Regional Tectonics Research Articles

3D geometrical modelling of the non-cylindrical Vélodrome Miocene fold in the southwestern Alps

Fold geometries and kinematics within foreland basins is a major issue for understanding the late evolution of thrust fronts. In the foreland of the southwestern Alps, the Vélodrome complex fold involves the whole Tertiary series which have recorded the evolution of the alpine front. From a geometrical and kinematic point of view, the Vélodrome is classically described as a recumbent Mio-Pliocene syncline with a strongly curved axis; interpreted either as a classic growth-fold, a post-deposit fold, or a result of coeval salt activity. The debate reveals a lack of consensus on the internal structure of the Vélodrome and the potential role of salt motion. By a detailed field analysis coupled with an implicit 3D geometrical modelling approach, we test the different hypotheses and provide a new 3D illustrated interpretation of the Vélodrome series. The Vélodrome consists in a complex non-cylindrical structure composed by several folds with different orientations together with inter- and intra-formations unconformities. Folding is partly syn-depositional and began earlier in the south, near Esclangon village, than in the north. In the north, deformation started with the marly and sandy molasse (m2, middle Burdigalian), attested by the transition from the conformable conglomeratic marine molasse (m1–2, Aquitanian and early Burdigalian) to the unconformable m2 to the Valensole formation. Deformation began earlier in the south, during the deposition of the m1–2, as shown by internal unconformities. We discuss the ingredients controlling the deformation in the Vélodrome, regional tectonics (mainly since middle Burdigalian) versus salt tectonics. This study further brings new constraints on the timing and pattern of deformation of the southwestern orogenic front of the Alps. It also highlights the power of the 3D geometrical modelling approach for testing different hypotheses and better understanding 3D complex structures.

Assessment of radon transportation and uranium content in the tectonically active zone of Himalaya, India

The study shows how geology and tectonic activity affect the soil gas 222Rn concentration. The tectonically active zone, namely the Ghuttu region, which is located within the Himalayan seismic belt, was studied to decipher its impact on soil gas 222Rn concentrations. A soil gas 222Rn study was performed in the soil at a depth of 30 cm, and it varied from 426 ± 156 Bq m−3 to 24,057 ± 1110 Bq m−3 with an average of 5356.5 ± 1634.6 Bq m-3, and at 60 cm below the soil surface, the concentration varied from 1130 ± 416 Bq m−3 to 30,236 ± 1350 Bq m−3 with an average of 8928.5 ± 2039.5 Bq m−3. These concentrations vary in soil from −3.4 % to 437.3 % as the depth moves from 30 cm to 60 cm. The variation in uranium content also shows anomalies, and higher values of uranium content in the soil affect the radon concentration in the study area. The average soil gas 222Rn concentration in the Ghuttu window was found to be higher than that in its surrounding region. This is likely due to transportation from daughter products of uranium. 222Rn mass exhalation rate measurements were also carried out, and a weak correlation with the soil gas 222Rn concentration was observed. A significant variation in the mass exhalation rate was noticed in tectonically active areas. This study is vital to understanding the behavior of radon and uranium in tectonic regions.

Machine Learning-Based Precursor Detection Using Seismic Multi-Parameter Data

The application of certain mathematical–statistical methods can quantitatively identify and extract the abnormal characteristics from the observation data, and the comprehensive analysis of seismic multi-parameters can study and judge the risk of the tectonic regions better than a single parameter. In this study, the machine learning-based detection of seismic multi-parameters using the sliding extreme value relevancy method, based on the earthquake-corresponding relevancy spectrum, was calculated in the tectonic regions in the western Chinese mainland, and the R-value evaluation was completed. Multi-parameter data included the b value, M value (missing earthquakes), ƞ value (the relationship between seismic magnitude and frequency), D value (seismic hazard), Mf value (intensity factor), N value (earthquake frequency), and Rm value (modulation parameter). The temporal results showed that the high-value anomalies appeared before most target earthquakes during the training period. Moreover, some target earthquakes also occurred during the advantageous extrapolation period with high-value anomalies. The spatial results showed that some months before the target earthquakes, there was indeed a significant abnormal enhancement area that appeared near the epicenter, and the anomaly gradually disappeared after the earthquakes. This study demonstrated that machine learning techniques for detecting earthquake anomalies using seismic multi-parameter data were feasible.

