Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

New evidence on the Neogene uplift of South Tianshan: constraints from the (U–Th)/He and AFT ages of borehole samples of the Tarim basin and implications for hydrocarbon generation

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We identified a Neogene rapid uplift-denudation event of the South Tianshan based on apatite (U–Th)/He and apatite fission track (AFT) ages in Tertiary rocks of the Tarim basin, using borehole samples. The (U–Th)/He thermochronology can be used to reveal the tectono-thermal events with lower temperature than that of AFT thermochronology and has not been used previously to study the uplift of the Tianshan Mountain. Using these data, we show the relationship between the uplift of the South Tianshan and the subsidence/deposition of the northern Tarim basin during the Neogene. The apatite helium ages reveal the migration of uplift, erosion and deposition in the northern Tarim basin. A rapid uplift of the South Tianshan during the Miocene and a corresponding rapid subsidence in the northern Tarim basin occurred. However, in the Pliocene, the Kuqa Depression and South Tianshan uplifted and eroded at the same time and in turn provided the detrital source rocks for the Northern Uplift of the Tarim basin. In contrast to earlier studies, we arrive at the conclusion that the South Tianshan experienced rapid uplift in the Miocene based on (U–Th)/He data of apatite obtained from borehole samples collected in the Tarim basin itself, and not from the bordering mountain chain. Combined apatite (U–Th)/He and fission track thermochronometry enables reconstruction of thermal histories of sedimentary rocks between 40 and 120°C, and this has implications for the generation of liquid hydrocarbon in the 65–120°C range in the basin. Thermal and burial histories of typical samples were also modelled to show the rapid uplift in our study. Our works not only provide a new evidence for the South Tianshan uplift but also indicate that there is a coupling between uplift and subsidence in the South Tianshan and adjacent northern part of the Tarim basin, which controlled hydrocarbon accumulation in the Kuqa Depression and Northern Uplift of the Tarim basin.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen MB, Şengör AMC, Natal’in BA (1995) Junggar, Turfan and Alakol basins as Late Permian to? Early Triassic extensional structures in a sinistral shear zone in the Altaid orogenic collage, Central Asia. J Geol Soc Lond 152:327–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bushy CJ, Ingerso IIRV (1995) Tectonics of sedimentary basins. Blackwell Science Inc, Cambridge 578

    Google Scholar 

  • Buslov MM, Fujiwara Y, Iwata K, Semakov NN (2004) Late Paleozoic early Mesozoic geodynamics of Central Asia. Gond Res 7:791–808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buslov MM, Grave JD, Bataleva EAV, Batalev VY (2007) Cenozoic tectonic and geodynamic evolution of the Kyrgyz Tianshan Mountains: a review of geological, thermochronological and geophysical data. J Asian Earth Sci 29:205–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai LG (2000) The transfer zone within intra-continent subduction orogenic belt in the Tianshan, northwest China. Exp Petrol Geol 22:206–209 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Charreau J, Chen Y, Gilder S, Dominguez S, Avouac JP, Sen S, Sun DJ, Li YG, Wang WM (2005) Magnetostratigraphy and rock magnetism of the Neogene Kuitun He section (northwest China): implications for Late Cenozoic uplift of the Tianshan mountains. Earth Planet Sci Lett 230:177–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charreau J, Gilder S, Chen Y, Dominguez S, Avouac JP, Sen S, Jolivet M, Li YG, Wang WM (2006) Magnetostratigraphy of the Yaha section, Tarim Basin (China): 11 Ma acceleration in erosion and uplift of the TianShan mountains. Geology 34:181–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charvet J, Shu LS, Laurent-Charvet S, Wang B, Faure M, Cluzel D, Chen Y, de Jong K (2011) Palaeozoic tectonic evolution of the Tianshan belt, NW China. Sci China (Earth Sciences) 54(2):166–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Burbank DW, Scharer KM, Sobel E, Yin JH, Rubin C, Zhao RB (2002) Magnetochronology of the Upper Cenozoic strata in the Southwestern Chinese Tian Shan: rates of Pleistocene folding and thrusting. Earth Planet Sci Lett 195:113–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen ZL, Wan JL, Liu J, Li SX, Zheng EM, Han XZ, Li XG, Gong HL (2006) Multi-stage uplift and exhumation of the west Tianshan Mountain: evidence from the apatite fission-track dating. Acta Geoscientica Sinica 27:96–106 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen ZL, Li L, Liu J, Gong HL, Jiang RB, Li SX, Zheng EM, Han XZ, Li ZG, Wang C, Wang GR, Wang G, Lu KG (2008) Preliminary study on the uplifting-exhumation process of the western Tianshan range, northwestern China. Acta Petrologia Sinica 24:625–636 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng HY, Li JH, Zhao X (2009) The structural styles of different structural layers in the western part of North Tarim Uplift and their genetic mechanism. Geol J China Univ 15:529–536 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cocks LRM, Torsvik TH (2007) Siberia, the wandering northern terrane, and its changing geography through the Palaeozoic. Earth Sci Rev 82:29–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corrigan J (1991) Inversion of apatite fission track data for thermal history information. J Geophys Res 96:10347–10360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crowhurst PV, Green PF, Kamp PJJ (2002) Appraisal of (U–Th)/He apatite thermochronology as a thermal history tool for hydrocarbon exploration: an example from the Taranaki basin, New Zealand. AAPG Bull 86:1801–1819

