Evaluation of the oil and gas preservation conditions, source rocks, and hydrocarbongenerating potential of the Qiangtang Basin: New evidence from the scientific drilling project

The Qiangtang Basin of the Tibetan Plateau,located in the eastern Tethys tectonic domain,is the largest new marine petroliferous region for exploration in China.The scientific drilling project consisting primarily of well QK-1 and its supporting shallow boreholes for geological surveys(also referred to as the Project)completed in recent years contributes to a series of new discoveries and insights into the oil and gas preservation conditions and source rock evaluation of the Qiangtang Basin.These findings differ from previous views that the Qiangtang Basin has poor oil and gas preservation conditions and lacks high-quality source rocks.As revealed by well QK-1 and its supporting shallow boreholes in the Project,the Qiangtang Basin hosts two sets of high-quality regional seals,namely an anhydrite layer in the Quemo Co Formation and the gypsum-bearing mudstones in the Xiali Formation.Moreover,the Qiangtang Basin has favorable oil and gas preservation conditions,as verified by the comprehensive study of the sealing capacity of seals,basin structure,tectonic uplift,magmatic activity,and groundwater motion.Furthermore,the shallow boreholes have also revealed that the Qiangtang Basin has high-quality hydrocarbon source rocks in the Upper Triassic Bagong Formation,which are thick and widely distributed according to the geological and geophysical data.In addition,the petroleum geological conditions,such as the type,abundance,and thermal evolution of organic matter,indicate that the Qiangtang Basin has great hydrocarbon-generating potential.

Characteristics and discovery significance of the Upper Triassic–Lower Jurassic marine shale oil in Qiangtang Basin,China

Mesozoic marine shale oil was found in the Qiangtang Basin by a large number of hydrocarbon geological surveys and shallow drilling sampling.Based on systematic observation and experimental analysis of outcrop and core samples,the deposition and development conditions and characteristics of marine shale are revealed,the geochemical and reservoir characteristics of marine shale are evaluated,and the layers of marine shale oil in the Mesozoic are determined.The following geological understandings are obtained.First,there are two sets of marine organic-rich shales,the Lower Jurassic Quse Formation and the Upper Triassic Bagong Formation,in the Qiangtang Basin.They are mainly composed of laminated shale with massive mudstone.The laminated organic-rich shale of the Quse Formation is located in the lower part of the stratum,with a thickness of 50–75 m,and mainly distributed in southern Qiangtang Basin and the central-west of northern Qiangtang Basin.The laminated organic-rich shale of the Bagong Formation is located in the middle of the stratum,with a thickness of 250–350 m,and distributed in both northern and southern Qiangtang Basin.Second,the two sets of laminated organic-rich shales develop foliation,and various types of micropores and microfractures.The average content of brittle minerals is 70%,implying a high fracturability.The average porosity is 5.89%,indicating good reservoir physical properties to the level of moderate–good shale oil reservoirs.Third,the organic-rich shale of the Quse Formation contains organic matters of types II1 and II2,with the average TOC of 8.34%,the average content of chloroform bitumen'A'of 0.66%,the average residual hydrocarbon generation potential(S1+S2)of 29.93 mg/g,and the Ro value of 0.9%–1.3%,meeting the standard of high-quality source rock.The organic-rich shale of the Bagong Formation contains mixed organic matters,with the TOC of 0.65%–3.10%and the Ro value of 1.17%–1.59%,meeting the standard of moderate source rock.Fourth,four shallow wells(depth of 50–250 m)with oil shows have been found in the organic shales at 50–90 m in the lower part of the Bagong Formation and 30–75 m in the middle part of the Quse Formation.The crude oil contains a high content of saturated hydrocarbon.Analysis and testing of outcrop and shallow well samples confirm the presence of marine shale oil in the Bagong Formation and the Quse Formation.Good shale oil intervals in the Bagong Formation are observed in layers 18–20 in the lower part of the section,where the shales with(S0+S1)higher than 1 mg/g are 206.7 m thick,with the maximum and average(S0+S1)of 1.92 mg/g and 1.81 mg/g,respectively.Good shale oil intervals in the Quse Formation are found in layers 4–8 in the lower part of the section,where the shales with(S0+S1)higher than 1 mg/g are 58.8 m thick,with the maximum and average(S0+S1)of 6.46 mg/g and 2.23 mg/g,respectively.

