Tectonic evolution and its control over deposition in fault basins: A case study of the Western Sag of the Cenozoic Liaohe Depression, eastern China

The main petroliferous basins in eastern China are Cenozoic fault basins, most of which have experienced two-stage tectonic evolution, i.e., rifting subsidence in the Paleogene and post-rifting thermal subsidence in the Neogene-Quaternary. The episodic tectonic evolution and syndepositional faulting had significant influence on the fault basins in terms of accommodation space, deposition rate, and depositional facies zones. In this study, the tectonic deformation characteristics and the tectonic-depositional evolution of the Western Sag of the Cenozoic Liaohe Depression were investigated by comprehensive analysis of the available geological and geophysical data using the modern theory of tectonic geology and the balanced section technique. The tectonic deformation of the Cenozoic fault basin was characterized by superimposed faults and depression. In addition, there existed relatively independent but still related extensional tectonic systems and strike-slip tectonic systems. The tectonic evolution of the fault basin involved five stages, i.e., initial rifting stage （E2s4）, intense faulting stage （E2s3）, fault-depression transition stage （E3sl2）, differential uplifting stage （E3d）, and depression stage （N-Q）. According to the characteristics of tectonic development and evolution of the Western Sag, the depositional evolution in the Cenozoic fault basin was divided into two stages, i.e., multi-episodic rifting filling in the Paleogene and post-rifting filling in the Neogene-Quaternary. The former rifting stage was further subdivided into four episodes with different characteristics of depositional development. The episodic faulting controlled the filling process and filling pattern of the Cenozoic Western Sag as well as the development and spatial distribution of associated depositional systems, whereas the syndepositional faults that developed in multiple stages in various tectonic positions controlled the development of depositional systems and sand bodies in the Western Sag. That is, the fault terraces on steep slopes controlled the development of sand bodies, the fault terraces on gentle slopes controlled the development of low-stand fan bodies, and the fault terraces or fault troughs in the central basin controlled the development of fluxoturbidite bodies.

The genetic environmental transformation mechanism of coal and oil shale deposits in eastern China’s continental fault basins and the developmental characteristics of the area’s symbiotic assemblages——taking Huangxian Basin as an example

Coal and oil shale are two common sedimentary energy sources which are often symbiotically developed in M esozoic- Cenozoic continental fault basins. However, the mechanisms and characteristics of the symbiotic development are not yet clearly known. In this research study, the typical continental fault basins of eastern China were chosen as examples for the purpose of conducting an examination of the coal and oil shale symbiotic assemblage types, genetic environmental differences, and transformation mechanisms, as well as the development and occurrence characteristics o f different assemblage types. Through a large number of investigations, systematic experimental testing, and sequence stratigraphy studies, the following conclusions were obtained:(1) There were five types of coal and oil shale symbiotic assemblages observed in the continental fault basins,(2) The development of coal and oil shale deposits requires a warm and humid climate, stable structure, abundant organic matter supply, a certain water depth, and a lower terrestrial source debris supply. The observed differences were that the water depth conditions were diversified in the study area, as well as the sources, types, and content of the organic matter.(3) The rapid transformations of the coal and oil shale genetic environments were mainly controlled by the tectonic settings and climatic conditions, which were determined to control the changes in the water depths, salinity,redox conditions, and lake productivity of the genetic environments. Also, in the symbiotic assemblages, genetic environment changes had induced the development of oil shale deposits, which gradually evolved into coal genetic environments.(4) In the isochronous sequence stratigraphic framework of the coal and oil shale symbiotic assemblages, the lake expansion system tracts (EST) were determined to be the most beneficial to the growth o f all the types of assemblages and were characterized by more assemblage development phases and smaller bed thicknesses. From the early to the late stages of the EST, and from the lakesides to lake centers, the thicknesses of the coal seams in the symbiotic assemblages showed trends of thinning, while the thicknesses of the oil shale deposits exhibited increasing trends. The early stages of high stand system tracts were found to be beneficial to the development of the symbiotic assemblages of coal seams overlying the oil shale. This tract type generally presented large bed thicknesses and distribution ranges. The low stand system tract and the late high stand system tract were determined to be unconducive to the development of the symbiotic assemblages.

