The tectonic and geochemical characteristics suggest that the plagiogranitesexposed in the vicinity of Bingdaban on the northern margin of the central Tianshanuplift zone show a distinct mantle-source character, and t...The tectonic and geochemical characteristics suggest that the plagiogranitesexposed in the vicinity of Bingdaban on the northern margin of the central Tianshanuplift zone show a distinct mantle-source character, and their enrichment in LREE andselected enrichment in LILE (large ion lithophile elements) reflect a setting related to anarc tectonic regime. These rocks represent the products formed at shallow levels frommantle-derived magmas modified with subduction components (or super crustal rocks).展开更多
The Southwest Tianshan is the suture zone between the Central Tianshan and the Tarim Craton.To better illustrate the subduction polarity of the Southwest Tianshan Ocean,a systematic detrital zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geoc...The Southwest Tianshan is the suture zone between the Central Tianshan and the Tarim Craton.To better illustrate the subduction polarity of the Southwest Tianshan Ocean,a systematic detrital zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology of sedimentary rocks of the Devonian Apadaerkang Formation and the Carboniferous Akeqiayi Group of the Biedieli area in the Wushi region is the focus.Detrital zircon ages indicate that the youngest grains of the targeted quartz sandstones are Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous in age,respectively.These ages also have relatively similar age spectra,indicating a similar tectonic setting and source in the Biedieli area during the Devonian to Carboniferous.The main spectrum peaks occur at 2360,1960,810,640 and 440 Ma,with a principal age peak in the early Paleozoic(474-430 Ma),and the Central Tianshan Terrane is indicated as the main source.The detrital zircon geochronology and sedimentary characteristics of the Biedieli rocks indicate that the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the northern Wushi region were formed at an active continental margin,associated mainly with the early Paleozoic subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean.展开更多
Crustal thickness and Poisson's ratio are key indicators of regional isostasy and material composition.Using teleseismic waveform data from 126 permanent stations and 179 temporary stations in the Pamir-West Tians...Crustal thickness and Poisson's ratio are key indicators of regional isostasy and material composition.Using teleseismic waveform data from 126 permanent stations and 179 temporary stations in the Pamir-West Tianshan region,we obtain the crustal thickness and average Poisson's ratio by the h-κstacking method.The results show that the crust of the Pamir Plateau is thick in the middle and thin on its eastern and western sides,while the West Tianshan region exhibits a"thin-thick-thin"distribution from south to north.The mountainous regions have thicker crust compared to the intermountain basins which feature relatively thinner crust in West Tianshan.Based on the isostasy state analysis of the Airy model,the equilibrium curves of the Pamir and the West Tianshan are similar.The distribution of Poisson's ratio in the study area is characterized by several east-west oriented bands,forming a"high-low-high"distribution pattern as a whole.Joint geophysical and geochemical studies indicate that regions with high Poisson's ratio often have phenomena such as lithospheric subduction and Moho offsets,these areas also display characteristics such as low velocity,high conductivity,and high surface heat flow,which may be related to local melting materials in the middle and lower crust.展开更多
The Sawayaerdun gold deposit is the only extremely large deposit occurring in the giant gold metallogenic belt of the Central Asian Tianshan Orogenic Belt.Breakthroughs in deep and peripheral exploration are of great ...The Sawayaerdun gold deposit is the only extremely large deposit occurring in the giant gold metallogenic belt of the Central Asian Tianshan Orogenic Belt.Breakthroughs in deep and peripheral exploration are of great significance for the sustainable development of the region.In this study,a comprehensive prospecting and exploration model for gold exploration in the high-cold and high-altitude areas of the southwestern Tianshan Mountains was developed by systematically evaluating the metallogenic geological conditions of the deposit and integrating geological,geochemical,and geophysical exploration multi-source data.Both the shallow metamorphic carbonaceous fine clastic rock and ductile shear zones controlled the Au-mineralized zone.Moreover,mineralized alteration,Au-Sb-As element chemical anomalies,high magnetic anomalies,and medium-high values from low-wave impedance were also important components of the model.Three-dimensional(3-D)geological attribute models of various ore-controlling factors were established,revealing the spatial distribution patterns of the deep structural frameworks and hidden mineralization.Geostatistical methods were used to delineate the three edges and two deep-mineral exploration areas.A comprehensive evaluation showed that anomalous variables were well confirmed in geological understanding,highlighting the effectiveness and accuracy of the predictions.These results are significant for deep-edge exploration.展开更多
The Tianshan orogenic belt has a W-shape, composed of the V-shape Southern Tianshan and Northern Tianshan with different orogenic models .The Southern Tianshan broke off from the Sinian, forming a passive continenta...The Tianshan orogenic belt has a W-shape, composed of the V-shape Southern Tianshan and Northern Tianshan with different orogenic models .The Southern Tianshan broke off from the Sinian, forming a passive continental margin and ocean, and closed during Silurian and Devoaian. It belongs to the Wilson cycle orogenic model. The net duration is about 400 My.The Northern Tianshan began back-arc spreading during Devonian, forming the Devonian-Carboniferous marginal sea, and dosed during Late Carboaiferous. It belongs to the non-Wilson cycle orogeulc model or back-arc orogenic model. The duration is about 100 My .Deformation of the foreland fold-thrust belt occurred in two stages: in the early stage, folds and thrusts were formed by wedge-thrusting and lateral compression, while in the later stage, folds, gravitational normal faults and reveal faults were formed by the uplift of the Tianshan range and by gravity-gliding.展开更多
The determination of total glacial volume is important for the observation of climatic change and its consequences such as global sea-level rise. The tongue area of Glacier No. 4 of Sigong River over Mt. Bogda, easter...The determination of total glacial volume is important for the observation of climatic change and its consequences such as global sea-level rise. The tongue area of Glacier No. 4 of Sigong River over Mt. Bogda, eastern Tianshan was surveyed by ground-penetrating radar （GPR） and real time kinematic （RTK）-global positioning system （GPS） during the summer campaign 2009. In order to calculate the glacier volume, both co-kriging algorithm and estimation based on the theory of perfectly plastic material were employed. Results indicated that the ice-thickness distribution of the investigated glacier ranges from 0 to 105.0 m, with the mean thickness of 27.6 m in 2009. The corresponding ice volume was -0.076 km3 （-0.068 km3 water equivalent）. The bedrock topography shows more undulating than the glacier surface. The difference of the calculated ice volume in this study and the estimated value from the empirical formula is large. Therefore, it is urgent to validate the applicability of the ex- isting empirical formula.展开更多