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowley KD (1991) Thermal history of Michigan basin and Southern Canadian Shield from apatite fission track analysis. J Geophysical Res 96:697–711

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cui ZH, Wang ZX, Tang LJ (2005) Characteristics of overlapped faults in the Tabei uplift and analysis of their genetic setting. Chin Geol 32:378–385 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • De Jong K, Kurimoto C, Ruffet G (2009a) Triassic 40Ar/39Ar ages from the Sakaigawa unit, Kii Peninsula, Japan: implications for possible merger of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt with large-scale tectonic systems of the East Asian margin. Int J Earth Sci 98:1529–1556

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Jong K, Wang B, Faure M, Shu LS, Cluzel D, Charvet J, Ruffet G, Chen Y (2009b) New 40Ar/39Ar age constraints on the Late Palaeozoic tectonic evolution of the western Tianshan (Xinjiang, northwestern China), with emphasis on late Permian fluid ingress. Int J Earth Sci 98(6):1239–1258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson WR (1993) Basin geodynamics. Basin Res 5:195–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donelick RA, O’Sullivan PB, Ketcham RA (2005) Apatite fission track analysis. Rev Mineral Geochem 58:49–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du ZL, Wang QC (2006) Mesozoic and Cenozoic uplifting history of the Tianshan region: insight from apatite fission track. Acta Geol Sinica 81(8):1081–1101

    Google Scholar 

  • Du ZL, Wang QC, Zhou XH (2007) Mesozoic and Cenozoic uplifting history of the Kuqa-South Tianshan basin-Mountain system from the evidence of apatite fission track analysis. Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica 26:399–408 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Duddy IR, Green PF, Lastett GM (1988) Thermal annealing of fission tracks in apatite: 3. Variable temperature behaviour. Chem Geol 73:25–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumitru TA, Zhou A, Chang EZ, Graham SA, Hendrix MS, Sobel ER, Carroll AR (2001) Uplifting, exhumation, and deformation in the Chinese Tian shan. In: Hendrix MS, Davis GA (eds) Paleozoic and Mesozoic tectonic evolution of central Asia: from continental assembly to intracontinental deformation. Boulder, Colorado. Geol Soc Am Memoir 194:71–99

  • Ehlers TA, Farley KA, Rusmore ME, Woodsworth GJ (2006) Apatite (U–Th)/He signal of large magnitude and accelerated glacial erosion: southwest British Columbia. Geology 34:765–768

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang SH, Guo ZJ, Zhang ZC, Wu CD (2004) Discussion on Mesozoic-Cenozoic evolution of Tianshan and its adjacent basins. Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Pekinensis 40:886–896

    Google Scholar 

  • Farley KA (2000) Helium diffusion from apatite: general behavior as illustrated by Durango fluorapatite. J Geophys Res 105:2909–2914

