Platform Evolution in an Oligo-Miocene Back-arc Basin:An Example from the Central Iran Basin

The Qom Formation is the most important hydrocarbon reservoir target in Central Iran.The Qom platform developed in a back-arc basin during the Oligo-Miocene due to the closing of the Tethyan Seaway.This formation consists of a variety of carbonate and non-carbonate facies deposited on a platform ranging from supratidal to basin.A combination of tectonic and eustatic events led to some lateral and vertical facies variations in the study area.Six third-order depositional sequences and related surfaces were identified regarding vertical facies changes in the studied sections of this Oligo-Miocene succession.According to all results and data,this succession was initially deposited during the Chattian upon a distally steepened ramp of siliciclastic-carbonate composition,including the Bouma sequence.Then,from the late Chattian to the Aquitanian,the platform changed into a homoclinal carbonate ramp with a gentle profile.With respect to tectonic activity,this phase was a calm period during the deposition of the Qom Formation.Finally,a drowned carbonate platform and a rimmed shelf emerged during the Burdigalian,terminated by the continental deposits of the Upper Red Formation.Regarding all geological characteristics,three main tectono-eustatic evolutionary phases have been recognized in the Qom back-arcbasin.

Elemental Compositions of Clinopyroxenes from Southern Okinawa Trough Basalt:Implications for Magmatism and Structural Environment in an Initial Back-Arc Basin

The major and trace elemental compositions of clinopyroxene from basalt were used to characterize the nature of the primitive magma and structural environment beneath the southern Okinawa Trough(SOT),which is an initial back-arc basin at a continental margin.The clinopyroxenes in the basalt were augite with variable Mg^(#)contents(73.37-78.22).The regular variations in major oxide contents(i.e.,CaO,FeO,TiO_(2),and Cr)with decreasing Mg#implied that the clinopyroxenes evolved from being enriched in Mg,Ca,and Cr to being enriched in Fe and Ti.The clinopyroxenes had relatively low rare earth element concentrations(7.51×10^(-6) to 12.68×10^(-6))and negative Eu anomalies(δEu=0.67-0.95).The Kd_(cpx) values of clinopyroxenes(0.2-0.26),which were used to examine whether the clinopyroxene was equilibrated with its host basalt,demonstrate that these clinopyroxene phenocrysts were not captured crystals but were instead produced by crystallization differentiation of the magma.The calculated clinopyroxene crystallization temperatures showed a narrow range of 990-1061℃,and their crystallization pressures ranged from 2.0 to 3.2 kbar.The geochemistry features of these clinopyroxenes indicated that the parent magma belonged to the subalkaline tholeiitic magma series and suggested that the magma experienced crystallization differentiation of olivine,plagioclase,and clinopyroxene,where the crystallization of plagioclase occurred earlier than that of clinopyroxene.Combined with geophysical data,this research on primitive magma and its crystallization differentiation from clinopyroxene indicates that the SOT is in the stage of‘seafloor spreading’and that basaltic rocks produced from tholeiitic magma represent the generation of oceanic crust.

Origin of high heat flow in the back-arc basins of Sumatra:An opportunity for geothermal energy development

Volcanic arcs such as the Barisan Mountains have been identified as attractive areas for the utilization of geothermal energy,as exemplified by Ulubelu in Lampung and Sarulla in North Sumatra.However,environmental factors in the Barisan Mountains remain a primary obstacle to the exploration and exploitation of geothermal energy.The back-arc basins of Sumatra exhibit the highest heat flow worldwide;however,the heat source in this area remains a controversial issue.This study aims to investigate the origin of the high heat flow in the back-arc basins of Sumatra(North,Central,and South Sumatra basins)based on geothermal data from 384 oil wells and the current literature for geological evaluation.The findings of this study indicate that the back-arc basins of Sumatra experienced severe extensional deformation during the Tertiary Period through a large pull-apart and slab rollback mechanism.This deformation resulted in the thinning of the continental crust in this region(27-32 km)and the formation of multiple normal faults.Consequently,the presence of magma resulting from mantle upwelling implies a high heat flow in the back-arc basins of Sumatra.This condition ranks the back-arc basins of Sumatra among the highest heat flow regions of the world,with heat flows>100 mW/m^(2).These findings indicate that the back-arc basins of Sumatra have significant opportunities to exploit their geothermal energy potential.This study provides novel insights into the potential of geothermal energy,particularly in the back-arc basins of Sumatra.