Rutile is a common Ti-bearing accessory mineral in high pressure （HP） metamorphic rocks of the western Tianshan. Distribution of rutile in the HP rocks varies from 0.5% in the greenschist to 30% in the rutile-bearin...Rutile is a common Ti-bearing accessory mineral in high pressure （HP） metamorphic rocks of the western Tianshan. Distribution of rutile in the HP rocks varies from 0.5% in the greenschist to 30% in the rutile-bearing vein. Rutile can be subdivided into three groups based on the variation of trace elements： The first group has an averaged Zr content of 18 ppm-44 ppm and Hf content of 0.8 ppm-2.4 ppm, which correspond to occurrence of rutile from vein; the second group Zr of 59 ppm-63 ppm, Hf of 3.5 ppm-3.7 ppm; and the third group Zr of 150 ppm-160 ppm and Hf of 3.9 ppm, corresponding to rutile in the matrix of blueschist and eclogite, respectively. Rutile has been retrograded to ilmenite and titanite partly or completely, reducing the value of the ore. But rutile of HP rocks in the western Tianshan usually has the lowest content of uranium （〈1 ppm U）, which might become an attractive raw material for the Ti industry. Therefore, rutile-bearing HP rocks in the western Tianshan as a mineral resource will be the focus of considerable attention.展开更多
Two field surveys on the thickness of Hei Valley No. 8 Glacier （H8） on the southern slope of Mount Bogda in the Tianshan Mountains using ground-penetration radar （GPR） were carried out in August 2008 and Septembe...Two field surveys on the thickness of Hei Valley No. 8 Glacier （H8） on the southern slope of Mount Bogda in the Tianshan Mountains using ground-penetration radar （GPR） were carried out in August 2008 and September 2009. Comparisons of the observed change in glacier thickness using GPR and ablation stakes suggest that GPR observations have high accuracy. Thus, the thickness change for H8 during 2008-2009 was estimated using GPR data. Digital elevation models obtained from topographic maps and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission were used to analyze ice-elevation changes of H8 between 1 969 and 2 000 m a.s.l.. The results show that H8 has continually thinned, and the thinning rate has increased gradually. The thinning of ablation areas of H8 increased from 0.42a=0.56 m/a in 1969-2000 to 1.474-0.79 m/a in 2000-2008, and then accelerated to 1.924-0.98 m/a in 2008-2009. The retreat of the glacier terminus has had a similar pattern. The distribution of the temperate-ice zone of H8 as determined from GPR data also implies that H8 has experienced strong melting from 2008 to 2009, which indicates that temperature rises have not only enhanced glacial sur- face melting and prolonged melting periods, but also changed the englacial structure and increased the water content of glacier, both of which probably lead to the acceleration of glacial thinning.展开更多
The Sangong Cu-Ni sulfide mineralized mafic-ultramafic intrusion is located on the southern margin of the Bogeda-Harlik belt,eastern Tianshan,China.The intrusion is a well-differentiated complex and is comprised of le...The Sangong Cu-Ni sulfide mineralized mafic-ultramafic intrusion is located on the southern margin of the Bogeda-Harlik belt,eastern Tianshan,China.The intrusion is a well-differentiated complex and is comprised of leucogabbro,gabbro,olivine gabbro,Pl-bearing peridotite,and Pl-bearing pyroxenite.The Pl-bearing pyroxenite hosts both irregularly disseminated sulfide and round droplet sulfide.The intrusive rocks have a wide range of SiO_(2)(42.1 wt.%-50.48 wt.%)and MgO(6.21 wt.%-22.11 wt.%),and are enriched in light rare earth elements(LREE),large-ion lithophile elements(LILE;e.g.,Rb,Ba,Sr,and Pb),and palladium platinum group elements(PPGE)but depleted in high-field-strength elements(HFSE;e.g.,Nb,Ta,and Ti)and iridium PGEs(IPGE).These geochemical characteristics indicate that the Sangong mafic-ultramafic intrusion was derived from high degree of partial melting of depleted mantle and interacted with subduction-related material.The low Pd/Ir(3.21-27.44)but high Ni/Cu(1.64-24.16)ratios,combined with the olivine crystals with low Fo(60.88-78.65)and Ni(54.99 ppm-1688.87 ppm)concentrations suggest that the parental magma of the Sangong intrusion were likely high MgO basaltic in composition that experienced extensive evolution prior emplacement.The Ce/Pb ratios(5.8-13.6)and Nb/U ratios(11.6-30.3)of the intrusive rocks all range between MORB and crustal values,the Nb/Yb and Th/Yb values are close to the lower crust values,together with the low Se/S ratios[(17-100)×10^(-6))]suggest that the magma experienced assimilation not only in mantle source but also in conduit,but the degree of crustal contamination is limited.The Cu/Pd ratios of the rocks range from 3.9×10^(4) to 10.8×10^(4),and the Cu/Zr ratios of Pl-bearing pyroxenite in the Sangong intrusion are>1,combined with the presence of sulfide droplets in the Pl-bearing pyroxenite,indicating the parental magma experienced sulfide saturation and the economical ore bodies may present in the depth of the intrusion.Furthermore,given the discovery of the Baixintan and Yueyawan deposits,we propose the DananhuHarlik belt as an essential prospecting target for Cu-Ni mineralization in North Xinjiang.展开更多
The timing of the emplacement of the Weiya pluton remains controversial due to the absence of systematic and precise dating. This paper reports zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating of different lithologic phases in the Weiya plu...The timing of the emplacement of the Weiya pluton remains controversial due to the absence of systematic and precise dating. This paper reports zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating of different lithologic phases in the Weiya pluton, and discusses the genesis and tectonic environment. The ages of gabbro, quartz syenite, diorite porphyrite and fine-grained granite are 236±6 Ma, 246±6 Ma, 233±8 Ma and 237±8 Ma, respectively. All these phases were formed in early-middle Indosinian （Triassic） in a post-orogenic environment. In addition to underplating, intraplating of mantle-derived magmas is also a substantial mechanism for magma generation and vertical accretion of the continental crust. Granitoid rocks are important products of vertical continental accretion as underplating evolves gradually to intraplating. The existence of post-orogenic Indosinian granites shows that the middle Tianshan orogenic belt underwent an important tectonic conversion from the Paleo-Asian ocean subduction-collision system to the Paleo-Tethys ocean regime.展开更多