Mesozoic structural evolution of the Northern South China Sea margin using potential field modelling

This study conducts a comprehensive geophysical inspection of the Northern South China Sea Margin (NSCSM), a complex and pivotal area for unraveling the tectonic history of Southeast China. We employ structural interpretation of the gravity and magnetic data by applying processing techniques and 2D forward modelling to delineate and subdivide the primary subsurface structures, and also to identify the sedimentary basins. Our findings reveal that the NSCSM exhibits a succession of extensional forearc basins above a heterogeneous basement, including a Mesozoic Andean-type magmatic arc and a Western Pacific-type marginal oceanic basin. It has substantial variations in crustal densities and susceptibilities across the NSCSM, reflecting its intricate geological history. The integrated interpretation of this study highlights the substantial impact of the Indosinian and Yanshanian thrusting and orogenies. These geological processes have played a significant role in deformation partitioning, leading to the development of elongated troughs and basins intersected by numerous prominent structures trending in the NE, ENE, and EW directions. The Indosinian faults provide insights into the boundary between these structures, which formed due to the Dian-Qiong Suture and the Paleo-Pacific Plate subduction. These tectonic processes have major structural trends, particularly impacting the offshore forearc region in the NE and EW directions, characterized by deep basins overlying thin crust. Our study also identifies multiple minor trends, including horse-tails and secondary fault systems of the Yanshanian origin, which inherited from the regional tectonics. These trends suggest that post-orogenic stresses and shearing have played a role in rotational and ridge jump processes during the opening and closing phases of the South China Sea (SCS). Furthermore, an uneven relationship exists between the calculated magnetic anomaly and the thickness of Cenozoic sediments, with a significant increase in sediment depth observed in the southern NSCSM compared to both crustal thickness and its heterogeneity.

Enrichment of arsenic in the Yarlung Tsangpo basin, Southern Tibetan Plateau: Provenance, process, and link with tectonic setting

Geogenic As enrichment is prevalent in freshwater systems worldwide, yet the connection between such enrichment and regional tectonics remains poorly understood, especially within orogenic environments like the Tibetan Plateau. To provide new insights into the sources and processes of arsenic, as well as its relationship with tectonics in the plateau basin, we selected the Yarlung Tsangpo basin, situated at the collision zone between the Indian (Himalaya block) and Eurasian plates (Lhasa block) as the study area. We analyzed and compared the chemical compositions of waters and sediments across various litho-tectonic domains. This also involved assessing arsenic concentrations in river waters, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediments, geothermal waters, and rocks. The main findings are as follows: (a) High-arsenic geothermal waters and igneous rocks are common in the Lhasa block, and the discharge of these geothermal waters is the main source of dissolved As in river water, whereas erosion of igneous rocks contributes most of the As in sediments. (b) Metal oxides adsorb dissolved As, which leads to further As enrichment in the sediments. (c) The occurrence of high As concentrations in the southern Tibetan Plateau can be explained by a crustal cycling model. Arsenic likely originated in Neo-Tethys oceanic crustal rocks and was concentrated in the upper crust of the active continental margin (Lhasa block) during geological cycling at convergent plate boundaries. These studies highlight the role of tectonic settings on influencing arsenic enrichment in the plateau basin.

