm/a on the SBF, accounting for ~80% of lateral deformation within the entire eastern Tian Shan fault system. This result is comparable with the shortening rate of 2–4 mm/a in the whole eastern Tian Shan, indicating an equal role of strike-slip tectonics and compressional tectonics in this orogen, and that the SBF may accommodate substantial lateral tectonic deformation.