Late Paleozoic Sequence-Stratigraphic Frameworks and Sea Level Changes in Dianqiangui Basin and Its Adjacent Areas with Systematic Revision of Regional Unconformities

The formation process of the Dianqiangui basin, a special basin, occurred after the Caledonian orogeny, in the south of Guizhou, the west of Guangxi and the southeast of Yunnan, experienced three periods: it began in the Devonian, persisted in the Carboniferous, and became fiercer in the Permian. Controlled by syndepositional fault-zones, varieties of isolated carbonate platforms, large and small, were developed in the background of a deep-water basin, namely, an inter-platform ditch. And a special paleogeographical Late Paleozoic pattern marked by “platform-basin-hill-trough” was produced in both the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent areas. Affected by regional tectonic activities and the global changes in the sea level, the platform carbonates and coal measures superimposed each other cyclically on the attached platform. The reef-building on the isolated platform and the margin of the attached platform corresponds to the development of the shale succession in the deep-water basin. All of these elementary characteristics reflect a regular and sophisticated filling succession of the Dianqiangui basin, a result of the dual controls of the regionally tectonic activities and the eustacy. Based on the two elementary features of the third-order sequences, i.e. the regularity of sedimentary-facies succession in space and the simultaneity of environmental changes in time, 25 third-order sequences could be discerned in the Upper Paleozoic strata in the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent areas. On the basis of the two kinds of facies-changing surfaces and the two kinds of diachronisms in stratigraphic records, the regional Late Paleozoic sequence-stratigraphic framework in the Dianqiangui basin and its adjacent areas can be established. There are two types of facies-changing surfaces and two types of diachronisms in stratigraphic records: the static type, a result of the change in sedimentary facies in space, and the dynamic type, a result of the change in time. These two types of facies-changing surfaces led to the generation of the two types of diachronisms: the diachronism of facies-changing surfaces that was formed by the static facies-changing surfaces, and the diachronism of punctuated surfaces that was formed by the dynamic facies-changing surfaces. The two types of facies-changing surfaces and the two types of diachronisms in stratigraphic records are the key to the establishment of the sequence-stratigraphic framework. The sequence boundaries could be divided geologically into four types: tectonic unconformity, sedimentary unconformity, drowned unconformity and their correlative surfaces. All of these four types can be further grouped into exposed punctuated surfaces and deepened punctuated surfaces. The tectonic unconformity is similar to Type Ⅰ sequence boundary, and the sedimentary unconformity is similar to Type Ⅱ sequence boundary defined by Vail et al.. In terms of sequence stratigraphy, the tectonic unconformities of the Ziyun movement, the Qiangui epeirogeny and the Dongwu revolution as well as the drowned unconformity in the transitional period from the Permian to the Triassic can be systematically defined and their geological characteristics are briefly presented.

Geological characteristics and tectonic signifcance of unconformities in Mesoproterozoic successions in the northern margin of the North China Block

Several stratigraphic breaks and unconformities exist in the Mesoproterozoic successions in the northern margin of the North China Block. Geologic characters and spatial distributions of five of these un- conformities, which have resulted from different geological processes, have been studied. The uncon- formity beneath the Dahongyu Formation is interpreted as a breakup unconformity, representing the time of transition from continental rift to passive continental margin. The unconformities beneath the Gaoyuzhuang and the Yangzhuang formations are considered to be the consequence of regional eustatic fluctuations, leading to the exposure of highlands in passive margins during low sea-level stands and transgressive deposition on coastal regions during high sea-level stands. The unconformity atop the Tieling Formation might be caused by uplift due to contractional deformation in a back-arc setting, whereas the uplift after the deposition of the Xiamaling Formation might be attributed to a continental collision event. It is assumed that the occurrences of these unconformities in the Mesoproterozoic successions in the northern margin of the North China Block had a close bearing on the assemblage and breakup of the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents.

Dynamic Features of Angular Unconformity Formation——Extensional and Compressional Angular Unconformities

Angular unconformity is one of the most direct and strongest evidences for approving the tectonic movements of the earth's crust. Its dynamic genesis process has been understood to be mainly related to the compressional setting for a long time. Especially, in a detailed structural analysis for a specific region, when an angular unconformity is discovered people would regard it as the result of orogenic movements of a certain period or a certain episode and neglect the extensional facts. Based on a dialectical point of view of extension-compression, this paper has proved that angular unconformities can be formed not only in compressional settings, but also in extensional ones. Further more, their geological features are compared and he possible genetic mechanisms for angular unconformity under different dynamic settings are studied.