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farley KA, Wolf RA, Silver LT (1996) The effects of long alpha-stopping distances on (U–Th)/He ages. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 60:4223–4229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flowers RM, Ketcham RA, Shuster DL, Farley KA (2009) Apatite (U–Th)/He thermochronometry using a radiation damage accumulation and annealing model. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 73:2347–2365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu BH, Lin AM, Kano KI, Maruyama T, Guo JM (2003) Quaternary folding of the eastern Tian Shan, northwest China. Tectonophysics 369:79–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao J, Long LL, Klemd R et al (2009) Tectonic evolution of the South Tianshan orogen and adjacent regions, NW China: geochemical and age constraints of granitoid rocks. Int J Earth Sci 98:1221–1238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green PF, Duddy IR (2006) Interpretation of apatite (U–Th)/He ages and fission track ages from cratons. Earth Planet Sci Lett 244:541–547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green PF, Duddy IR, Gleadow AJW, Tingate PR, Laslett GM (1986) Thermal annealing of fission tracks in apatite, 1.A qualitative description. Chem Geol 59:237–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green PF, Duddy IR, Lastett GM (1989) Thermal annealing of fission tracks in apatite, 4.quantitative modelling techniques and extension to geological timescales. Chem Geol 79:155–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Gu JY (1996) The sedimentary sequence characteristics and evolution of Tarim basin. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan SW, Li BL, He DF, Wang X, Suppe J, Lei GL (2007) Late Cenozoic active fold-and-thrust belts in the Southern and Northern Flanks of Tianshan. Acta Geol Sinica 81:725–743 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo ZJ, Zhang ZC, Liao GH, Fang SH (2002) Uplifting process of eastern Tianshan mountains: evidence from fission-track age its tectonic significance. Xinjiang Geol 20:331–334 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo ZJ, Zhang ZC, Wu CD, Fang SH, Zhang R (2006) The Mesozoic and Cenozoic exhumation history of Tianshan and comparative studies to the Junggar and Altai Mountains. Acta Geol Sinica 80:1–15 (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen K, Reiners PW (2006) Low temperature thermochronology of the southern East Greenland continental margin: evidence from apatite (U–Th)/He and fission track analysis and implications for intermethod calibration. Lithos 92:117–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haughton PDW, Todd SP, Morton AC (1991) Sedimentary provenance studies. Geol Soc Lond, Special Publications 57:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He DF, Jia CZ, Li DS, Zhang CJ, Meng QR, Shi X (2005) Formation and evolution of Polycyclic superimposed Tarim basin. Oil Gas Geol 26:64–77 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendrix MS (2000) Evolution of Mesozoic sandstone compositions, southern Junggar, northern Tarim, and western Turpan basins, northwest China: a detrital record of the ancestral Tian Shan. J Sediment Res 70:520–532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hendrix MS, Dumitru TA, Graham SA (1994) Late oligocene-early Miocene unroofing in the Chinese Tianshan: an early effect of the India-Asia collision. Geology 22:487–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • House MA, Farley KA, Kohn BP (1999) An empirical test of helium diffusion in apatite: borehole data from the Otway basin, Australia. Earth Planet Sci Lett 170:463–474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • House MA, Farley KA, Stockli D (2000) Helium chronometry of apatite and titanite using Nd-YAG laser heating. Earth Planet Sci Lett 183:365–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • House MA, Kohn BP, Farley KA, Raza A (2002) Evaluating thermal history models for the Otway basin, southeastern Australia, using (U–Th)/He and fission track data from borehole apatites. Tectonophysics 349:277–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang BC, Piper JDA, Peng ST, Liu T, Li Z, Wang QC, Zhu RX (2006) Magnetostratigraphic study of the Kuche Depression, Tarim basin, and Cenozoic uplift of the Tian Shan range, Western China. Earth Planet Sci Lett 251:346–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jia CZ, Li QM (2008) Petroleum geology of Kela-2, the most productive gas field in China. Marine Petrol Geol 25:335–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jia CZ, Wei GQ, Yao HJ, Li LC (1995) Tectonic evolution and regional structural geology of Tarim basin. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Jia CZ, Zhang SB, Wu SZ (2004) Stratigraphy of the Tarim basin and the adjacent areas. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Kröner A, Windley BF, Badarch G, Tomurtogoo O, Hegner E, Jahn BM et al (2007) Accretionary growth and crust formation in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and comparison with the Arabian-Nubian shield. In: Hatcher RD, Carlson MP, McBride JH, Martınez Catalan JR (eds) 4-D Framework of continental crust. Geol Soc Am Mem 200:181–209