Reservoir identification of marine facies carbonate shoals in the Middle Permian in the Sichuan Basin

Controlled by the base level change cycle, the carbonates exposed from the periodically shallowed water body at the top of the high-frequency sequence develops multiple sets of thin reservoirs. Such reservoir identification has always been tricky in the prediction of carbonate reservoirs. Based on the Middle Permian strata from the Sichuan Basin, this paper established a forecasting approach of high-frequency-sequence-controlled carbonate thin reservoir. The steps are as follows: (1) Combine the measured results of samples from the typical outcrops with changes of carbon and oxygen isotopes, thus to construct a division program for the 3rd-order sequence of the Middle Permian strata. (2) Compare the carbon and oxygen isotope changes and the global sea level change trend, determine the controlling factors of the 3rd-order sequences. (3) Carry out spectrum analysis based on the natural gamma energy spectrum logging (ln (Th/K)) curves of Wells Long-17 and Anping-1 to establish a high-frequency sequence framework division program, and then apply the logging curve characteristics to correct the top interface positions of the high-frequency sequences, which is the potential location of carbonate reservoir. The research results suggest that the Middle Permian in the Sichuan Basin can be divided into three 3rd-order sequences, which are PSQ1, PSQ2 and PSQ3 from bottom to top. Among which, PSQ1 is mainly affected by global sea level (GSL) changes, and the changes originated from its tuning curve can be directly applied to the division of high-frequency sequences and reservoir prediction. PSQ2 and PSQ3 are jointly controlled by global sea level changes and regional tectonics. In cope with the influence of regional tectonics, the positions of the four-level sequence interface established according to the tuning curve need to be fully considered, and good results were achieved through systematical correction. This method can effectively reduce the risk of reservoir prediction caused by marine carbonate heterogeneity, and provide scientific foundation for the prediction of high-frequency cyclic reservoirs of platform facies and platform margin subfacies in other marine carbonate sedimentary basins.

Impact of earthquakes on California’s Railways: A comprehensive correlation analysis of magnitude and hypocenter depths with infrastructure accident

The seismic events have been suggested as one of the major causes of railroad infrastructure and facility damages in several rail networks located in active tectonic regions, such as California in the US. To prove if there is any correlation between the railway infrastructure and earthquakes, this study aims to investigate their relationship using geospatial density and Spearman Correlation methods. As a result, this study found that the 15-year cumulative numbers of moderate-to-large (≥ M4) magnitude crustal earthquakes, occurring at depth ≤ 40 km, have a strong correlation with the cumulative number of infrastructure incidents. Although the small earthquakes (3≤ M < 4) do not seem to have a strong correlation with the overall accidents, these events appear to have moderate to strong correlation with the T3 (rail switch worn/broken/defected issues) and T4 (flangeway and overall structural defects) accidents. This suggests that even smaller earthquakes have a correlation with the railway infrastructure accidents, and these earthquakes can lead to the damage in the long term since they seem to have occurred shallowly and repeatedly around the same areas. Accordingly, our study provides the initial results that can further be used to examine and develop a more complex model to represent the relationship between the railway infrastructure accidents and seismicity, and possibly to predict the damage and associated causes in the future.

The 2023 US National Seismic Hazard Model: Ground-motion characterization for the conterminous United States

We update the ground-motion characterization for the 2023 National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) for the conterminous United States. The update includes the use of new ground-motion models (GMMs) in the Cascadia subduction zone; an adjustment to the central and eastern United States (CEUS) GMMs to reduce misfits with observed data; an updated boundary for the application of GMMs for shallow, crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions (i.e. western United States (WUS)) and stable continental regions (i.e. CEUS); and the use of improved models for the site response of deep sedimentary basins in the WUS and CEUS. Site response updates include basin models for the California Great Valley and for the Portland and Tualatin basins, Oregon, as well as long-period basin effects from three-dimensional simulations in the Greater Los Angeles region and in the Seattle basin; in the CEUS, we introduce a broadband (0.01- to 10-s period) amplification model for the effects of the passive-margin basins of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains. In addition, we summarize progress on implementing rupture directivity models into seismic hazard models, although they are not incorporated in the 2023 NSHM. We implement the ground-motion characterization for the 2023 NSHM in the US Geological Survey’s code for probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, nshmp-haz-v2, and present the sensitivity of hazard to these changes. Hazard calculations indicate widespread effects from adjustments to the CEUS GMMs, from the incorporation of Coastal Plain amplification effects, and from the treatment of shallow-basin and out-of-basin sites in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles region, as well as locally important changes from subduction-zone GMMs, and from updated and new WUS basins.

