Kinematic classification, structural modeling and prospective fields of the foreland thrust belts in Midwest China.

Abstract: According to the distribution and transfer directions of thrust displacements under which the size, shape and pattern of thrust belt are controlled, the foreland thrust belts are classified into four types in middle and western China: (1) Type I, all the fault displacements in the thrust belt transfer from the mountain front to the basin along detachment. This type is the most popular in central and western China and can be divided into three subtypes: Kuche type, southwestern Sichuan type and Jiuquan type. (2) Type II, represented by southern Junggar Basin, in which there are fault displacements transferring to both basin and orogenic belt directions. (3) Type III, represented by Fusha thrust belt in southwestern Tarim Basin, in which all the fault displacements transfer toward the mountain front as deep structural wedges propagating toward the basin direction. (4) Type IV, represented by southwestern and northern Qaidam Basin, in which the transfer of fault displacements is restrained by the size, shape and boundary of the basin, and the stable foreland part and typical wedge sedimentary structure not produced. On basis of the above four types and the modeling of complicated structures, four new exploration areas are identified: the deep imbricate structural wedges in southern Junggar Basin, late Paleozoic passive continental margin sequence under the reverse Cambrian nappe in northwestern Sichuan, under-coal structures in middle and eastern Kuche, and footwall covered structures in northwestern Junggar Basin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Petroleum Exploration & Development is the property of KeAi Communications Co. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)