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.

Influences of burial process on diagenesis and high-quality reservoir development of deep-ultra-deep clastic rocks:A case study of Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in southern margin of Junggar Basin,NW China

Taking the Lower Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in the southern margin of Junggar Basin as an example,the influences of the burial process in a foreland basin on the diagenesis and the development of high-quality reservoirs of deep and ultra-deep clastic rocks were investigated using thin section,scanning electron microscope,electron probe,stable isotopic composition and fluid inclusion data.The Qingshuihe Formation went through four burial stages of slow shallow burial,tectonic uplift,progressive deep burial and rapid deep burial successively.The stages of slow shallow burial and tectonic uplift not only can alleviate the mechanical compaction of grains,but also can maintain an open diagenetic system in the reservoirs for a long time,which promotes the dissolution of soluble components by meteoric freshwater and inhibits the precipitation of dissolution products in the reservoirs.The late rapid deep burial process contributed to the development of fluid overpressure,which effectively inhibits the destruction of primary pores by compaction and cementation.The fluid overpressure promotes the development of microfractures in the reservoir,which enhances the dissolution effect of organic acids.Based on the quantitative reconstruction of porosity evolution history,it is found that the long-term slow shallow burial and tectonic uplift processes make the greatest contribution to the development of deep-ultra-deep high-quality clastic rock reservoirs,followed by the late rapid deep burial process,and the progressive deep burial process has little contribution.

Optimization of water-urban-agricultural-ecological land use pattern:A case study of Guanzhong Basin in the southern Loess Plateau of Shaanxi Province,China

Extensive land use will cause many environmental problems.It is an urgent task to improve land use efficiency and optimize land use patterns.In recent years,due to the flow decrease,the Guanzhong Basin in Shaanxi Province is confronted with the problem of insufficient water resources reserve.Based on the Coupled Ground-Water and Surface-Water Flow Model(GSFLOW),this paper evaluates the response of water resources in the basin to changes in land use patterns,optimizes the land use pattern,improves the ecological and economic benefits,and the efficiency of various spatial development,providing a reference for ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.The research shows that the land use pattern in the Guanzhong Basin should be further optimized.Under the condition of considering ecological and economic development,the percentage change of the optimum area of farmland,forest,grassland,water area,and urban area compared with the current land use area ratio is+2.3,+2.4,-6.1,+0.2,and+1.6,respectively.The economic and ecological value of land increases by14.1%and 3.1%,respectively,and the number of water resources can increase by 2.5%.

Extension of the Louzidian Metamorphic Core Complex and Development of Supradetachment Basins in Southern Chifeng,Inner Mongolia,China

The Louzidian metamorphic core complex (LMCC) in southern Chifeng is located on the northern margin of the North China craton. Structural analyses of the LMCC and its extensional detachment system indicate that the LMCC experienced two-stage extension. The ductile regime experienced top-to-northeast shearing extension and the brittle detachment fault underwent top-down-outwards slipping. Between these two stages, a semi-ductile regime recorded the transition from ductile to brittle. The hanging wall of the detachment fault is similar to those classic supradetachment basins in western North America. Analyses of provenance and paleocurrent directions in the basins show that there were two filling stages. In the early stage, materials came from the southwest margin of the basin and the hanging wall of the detachment system and were transported from southwest to northeast; while in the late stage, deposits were derived from the footwall of the detachment fault and transported outwards to the two sides of the core complex. Since the filling period of the basins is from the late Jurassic to the late Cretaceous and it is coeval with the extension, the two filling stages reflect the two-stage history of the detachment fault. The large-scale late Jurassic underplating in the deep crust of the Chifeng area led to thickening and heating of the middle-upper crust and trigged the extension at depths and volcanism on the surface. In the early Cretaceous the upper plate of the detachment fault moved northeastwards and sediments were transported from southwest to northeast, while in the late Cretaceous the core complex was uplifted rapidly, the original basin was separated by the uplifted core, and lower-plate-derived debris was deposited in the adjacent upper-plate basins of the detachment fault. Evidentially, the development of the supradetachment basins were controlled by the extension and in turn the fillings in the basins recorded information of the extension, which has provided new evidence for kinematic interpretation of the Louzidian core complex.