Review of Asymmetric Seafloor Spreading and Oceanic Ridge Jumps in the South China Sea

Seafloor spreading is an important cornerstone of the theory of plate tectonics. Asymmetric seafloor spreading and oceanic ridge jumps are common phenomena in this process and play important roles in controlling oceanic crust accretion, regional tectonics and geological geometric boundaries. As the largest marginal sea in the western Pacific, the South China Sea is an ideal laboratory for dissecting the Wilson cycle of small marginal sea-type ocean basins restricted by surrounding blocks and exploring the deep dynamic processes of confined small ocean basins. In recent years, a lot of research has been conducted on the spreading history of the South China Sea and has achieved fruitful results. However, the detailed dynamic mechanisms of asymmetric seafloor spreading and ridge jumps are still unclear. Therefore, this paper summarizes the basic understanding about the dynamic mechanisms of global asymmetric seafloor spreading and ridge jumps and reviews the related research results of asymmetric seafloor spreading and ridge jumps in the South China Sea. Previous studies have basically confirmed that seafloor spreading in the South China Sea started between ~32 and 34 Ma in the east sub-basin and ended at ~15 Ma in the northwest sub-basin, with at least once oceanic ridge jump in the east sub-basin. The current research mainly focuses on the age of the seafloor spreading in the South China Sea and the location, time and stage of the ridge jumps, but there are relatively few studies on high-resolution lithospheric structure across these ridges and the dynamic mechanism of oceanic ridge jumps. Based on the current research progress, we propose that further studies should focus on the lithosphere–asthenosphere scale in the future, suggesting that marine magnetotelluric and Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) surveys should be conducted across the residual oceanic ridges to perform a detailed analysis of the tectonics magmatism in the east sub-basin to gain insights into the dynamic mechanisms of oceanic ridge jumps and asymmetric seafloor spreading, which can promote understanding of the tectonic evolution of the South China Sea and improve the classical plate tectonics theory that was constructed based on the open ocean basins.

Influence of tectonic preservation conditions on the nanopore structure of shale reservoir: A case study of Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation shale in western Hubei area, south China

Tectonism is one of the dominant factors affecting the shale pore structure. However, the control of shale pore structure by tectonic movements is still controversial, which limits the research progress of shale gas accumulation mechanism in the complex tectonic region of southern China. In this study, 34 samples were collected from two exploratory wells located in different tectonic locations. Diverse experiments, e.g., organic geochemistry, XRD analysis, FE-SEM, low-pressure gas adsorption, and high-pressure mercury intrusion, were conducted to fully characterize the shale reservoir. The TOC, Ro, and mineral composition of the shale samples between the two wells are similar, which reflects that the shale samples of the two wells have proximate pores-generating capacity and pores-supporting capacity. However, the pore characteristics of shale samples from two wells are significantly different. Compared with the stabilized zone shale, the porosity, pore volume, and specific surface area of the deformed zone shale were reduced by 60.61%, 64.85%, and 27.81%, respectively. Moreover, the macroscopic and fine pores were reduced by 54.01% and 84.95%, respectively. Fault activity and uplift denudation are not conducive to pore preservation, and the rigid basement of Huangling uplift can promote pore preservation. These three factors are important reasons for controlling the difference in pore structure between two wells shales. We established a conceptual model of shale pores evolution under different tectonic preservation conditions. This study is significant to clarify the scale of shale gas formation and enrichment in complex tectonic regions, and helps in the selection of shale sweet spots.

