Cenozoic Geodynamics Research Articles

Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic Geodynamics of the Arctic Region: Implications for Abiogenic Generation of Hydrocarbons

Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic geodynamics of the Arctic region is discussed in the context of possible mechanisms which provide multistage cyclic transformations and transport of carbon through crust and mantle. Geodynamic processes control the abiogenic generation of hydrocarbons and the patterns of their localization. Possible mechanisms of abiotic hydrocarbon generation are explained in the context of carbon transport from subduction zones to rifts and serpentinization of ultramafic rocks in the rifts in the case of the Laptev Sea and Gakkel Ridge areas. The carbon of shallow crust origin migrates with encapsulated fragments of marine sediments which are consumed in the Pacific subduction zone where they become destroyed and transformed by different chemical and physical processes. The resulting C-species are involved in mantle convection flows and reach the continental rifts of the Laptev Sea and the Gakkel mid-ocean ridge. Thus, the hydrocarbons formed in the crust and in the mantle acquire signatures of abiotic origin. According to the authors, the scale of manifestation of abiogenic methanogenesis in the lower parts of the lithosphere and in the upper mantle is not so wide. Numerous small (mm and fractions of the mm) particles of exogenous matter and dispersed carbon pulled into the mantle can only form a stable crustal geochemical plume that propagates in the plane of movement of convective flows. Indirectly, the scale of manifestation of this process can be judged by the volumes of degassing of hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide gases, as well as hydrogen and its compounds in the rift systems of the earth’s crust, which are extremely insignificant. However, in the cold seas of the Eastern Arctic, massive emissions of bubble methane of mixed genesis were found. As shown in the literature, the range of variability of stable isotopes of carbon and 14C of methane in certain areas of discharge associated with rifting demonstrates values (anomalously heavy 13C, and young 14C) that can be considered as examples of presumably abiogenic origin. Our work is mostly theoretical and suggests further discussion and improvement of the mechanism of formation of abiogenic hydrocarbons and the processes of their transformation.

Kinematic analysis of fault-slip data in the Nanling Tectonic Belt and Cretaceous to Paleogene tectonic evolution of the Central South China Block

• Six tectonic events were inversed from fault-slip analysis in the Nanling Tectonic Belt. • Four Cretaceous tectonic events resulted from the Paleo-Pacific subduction . • Two Paleogene tectonic events were due to the far field effect of the India-Asia collision. Cretaceous tectonic events and Cenozoic geodynamics of the central South China Block are still under debate. A long-term extensional regime or two extension-contraction tectonic cycles were proposed for the Cretaceous tectonic evolution. While Cenozoic geodynamics of the central South China Block were ascribed to the Pacific subduction or the far field effect of the India-Asia collision. Kinematic analysis of fault-slip data were carried out for the Cretaceous to Paleogene Chaling-Yongxing Basin and the Lianshan-Yangshan Domain in the Nanling Tectonic Belt. Kinematic analysis of fault-slip data (409 groups of faults and striations) reveal four Cretaceous tectonic events and two Paleogene tectonic events. i) The early Early Cretaceous extensional regime is represented by a NW-SE horizontal minimum principal stress and a vertical maximum principal stress, which generated NE-striking boundary normal faults of Early Cretaceous basins. ii) The late Early Cretaceous strike-slip regime is characterized by a N-S horizontal maximum principal stress and a E-W horizontal minimum principal stress, which led to tectonic inversion of Early Cretaceous extensional basins and nearly N-S-striking folding of the Lower Cretaceous. iii) The early Late Cretaceous extensional regime is represented by a NW-SE horizontal minimum principal stress and a vertical maximum principal stress, which activated the NE-striking boundary normal faults of Late Cretaceous basins. And iv) the latest Late Cretaceous strike-slip regime is characterized by NW-SE horizontal maximum principal stress and a NE-SW horizontal minimum principal stress, which led to tectonic inversion of Late Cretaceous extensional basins and NNE-striking folding of the Upper Cretaceous. Orientations of maximum or minimum principal stresses imply that two extension-contraction tectonic cycles during the Cretaceous resulted from the Paleo-Pacific subduction. Two Paleogene tectonic events are v) the strike-slip regime characterized by NE-SW horizontal maximum principal stress and a NW-SE horizontal minimum principal stress, and vi) the subsequent extensional regime represented by a NE-SW minimum principal stress and a vertical maximum principal stress. The former generated NW-striking reverse faults and reactivated strike-slipping of NE- and NW-striking conjugate faults whereas the latter formed NW-striking normal faults in the Lower Paleogene clastic rocks. Orientations of maximum or minimum principal stresses indicate that two Paleogene tectonic events in the central South China Block were attributed to the far field effect of the India-Asia collision and subsequent stress relief.