Methods of Studying Petroleum Systems in Residual Basins-A Case Study of Mesozoic and Palaeozoic MarineBasins in Southern China

Through an integrated study of Mesozoic and Palaeozoic petroleum geology insouthern China and a summing-up of the results of exploration, the authors tentatively put forward aset of methods of studying petroleum systems in modified residual basins or superposed basins. Itscore idea is to put emphasis on the study of the dynamic evolution of petroleum systems. Thetempo-spatial evolution, hydrocarbon-generating processes and hydrocarbon-generating intensities andamounts of resources in different geological stages of chief source rocks are mainly deducedbackward by 3-D basin modelling. The regularities of formation and destruction of oil and gasaccumulations are summarized by analyzing the fossil and existing oil and gas accumulations, thedirection of migration is studied by palaeo-structural analysis, and the dynamic evolution ofPalaeozoic and Mesozoic petroleum systems in southern China is studied according to stages of majortectonic movements. The authors suggest that the realistic exploration targets of Palaeozoic andMesozoic petroleum systems in southern China are secondary and hydrocarbon-regeneration petroleumsystems, while the existing primary petroleum systems are rare. They propose that the favourableareas for exploration of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic petroleum systems in southern China are the frontarea of the Daba Mountains and the steep anticlinal zone on the western side of the Shizhusynclinorium in northeastern Sichuan, the Funin-Yancheng-Hai'an-Xinghua-Baoying area in the northernJiangsu basin, the Qianjiang-Xiantao-Paizhou-Chacan 1 well area in the southern part of the Chenhuarea of the Jianghan basin, the South Poyang basin in Jiangxi and the North subbasin of the Chuxiongbasin. This view has been supported by the discovery of the Zhujiadun gas field in the Yanchengsubbasin of the northern Jiangsu basin and the Kaixiantaixi oil-bearing structure in the southernpart of the Chenhu area of the Jianghan basin.

Ramp facies in an intracratonic basin:A case study from the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous in central Hunan,southern China

Detailed studies on Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous carbonate rocks in central Hunan, southern China have led to the recognition of 25 lithofacies which can be grouped into： （I） inner ramp peritidal platform, （2） inner ramp organic hank and mound, （3） mid ramp, （4） outer ramp, and （5） shelf basin facies associations. The peritidal platform facies association dominates the Zimenqiao Formation （Namurian A or late Datangian） and is characterized by gypsum and dolostone-containing sequences, indicating a peritidal platform environment. The other four facies associations dominate the Menggongao Formation （late Famennian）, Liujiatang Formation （Tournaisian or Yangruanian）, Shidengzi Formations （early Visean or early Datangian）. Five upward-shallowing cycles were distinguished in these three Formations. The predominant facies associations developed in each Formation demonstrate an overall transgression-regression cycle in the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous in central Hunan. The overall transgressive sequence was preserved in the Shaodong, Menggongao, and Liujiatang Formations, and the overall regressive sequence was preserved in the Liujiatang, Shidengzi, Ceshui and Zimenqiao Formations.

Geochemical characteristics and genetic model of dolomite reservoirs in the eastern margin of the Pre-Caspian Basin

The widespread Carboniferous KT-I dolomite in the eastern margin of the Pre-Caspian Basin is an important hydrocarbon reservoir. The dolomite lithology is dominated by crystalline dolomite. The δ18O values range from -6.71‰ to 2.45‰, and average 0.063‰, obviously larger than -2.5‰, indicating low-temperature dolomite of evaporation origin. Stable strontium isotope ratios （87Sr/86Sr） range from 0.70829 to 0.70875 and average 0.708365, very consistent with 87Sr/86Sr ratios in Carboniferous seawater. Chemical analysis of Ca and Mg elements shows that the dolomite has 9.1 mole% excess Ca or even higher before stabilization. The degree of order of dolomite is medium–slightly poor, varying in a range of 0.336-0.504 and averaging 0.417. It suggests that the dolomite formed under near-surface conditions. There are two models for the origin of the Carboniferous KT-I dolomite reservoir. These are 1） the evaporation concentration – weathering crust model and 2） the shoal facies – seepage reflux model. The former is mainly developed in restricted platforms – evaporate platforms of restricted marine deposition environments with a representation of dolomite associated with gypsum and mudstone. The latter mainly formed in platform edge shoals and intra-platform shoals and is controlled by dolomitization due to high salinity sea water influx from adjacent restricted sea or evaporate platform.