Neogene carbonate platform development in the southern South China Sea: Evidence from calcareous microfossils

Biogenic reefs are unique geologic bodies that are the products of biological activity in tropical and subtropical oceans and critical to global carbon cycling. The South China Sea (SCS) has developed largest carbonate platforms in the Western Pacific. The fully-cored Well NK-1, which is drilled through the reef complex on the Meiji Atoll, Nansha Islands, offers good opportunity for assessing the long-term evolutions of biogenic reefs in the SCS. The stratigraphic ages based on palaeomagnetic and Sr isotopic data are controversial in some intervals of core NK-1. To reveal the evolution history of Nansha Islands and their controlling factors, more credible age constraints on core NK-1 are needed. This research presents new records of calcareous microfossils (calcareous nannofossil and foraminifer) abundances and diversities in the biogenic reef carbonates of core NK-1. Based on the assemblages of the calcareous microfossils, seven biostratigraphic datums are recognized from the sequence of core NK-1, revealing a general continuous succession of the earliest Miocene to Pleistocene age. By combining with the magnetostratigraphic data, the development and evolution of carbonate platform in Nansha Islands are reconstructed. The bottom age of the biogenic reef sequence of NK-1 is estimated for 23.03 ± 1.06 Ma, close to the Oligocene/Miocene boundary. The new chronology highlights three short hiatuses of 3.6–2.4 Ma, 11.1–10.0 Ma, and 13.5–11.9 Ma, which are well correlated with the prominent exposed surfaces at 210.3 m, 464.6 m and 561.6 m, respectively. It reveals remarkably similar evolution history of carbonate platforms in the SCS since Neogene by comparing with records of stratigraphy and growth rate from deep drilling cores on isolated coral reefs in Nansha and Xisha Islands. The results showed that the SCS carbonate platform developments, which go through Late Oligocene / Early Miocene initiation phase, Early-Middle Miocene rapid growth phase, Middle-Late Miocene erosion phase, Miocene-Pliocene stable development phase and Quaternary growth phase, are mainly influenced by global sea level changes, environmental factors and regional tectonism such as the SCS basin spreading, Sabah Orogeny Movement and Dongsha Movement.

Low temperature thermochronology reveals tilting of crystalline bodies, Halilaga porphyry Cu-Au deposit, NW Anatolia: Implications for exploration of porphyry copper deposits and interpretation of low-temperature thermochronology data for regional tectonics

Because most crystalline bodies lack intrinsic paleo-horizontal information, their tilting cannot be measured directly. Their vertical movement, however, may be tracked by low-T thermochronology (LTT) tools. Because tilting is caused by differential vertical movements, it can be understood if the rate of differential movements is determined. In this regard, here we apply a new LTT-based approach to calculate the orientation of a tilted crystalline body, the Halilaga Cu-Au deposit, in NW Anatolia. Orientation is consistent with the one calculated from a drillhole-based 3D model of the deposit. This reveals the significance of tilting calculations for the exploration of porphyry Cu deposits. On the other hand, and more importantly, it emphasizes the importance of tilting calculations for geological applications such as LTT-based exhumation histories of samples taken from vertical profiles, and paleomagnetic studies. AHe data from the Halilaga deposit reveals the earliest response to the Aegean back-arc extension at ∼ 24 Ma in the north of Western Anatolia. Lastly, thermal models, the new complementary datasets for the tectonic evolution of the region, show that the Halilaga deposit was exhumed to the surface by the coupling effects of Aegean extension and westward propagation of the North Anatolian Fault, which occurred not earlier than 2 Ma.

The Relationships Between Danxia Geoheritages and Regional Tectonics in Southern Sichuan Basin: Implications for the Spatial Distribution of Danxia Landforms in China

The Relationships Between Danxia Geoheritages and Regional Tectonics in Southern Sichuan Basin: Implications for the Spatial Distribution of Danxia Landforms in China

STRATIGRAPHY, PETROLOGY AND FACIES ASSOCIATIONS OF THE QUATERNARY SPIN KAREZ GROUP, HANNA-SPIN KAREZ AREA, QUETTA DISTRICT, PAKISTAN