The down-faulted basin zone and high disaster risk zone in Shanxi Province, China

Shanxi Province is a region with frequent occurrence of earthquakes, floods and waterlogging, meteorological and geologic hazards, and agrobiohazards in China. The study shows that the formation and development of the down-faulted basin zone in Shanxi Province provides an available condition for preparation and occurrence of these hazards, so that the basin zone becomes an area with frequent occurrence of the hazards, such as earthquakes, floods and waterlogging, meteorological and geologic hazards and agrobiohazards in Shanxi and with their most serious interaction and mutual intensification. Moreover, the basin zone is an area with dense population and most concentrated industrial and agricultural productions and social-economic property in Shanxi. The comprehensive effect of the two factors caused the zone to be a high natural disaster risk area in Shanxi. For reduction of natural disasters and ensuring the sustainable social-economic development in Shanxi, it is necessary to regard the basin zone as an important area for disaster reduction in Shanxi and to carry out integrated disaster reduction.

Lateral migration of fault activity in Weihe basin

Lateral migration of fault activity in Weihe basin is a popular phenomenon and its characteristics are also typical. Taking the activity migrations of Wangshun Mountain piedmont fault toward Lishan piedmont fault and Weinan platform front fault, Dabaopi-Niujiaojian fault toward Shenyusi-Xiaojiazhai fault, among a serial of NE-trending faults from Baoji city to Jingyang County as examples, their migration time and process are analyzed and discussed in the present paper. It is useful for further understanding the structure development and physiognomy evolution history of Weihe basin.

Fractal Features and Computer Simulation of Fan-Shaped Sedimentary Bodies in Faulted Basins

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Extensional Tectonic System of Erlian Fault Basin Groupand Its Deep Background

The Erlian fault basin group, a typical Basin and Range type fault basin group, was formed during Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, in which there are rich coal, oil and gas resources. In the present paper the abundant geological and petroleum information accumulated in process of industry oil and gas exploration and development of the Erlian basin group is comprehensively analyzed, the structures related to formation of basin are systematically studied, and the complete extensional tectonic system of this basin under conditions of wide rift setting and low extensional ratio is revealed by contrasting study with Basin and Range Province of the western America. Based on the above studies and achievements of the former workers, the deep background of the basin development is treated.

Seismic Facies in a Deepwater Area of a Marine Faulted Basin:Deepwater Area of the Paleogene Lingshui Formation in the Qiongdongnan Basin

In recent years, deep water areas have become popular exploration fields because of their abundant hydrocarbon resource potential. There are only relatively poor planar seismic profiles and no wells for deepwater areas of the Lingshui Formation in the Qiongdongnan Basin. A lot of faults developed and strata are fragmented due to high temperatures and high pressure, and this has resulted in dim sequence boundaries. Based on seismic data of the deepwater area and well data of bordering shallow water areas, Lingshui Formation was divided into four third class sequences; namely SI, SII, SIII and SIV, and the three-dimensional isochronous stratigraphic framework of the Lingshui Formation in the studied area was shaped. Based mainly on seismic attributes such as amplitude, continuity, internal structure and external shape, six typical seismic facies were identified, including mat-shaped, filling, wedge-shaped, foreset, moundy-shaped and lenticular-shaped, and a seismic facies distribution map was subsequently drawn. With studies on wells of bordering shallow water areas, regional sedimentary characteristics, and isopach map as references, sedimentary planar distribution features were analyzed. The deepwater area of the Lingshui Formation has mainly developed littoral and shallow sea. Sandstone bodies of fan delta, braided river delta, slope fan, basin floor fan, and turbidite fan are at an interdigitate junction to marine hydrocarbon source rocks and thus are favorable prospecting targets.

Determination of the Altyn Tagh strike-slip fault basin and its relationship with mountains

A special extended basin topography is developed in the middle segment of the Altyn Tagh Fault Zone. The ratio of its length to width is over 50. The long boundaries at the two sides of the basin are controlled by the straight normal faults with strike-slip component. Within the basin, the Cenozoic strata are spread. The Altyn Tagh main fault goes through the basin, and a series of strike-slip topography was formed within the basin. The reverse thrust structures were formed at the two sides of the center of the basin, thus making the geological bodies composed of old metamorphic rocks at the two sides of the basin extrude vertically, and forming the extended massif (mountain) at the sides of the basin and parallel to the basin. This special topography was called the strike-slip fault basin. The giant extended strike-slip fault basin began to form during Pliocene, and its topography was basically formed during the late Pleistocene. It is the special topography formed during the strike-slip deformation

Meso-Cenozoic Evolution of the Tanlu Fault and Formation of Sedimentary Basins

Abstract: There are a group of large and medium-scale Meso-Cenozoic petroliferous basins along both sides of the Tanlu fault or within the fault zone, e.g., the Songliao basin, the Bohai Bay basin and the Subei-Yellow Sea basin. As shown by studies of the structural types, sedimentary formations, volcanic activities, tectonic evolution as well as the time-space relationship between the Tanlu fault zone and the basins, the formation and distribution of the basins are controlled by the movement of the Tanlu fault. This paper presents an analysis of the tectono-geometric, kinematic and geodynamic features of the basins on the basis of integrated geological-geophysical data, and an exploration into the internal relations between the fault and the basins as well as the formation mechanism and geodynamic processes of the basins.