Intra-continental back-arc basin inversion and Late Carboniferous magmatism in Eastern Tianshan,NW China:Constraints from the Shaquanzi magmatic suite

The Yamansu belt,an important tectonic component of Eastern Tianshan Mountains,of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,NW China hosts many Fe-(Cu)deposit.In this study,we present new zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemical data of the volcanic rocks of Shaquanzi Formation and diorite intrusions in the Yamansu belt.The Shaquanzi Formation comprises mainly basalt,andesite/andesitic tuff,rhyolite and sub-volcanic diabase with local diorite intrusions.The volcanic rocks and diorites contain ca.315-305 Ma and ca.298 Ma zircons respectively.These rocks show calc-alkaline affinity with enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements(LILEs),light rare-earth elements(LREEs),and depletion in high field strength elements(HFSEs)in primitive mantle normalized multi-element diagrams,which resemble typical back-arc basin rocks.They show depleted mantle signature with ε_(Nd)(t)ranging from+3.1 to +5.6 for basalt;+2.1 to+4.7 for andesite;-0.2 to+1.5 for rhyolite and the ε_(Hf)(t)ranges from-0.1 to +13.0 for andesites;+5.8 to +10.7 for andesitic tuffs.We suggest that the Shaquanzi Formation basalt might have originated from a depleted,metasomatized lithospheric mantle source mixed with minor(3-5%)subduction-derived materials,whereas the andesite and rhyolite could be fractional crystallization products of the basaltic magma.The Shaquanzi Formation volcanic rocks could have formed in an intracontinental back-arc basin setting,probably via the southward subduction of the Kangguer Ocean beneath the Middle Tianshan Massif.The Yamansu mineralization belt might have undergone a continental arc to back-arc basin transition during the Late Carboniferous and the intra-continental back-arc basin might have closed in the Early Permian,marked by the emplacement of dioritic magma in the Shaquanzi belt.

Carbonate Sequence Stratigraphy of a Back-Arc Basin: A Case Study of the Qom Formation in the Kashan Area, Central Iran

The Qom Formation comprises Oligo-Miocene deposits from a marine succession distributed in the Central Basin of Iran. It is composed of five members designated as A-F. Little previous work exists on the sequence stratigraphy. Based on an integrated study of sequence stratigraphy with outcrop data, wells and regional seismic profiles, the Qom Formation is interpreted as a carbonate succession deposited in a mid.Tertiary back-arc basin. There are two second-order sequences （designated as SS1 and SS2） and five third-order sequences （designated as S1-S5）. Five distinct systems tracts including transgressive, highstand, forced regressive, slope margin and Iowstand have been recognized. The relationship between the sequences and lithologic sub-units has been collated and defined （S1 to S5 individually corresponding to A-C1, C2--C4, D-E, the lower and upper portions of F）; a relative sea level change curve and the sequence stratigraphic framework have been established and described in detail. The coincidence of relative sea level change between that of the determined back-arc basin and the world indicates that the sedimentary cycles of the Qom Formation are mainly controlled by eustatic cycles. The variable combination of the systems tracts and special tectonic-depositional setting causally underpin multiple sequence stratigraphic framework styles seen in the carbonates of the back-arc basin revealing： （1） a continental margin basin that developed some form of barrier, characterized by the development of multiple cycles of carbonate-evaporites; （2） a flat carbonate ramp, which occurred on the southern shelf formed by the lack of clastic supply from nearby magmatic islands plus mixed siliciclastics and carbonates that occurred on the northern shelf due to a sufficient clastics supply from the land; and （3） a forced regressive stratigraphic stacking pattern that occured on the southern shelf and in basin lows due to the uplifting of the southern shelf. Thick and widespread aggradational framework limestone usually occurs in the initial sequences （S1 and S3） of the supersequence, which led to preferential oil reservoir deposition but a lack of source and cap rocks, whereas the retrogradational and progradational framework limestone usually occurs in the later sequences （S2 and S4-S5） of the supersequence, which results in two perfect sets of source, reservoir and cap rock assemblies, so that the limestone in sub-member C2-C4 and the F-Member can be predicted as important objects for oil exploration.