The Hanna-Spin Karez area which comprises the Quaternary succession of the Spin Karez Group is located adjacent to the junction of Sulaiman and Kirthar Fold-Thrust Belts (Quetta Syntaxes), southwest of the Zarghun Trough in the northwestern Balochistan, Pakistan. The area comprises over 800 m thick conformable succession of the Quaternary age, covering surface area of ~30 km2. The succession has been named as the Spin Karez Group, which are further subdivide from base to top into three distinct lithostratigraphic units as: Hanna Lake Conglomerate, Hanna Red Clays and Spin Karez Conglomerate. The Hanna Lake Conglomerate comprises 200 m thick succession of boulder-pebble conglomerate. The Hanna Red Clays comprise over 500 m thick succession of dominantly red claystone rarely interbedded with siltstone and very fine-grained sandstone. The Spin Karez Conglomerate is composed of over 100 m thick succession of well-stratified and moderately- to well-sorted cobble/pebble conglomerate with occasional sandstone/siltstone lenses. The Triassic to Pliocene age older successions from the region's north and west provided the polymictic conglomerate, boulder to pebble size limestone, sandstone, chert, and conglomerate fragments. The Spin Karez Group comprises 15 types of gravel, sandstone and mudstone facies, which were grouped into 5 facies associations. The facies associations include braided channel deposits (FA-1), sheet-flood deposits (FA-2), floodplain deposits (FA-3), marginal lacustrine deposits (FA-4) and open-water lacustrine deposits (FA-5). The Spin Karez group evolved in three phases: i) Deposition of the Hanna Lake conglomerate started with the proximal and distal braided channel systems in the northern and southern parts of the study area respectively; ii) Deposition of the Hanna Red clays deposited in shallow lake with episodic sub-aerial exposure, providing reddish colour to the mud-dominant facies; iii) The depositional basin, once again, transformed to braided channel system, of the Spin Karez conglomerate, which evolved over the shallow water lake deposits of the Hanna Red clays. The Spin Karez group was mainly controlled by continued subsidence and regional tectonics during the Quaternary period that accommodated the space for the small shallow basin (~30 km2) that stacked depositional systems.

Intrinsic and scattering attenuations of the Sichuan-Yunnan region in China from S coda waves

Seismic attenuation is a fundamental property of the Earth's media. Attenuation structure for the complicated geological structures with strong seismicity in the Sichuan-Yunnan region is poorly studied. In this study, we collected 108,399 waveforms of 11,517 local small earthquakes with magnitudes between 1.5 and 3.5 from January 2014 to September 2021 in the Sichuan-Yunnan region and its adjacent areas. We employed an envelope inversion technique for separating the intrinsic and scattering attenuations of the S coda wave, and obtained the intrinsic and scattering attenuation structures for frequencies between 0.25 and 8.00 Hz. The attenuation structures correlate well with the geological units, and some major faults mark the attenuation variations where historic large earthquakes have occurred. The regional average attenuation shows a negative frequency dependence. The average scattering attenuation has a faster descending rate than the average intrinsic attenuation, and is dominant at low frequencies, while at high frequencies the average intrinsic attenuation is stronger. The lateral variation in the intrinsic attenuation is consistent with the variation in heat flow, the scattering attenuation may be related to the scatter distribution and size. The total attenuation is consistent with the previous studies in this region, and the separate intrinsic and scattering attenuation may be useful in understanding regional tectonics and important in earthquake prevention and disaster reduction.

Evaluation of the Neogene depositional dynamics in the Malay-Tho Chu Basin based on seismic analysis: effects of local and regional tectonism and paleoclimatic variations