The Tianshan Carboniferous post-collisional rift volcanic rocks occur in northwestern China as a large igneous province. Based on petrogeochemical data, the Tianshan Carboniferous post-collisional rift basic lavas can...The Tianshan Carboniferous post-collisional rift volcanic rocks occur in northwestern China as a large igneous province. Based on petrogeochemical data, the Tianshan Carboniferous post-collisional rift basic lavas can be classified into two major magma types: (1) the low-Ti/Y type situated in the eastern-central Tianshan area, which exhibits low Ti/Y (<500), Ce/Yb (<15) and SiO2 (43-55%), and relatively high Fe2O3T (6.4-11.5%); (2) the high-Ti/Y type situated in the western Tianshan area, which has high Ti/Y (>500), Ce/Yb (>11) and SiO2 (49-55%), and relatively low Fe2O3T (5.8-7.8%). Elemental data suggest that chemical variations of the low-Ti/Y and high-Ti/Y lavas cannot be explained by fractional crystallization from a common parental magma. The Tianshan Carboniferous basic lavas originated most likely from an OIB-like asthenospheric mantle source (87Sr/86Sr(t) ≈ 0.703-0.705, eNd(0 = +4 to +7). The crustal contamination and continental lithospheric mantle have also contributed significantly to the formation of the basic lavas of the Tianshan Carboniferous post-collisional rift. The silicic lavas were probably generated by partial melting of the crust. The data of this study show that spatial petrogeochemical variations exist in the Carboniferous post-collisional rift volcanics province in the Tianshan region. Occurrence of the thickest volcanics dominated by tholeiitic lavas may imply that the center of the mantle-melting anomaly (mantle plume) was in the eastern Tianshan area at that time. The basic volcanic magmas in the eastern Tianshan area were generated by a relatively high degree of partial melting of the mantle source around the spinel-garnet transition zone, whereas the alkaline basaltic lavas are of the dominant magma type in the western Tianshan area, which were generated by a low degree of partial melting of the mantle source within the stable garnet region, thus the basic lavas of the western Tianshan area might have resulted from relatively thick lithosphere and low geothermal gradient.展开更多
The Tianshan range could have been built by both late Early Paleozoicaccretion and Late Paleozoic collision events. The late Early Paleozoic Aqqikkudug-Weiya suture ismarked by Ordovician ophiolitic melange and a Silu...The Tianshan range could have been built by both late Early Paleozoicaccretion and Late Paleozoic collision events. The late Early Paleozoic Aqqikkudug-Weiya suture ismarked by Ordovician ophiolitic melange and a Silurian flysch sequence, high-pressure metamorphicrelics, and mylonitized rocks. The Central Tianshan belt could principally be an Ordovician volcanicarc; whereas the South Tianshan belt, a back-arc basin. Macro- and microstructures, along withunconformities, provide some kinematic and chronological constraints on 2-phase ductile deformation.The earlier ductile deformation occurring at ca. 400 Ma was marked by north-verging ductileshearing, yielding granulite-bearing ophiolitic melange blocks and garnet-pyroxene-facies ductiledeformation, and the later deformation, a dextral strike-slip tectonic process, occurred during theLate Carboniferous-Early Permian. Early Carboniferous molasses were deposited unconformably onpre-Carboniferous metamorphic and ductilely sheared rocks, implying the end of the early orogeny.The large-scale ductile strike-slip along the Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone was possibly caused by thesecond tectonic event, the Hercynian collision between the northern Tarim block and the southernSiberian block. Late Paleozoic granitic magmatism and superimposed structures overprinted this EarlyPaleozoic deformation belt. Results of geometric and kinematic studies suggest that the primaryframework of the Southern-Central Tianshan belt, at least the eastern part of the Tianshan belt, wasbuilt by these two phases of accretion events.展开更多
Abstract The nearly E-W-trending Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone, more than 1000 km long and about 30 km wide, is an important segment in the Central Asian tectonic framework. It is distributed along the northern margin of the ...Abstract The nearly E-W-trending Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone, more than 1000 km long and about 30 km wide, is an important segment in the Central Asian tectonic framework. It is distributed along the northern margin of the Central Tianshan belt in Xinjiang, NW China and is composed of mylonitized Early Palaeozoic greywacke, volcanic rocks, ophiolitic blocks as a mélange complex, HP/LT-type bleuschist blocks and mylonitized Neoproterozoic schist, gneiss and orthogneiss. Nearly vertical mylonitic foliation and sub-horizontal stretching lineation define its strike-slip feature; various kinematic indicators, such as asymmetric folds, non-coaxial asymmetric macro- to micro-structures and C-axis fabrics of quartz grains of mylonites, suggest that it is a dextral strike-slip ductile shear zone oriented in a nearly E-W direction characterized by “flower” strusture with thrusting or extruding across the zone toward the two sides and upright folds with gently plunging hinges. The Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone experienced at least two stages of ductile shear tectonic evolution: Early Palaeozoic north vergent thrusting ductile shear and Late Carboniferous-Early Permian strike-slip deformation. The strike-slip ductile shear likely took place during Late Palaeozoic time, dated at 269±5 Ma by the40Ar/39Ar analysis on neo-muscovites. The strike-slip deformation was followed by the Hercynian violent S-type granitic magmatism. Geodynamical analysis suggests that the large-scale dextral strike-slip ductile shearing is likely the result of intracontinental adjustment deformation after the collision of the Siberian continental plate towards the northern margin of the Tarim continental plate during the Late Carboniferous. The Himalayan tectonism locally deformed the zone, marked by final uplift, brittle layer-slip and step-type thrust faults, transcurrent faults and E-W-elongated Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins.展开更多
Based on the statistics of glacier area variation measured in the Chinese Tianshan Mountains since 1960, the response of glacier area variation to climate change is discussed systematically. As a result, the total are...Based on the statistics of glacier area variation measured in the Chinese Tianshan Mountains since 1960, the response of glacier area variation to climate change is discussed systematically. As a result, the total area of the glaciers has been reduced by 11.5% in the past 50 years, which is a weighted percentage according to the glacier area variations of 10 drainage basins separated by the Glacier Inventory of China （GIC）. The annual percentage of area changes （APAC） of glaciers in the Chinese Tianshan Mountains is 0.31% after the standardization of the study period. The APAC varies widely for different drainage basins, but the glaciers are in a state of rapid retreat, generally. According to the 14 meteorological sta- tions in the Chinese Tianshan Mountains, both the temperature and precipitation display a marked increasing tendency from 1960 to 2009 at a rate of 0.34℃·（10a）^-1 and 11 mm·（10a）^-1, respectively. The temperature in the dry seasons （from November to March） increases rapidly at a rate of 0.46℃·（10a）^-1, but the precipitation grows slowly at 2.3 mm·（10a）^-1. While the temperature in the wet seasons （from April to October） grows at a rate of 0.25℃·（10a）^-1, but the precipitation increases at 8.7 mm·（10a）^-1, The annual and seasonal climatic trends accelerate the retreat of glaciers.展开更多
