Restoration of eroded stratal thickness in key periods of tectonic change in a multi-stage superimposed Tarim Basin in China

• Main Authors: Liu Hao, Wang Yingmin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2012-10-01
• Series: Journal of Palaeogeography
• Subjects: Tarim Basin; extrapolation of virtual surface; key period of tectonic change; superimposed unconformity; restoration of eroded stratal thickness
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209538361530122X

With an area of 56×104 km2, the Tarim Basin is the largest inland basin in China and is also generally acknowledged as one of the most important areas for potential oil and gas exploration. On the basis of data from 22 regional seismic profiles and 40 drilling wells, 15 important first-order and second-order regional unconformities were defined. Almost all the main unconformities are superimposed unconfomities. Since the Cambrian, 5 key periods of tectonic change have occurred during the evolution of the Tarim Basin. The total eroded stratal thickness of the above-mentioned unconformities was calculated by using the method of virtual extrapolation of seismic reflection. The results indicate that the total eroded stratal thickness of different periods is quite different in different locations of the basin. Taking the Upper-Middle Ordovician as an example, its thickness restoration of eroded strata was calculated into individual stages i.e. its thickness restoration of eroded strata was calculated to different tectonic periods. Otherwise, as for the specific period of tectonic change, the underlying strata were, respectively eroded and thus the thickness restoration of eroded strata was calculated into individual intervals. Taking the Early Hercynian period as an example, the eroded stratal thickness was calculated into individual intervals to calculate the ratio of intervals of various ages occupying the total eroded thickness. The results show that for the same stratum, its degree of erosion is quite different in different periods and at different locations, due to the varying influence of tectonic movement. The unconformities of some key periods of tectonic change have different controls on the degree of erosion and the eroded range of the individual period of the underlying strata which are the typical characteristics of multi-stage superimposition of unconformities in the Tarim Basin.