Cratonization is a key geological process to form stable continental masses with a considerable scale.The Precambrian global cratonization and formation of supercratons in the world is an unrepeated event in the histo...Cratonization is a key geological process to form stable continental masses with a considerable scale.The Precambrian global cratonization and formation of supercratons in the world is an unrepeated event in the history of the Earth's formation and evolution.Mainly based on study of early Precambrian geology in Eastern Hebei Region and combining other Archean regions in the North China Craton (NCC),the author proposes a two-stage cratonization model of the NCC.The first stage took place at the end of Neoarchean of ～2.5 Ga (boundary time between Archean and Proterozoic),when several micro-blocks were amalgamated together with amphibolite-granulite facies metamorphism and intrusion of crustal-melting granites to form the present-scale NCC.The second cratonization event is cratonic reworking,corresponding to rifting-subduction-collision at 2.3-1.97 Ga and subsequent extension-uplifting related to upwelling mantle at 1.97-1.82 Ga,which could be linked to,respectively,assembly and breaking up of the Columbia Supercontinent.Three main Paleoproterozoic mobile belts in the NCC record that small remnant Neoarchean ocean basins and continental rift basins within the craton were opened and finally closed,and metamorphosed to greenschist-amphibolite facies at ～2.0-1.97 Ga.After that,high-grade granulite facies (HT-HP and HT-UHT) metamorphism with abnormally high heat occurred at 1.97-1.82 Ga.A metamorphism-migmatization event that includes lower crust of the NCC uplifting as a whole,intrusion of mafic dyke swarms,continental rifting and anorogenic magmatic action took place in 1.82-1.65 Ga,marking that the second cratonization of the NCC was finally accomplished and started to evolve to a period of stable continent (platform).展开更多
This paper aims at exploring the tectonic characteristics of the South China Continent （SCC） and extracting the universal tec- tonic rules from these characteristics,to help enrich the plate tectonic theory and bett...This paper aims at exploring the tectonic characteristics of the South China Continent （SCC） and extracting the universal tec- tonic rules from these characteristics,to help enrich the plate tectonic theory and better understand the continental dynamic system. For this purpose, here we conduct a multi-disciplinary investigation and combine it with the previous studies to reas- sess the tectonics and evolution of SCC and propose that the tectonic framework of the continent comprises two blocks, three types of tectonic units, four deformation systems, and four evolutionary stages with distinctive mechanism and tectonic characteris- tics since the Neoproterozoic. The four evolutionary stages are： （1） The amalgamation and break-up of the Neoproterozoic plates, typically the intracontinental rifting. （2） The early Paleozoic and Mesozoic intracontinental orogeny confined by plate tectonics, forming two composite tectonic domains. （3） The parallel operation of the Yangtze cratonization and intracontinental orogeny, and multi-phase reactivation of the Yangtze craton. （4） The association and differentiation evolution of plate tectonics and intraconti- nental tectonics, and the dynamic characteristics under the Meso-Cenozoic modem global plate tectonic regime.展开更多
The main old lands in China include the North China Block(NCB),South China Block(SCB)and Tarim Block(TRB),all of which have individual tectonic evolving histories.The NCB experienced complex geological evolution since...The main old lands in China include the North China Block(NCB),South China Block(SCB)and Tarim Block(TRB),all of which have individual tectonic evolving histories.The NCB experienced complex geological evolution since the early Precambrian onwards,and carries important records from the old continental nuclei,giant crustal growth episode and cratonization(stabilitization),then to the Paleoproterozoic rifting-subduction-accretion-collision with imprints of the Great Oxygen Event(GOE),and to the Late Paleoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic multi-stage rifting representing North China platform tectonic features.The TRB has two-layer basement of the Early Precambrian metamorphic complexes and Neoproterozoic sedimentary sequences.Three till sheets have been reported.The SCB consists of the Yangtze Block(YZB)and Cathaysia Block(CTB)that were cohered in the Neoproterozoic.The YZB recorded tectonic processes of the Early Precambrian crustal growth,1.0–0.9 Ga and 0.8–0.6 Ga metamorphic-magmatic events,and two Neoproterozoic glaciations.The CTB consists of ca.1.8Ga,1.0 to 0.9 Ga and ca.0.8 Ga granitic gneisses and metamorphic rocks,indicating there was a vast Precambrian basement.The Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks overlie partly on the basement.That the YZB and CTB have a Neoproterozoic uniform cover layer illustrates the SCB should form,at least,during 1.0–0.9 Ga,corresponding to the Rodinia Supercontinent.The Central Chinese Orogenic System with high-ultra-high-pressure metamorphic rocks supports a suggestion that the abovementioned three old lands were collided to assemble a unified Chinese Continent during the Pangea orogenic period.展开更多