Geological Controls on the CBM Productivity of No.15 Coal Seam of Carboniferous–Permian Taiyuan Formation in Southern Qinshui Basin and Prediction for CBM High-yield Potential Regions

Coalbed methane(CBM) resources in No.15 coal seam of Taiyuan Formation account for 55% of the total CBM resources in southern Qinshui Basin(SQB), and have a great production potential. This study aims at investigating the CBM production in No.15 coal seam and its influence factors. Based on a series of laboratory experiments and latest exploration and development data from local coal mines and CBM companies, the spatial characteristics of gas production of No.15 coal seam were analyzed and then the influences of seven factors on the gas productivity of this coal seam were discussed, including coal thickness, burial depth, gas content, ratio of critical desorption pressure to original coal reservoir pressure(RCPOP), porosity, permeability, and hydrogeological condition. The influences of hydrological condition on CBM production were analyzed based on the discussions of four aspects: hydrogeochemistry, roof lithology and its distribution, hydrodynamic field of groundwater, and recharge rate of groundwater. Finally, a three-level analytic hierarchy process(AHP) evaluation model was proposed for predicting the CBM potentials of the No.15 coal seam in the SQB. The best prospective target area for CBM production of the No.15 coal seam is predicted to be in the districts of Panzhuang, Chengzhuang and south of Hudi.

Characterizing the Micropores in Lacustrine Shales of the Late Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation of Southern Songliao Basin, NE China

Micropores of shale are significant to the gas content and production potential of shale, which has been verified in the research of marine shale gas; while, few studies have been conducted on lacustrine shales. This study collected 42 samples from three wells in the Late Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation of the southern Songliao Basin, NE China, and investigated these samples by the focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope(FIB–SEM) and nitrogen adsorption analysis techniques. Four types of micropores were identified in the samples, i.e., intergranular pore, intracellular pore, organic matter pore and microfracture. The pore structure type is characterized by open slit pores and "ink type" pores which are mainly 1.5–5 nm in diameter with mesopores as the main pores. The mesopores account for 74.01% of the pore volume and 54.68% of the pore surface area. Compared with the lacustrine shales from the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin and Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin, the intergranular clay mineral interlayer pores are considered to be the main reservoir space for shale gas storage in the study area, followed by intraparticle pores, organic matter pores and microfractures. Maturity and micropore are the key controlling factors which affect the shale gas content of the Qingshankou Formation in southern Songliao Basin.

Triassic Sequence Stratigraphy and Sea-Level Changes in Qomolongma Area, Southern Tibet, China: From Epicontinental Sea to Rift Basin

The Triassic in the Qomolongma area, southern Tibet, was deposited under an extensional tectonic setting from the Pangea supercontinent to continental rifting. From the Induan to Rhaetian, 12 depositional sequences (3rd order) have been recognized, which can be grouped into 5 sequence sets and in turn make up a well defined mesosequence (2nd order). Among the recognized marine transgressions, those at 250 Ma, 239 Ma, 231 Ma and 223 Ma respectively are particularly of significance and can be correlated widely across continents. The study shows that in Triassic the Qomolongma area experienced a sedimentary evolution from epicontinental sea to rift basin with the turning point at ca 228 Ma. During the early and middle epochs, the area was under epeiric sea, with carbonate ramp to mixed shoal environments predominant. In the late Carnian, the strong extension initiated listric faulting, thus resulting in rapid basement subsidence and the onset of a rift basin. From the late Norian to Rhaetian, it manifested as a rapid basin filling process in the area. Coupled with long term sea level fall, the excessive terrigenous influx led to the shift of environment from deep water prodelta to shore and finally to fluvial plain.