Estimation of the amount of erosion at unconformities in the last stage of the Eocene Sanduo period in the Subei Basin,China

Strata erosion is a widespread phenomenon in sedimentary basins. The generation, migration, and accumulation of hydrocarbon is influenced by the scale of erosion, so estimating the amount of erosion is essential in the analysis of oil and gas bearing basins. According to the geological features in the Subei Basin and the actual data, using the integrated method, we estimated the level of erosion at the unconformities caused by the Sanduo event. By using the mudstone interval transit time method and the vitrinite reflectance method on data from typical wells, it can be concluded that the Gaoyou, Jinhu, and Hongze depressions suffered strong strata erosion from the late Eocene to Oligocene, and the total strata erosion thickness was 300–1,100 m. Different tectonic units in the same depression have extremely uneven erosion intensity: the low convex regions have the maximum erosion thickness, amounting to 800–1,100 m; the slope regions have an erosion thickness of generally 600–800 m; the erosion thickness of the slope-hollow transition zone is 300–500 m. For the whole basin, we used the strata thickness trend analysis method combined with the interval transit time and vitrinite reflectance methods to estimate the erosion thickness in the Sanduo period. The results show that the most severe erosion of the Sanduo event in the Subei Basin is between 1,000 m to 1,200 m, mainly located in depressions around the Jianhu Uplift; the deep hollow area has the least erosion, generally about 300–600 m, and the erosion in the slope area is about 600–900 m. Compared with the northern part, the southern part has relatively little erosion. It is also proved that the Sanduo movement has heterogeneous intensity, and the western region has greater intensity than the eastern region.

Kinematics of syn-tectonic unconformities and implications for the tectonic evolution of the Hala'alat Mountains at the northwestern margin of the Junggar Basin,Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Hala＇alat Mountains are located at the transition between the West Junggar and the Junggar Basin. In this area, rocks are Carboniferous, with younger strata above them that have been identified through well data and high-resolution 3D seismic profiles. Among these strata, seven unconformities are observed and distributed at the bases of： the Permian Jiamuhe Formation, the Permian Fengcheng Formation, the Triassic Baikouquan Formation, the Jurassic Badaowan Formation, the Jurassic Xishanyao Formation, the Cretaceous Tugulu Group and the Paleogene. On the basis of balanced sections, these unconformities are determined to have been formed by erosion of uplifts or rotated fault blocks primarily during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic. In conjunction with the currently understood tectonic background of the sur- rounding areas, the following conclusions are proposed： the unconformities at the bases of the Permian Jiamuhe and Fengcheng formations are most likely related to the subduction and closure of the Junggar Ocean during the late Carboniferous-early Permian; the unconformities at the bases of the Triassic Baikoucluan and Jurassic Badaowan formations are closely related to the late Permian Triassic Durbut sinistral slip fault; the unconformities at the bases of the middle Jurassic Xisbanyao Formation and Cretaceous Tugulu Group may be related to reactivation of the Durbut dextral slip fault in the late Jurassic -early Cretaceous, and the unconformity that gives rise to the widely observed absence of the upper Cretaceous in the northern Junggar Basin may be closely related to large scale uplift. All of these geological phenomena indicate that the West Junggar was not calm in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic and that it experienced at least four periods of tectonic movement.

Regional unconformities and their controls on hydrocarbon accumulation in Sichuan Basin, sW China