High-quality zircon U-Pb ages acquired from Meso- and Neoproterozoic strata in North China in recent years has provided a high-resolution chronostratigraphic framework for dating. A basis of this high-level chronostra...High-quality zircon U-Pb ages acquired from Meso- and Neoproterozoic strata in North China in recent years has provided a high-resolution chronostratigraphic framework for dating. A basis of this high-level chronostratigraphic system provides the foundation for a global Precambrian study and stratigraphic correlation and so recent geological studies have focused attention on systemic SHRIMP zircon dating. A chronology of Meso- and Neoproterozoic strata and the time of origin of the overlying Changcheng System is given on the basis of new SHRIMP zircon dating from the Qianxi Complex and diabase of the Chuanlinggou Formation. A new tectonostratigraphy for a Neoproterozoic chronostratigraphic framework in the southeastern margin of the North China continent is underpinned by the new SHRIMP zircon dating of a Neoproterozoic mafic magma diabase in the Jiao-Liao-Xu-Huai Sub-Province.展开更多
The Neo-Tethys Ocean was an eastward-gaping triangular oceanic embayment between Laurasia to the north and Gondwana to the south.The Neo-Tethys Ocean was initiated from the Early Permian with mircoblocks rifted from t...The Neo-Tethys Ocean was an eastward-gaping triangular oceanic embayment between Laurasia to the north and Gondwana to the south.The Neo-Tethys Ocean was initiated from the Early Permian with mircoblocks rifted from the northern margin of Gondwana.As the microblocks drifted northwards,the Neo-Tethys Ocean was expanded.Most of these microblocks collided with the Eurasia continent in the Late Triassic,leading to the final closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean,followed by oceanic subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab beneath the newly formed southern margin of the Eurasia continent.As the splitting of Gondwana continued,African-Arabian,Indian and Australian continents were separated from Gondwana and moved northwards at different rates.Collision of these blocks with the Eurasia continent occurred at different time during the Cenozoic,resulting in the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and building of the most significant Alps-Zagros-Himalaya orogenic belt on Earth.The tectonic evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean shows different characteristics from west to east:Multi-oceanic basins expansion,bidirectional subduction and microblocks collision dominate in the Mediterranean region;northward oceanic subduction and diachronous continental collision along the Zagros suture occur in the Middle East;the Tibet and Southeast Asia are characterized by multi-block riftings from Gondwana and multi-stage collisions with the Eurasia continent.The negative buoyancy of subducting oceanic slabs can be considered as the main engine for northward drifting of Gondwana-derived blocks and subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean.Meanwhile,mantle convection and counterclockwise rotation of Gondwana-derived blocks and the Gondwana continent around an Euler pole in West Africa in non-free boundary conditions also controlled the evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean.展开更多
In a re-study of regional geology by the China Geological Survey （CGS）, the key problem is in the stratigraphical division and correlation. According to the new isotopic dating of the Mesoand Neoproterozoic in China...In a re-study of regional geology by the China Geological Survey （CGS）, the key problem is in the stratigraphical division and correlation. According to the new isotopic dating of the Mesoand Neoproterozoic in China, there have been great changes in the strata correlation and tectonic explanation. The authors obtained four zircon sensitive high resolution ion micro-probe （SHRIMP） U- Pb datings from the bentonite of the Lengjiaxi Group （822±10 Ma, 823±12 Ma and 834±11 Ma） and Banxi Group （802.6±7.6 Ma） in north Hunan Province, which is considered to be the middle part of the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt. On the basis of the zircon dating mentioned above, the end of the Wuling orogen is first limited in the period from 822 Ma to 802 Ma in one continued outcrop （Lucheng section） in Linxiang city, Hunan Province. Combining a series of new zircon U-Pb datings in the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks, several Neoproterozoic volcanic events and distribution of the metamorphic rocks in the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt have been distinguished. In the context of the global geodynamics, it is useful to set up a practical and high precision chronological framework and basic and unified late Precambrian section in South China.展开更多
