When the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was involved in its present tectonic system: Constraints from the Cenozoic sedimentary sequence

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2020.12.13

Abstract

Abstract:

Since the Cenozoic era, the continuous collisional convergence between the Indian-Eurasian Plates led to the formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau that is often called the third pole in the world. The geodynamic process of the spreading, growth of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the formation of the tectonic system are key issues in Earth sciences. The Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its dynamic coupling relationship with the Indian-Eurasian collisional convergence have important geological constraints on the spreading and growth process of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Although various tectonic uplift models have been proposed in previous studies, there is no consensus on when the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was involved in the Indian-Eurasian collisional convergence tectonic system. The Zhangxian area on the northern margin of West Qinling, a typical region of the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, has not only complete Cenozoic stratigraphic records, but also well-developed faults and abundant tectonic deformation phenomena. It provides a good opportunity for studying the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the area as well as revealing the formation of the plateau tectonic system and the spatial-temporal spreading and growth model of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau under the dynamic background of India-Eurasian collisional convergence. Based on a detailed field study of the stratigraphic framework, sedimentary stratigraphic sequence and sedimentary cycle of the Zhangxian Cenozoic sedimentary basin, combined with the geometry-kinematics and deformation history analyses of the regional faults, the following conclusions were reached: (1) The Zhangxian Cenozoic sedimentary stratigraphic framework is mainly composed of two tectonic stratigraphic units: Oligocene-Miocene extensional rift basin deposits and Pliocene regenerated foreland molasse basin deposits, separated by an angular unconformity. (2) The extensional tectonic setting during the Oligocene-Miocene is contrary to the compressional setting resulting from India-Eurasia collisional convergence, implying the northern margin of West Qinling was not involved in the present India-Eurasia collisional convergence system during the Oligocene-Miocene. (3) Pliocene molasse basin sedimentation marked the tectonic transition from extension to compression on the northern margin of West Qinling, which may imply the response to compression setting led by India-Eurasia collisional convergence in the area. (4) In the above area, Pliocene coarse conglomerate, strata of the western Qinling orogenic belt and Mesozoic sedimentary strata experienced uplift and denudation, finally resulting in the wide development of planation plane. Since Quaternary, the uplift and disintegration of this planation surface, and afterward the appearance of modern river system and multi-stage river terraces, marked the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau unevenly and massively uplifted and then entered into its present tectonic system.

Key words: northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, northern margin tectonic belt of West Qinling, Cenozoic, extensional faulted basin, molasse basin

CLC Number:

P542
P534.6

GUO Jinjing, ZHAO Haitao, LIU Chongqing, WU Yanwang. When the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was involved in its present tectonic system: Constraints from the Cenozoic sedimentary sequence[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2021, 28(5): 337-361.

Figures/Tables 15

Fig. 1 Simplified geological map of West Qinling

Fig.2 Geological sketch map of the Zhangxian area, northern margin of West Qinling

Fig.3 Miocene grey conglomerates and glutenites, red sandy mudstones and mudstone between two sides of F3 fault in the Zhangxian area

Fig.4 A -A' geological profile of the Zhangxian area, northern margin of West Qinling

Fig.5 Geological section map of Sunjiaxia Village, Zhangxian area, northern margin of West Qinling

Fig.6 Oligocene-Miocene stratigraphy section of the Zhangxian area, northern margin of West Qinling

Fig.7 Typical rock types of sedimentary cycle-Ⅰ of Oligocene-Miocene strata in the northern margin tectonic belt of West Qinling

Fig.8 Typical rock types of sedimentary cycle-Ⅱ of Oligocene-Miocene strata in the northern margin tectonic belt of West Qinling

Fig.9 Typical rock types of sedimentary cycle-Ⅲ of Oligocene-Miocene strata in the northern margin tectonic belt of West Qinling

Fig.10 Typical rock types of sedimentary cycle-Ⅳ of Oligocene-Miocene strata in the northern margin tectonic belt of West Qinling

Fig.11 Diagram of tectonic model of Oligocene-Miocene sedimentary basin, northern margin of West Qinling

Fig.12 Pliocene conglomerate stratigraphic section in the Zhangxian area, northern margin of West Qinling

Fig.13 Petrologic characteristics of Pliocene Hanjiagou conglomerates in the Zhangxian area, northern margin of West Qinling

Fig.14 Statistical chart of paleocurrents of Pliocene Hanjiagou conglomerates in Zhangxian area, northern margin of West Qinling

Fig.15 Diagram of tectonic model of Pliocene Hanjiagou conglomerate on the northern margin of West Qinling

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