Chronology and Geochemistry of the Nadingcuo Volcanic Rocks in the Southern Qiangtang Region of the Tibetan Plateau:Partial Melting of Remnant Ocean Crust along the Bangong-Nujiang Suture

The Nadingcuo high-K calc-alkaline rocks mainly composed of trachyte and trachyandesite are the largest outcrop area of volcanic rocks in southern Qiangtang terrane in the Tibetan plateau. However,their exact source and peterogenesis are still debated.^（40）Ar-^（39）Ar and LAM-ICPMS zircon U-Pb isotopic dating confirm that these rocks erupted in Eocene.In addition,the Nadingcuo volcanic rocks are characterized by high Sr/Y content ratios,similar with the adakite derived from partial melting of oceanic crust.They can be further classified as high Mg~#（Mg~#=48-57） and low Mg~# （Mg~#=33-42） subtypes.The Nadingcuo adakitic rocks have relatively low（^（87）Sr/^（86）Sr）_i and highε_（Nd）（t）, showing a trend of similarity to the Dongcuo ophiolite present in the Bangong-Nujiang oceanic crust. Simple modeling indicates that the Nadingcuo adakitic rocks are a mix resulting from the basalt of Bangong-Nujiang Ocean with 10%-20%crustal material of Lhasa terrane.On these bases we suggest that the low Mg~# Nadingcuo adakitic rocks are the product of partial melting of remnant oceanic crust with small sediment,and the high Mg~# rocks are the result of reaction between rising melt of remnant oceanic crust with subducted sediment and mantle wedge.Therefore,the origin of Nadingcuo adakitic rocks may be related to intracontinental subduction triggered by collision of India-Asia during Cenozoic.

Early Cenozoic Mega Thrusting in the Qiangtang Block of the Northern Tibetan Plateau

Recent mapping and seismic survey reveal that intensive compression during the Early Cenozoic in the Qiangtang block of the central Tibetan Plateau formed an extensive complex of thrust sheets that moved relatively southward along several generally north-dipping great thrust systems. Those at the borders of the ~450 km wide block show it overrides the Lhasa block to the south and is overridden by the Hohxil-Bayanhar block to the north. The systems are mostly thin-skinned imbricate thrusts with associated folding. The thrust sheets are chiefly floored by Jurassic limestone that apparently slid over Triassic sandstone and shale, which is locally included, and ramped upward and over Paleocene-Eocene red-beds. Some central thrusts scooped deeper and carried up Paleozoic metamorphic rock, Permian carbonate and granite to form a central uplift that divides the Qiangtang block into two parts. These systems and their associated structures are unconformably overlain by little deformed Late Eocene-Oligocene volcanic rock or capped by Miocene lake beds. A thrust system in the northern part of the block, as well as one in the northern part of the adjacent Lhasa block, dip to the south and appear to be due to secondary adjustments within the thrust sheets. The relative southward displacement across this Early Cenozoic mega thrust system is in excess of 150 km in the Qiangtang block, and the average southward slip-rate of the southern Qiangtang thrusts ranged from 5.6 mm to 7.4 mm/a during the Late Eocene-Oligocene. This Early Cenozoic thrusting ended before the Early Miocene and was followed by Late Cenozoic crustal extension and strike-slip faulting within the Qiangtang block. The revelation and understanding of these thrust systems are very important for the evaluation of the petroleum resources of the region.