With the results of interpretation of seismic sounding profiles acquired in the past 30 years in the continent of China and its adjacent countries and ocean regions, such as Russia, Ka-zakhstan, Japan, India, Pakistan...With the results of interpretation of seismic sounding profiles acquired in the past 30 years in the continent of China and its adjacent countries and ocean regions, such as Russia, Ka-zakhstan, Japan, India, Pakistan, Philippine ocean basin, Pacific and Indian Ocean, we compiled a 2D Moho distribution map for the continent and its adjacent areas of eastern Asia. From the fea-tures of depth distribution and undulation of Moho, it is suggested that the eastern Asian region can be divided into 18 gradient belts with different sizes, 18 crustal blocks, 20 sediment basins and depression zones. The depth of Moho varies smoothly in each block, while the boundary (separat-ing different blocks) delineates the abrupt variation of Moho depth. Then, some subjects,such as oregen and sediment basin, fault system and rift, plate boundary, ocean-continent coupling and tectonic framework, are discussed based on the distribution gradient belts and block partition fea-tures of Moho depth in the eastern Asia and its adjacent regions.展开更多
Based on conservation of energy principle and heat flow data in China continent, the upper limit of 1.3 μW/m3 heat production is obtained for continental crust in China. Furthermore, using the data of heat flow and h...Based on conservation of energy principle and heat flow data in China continent, the upper limit of 1.3 μW/m3 heat production is obtained for continental crust in China. Furthermore, using the data of heat flow and helium isotope ratio of underground fluid, the heat productions of different tectonic units in China continent are estimated in range of 0.58-1.12 μW/m3 with a median of 0.85 μW/m3. Accordingly, the contents of U, Th and K20 in China crust are in ranges of 0.83-1.76 μg/g, 3.16-6.69 μg/g, and 1.0%-2.12%, respectively. These results indicate that the abundance of radioactive elements in the crust of China continent is much higher than that of Archean crust; and this fact implies China＇s continental crust is much evolved in chemical composition. Meanwhile, significant lateral variation of crustal composition is also exhibited among different tectonic units in China continent. The crust of eastern China is much enriched in incompatible elements such as U, Th and K than that of western China; and the crust of orogenic belts is more enriched than that of platform regions. It can also be inferred that the crusts of eastern China and orogenic belts are much felsic than those of western China and platform regions, respectively, derived from the positive correlation between the heat production and SiO2 content of bulk crust. This deduction is consistent with the results derived from the crustal seismic velocity data in China. According to the facts of the lower seismic velocity of China than the average value of global crust, and the higher heat production of China continent compared with global crust composition models published by previous studies, it is deduced that the average composition models of global continent crust by Rudnick and Fountain （1995）, Rudnick and Gao （2003）, Weaver and Tarney （1984）, Shaw et al. （1986）, and Wedepohl （1995） overestimate the abundance of incompatible elements such as U, Th and K of continental crust.展开更多
Based on data of principal stress orientation from focal mechanism and of geological features in China, we made pseudo-3D genetic algorithm finite element (GA-FEM) inversion to investigate the main forces acting on th...Based on data of principal stress orientation from focal mechanism and of geological features in China, we made pseudo-3D genetic algorithm finite element (GA-FEM) inversion to investigate the main forces acting on the Chinese continent and adjacent areas which form the Chinese tectonic stress field. The results confirm that plate boundary forces play the dominant role in forming the stress field in China, as noticed by many previous researchers. However, we also find that topographic spreading forces, as well as basal drag forces of the lower crust to the upper crust, make significant contribution to stresses in regional scale. Forces acting on the Chinese continent can be outlined as follows: the collision of the India plate to the NNE is the most important action, whereby forces oriented to the NW by the Philippine plate and forces oriented to the SWW by the Pacific plate are also important. Topographic spreading forces are not negligible at high topographic gradient zones, these forces are perpendicular to edges of the Tibetan Plateau and a topographic gradient belt running in the NNE direction across Eastern China. Basal drag forces applied by the ductile flow of the lower crust to the base of upper crust affect the regional stress field in the Tibetan Plateau remarkably, producing the clockwise rotation around the eastern Himalaya syntax.展开更多
