Polyphase Tectonic Events and Cenozoic Basin-Range Coupling in the Tianshan Belt,Northwestern China

Studies show that the Tianshan orogenic belt was built in the late stage of the Paleozoic, as evidenced by the Permian red molasses and foreland basins, which are distributed in parallel with the Tianshan belt, indicating that an intense folding and uplifting event took place. During the Triassic, this orogenic belt was strongly eroded, and basins were further developed. Starting from the Jurassic, a within-plate regional extension occurred, forming a series of Jurassic-Paleogene extensional basins in the peneplaned Tianshan region. Since the Neogene, a collision event between the Indian and the Eurasian plates that took place on the southern side of the Tianshan belt has caused a strong intra-continental orogeny, which is characterized by thrusting and folding. Extremely thick coarse conglomerate and sandy conglomerate of the Xiyu Formation of Neogene System were accumulated unconformably on the Tianshan piedmont. Studies have revealed that the strong compression caused by the Indian-Eurasian collision had a profound influence over the orogenic belt in the hinterland, and MesozoiC-Cenozoic brittle deformed structures superposed on the ductile deformed Paleozoic rocks. The Mesozoic extensional basins were converted into Cenozoic compressional basins. The deformation in the basins is featured by step thrusts and fault-related folds. Statistics of joints show that the principal compressive stress since the Neogene is in a N-S direction. Meanwhile, owing to the underthrusting of the basin toward the orogenic belt, the Paleozoic strata were thrust on the Meso-Cenozoic rocks as tectonic slices, revealing distinct kinematic features in different geologic units. The basin-range coupling zones are characterized by intensive compression, folding and thrusting, accompanied by local sub-E-W-trending strike-slip faults. In the Tianshan region, Cenozoic thrusting is the most common basin-range coupling mode. The folding and faulting of Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, spontaneous combustion of Jurassic coal layers and formation of sintered rocks, the Cenozoic earthquakes and active faulting, and the unique mosaic pattern of basin-range framework of Xinjiang are all products of tectonism since the Neogene.

Numerical Modeling of Basin-Range Tectonics Related to Continent-Continent Collision

Continent-continent collision is the most important driving mechanism for the occurrence of various geological processes in the continental lithosphere. How to recognize and determine continent-continent collision, especially its four-dimensional temporal-spatial evolution, is a subject that geological communities have long been concerned about and studied. Continent-continent collision is mainly manifested by strong underthrusting (subduction) of the underlying block along an intracontinental subduction zone and continuous obduction (thrusting propagation) of the overlying block along the intracontinental subduction zone, the occurrence of a basin-range tectonic framework in a direction perpendicular to the subduction zone and the flexure and disruption of the Moho. On the basis of numerical modeling, the authors discuss in detail the couplings between various amounts and rates of displacement caused by basin subsidence, mountain uplift and Moho updoming and downflexure during obduction (thrusting propagation) and subduction and the migration pattern of basin centers. They are probably indications or criteria for judgment or determination of continent-continent collision.

BASIN-RANGE SYSTEM EVOLUTION OF QINLING-DABIE OROGENIC BELT AND ITS IMPACT ON REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT

As the structural body related to temporal-spatial evolution and tectonic dynamic system, the orogenic belt and basin are not only dependent on each other in space but also closely related with each other in terms of infrastructure, matter transference and dynamic mechanisms. By using apatite fission-track method, the authors firstly analyze the uplift and denudation ratios of the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt, and by using tectonically deformed combination analysis and tectonic-thermal simulation the main geological occurrences are also illustrated. It is found that there must have had multi-phase differential uplift and denudation phenomena in the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. Then, the regional evolution pattern of qualitative and quantitative denudation process is obtained during the post-orogenic period. On the basis of summarizing evolution process of the basin-range system in the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic and its effects on regional environment, the influence of evolution process on geomorphologic landscapes change, water system vicissitude, eco-environment succession and drainage basin system evolution is discussed.

The Deep Structure Feature of the Sichuan Basin and Adjacent Orogens

The basin-mountain system in the Sichuan Basin （SCB） reflects the main tectonic activity and the orogenic denudation in this region. The seismic probing work reveals the deep structure of the basin-mountain system. The seismic work was re-sampled to the Moho depth and the sedimentary thickness as well as the P-wave velocity=depth function to analyze the deep structure of the SCB and adjacent orogens. The results show two deposit centers in the SCB： the Deyang area in the west and the Nanchuan area in the east and depression uplift exists in the southwestern part of the SCB; the Moho shallowers gradually from the west to east （ca. 62-36 km deep）,the South-North seismic belt （SNSB） is very distinctive： the Moho depth is much shallower （〈 50 km）to the east of the SNSB, whereas it is much deeper（〉50 kin）to the west of the SNSB, suggesting that the SNSB rather than the Longmen Shan tectonic belt is a main Moho transition belt; the topography and the top interface of the basement have the same undulation trend when the sedimentary thickness and the Moho depth have a mirror relationship; the low velocity zone developed in the Kangdian thrust and fold belt and Songpan-Garze belt implied a soft, weak and thick crust there showing tectonic activity in these areas.