Cretaceous–Early Cenozoic Geodynamics of the Olyutorka–Kamchatka Accretionary Zone

Within the Olyutorka–Kamchatka accretionary zone, several terranes of an island-arc, marginal-sea, and oceanic nature are distinguished. The igneous complexes of these terranes were formed within the active margin of the Western Pacific type. New data on the opening age of the marginal basins, as well as on the composition and age of the volcanic and terrigenous lithologic complexes of the terranes composing the Olyutorka–Kamchatka region, give grounds to propose a new refined model of the evolution of this region. The geodynamical reconstructions for the K2st-km1, K2km-m, and ₶1–₶2 times are presented.

Drainage response to Arabia–Eurasia collision: Insights from provenance examination of the Cyprian Kythrea flysch (Eastern Mediterranean Basin)

AbstractThe Cenozoic geodynamics of the north‐eastern Mediterranean Basin have been dominated by the subduction of the African Plate under Eurasia. A trench‐parallel crustal‐scale thrust system (Misis–Kyrenia Thrust System) dissects the southern margin of the overriding plate and forms the structural grain and surface expression of northern Cyprus. Late Eocene to Miocene flysch of the Kythrea (Değirmenlik) Group is exposed throughout northern Cyprus, both at the hanging‐wall and foot‐wall of the thrust system, permitting access to an extensive Cenozoic sedimentary record of the basin. We report the results of a combined examination of detrital zircon and rutile U–Pb geochronology (572 concordant ages), coupled with Th/U ratios, Hf isotopic data and quantitative assessment of grain morphology of detrital zircon from four formations (5 samples) from the Kythrea flysch. These data provide a line of independent evidence for the existence of two different sediment transportation systems that discharged detritus into the basin between the late Eocene and late Miocene. Unique characteristics of each transport system are defined and a sediment unmixing calculation is demonstrated and explained. The first system transported almost exclusively North Gondwana‐type, Precambrian‐aged detrital zircon sourced from siliciclastic rock units in southern Anatolia. A different drainage system is revealed by the middle to late Miocene flysch sequence that is dominated by Late Cretaceous–Cenozoic‐aged detrital zircon, whose age range is consistent with the magmatic episodicity of southeast Anatolia, along the Arabia–Eurasia suture zone. Deposition of these late Miocene strata took place thereupon closure of the Tethyan Seaway and African–Eurasian faunal exchange, and overlap in time with a pronounced uplift of eastern Anatolia. Our analytical data indicate the onset of prominent suture‐parallel sediment transport from the collision zone of south‐eastern Anatolia into the Kyrenia Range of northern Cyprus, marking the drainage response to the continental collision between Arabia and Eurasia.

Using a Gaussian mathematical model to define eruptive stages of young volcanic rocks in Tengchong based on laser 40Ar/39Ar dating

Reconstruction of Quaternary environments, late Cenozoic geodynamics and evaluation of volcanic hazards, all depend on the precise delineation of eruptive stages. In recent years, laser 40Ar/39Ar dating methods have been widely used for dating young volcanic rocks, given their stable automated testing process, very low background level and high sensitivity, which meet the requirements for precise dating of young samples. This paper applied high-precision laser 40Ar/39Ar dating to the main volcanic units in the Tengchong area and obtained ages in the range of 0.025–5.1 Ma using conventional data processing methods. However, conventional dating highlighted issues related to very low radiogenic 40Ar content, accidental errors and poor data stability, which led to huge age deviations. Moreover, lacking a unified timescale, conventional methods were unable to strictly define the stages of the Tengchong volcanic eruptions, leading to ongoing controversy. In this study, we applied a Gaussian mathematical model to deal with all 378 original ages from 13 samples. An apparent age-probability diagram, consisting of three independent waveforms, have been obtained. The corresponding isochron ages of these three waveforms suggest there were three volcanic eruptive stages, namely during the Pliocene (3.78±0.04 Ma), early Middle Pleistocene (0.63 ±0.03 Ma) and late Middle Pleistocene to early Late Pleistocene (0.139±0.005 Ma). These results accurately define eruptive stages in the Tengchong area.