Development characteristics of the fault system and its control on basin structure, Bodong Sag, East China

The Bodong Sag,located in the Bohai Sea,offshore China,is one of the most petroliferous basins in China.Based on three dimensional seismic reflection data and time slice data,we analyze the fault system of the Bodong area in detail,establish the fault structure pattern of different types and summarize the distribution of the fault system.It is concluded that the development characteristics of the Cenozoic fault system are in accordance with the dextral stress field of the Tanlu Fault,which displayed a brush structure with NNE strike-slip faults as its principal faults,NE-trending extensional faults as secondary faults and EW-trending faults as minor faults.Faults can be divided into （1） strike-slip type,（2） extensional type,（3） strike-slip extensional type and （4） extensional strike-slip type.The spatial structures of different faults have obvious differences because of the fault properties and activity intensity.The fault system at different stages shows tremendous differences because of the transition of the Tanlu Fault from sinistral strike-slip to dextral strike-slip,the transition between extension and strike-slip,and the transition from mantle upwelling to thermal subsidence.According to the controlling effect of faults on basin structure,the Cenozoic basin experienced four evolutionary stages,（a） transition stage from sinistral strike-slip to dextral strike-slip,（b） strike-slip extensional faulted stage,（c） extensional strike-slip faulted stage and （d） strike-slip depression stage.The identification of temporal and spatial differences of faults could be used as a significant guideline for oil and gas exploration in the Bodong area.

Study of crustal seismic velocity in the Weihe fault depression basin by seismic tomographic imaging

This paper gives a study of 3 D crustal seismic velocity changes in the Weihe fault depression basin, in which the overlapping sphere iterative reconstruction method of tomographic image was used in connection with the two point fast ray tracing technique. By means of theoretical modeling, the monitoring function of the observatory network system of Shaanxi Province was tested. Using the seismic data of the network, seismic tomographic inversion imaging of the crustal seismic velocity in the Weihe fault basin was studied. The results are as follows: In the Tongchuan Yaoxian area to the north of Jingyang, there is a high velocity region extending nearly in NS direction, the highest velocity value is around Tongchuan. To the southwest of Shangxian and Lantian, there is a low velocity zone about 100 km long and about 50 km wide, inside which there are two regions of the lowest velocity 50 km apart. The epicenters of historical strong earthquakes are mainly on the boundary of high velocity regions or in regions of fairly high velocity. In the eastern and western parts of the south margin of the Qinling Mountains, there is an obvious lateral nonhomogeneity of seismic velocity.

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.

Lateral migration of fault activity in Weihe basin

Lateral migration of fault activity in Weihe basin is a popular phenomenon and its characteristics are also typical. Taking the activity migrations of Wangshun Mountain piedmont fault toward Lishan piedmont fault and Weinan platform front fault, Dabaopi-Niujiaojian fault toward Shenyusi-Xiaojiazhai fault, among a serial of NE-trending faults from Baoji city to Jingyang County as examples, their migration time and process are analyzed and discussed in the present paper. It is useful for further understanding the structure development and physiognomy evolution history of Weihe basin.

Sandbox modeling of fault formation and evolution in the Weixinan Sag, Beibuwan Basin, China

Fault formation and evolution in the presence of multiple pre-existing weaknesses has not been investigated extensively in rift basins. The fault systems of Weixinan Sag, Beibuwan Basin of China, which is fully covered with high-precision 3-D seismic data and is rich in oil-gas resources, have been successfully reproduced by sandbox modeling in this study with inclusion of multiple pre-existing weaknesses in the experimental model. The basic characteristics of fault formation and evolution revealed by sandbox modeling are as follows. 1） Weakness-reactivation faults and weakness-related faults are formed much earlier than the distant-weakness faults （faults far away from and with little or no relationship to the weakness）. 2） Weakness-reactivation faults and weakness-related faults develop mainly along or parallel to a pre-existing weakness, while distant-weakness faults develop nearly perpendicular to the extension direction. A complicated fault system can be formed in a fixed direction of extension with the existence of multiple pre-existing weaknesses, and the complicated fault system in the Weixinan Sag formed gradually in a nearly N-S direction with multiple pre-existing weaknesses. 3） The increase in the length and number of faults is closely tied to the nature of pre-existing weaknesses. The sandbox model may provide a new clue to detailed fault system research for oil and gas exploration in rift basins.