Differences in nitrous oxide distribution patterns between the Bering Sea basin and Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean

Nitrous oxide （N2O） distribution patterns in the Bering Sea basin （BSB） and Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean （ISSO） were described and compared. In both sites, the waters were divided into four layers： surface layer, subsurface layer, N2O maximum layer, and deep water. Simulations were made to find out the most important factors that regulate the N2O distribution patterns in different layers of both sites. The results showed that in the surface water, N2O was more understaturated in the ISSO than the BSB. This phenom- enon in the surface water of ISSO may result from ice melt water intrusion and northeastward transport of the Antarctic surface water. Results of the rough estimation of air-sea fluxes during the expedition were （-0.34±0.07）-（-0.64±0.13） μmol/（m2·d） and （-1.47±0.42）-（-1.77±0.51） μmol/（m-2·d） for the BSB and the ISSO, respectively. Strongly stratified surface layer and temperature minimum layer restricted exchange across the thermocline. The N2O maximum existed in higher concentration and deeper in the BSB than the ISSO, but their contribution to the upper layer by eddy diffusions was negligible. In deep waters, a concentration difference of 5 nmol/L N2O between these two sites was found, which suggested that N2O production occurred during thermohaline circulation. N2O may be a useful tracer to study important large-scale hydrographic processes.

Simulation for the Controlling Factors of Structural Deformation in the Southern Margin of the Junggar Basin

According to the differences of structural deformation characteristics, the southern margin of the Junggar basin can be divided into two segments from east to west. Arcnate thrust-and-fold belts that protrude to the north are developed in the eastern segment. There are three rows of en echelon thrust-and-fold belts in the western segment. Thrust and fold structures of basement-involved styles are developed in the first row, and decollement fold structures are formed from the second row to the third row. In order to study the factors controlling the deformation of structures, sand-box experiments have been devised to simulate the evolution of plane and profile deformation. The planar simulation results indicate that the orthogonal compression coming from Bogeda Mountain and the oblique compression with an angle of 75° between the stress and the boundary originating from North Tianshan were responsible for the deformation differences between the eastern part and the western part. The Miquan-Uriimqi fault in the basement is the pre-existing condition for generating fragments from east to west. The profile simulation results show that the main factors controlling the deformation in the eastern part are related to the decollement of Jurassic coal beds alone, while those controlling the deformation in the western segment are related to both the Jurassic coal beds and the Eogene clay beds. The total amount of shortening from the Yaomoshan anticline to the Gumudi anticline in the eastern part is -19.57 km as estimated from the simulation results, and the shortening rate is about 36.46%; that from the Qingshuihe anticline to the Anjihai anticline in the western part is -22.01 km as estimated by the simulation results, with a shortening rate of about 32.48%. These estimated values obtained from the model results are very close to the values calculated by means of the balanced cross section.

Porosity model and pore evolution of transitional shales:an example from the Southern North China Basin

The evolution of shale reservoirs is mainly related to two functions:mechanical compaction controlled by ground stress and chemical compaction controlled by thermal effect.Thermal simulation experiments were conducted to simulate the chemical compaction of marine-continental transitional shale,and X-ray diffraction(XRD),CO2 adsorption,N2 adsorption and high-pressure mercury injection(MIP)were then used to characterize shale diagenesis and porosity.Moreover,simulations of mechanical compaction adhering to mathematical models were performed,and a shale compaction model was proposed considering clay content and kaolinite proportions.The advantage of this model is that the change in shale compressibility,which is caused by the transformation of clay minerals during thermal evolution,may be considered.The combination of the thermal simulation and compaction model may depict the interactions between chemical and mechanical compaction.Such interactions may then express the pore evolution of shale in actual conditions of formation.Accordingly,the obtained results demonstrated that shales having low kaolinite possess higher porosity at the same burial depth and clay mineral content,proving that other clay minerals such as illite-smectite mixed layers(I/S)and illite are conducive to the development of pores.Shales possessing a high clay mineral content have a higher porosity in shallow layers(<3500 m)and a lower porosity in deep layers(>3500 m).Both the amount and location of the increase in porosity differ at different geothermal gradients.High geothermal gradients favor the preservation of high porosity in shale at an appropriate Ro.The pore evolution of the marine-continental transitional shale is divided into five stages.Stage 2 possesses an Ro of 1.0%-1.6%and has high porosity along with a high specific surface area.Stage 3 has an Ro of 1.6%-2.0%and contains a higher porosity with a low specific surface area.Finally,Stage 4 has an Ro of 2.0%-2.9%with a low porosity and high specific surface area.

