Neotectonics around the Ordos Block,North China

The Eurasian continent was subject to multiphase intensive intracontinental deformation in the Cenozoic(Fig.1A).However,its Cenozoic intra-continental deformation process and the driving force has long been disputed,which is only associated with the Indo-Asian collision(Molnar and Tapponnier,1975;Jolivet et al.,1990;Tapponnier et al.,2001;Yin,2010;Xu et al.,2013;Zhao et al.,2016),is caused by the Pacific-Asian collision(Cui,1997;Schellart and Lister,2005;Fan et al.,2019),or is connected with a combined effect of the Indo-Asian collision and the Pacific-Eurasia convergence(Ren et al.,2002;Li et al.,2013;Shi et al.,2015;Liu et al.,2019).

Rheological Evidence of the Lithospheric Destruction of the Eastern Block of the North China Craton

The Eastern Block of the North China Craton(NCC)(Fig.1)has undergone severe lithospheric destruction,with crustal thinning down to 100 km depth(Chen et al.,2009),contrasting sharply with the stable Kalahari and Rae cratons.However,there remains controversy over the destruction pattern(e.g.,Zhu et al.,2017).During the Early Mesozoic,crustal thickening occurred in the Xuhuai and Qinling orogens,followed by lithospheric delamination leading to crustal thinning(Chen et al.,2023).The middle and upper crustal thinning in the Yanshan and Taihang uplifts was induced by mafic magma underplating(Ji et al.,2009).

Precursors Revealed by the Multifractal Dimension Around Ordos Block,North China

Seismicity around the Ordos Block in the northern part of China has been studied by the multifractal dimensions with the help of complete data set of earthquakes with M≥2.5 since 1977. Seven regions around this block have been examined where the eight large earthquakes with M≥6.0 for the complete data occurred. In order to display the temporal distribution of the correlation dimension D 2, a moving window of fixed number of events is used in every of the seven regions. Except for two regions with less seismic activity, all other five regions have obviously been found to display sudden changes of the correlation dimension for the events with M≥4.5.

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.

Changes of Late Mesozoic Tectonic Regimes around the Ordos Basin(North China)and their Geodynamic Implications

A synthesis is given in this paper on late Mesozoic deformation pattern in the zones around the Ordos Basin based on lithostratigraphic and structural analyses. A relative chronology of the late Mesozoic tectonic stress evolution was established from the field analyses of fault kinematics and constrained by stratigraphic contact relationships. The results show alternation of tectonic compressional and extensional regimes. The Ordos Basin and its surroundings were in weak N-S to NNE-SSW extension during the Early to Middle Jurassic, which reactivated E-W-trending basement fractures. The tectonic regime changed to a multi-directional compressional one during the Late Jurassic, which resulted in crustal shortening deformation along the marginal zones of the Ordos Basin. Then it changed to an extensional one during the Early Cretaceous, which rifted the western, northwestern and southeastern margins of the Ordos Basin. A NW-SE compression occurred during the Late Cretaceous and caused the termination of sedimentation and uplift of the Ordos Basin. This phased evolution of the late Mesozoic tectonic stress regimes and associated deformation pattern around the Ordos Basin best records the changes in regional geodynamic settings in East Asia, from the Early to Middle Jurassic post-orogenic extension following the Triassic collision between the North and South China Blocks, to the Late Jurassic multi-directional compressions produced by synchronous convergence of the three plates （the Siberian Plate to the north, Paleo-Pacific Plate to the east and Lhasa Block to the west） towards the East Asian continent. Early Cretaceous extension might be the response to collapse and lithospheric thinning of the North China Craton.

Structural Evolution and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Upper Paleozoic Northern Ordos Basin, North China

The hydrocarbon potential of the Hangjinqi area in the northern Ordos Basin is not well known, compared to the other areas of the basin, despite its substantial petroleum system.Restoration of a depth-converted seismic profile across the Hangjinqi Fault Zone（HFZ） in the eastern Hangjinqi area shows one compression that created anticlinal structures in the Late Triassic, and two extensions in ~Middle Jurassic and Late Early Cretaceous, which were interrupted by inversions in the Late Jurassic–Early Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous, respectively.Hydrocarbon generation at the well locations in the Central Ordos Basin（COB） began in the Late Triassic.Basin modeling of Well Zhao-4 suggests that hydrocarbon generation from the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian coal measures of the northern Shanbei Slope peaked in the Early Cretaceous, predating the inversion in the Late Cretaceous.Most source rocks in the Shanbei Slope passed the main gas-migration phase except for the Hangjinqi area source rocks（Well Jin-48）.Hydrocarbons generated from the COB are likely to have migrated northward toward the anticlinal structures and traps along the HFZ because the basin-fill strata are dipping south.Faulting that continued during the extensional phase（Late Early Cretaceous） of the Hangjinqi area probably acted as conduits for the migration of hydrocarbons.Thus, the anticlinal structures and associated traps to the north of the HFZ might have trapped hydrocarbons that were charged from the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian coal measures in the COB since the Middle Jurassic.