Apatite Fission Track Evidence of Uplift Cooling in the Qiangtang Basin and Constraints on the Tibetan Plateau Uplift

The Qiangtang basin is located in the central Tibetan Plateau. This basin has an important structural position, and further study of its tectonic and thermal histories has great significance for understanding the evolution of the Tibetan Plateau and the hydrocarbon potential of marine carbonates in the basin. This study focuses on low temperature thermochronology and in particular conducted apatite fission track analysis. Under constraints provided by the geological background, the thermal history in different tectonic units is characterized by the degree of annealing of samples, and the timing of major （uplift-erosion related） cooling episodes is inferred. The cooling history in the Qiangtang basin can be divided into two distinct episodes. The first stage is mainly from the late Early Cretaceous to the Late Cretaceous （69.8 Ma to 108.7 Ma）, while the second is mainly from the Middle- Late Eocene to the late Miocene （10.3 Ma to 44.4 Ma）. The first cooling episode records the uplift of strata in the central Qiangtang basin caused by continued convergent extrusion after the Bangong- Nujiang ocean closed. The second episode can be further divided into three periods, which are respectively 10.3 Ma, 22.6-26.1 Ma and 30.8-44.4 Ma. The late Oligocene-early Miocene （22.6-26.1 Ma） is the main cooling period. The distribution and times of the earlier uplift-related cooling show that the effect of extrusion after the collision between Eurasian plate and India plate obviously influenced the Qiangtang basin at 44.4 Ma. The Qiangtang basin underwent compression and started to be uplifted from the middle-late Eocene to the early Oligocene （45.0-30.8 Ma）. Subsequently, a large-scale and intensive uplift process occurred during the late Oligocene to early Miocene （26.1-22.6 Ma） and the basin continued to undergo compression and uplift up to the late Miocene （10.3 Ma）. Thus, uplift-erosion in the Qiangtang basin was intensive from 44.5 Ma to about 10 Ma. The timing of cooling in the second episode shows that the uplift of the Qiangtang basin was caused by the strong compression after the collision of the Indian plate and Eurasian plate. On the whole, the new apatite fission-track data from the Qiangtang basin show that the Tibetan Plateau started to extrude and uplift during 45-30.8 Ma. The main period of uplift and formation of the Tibetan Plateau took place about 22.6-26.1 Ma, and uplift and extrusion continued until the late Miocene （10.3 Ma）.

The Cretaceous tectonic event in the Qiangtang Basin and its implications for hydrocarbon accumulation

The tectonic event during Cretaceous and its relationship with hydrocarbon accumulation in the Qiangtang Basin is discussed based on zircon U-Pb dating and the study of deformation, thermochronology and hydrocarbon formation. LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the tectonic event took place during the Early-Late Cretaceous （125-75Ma）. The event not only established the framework and the styles of structural traps in the basin, but also led to the cessation of the first hydrocarbon formation and the destruction of previous oil pools. The light crude oil in the basin was formed during the second hydrocarbon formation stage in the Cenozoic, and ancient structural traps formed during the Cretaceous event are promising targets for oil and gas exploration.

Cenozoic Adakite-type Volcanic Rocks in Qiangtang,Tibet and Its Significance

Volcanic rocks in the study area, including dacite, trachyandesite and mugearite, belong to the intermediate-acid, high-K calc-alkaline series, and possess the characteristics of adakite. The geochemistry of the rocks shows that the rocks are characterized by SiO2>59%, enrichment in A12O3(15.09-15.64%) and Na2O (>3.6%), high Sr (649-885 μg/g) and Sc, low Y contents (<17 μg/g), depletion in HREE (Yb<1.22 μg/g), (La/Yb)N>25, Sr/Y>40, MgO<3% (Mg<0.35), weak Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu=0.84-0.94), and lack of the high field strength elements (HFSE) (Nb, Ta, Ti, etc.). The Nd and Sr isotope data (87Sr/86Sr=0.7062-0.7079, 143Nd/144Nd=0.51166-0.51253, εNd= -18.61-0.02), show that the magma resulted from partial melting (10%-40%) of newly underplated basaltic lower crust under high pressure (1-4 GPa), and the petrogenesis is obviously affected by the crust's assimilation and fractional crystallization (AFC). This research will give an insight into the uplift mechanism of the Tibetan plateau.