Depositional environments in areas located near sea level are vulnerable to even subtle changes in both tectonism, climate and eustatic sea level. Sorting out mechanisms behind depositional changes in inner shelf-margins and epeiric seas is therefore far from straight forward. The epeiric Malay-Tho Chu Basin, located in the shallow Gulf of Thailand offshore Vietnam, contains a thick uppermost Oligocene to Recent post-rift succession. Based on 18000 km of 2D seismic profiles, the uppermost Oligocene-Recent succession is subdivided into six seismic sequences. Seismic facies mapping of each sequence complemented by information from industry completion reports of 14 wells document a gradual increase in marine influence from latest Oligocene through Middle Miocene time. The increased marine influence reflects the propagation and opening of the southwestern spreading arm of the East Vietnam Sea (South China Sea (East Sea)) combined with rapid subsidence in the Malay-Tho Chu Basin resulting from fast thermal relaxation following Oligocene rifting and amplified by mild fault-controlled subsidence in especially the western part of the area. From the latest Middle Miocene, slowed subsidence and regression occurred in association with uplift in the nearby southwestern East Vietnam Sea. From the latest Miocene, and during the Pliocene and Pleistocene, subsidence rates increased promoting marine conditions towards the East Vietnam Sea in the southeast. Meanwhile, Mekong River avulsion combined with hinterland uplift stimulated fluvial and alluvial deposition in the northern and western parts of the basin. The long-term depositional pattern was controlled primarily by tectonics, drainage evolution and climate. Meanwhile, flood- and delta plain deposits intercalated with stacked fluvial incisions, often filled by estuarine deposits, document short-lived environmental changes most likely controlled by eustatic sea level fluctuations. Such intervals developed during latest Middle Miocene to Pleistocene periods of slow subsidence or fast depositional rates and are interpreted to be the result of substantial eustatic sea level fluctuations.

Unravelling seismogenesis and characterizing the unique features of two significant felt earthquakes (M &gt; 4.0) of 2020 in the southwestern parts of the Delhi region

Two significant earthquakes (M4.6 and 4.2) occurred close to a NE–SW-trending lineament in the southwestern part of the Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) within a short time span of about 5 months in 2020. These events were located to the north of the Alwar district in Rajasthan and generated a significant ground shaking in and around Delhi. In the present study, we tried to understand a causal relationship between the events and a nearby source in the region, geologically demarcated as the lineament. We analyzed the broadband waveform data from 26 seismic stations that recorded the recent events of 03 July 2020 (M4.6) and 17 December 2020 (M4.2). Typically, the epicentral area has been devoid of significant earthquakes since the past six decades; however, a few minor events (M &amp;lt; 4.0) have been recorded till date. Analysis of the earthquake database for two decades (2000–2022) revealed low seismicity (nearly quiescent-like situation) in ∼100 sq km area around the epicentral zone, unlike considerable seismicity along faults/lineaments close to the Delhi region. The full-waveform inversion analyses of the events indicate normal faulting with a minor strike–slip components. The source parameters, viz., source radius, stress drop, and seismic moment, were estimated to be 6 km, 166 bars, and 8.28E+15 Nm, respectively, for the 03 July 2020 event and 4 km, 138 bars, and 2.29E+15 Nm, respectively, for the 17 December 2020 event. The causative source of these events is ascertained based on the stress inversion modeling that indicated a NW–SE tensile stress corroborating well with the NE–SW-trending lineament mapped in the study region. The static Coulomb stress modeling indicated that the event which occurred on 3 July 2020 had advanced the triggering process of the event in the northeast segment of the same source that occurred on 17 December 2020. We further emphasize that the aforementioned lineament probably activated due to the regional tectonics of the study area. The causative source of these events with strike 48°, dip 86°, and rake −60° is found to be in the conformity with the local tectonics and is well-supplemented by a high stress ratio (0.70 ± 0.05) and low friction coefficient (0.5).

Using the tectophase conceptual model to assess late Triassic–Early Jurassic far-field tectonism across the South-central Barents Sea shelf

The Upper Triassic–Lower Jurassic succession of the Barents Sea Shelf (BSS) represents one of Europe’s most prolific and strategic petroleum systems. This succession reflects various depositional environments and tectonostratigraphic events. Even though these strata are considered largely well-understood, connections with far-field stresses triggered by regional tectonics remain a subject of investigation. This study presents new interpretations that focus on relationships between the stratigraphic succession across the south-central BSS and Triassic–Jurassic Novaya Zemlya compressional tectonics. By applying the “tectophase model,” developed in the Appalachian Basin, to analyze this succession, the presence of foreland-basin depozones and associated far-field processes related to compressional tectonics in an adjacent orogen are suggested. This model addresses unconformity development, lithostratigraphic succession, and reactivation of structures. Use of this model suggests far-field tectonostratigraphic responses during two episodes of Novaya Zemlya tectonism, reflected in the coeval BSS stratigraphy. Overall, this tectonostratigraphic study aligns with other research suggesting a Late Triassic inception for Novaya Zemlya compressional tectonism, which influenced larger parts of the BSS through extensive clastic sedimentation, far-field structural reactivation, and flexural responses to deformational loading triggered by tectonics.