Basin-and Mountain-Building Dynamic Model of “Ramping-Detachment-Compression” in the West Kunlun-Southern Tarim Basin Margin

Analysis of the deformation structures in the West Kunlun-Tarim basin-range junction belt indicates that sediments in the southwestern Tarim depression were mainly derived from the West Kunlun Mountains and that with time the region of sedimentation extended progressivdy toward the north. Three north-underthrusting （subducting）, steep-dipping, high-velocity zones （bodies） are recognized at depths, which correspond to the central West Kunlun junction belt （bounded by the Kiida-Kaxtax fault on the north and Bulungkol-Kangxiwar fault on the south）, Quanshuigou fault belt （whose eastward extension is the Jinshajiang fault belt） and Bangong Co-Nujiang fault belt. The geodynamic process of the basin-range junction belt generally proceeded as follows： centering around the magma source region （which largely corresponds with the Karatag terrane at the surface）, the deep-seated material flowed and extended from below upward and to all sides, resulting in strong deformation （mainly extension） in the overlying lithosphere and even the upper mantle, appearance of extensional stress perpendicular to the strike of the orogenic belt in the thermal uplift region or at the top of the mantle diapir and localized thickening of the sedimentary cover （thermal subsidence in the upper crust）. Three stages of the basin- and mountain-forming processes in the West Kunlun-southern Tarim basin margin may be summarized： （1） the stage of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous rampingrapid uplift and rapid subsidence, when north-directed thrust propagation and south-directed intracontinental subduction, was the dominant mechanism for basin- and mountain-building processes; （2） the stage of Late Cretaceous-Paleogene deep-level detachment-slow uplift and homogeneous subsidence, when the dominant mechanism for the basin- and mountain-forming processes was detachment （subhorizontal north-directed deep-level ductile shear） and its resulting lateral propagation of deep material; and （3） the stage of Neogene-present compression-rapid uplift and strong subsidence, when the basin- and mountain-forming processes were simultaneously controlled by north-vergent thrust propagation and compression. The authors summarize the processes as the “ramping-detachment-compression basin- and mountain-forming dynamic model”. The basin-range tectonics was initiated in the Late Jurassic, the Miocene-Pliocene were a major transition period for the basin- and mountain-forming mechanism and the terminal early Pleistocene tectonic movement in the main laid a foundation for the basin-and-mountain tectonic framework in the West Kunlun-southern Tarim basin margin.

Tectonic relationship between the Kelameili range and the Dajing depression: Insights into the Carboniferous tectonic-sedimentary framework

Based on comprehensive analysis of typical outcrops, latest deep wells drilled and high resolution seismic profiles in the study area, we examined the geologic structure of the Kelameili range, and analyzed the structural relationship between the Kelameili range and the Dajing depression, and discussed the tectonic-sedimentary framework in different periods of Carboniferous by using axial surface analysis and balanced section techniques. Understandings in three aspects are achieved:(1) The study area experienced five stages of compressional tectonic movements, the Early Carboniferous, the Late Carboniferous, the Middle-Late Permian, Late Cretaceous and Paleogene, and three stages of extensional tectonic movements, the middle-late Early Carboniferous, the middle-late Late Carboniferous and Early Permian. At the end of the Early Permian and the Mid-Late Cretaceous, the tectonic wedges moved southward respectively.(2) The Kelameili range and Dajing depression had the first basin-range coupling during the early Early Carboniferous, basin-range decoupling in the following middle-late Early Carboniferous to the Early Permian, then basin-range strong recoupling in the Middle Permian, and the basin-range coupling had been inherited in the subsequent Indosinian, Yanshanian and Himalayan movements.(3) During the early Early Carboniferous, the study area was a foreland basin where the Dishuiquan Formation source rock developed;in mid-late Early Carboniferous, a series of NW-and NWW-trending half-garben fault basins developed, where the Songkaersu Formation volcanic reservoir formed. In late Early Carboniferous, the study area entered into depression basin stage after rifting, and the Shuangjingzi Formation source rock developed;in the mid-late Late Carboniferous, Batamayineishan fault basin emerged, and the Upper-Carboniferous volcanic reservoir was formed, affected by the tectonic compression during late Carboniferous and Mid-Permian, the Batamayineishan Formation suffered extensive erosion, and only partially remains in the piedmont depression zone.

Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic transition in Kuqa Depression-Tianshan,Northwest China:Evidence from sandstone detrital and geochemical records

Similar to compositional evolution of sandstone modes and detrital heavy minerals from different profiles in the Kuqa Depression, Northwest China, major element analysis of whole sandstones from the same profiles shows four discontinuous depositional interfaces or periods, respectively corresponding to Lower Triassic\Middle Triassic, Upper Jurassic\Lower Cretaceous, Lower Cretaceous\Paleogene and Miocene\Pliocene, and indicates five-phase evolution during Mesozoic-Cenozoic: (1) From the first to fifth phase, a depositional suite changes from maroon and coarse clastic, through grey-dark grey and fine, red and coarse, red-mottled, interlayered by gypsum, to brown and coarse clastic assemblages, accompanying detrital component evolution in unstable-stable-unstable-very unstable-very unstable assem- blages. It is indicated that carbonate and complex detritus gradually dominate in sandstones in post-Late Jurassic, with rapid reduction of compositional maturity. (2) For major element geo- chemical parameters of whole sandstones, CaO and Fe2 O * 3+MgO contents show a change sequence in high-low-high-higher-highest values, with rapid increasing in post-Late Jurassic. (3) Contra some aggregative indicators for weathering indexes of sandstone detrital component, Al2O3/(CaO+Na2O) and ln(Q/(L+CE)), show a change sequence in low-high-low-lower-lowest ratios, with rapid decreasing in post-Late Jurassic. It is found that sandstone samples of the first, second and later three phases may be distinguished from the A-CN-K and A-CNK-FM diagrams respectively. Therefore, in the Kuqa Depression-Tianshan, the most important discontinuous depositional interface recording paleotectonic and paleoclimatic transition occurred in Early Triassic\Middle Triassic and Late Jurassic\Early Cretaceous, respectively, and, however, tec- tonic differentiations of basin-range system finally result in distinct depositional systems but similar detrital weathering indexes across the Lower Cretaceous\Paleogene and Miocene\ Plio- cene interfaces, respectively.