Structure and production fluid flow pattern of post-fracturing high-rank coal reservoir in Southern Qinshui Basin

Field geological work, field engineering monitoring, laboratory experiments and numerical simulation were used to study the development characteristics of pore-fracture system and hydraulic fracture of No.3 coal reservoir in Southern Qinshui Basin. Flow patterns of methane and water in pore-fracture system and hydraulic fracture were discussed by using limit method and average method. Based on the structure model and flow pattern of post-fracturing high-rank coal reservoir, flow patterns of methane and water were established. Results show that seepage pattern of methane in pore-fracture system is linked with pore diameter, fracture width, coal bed pressure and flow velocity. While in hydraulic fracture, it is controlled by fracture height, pressure and flow velocity. Seepage pattern of water in pore-fracture system is linked with pore diameter, fracture width and flow velocity. While in hydraulic fracture, it is controlled by fracture height and flow velocity. Pores and fractures in different sizes are linked up by ultramicroscopic fissures, micro-fissures and hydraulic fracture. In post-fracturing high-rank coal reservoir, methane has level-three flow and gets through triple medium to the wellbore; and water passes mainly through double medium to the wellbore which is level-two flow.

Neogene coupling between Kuqa Basin and Southern Tien Shan Orogen, Northwestern China

Based on the sedimentary and subsiding features of Kuqa foreland basin, this paper presents the following characteristics of Neogene coupling relationship between Kuqa Basin and Southern Tien Shan Orogen, Northwestern China: (1) The Southern Tien Shan Orogen underwent Neogene uplifting of 4 km in height and the Kuqa Basin underwent Neogene subsidence of 4?6 km in depth accordingly beginning in 25 Ma; (2) The Southern Tien Shan Orogen moved continuously toward the Kuqa Basin, with largest structural shortening rate of greater than 53.7%, and the north boundary of the Kuqa Basin retreated continuously southward accordingly since the Miocene; (3) There are two subsidence centers with high subsiding rates and large subsiding extent, located in the eastern and western Kuqa Basin respectively, with the subsiding maximizing in the deposition period of Kuqa Formation.

The progress and prospects of shale gas exploration and development in southern Sichuan Basin, SW China

The Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Silurian Longmaxi Formation organic-rich shales distributed widely and stably in Southern Sichuan Basin were investigated based on drilling data.Geological evaluation of wells show that the shale reservoirs have good properties in the Yibin,Weiyuan,Zigong,Changning,Luzhou,Dazu areas,with key parameters such as TOC,porosity,gas content similar to the core shale gas production zones.Moreover,these areas are stable in structure,good in preservation conditions and highly certain in resources.The shale reservoirs have a burial depth of 4 500 m or shallow,a total area of over 2×10~4 km^2 and estimated resource of over10×10^(12) m^3,so they are the most resource-rich and practical areas for shale gas exploitation in China.Through construction of the Changning-Weiyuan national demonstration region,the production and EUR of shale gas wells increased significantly,the cost of shale gas wells decreased remarkable,resulting in economic benefit better than expected.Moreover,the localized exploration and development technologies and methods are effective and repeatable,so it is the right time for accelerating shale gas exploitation.Based on the production decline pattern of horizontal wells at present and wells to be drilled in the near future,at the end of the 13th Five Year Plan,the production of shale gas in southern Sichuan Basin is expected to reach or exceed 10 billion cubic meters per year.The resources are sufficient for a stable production period at 30 billion cubic meters per year,which will make the South Sichuan basin become the largest production base of shale gas in China.