Permian Fusuline Fauna from the Lower Part of the Lugu Formation in the Central Qiangtang Block and its Geological Implications

A Kubergandian （Kungurian） fusuline fauna from the lower part of the Lugu Formation in the Cuozheqiangma area,central Qiangtang Block is described.This fusuline fauna belongs to the Southern Transitional Zone in palaeobiogeography,and is characterised by the presence of the distinctive bi-temperate genus Monodiexodina and many genera common in lower latitude Tethyan areas such as Parafusulina and Pseudodoliolina.The occurrence of Monodiexodina in the fauna confirms that the seamount-type carbonates of the Lugu Formation did not originate from the Palaeotethys Ocean,but rather from a branch of the Neotethys Ocean after the rifting of the Qiangtang Block from the Tethys Himalaya area in the Artinskian.

DEFINITING AND ITS GEOLOGIC MEANING OF SOUTH-NORTH TREND FAULTED STRUCTURE BELT IN QIANGTANG BASIN, NORTH PART OF TIBET

There were more expounding to north—west (west) trend fault and north\|east trend fault within Qiangtang Basin, North Part of Tibet, in the past literature. With increasing of geophysical exploration data, nearly east\|west trend structure began to be taken note to. Since the year of 1995, by a synthetic study to geophysical and geological data, that south\|north trend faulted structures are well developed. These structures should be paid much more attention to, because they have important theoretical meaning and practical significance.1 Spreading of south\|north faulted structure belt According to different geological and geophysical data, the six larger scale nearly south\|north faulted structure belt could be distinguished within the scope of east longitude 84°～96° and near Qiangtang Basin. The actual location of the six belts are nearly located in the west of the six meridian of east longitude 85°,87°,89°,91°,93°,95° or located near these meridian. The six south\|north faulted structure belts spread in the same interval with near 2° longitude interval. The more clear and much more significance of south\|north trend faulted structure belts are the two S—N trend faulted structure belts of east longitude 87° and 89°. There are S—N trend faulted structure belts in the west of east longitude 83°,81°, or near the longitudes. The structure belts spreading features,manifestation,geological function and its importance, and inter texture and structure are not exactly so same. The structure belts all different degree caused different region of geological structure or gravity field and magnetic field. There is different scale near S—N trend faulted structure belt between the belts.

Sedimentary Conditions of Evaporites in the Late Jurassic Xiali Formation,Qiangtang Basin：Evidence from Geochemistry Records

The Qiangtang Basin（QB）, located in the central Tibetan Plateau, is a Jurassic marine basin and one of the most important prospective salt resource belts in China. In recent decades, many outcrops of gypsiferous bed have been found in the Jurassic marine strata in the basin. Salt springs with abnormally high sodium（Na-＋） contents had been identified in the Late Jurassic Xiali Formation（Fm.） in the basin in the last years. However, to date, no potash or halite deposits have been identified in the QB. Gypsum outcrops and salt springs are very important signs in the investigation of halite and potash deposits. Therefore, the Xiali Fm. is a potentially valuable layer to evaluate for the possible presence of halite and potash deposits in the basin. However, few studies have explored the formation conditions of evaporites in the unit. Here, we present detailed geochemical records from the Yanshiping section related to the study of the formation conditions of evaporites in the Xiali Fm. of the QB. Climate proxies based on the obviously increased anion concentrations of SO4（2-） and Cl-- and the significant correlation coefficients of Ca2＋-SO42-（R = 0.985） and Na-＋-Cl--（R = 0.8974） reveal that the upper member of the Xiali Fm.（the upper Xiali Fm.） formed under an arid climate and evolved into the sulfate phase or early chloride phase. Provenance proxies based on the obviously increased K-＋ and Na-＋ ion concentrations and the significant correlation coefficient of Na-＋-Cl--（R = 0.8974） suggest that the upper Xiali Fm. featured optimal provenance conditions for the possible formation of halite deposits. The regression and the semi-closed tidal flat environment in the upper Xiali Fm. were favorable for the formation of potash and halite deposits. The low Mg-（2＋） /Ca-（2＋） values（mean value = 1.82） and significant Na-＋-Cl-- correlation coefficient（R = 0.8974） also suggest that the upper Xiali Fm. is the layer most likely to contain potential halite deposits. In addition, the macroscopic correlations of tectonism, provenance, paleoclimate, saliferous strata and sedimentary environment between the QB and the adjoining Amu Darya Basin in Central Asia reveal that the two basins shared similar geologic settings that were favorable for the formation of evaporites during the Late Jurassic. Therefore, the upper Xiali Fm. is a valuable layer to explore for halite deposit and may be potentially valuable in the future exploration for potash deposits in the QB.

