Tectonics and cycle system of the Cretaceous Songliao Basin: An inverted active continental margin basin

摘要

Recent ICDP drilling and deep basin volcanic exploration of 3000 m below the surface in the Songliao Basin (SB) have highlighted the 3-D delineation of the basin. The integrated new data led us to reevaluate the basin tectonics, for which the basin type, basin evolution and a number of geodynamic aspects have been controversial topics. We outline the position of a main lithospheric scale detachment fault beneath the SB, based on apparent crustal scale displacements, Moho breaks, the thinning of the Moho transition zone beneath the SB and the changing mantle thickness. This fault interpretation is consistent with simple shear as the rift mechanism.