Bottom Simulating Reflector and Gas Seepage in Okinawa Trough:Evidence of Gas Hydrate in an Active Back-Arc Basin

To look for gas hydrate, 22 multi-channel and 3 single-channel seismic lines on the East China Sea （ECS） shelf slope and at the bottom of the Okinawa Trough were examined. It was found that there was indeed bottom simulating reflector （BSR） occurrence, but it is very rare. Besides several BSRs, a gas seepage was also found. As shown by the data, both the BSR and gas seepage are all related with local geological structures, such as mud diapir, anticline, and fault-controlled graben-like structure. However, similar structural ＂anomalies＂ are quite common in the tectonically very active Okinawa Trough region, but very few of them have developed BSR or gas seepage. The article points out that the main reason is probably the low concentration of organic carbon of the sediment in this area. It was speculated that the rare occurrence of gas hydrates in this region is governed by structure-controlled fluid flow. Numerous faults and fractures form a network of high-permeability channels in the sediment and highly fractured igneous basement to allow fluid circulation and ventilation. Fluid flow in this tectonic environment is driven primarily by thermal buoyancy and takes place on a wide range of spatial scales. The fluid flow may play two roles to facilitate hydrate formation： to help gather enough methane into a small area and to modulate the thermal regime.

Generation of Back-Arc Basins as Side Effect of Shortening Processes: Examples from the Central Mediterranean

The evolution of the Mediterranean area since the Oligocene-Lower Miocene has been driven by the convergence of the surrounding plates. This implies that the observed deformation pattern in that region must be the most convenient shortening pattern, i.e. the one controlled by the minimum action principle. To understand why the fulfilment of such condition has required a complex spatio-temporal distribution of major tectonic events, such as uplift, lateral displacement and bending of orogenic belts, consumption of large lithospheric domains and formation of back arc basins, it may be very useful to take into account a basic tectonic concept, which helps to identify the process that can minimize the resistance of tectonic forces. Such concept starts from the fact that the most convenient consumption process is the one that involves low buoyancy oceanic lithosphere (Tethyan domains). However, such process is highly favoured where the oceanic lithosphere is stressed by vertical forces, a situation that develops when orogenic wedges are forced to over thrust and load the oceanic domain to be consumed. This interpretation can provide plausible and coherent explanations for the complex pattern of the observed deformations. In this view, the generation of back arc basins is taken as a side effect of an extrusion process, as suggested by numerical and mechanical experiments.

Origin of Cu in the PACMANUS hydrothermal field from the eastern Manus back-arc basin: evidence from mass balance modeling