New Insights into the Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation of Northern Qiangtang, Tibet, China： Constraints from U-Pb Ages and Hf Isotopes of Detrital and Magmatic Zircons

We report here U-Pb age and in situ Hf isotopic results for detrital and magmatic zircons from one conglomerate and four tuffite samples from the Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation across the North Qiangtang depression, Tibet. Coupled with previously published data in the region, this paper proposes new insights into the geochronological framework for the Nadigangri Formation. The deposition ages of tuffite from top to bottom in the Woruo Mountain, Quem Co and Dongqu River, are 203 Ma, 226 Ma, 221.5 Ma and 221.1 Ma, respectively. The detrital zircons yield a younger cluster of ages of 201.5-225 Ma from the conglomerate of the Quem Co Formation. The Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation defines a temporal range approximately between 201 and 225 Ma （Norian-Rhaetian）, including three predominant groups of 220-225 Ma, 210-217 Ma and 201-205 Ma, which correspond with the three main rifting episodes of initial rifting, further rifting and final rifting. Positive ~Hf（t） value and low model ages in younger detrital zircons suggests a juvenile character. However, the Hf isotopes of magmatic zircons display the presence of reworked ancient crust with 1.1-1.8 Ga. These results provide strong constraints not only on the temporal range of the Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation, but also on the onset of the Qiangtang Mesozoic rift basin.

ANISOTROPIC FEATURE OF QIANGTANG MASSIF TEXTURE

Qiangtang Massif is located in the hinterland of Qinghai—Tibet plateau, which belong to the mid\|east section of Tethys Tectonic Domain.1 Features of the whole texture and structure of Qiangtang massif By synthetic analysis of gravity,magnetic field,MT,seismic surveying,etc. Geophysical data, the massif, lied in the tectonic setting and geodynamic setting mingled by the south,north tectonic belts, have the features of massif,basin and tectonic belt three forming an organic whole,multi\|degree coupling in plane and section with division of region in south\|north trend,division of block\|fault in east\|west trend,division of sphere\|layer in vertical direction. (1) Belting in south\|north trend: Qiangtang massif could be divided into four units from north to south, that is north edge doming zone, west part doming area,Qiangtang Basin and south edge doming zone. Qiangtang Basin also can be divided into four tectonic units—north Qiangtang down\|warping region, middle downing zone, south Qiangtang down\|warping and east part slope region. The near east\|west trend tectonic zones are well developed. There is aero\|magnetic anomaly distributed in belting with east\|west trend but also concentrated in section. Gravity anomaly is high in the south\|west part and low in the northeast part. Inter\|crust low resistance layer alternately distributed with high and low belting of sou th\|north trend in plane.

Conditions of Petroleum Geology of the Qiangtang Basin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau located in the Tethyan tectonic domain is the best developed region of Mesozoic and Cenozoic marine sediments in China. The Qiangtang basin is the biggest and relatively stable area of the plateau. Triassic and Jurassic hydrocarbon source rocks are extensively distributed in the basin. There exist good dolomite and organic reef reservoirs and mudstone and evaporite cap rocks, as well as well-developed structural traps in the basin; in addition destroyed petroleum traps have been discovered. Therefore, the conditions of petroleum geology in the Qiangtang basin are excellent

Reconstruction of the Triassic Tectonic Lithofacies Paleogeography in Qiangtang Region, Northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