Based on outcrop,seismic and drilling data,the main regional unconformities in the Sichuan Basin and their controls on hydrocarbon accumulation were systematically studied.Three findings are obtained.First,six regional stratigraphic unconformities are mainly developed in the Sichuan Basin,from the bottom up which are between pre-Sinian and Sinian,between Sinian and Cambrian,between pre-Permian and Permian,between middle and upper Permian,between middle and upper Triassic,and between Triassic and Jurassic.Especially,16 of 21l conventional(and tight)gas fields discovered are believed to have formed in relation to regional unconformities.Second,regional unconformity mainly controls hydrocarbon accumulation from five aspects:(1)The porosity and permeability of reservoirs under the unconformity are improved through weathering crust karstification to form large-scale karst reservoirs;(2)Good source-reservoir-caprock assemblage can form near the unconformity,which provides a basis for forming large gas field;(3)Regional unconformity may lead to stratigraphic pinch-out and rugged ancient landform,giving rise to a large area of stratigraphic and lithologic trap groups;(4)Regional unconformity provides a dominant channel for lateral migration of oil and gas;and(5)Regional unconformity is conducive to large-scale accumulation of oil and gas.Third,the areas related to regional unconformities are the exploration focus of large gas fields in the Sichuan Basin.The pre-Sinian is found with source rocks,reservoir rocks and other favorable conditions for the formation of large gas fields,and presents a large exploration potential.Thus,it is expected to be an important strategic replacement.

Basic types and geologic significances of“truncation and onlap”unconformities

Based on geologic, seismic and drilling data of basins in China, the basic types of "truncation and onlap" unconformities are examined and their temporal and spatial variation and geologic significances are explored. The "truncation and onlap" unconformities and superimposing styles of overlying and underlying strata vary under different tectonic settings. Under extensional settings, there are three basic superimposing styles and unconformities, such as parallel superimposing style and unconformity with breaking outward, parallel superimposing style and unconformity with breaking inward, as well as superimposing and unconformity style with rotation. Under compressional settings, there are four basic types, such as overlap superimposing style and unconformity on fold, syn-depositional fold superimposing style and unconformity, anticline-syncline superimposing style and unconformity, as well as superimposing style and unconformity in overlap-filling incised valley on top of folds. "Truncation and onlap" unconformities always superimposed each other in space, and exhibit three kinds of superimposed unconformities, i.e., superimposed unconformities formed under continuous uplifting, under transition of uplifting, and under propagation of deposition center. They may also change with time too, i.e., tilting, rotating, folding, and migration. Controlled by the migration of basin depocenters, it is shown that there are unconformities formed under the transition of paleogeomorphy or subsidence center, under the migration of fault-sag, and under the slipping of detachment fault. "Truncation and onlap" unconformities are important positions for traps and significant pathways for hydrocarbon migration, and they are favorable sites for ore deposit and resources occurrence.

Major Unconformities,Tectonostratigraphic Frameword,and Evolution of the Superimposed Tarim Basin,Northwest China

The Tarim basin experienced a complex tectonic evolutionary history from Sinian to Ceno zoic. Eight largescale and more than 20 subordinate unconformities defining tectonosequences of dif ferent protobasins formed in various tectonic settings have been identified within the Phanerozoic in the Tarim basin, their distribution determining the general characteristics of sequence stratigraphic framework of the basin. Tectonostratigraphic unit I （magasequence） consists mainly of the Sinian Sys tem, which formed in a rift or aulacogen setting and can been subdivided into two subordinate strati graphic units （supersequences）. Unconformity （Tgg） between Sinian and Cambrian with surface karsti fication is regarded as a postrift unconformity. Tectonostratigraphic unit II comprises the Cambrian and the Ordovician and can be divided into six subordinate tectonostratigraphic units, recording the tectonogeographic evolution of the prototype basins from Cambrian to Early Ordovician passive car bonate continental margin or cratonic depression and the Late Ordovician submarine to neritic ret roarc foreland and cratonic depressions. The tectonic uplift related to the formation of the unconformity Tg5-2 resulted in the remarkable change in basin tectonic setting from a passive divergent to an active convergent, with the development of the Tazhong （塔中） uplift, the Tangguzibasi （塘古孜巴斯）, and the northern depression at the end of the Middle to the early Late Ordovician. The widespread angular unconformity Tg5 formed by a relatively strong compressive deformation, which caused an abrupt tec tonogeographic change of the basin from abyssal to a neritic setting in response to the collision andassociated tectonic deformation of the North Kunlun （昆仑） orogenesis during the Late Ordovician to the Early Silurian. Tectono stratigraphic unit III is composed of the Silurian and the Lower to Middle Devonian and character ized by the development of fluvial or deltaic and clastic littoral and neritic deposits. Largescale terrigenous clastic depositional wedges progra dated from the north to south in the southeast ern slope of the basin indicate the continuously shallowing and uplifting along the northern basin margin. Tectonostratigraphicunit IV includes the Upper Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian and can be classified into two sub ordinate tcctonostratigraphic sequences. The angular unconformity （Tg3） at the base of the unit is the most widespread unconformity and the strong compression and uplift of the basin during this period has been suggested to be related to the collision of the Tianshan （天山） orogenesis and resulted in fun damental change in tectonic geomorphology with higher to the northeast and lower to the southwest. Tectonostratigraphic unit IV records another tectonic cycle from weak extension to compression in ba sin setting and is composed mainly of nearshore elastic deposits of embayment basin f＇flls. From the Triassic, the Tarim basin evolved into a period characteristic of development of intracontinental de pressions and marginal foreland basins and experienced several cycles from rapid subsidence to strong uplift and deformation, resulting in superimposition and reformation of differently orientated proto basins filled with a series of regional depositional cycles bounded by major unconformities and consist ing of extremely thick alluvial and lacustrine deposits. The Kuqa foreland depression in the northwest ern basin margin developed since the Triassic and deposited a elastic wedge of the Mesozoic to Cenozoic more than I00 000 m in thickness, which progradated and thin towards the southern Tabei （塔北） forebulge. The largescale sedimentary cycles from alluvial, fluvial to lacustrine, and finally fluvial deposits are attributed to the results of foreland tectonisim from active to relatively quiet stages. The foreland tectonisim was active during the Triassic, relatively quiet during the Jurassic, and active again from the Late Jurassic to the Cretaceous. To the Eogene, the depression subsided again and the com pression intermittently increased, resulting in a series of faulted and folded structural belts.