Hydrothermal precipitates associated with active vents in the eastern Manus Basin, an actively opening back-arc basin in the Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea, are among the most Cu-rich on the modern seafloor. The volcanic rocks associated with this mineralization may be insufficiently enriched in Cu to account for the Cu content of the sulfides by simple leaching. The PACMANUS hydrothermal field lies in the eastern portion of the eastern Manus Basin. Mass balance modeling of the PACMANUS hydrothermal system indicates that simple leaching of a stationary reaction zone (0.144 km^3) by hydrothermal fluids cannot yield the Cu found in associated sulfide deposits because unacceptably high leaching, transportation and precipitation efficiencies are required to derive the Cu in sulfides by leaching processes. With 100% leaching, transport and precipitating efficiency, 0.166 km^3 of volcanic rocks would need to be leached to account for the Cu budget of hydrothermal sulfide deposits. The key requirement for forming metal-rich magmatic fluids is a large amount of metals available to enter the exsolved vapor phase. Magmas generated in the eastern Manus Basin inherently have high fO2 because of metasomatism of the mantle source by oxidized materials from the subducted slab, leading to copper enrichment in the magma chamber. Moreover, the presence of Cu in gas-rich melt inclusi on bubbles in Pual Ridge andesite is evidence that degassing and partitioning of Cu into the magmatic volatile phase has occurred in the eastern Manus Basin. Numerical mass balance modeling indicates that approximately 0.236 Mt Cu was potentially transferred to the hydrothermal system per cubic kilometer magma. Magmatic degassing seems to play a more significant role than leaching.

The accumulation characteristics and exploration potential of oil and gas in the back-arc basin of Japan under the background of high heat flow

The Sea of Japan is located in the southeast margin of Eurasia, in the triangle area of the western Pacific Ocean. Due to the interaction of the Pacific plate, Eurasian plate and Philippine plate, its tectonic environment is complex, forming a typical trench-arc-basin system. At present, 148 oil and gas fields have been discovered in Japan, with an oil and gas resource of 255.78×10^(6) t, showing a good prospect for oil and gas exploration. Based on the previous research and the recently collected geological and geophysical data, the characteristics of tectonic-sedimentary evolution and geothermal field in the basins around the Sea of Japan are analyzed. The results show that the tectonic evolution of the basin is mainly controlled by plate subduction and back-arc oceanic crust expansion, and it mainly undergone four tectonic-sedimentary evolution stages: Subduction period, basin development period, subsidence period and compression deformation period. The overall heat flow value of Japan Sea is high, and it is distributed annularly along Yamato Ridge. The geothermal heat flow value is about 50–130 MW/m^(2), and the average heat flow is75.9±19.8 MW/m^(2), which has a typical “hot basin ”. The high heat flow background provides unique thermal evolution conditions for hydrocarbon generation, which leads to the high temperature and rapid evolution. The authors summarized as “early hydrocarbon generation, rapid maturity and shallow and narrow hydrocarbon generation window”. The type of oil and gas is mainly natural gas, and it mainly distributed in Neogene oil and gas reservoirs. The trap types are mainly structural traps, lithologic traps and composite traps. In addition, the pre-Neogene bedrock oil and gas reservoirs also show a good exploration prospect. The resource prospecting indicates that Niigata Basin, Ulleung Basin and kitakami Basin are the main target areas for future exploration and development.

Geochemistry of Permian Mafic Igneous Rocks from the Napo-Qinzhou Tectonic Belt in Southwest Guangxi, Southwest China: Implications for Arc-Back Arc Basin Magmatic Evolution