An isochron age of 282±20 (95% conf. limit) Ma of the sulfide ores in the Huangshandong Cu-Ni sulfide deposit, the East Tianshan Mountains has been obtained through Re-Os isotopic measurement. The age implies tha...An isochron age of 282±20 (95% conf. limit) Ma of the sulfide ores in the Huangshandong Cu-Ni sulfide deposit, the East Tianshan Mountains has been obtained through Re-Os isotopic measurement. The age implies that the Cu-Ni sulfide deposit and other related deposits in the same area occurred in a Permian extensional environment of post-collision instead of Devonian-Early Carboniferous ophiolite-related oceanic or island arc environments inferred before. It shares the same ages with the orogenic and epithermal gold deposit systems in the same area. An initial 187Os/188Os ratio of 0.25±0.04 (1σ) and a γos value of 99 on average display the participation of large quantities of crustal components into the rock-forming and ore-forming system during mineralization and magmatic emplacement.展开更多
The Heiyingshan granite and the Laohutai granite plutons exposed in the Southwest Tianshan resemble A-type granites geochemically. Analysis shows that the both are ferron calc-alkalic peraluminous or ferron alkali-cal...The Heiyingshan granite and the Laohutai granite plutons exposed in the Southwest Tianshan resemble A-type granites geochemically. Analysis shows that the both are ferron calc-alkalic peraluminous or ferron alkali-calcic peraluminous with a relatively high concentration of SiO2 （〉70%）, high alkali contents （Na20 ＋ K20 = 7.14%-8.56%; K20〉N20; A/CNK = 0.99-1.20）, and pronounced negative anomales in Eu, Ba, St, P and Ti. A SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age of 285±4 Ma was obtained for the Heiyingshan hornblende biotite granite intrusion. The geochemical and age dating data reported in this paper indicate that these granites were formed during the post-collisional crustal extension of the Southwest Tianshan orogenic belt, in agreement with the published data for the granites in the South Tianshan.展开更多
The Beizhan large iron deposit located in the east part of the Awulale metallogenic belt in the western Tianshan Mountains is hosted in the Unit 2 of the Dahalajunshan Formation as lens, veinlets and stratoid, and bot...The Beizhan large iron deposit located in the east part of the Awulale metallogenic belt in the western Tianshan Mountains is hosted in the Unit 2 of the Dahalajunshan Formation as lens, veinlets and stratoid, and both of the hanging wall and footwall are quartz-monzonite; the dip is to the north with thick and high-grade ore bodies downwards. Ore minerals are mainly magnetite with minor sulfides, such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Skarnization is widespread around the ore bodies, and garnet, diopside, wollastonite, actinolite, epidote, uralite, tourmaline sericite and calcite are ubiquitous as gangues. Radiating outwards from the center of the ore body the deposit can be classified into skarn, calcite, serpentinite and marble zones. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of the rhyolite and dacite from the Dahalajunshan Formation indicates that they were formed at 301.3±0.8 Ma and 303.7±0.9 Ma, respectively, which might have been related to the continental arc magmatism during the late stage of subduction in the western Tianshan Mountains. Iron formation is genetically related with volcanic eruption during this interval. The Dahalajunshan Formation and the quartz-monzonite intrusion jointly control the distribution of ore bodies. Both ore textures and wall rock alteration indicate that the Beizhan iron deposit is probably skarn type.展开更多
Studies show that the Tianshan orogenic belt was built in the late stage of the Paleozoic, as evidenced by the Permian red molasses and foreland basins, which are distributed in parallel with the Tianshan belt, indica...Studies show that the Tianshan orogenic belt was built in the late stage of the Paleozoic, as evidenced by the Permian red molasses and foreland basins, which are distributed in parallel with the Tianshan belt, indicating that an intense folding and uplifting event took place. During the Triassic, this orogenic belt was strongly eroded, and basins were further developed. Starting from the Jurassic, a within-plate regional extension occurred, forming a series of Jurassic-Paleogene extensional basins in the peneplaned Tianshan region. Since the Neogene, a collision event between the Indian and the Eurasian plates that took place on the southern side of the Tianshan belt has caused a strong intra-continental orogeny, which is characterized by thrusting and folding. Extremely thick coarse conglomerate and sandy conglomerate of the Xiyu Formation of Neogene System were accumulated unconformably on the Tianshan piedmont. Studies have revealed that the strong compression caused by the Indian-Eurasian collision had a profound influence over the orogenic belt in the hinterland, and MesozoiC-Cenozoic brittle deformed structures superposed on the ductile deformed Paleozoic rocks. The Mesozoic extensional basins were converted into Cenozoic compressional basins. The deformation in the basins is featured by step thrusts and fault-related folds. Statistics of joints show that the principal compressive stress since the Neogene is in a N-S direction. Meanwhile, owing to the underthrusting of the basin toward the orogenic belt, the Paleozoic strata were thrust on the Meso-Cenozoic rocks as tectonic slices, revealing distinct kinematic features in different geologic units. The basin-range coupling zones are characterized by intensive compression, folding and thrusting, accompanied by local sub-E-W-trending strike-slip faults. In the Tianshan region, Cenozoic thrusting is the most common basin-range coupling mode. The folding and faulting of Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, spontaneous combustion of Jurassic coal layers and formation of sintered rocks, the Cenozoic earthquakes and active faulting, and the unique mosaic pattern of basin-range framework of Xinjiang are all products of tectonism since the Neogene.展开更多
文摘The tectonic and geochemical characteristics suggest that the plagiogranitesexposed in the vicinity of Bingdaban on the northern margin of the central Tianshanuplift zone show a distinct mantle-source character, and their enrichment in LREE andselected enrichment in LILE (large ion lithophile elements) reflect a setting related to anarc tectonic regime. These rocks represent the products formed at shallow levels frommantle-derived magmas modified with subduction components (or super crustal rocks).