The Triassic petrostratigraphic system and chronologic stratigraphic sketch have been updated and perfected in the Qiangtang area, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau based on the integrated 1：250000 regional geological survey and the latest research progeny. The first finished 1：3000000 Triassic tectonic lithofacies paleogeographic maps in the Qiangtang area shows that the Triassic tectonic unit in the Qiangtang area can been divided into three parts from north to south： northern Qiangtang block; Longmucuo-Shuanghu suture zone; and southern Qiangtang block. The early-middle Triassic tectonic paleogeography in the Qiangtang area is divides into three sub- units： northern Qiangtang passive continental marginal basin （NQPB）, Longmucuo- Shuanghu residual basin （LSRB） and southern Qiangtang residual basin （SQRB）. The NQPB can be subdivided into four paleogeography units： The Tanggula-Zangxiahe shallow and bathyal sea; The Wangquanhe- Yingshuiquan carbonate platform; The Rejuechaka-Jiangaidarina littoral- shallow sea; and Qiangtang central uplift. The above units of The NQPB possess EW trend, geomorphology high in the south and low in the north, the seawater depth northward. The basinal paleo-current direction is unidirectional, and basinal tectonic subsidence center is in accord with the depo-center, located in the Tanggula-Zangxiahe belt, north of the basin. The sedimentation and tectonic evolution of the NQPB are characterized with passive continental marginal basin. The Qiangtang central orogenic denuded area （ancient land） may be as a sedimentary materials source of the NQPB. SQRB can be divided into two units： Duoma carbonate platform and southern Qiangtang neritic-deep sea. The late Triassic tectonic paleogeography in the Qiangtang area is the framework of the ＂archipelagic-sea＂ as a whole, and it may be divided into three sub-units： northern Qiangtang back- arc foreland basin（NQFB）, Longmucuo-Shuanghu residual basin（LSRB） and southern Qiangtang marginal-sea basin（SQMB）. Thereinto, NQFB can be divided into five paleogeography units： the Zangxiahe-Mingjinghu bathyal basin characterized with the flysch; the Tanggula shallow-sea shelf with the fine-clastics; the Juhuashang platform with carbonates; the Tumenggela-Shuanghu coastal- delta with coal-bearing clastics and the Nadigangri- Geladandong arc with volcanics and tuffs. In transverse section, the NQFB fills is wedge-shaped, and the sediments characterized with thicker in north and thinner in south, and with double materials derived from the Ruolagangri orogenic belt in north and the Shuanghu central orogenic belt in south. The late Triassic depocenter of NQFB is located in the middle of the basin, the Yakecuo-Bandaohu-Quemocuo belt, but the subsidence center in the north, the Zangxiahe- Mingjinghu belt, and basinal tectonic subsidence center not concordant with the depo-center. Late Triassic, the SQMB may be divided into three sub-units： Xiaochaka shallow-sea; Riganpeicuo platform~ and South Qiangtang southern bathyal basin. In transverse section, the basement of the SQMB is characterized with low in the northern and southern, but high in the middle; forming wedge shaped sediments with thicker in the north and thinner in the south; the sedimentary materials derived from the Qiangtang central uplift and Nadigangri arcs in north. The late Triassic subsidence centre of the SQMB is located in the northern （Xiaochaka area）, but the depocenter in the southern （Qixiancuo Suobucha area）. The sedimentation and tectonic evolution of the SQMB are characterized with marginal sea.

40Ar-39Ar Geochronology and Tectonic Implications of the Blueschist from Northwestern Qiangtang, Northern Tibet, Western China

Blueschist exposed in the northwestern Qiangtang terrane, northern Tibet, western China （84 30＇ E, 34024＇ N）, provides new constraints on the tectonic evolution of Qiangtang as well as northern Tibet. The blueschist represented by lawsonite- and glaucophane-bearing assemblages equilibrated at 375-400 C and 11 kbar. 4Ar-39Ar analysis on mineral separate from one blueschist sample yielded a well-defined plateau age of 242 Ma. Geochemical studies show the blueschist is metamorphosed within-plate basalts. The high pressure-low temperature blueschist indicates a Triassic event of lithosphere subduction, and clearly represents an extension of the central Qiangtang metamorphic belt, and defines an in situ suture between eastern and western Qiangtang.