Zircon U-Pb Age of the Lamenzi Formation Volcanic Rocks in the Liuhe Basin of Southern Jilin Province, China

Objective A large number of Mesozoic volcano-sedimentary basins is distributed in southern Jilin Province,China,and filled with a great set of coal-bearing strata.According to the petroleum resources evaluation by previous researchers,these basins have decent exploration potential(Wang Dandan et al.,2017).The Liuhe Basin is one of the

New Discovery of Red Paleosols with Calcite and Zeolitic Rhizoliths in the Late Cretaceous Yaojia Formation, Southern Songliao Basin,NE China

Objective Paleosols in terrestrial deposits provide important insight into paleoclimate and tectonic events(Gong Hujun et al., 2017). The Late Cretaceous continental red bed in the Songliao Basin of NE China records the paleoclimate characteristics during the Cretaceous greenhouse period. A series of data has been obtained from cores in continental scientific drilling wells(Wang, 2013). However, few investigations have reported on paleoclimatic and tectonic

Coalbed Methane Enrichment Regularity and Major Control Factors in the Xishanyao Formation in the Western Part of the Southern Junggar Basin

There are abundant coal and coalbed methane(CBM)resources in the Xishanyao Formation in the western region of the southern Junggar Basin,and the prospects for CBM exploration and development are promising.To promote the exploration and development of the CBM resources of the Xishanyao Formation in this area,we studied previous coalfield survey data and CBM geological exploration data.Then,we analyzed the relationships between the gas content and methane concentration vs.coal seam thickness,burial depth,coal reservoir physical characteristics,hydrogeological conditions,and roof and floor lithology.In addition,we briefly discuss the main factors influencing CBM accumulation.First,we found that the coal strata of the Xishanyao Formation in the study area are relatively simple in structure,and the coal seam has a large thickness and burial depth,as well as moderately good roof and floor conditions.The hydrogeological conditions and coal reservoir physical characteristics are also conducive to the enrichment and a high yield of CBM.We believe that the preservation of CBM resources in the study area is mainly controlled by the structure,burial depth,and hydrogeological conditions.Furthermore,on the basis of the above results,the coal seam of the Xishanyao Formation in the synclinal shaft and buried at depths of 700-1000 m should be the first considered for development.

Kinematic evolution of fold-and-thrust belts in the Yubei-Tangbei area: Implications for tectonic events in the southern Tarim Basin

The Yubei-Tangbei area in the southern Tarim Basin is one of the best-preserved Early Paleozoic northeast-southwest trending fold-and-thrust belts within this basin.This area is crucial for the exploration of primary hydrocarbon reservoirs in northwestern China.In this study,we constructed the structural geometric morphology of the Yubei-Tangbei area using geophysical logs,drilling,and recent two-and three-dimensional(2-D and 3-D)seismic data.The Early Paleozoic fault-propagation folds,the Tangnan triangle zone,fault-detachment folds,and trishear fault-propagation folds developed with the detachment of the Middle Cambrian gypsum–salt layer.According to a detailed chronostratigraphic framework,the growth strata in the Upper Ordovician–Lower Silurian layer formed by onlapping the back limb of the asymmetric fault-propagation folds,which therefore defines the timing of deformations.The changes in kink band hinges and amplitudes in the Permian–Carboniferous and Cenozoic folding strata suggest that the evolution of the fold-and-thrust belts followed a sequential evolution process rather than a simultaneous one.Above the pre-existing Precambrian basement structure,the Yubei-Tangbei fold-and-thrust belts can be divided into four tectonic evolution stages:Late Cambrian,Late Ordovician to Early Carboniferous,Carboniferous to Permian,and Cenozoic.The northwestern-verging Cherchen Fault is part of the piedmont fold-and-thrust system of the southern Tarim foreland basin.We interpreted its strata as a breakthrough trishear fault-propagation fold that developed in three phases:Mid–Late Ordovician,Silurian to Middle Devonian,and Triassic to present.These tectonic events are responses of the Altyn-Tagh and Kunlun collisional orogenic belts and the Indian-Eurasian collision.The inherited deformation and structural modification in the southern Tarim Basin may be an indicator of the growth and evolution of peripheral orogens.