Around 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans with depths that exceed several kilometers, while continents are geographically enclosed by these vast bodies of water. The principle of fluid mechanics stipulat...Around 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans with depths that exceed several kilometers, while continents are geographically enclosed by these vast bodies of water. The principle of fluid mechanics stipulates that water yields pressure everywhere in the container that holds it, and the water pressure against the wall of container generates force. Ocean basins are naturally gigantic containers of water, in which continents form the walls of the containers. In this study, we present that the ocean water pressure against the walls of continents generates enormous force, and determine the distribution of this force around continents and estimate its amplitude to be of the order of 1017 N per kilometer of continent width. Our modelling suggests that the stresses yielded by this force are mostly concentrated on the upper part of the continental crust, and their magnitudes reach up to 2.0 - 6.0 MPa. Our results suggest that the force may have significantly impacted the dynamics of continent (lithospheric plate) and its evolution.展开更多
39473 Pn travel times are inverted to tomographically image both lateral variation and anisotropy of uppermost mantle velocities beneath China continent. The result indicates that the overall average Pn velocity of up...39473 Pn travel times are inverted to tomographically image both lateral variation and anisotropy of uppermost mantle velocities beneath China continent. The result indicates that the overall average Pn velocity of uppermost mantle in the studied region is 8.0 km/s and the regional velocity fluctuation varies from ?0.30 km/s to +0.35 km/s. Pn velocities higher than 8.2 km/s are found in the regions surrounding Qingzang Plateau, such as Junggar Basin, Tarim Basin, Qaidam Basin and Sichun Basin. Pn velocities slightly lower than the average are found in western Sichuan and Yunnan, Shanxi Graben and Bohai Bay region. A Pn velocity as low as 7.8 km/s may exist in the region striding the boundary between Guangxi and Guangdong provinces. In general, Pn velocity in tectonically stable region like cratonic platform tends to be high, while that in tectonically active region tends to be low. The regions in compressive setting usually show higher Pn velocity, while extensional basins or grabens generally display lower one. Anisotropy of Pn velocity is seen in some regions. In the southeastern region of Qingzang Plateau the directions of fastest Pn velocity show a rotation pattern, which may be related to southeastward escape of the plateau material due to the collision and compression of Indian Plate to Asia along Himalaya arc. Notable anisotropy also exists around Bohai Bay region, likely indicating crustal extending and possible magma activity therein.展开更多
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41030316,90714003)Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.KZCX2-YW-Q04-04)
文摘Cratonization is a key geological process to form stable continental masses with a considerable scale.The Precambrian global cratonization and formation of supercratons in the world is an unrepeated event in the history of the Earth's formation and evolution.Mainly based on study of early Precambrian geology in Eastern Hebei Region and combining other Archean regions in the North China Craton (NCC),the author proposes a two-stage cratonization model of the NCC.The first stage took place at the end of Neoarchean of ～2.5 Ga (boundary time between Archean and Proterozoic),when several micro-blocks were amalgamated together with amphibolite-granulite facies metamorphism and intrusion of crustal-melting granites to form the present-scale NCC.The second cratonization event is cratonic reworking,corresponding to rifting-subduction-collision at 2.3-1.97 Ga and subsequent extension-uplifting related to upwelling mantle at 1.97-1.82 Ga,which could be linked to,respectively,assembly and breaking up of the Columbia Supercontinent.Three main Paleoproterozoic mobile belts in the NCC record that small remnant Neoarchean ocean basins and continental rift basins within the craton were opened and finally closed,and metamorphosed to greenschist-amphibolite facies at ～2.0-1.97 Ga.After that,high-grade granulite facies (HT-HP and HT-UHT) metamorphism with abnormally high heat occurred at 1.97-1.82 Ga.A metamorphism-migmatization event that includes lower crust of the NCC uplifting as a whole,intrusion of mafic dyke swarms,continental rifting and anorogenic magmatic action took place in 1.82-1.65 Ga,marking that the second cratonization of the NCC was finally accomplished and started to evolve to a period of stable continent (platform).