Tectonic Setting and Metallogenic System of North China Block Margins

The paleocontinental margins have frequent and intensive tectonic movement and various ore forming processes. According to their tectono dynamic characteristics, the paleocontinental margins can be classified into three types: the divergent, the convergent and the transformational. Each type has its specific geological geochemical processes and metallogenic system. The paper discusses the tectonic evolution and ore forming features of the North China block margins, puts forward conceptions such as complexity, variety and multi stage development of metallogenic evolution in the paleocontinental margins, and expounds five factors controlling the formation of large superlarge ore deposits in the paleocontinental margins: (1) channelway, (2) rendezvous of fluids, (3) abundance of ore source, (4) thermo dynamic anomaly, (5) long duration of structural activities.

Geological characteristics and tectonic signifcance of unconformities in Mesoproterozoic successions in the northern margin of the North China Block

Several stratigraphic breaks and unconformities exist in the Mesoproterozoic successions in the northern margin of the North China Block. Geologic characters and spatial distributions of five of these un- conformities, which have resulted from different geological processes, have been studied. The uncon- formity beneath the Dahongyu Formation is interpreted as a breakup unconformity, representing the time of transition from continental rift to passive continental margin. The unconformities beneath the Gaoyuzhuang and the Yangzhuang formations are considered to be the consequence of regional eustatic fluctuations, leading to the exposure of highlands in passive margins during low sea-level stands and transgressive deposition on coastal regions during high sea-level stands. The unconformity atop the Tieling Formation might be caused by uplift due to contractional deformation in a back-arc setting, whereas the uplift after the deposition of the Xiamaling Formation might be attributed to a continental collision event. It is assumed that the occurrences of these unconformities in the Mesoproterozoic successions in the northern margin of the North China Block had a close bearing on the assemblage and breakup of the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents.

Archean (about 2500 Ma) anatexis in eastern North China Block

Two Neoarchean alkaline feldspar-rich granites sourced from partially melted granulite-facies granodioritic orthogneiss have been here recognised in the eastern part of the North China Block(NCB).These poorly foliated granites have previously been assumed to be Mesozoic in age and never dated,and so their significance has not been recognised until now.The first granite(AG1)is a porphyritic syenogranite with megacrystic K-feldspar,and the second(AG2)is a quartz syenite with perthitic megacryst.Zircons from the granites yield LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of 2499±10 Ma(AG1),and 2492±28 Ma(AG2),which are slightly younger than the granodioritic orthogneiss that they intrude with a crystallisation U-Pb age of 2537±34 Ma.The younger granites have higher assays for SiO_(2)(71.91%for AG1 and 73.22%for AG2)and K_(2)O(7.52%for AG1 and 8.37%for AG2),and much lower assays for their other major element than the granodioritic orthogneiss.All of the granodioritic orthogneiss and granite samples have similar trace element patterns,with depletion in Th,U,Nb,and Ti and enrichment in Rb,Ba,K,La,Ce,and P.This indicates that the granites are derived from the orthogneiss as partial melts.Although they exhibit a similar REE pattern,the granites have much lower total REE contents(30.97×10^(−6) for AG1,and 25.93×10^(−6) for AG2),but pronounced positive Eu anomalies(Eu/Eu^(*)=8.57 for AG1 and 27.04 for AG2).The granodioritic orthogneiss has an initial ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratio of 0.70144,εNd(t)value of 3.5,and εHf(t)values ranging from−3.2 to+2.9.The orthogneiss is a product of fractional crystallisation from a dioritic magma,which was derived from a mantle source contaminated by melts derived from a felsic slab.By contrast,the AG1 sample has an initial ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratio of 0.6926 that is considered too low in value,εNd(t)value of 0.3,andεHf(t)values between+0.57 and+3.82;whereas the AG2 sample has an initial ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratio of 0.70152,εNd(t)value of 1.3,andεHf(t)values between+0.5 and+14.08.These assays indicate that a Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic disequilibrium exists between the granite and granodioritic orthogneiss.The elevatedεHf(t)values of the granites can be explained by the involvement of Hf-bearing minerals,such as orthopyroxene,amphibole,and biotite,in anatectic reactions in the granodioritic orthogneiss.Based on the transitional relationship between the granites and granodioritic orthogneiss and the geochemical characteristics mentioned above,it is concluded that the granites are the product of rapid partial-melting of the granodioritic orthogneiss after granulite-facies metamorphism,and their crystallisation age of about 2500 Ma provides the minimum age of the metamorphism.This about 2500 Ma tectonic-metamorphic event in NCB is similar to the other cratons in India,Antarctica,northern and southern Australia,indicating a possible connection between these cratons during the Neoarchean.