The Napo-Qinzhou Tectonic Belt （NQTB） lies at the junction of the Yangtze, Cathaysia and Indochina （North Vietnam） Blocks, which is composed of five major lithotectonic subunits： the Qinzhou-Fangcheng Suture Zone （QFSZ）, the Shiwandashan Basin （SB）, the Pingxiang-Nanning Suture Zone （PNSZ）, the Damingshan Block （DB） and the Babu-Lingma Suture Zone （BLSZ）. On the basis of geochemical compositions, the Permian mafic igneous rocks can be divided into three distinct groups： （1） mafic igneous rocks （Group 1） from the Longjing region in the PNSZ and Hurun region in the BLSZ, which are characterized by intermediate Ti, P and Zr with low Ni and Cr contents; （2） mafic igneous rocks （Group 2） from the Naxiao and Chongzuo region in the DB, characterized by low-intermediate Ti, P and Zr with high Ni and Cr concentrations; and （3） mafic igneous rocks （Group 3） from the Siming region in the Jingxi carbonate platform of the northwestern margin of the NQTB, with intermediate-high Ti, P and Zr and low Ni and Cr contents. The Group 1 rocks yield a weighted mean 206 Pb/ 238 U age of 250.5±2.8 Ma and are geochemically similar to basalts occurring in back-arc basin settings. The Group 2 rocks exhibit geochemical features to those basalts in island arcs, whereas the Group 3 rocks show geochemical similarity to that of ocean island basalts. All three groups are characterized by relatively low ε Nd （t） values （-2.61 to ＋1.10） and high initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotopic ratios （0.705309-0.707434）, indicating that they were derived from a subduction-modified lithospheric mantle and experienced assimilation, fractional crystallization, and crustal contamination or mixing during magmatic evolution. Accordingly, we propose the existence of an arc-back arc basin system that developed along the NQTB at the border of SW Guangxi Province （SW China） and northern Vietnam, and it was formed by continued northwestward subduction of the Cathaysian （or Yunkai） Block under the Yangtze Block, and northeastward subduction of the Indochina Block beneath the Yangtze Block during Permian time.

MULTIPLE ISLAND ARC-BASIN SYSTEM AND ITS EVOLUTION IN GANGDISE TECTONIC BELT,TIBET

Gangdise tectonic belt, located in the middle part of Tibet—Qinghai plateau Tethys tectonic domain, is the most representative region in Tibet—Qinghai plateau Tethyan evolution especially in Mesozoic era. It is mainly covered by thick Jurassic—Cretaceous system layer. During the Mesozoic to Cenozoic era, strong island\|arc types volcanism and volcanic rocks and intrusive rocks belt.. Geologists had divided the Tibet Tethyan evolution into three or four stages (Huang, Jiqing, 1987; Pan Guitang, Li Xinzheng, 1993), according to the ocean\|land conversion process of Tethyan evolution .The Tethyan evolution and the nature of Gangdise tectonic belt had been well\|studied by geologists (Huang Jiqing, 1987; Deng Wanming, 1984; Xia Daixiang, 1986; Cheng Changlun 1987; ZhouXiang 1993; Pan Guitang, 1996). Studies showed that Gangdise tectonic belt, from upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic era, had been developed alternate multiple island arc\|basin system, and characterized by many basin types and strong tectonic\|magma activity. Based on the study of Gangdise multiple island arc\|basin system, I present another version of Gangdise tectonic belt tectonic units division and evolution here.

Deep geodynamics of far field interconti- nental back-arc extension: Formation of Cenozoic volcanoes in northeastern China

There are three cases of variation of trench location possible to occur during subduction: trench fixed, trench ad- vancing, and trench retreating. Retreat of trench may lead to back-arc extension. The Pacific plate subducts at low angle beneath the Eurasia plate, tomographic results indicate that the subducted Pacific slab does not penetrate the 670 km discontinuity, instead, it is lying flat above the interface. The flattening occurred about 28 Ma ago. Geo- dynamic computation suggests: when the frontier of the subducted slab reaches the phase boundary of lower and upper mantle, it may be hindered and turn flat lying above the boundary, facilitates the retreat of trench and back-arc extension. Volcanism in northeastern China is likely a product of such retreat of subduction, far field back-arc extension, and melting due to reduce of pressure while mantle upwelling.