Apatite Fission Track Ages in the Duolong Ore District and the Uplift Time of the Qiangtang Terrrane, Tibet

Objective Fission track （FT） analysis has developed into one of the most useful techniques throughout the geologic community to reconstruct low-temperature thermal historyof rocks over geological time （Reiners et al., 2005）. The FT method is based on the accumulation of narrow damage trails （i.e., fission tracks） in uranium-rich mineral grains （e.g., apatite, zircon, titanite） and natural glasses, which form as a result of spontaneous nuclear fission decay of 238U in nature. Apatite Fission Track （AFT） has been used in many places in Tibet to study the Qinghai- Tibetan Plateanuplifl-exhumation history. However, few AFT studies have been reported in the Duolong ore district. The Duolong ore district is one of the most important ore districts in the Bangong Co-Nujiang metallogenic belt, Tibet （Lin Bin et al., 2017） and the uplift-exhumation of the Duolong ore district is closely related to the evolution of the Qiangtang Basin. Therefore, AFT of the Duolong ore district will provide important information about the uplift-exhumation history of the Duolong ore district and the Qiangtang Basin.

The northern Qiangtang Block rapid drift during the Triassic Period:Paleomagnetic evidence

As one of the pivotal Gondwana-derived blocks,the kinematic history of the northern Qiangtang Block(in the Tibetan Plateau)remains unclear,mainly because quantitative paleomagnetic data to determine the paleoposition are sparse.Thus,for this study,we collected 226 samples(17 sites)from Triassic sedimentary rocks in the Raggyorcaka and Tuotuohe areas of the northern Qiangtang Block(NQB).Stepwise demagnetization isolated high temperature/field components from the samples.Both Early and Late Triassic datasets passed field tests at a 99%confidence level and were proved to be primary origins.Paleopoles were calculated to be at 24.9°N and 216.5°E with A95=8.2°(N=8)for the Early Triassic dataset,and at 68.1 N,179.9 E with A(95)=5.6°(N=37)for the Late Triassic,the latter being combined with a coeval volcanic dataset published previously.These paleopoles correspond to paleolatitudes of14.3°S±8.2°and 29.9 N15.6°,respectively.Combining previously published results,we reconstructed a three-stage northward drift process for the NQB.(1)The northern Qiangtang Block was located in the subtropical part of the southern hemisphere until the Early Triassic;(2)thereafter,the block rapidly drifted northward from southern to northern hemispheres during the Triassic;and(3)the block converged with the Eurasian continent in the Late Triassic.The^4800 km northward movement from the Early to Late Triassic corresponded to an average motion rate of^11.85 cm/yr.The rapid drift of the NQB after the Early Triassic led to a rapid transformation of the Tethys Ocean.

Typical Soft–Sediment Deformation Structures Induced by Freeze/Thaw Cycles: A Case Study of Quaternary Alluvial Deposits in the Northern Qiangtang Basin, Tibetan Plateau

With the objective of establishing a distinction between deformation structures caused by freeze/thaw cycles and those resulting from seismic activity, we studied three well–exposed alluvial deposits in a section at Dogai Coring, northern Qiangtang Basin, Tibetan Plateau. Deformation is present in the form of plastic structures(diapirs, folds and clastic dykes), brittle structures(micro–faults) and cryogenic wedges. These soft–sediment deformation features(except the micro–faults) are mainly characterized by meter–scale, non–interlayered, low–speed and low–pressure displacements within soft sediments, most commonly in the form of plastic deformation. Taking into account the geographic setting, lithology and deformation features, we interpret these soft–sediment deformation features as the products of freeze/thaw cycles, rather than of earthquake–induced shock waves, thus reflecting regional temperature changes and fluctuations of hydrothermal conditions in the uppermost sediments. The micro–faults(close to linear hot springs) are ascribed to regional fault activity;however, we were unable to identify the nature of the micro–faults, perhaps due to disturbance by subsequent freeze/thaw cycles. This study may serve as a guide to recognizing the differences between deformation structures attributed to freeze/thaw cycles and seismic processes.

