Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2022, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (4): 231-248.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2022.3.30

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Fold-thrust belt of South Qiangtang, Tibet and the double-layer structure of the South Qiangtang accretionary complex

LI Dian1(), WANG Genhou2,*(), LIU Zhengyong1, LI Pengsheng1, FENG Yipeng2, TANG Yu2, LI Chao3, LI Yang1   

  1. 1. College of Earth Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    2. School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
    3. Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
  • Received:2022-02-15 Revised:2022-03-20 Online:2022-07-25 Published:2022-07-28
  • Contact: WANG Genhou

Abstract:

The accretionary orogens formed in the active continental margin are represented by extensive and stable accretionary complexes. During the slow and complex oceanic subduction and collision, oceanic plate, intra-oceanic arc, seamount, and continental fragments are accreted onto the retreating oceanic trench through off-scrapping, underplating, and tectonic erosion at the leading edge of the overriding plate. Continental crust thus grows laterally as significant accretion of oceanic crusts at the inner wall of the trench. Via a similar tectonic process during the continental collision passive margin are incorporated into the subduction channel, where a crustal accretionary wedge similar to but much larger than oceanic accretionary prisms are expected to form. Therefore the composition, structure, and evolution of accretionary complex in orogenic belt play a key role in understanding the complex geodynamic process during the ocean to continent transformation. The accretionary complex of South Qiangtang, Tibet was recently recognized through corridor geological mapping and multidisciplinary research. However, the composition and structure of the complex are not well studied, which greatly hinders the understanding of its formation mechanism and evolution. Therefore in this paper, focusing on its spatiotemporal evolution, we researched in detail the composition and structure of the South Qiangtang accretionary complex to understand its formation and evolutionary processes. We show that (1) the South Qiangtang accretionary complex has a double-layer structure, with the subduction complex at the bottom, the fold-thrust belt at the top, and a regional detachment fault system separating the upper and lower layers. (2) The subduction complex contains not only the ocean plate stratigraphy but also a large part of the South Qiangtang passive margin. (3) Although the fold-thrust belt is mainly deformed passive continental margin, it also contains ocean plate stratigraphic units like seamounts and intra-oceanic arcs. Based on the spatiotemporal distribution of fore-arc basin and wedge-top basin during subduction and Late Triassic syn-collisional magmatism, the double-layer structure of the South Qiangtang accretionary complex should mainly be induced by subduction of passive continental margin during continental collision, and probably also by subduction reversal during oceanic subduction. The double-layer structure of the South Qiangtang accretionary complex and its continental subduction origin proposed in this paper are of great significance for understanding the crustal structure of the South Qiangtang terrane and the evolution of Mesozoic basement.

Key words: Southern Qiangtang accretionary complex, continental subduction, double-layer structure

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