  • Laslett GM, Kendall WS, Gleadow AJW (1982) Bias in measurement of fission track length distribution. Nucl Tracks 6:79–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Laslett GM, Green PF, Duddy IR, Gleadow AJW (1987) Thermal annealing of fission tracks in apatite, 2.A quantitative analysis. Chem Geol 65:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laurent-Charvet S, Charvet J, Monié P, Shu LS (2003) Late Paleozoic strike-slip shear zones in eastern Central Asia (NW China): new structural and geochronological data. Tectonics 22:1099–1101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li YJ, Song WJ, Mai GR, Zhou LX, Hu JF, Shang XL (2001) Characteristics of Kuqa and Northern Tarim foreland basins and their coupling relation to south Tianshan orogen. Xinjiang Petrol Geol 22:376–383 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Wang QC, Wang DX, Lin W (2003) Depositional record constraints on Late Cenozoic Uplift of Tianshan and Tectonic transformation in Kuqa Depression, West China. Acta Sedimentol Sin 21:38–45 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Song WJ, Peng ST, Wang DX, Zhang ZP (2004) Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic relationships between the Kuqa subbasin and Tian Shan, northwest China: constraints from depositional records. Sediment Geol 172:223–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li JY, Wang KZ, Li YP, Sun GH, Chu CH, Li LQ, Zhu ZX (2006a) Geomorphological features, crustal composition and geological evolution of the Tianshan Mountains. Geol Bull China 25:895–909 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li SJ, Shi YH, Wang QC (2006b) The analysis of detrital heavy minerals in Cretaceous- Tertiary sandstones, Kuqa Depression and their implications for Provenance. Acta Sedimentol Sin 24:28–35 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li QG, Liu SW, Wang ZQ, Yan QR, Guo ZJ, Zhang ZH, Zheng HF, Jiang CF, Wang T, Chu ZY (2007a) Geochemical constraints on the petrogenesis of the Proterozoic granitoid gneisses from the eastern segment of the Central Tianshan tectonic zone, northwestern China. Geol Mag 144:305–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li SJ, Shi YH, Wang QC, Li Z (2007b) Changes of detrital heavy minerals’ composition in the Kuqa depression from Cretaceous. Chin J Geol 42:709–721 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li YJ, Yang HJ, Zhao Y, Luo JC, Zheng DM, Liu YL (2009) Tectonic framework and evolution of south Tianshan, NW China. Geotectonica et Metallogenia 33:94–104 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li MJ, Wang TG, Chen JF, He FQ, Yun L, Akbar S, Zhang WB (2010) Paleo-heat flow evolution of the Tabei Uplift in Tarim basin, northwest China. J Asian Earth Sci 37:52–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin W, Faure M, Shi YH, Wang QC, Li Z (2009) Palaeozoic tectonics of the south-western Chinese Tianshan: new insights from a structural study of the high-pressure/low-temperature metamorphic belt. Int J Earth Sci 98:1259–1274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Link PK, Mahoney JB, Fanning CM (2005) Isotopic determination of sediment provenance: Techniques and applications. Sed Geol 182:1–2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lippolt HJ, Leitz M, Wernicke RS, Hagedorn B (1994) (U + Th)/He dating of apatite: experience with samples from different geochemical environments. Chem Geol 112:179–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu XF, Peng DT, Liu SP, Zhong GF, Wan LG, Shi WD (1996) Structural framework and origin of the Northern Tarim uplift. J Jianghan Petrol Inst 18:26–30 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu YQ, Wang ZX, Jin XC, Li T, Li Y (2004) Evolution, chronology and depositional effect of uplifting in the eastern sector of the Tianshan Mountains. Acta Geol Sinica 78:319–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorencak M, Kohn BP, Osadetz KG, Gleadow AJW (2004) Combined apatite fission track and (U–Th)/He thermochronometry in a slowly cooled terrane: results from a 3440 m deep drill hole in the southern Canadian Shield. Earth Planet Sci Lett 227:87–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu HF, Wang SL, Jia CZ (2007) The Mechanism of the southern Junggar Cenozoic thrusts. Earth Sci Front 14:168–174 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma Q, Shu LS, Zhu WB (2006) Mesozoic-Cenozoic burial, uplift and exhumation: a profile along the Urumqi-Korla highway in the Tianshan Mountains. Xinjiang Geol 24:99–104 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mao QG, Xiao WJ, Han CM, Sun M, Yuan C, Yan Z, Li JL, Yong Y, Zhang JE (2006) Zircon U-Pb age and the geochemistry of the Baishiquan mafic-ultramafic complex in the Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang province; constraints on the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. Acta Petrologica Sinica 22(1):153–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Molnar P, Tapponnier P (1975) Cenozoic tectonics of Asia: effects of a continental collision. Science 189:419–426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu NS, Reiners PW, Mei QH, Jiang G, Nicolescu S, Tao C (2009) Application of the (U–Th)/He thermochronometry to the tectono-thermal evolution of sedimentary basin-A case history of Well KQ1 in the Tarim basin. Chin J Geophys 52:1825–1835