Geochemistry and Zircon U-Pb Dates of Felsic-Intermediate Members of the Late Cretaceous Yüksekova Arc Basin: Constraints on the Evolution of the Bitlis–Zagros Branch of Neotethys(Elazig, E Turkey)

During the Late Cretaceous in the Eastern Mediterranean, the northern branch of the southern Neotethys was closed by multiple northward subductions. Of these, the most northerly located subduction created the Baskil continental arc at around 82–84 Ma. The more southerly and intra-oceanic subduction, on the other hand, produced an arc-basin system,the Yüksekova Complex, as early as the late Cenomanian–early Turonian. The abundant and relatively well-studied basaltic rocks of this complex were intruded by dykes, sills and small stocks of felsic–intermediate rocks, not previously studied in detail. The intrusives collected from five different localities in the Elazig region of eastern Turkey are all subalkaline, with low Nb/Y values. Most of them have been chemically classified as rhyodacites/dacites, whereas a small number appear to be andesites. In normal mid-ocean-ridge basalt(N-MORB)-normalised plots, the intrusives are characterised by relative enrichments in Th and La over Nb, Zr, Hf, Ti and high field strength elements(HREEs), indicating their derivation from a subduction-modified source. While their relatively high, positive εN d(i) values(+6.4 and +7.2) might suggest a depleted mantle source for their ultimate origin, somewhat radiogenic Pb values indicate a sedimentary contribution to the source of the rocks. The overall geochemical characteristics indicate their generation in an oceanic arc setting. The zircon U-Pb Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS) data obtained from five felsic-intermediate rock samples yielded intrusion dates of 80–88 Ma. This suggests that the Elazig oceanic arc-related intrusives are slightly younger than those of the Yüksekova arc-basin system, but coeval with the Baskil continental arc. However, the felsic–intermediate intrusives show different geochemical characteristics(oceanic arc-type, with a lack of crustal contamination)to those of the Baskil continental arc. This indicates that these two igneous systems are unrelated and likely developed in different tectonic settings. This, in turn, supports a geodynamic model in which the northern strand of the southern Neotethys was consumed by multiple northward subductions.

TRIASSIC SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY AND CORRELATION FROM POLY-ARC AND BACK-ARC SYSTEM IN EASTERN TIBET

It is dominantly characterized that arc and back\|arc basin occur mutually in arc\|basin systems, Jomda arc and Sinda back\|arc basin located in Qamdo area are typical(Fig.1). Jomda arc covered by Triassic with thickness about 10000m.Marine sediments predominate, and are Characterized by the largely thick turbidity rocks and arc volcanic rocks of calc\|alkali suite which frequent volcanic events raised. Sinda back\|arc basin with a land\|crust basement is filled by the Upper Triassic sedimentary strata of more than 5000m. The active marginal sediments are composed of terrigenous,basinal and volcanic turbidity deposits of bathyal to deep\|sea facies,Characteristic extensive alkali basalts and submarine spout hot water deposits. Based on investigation of the cutcrop pro\|file, isotime grillwork for Triassic sequence stratigraphy has been established. for example Jomda arc basin, including 6 type 1 and 4 type 2 boundaries.10 three\|order sequences are divided, including 6 type 1 and 4 type 2 sequences. These sequences evolves during 37Ma,the estimated average time of a sequences is 3～7Ma,with being generally 1～2Ma,the longest being about 10Ma. type 1 and type 2 sequence boundaries are identified, in Upper Triassic Sinda back\|arc basin two type 1 and one type 2 sequences are divided. Relations have been first concluded among mainly controlled factors of sequence stratigraphies in arc and back\|arc basin systems. First, more sequences product and three\|units of its structures are complete in arc systems of complicated tectonic\|volcanic topographies, for example Jomda arc area of island\|sea framework, because lots of deposits are supplied and accumulations are allowed. Secondly, tectonic control is very clear, type 1 boundaries of SQ1 and SQ7 are clearly unconformity interfaces stressed by tectonism.Thirdly,volcanic rocks is greatly related with sequences, and there are various volcanic rocks in mang sequences,for example Jomda sequence stratigraphies,volcanic rocks of calc alkaline suite occurs in LST which thickness occupying in LST is middle; both tholeiite and calc\|alkaline,alkaline suite (Sinda back\|arc area) in TST, thickness smallest; calc\|alkaline suite in HST, Thickness biggest. It proves that intra\|genetic association between volcanic and relative sea\|level changes, which is gained by the concordance of thick curves of volcanic rock and sea\|level in different systematic traces. When thickness of volcanic rocks growing or progressing, relative sea\|level falls; otherwise, when reducing, it rises. There are larger differences in quantities, structures and types of sequences by comparing sequence stratigraphies of arc, back\|arc with craton area. Those varieties are responses for interactions among tectonic\|volcano, sediment and eustacy. It is pointed out that tectonic and arc volcanic processes are crucial.