Angular unconformity in Pennsylvanian strata from 3-D seismic interpretation,Goldsmith Field,West Texas

The Pennsylvanian unconformity,which is a detrital surface,separates the beds of the Permian-aged strata from the Lower Paleozoic in the Central Basin Platform.Seismic data interpretation indicates that the unconformity is an angular unconformity,overlying multiple normal faults,and accompanied with a thrust fault which maximizes the region's structural complexity.Additionally,the Pennsylvanian angular unconformity creates pinch-outs between the beds above and below.We computed the spectral decomposition and reflector convergence attributes and analyzed them to characterize the angular unconformity and faults.The spectral decomposition attribute divides the broadband seismic data into different spectral bands to resolve thin beds and show thickness variations.In contrast,the reflector convergence attribute highlights the location and direction of the pinch-outs as they dip south at angles between 2° and 6°.After reviewing findings from RGB blending of the spectrally decomposed frequencies along the Pennsylvanian unconformity,we observed channel-like features and multiple linear bands in addition to the faults and pinch-outs.It can be inferred that the identified linear bands could be the result of different lithologies associated with the tilting of the beds,and the faults may possibly influence hydrocarbon migration or act as a flow barrier to entrap hydrocarbon accumulation.The identification of this angular unconformity and the associated features in the study area are vital for the following reasons:1)the unconformity surface represents a natural stratigraphic boundary;2)the stratigraphic pinch-outs act as fluid flow connectivity boundaries;3)the areal extent of compartmentalized reservoirs'boundaries created by the angular unconformity are better defined;and 4)fault displacements are better understood when planning well locations as faults can be flow barriers,or permeability conduits,depending on facies heterogeneity and/or seal effectiveness of a fault,which can affect hydrocarbon production.The methodology utilized in this study is a further step in the characterization of reservoirs and can be used to expand our knowledge and obtain more information about the Goldsmith Field.

Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis of “XB Field”, Central Swamp Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin, Southern Nigeria

Well logs and biostratigraphic data from six wells in the “XB Field”, central Swamp Depobelt, Niger Delta were integrated to carry out a sequence stratigraphic analysis of depositional systems in the field. The analysis revealed four 3rd order depositional sequences (SEQ1 to 4) bounded by three erosional unconformities interpreted as Sequence Boundaries (SB1 to 3). Transgressive Surfaces of Erosion (TSE1 to 3) that mark the onset of marine flooding and turnarounds from progradational facies to retrogradational facies during sequence build-up were delineated. Three 3rd order Maximum Flooding Surfaces (MFS1, MFS2 and MFS3) characterized by marker shales, high faunal abundance and diversity were also delineated and dated 15.9, 17.4 and 19.4 Ma, respectively. The delineated sequences comprised Lowstand Systems Tracts (progradational packages), Transgressive Systems Tracts (retrogradational packages) and Highstand Systems Tracts (aggradational packages), which reflect depositional systems deposited during different phases of base level changes. The Lowstand Systems Tract (LST) consists of Basin Floor Fans (BFF), Slope Fans and Channel Sands deposited when sea level was low and accommodation space lower than rate of sediment influx. Transgressive Systems Tract (TST) consists of retrogradational marine shales deposited during high relative sea levels and when accommodation space was higher than rate of sediment influx. Highstand Systems Tracts (HST) consisted of shoreface sands displaying mostly aggradational to progradational stacking patterns. The sands of LST and HST show good reservoir qualities while the shales of the TSTs could form potential reservoir seals. The above recognized sequences, were deposited within the Neritic to Bathyal paleoenvironments and are dated mid-Miocene (15.9 - 20.4 Ma) in age.

Paleogeographic Reconstitution and Tangential Tectonic in the Backland of Tunisian Dorsal (Fahs Area: J. Rouas and Ruissate)

The Tunisian Dorsal backland is the Eastern Atlas side of maghrebides. Field data of Fahs area allowed us to develop new interpretations and to characterize the main structural features of the studied devices (Jebel Rouas and Ruissate). Heritage of Zaghouan accident, Triassic salt movements and strike-direction of major synsedimentary faults are the principal causes and results of the skinned and superimposed geometric architecture, generated by the reversed extensional (Jurassic-Cretaceous) tectonics. The actual geometry of Jebel Rouas and Ruissate represents a fault propagation fold, affecting Jurassic and Cretaceous sets. The backland of this thrust fault defines an imbrications structures of Barremian series. Tectonic records activities show the existence of angular unconformities (Oligocene and Eocene series on the Cretaceous sets considered as bedrock), slumps, tectonic breccias and synsedimentary faults are all of them controlled by a deep major accident;N-S to NE-SW and NW-SE. Features of the study area are probably related first;to the blockage of Zaghouan thrust oriented NE-SW in the foreland;then, to the intense halokinetic activity, which facilitates the layers displacement acting as decollment level. The detailed structural and stratigraphic study of Fahs area and its neighbors shows the presence of an intense tangential tectonic during upper Miocene, affecting Meso-Cenozoic sets, because all the structures involved are sealed by Oligocene and Miocene thinned series. This is accentuated by the existence of different sets of decollment at different depths, which are represented by a displacement to the SE through the backland of the Tunisian Dorsal. We define these features as an imbrication and thrusting Out of sequence system.

Study of an Uplift of Sargodha High by Stratigraphical and Structural Interpretation of an East-West Seismic Profile in Central Indus Basin, Pakistan

Research Area comprises of Punjab Monocline, Sulaiman Foredeep and Eastern Part of Sulaiman Fold Belt (from east to west) in Central Indus Basin, Pakistan. Sargodha High is located in northeast of a Seismic Profile AB. Time and Depth models show the subsurface crustal variations near Sargodha High, which separates Upper Indus Basin from Central Indus Basin. The deposition of Pre-Cambrian sediments is uniform in area and Paleozoic sediments (Permian & Cambrian) are thinning in west. Mesozoic sediments (Cretaceous, Jurassic & Triassic) and younger sediments (Paleocene) are not deposited in this part suggesting an uplift of Sargodha High during Paleozoic time. An uneven distribution of Paleozoic rocks shows some thickness in east but erosion, thinning and almost truncation in west indicate their depocenter in east. This also represents a time of uplift of Sargodha High that shifts depocenter westward. Seismic data show a thick Mesozoic deposition in west, which onlaps on the Permo-Triassic unconformity suggesting an area of non-deposition. The gradual uplift of Sargodha high continues, which tilts the Mesozoic strata forming wedge shape geometry.