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu NS, Wang JY, Mei QH, Jiang G, Tao C (2010) Constraints of (U–Th)/He ages on early Palaeozoic tectonothermal evolution of the Tarim basin. China Sci China (D) 53:964–976

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahl JM, Ehlers TA, Vander PBA (2007) Quantifying transient erosion of orogens with detrital thermochronology from syntectonic basin deposits. Earth Planet Sci Lett 256:147–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reiners PW (2005) Zircon (U–Th)/He thermochronometry. Rev Mineral Geochem 58:151–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reiners PW, Farley KA (1999) Helium diffusion and (U–Th)/He thermochronometry of titanite. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 63:2859–3845

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reiners PW, Farley KA, Hickes HJ (2002) He diffusion and (U–Th)/He thermochronometry of zircon: initial results from fish Canyon Tuff and Gold Butte. Tectonophysics 349:297–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reiners PW, Zhou ZY, Ehlers TA, Xu CH, Brandon MT, Donelick RA, Nicolescu S (2003) Post-orogenic evolution of the Dabie Shan, Eastern China, from (U Th)/He and fission track thermochronology. Am J Sci 303:489–518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reiners PW, Campbell IH, Nicolescu S, Allen CM, Hourigan JK, Garver JI, Mattinson JM, Cowan DS (2005) (U–Th)/(He-Pb) double dating of detrital zircons. Am J Sci 305:259–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ren ZL, Wang QC (2007) Mesozoic and Cenozoic uplifting history of the Tianshan region: insight from apatite fission track. Acta Geol Sinica 81:1081–1101 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ren ZL, Xiao H, Han W, Liang Y, Qing Y, Teng ZH, Shi Z (2009) Research on basin-mountain tectonic-thermal history of Kongquehe slope and Kuruketag uplift. J Northwest Univ (Natural Science Edition) 39:510–516 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sclater JG, Christie PAF (1980) Continental stretching: an explanation of the post-mid-cretaceous subsidence of the central North Sea basin. J Geophys Res 85:3711–3739

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shuster DL, Farley KA (2009) The influence of artificial radiation damage and thermal annealing on helium diffusion kinetics in apatite. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 73:183–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shuster DL, Flowers RM, Farley KA (2006) The influence of natural radiation damage on helium diffusion kinetics in apatite. Earth Planet Sci Lett 249:148–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sobel ER, Dumitru TA (1997) Thrusting and exhumation around the margins of the western Tarim basin during the India-Asia collision. J Geophys Res 102:5043–5063

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sobel ER, Chen J, Heermance RV (2006) Late oligocene-early Miocene initiation of shortening in the southwestern Chinese Tianshan: implications for Neogene shortening rate variations. Earth Planet Sci Lett 247:70–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stock GM, Ehlers TA, Farley KA (2006) Where does sediment come from? Quantifying catchment erosion with detrital apatite (U–Th)/He thermochronometry. Geology 34:725–728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun JM, Zhang ZQ (2009) Syntectonic growth strata and implications for late Cenozoic tectonic uplift in the northern Tian Shan, China. Tectonophysics 463:60–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun JM, Zhu RX, Bowler J (2004) Timing of the Tianshan Mountains uplift constrained by magnetostratigraphic analysis of molasse deposits. Earth Planet Sci Lett 219:239–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takahiro T, O’Sullivan PB (2005) Fundamentals of fission-track thermochronology. Rev Mineral Geochem 58:19–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian ZJ (2006) Coupling relation between Tabei Foreland basin and Nantianshan Orogenic Belt and their oil-gas distribution feature. China Petrol Explor 4:16–20 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang QC, Li Z (2007) The Kuqa-South Tianshan basin-Mountain system and its hydrocarbon. Science Press (in Chinese)