Early Cretaceous Palynological Assemblages of the Shuangliao Fault Depression, Songliao Basin and their Geological Implications

The pollen and spores found in the Early Cretaceous strata of two cores from the Shuangliao Fault Depression were studied systematically, and two palynological assemblages have been recognized. Assemblage I from the Yingcheng Formation is named Paleoconiferus-Pinuspollenites; the assemblage is characterized by an extremely high content of Paleoconifer pollen. Assemblage II from Member 1 of the Denglouku Formation is named Cicatricosisporites-Cyathidites-Pinuspollenites; the assemblage is characterized by the abundant presence of Laevigati spores, but less Paleoconifer pollen. According to the palynological data and zircon U-Pb dating, the geological age of the Yingcheng Formation is thought to be Aptian-Albian, and that of the Denglouku Formation is thought to be Early Albian. On the basis of the composition of each assemblage, we can infer that during the depositional period of the Yingcheng Formation, the paleovegetation was mainly conifer forest, the paleoclimate was consistent with the temperate climate of today, and the paleoenvironment was humid feature. During the depositional period of Member 1 of the Denglouku Formation, the paleovegetation was mainly conifer forest and shrubs, the paleoclimate was consistent with the subtropical climate of today, and the paleoenvironment was humid. The results significantly improve our understanding of the stratigraphy in the Shuangliao Fault Depression, provide biostratigraphic evidence for the division and correlation of Early Cretaceous strata in the Shuangliao Fault Depression, and provide new data for analyzing paleovegetation and paleoclimate in the Songliao Basin.

Development features of volcanic rocks of the Yingcheng Formation and their relationship with fault structure in the Xujiaweizi Fault Depression,Songliao Basin,China

The Xujiaweizi Fault Depression is located in the northern Songliao Basin,Northeast China.The exploration results show that the most favorable natural gas reservoirs are in the volcanic rocks of the Yingcheng Formation（K 1 yc）.Based on seismic interpretation,drill cores and the results of previous research,we analyzed the distribution of faults and the thickness of volcanic rocks in different periods of K 1 yc,and studied the relationship of volcanic activities and main faults.Volcanic rocks were formed in the Yingcheng period when the magma erupted along pre-existing fault zones.The volcanic activities strongly eroded the faults during the eruption process,which resulted in the structural traces in the seismic section being diffuse and unclear.The tectonic activities weakened in the study area in the depression stage.The analysis of seismic interpretation,thin section microscopy and drill cores revealed that a large number of fractures generated in the volcanic rocks were affected by later continued weak tectonic activities,which greatly improved the physical properties of volcanic reservoirs,and made the volcanic rocks of K 1 yc be favorable natural gas reservoirs.The above conclusions provide the basis to better understand the relationship of the volcanic rock distribution and faults,the mechanism of volcanic eruption and the formation of natural gas reservoirs in volcanic rocks.

Model for Paleoearthquake Recurrence Along Baying Segment of the North Margin Fault of Fanshan Basin in Hebei Province

Based on the measurement of faulted geomorphic surfaces,large trench logging and systematic chronostratigraphic sampling,we suggest that the total slip amount along the Baying segment of the north margin fault of Fanshan Basin since 90 ka B.P.is 34 m.Nine paleoseismic events occurred in the last 75 ka.Among them,the four events A,B,C,and D revealed by the large trench were dated at 28 ka,14 ka,7.5 ka,and 656 B.P.,respectiv eJy.The model for paleoearthquake recurrence along the segment may have two stages; in the stage from 90 ka to 14 ka B.P.,the "time-predictable model" is suitable,while in the stage from 14 ka B.P.to now,the "displacement-attenuation model" applies.