SEISMOGEODYNAMIC FACTOR IN TRIGGERING OF DEBRIS FLOWS ON THE SOUTHERN SLOPES OF THE KODAR RIDGE

Potential triggering of mudflows by geodynamic and seismotectonic factors was assessed for the NE flank of the Baikal rift system, specifically for the junction area of the SW segment of the Chara depression, the Kodar ridge and the Muya-Chara inter-basin zone. The debris flow hazard in the study area is high due to geodynamic and seismotectonic activity and the regional permafrost, hydrological and climatic conditions. In 2001, debris flow damaged the railway section of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) on the northern shore of the Bolshoe Leprindo lake. To ensure stable railway operations, BAM must be protected from landslides and debris flows. Appropriate preventive actions need to be developed with respect to the correctly assessed current state of the local natural environment, which results from complex interactions between endogenous and exogenous processes. In our study, the Late Cenozoic geodynamics, faulting and seismicity are considered as the most important factors for the occurrence of landslides and mudflows on the southern slopes of the Kodar ridge. The relief in the study area develops in geodynamic conditions predetermined by active stretching of the crust, accompanied by uplifting of the rift shoulder with a large height gradient. The study area is a narrow segment of the zone of dynamic influence of the Baikal rift system. It has a dense network of faults activated in the Late Cenozoic and the fault segments active in Holocene, as deformation caused by the divergent movements of the Siberian and Transbaikalia lithospheric blocks concentrates in this narrow zone. We studied several fault systems, including those activated in the Late Cenozoic, which are related to abundant zones of high fracturing, fragmentation and disintegration of rocks to dust-size particles, accompanied by the most intensive physical weathering in such zones. In the Chara depression and the surrounding uplifts, modern seismicity and paleoseismicity are determined by differentiated movements along the active faults. In the modern and Holocene stages, during and after frequent seismic shocks (including strong ones) in the study area, loose debris materials are inten­sely displaced by gravity, accumulate in negative-relief forms, and provide an important source of solids for debris flows. The Stanovoi Plateau is currently experiencing a period of intensified tectonic and seismic activity, which contributes to favorable conditions for the occurrence of mudflows.

Cenozoic geodynamics of the Bering Sea region

In the Early Cenozoic before origination of the Aleutian subduction zone 50–47 Ma ago, the northwestern (Asian) and northeastern (North American) parts of the continental framework of the Pacific Ocean were active continental margins. In the northwestern part, the island-arc situation, which arose in the Coniacian, remained with retention of the normal lateral series: continent-marginal sea-island arc-ocean. In the northeastern part, consumption of the oceanic crust beneath the southern margin of the continental Bering shelf also continued from the Late Cretaceous with the formation of the suprasubduction volcanic belt. The northwestern and northeastern parts of the Paleopacific were probably separated by a continuation of the Kula-Pacific Transform Fracture Zone. Change of the movement of the Pacific oceanic plates from the NNW to NW in the middle Eocene (50–47 Ma ago) was a cause of the origin of the Aleutian subduction zone and related Aleutian island arc. In the captured part of the Paleopacific (proto-Bering Sea), the ongoing displacement of North America relative to Eurasia in the middle-late Eocene gave rise to the formation of internal structural elements of the marginal sea: the imbricate nappe structure of the Shirshov Ridge and the island arc of the Bowers Ridge. The Late Cenozoic evolution was controlled by subduction beneath the Kamchatka margin and its convergence with the Kronotsky Terrane in the south. A similar convergence of the Koryak margin with the Goven Terrane occurred in the north. The Komandorsky minor oceanic basin opened in the back zone of this terrane. Paleotectonic reconstructions for 68–60, 56–52, 50–38, 30–15, and 15–6 Ma are presented.

