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.

Paleogene-Neogene stratigraphic realm and tectonic-sedimentary evolution of the Qilian Mountains and their surrounding areas

The Cenozoic uplift of Qilian Mountains is critical to comprehend the uplift and extension of the Tibet Plateau as well as the formation of the first and second steps in China's topography. This study summarized dynamic stratigraphic realm comprehensively on the basis of stratigraphic correlation of different Cenozoic sedimentary basin regions of the Qilian Mountains and adjacent mountains. This facilitated the re-creation of the tectonic-sedimentary evolutionary process of the Qilian Mountains and their surrounding areas. The results indicate that during the Early Paleogene(Paleocene-Eocene), the Qilian Mountains were part of an uplift realm. During the Oligocene, Guide-Xining-Lanzhou-Linxia sag basin at the northern margin of the West Qinling Mountains came into being and was subjected to sedimentation. The Suli Basin located between the North and South Qilian paleo-uplifts began to form and undergo sedimentation. Intracontinental orogenic extrusion and basin detachment occurred at the Qilian Mountains during the Miocene, which caused successive uplifts of various mountains, including the Laji, South Qinghai,Jishi, Liupan, and South Shule Mountains. Until Pliocene, Qilian Mountains uplifted continuously and resulted in the shrink,extinction and being eroded of the basins, and aeolian red clay started to accumulate.