New Paleomagnetic Study on Early Triasic Liujiagou Formation of NorthChina Block

This paper introduces the result of studying on paleomagnetism of 91 specimens from 13 sites from Liujiagou Formation in Dashu Village, Wu ’an city, Hebei Province. The result reveals that North China block (NCB) was not united with Yangtze block (YB) in the Early Triassic. From the Early Triassic to now, NCB has rotated 30.0° counterclockwise, but YB has rotated 45.1° clockwise.

GEODYNAMICAL MODELING OF CRUSTAL DEFORMATION OF THE NORTH CHINA BLOCK

The North China block,the western portion of the Sino- Korean Craton,is rounded byYanshanian in the north and Qinling- Dabie orogenic belts in the south.The widespread de-velopment of extensional basins in thisblock indicates horizontal extension or continued thin-ning of a previousely thickened,unstable lithosphere throughout the Mesozoic.In this pa-per,we attempt to simulate numerically the geodynamical process of the basin formation byusing the mountain- basin evolution system.We assume thatthe formation of numeroussedi-mentary basins in the North China block is the resultofthe crustal extension,which destruc-ts rapidly the previously thickened crust.The gravitational collapse of the thickened crust ispossibly triggered by the re- orientation of the far- field stress regime,or the relaxation of theboundary resistantstress.

Elementary Research on Activity Behavior of the Crust in Funan-Huoqiu Area, Southern Border of the North China Active Block Region

The Funan-Huoqiu area is located in the border tectonic belt between the North China and South China active block regions. By means of seismological and geological surveys and synthetic analysis, evidences of tectonic deformation in lower intensity have been found in the area since Late Pleistocene, where small earthquakes are distributed linearly along the main faults, conjugate shear joints are developed in the Upper Pleistocene nearby the faults. In the south of the studied region, fissures with different lengths, widths and directions occurred successively in Gushi, Huoqiu, Funan and other places of the area, in the 1970’s, and the direction of the fissures is approximately consistent with that of the Feizhong fault and Wanglaorenji fault. The authors hold that the clustering of small earthquakes, the conjugate shear joints developed in the Upper Pleistocene, the crumpled deformation of materials on fault plane, and the development of modern surface fissures in the area all reflect that the energy in the crust was slowly released, and that the weak deformation took place in corresponding faults. There was only one destructive earthquake taking place in the area (the Jiangkouji {M_S43/4} earthquake). Altogather, there has been weak activity in the area since the Late Quaternary, and it is mainly shown as a creep-slip.

TEMPORAL SPATIAL VARIATION CHARACTERISTICS OF CRUST DEFORMATION OF ACTIVE TECTONIC BLOCKS IN NORTH CHINA

Global Positioning System (GPS) observations during four measurement campaigns from 1992 to 1999 are used in a study of the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of crustal deformation of active tectonic blocks in North China. The Euler vectors for these active blocks are determined on the basis of GPS velocities of a group relative stable points in 1992,1995,1996 and in 1996,1999 respectively. We have studied the relative motion between blocks at the boundaries and the intra block deformation field. We have also inverted the strain rate fields for these active blocks by bi cubic spline model based on the GPS velocity field. The results show that the intra block deformation rates are different from those in block boundary zones, and are also different in different periods; the deformational field is generally characterized by intra-block extension in North China.

