An aeromagnetic study of fault structures underneath the region across the Chinese Altai orogen, Junggar Basin, Tianshan orogen, and Tarim Basin

Abstract

• We identified faults and volcanic suites in the Chinese Altai orogen, Junggar Basin, Tianshan orogen, and Tarim Basin regions. • The Junggar Basin has a basement composed of oceanic crustal material or continental-like material. • Mantle upwelling occurred during the Late Carboniferous–Cretaceous in the West Junggar orogenic belt . In this study, an aeromagnetic dataset is used to investigate the crustal structure in the region across the Chinese Altai orogen, Junggar Basin, Tianshan orogen, and Northern Tarim Basin, providing insights into the unclear nature of the basement of the Junggar Basin. The aeromagnetic data are for a region containing the Chinese Altai, Junggar Basin, Tianshan Mountains, and Tarim Basin. On the basis of magnetic anomalies, we identify several faults and volcanic suites in this region. According to the magnetic characteristics, gravity anomalies, and crustal thickness, we suggest that the Junggar Basin has a basement composed of oceanic crustal material or continental-like material. Mantle upwelling occurred in the West Junggar orogenic belt during the Late Carboniferous–Cretaceous. The faults we have identified provide useful insights into the tectonic development in the northwestern Central Asian Orogenic Belt.