Early Jurassic Soft-Sediment Deformation Interpreted as Seismites in the Wuqia Pull-Apart Basin and the Strike-Slip Talas-Ferghana Fault, Xinjiang, China

The early Jurassic soft-sediment deformation occurring within lacustrine sandstone is distributed mainly in the Wuqia region of SW Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, western China. Triggered by earthquakes, such deformation was found to occur in three beds overlying the lower Jurassic Kangsu Formation. The main styles of deformation structures comprise load cast, ball-and- pillow, droplet, cusps, homogeneous layer, and liquefied unconformity. The deformation layers reflect a series of three strong earthquakes at the end of early Jurassic in the Wuqia region. The differences of deformation mechanisms undergone might represent the varying magnitudes of the earthquake events. During the early Jurassic, the Wuqia region was located in a pull-apart basin controlled by the significant Talas-Ferghana strike-slip fault in central Asia, which initiated the soft-sediment deformation induced by earthquakes. Our research suggests that the paleoseismic magnitudes could have ranged from Ms 6.5 to 7.

Types and Characteristics of Volcanostratigraphic Boundaries and Their Oil-Gas Reservoir Significance

Just like in sedimentary stratigraphy, the factor for constructing volcanostratigraphic volcanostratigraphic boundary is an important framework. The fundamental factor of volcanostratigraphic boundaries is to classify the types and define their characteristics. Based on field investigation and cross-wells section analysis of Mesozoic volcanostratigraphy in NE China, 5 types of volcanostratigraphic boundaries have been recognized, namely eruptive conformity boundary （ECB）, eruptive unconformity boundary （EUB）, eruptive interval unconformity boundary （EIUB）, tectonic unconformity boundary （TUB） and intrusive contacts boundary （ICB）. Except ICB, the unconformity boundaries can be divided into angular unconformity and paraconformity. The time spans and signs of these boundaries are analyzed by using age data of some volcanic fields that have been published. The time spans of ECB and EUB are from several minutes to years. In lava flows, cooling crust is distributed above and below ECB and EUB; in pyroclastic flows, airfalls and lahars, a fine layer below these boundaries has no discernable erosion at every part of the boundary. EUB may be curved or cross curved and jagged. The scale of ECB/EUB is dependent on the scale of lava flow or pyroclastic flows. The time span of EIUB is from decades to thousands of years. There is also weathered crust under EIUB and sedimentary rock beds overlie EIUB. In most instances, weathered crust and thin sedimentary beds are associated with each other laterally. The boundary is a smooth curved plane. The scale of EIUB is dependent on the scale of the volcano or volcano groups. The characteristics of TUB are similar to EIUB＇s. The time interval of TUB is from tens of thousands to millions of years. The scale of TUB depends on the scale of the basin or volcanic field. Both the lab data and logging data of wells in the Songliao Basin reveal that the porosity is greatly related to the boundaries in the lava flows. There is a high-porosity belt below ECB, EUB or EIUB, and the porosity decreases when it is apart from the boundary. The high-porosity belt below ECB and EUB is mainly contributed by primary porosity, such as vesicles. The high-porosity belt below EIUB is mainly contributed by primary and secondary porosity, such as association of vesicles and spongy pores, so the area near the boundary in lava flows is a very important target for reservoirs.

Structural Characteristics and their Significance for Hydrocarbon Accumulation in the Northern Slope of the Central Sichuan Paleo-uplift