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42172258,42072227,U2244205)the Science and Technology Major Project of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China(2023A03002)+2 种基金the National Key Technology Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(Grant No.2015BAB05B04)the Joint Innovation Fund of China National Uranium Co.,Ltd.,and State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment(Grant No.NRE2021-01)the China Geological Survey(Grant Nos.DD20242868,DZLXJK202206)。
文摘The Southwest Tianshan is the suture zone between the Central Tianshan and the Tarim Craton.To better illustrate the subduction polarity of the Southwest Tianshan Ocean,a systematic detrital zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology of sedimentary rocks of the Devonian Apadaerkang Formation and the Carboniferous Akeqiayi Group of the Biedieli area in the Wushi region is the focus.Detrital zircon ages indicate that the youngest grains of the targeted quartz sandstones are Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous in age,respectively.These ages also have relatively similar age spectra,indicating a similar tectonic setting and source in the Biedieli area during the Devonian to Carboniferous.The main spectrum peaks occur at 2360,1960,810,640 and 440 Ma,with a principal age peak in the early Paleozoic(474-430 Ma),and the Central Tianshan Terrane is indicated as the main source.The detrital zircon geochronology and sedimentary characteristics of the Biedieli rocks indicate that the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the northern Wushi region were formed at an active continental margin,associated mainly with the early Paleozoic subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean.
基金granted by the National Science and Technology Major Project of China(No.2024ZD1001100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41974058)+1 种基金Alliance of International Science Organizations(ANSO)Project under the Belt and Road Initiative(ANSO-CR-PP-2022-04)Key R&D Program of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region(Grant No.2024B03013-2)。
文摘Crustal thickness and Poisson's ratio are key indicators of regional isostasy and material composition.Using teleseismic waveform data from 126 permanent stations and 179 temporary stations in the Pamir-West Tianshan region,we obtain the crustal thickness and average Poisson's ratio by the h-κstacking method.The results show that the crust of the Pamir Plateau is thick in the middle and thin on its eastern and western sides,while the West Tianshan region exhibits a"thin-thick-thin"distribution from south to north.The mountainous regions have thicker crust compared to the intermountain basins which feature relatively thinner crust in West Tianshan.Based on the isostasy state analysis of the Airy model,the equilibrium curves of the Pamir and the West Tianshan are similar.The distribution of Poisson's ratio in the study area is characterized by several east-west oriented bands,forming a"high-low-high"distribution pattern as a whole.Joint geophysical and geochemical studies indicate that regions with high Poisson's ratio often have phenomena such as lithospheric subduction and Moho offsets,these areas also display characteristics such as low velocity,high conductivity,and high surface heat flow,which may be related to local melting materials in the middle and lower crust.
基金supported by the Science&Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program(2022FY101705)China geological survey project(DD20240204805)market prospecting exploration project(CG-2024-HX-S012)。
文摘The Sawayaerdun gold deposit is the only extremely large deposit occurring in the giant gold metallogenic belt of the Central Asian Tianshan Orogenic Belt.Breakthroughs in deep and peripheral exploration are of great significance for the sustainable development of the region.In this study,a comprehensive prospecting and exploration model for gold exploration in the high-cold and high-altitude areas of the southwestern Tianshan Mountains was developed by systematically evaluating the metallogenic geological conditions of the deposit and integrating geological,geochemical,and geophysical exploration multi-source data.Both the shallow metamorphic carbonaceous fine clastic rock and ductile shear zones controlled the Au-mineralized zone.Moreover,mineralized alteration,Au-Sb-As element chemical anomalies,high magnetic anomalies,and medium-high values from low-wave impedance were also important components of the model.Three-dimensional(3-D)geological attribute models of various ore-controlling factors were established,revealing the spatial distribution patterns of the deep structural frameworks and hidden mineralization.Geostatistical methods were used to delineate the three edges and two deep-mineral exploration areas.A comprehensive evaluation showed that anomalous variables were well confirmed in geological understanding,highlighting the effectiveness and accuracy of the predictions.These results are significant for deep-edge exploration.
文摘The Tianshan orogenic belt has a W-shape, composed of the V-shape Southern Tianshan and Northern Tianshan with different orogenic models .The Southern Tianshan broke off from the Sinian, forming a passive continental margin and ocean, and closed during Silurian and Devoaian. It belongs to the Wilson cycle orogenic model. The net duration is about 400 My.The Northern Tianshan began back-arc spreading during Devonian, forming the Devonian-Carboniferous marginal sea, and dosed during Late Carboaiferous. It belongs to the non-Wilson cycle orogeulc model or back-arc orogenic model. The duration is about 100 My .Deformation of the foreland fold-thrust belt occurred in two stages: in the early stage, folds and thrusts were formed by wedge-thrusting and lateral compression, while in the later stage, folds, gravitational normal faults and reveal faults were formed by the uplift of the Tianshan range and by gravity-gliding.