THE NORTHWARD PROPAGATION OF THE ARC TECTONICS OF THE NORTHEAST PAMIR AND NORTHWEST TARIM BASIN

The geological, geographic and seismicity data indicate that three arc tectonic belt developed on the northeast Pamir, which was the south Pamir arc, the north Pamir arc and the external Pamir arc from south to north. In addition to these three belts, there are two nascent arc tectonic belts developed in its fore\|deep depression, the Kashi depression in the northwest Tarim basin, which is the northward propagation of the arc tectonics of northeast Pamir.The south Pamir is an ancient folded belt, composed of the Proterozoic metamorphic layers and igneous complex. It was pushed northward since the collision between the India and Asia, and uplifted since the end of the early Tertiary. The elevation of the Plateau is 4800～5300m, and several intermontane basins distributed in the plateau. At its northeast boundary is the Kalakorum right lateral strike slip fault. Strong strike slip earthquakes occurred along this fault. In the hinterland of the plateau, several normal faulting earthquakes occurred,which are consistent with the extensional dynamic environment of the south Pamir. Deep earthquakes occurred under the 70km depth crust of south Pamir. The N—S cross section of the focal depth show that the earthquake occurred within the south Pamir crust are lower than 70km, and the deep earthquakes with depth of 100～200km occurred in the crystal basement of Tarim basin which are under\|thrusting southward into the root of the south Pamir.

Construction of Subsurface Geological Structures Using a Drilling Database: A Case Study for an Intra-Arc Basin, the Osaka Plain, Southwest Japan

Subsurface geological cross sections of 0 - 200 m depth were constructed using a dense drilling database of the Osaka Plain in the intra-arc Osaka Basin of the Japan island arc, an active plate margin. The cross sections revealed the subsurface geological structures and the geometry of folding and faulting in the basin. The comparison between the constructed subsurface cross sections and the seismic sections of the basement and basin fills at a depth of 1500 - 2000 m showed that the basement and shallow subsurface structures are similar;however, the shallow cross sections were of higher resolution than the deep seismic profiles.

Influence of multi-stage volcanic events on the Late Cretaceous-Paleogene reservoirs and its geological significance in the northern Central Myanmar Basin

The northward subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic crust triggered multiple magmatic activities in the West Myanmar Arc,which in turn influenced the deposition of sedimentary pyroclastic rocks from the Cretaceous to Eocene strata in the Central Myanmar Basin(CMB).The pore structure of these lithologic reservoirs is complex and rich in tuffaceous sandstone,which plays an adverse role in reservoir development in this region.To understand the development characteristics and genetic mechanism of the pyroclastic rocks within three sets of reservoirs in this area,a comprehensive analysis was conducted through borehole core observations,thin section identification,scanning electron microscope analysis,and mercury injection tests.The tuffaceous sandstone from the upper Cretaceous to the Eocene is dominated by intermediate-acid volcanic rock debris.The pyroclastic rocks exhibit evident chloritization and ironization,with residual intergranular pores being the principal type accompanied by a smaller amount of intergranular dissolved pores and intragranular dissolved pores.The highest porosity is observed in the Eocene tuffaceous sandstone,ranging from 8%to 12%.The Late Cretaceous to Paleocene sandstones exhibit lower porosity levels of only 4%-6%.These reservoirs are characterized by their low porosity and low-permeability.Despite the presence of a good source rock in this area,the volcanic debris particles filling the pores,as well as their subsequent devitrification,chloritization,and limonite mineralization,result in pore throat blockage and narrowing.The reservoirs in this area are small in size,exhibit poor reservoir connectivity and lateral continuity,and fail to meet the necessary conditions for commercial-scale hydrocarbon accumulation and migration.