基金supported by the special grant of Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China for State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics,Northwest University,the key research project of Sinopec Group(Grant No.YPH08012)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41190072,41190073,41190074,41190070)
文摘This paper aims at exploring the tectonic characteristics of the South China Continent （SCC） and extracting the universal tec- tonic rules from these characteristics,to help enrich the plate tectonic theory and better understand the continental dynamic system. For this purpose, here we conduct a multi-disciplinary investigation and combine it with the previous studies to reas- sess the tectonics and evolution of SCC and propose that the tectonic framework of the continent comprises two blocks, three types of tectonic units, four deformation systems, and four evolutionary stages with distinctive mechanism and tectonic characteris- tics since the Neoproterozoic. The four evolutionary stages are： （1） The amalgamation and break-up of the Neoproterozoic plates, typically the intracontinental rifting. （2） The early Paleozoic and Mesozoic intracontinental orogeny confined by plate tectonics, forming two composite tectonic domains. （3） The parallel operation of the Yangtze cratonization and intracontinental orogeny, and multi-phase reactivation of the Yangtze craton. （4） The association and differentiation evolution of plate tectonics and intraconti- nental tectonics, and the dynamic characteristics under the Meso-Cenozoic modem global plate tectonic regime.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(Grant No.2012CB4166006)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41030316 and 41210003)
文摘The main old lands in China include the North China Block(NCB),South China Block(SCB)and Tarim Block(TRB),all of which have individual tectonic evolving histories.The NCB experienced complex geological evolution since the early Precambrian onwards,and carries important records from the old continental nuclei,giant crustal growth episode and cratonization(stabilitization),then to the Paleoproterozoic rifting-subduction-accretion-collision with imprints of the Great Oxygen Event(GOE),and to the Late Paleoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic multi-stage rifting representing North China platform tectonic features.The TRB has two-layer basement of the Early Precambrian metamorphic complexes and Neoproterozoic sedimentary sequences.Three till sheets have been reported.The SCB consists of the Yangtze Block(YZB)and Cathaysia Block(CTB)that were cohered in the Neoproterozoic.The YZB recorded tectonic processes of the Early Precambrian crustal growth,1.0–0.9 Ga and 0.8–0.6 Ga metamorphic-magmatic events,and two Neoproterozoic glaciations.The CTB consists of ca.1.8Ga,1.0 to 0.9 Ga and ca.0.8 Ga granitic gneisses and metamorphic rocks,indicating there was a vast Precambrian basement.The Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks overlie partly on the basement.That the YZB and CTB have a Neoproterozoic uniform cover layer illustrates the SCB should form,at least,during 1.0–0.9 Ga,corresponding to the Rodinia Supercontinent.The Central Chinese Orogenic System with high-ultra-high-pressure metamorphic rocks supports a suggestion that the abovementioned three old lands were collided to assemble a unified Chinese Continent during the Pangea orogenic period.
文摘High-quality zircon U-Pb ages acquired from Meso- and Neoproterozoic strata in North China in recent years has provided a high-resolution chronostratigraphic framework for dating. A basis of this high-level chronostratigraphic system provides the foundation for a global Precambrian study and stratigraphic correlation and so recent geological studies have focused attention on systemic SHRIMP zircon dating. A chronology of Meso- and Neoproterozoic strata and the time of origin of the overlying Changcheng System is given on the basis of new SHRIMP zircon dating from the Qianxi Complex and diabase of the Chuanlinggou Formation. A new tectonostratigraphy for a Neoproterozoic chronostratigraphic framework in the southeastern margin of the North China continent is underpinned by the new SHRIMP zircon dating of a Neoproterozoic mafic magma diabase in the Jiao-Liao-Xu-Huai Sub-Province.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41688103)the International Cooperation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.GJHZ1776)。
文摘The Neo-Tethys Ocean was an eastward-gaping triangular oceanic embayment between Laurasia to the north and Gondwana to the south.The Neo-Tethys Ocean was initiated from the Early Permian with mircoblocks rifted from the northern margin of Gondwana.As the microblocks drifted northwards,the Neo-Tethys Ocean was expanded.Most of these microblocks collided with the Eurasia continent in the Late Triassic,leading to the final closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean,followed by oceanic subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab beneath the newly formed southern margin of the Eurasia continent.As the splitting of Gondwana continued,African-Arabian,Indian and Australian continents were separated from Gondwana and moved northwards at different rates.Collision of these blocks with the Eurasia continent occurred at different time during the Cenozoic,resulting in the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and building of the most significant Alps-Zagros-Himalaya orogenic belt on Earth.The tectonic evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean shows different characteristics from west to east:Multi-oceanic basins expansion,bidirectional subduction and microblocks collision dominate in the Mediterranean region;northward oceanic subduction and diachronous continental collision along the Zagros suture occur in the Middle East;the Tibet and Southeast Asia are characterized by multi-block riftings from Gondwana and multi-stage collisions with the Eurasia continent.The negative buoyancy of subducting oceanic slabs can be considered as the main engine for northward drifting of Gondwana-derived blocks and subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean.Meanwhile,mantle convection and counterclockwise rotation of Gondwana-derived blocks and the Gondwana continent around an Euler pole in West Africa in non-free boundary conditions also controlled the evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean.