基金supported by the Funds for Creative Research Groups of China (No. 41121001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41301069, 91025012 and 41101066)+1 种基金the SKLCS founding (Nos. SKLCS-ZZ-2012-01-01, SKLCS-ZZ-2012-01-09)the West Light Program for Talent Cultivation of Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘The determination of total glacial volume is important for the observation of climatic change and its consequences such as global sea-level rise. The tongue area of Glacier No. 4 of Sigong River over Mt. Bogda, eastern Tianshan was surveyed by ground-penetrating radar （GPR） and real time kinematic （RTK）-global positioning system （GPS） during the summer campaign 2009. In order to calculate the glacier volume, both co-kriging algorithm and estimation based on the theory of perfectly plastic material were employed. Results indicated that the ice-thickness distribution of the investigated glacier ranges from 0 to 105.0 m, with the mean thickness of 27.6 m in 2009. The corresponding ice volume was -0.076 km3 （-0.068 km3 water equivalent）. The bedrock topography shows more undulating than the glacier surface. The difference of the calculated ice volume in this study and the estimated value from the empirical formula is large. Therefore, it is urgent to validate the applicability of the ex- isting empirical formula.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.41672061,41472059)the State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution,Institute of Geology and Geophysics,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing
文摘Rutile is a common Ti-bearing accessory mineral in high pressure （HP） metamorphic rocks of the western Tianshan. Distribution of rutile in the HP rocks varies from 0.5% in the greenschist to 30% in the rutile-bearing vein. Rutile can be subdivided into three groups based on the variation of trace elements： The first group has an averaged Zr content of 18 ppm-44 ppm and Hf content of 0.8 ppm-2.4 ppm, which correspond to occurrence of rutile from vein; the second group Zr of 59 ppm-63 ppm, Hf of 3.5 ppm-3.7 ppm; and the third group Zr of 150 ppm-160 ppm and Hf of 3.9 ppm, corresponding to rutile in the matrix of blueschist and eclogite, respectively. Rutile has been retrograded to ilmenite and titanite partly or completely, reducing the value of the ore. But rutile of HP rocks in the western Tianshan usually has the lowest content of uranium （〈1 ppm U）, which might become an attractive raw material for the Ti industry. Therefore, rutile-bearing HP rocks in the western Tianshan as a mineral resource will be the focus of considerable attention.
基金funded by the Project of the Knowledge Inno-vation of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.KZCX2-YW-GJ04)Postdoctoral Projects of China(Nos.2012M 521817 and 2013M 5320 96)
文摘Two field surveys on the thickness of Hei Valley No. 8 Glacier （H8） on the southern slope of Mount Bogda in the Tianshan Mountains using ground-penetration radar （GPR） were carried out in August 2008 and September 2009. Comparisons of the observed change in glacier thickness using GPR and ablation stakes suggest that GPR observations have high accuracy. Thus, the thickness change for H8 during 2008-2009 was estimated using GPR data. Digital elevation models obtained from topographic maps and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission were used to analyze ice-elevation changes of H8 between 1 969 and 2 000 m a.s.l.. The results show that H8 has continually thinned, and the thinning rate has increased gradually. The thinning of ablation areas of H8 increased from 0.42a=0.56 m/a in 1969-2000 to 1.474-0.79 m/a in 2000-2008, and then accelerated to 1.924-0.98 m/a in 2008-2009. The retreat of the glacier terminus has had a similar pattern. The distribution of the temperate-ice zone of H8 as determined from GPR data also implies that H8 has experienced strong melting from 2008 to 2009, which indicates that temperature rises have not only enhanced glacial sur- face melting and prolonged melting periods, but also changed the englacial structure and increased the water content of glacier, both of which probably lead to the acceleration of glacial thinning.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2017YFC0601204).
文摘The Sangong Cu-Ni sulfide mineralized mafic-ultramafic intrusion is located on the southern margin of the Bogeda-Harlik belt,eastern Tianshan,China.The intrusion is a well-differentiated complex and is comprised of leucogabbro,gabbro,olivine gabbro,Pl-bearing peridotite,and Pl-bearing pyroxenite.The Pl-bearing pyroxenite hosts both irregularly disseminated sulfide and round droplet sulfide.The intrusive rocks have a wide range of SiO_(2)(42.1 wt.%-50.48 wt.%)and MgO(6.21 wt.%-22.11 wt.%),and are enriched in light rare earth elements(LREE),large-ion lithophile elements(LILE;e.g.,Rb,Ba,Sr,and Pb),and palladium platinum group elements(PPGE)but depleted in high-field-strength elements(HFSE;e.g.,Nb,Ta,and Ti)and iridium PGEs(IPGE).These geochemical characteristics indicate that the Sangong mafic-ultramafic intrusion was derived from high degree of partial melting of depleted mantle and interacted with subduction-related material.The low Pd/Ir(3.21-27.44)but high Ni/Cu(1.64-24.16)ratios,combined with the olivine crystals with low Fo(60.88-78.65)and Ni(54.99 ppm-1688.87 ppm)concentrations suggest that the parental magma of the Sangong intrusion were likely high MgO basaltic in composition that experienced extensive evolution prior emplacement.The Ce/Pb ratios(5.8-13.6)and Nb/U ratios(11.6-30.3)of the intrusive rocks all range between MORB and crustal values,the Nb/Yb and Th/Yb values are close to the lower crust values,together with the low Se/S ratios[(17-100)×10^(-6))]suggest that the magma experienced assimilation not only in mantle source but also in conduit,but the degree of crustal contamination is limited.The Cu/Pd ratios of the rocks range from 3.9×10^(4) to 10.8×10^(4),and the Cu/Zr ratios of Pl-bearing pyroxenite in the Sangong intrusion are>1,combined with the presence of sulfide droplets in the Pl-bearing pyroxenite,indicating the parental magma experienced sulfide saturation and the economical ore bodies may present in the depth of the intrusion.Furthermore,given the discovery of the Baixintan and Yueyawan deposits,we propose the DananhuHarlik belt as an essential prospecting target for Cu-Ni mineralization in North Xinjiang.
文摘The timing of the emplacement of the Weiya pluton remains controversial due to the absence of systematic and precise dating. This paper reports zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating of different lithologic phases in the Weiya pluton, and discusses the genesis and tectonic environment. The ages of gabbro, quartz syenite, diorite porphyrite and fine-grained granite are 236±6 Ma, 246±6 Ma, 233±8 Ma and 237±8 Ma, respectively. All these phases were formed in early-middle Indosinian （Triassic） in a post-orogenic environment. In addition to underplating, intraplating of mantle-derived magmas is also a substantial mechanism for magma generation and vertical accretion of the continental crust. Granitoid rocks are important products of vertical continental accretion as underplating evolves gradually to intraplating. The existence of post-orogenic Indosinian granites shows that the middle Tianshan orogenic belt underwent an important tectonic conversion from the Paleo-Asian ocean subduction-collision system to the Paleo-Tethys ocean regime.
