Genetic Analysis of Structural Styles in the Makran Accretionary Wedge–Insight from Physical Simulations

The Makran accretionary wedge has the smallest subduction angle among any accretionary prism in the world. The factors controlling the spacing and morphological development of its deep thrust faults, as well as the formation mechanism of shallow normal faults, remain unclear. Meanwhile, the factors affecting the continuity of plane faults must be comprehensively discussed. Clarifying the development characteristics and deformation mechanisms of the Makran accretionary wedge is crucial to effectively guide the exploration of gas hydrate deposits in the area. This study aims to interpret seismic data to identify typical structures in the Makran accretionary wedge, including deep imbricate thrust faults, shallow and small normal faults, wedge-shaped piggyback basins, mud diapirs with fuzzy and disorderly characteristics of reflection, décollements with a northward tilt of 1° – 2°, and large seamounts. Physical simulation-based experiments are performed to comprehensively analyze the results of the plane, section, and slices of the wedge. Results reveal that the distances between and shapes of thrust faults in the deep parts of the Makran accretionary wedge are controlled by the bottom décollement. The uplift of the thrust fault-related folds and the upwelling of the mud diapirs primarily contribute to the formation of small normal faults in the shallow part of the area. The mud diapirs originate from plastic material at the bottom, while those that have developed in the area near the trench are larger. Seamounts and mud diapirs break the continuity of fault plane distribution.

Pore-water geochemistry in methane-seep sediments of the Makran accretionary wedge off Pakistan:Possible link to subsurface methane hydrate

Cold seeps are pervasive along the continental margin worldwide,and are recognized as hotspots for elemental cycling pathway on Earth.In this study,analyses of pore water geochemical compositions of one-400 cm piston core(S3)and the application of a mass balance model are conducted to assess methane-associated biogeochemical reactions and uncover the relationship of methane in shallow sediment with gas hydrate reservoir at the Makran accretionary wedge off Pakistan.The results revealed that approximately 77%of sulfate is consumed by the predominant biogeochemical process of anaerobic oxidation of methane.However,the estimated sulfate-methane interface depth is-400 cm below sea floor with the methane diffusive flux of 0.039 mol/(m^(2)·a),suggesting the activity of methane seepage.Based on the δ^(13)C_(DIC) mass balance model combined with the contribution proportion of different dissolved inorganic carbon sources,this study calculated the δ^(13)C of the exogenous methane to be-57.9‰,indicating that the exogenous methane may be a mixture source,including thermogenic and biogenic methane.The study of pore water geochemistry at Makran accretionary wedge off Pakistan may have considerable implications for understanding the specific details on the dynamics of methane in cold seeps and provide important evidence for the potential occurrence of subsurface gas hydrate in this area.

Contrast of Seismic Reflection Characteristics of Gas Hydrate Distribution between Northeast SCS Slope and Hengchun Ridge

By analyzing and interpreting the newly acquired seismic profile supported by the national 973 Program and synthesizing the data with other geologic ＆ geographic information, we draw conclusions as follows, a） Two seismic reflections located at the northeast South China Sea （SCS） slope and the Hengchun ridge are the Bottom Simulated Reflections （BSRs）. Yet, the genesis and process of the gas hydrate in these two areas are different because of different regional tectonics and geological environments; b） The genesis of gas hydrate located at the northeast SCS slope area is related to the broadly existing fracture zones, slumping tectosomes, and the distinctive shielding environment of pressure masking field formed by them. But the genesis of the gas hydrate at the Hengchun ridge is associated with the thrust nappe structures and accretionary wedges formed along the Manila subduction zone and the related sub-floor fluid channel system built by them; c） Since the analogous geologic bodies are broadly distributed at slope areas around SCS and the temperature-press environment is very suitable to the formation and conservation of the gas hydrate, we suggest that much more of this resource should be stored in these areas.

The formation mechanism of accretionary wedge at Karamay in West Junggar,NW China

Accretionary wedge is the typical product of subduction-zone processes at shallow depths. Determining the location, composition and mechanism of accretionary wedge has important implications for understanding the tectonism of plate subduction. The Central Asian Orogenic Belt （CAOB） is one of the world＇s largest accretionary orogenic belts, and records the bulk evolution of Paleo-Asian Ocean from opening to closure, with multi-stages and multi-types of crust-mantle interaction in the Paleozoic. West Junggar （western part of Junggar Basin）, located in the core area of CAOB, is characterized by a multiple intra-oceanic subduction system during the Paleozoic. In its eastem part crop out Devonian-Carboniferous marine sedimentary rocks, Darbut and Karamay ophiolitic m61anges, alkali oceanic island basalts, island arc volcanic rocks and thrusted nappe structure. Such lithotectonic associations indicate the occurrence of accretionary wedge at Karamay. In order to decipher its formation mechanism, this paper presents a synthesis of petrography, structural geology and geochemistry of volcanic rocks. In combination with oceanic subduction channel processes, it is suggested that the accretionary wedge is a composite melange with multiple stages of formation. The application of oceanic subduction channel model to the Karamay accretionary wedge provides new insights into the accretion and orogenesis of CAOB.

The significance of cherts as markers of Ocean Plate Stratigraphy and paleoenvironmental conditions:New insights from the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Blovice accretionary wedge,Bohemian Massif

The Ediacaran to early Cambrian Blovice accretionary complex,Bohemian Massif,hosts abundant chert bodies that formed on an oceanic plate and were involved in subduction beneath the northern margin of Gondwana.Field relationships of cherts to their host,their microstructure and elemental as well as isotopic compositions revealed diverse processes of chert petrogenesis reflecting depositional environment and position on the oceanic plate.The deep-water cherts formed through a hydrothermal precipitation of silica-rich gels on outer trench swell of the subducted slab with none or only minor addition of terrigenous material.On the contrary,the shallow-water cherts formed in lagoons on seamount slopes,and at least some of them represent a product of hydrothermal replacement of former carbonate and/or evaporite precursors.For both chert types,the hydrothermal fluids were of low temperature and continuous pervasive hydrothermal alteration of oceanic crust,together with an elevated Si content in Neoproterozoic seawater,served as the major source of silica.On the other hand,minor carbon enrichment in chert is mostly linked to variable incorporation of organic matter that was deposited on the seafloor.Rare earth element(REE)systematics of the cherts indicate predominantly oxygenated environment for the shallow-water cherts whereas the deep-water cherts were deposited in diverse redox conditions,depending on their distance from hydrothermal vent.Using these data,we demonstrate that the cherts once formed a part of Ocean Plate Stratigraphy(OPS)now dismembered and mixed with terrigenous siliciclastic material to form OPS mélanges.Combining our data with those from the existing literature,we show that cherts can serve as significant markers of OPS since the Archean,recording a complex interplay between seafloor-related volcanic(production of MORB-and OIB-like magmas)and sedimentary processes,hydrothermal activity at mid-ocean ridges and seamount chains as well as at outer slopes of subducting slabs.However,the cherts also exhibit a secular change in composition and petrogenesis most profoundly affected by an overturn in seawater silica cycle across the Precambrian-Phanerozoic boundary.