Evolution of the central Alpine-Himalayan belt in the Late Cenozoic

The Late Cenozoic geodynamics of the Alpine-Himalayan belt comprised the collision between continental-lithosphere plates and blocks and the effect of the Neo-Tethyan active residual asthenosphere, which reached the northern margin of the belt after the ocean had closed. From the late Eocene to the early Pliocene, strong deformation, lateral migrations of flaked plates, metamorphism, and magmatism (they all consolidated the crust) took place in the lithosphere with the participation of mobile asthenospheric components. In the Pliocene–Quaternary, the asthenosphere beneath the consolidated crust partly replaced the dense mantle lithosphere with remaining paleoocean mafic rocks, which subducted into the mantle. Phase transformations and deformations in the subducting metamafic slabs caused mantle earthquakes. The less compact metamafic rocks experienced metamorphic weakening under the effect of the asthenosphere and incorporated into the Earth’s crust. The upper-mantle and lower-crust weakening led to a drastic intensification of uplifting and the formation of mountain ranges. Recent volcanism is also attributed to the activity of the Neo-Tethyan asthenosphere.

Attractor structures of riftogenesis as an attribute of the cenozoic stage in evolution of the lithosphere within the Baikal rift system

In accordance with the principle of actualism, theresults of studying the modern geodynamics and tectonophysics of the Baikal rift system (BRS) have beenapplied for development and broadening of ideasabout the Cenozoic Stage of the lithosphere in theregion. Identification of three attractor structures ofriftogenesis (ASR) has allowed the theory of moderngeodynamics and tectonophysics of the BRS to bedeveloped: the regional energy sources for geodynamical and seismic reconstructions have been includedinto the pattern, and their nature and effects have beendescribed in the first approximation. Within theframework of the theory of dissipative dynamical systems of selforganization and nonlinear media, theASRs have been considered as an attribute of Cenozoic geodynamics of the BRS lithosphere: they formednonlinearity and instability of geodynamical and tectonophysical processes in this period of time. Threestages of volcanic activation of the BRS lithosphere areexplained by sequential origination and developmentof three ASRs: firstly, in the South Baikal Depression(Late Cretaceous–Paleocene), then in the KhubsugulDepression (Eocene–Oligocene), and finally in theMuya Depression (postOligocene). The start of theCenozoic riftogenic stage of the Baikal Depressionabout 70 Ma BP is explained by appearance of theASR is the South Baikal Depression. Two stages of rifting, an increase in the rate of rift processes in the BRS,and propagation of riftogenesis southwestwards andnortheastwards from the South Baikal Depression areattributed to the appearance and gradual twolateralevolution of the ASRs in the Khubsugul (southwesternflank) and Muya (northeastern flank) depressions.In the hierarcy of natural systems, intracontinentalrift systems, which consist of deeplaid fault zones andzones functioning in a relatively narrow thermodynamical regime, are classified as mesosystems [1].N.A. Logachev et al. [2, 3] found the main features ofthe Cenozoic riftogenesis dynamics of the intracontinental BRS: evolution of the process southwestwardsand northeastwards from the South Baikal Depression, which is the historical core of the BRS, tookplace during two stages, namely, slow and rapid rifting.Such systems that change in space and time are identified as dynamic [4], and it follows from the theorythat dissipative dynamical systems in geological–geophysical media should have spatiotemporal attractors;in the lithosphere of a rift system, these attractors areto be classified as attractors of riftogenesis (spacedomains and time periods where normal faultrelatedearthquakes, which are typical for this mode, dominate). It has been found that temporal attractors of riftogenesis in the BRS lithosphere correspond to assemblage structure within the framework of the evolutional scenario with bifurcation of triple equilibrium[5]. The detailed study and generalization of theseparameters of seismic sources enabled the identification of three ASRs in the lithosphere of the region:South Baikal, Khubsugul, and Muya depressions [6](Fig. 1). ASRs are the main peculiarity of regionallithosphere since they form nonlinearity and instability of modern geodynamical and tectonophysical processes in the BRS lithosphere.In the present paper, the ASRs are considered as anattribute of Cenozoic nonlinear geodynamics of theBRS lithosphere. Their inclusion in the history ofregional Cenozoic geodynamics allows us to supplement the available description [2, 3, 7] with modernconcepts about the origin and evolution of riftogenesisin the BRS lithosphere within the framework of theselforganization theory for dissipative systems andnonlinear media. We lean upon the actualism principle here; it is not understood as a statement about similarity between present and past geological–geophysical processes, but as a statement that systems preserve