Based on 2D and 3D seismic data,the latest drilling data and field outcrop data of the northern slope of the Central Sichuan paleo-uplift,the structural analysis method is used to analyze unconformity development characteristics and fault characteristics during the key structural transformation period,discussing the influence of the structural characteristics on the hydrocarbon accumulation of deep carbonate rocks.The results show that:(1)The two key unconformities of the Tongwan and Caledonian periods were primarily developed in deep carbonate rocks.Firstly,Tongwan’s unconformities are characterized by regional disconformities between the second and third members of the Dengying Formation,the top formation of the Sinian and the lower Cambrian,strips of which zigzag through the north and south sides of the study area.Secondly,the Caledonian unconformity is characterized by a regional unconformable contact between the lower Permian and the ower Paleozoic strata.From NE to SW,the age of the strata,which were subject to erosion,changes from new to old,the denudation distribution showing as a nose-shaped structure which inclines towards the ENE.(2)Boundary fault and transtensional strike-slip faults developed in the Sinian to Paleozoic strata.In profile,there are three types of structural styles:steep and erect,flower structures,’Y’and reversed’Y’type faults.In plane view,the Sinian developed extensional boundary faults extending in an almost NS direction,strike-slip faults developing and extending linearly in approximately EW,WNW and NE strikes in the Cambrian,with characteristically more in the south and less in the north.(3)The faults in the northern slope show obvious zonal deformations in transverse view as well as significant stages and stratified activity in a longitudinal direction.Among them,the activity of faults in the Sinian was the strongest,followed by the activity in the Cambrian period,the activity intensity of faults in the Permian period being the weakest.This fault activity can be divided into four periods:Sinian,Cambrian-Permian,the early Indosinian period and the late Indosinian-Himalayan period,the transtensional strikeslip faults being the products of oblique extensions of pre-existing weak zones in the Xingkai and Emei taphrogenesis,with a particular inheritance in the main faults.(4)Combined with hydrocarbon accumulation factors,it is considered that the epigenetic karstification of the Tongwan and Caledonian unconformities in the northern slope controlled the formation and distribution of carbonate karst reservoirs over a large area,also acting as a good pathway for oil and gas migration.The extensional faults developed at the margin of the NS trending rift,controlling the sag-platform sedimentary pattern in the Dengying Formation of the Sinian.Strike-slip faults in NE,WNW and ENE directions may control the microgeomorphological pattern inside the platform and intensify the differential distribution of grain beach facies.The multi-stage hereditary activity of strike-slip faults not only improved the porosity and permeability of the reservoirs,but also acted as the main channel of oil and gas migration,providing favorable conditions for the development of the current multi-layer gasbearing scenario in the northern slope of the Central Sichuan Basin.

Tectonic features,genetic mechanisms and basin evolution of the eastern Doseo Basin,Chad

The features of the unconformity,fault and tectonic inversion in the eastern Doseo Basin,Chad,were analyzed,and the genetic mechanisms and basin evolution were discussed using seismic and drilling data.The following results are obtained.First,four stratigraphic unconformities,i.e.basement(Tg),Mangara Group(T10),lower Upper Cretaceous(T5)and Cretaceous(T4),four faulting stages,i.e.Barremian extensional faults,Aptian–Coniacian strike-slip faults,Campanian strike-slip faults,and Eocene strike-slip faults,and two tectonic inversions,i.e.Santonian and end of Cretaceous,were developed in the Doseo Basin.Second,the Doseo Basin was an early failed intracontinental passive rift basin transformed by the strike-slip movement and tectonic inversion.The initial rifting between the African and South American plates induced the nearly N-S stretching of the Doseo Basin,giving rise to the formation of the embryonic Doseo rift basin.The nearly E-W strike-slip movement of Borogop(F1)in the western section of the Central African Shear Zone resulted in the gradual cease of the near north-south rifting and long-term strike-slip transformation,forming a dextral transtension fault system with inherited activity but gradually weakened in intensity(interrupted by two tectonic inversions).This fault system was composed of the main shear(F1),R-type shear(F2-F3)and P-type shear(F4-F5)faults,with the strike-slip associated faults as branches.The strike-slip movements of F1 in Cretaceous and Eocene were controlled by the dextral shear opening of the equatorial south Atlantic and rapid expanding of the Indian Ocean,respectively.The combined function of the strike-slip movement of F1 and the convergence between Africa and Eurasia made the Doseo Basin underwent the Santonian dextral transpressional inversion characterized by intensive folding deformation leading to the echelon NE-SW and NNE-SSW nose-shaped uplifts and unconformity(T5)on high parts of the uplifts.The convergence between Africa and Eurasia caused the intensive tectonic inversion of Doseo Basin at the end of Cretaceous manifesting as intensive uplift,denudation and folding deformation,forming the regional unconformity(T4)and superposing a nearly E-W structural configuration on the Santonian structures.Third,the Doseo Basin experienced four evolutional stages with the features of short rifting and long depression,i.e.Barremian rifting,Aptian rifting–depression transition,Albian–Late Cretaceous depression,and Cenozoic extinction,under the control of the tectonic movements between Africa and its peripheral plates.