An assessment of the geomorphodiversity and land use/cover change (LUCC) effects associated with landslides in Meghalaya, India

AbstractThe Shillong Plateau in the Eastern Himalayas is exposed to high seismicity, neo‐tectonic activity and orographic precipitation that aggravated landslides in the region by affecting hillslope processes. Landscape development is influenced by landslide phenomenon and depends upon geomorphic processes and geomorphodiversity (GmD). It is linked intimately with geomorphology, hydrology and soil type. This study uses a remote sensing and GIS‐based approach to assess the spatial linkage between GmD and landslide distribution in Meghalaya (India). GmD index (GmDI) is developed using geological, morphometric and geomorphological parameters and analysed with landslide distribution. The landslide distribution considering land use/cover change (LUCC) is also examined. The result shows that the region with high‐relief, valley and depression zone, mainly along the Dauki fault, have a high to a very high GmDI. About 61% of landslide localities are in zones of high GmDI, concentrated in the central and eastern parts of Meghalaya. Density analysis of the very high class (class 5) of GmD confirms the same. Most of these landslides occur in dense and light‐vegetated landmasses. However, the LUCC analysis reveals a significant increase in the built area on steeper slopes (average expansion ratio of 2.30 for slopes &gt;15°) between 2017 and 2022, indicating a rising threat of landslides in urban areas of Meghalaya. The study presents the importance of GmD in active tectonic regions with particular reference to landslide potential and recent LUCC. It can aid decision‐makers in planning sustainable developments and risk mitigation strategies for landslide hazards and geoconservation.

Evolution of Mesozoic paleo-uplifts and differential control on sedimentation on the southern margin of Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin

The paleo-uplift is an important tectonic element which is key to control the sedimentary system in petroleum basins. The evolution of Mesozoic paleo-uplifts and differential control on sedimentation on the southern margin of Kuqa Depression, northern Tarim Basin, is still unclear, restricting successful petroleum exploration and development. Based on borehole and 3D seismic reflection data on the southern margin of the Kuqa Depression, the parameters of paleo-uplifts, such as residual thickness, eroded thickness, slope height, slope angle, slope height difference were extracted. Combined with the composition of the detrital minerals in the Cretaceous Shushanhe Formation which was one of the target layers and the Paleo-lithofacies map before the deposition of Cretaceous, the paleo-uplifts could be further divided into four sub-uplifts. The paleo-uplifts grew and extended in the Triassic to Jurassic, decreased in the Jurassic to Cretaceous, and transformed into subaqueous low uplift in the upper part of Cretaceous Shushanhe Formation. The evolution of paleo-uplifts controlled strata and facies, resulting in no Triassic strata were deposited in the north of Yaha-Kudong and Luntai sub-uplifts, while the Jurassic strata in the Xinhe and Qiaogu sub-uplifts experienced extensive erosion. The faults in the Xinhe sub-uplift and steep slopes in the Luntai sub-uplift controlled the deposition of alluvial fans and fan deltas, while the gentle slopes of Qiaogu and Yaha-Kudong sub-uplifts controlled the distribution of braided river deltas. The evolution of the paleo-uplifts was synchronized with regional tectonism, including the south Tianshan collision orogeny and the post-orogenic stress relaxation. This study will help elucidate the development and evolution of the paleo-uplifts on the southern margin of Kuqa Depression, northern Tarim Basin, clarify the relationship between provenance and sedimentary system, and guide the oil and gas exploration in Tarim Basin and other basins with the similar background globally.