Late Cenozoic geodynamics and mechanical coupling of crustal and upper mantle deformations in the Mongolia-Siberia mobile area

Comprehensive analysis of the parameters characterizing contemporary and neotectonic deformations of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle developed in the Mongolia-Siberia area is presented. The orientation of the axes of horizontal deformation in the geodetic network from the data of GPS geodesy is accepted as an indicator of current deformations at the Earth’s surface. At the level of the middle crust, this is the orientation of the principal axes of the stress-tensors calculated from the mechanisms of earthquake sources. The orientation of the axes of stress-tensors reconstructed on the basis of structural data is accepted as an indicator of Late Cenozoic deformations in the upper crust. Data on seismic anisotropy of the upper mantle derived from published sources on the results of splitting of shear waves from remote earthquakes serve as indicators of deformation in the mantle. It is shown that the direction of extension (minimum compression) in the studied region coincides with the direction of anisotropy of the upper mantle, the median value of which is 310–320° NW. Seismic anisotropy is interpreted as the ordered orientation of olivine crystals induced by strong deformation owing to the flow of mantle matter. The observed mechanical coupling of the crust and upper mantle of the Mongolia-Siberia mobile area shows that the lithospheric mantle participated in the formation of neotectonic structural elements and makes it possible to ascertain the main processes determining the Late Cenozoic tectogenesis in this territory. One of the main mechanisms driving neotectonic and contemporary deformations in the eastern part of the Mongolia-Siberia area is the long-living and large-scale flow of the upper mantle matter from the northwest to the southeast, which induces both the movement of the northern part of the continent as a whole and the divergence of North Eurasia and the Amur Plate with the formation of the Baikal Rift System. In the western part of the region, deformation of the lithosphere is related to collisional compression, while in the central part, it is due to the dynamic interaction of these two large-scale processes.

Shape and amount of the Quaternary uplift of the western Rhenish shield and the Ardennes (western Europe)

A good evaluation of the Quaternary uplift of the Rhenish shield is a key element for the understanding of the Cenozoic geodynamics of the western European platform in front of the alpine arc. Previous maps of the massif uplift relied on fluvial incision data since the time of the rivers' Younger Main Terrace to infer a maximum post-0.73 Ma uplift of ~ 290 m in the SE Eifel. Here, we propose a new interpretation of the incision data of the intra-massif streams, where anomalies in the terrace profiles would result from knickpoint retreat in the tributaries of the main rivers rather than from tectonic deformation. We also use additional geomorphological data referring to (1) deformed Tertiary planation surfaces, (2) the history of stream piracy that severely affected the Meuse basin in the last 1 Ma, and (3) incision data outside the Rhenish shield. A new map of the post-0.73 Ma uplift of the Rhenish shield is drawn on the basis of this enlarged dataset. It reduces the maximum amount of tectonic uplift in the SE Eifel to ~ 140 m and modifies the general shape of the uplift, namely straightening its E–W profile. It is also suggested that an uplift wave migrated across the massif, starting from its southern margin in the early Pleistocene and currently showing the highest intensity of uplift in the northern Ardennes and Eifel. These features seem to favour an uplift mechanism chiefly related to lithospheric folding and minimize the impact on the topography of a more local Eifel plume.

Cenozoic geodynamics of the Ross Sea region, Antarctica: Crustal extension, intraplate strike‐slip faulting, and tectonic inheritance