SEDIMENTARY PROCESS OF THE CENOZOIC BASIN AND ITS RESPONSE TO THE SLIP-HISTORY OF THE ALTYN TAGH FAULT, NW CHINA

The NEE\|striking Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) has been well known as one major point to know the growth history of the Tibetan plateau. Lots of investigations done since 1970’s were mostly focus on active features, particularly on determining slip, slip rate and their distribution along the fault. However, Cenozoic slip\|history of this fault remains poorly understood, and the age of initiation and total offset are controversial. Several Cenozoic sedimentary basins develop in Suo’erkulinan to Mangya regions (Fig.1). Their sedimentary processes are closely related with the ATF. The studies of the Neogene sedimentary sequences and the reconstruction of the paleo\|geography are essential to establish the displacement history of the fault during Late Cenozoic.Located at the southern side of the ATF, the Suo’erkulinan basin consists of more than 600\|meter\|thick Pliocene Shizigou Formation below and about 120\|meter\|thick Early to Middle Pleistocene Qigequan Formation above according to the 1∶200000 geological map by Xinjiang Province. An obvious erosional surface can be seen on the top of the lower sequence. Sediments in the Shizigou Formation are characterized by 400\|meter\|thick yellow to red cobble\|sized conglomerates in the bottom, up\|grading to sandstones and grey\|green mudstones. This indicated that the sedimentary facies changed from alluvial fan to fluvial fan and sediments became more and more mature. The upper sequence, the Qigequan Formation, corresponds to an alluvial facies series composed of yellow to white cobble\|sized conglomerates intercalated with lenticular sandstones. Paleo\|current indicators showed that the Shizhigou conglomeratic series were sourced from northwest. Well\|developed syn\|sedimentary faults, normal faults mostly inherited from syn\|sedimentary faults, and some striation lineations on the surface indicated transtensional tectonic environment of the strike\|slip faulting.

Characterising the nature, evolution and origin of detachment fault in central depression belt, Qiongdongnan Basin of South China Sea: evidence from seismic reflection data

Using regional geological, newly acquired 2D and 3D seismic, drilling and well log data, especially 2D long cable seismic profiles, the structure and stratigraphy in the deep-water area of Qiongdongnan Basin are interpreted. The geometry of No.2 fault system is also re-defined, which is an important fault in the central depression belt of the deep-water area in the Qiongdongnan Basin by employing the quantitative analysis techniques of fault activity and backstripping. Furthermore, the dynamical evolution of the No.2 fault sys-tem and its controls on the central depression belt are analyzed. This study indicates that the Qiongdongnan Basin was strongly influenced by the NW-trending tensile stress field during the Late Eocene. At this time, No.2 fault system initiated and was characterized by several discontinuous fault segments, which controlled a series small NE-trending fault basins. During the Oligocene, the regional extensional stress field changed from NW-SE to SN with the oceanic spreading of South China Sea, the early small faults started to grow along their strikes, eventually connected and merged as the listric shape of the No.2 fault system as ob-served today. No.2 fault detaches along the crustal Moho surface in the deep domain of the seismic profiles as a large-scale detachment fault. A large-scale rollover anticline formed in hanging wall of the detachment fault. There are a series of small fault basins in both limbs of the rollover anticline, showing that the early small basins were involved into fold deformation of the rollover anticline. Structurally, from west to east, the central depression belt is characterized by alternatively arranged graben and half-graben. The central depression belt of the Qiongdongnan Basin lies at the extension zone of the tip of the V-shaped northwest-ern ocean sub-basin of the South China Sea, its activity period is the same as the development period of the northwestern ocean sub-basin, furthermore the emplacement and eruption of magma that originated from the mantle below the Moho surface occurred at the region between Songnan-Baodao and Changchang sags, from east to west with the early-stage spreading of the South China Sea. Therefore, this study not only helps in depicting the structural features and evolution of the deep-water basin in the Qiongdongnan Basin, but also provides the geological and structural evidence for establishing a unified model of continental margin extension and oceanic spreading.

Vertical migration through faults and hydrocarbon accumulation patterns in deepwater areas of the Qiongdongnan Basin

In the Qiongdongnan Basin, faults are well developed.Based on the drilling results, the traps controlled two or more faults are oil-rich. However, when only one fault cut through the sand body, there is no sign for hy-drocarbon accumulation in the sandstone. In terms of this phenomenon, the principle of reservoir-forming controlled by fault terrace is proposed, i.e., when the single fault activates, because of the incompressibility of pore water, the resistance of pore and the direction of buoyancy, it is impossible for hydrocarbon to ac-cumulate in sandstone. But when there are two or more faults, one of the faults acts as the spillway so the hydrocarbon could fill in the pore of sandstone through other faults. In total five gas bearing structures and four failure traps are considered, as examples to demonstrate our findings. According to this theory, it is well-advised that south steep slope zone of Baodao-Changchang Depression, south gentle slope zone of Lingshui Depression, north steep slope zone of Lingshui Depression, and north steep slope zone of Baodao Depression are the most favorable step-fault zones, which are the main exploration direction in next stage.