Geological Conditions and Prospect Forecast of Shale Gas Formation in Qiangtang Basin, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The presence of shale gas has been confirmed in almost every marine shale distribution area in North America.Formation conditions of shale gas in China are the most favorable for marine,organic-rich shale as well.But there has been little research focusing on shale gas in Qiangtang Basin,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,where a lot of Mesozoic marine shale formations developed.Based on the survey results of petroleum geology and comprehensive test analysis data for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,for the first time,this paper discusses characteristics of sedimentary development,thickness distribution,geochemistry,reservoir and burial depth of organic-rich shale,and geological conditions for shale gas formation in Qiangtang Basin.There are four sets of marine shale strata in Qiangtang Basin including Upper Triassic Xiaochaka Formation （T3x）,Middle Jurassic Buqu Formation （J2b）,Xiali Formation （J2x） and Upper Jurassic Suowa Formation （J3s）,the sedimentary types of which are mainly bathyal-basin facies,open platform-platform margin slope facies,lagoon and tidal-fiat facies,as well as delta facies.By comparing it with the indicators of gas shale in the main U.S.basins,it was found that the four marine shale formations in Qiangtang Basin constitute a multi-layer distribution of organic-rich shale,featuring a high degree of thickness and low abundance of organic matter,high thermal evolution maturity,many kinds of brittle minerals,an equivalent content of quartz and clay minerals,a high content of feldspar and low porosity,which provide basic conditions for an accumulation of shale gas resources.Xiaochaka Formation shale is widely distributed,with big thickness and the best gas generating indicators.It is the main gas source layer.Xiali Formation shale is of intermediate thickness and coverage area,with relatively good gas generating indicators and moderate gas formation potential.Buqu Formation shale and Suowa Formation shale are of relatively large thickness,and covering a small area,with poor gas generating indicators,and limited gas formation potential.The shale gas geological resources and technically recoverable resources were estimated by using geologic analogy method,and the prospective areas and potentially favorable areas for Mesozoic marine shale gas in Qiangtang Basin are forecast and analyzed.It is relatively favorable in a tectonic setting and indication of oil and gas,shale maturity,sedimentary thickness and gypsum-salt beds,and in terms of mineral association for shale gas accumulation.But the challenge lies in overcoming the harsh natural conditions which contributes to great difficulties in ground engineering and exploration,and high exploration costs.

Late Cambrian to Early Silurian Granitic Rocks of the Gemuri Area, Central Qiangtang, North Tibet: New Constraints on the Tectonic Evolution of the Northern Margin of Gondwana

The Paleozoic tectonic framework and paleo–plate configuration of the northern margin of Gondwana remain controversial. The South Qiangtang terrane is located along the northern margin of Gondwana and records key processes in the formation and evolution of this supercontinent. Here, we present new field, petrological, zircon U-Pb geochronological, and Lu-Hf isotopic data for granitic rocks of the Gemuri pluton, all of which provide new insights into the evolution of the northern margin of Gondwana. Zircon U-Pb dating of the Gemuri pluton yielded three concordant ages of 488.5 ± 2.1, 479.9 ± 8.9, and 438.5 ± 3.5 Ma. Combining these ages with the results of previous research indicates that the South Qiangtang terrane records two magmatic episodes at 502–471 and 453–439 Ma. These two episodes are associated with enriched zircon Hf isotopic compositions(εHf(t) =-10.1 to-3.9 and-16.6 to-6.5, respectively), suggesting the granites were formed by the partial melting of Paleoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks(Two–stage Hf model ages(TCDM) = 2094–1704 and 2466–1827 Ma, respectively). Combining these data with the presence of linearly distributed, contemporaneous Paleozoic igneous rocks along the northern margin of Gondwana, we suggest that all of these rocks were formed in an active continental margin setting. This manifests that the two magmatic episodes within the Gemuri area were associated with southward subduction in the Proto-(Paleo-) Tethys Ocean.