An integrated study of onshore and offshore geology of the Ross Sea region (namely, Victoria Land, north of Ross Island, and the Ross Sea, Antarctica) has revealed a complex, post‐Eocene tectonic framework. Regional NW‐SE right‐lateral, strike‐slip faults are the outstanding feature of this framework and overprint an older Mesozoic extensional event, responsible for formation of N‐S basins in the Ross Sea. The Cenozoic framework includes kinematic deformation and reactivation along the NW‐SE faults, including formation of pull‐apart basins, both positive and negative flower structures, and push‐up ridges. N‐S extensional faults are well developed between NW‐SE faults and indicate E‐W extension during the Cenozoic, produced by the NW‐SE right‐lateral strike‐slip motion together with regional crustal extension. NNW‐SSE compression, induced by the right‐lateral, strike‐slip kinematics, is indicated by locally inverted NE‐SW faults and basins. The evolution, geometry, and location of the Rennick Graben and the Lanterman Range fit well into this model. Variations in the deformational style across the region can be linked to corresponding variations in the bulk crustal rheology, from brittle behavior in the west, to ductile deformation (at subseismic‐scale resolution) near the Eastern Basin. A semibrittle region that favors N‐S clustering of Cenozoic magmatic activity lies in between. In this region, Cenozoic volcanoes develop at the intersections of the NW‐SE and the major N‐S faults. The NW‐SE faults cut almost continually from the Ross Sea to East Antarctica through lithospheric sectors with different rheology and thickness. At least two of the NW‐SE faults correspond to older Paleozoic terrane boundaries in northern Victoria Land. The NW‐SE faults link in the Southern Ocean with major transform faults related to the plate motions of Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica.

The Fennoscandian uplift and late cenozoic geodynamics: geological evidence

The history of the recording and interpretation of the Fennoscandian uplift illustrates the main history of Earth sciences because the results obtained had (and still have) immediate impact of the interpretation of a large number of fundamental problems in Earth sciences. Thanks to a paper of De Geer in 1888, the glacial isostatic origin was established. Fennoscandia became the classic area of glacial isostasy, and its sea level records were used for geophysical calculations of the properties and dynamics of the mantle and crust. The varve dated sea level curve of Liden (1938) from the center of uplift provided an exceptionally well dated record. With the radiocarbon method, the records of shorelines and shorelevel displacement curves were drastically improved providing a totally new basis for the understanding of the geodynamics of the Fennoscandian uplift and for the geophysical interpretation of the data obtained. This is especially true in combination with the repeated levelling data obtained during the last decades for Finland and Sweden.

Columbia/Snake River—Yellowstone magmatism in the context of Western U.S.A. Cenozoic geodynamics

An attempt is made to calculate the total volume of Middle Cenozoic to Recent igneous rocks in the Columbia—Snake River—Yellowstone region by adding geophysically-derived estimates of the amounts of mafic intrusion to published data on the volumes of volcanic rocks. Recently published radiometric ages allow comparison of rates of basaltic magmatism in these ensialic provinces with those along equivalent lengths of mid-oceanic ridge. The rates of total magmatic activity (extrusive and intrusive) during the genesis of the Columbia River Plateau, Western Snake River Plain and Eastern Snake River Plain—Yellowstone sub-provinces were equivalent to those of mid-oceanic ridges with spreading half-rates of 10, 3 and 0.3 cm per year, respectively. It is shown that the hypothesis that magmatism in this region is the product of a deep-mantle convective plume, situated at present beneath Yellowstone, does not explain adequately several features of the Snake River Plain and becomes untenable when applied to the province as a whole. It is proposed instead that all major post-Eocene tectonic and magmatic features of the western U.S.A., east of the Sierra Nevada and Cascades, are products of comparatively shallow-rooted diapiric upwelling in the mantle; triggered at about 40 m.y. by extraction of mafic silicate melt and volatiles from the Farallon lithospheric plate, subducted at a comparatively low angle beneath the North American plate. During the Oligocene the diapirism appears to have become concentrated beneath the present sites of the Great Basin and Columbia River Plateau. Subsequent annihilation of the Farallon plate by the northward-propagating San Andreas transform fault released the compressive stress field across the Great Basin diapir, so that its heat content could disperse largely through attenuation and melting of the sialic crust, rather than mantle partial fusion and basaltic magmatism. Conversely, constriction of the Columbia River Plateau diapir by the subduction zone to its west led to “run away” mantle fusion and massive production of basic magmas. At 10–13 m.y. the E-W zone of offset at 42–44°N between these diapirs was the sub-sialic analogue of a transform fault. Lateral shearing of uppermantle peridotite within this zone caused the partial fusion which was the source of Western Snake River Plain magmatism. Once established, this upper-mantle thermal disturbance became self-perpetuating and, as the North American plate drifted westward over it, generated the Eastern Snake River Plain—Yellowstone “hot spot track”. The constant position of this hot spot in the mantle, relative to that beneath Hawaii, during the last 10 m.y. or so may indicate that its roots now penetrate down into the mesosphere.