Evolution of Sedimentation and Tectonics of the Youjiang Composite Basin, South China

Located at the southern margin of the South China plate, the Youjiang basin is a closely related to the NW- and NE-trending syndepositional faults in respect to the configuration and structure of the basin. The evolution of the Youjiang basin progressed through two stages. In the Hercynian period, the opening of the Ailaoshan-Honghe ocean basin gave rise to a number of NW-trending rift belts in the Youjiang area. During this period, deep-water sediments were dominant and the basin was possesed of the characteristics of the rift system of passive continental margins. In the early Indosinian after the Dongwu movement, the circum - Pacific tectonism led to a major change in the configuration and structure of the basin. In the meantime, the Ailaoshan ocean basin began to be subducted towards the northeast, thus causing the basin to be split and expand again, and then the basin developed into the stage of the back -arc basin. At the end of the Indosinian period, the basin gradually closed from east to west, thus ending up the history of development of the Youjiang basin. In the various developmental stages, sediments in the basin, also limited by the Dongwu movement, were formed by superposition of sedimentation systems with different features, and a typical two-layered structure, which consisted of starved and compensated sediments, also occurred in the early stage. Likewise, volcanic activity in the basin involved two stages. Basin volcanic rocks of alkali and alkali-calcic series, which were controlled by NW-trending faults, occurred in the early stage, and basic and intermediate-acid volcanic rocks of calc-alkali and calcic series, which were controlled by NW- and NE-trending faults. From the above it follows that the Youjiang basin was formed by the combined action of the Palaeotethys and circum -Pacific tectonism.

Source Lithology and Magmatic Processes Recorded in the Mineral of Basalts from the Parece Vela Basin

Since the Early Cenozoic,the Philippine Sea Plate(PSP)has undergone a complex tectonic evolution.During this period the Parece Vela Basin(PVB)was formed by seafloor spreading in the back-arc region of the proto-Izu-Bonin-Mariana(IBM)arc.However,until now,studies of the geological,geophysical,and tectonic evolution of the PVB have been rare.In this study,we obtained in situ trace element and major element compositions of minerals in basalts collected from two sites in the southern part of the PVB.The results reveal that the basalts from site CJ09-63 were likely formed via~10%partial melting of spinel-garnet lherzolite,while the basalts from site CJ09-64 were likely formed via 15%–25%partial melting of garnet lherzolite.The order of mineral crystallization for the basalts from site CJ09-64 was olivine,spinel,clinopyroxene,and plagioclase,while the plagioclase in the basalts from site CJ09-63 crystallized earlier than the clinopyroxene.Using a plagioclase-liquid hygrometer and an olivine-liquid oxybarometer,we determined that the basalts in this study have high H2O contents and oxygen fugacities,suggesting that the magma source of the Parece Vela basalts was affected by subduction components,which is consistent with the trace element composition of whole rock.

Revised Stratigraphy and Mineral Resources of Balochistan Basin, Pakistan: An Update

The Balochistan basin is located on the south western part of Balochistan Province and also Pakistan. Balochistan super basin is subdivided into northern Balochistan (Pishin basin or Kakar Kohorasan basin represented as back arc basin), central Balochistan (Chagai-Raskoh-Wazhdad Magmatic arc and Hamuns-Inter arc basin) and southern Balochistan (Makran Siahan basin) basins. Balochistan basin consists of Cretaceous to recent sediments, diverse igneous rocks and low grade metamorphics. Balochistan basin is a leading basin which consists of very significant mineral deposits especially copper and gold deposits. These mineral resources need to be developed for the development of areas, province and Pakistan. During previous half century a lot of geological work has been done in Balochistan basin. Here the revised stratigraphic set up and its mineral resources with an update are being presented.