Kinematic history of the Tan-Lu fault zone constrained by the Late Mesozoic–Cenozoic tectono-sedimentary evolution of basins in the Luxi Block, eastern North China Craton

Abstract

• The development of basins in the Luxi Block are closely related to the Tan–Lu Fault Zone. • The basins in the Luxi Block were involved in NE–SW compression (150–145 Ma), NE–SW extension (145–122 Ma) and N–S extension (63–32 Ma). • The Tan–Lu Fault Zone experienced sinistral strike-slip, normal faulting and dextral strike-slip in Late Jurassic–Paleogene. • The change from compression to extension at ∼145 Ma in the Luxi Block represents the initiation of craton destruction. The Tan–Lu fault zone (TLFZ), a lithosphere-scale fault in the eastern North China Craton (NCC), experienced multi-stage evolution characterized by alternating extension and strike-slip faulting in different tectonic setting. A series of Meso-Cenozoic sedimentary basins striking NW–SE to nearly E–W are distributed in the Luxi Block (LXB) to the west of the TLFZ. Recently, based on detailed fieldwork focusing on the sedimentary features and the boundary faults of these basins, the genetic relationship between basins and the TLFZ is disclosed in this study. The basins in the LXB were formed in the Late Jurassic–Paleogene, which were controlled by E–W and NW-SE-trending boundary faults. They were filled by the Late Jurassic fluvial coarse clastic rocks, the Early Cretaceous volcanic-clastic rocks, and the Paleogene fluvio-lacustrine sediments. Combined with the fault geochronology and paleo-stress restoration, three evolutionary stages are proposed: NE–SW compression in the Late Jurassic (150–145 Ma), NE–SW extension in the Early Cretaceous (145–122 Ma), and the N–S extension in the Paleogene (63–32 Ma), which were associated with the sinistral strike-slip faulting, extensional rifting, and dextral strike-slip faulting of the TLFZ, respectively. The basin evolution implies that the kinematic transition of the TLFZ occurred at the Earliest Cretaceous (∼145 Ma) and Early Paleogene (∼63 Ma). The tectono-transition from compression to extension in the LXB at ∼145 Ma might indicate the initiation of destruction of the NCC due to the adjustment from continental collision between the NCC and the South China Block (SCB) to back-arc extension of the Paleo-Pacific plate. The variation of extensional stress orientation in the Paleogene is interpreted to be related to the change of subduction direction of the Paleo-Pacific plate.