基金supported by China Geological Survey(CGS) and IGMA 5000 (Grant No. 12120111200131)the ministry of Science and Technology (MST) (Grant No.,2011FY120100)
文摘In a re-study of regional geology by the China Geological Survey （CGS）, the key problem is in the stratigraphical division and correlation. According to the new isotopic dating of the Mesoand Neoproterozoic in China, there have been great changes in the strata correlation and tectonic explanation. The authors obtained four zircon sensitive high resolution ion micro-probe （SHRIMP） U- Pb datings from the bentonite of the Lengjiaxi Group （822±10 Ma, 823±12 Ma and 834±11 Ma） and Banxi Group （802.6±7.6 Ma） in north Hunan Province, which is considered to be the middle part of the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt. On the basis of the zircon dating mentioned above, the end of the Wuling orogen is first limited in the period from 822 Ma to 802 Ma in one continued outcrop （Lucheng section） in Linxiang city, Hunan Province. Combining a series of new zircon U-Pb datings in the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks, several Neoproterozoic volcanic events and distribution of the metamorphic rocks in the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt have been distinguished. In the context of the global geodynamics, it is useful to set up a practical and high precision chronological framework and basic and unified late Precambrian section in South China.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40074020) and the National Basic Science Research Project (Grant No. 95-S-05).
文摘With the results of interpretation of seismic sounding profiles acquired in the past 30 years in the continent of China and its adjacent countries and ocean regions, such as Russia, Ka-zakhstan, Japan, India, Pakistan, Philippine ocean basin, Pacific and Indian Ocean, we compiled a 2D Moho distribution map for the continent and its adjacent areas of eastern Asia. From the fea-tures of depth distribution and undulation of Moho, it is suggested that the eastern Asian region can be divided into 18 gradient belts with different sizes, 18 crustal blocks, 20 sediment basins and depression zones. The depth of Moho varies smoothly in each block, while the boundary (separat-ing different blocks) delineates the abrupt variation of Moho depth. Then, some subjects,such as oregen and sediment basin, fault system and rift, plate boundary, ocean-continent coupling and tectonic framework, are discussed based on the distribution gradient belts and block partition fea-tures of Moho depth in the eastern Asia and its adjacent regions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants Nos. 40376013, 40572128, and 40104003)
文摘Based on conservation of energy principle and heat flow data in China continent, the upper limit of 1.3 μW/m3 heat production is obtained for continental crust in China. Furthermore, using the data of heat flow and helium isotope ratio of underground fluid, the heat productions of different tectonic units in China continent are estimated in range of 0.58-1.12 μW/m3 with a median of 0.85 μW/m3. Accordingly, the contents of U, Th and K20 in China crust are in ranges of 0.83-1.76 μg/g, 3.16-6.69 μg/g, and 1.0%-2.12%, respectively. These results indicate that the abundance of radioactive elements in the crust of China continent is much higher than that of Archean crust; and this fact implies China＇s continental crust is much evolved in chemical composition. Meanwhile, significant lateral variation of crustal composition is also exhibited among different tectonic units in China continent. The crust of eastern China is much enriched in incompatible elements such as U, Th and K than that of western China; and the crust of orogenic belts is more enriched than that of platform regions. It can also be inferred that the crusts of eastern China and orogenic belts are much felsic than those of western China and platform regions, respectively, derived from the positive correlation between the heat production and SiO2 content of bulk crust. This deduction is consistent with the results derived from the crustal seismic velocity data in China. According to the facts of the lower seismic velocity of China than the average value of global crust, and the higher heat production of China continent compared with global crust composition models published by previous studies, it is deduced that the average composition models of global continent crust by Rudnick and Fountain （1995）, Rudnick and Gao （2003）, Weaver and Tarney （1984）, Shaw et al. （1986）, and Wedepohl （1995） overestimate the abundance of incompatible elements such as U, Th and K of continental crust.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40234042)the Beijing Natural Science Foundation Program (Grant No. 8053020)