文摘The Tianshan Carboniferous post-collisional rift volcanic rocks occur in northwestern China as a large igneous province. Based on petrogeochemical data, the Tianshan Carboniferous post-collisional rift basic lavas can be classified into two major magma types: (1) the low-Ti/Y type situated in the eastern-central Tianshan area, which exhibits low Ti/Y (<500), Ce/Yb (<15) and SiO2 (43-55%), and relatively high Fe2O3T (6.4-11.5%); (2) the high-Ti/Y type situated in the western Tianshan area, which has high Ti/Y (>500), Ce/Yb (>11) and SiO2 (49-55%), and relatively low Fe2O3T (5.8-7.8%). Elemental data suggest that chemical variations of the low-Ti/Y and high-Ti/Y lavas cannot be explained by fractional crystallization from a common parental magma. The Tianshan Carboniferous basic lavas originated most likely from an OIB-like asthenospheric mantle source (87Sr/86Sr(t) ≈ 0.703-0.705, eNd(0 = +4 to +7). The crustal contamination and continental lithospheric mantle have also contributed significantly to the formation of the basic lavas of the Tianshan Carboniferous post-collisional rift. The silicic lavas were probably generated by partial melting of the crust. The data of this study show that spatial petrogeochemical variations exist in the Carboniferous post-collisional rift volcanics province in the Tianshan region. Occurrence of the thickest volcanics dominated by tholeiitic lavas may imply that the center of the mantle-melting anomaly (mantle plume) was in the eastern Tianshan area at that time. The basic volcanic magmas in the eastern Tianshan area were generated by a relatively high degree of partial melting of the mantle source around the spinel-garnet transition zone, whereas the alkaline basaltic lavas are of the dominant magma type in the western Tianshan area, which were generated by a low degree of partial melting of the mantle source within the stable garnet region, thus the basic lavas of the western Tianshan area might have resulted from relatively thick lithosphere and low geothermal gradient.
基金the supports from the National 973 Project on Westemn China (No.2001CB409804)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants 49772151 , 49832040)
文摘The Tianshan range could have been built by both late Early Paleozoicaccretion and Late Paleozoic collision events. The late Early Paleozoic Aqqikkudug-Weiya suture ismarked by Ordovician ophiolitic melange and a Silurian flysch sequence, high-pressure metamorphicrelics, and mylonitized rocks. The Central Tianshan belt could principally be an Ordovician volcanicarc; whereas the South Tianshan belt, a back-arc basin. Macro- and microstructures, along withunconformities, provide some kinematic and chronological constraints on 2-phase ductile deformation.The earlier ductile deformation occurring at ca. 400 Ma was marked by north-verging ductileshearing, yielding granulite-bearing ophiolitic melange blocks and garnet-pyroxene-facies ductiledeformation, and the later deformation, a dextral strike-slip tectonic process, occurred during theLate Carboniferous-Early Permian. Early Carboniferous molasses were deposited unconformably onpre-Carboniferous metamorphic and ductilely sheared rocks, implying the end of the early orogeny.The large-scale ductile strike-slip along the Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone was possibly caused by thesecond tectonic event, the Hercynian collision between the northern Tarim block and the southernSiberian block. Late Paleozoic granitic magmatism and superimposed structures overprinted this EarlyPaleozoic deformation belt. Results of geometric and kinematic studies suggest that the primaryframework of the Southern-Central Tianshan belt, at least the eastern part of the Tianshan belt, wasbuilt by these two phases of accretion events.
文摘Abstract The nearly E-W-trending Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone, more than 1000 km long and about 30 km wide, is an important segment in the Central Asian tectonic framework. It is distributed along the northern margin of the Central Tianshan belt in Xinjiang, NW China and is composed of mylonitized Early Palaeozoic greywacke, volcanic rocks, ophiolitic blocks as a mélange complex, HP/LT-type bleuschist blocks and mylonitized Neoproterozoic schist, gneiss and orthogneiss. Nearly vertical mylonitic foliation and sub-horizontal stretching lineation define its strike-slip feature; various kinematic indicators, such as asymmetric folds, non-coaxial asymmetric macro- to micro-structures and C-axis fabrics of quartz grains of mylonites, suggest that it is a dextral strike-slip ductile shear zone oriented in a nearly E-W direction characterized by “flower” strusture with thrusting or extruding across the zone toward the two sides and upright folds with gently plunging hinges. The Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone experienced at least two stages of ductile shear tectonic evolution: Early Palaeozoic north vergent thrusting ductile shear and Late Carboniferous-Early Permian strike-slip deformation. The strike-slip ductile shear likely took place during Late Palaeozoic time, dated at 269±5 Ma by the40Ar/39Ar analysis on neo-muscovites. The strike-slip deformation was followed by the Hercynian violent S-type granitic magmatism. Geodynamical analysis suggests that the large-scale dextral strike-slip ductile shearing is likely the result of intracontinental adjustment deformation after the collision of the Siberian continental plate towards the northern margin of the Tarim continental plate during the Late Carboniferous. The Himalayan tectonism locally deformed the zone, marked by final uplift, brittle layer-slip and step-type thrust faults, transcurrent faults and E-W-elongated Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins.
基金Foundation： National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40701035 No.40631001+9 种基金 No.40571033 No.40701034 No.J0630966 Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University by the Ministry of Education, No.NCET-10-0019 Foundation for Young Innovative Scientists in Gansu Province National Basic Research Program of China, No.2010CB951003 No.2007CB411501 Knowledge Innovation Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.KZCX2-YW-127 Independent Research Program of State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences Knowledge and Technological Innovation Project of Northwest Normal University, No.NWNU-KJCXGC-03-66 Acknowledgement The authors would like to thank Arthur Wen for useful suggestions and language editing.