Distribution, evolution and structural properties of Wushenqi paleo-uplift in Ordos Basin, NW China

This paper depicts the distribution of the Wushenqi paleo-uplift in the Ordos Basin by using the latest drilling and seismic data, and analyzes the tectonic evolution of the paleo-uplift with the support of Bischke curve and balanced section. The compressional Wushenqi paleo-uplift which developed in the Early Caledonian orogeny(Huaiyuan orogeny) is approximately a ellipse extending in S-N direction. Its long axis is about 194 km and short axis is about 55-94 km in nearly W-E direction. The denudation thickness and area of the Cambrian in the core are 170-196 m and 11 298 km^(2), respectively. It was mainly formed during the Huaiyuan orogeny according to the chronostratigraphic framework. It was in the embryonic stage in the Middle-Late Cambrian, denuded after developed obviously at the end of Late Cambrian. The paleo-uplift of the 3rd member of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation was reactivated and reduced in area. In the sedimentary period of the Ma 4 Member-pre-Carboniferous, the paleo-uplift experienced non-uniform uplift and denudation. It entered the stable period of burial and preservation in the Carboniferous and later period. The Wushenqi paleo-uplift was formed on the weak area of the basement and tectonic belts, into an compressional structure with irregular morphology, under the control of the non-coaxial compression in the south and north and the stress transmitted by the uplift in the basin. The Wushenqi paleo-uplift has a controlling effect on the sedimentary reservoirs and hydrocarbon accumulation.

Exploration Significance of Unconformity Structure on Subtle Pools

Vertical structure of an unconformity can be divided into three layers:basal conglomerate or transgressive sand,weathered clay layer and leached rock.When the weathered clay layer has a little thickness or limited distribution,the overlying and underlying strata will contact directly,and the lithology is often different.This lithologic difference causes different fluid transporting capacity,and it also

Buried channels provide keys to infer Quaternary stratigraphic and paleo-environmental changes:A case study from the west coast of India

High resolution shallow seismic data was acquired from inner continental shelf of Goa,west coast of India to map underlying stratigraphic and buried geomorphic features of shelf strata.Seismic data revealed characteristic channel incisions beneath 4-15 m thick sediment layer and corresponds to multi cycle incisions.Stratigraphic analysis of these incision signatures reveals three prominent subaerial unconformities S6,S7 and S9.These unconformities were exposed during the last glacial,penultimate glacial(MIS-6)and prior to penultimate glacial(MIS-8)periods.On the basis of interpreted age of subaerial unconformities and differences in their morphological features,observed channel incisions have been divided grossly into three phases of incision.Phase-1 incisions are older than^330 kyr BP,whereas,incisions of Phase-2 and Phase-3 correspond to^320-125 kyr BP and^115-10 kyr BP respectively.Plan form of these incisions varied from a straight channel type to ingrown meander and then to anastomosing channel types.These channels meet at the confluence of present-day Mandovi and Zuari rivers.The confluence point has varied in due course of time because of cyclic incision and burial with repeated sea level fluctuations.The preserved main channel width varies from^100 m to 1000 m.and maximum channel depth reaches up to^35 m.Comparison of quantitative and qualitative morphologic results of different phases of incisions suggest that Phase-2 channels had^33%more mean bank full discharge than that of the Phase-3 channels.Phase-2 incisions had been carved in higher hydraulic energy condition as compared to Phase-3 incisions implying that the Indian summer monsoon was better during formative stages of Phase-2 incisions.

THE EXTENSIONAL MOVEMENT AND ACTION IN THE SOUTHERN TIBET SINCE HERCYNIAN

Based on the study of the location of extensional action in the tectonic background and the state of regional tectonic stress, the extensional action can be distinguished into active and passive types. The active extensional movement is mainly composed of a set of deposition formed under extensional stress and syntectonic and syndepositional deformational structure. The passive extentional movement is expressed as regional extensional action induced under the compressional elevation. Extensional movement and action are well\|developed in the Tibet\|Tethys domain. By the analysis of tectonic deformation, extensional unconformity, depositional facies and paleogeographical rebuilding in the South Tibet, it is recognized that the extensional movement consists of active extension of Hercynian, Indo\|China and Early Yanshan epochs, and the passive extension of Late Yanshan and Himalayan epochs. Some of the characteristics of extensional movement and structures are discussed in this paper(Table.1).