Precambrian Tectonic Affinity of the Southern Langshan Area, Northeastern Margin of the Alxa Block: Evidence from Zircon U-Pb Dating and Lu-Hf Isotopes

The Alxa Block is the westernmost part of the North China Craton(NCC), and is regarded as one of the basement components of the NCC. Its geological evolution is of great significance for the understanding of the NCC.However, the Precambrian basement of the Alxa Block is still poorly studied. In this study, we present new in situ LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotope data from the Diebusige Metamorphic Complex(DMC) which located in the eastern Alxa Block. Field and petrological studies show that the DMC consists mainly of metamorphic supracrustal rocks and minor metamorphic plutonic rocks and has experienced amphibolite-granulite facies metamorphism. Zircon U-Pb dating results suggested that the amphibolite sample yields a crystallization age of 2636 ± 14 Ma and metamorphic ages of 2517–2454 Ma and 1988–1952 Ma, proving the existence of exposed Archean rocks in the Langshan area and indicating that late Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic metamorphic events existed in the Alxa Block. Two paragneiss samples show that the magmatic detrital zircons from the DMC yield 207Pb/206Pb ages ranging from 2.48 Ga to 2.10 Ga with two youngest peaks at 2.13 Ga and 2.16 Ga, respectively, and they were also overprinted by metamorphic events at 1.97–1.90 Ga and 1.89–1.79Ga. Compilation of U-Pb ages of magmatic detrital and metamorphic zircons suggested that the main part of the DMC may have been formed at 2.1–2.0 Ga. Zircon Lu-Hf isotope data show that the source materials of the main part of the DMC were originated from the reworking of ancient Archean crust(3.45–2.78 Ga). The Hf isotope characteristics and the tectonothermal event records exhibit different evolution history with the Khondalite Belt and the Yinshan Block and the other basements of the Alxa Block, indicating that the Langshan was likely an independent terrain before the middle Paleoproterozoic and was subjected to the middle to late Paleoproterozoic tectonothermal events with the Khondalite Belt as a whole.

Paleoproterozoic Potassic Granitoids in the Sushui Complex from the Zhongtiao Mountains,Northern China:Geochronology,Geochemistry and Petrogenesis

Paleoproterozoic potassic granitoids in the southern Sushui Complex from the Zhongtiao Mountains yielded SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages of 1968-1944 Ma. Lithologically, the potassic granitoid series consists chiefly of monzodiorite, quartz monzonite and syenogranite. Their trace elements and Sm-Nd isotope characteristics indicate that they were derived from partial melting of Archean TTG rocks in an overthickened continental crust. Petrogenesis of this potassic granitoid series implies a collisional environment within the Trans-North China Orogen in the Paleoproterozoic, which supports a tectonic model of Eastern and Western Continental Blocks being amalgamated in the Paleoproterozoic.

Multiple Deformation in the Northeastern Alxa Block: Implications for the Southern Central Asian Orogeny and Its Subsequent Intraplate Evolution

As an important tectonic unit in the middle part of the southern Central Asian Orogeny, the Alxa Block was affected by multiple deformational events occurring in the Central Asian tectonic regime during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic. The record of deformation in the Alxa Block represents the entire evolutionary process from a continental margin to an intraplate setting. In the Langshan region of the northeastern Alxa Block, four important Paleozoic-early Mesozoic deformation events have been distinguished:(1) nearly north-south-striking ductile thrusting along the eastern Alxa Block in the Late Devonian;(2) nearly east-west-trending brittle top-to-the-south thrusting in the Mid-Late Permian;(3) nearly east-west-trending initially ductile then brittle dextral transtension with 30-40 km of displacement in the Late Permian;and(4) northeast-trending ductile sinistral shearing with 120-125 km of displacement in the Mid-Late Triassic. The ductile thrusting in the Late Devonian may have resulted from the interaction between the North China Craton and the Alxa Black, which was a peri-eastern Gondwana block. Parallel east-west-trending thrusts and related folds formed in the Neoproterozoic Langshan Group due to the closure of the PaleoAsian Ocean in the Mid-Late Permian. The Late Permian eastwest-trending and dextrally ductile transtension may have resulted from intraplate adjustment after the Central Asian Orogeny and the formation of the Ural Orogenic Belt to the west;this shear zone may have been part of a huge ductile tectonic belt developed along the whole southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB). During the Early Triassic, the subduction of oceanic crust along the southern central CAOB terminated then the eastern Alxa Block was affected by the collision between the North China Craton and the Yangtze Craton to the south. Since the late Mesozoic, the Langshan region has experienced another five important deformation events, which were all far-field tectonic effects related to plate margin tectonic activities(e.g., the closure of the Mongolian-Okhotsk Ocean, the collision between the Qiangtang and Lhasa blocks and the India-Eurasia collision). The large-scale brittle and ductile strike-slip faults in the northeastern Alxa Block all formed in intraplate settings since the late Paleozoic in response to the collisional orogenies occurring along the plate margins or the intraplate adjustment following the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean.