文摘Based on the statistics of glacier area variation measured in the Chinese Tianshan Mountains since 1960, the response of glacier area variation to climate change is discussed systematically. As a result, the total area of the glaciers has been reduced by 11.5% in the past 50 years, which is a weighted percentage according to the glacier area variations of 10 drainage basins separated by the Glacier Inventory of China （GIC）. The annual percentage of area changes （APAC） of glaciers in the Chinese Tianshan Mountains is 0.31% after the standardization of the study period. The APAC varies widely for different drainage basins, but the glaciers are in a state of rapid retreat, generally. According to the 14 meteorological sta- tions in the Chinese Tianshan Mountains, both the temperature and precipitation display a marked increasing tendency from 1960 to 2009 at a rate of 0.34℃·（10a）^-1 and 11 mm·（10a）^-1, respectively. The temperature in the dry seasons （from November to March） increases rapidly at a rate of 0.46℃·（10a）^-1, but the precipitation grows slowly at 2.3 mm·（10a）^-1. While the temperature in the wet seasons （from April to October） grows at a rate of 0.25℃·（10a）^-1, but the precipitation increases at 8.7 mm·（10a）^-1, The annual and seasonal climatic trends accelerate the retreat of glaciers.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.40172021)the Major State Basic Research Program of the People’s Republic of China(No.G1999043211)the New Round Geological Survey Project (DKD9902001,2001BA609A-07-04).
文摘An isochron age of 282±20 (95% conf. limit) Ma of the sulfide ores in the Huangshandong Cu-Ni sulfide deposit, the East Tianshan Mountains has been obtained through Re-Os isotopic measurement. The age implies that the Cu-Ni sulfide deposit and other related deposits in the same area occurred in a Permian extensional environment of post-collision instead of Devonian-Early Carboniferous ophiolite-related oceanic or island arc environments inferred before. It shares the same ages with the orogenic and epithermal gold deposit systems in the same area. An initial 187Os/188Os ratio of 0.25±0.04 (1σ) and a γos value of 99 on average display the participation of large quantities of crustal components into the rock-forming and ore-forming system during mineralization and magmatic emplacement.
文摘The Heiyingshan granite and the Laohutai granite plutons exposed in the Southwest Tianshan resemble A-type granites geochemically. Analysis shows that the both are ferron calc-alkalic peraluminous or ferron alkali-calcic peraluminous with a relatively high concentration of SiO2 （〉70%）, high alkali contents （Na20 ＋ K20 = 7.14%-8.56%; K20〉N20; A/CNK = 0.99-1.20）, and pronounced negative anomales in Eu, Ba, St, P and Ti. A SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age of 285±4 Ma was obtained for the Heiyingshan hornblende biotite granite intrusion. The geochemical and age dating data reported in this paper indicate that these granites were formed during the post-collisional crustal extension of the Southwest Tianshan orogenic belt, in agreement with the published data for the granites in the South Tianshan.
基金supported by Project 2012CB416803 of the State Key Fundamental Programthe National Scientific and Technological Supporting Key Projects (#2011BAB06B02)Geological Survey Project No. 1212011085060
文摘The Beizhan large iron deposit located in the east part of the Awulale metallogenic belt in the western Tianshan Mountains is hosted in the Unit 2 of the Dahalajunshan Formation as lens, veinlets and stratoid, and both of the hanging wall and footwall are quartz-monzonite; the dip is to the north with thick and high-grade ore bodies downwards. Ore minerals are mainly magnetite with minor sulfides, such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Skarnization is widespread around the ore bodies, and garnet, diopside, wollastonite, actinolite, epidote, uralite, tourmaline sericite and calcite are ubiquitous as gangues. Radiating outwards from the center of the ore body the deposit can be classified into skarn, calcite, serpentinite and marble zones. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of the rhyolite and dacite from the Dahalajunshan Formation indicates that they were formed at 301.3±0.8 Ma and 303.7±0.9 Ma, respectively, which might have been related to the continental arc magmatism during the late stage of subduction in the western Tianshan Mountains. Iron formation is genetically related with volcanic eruption during this interval. The Dahalajunshan Formation and the quartz-monzonite intrusion jointly control the distribution of ore bodies. Both ore textures and wall rock alteration indicate that the Beizhan iron deposit is probably skarn type.
基金supports from the National 973 Project on western China No.2001CB409804the key project of National Natural Science Foundation of China No.49832040.
文摘Studies show that the Tianshan orogenic belt was built in the late stage of the Paleozoic, as evidenced by the Permian red molasses and foreland basins, which are distributed in parallel with the Tianshan belt, indicating that an intense folding and uplifting event took place. During the Triassic, this orogenic belt was strongly eroded, and basins were further developed. Starting from the Jurassic, a within-plate regional extension occurred, forming a series of Jurassic-Paleogene extensional basins in the peneplaned Tianshan region. Since the Neogene, a collision event between the Indian and the Eurasian plates that took place on the southern side of the Tianshan belt has caused a strong intra-continental orogeny, which is characterized by thrusting and folding. Extremely thick coarse conglomerate and sandy conglomerate of the Xiyu Formation of Neogene System were accumulated unconformably on the Tianshan piedmont. Studies have revealed that the strong compression caused by the Indian-Eurasian collision had a profound influence over the orogenic belt in the hinterland, and MesozoiC-Cenozoic brittle deformed structures superposed on the ductile deformed Paleozoic rocks. The Mesozoic extensional basins were converted into Cenozoic compressional basins. The deformation in the basins is featured by step thrusts and fault-related folds. Statistics of joints show that the principal compressive stress since the Neogene is in a N-S direction. Meanwhile, owing to the underthrusting of the basin toward the orogenic belt, the Paleozoic strata were thrust on the Meso-Cenozoic rocks as tectonic slices, revealing distinct kinematic features in different geologic units. The basin-range coupling zones are characterized by intensive compression, folding and thrusting, accompanied by local sub-E-W-trending strike-slip faults. In the Tianshan region, Cenozoic thrusting is the most common basin-range coupling mode. The folding and faulting of Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, spontaneous combustion of Jurassic coal layers and formation of sintered rocks, the Cenozoic earthquakes and active faulting, and the unique mosaic pattern of basin-range framework of Xinjiang are all products of tectonism since the Neogene.