文摘Based on data of principal stress orientation from focal mechanism and of geological features in China, we made pseudo-3D genetic algorithm finite element (GA-FEM) inversion to investigate the main forces acting on the Chinese continent and adjacent areas which form the Chinese tectonic stress field. The results confirm that plate boundary forces play the dominant role in forming the stress field in China, as noticed by many previous researchers. However, we also find that topographic spreading forces, as well as basal drag forces of the lower crust to the upper crust, make significant contribution to stresses in regional scale. Forces acting on the Chinese continent can be outlined as follows: the collision of the India plate to the NNE is the most important action, whereby forces oriented to the NW by the Philippine plate and forces oriented to the SWW by the Pacific plate are also important. Topographic spreading forces are not negligible at high topographic gradient zones, these forces are perpendicular to edges of the Tibetan Plateau and a topographic gradient belt running in the NNE direction across Eastern China. Basal drag forces applied by the ductile flow of the lower crust to the base of upper crust affect the regional stress field in the Tibetan Plateau remarkably, producing the clockwise rotation around the eastern Himalaya syntax.
文摘Around 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans with depths that exceed several kilometers, while continents are geographically enclosed by these vast bodies of water. The principle of fluid mechanics stipulates that water yields pressure everywhere in the container that holds it, and the water pressure against the wall of container generates force. Ocean basins are naturally gigantic containers of water, in which continents form the walls of the containers. In this study, we present that the ocean water pressure against the walls of continents generates enormous force, and determine the distribution of this force around continents and estimate its amplitude to be of the order of 1017 N per kilometer of continent width. Our modelling suggests that the stresses yielded by this force are mostly concentrated on the upper part of the continental crust, and their magnitudes reach up to 2.0 - 6.0 MPa. Our results suggest that the force may have significantly impacted the dynamics of continent (lithospheric plate) and its evolution.
基金This work was supported by the National Key Basic Research Project (Grant No. G1998040700)and partly by US National Science Foundation grant (EAR9614616). Contribution No. 01FE2013, Institute of Geophysics, China Seismological Bureau. We sincerely than
文摘39473 Pn travel times are inverted to tomographically image both lateral variation and anisotropy of uppermost mantle velocities beneath China continent. The result indicates that the overall average Pn velocity of uppermost mantle in the studied region is 8.0 km/s and the regional velocity fluctuation varies from ?0.30 km/s to +0.35 km/s. Pn velocities higher than 8.2 km/s are found in the regions surrounding Qingzang Plateau, such as Junggar Basin, Tarim Basin, Qaidam Basin and Sichun Basin. Pn velocities slightly lower than the average are found in western Sichuan and Yunnan, Shanxi Graben and Bohai Bay region. A Pn velocity as low as 7.8 km/s may exist in the region striding the boundary between Guangxi and Guangdong provinces. In general, Pn velocity in tectonically stable region like cratonic platform tends to be high, while that in tectonically active region tends to be low. The regions in compressive setting usually show higher Pn velocity, while extensional basins or grabens generally display lower one. Anisotropy of Pn velocity is seen in some regions. In the southeastern region of Qingzang Plateau the directions of fastest Pn velocity show a rotation pattern, which may be related to southeastward escape of the plateau material due to the collision and compression of Indian Plate to Asia along Himalaya arc. Notable anisotropy also exists around Bohai Bay region, likely indicating crustal extending and possible magma activity therein.