Crustal extension in North China since the Mesozoic: A numerical study

The ~1.8 billion years old North China Craton(NCC)has been thermally rejuvenated during the Mesozoic,experiencing two major phases of crustal extension and volcanism since then.The earlier phase of extension,lasted from middle Mesozoic to early Cenozoic,was widespread in eastern NCC and accompanied with extensive volcanism.The later phase of extension,started in late Cenozoic and is active today,has been localized around the Ordos block,a residual core of the NCC,with limited volcanism.Here we investigate the causes of the NCC extension using finite element method.Numerical results indicate that the diffuse and closely-spaced extension during Mesozoic and early Cenozoic requires a thin and weak lithosphere,which supports the notion of significant lithospheric thinning under the eastern NCC,perhaps by delamination or thermal erosion of the lithospheric root.The western NCC,including the Ordos block,was largely spared by this phase of extension.The late Cenozoic extension around the Ordos block is commonly attributed to the Indo-Asian collision and mantle flow under eastern NCC.Our numerical results show that,regardless of the causing mechanism,a relatively thick and strong lithosphere is needed for the localized extension in western NCC,and preexisting weak zones in the lithosphere is a necessary condition for localized rifting around the Ordos.This preexisting lithospheric weakness is most likely inherited from the amalgamation of the NCC basement ~1.8 billion years ago.The late Cenozoic circum-Ordos rifting thus illustrates the control of ancient continental structures on recent tectonics.

Sedimentary model reconstruction and exploration significance of Permian He 8 Member in Ordos Basin,NW China

Based on the Late Paleozoic geological background and the latest exploration achievements of the Ordos Basin and North China platform, it is concluded that during the sedimentary period of Permian He 8 Member, the area in concern had multiple material sources, multiple river systems, flat terrain, shallow sedimentary water, widely distributed fluvial facies sand body and no continuous lake area, so alluvial river sedimentary system developed in the whole region. Based on stratigraphic correlation and division, and a large number of drilling and outcrop data, a comprehensive analysis of lithofacies and sedimentary facies types and distribution was carried out to reconstruct the ancient geographic pattern of the He 8 Member sedimentary period. The results of paleogeography restoration show that the area of Ordos Basin was the "runoff area" in the sedimentary slope in the western part of the North China platform during the sedimentary period of He 8 Member, the whole region was mainly alluvial plain sedimentation featuring alternate fluvial facies, flood plain facies and flood-plain lake facies. According to the results of flume deposition simulation experiment, a new sedimentary model of "alluvial river & flood-plain lake" is established, which reveals the genesis of large area gravel sand body in He 8 Member of this area and provides geological basis for the exploration of tight gas in the south of the basin.

Differential Tectonic Stress Pattern Between the Deep and Shallow Crust in North China and Its Possible Genesis

This paper approaches the neotectonic stress field based on the data of foeal mechanismsolution,ground stress measurement,tectonic mechanical analysis and geodetic surveying,and finds out that the orientations of the maximum principal comproessive sterss patterns arequite discordant with different methods and the stress patterns are widely differnt betweenthose in the shallow and deep part of the crust in North China.Based on the analysis ofabove-mentioned data,we established a duplex model by considering the diversities of theStress patterns in 3-dimentional spaces,the boundary conditions and the lithospheric media,and made an inverse calculation by using the finite element method.The calculated results fitwell with the reality in North China,i.e.the stress patterns in lower crust which is below thedetachment interface at the deptp of 10 km from ground surface are relatively consistent withnearly horizontal state and NE-ENE trending of the maximum principal compressive stressaxes,whereas the stress

华北稳定参考框架NChina20的建立及应用

选用中国大陆地壳运动观测台网(CMONOC)在华北地区约8年(2011年10月~2019年9月)的连续观测数据,建立了华北稳定参考框架——NChina20。NChina20与全球参考框架(IGS14)保持坐标系缩放比例一致,两坐标系统在历元2020.0对齐。本文详细介绍了将相对于IGS14的位置时间序列转换到NChina20的方法,并列举了NChina20在城市地面升降长期观测领域的应用。NChina20的稳定性(精度)在水平方向约为0.5mm/a,在垂直方向约为0.6mm/a。参考框架的稳定性随时间的推移而退化,建议NChina20的使用范围在时间上限于2006~2025年的时间窗口内,在空间上限于华北活动地块区域内。选用华北地区5个基岩站20年(2000~2019年)的连续观测数据,建立了华北地区季节性地面升降预测模型。华北稳定参考框架将每隔几年更新一次,以缓解框架稳定性随时间的退化,并与IGS参考框架同步更新。