  • Wang YB, Wang Y, Liu X, Fu DR, Wang J, Wang SC (2001) Apatite fission-track records of Mesozoic and Cenozoic episodic reactivation of the Tianshan and West Kunlun Mountains. Reg Geol China 20:94–99 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang LS, Li C, Liu SW, Li H, Xu MJ, Wang Q, Ge R, Jia CZ, Wei GQ (2003) Geotemperature gradient distribution of Kuqa foreland basin, north of Tarim, China. Chin J Geophys 46:403–407

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang QC, Zhang ZP, Lin W (2004) Late Tertiary faults and their paleostress along the boundary between the Kuqa Basin and the Tianshan Mountains. Chin Sci Bull 49:374–381

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang ZX, Li T, Zhang J, Liu YQ, Ma ZJ (2008) The uplifting process of the Bogda Mountain during the Cenozoic and its tectonic implication. Science in China Series D Earth Sci 51:579–593

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Cluzel D, Shu LS, Faure M, Charvet J, Chen Y, Meffre S, de Jong K (2009a) Evolution of calc-alkaline to alkaline magmatism through Carboniferous convergence to Permian transcurrent tectonics, western Chinese Tianshan. Int J Earth Sci 98:1275–1298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang QC, Li SJ, Du ZL (2009b) Differential uplift of the Chinese Tianshan since the Cretaceous: constraints from sedimentary petrography and apatite fission-track dating. Int J Earth Sci 98:1341–1363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Faure M, Shu LS, de Jong K, Charvet J, Cluzel D, Jahn BM, Chen Y, Ruffet G (2010) Structural and geochronological study of high-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Kekesu section (Northwestern China): implications for the late Palaeozoic tectonics of the Southern Tianshan. J Geol 118(1):59–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warnock AC, Zeitler PK, Wolf RA, Bergman SC (1997) An evaluation of low-temperature apatite (U–Th)/He thermochronometry. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 61:5371–5377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Windley BF, Allen MB, Zhang C, Zhao ZY, Wang GR (1990) Palaeozoic accretion and Cenozoic redeformation of the Chinese Tien Shan range, Central Asia. Geology 18:128–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Windley BF, Alexeiev D, Xiao WJ, Kröner A, Badarch G (2007) Tectonic models for accretion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. J Geol Soc Lond 164:31–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf RA, Farley KA, Silver LT (1996) Helium diffusion and low-temperature thermochronometry of apatite. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 60:4231–4240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf RA, Farley KA, Kass DM (1998) Modeling of the temperature sensitivity of the apatite (U–Th)/He thermochronometer. Chem Geol 148:105–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu SM, Lu HF, Ma RS, Jia D, Cai DS (1995) Classification of tectonic facies and their evolutionary features in the west Tianshan Mountains. Reg Geol China 2:149–156 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu CD, Lin CS, Shen YP, Feng X (2005) Composition of sandstone and heavy minerals implies the provenance of Kuqa Depression in Jurassic, Tarim basin, China. Prog Nat Sci 15:633–640

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao WJ, Zhang LC, Qin KZ, Sun S, Li JL (2004) Paleozoic accretionary and collisional tectonics of the Eastern Tianshan (China): Implications for the continental growth of Central Asia. Am J Sci 304(4):370–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao H, Ren ZL, Cui JP, Liao Y, Han W (2008) Relations between geothermal history and hydrocarbon generation in Kongquehe Area. J Northwest Univ 38:631–636 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao WJ, Kröner A, Windley BF (2009a) Geodynamic evolution of Central Asia in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic. Int J Earth Sci 98:1185–1188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao WJ, Windley BF, Huang BC et al (2009b) End-Permian to mid-Triassic termination of the accretionary processes of the southern Altaids: implications for the geodynamic evolution, Phanerozoic continental growth, and metallogeny of Central Asia. Int J Earth Sci 98:1189–1217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang G, Qian XL (1995) Mesozoic-Cenozoic uplift of Tianshan intraplate orogenic belt: evidence from zircon and apatite fission track dating. Acta Scientiarum Naturalium 31(4):473–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang SH, Zhou MF (2009) Geochemistry of the ~430 Ma Jingbulake mafic-ultramafic intrusion in Western Xinjiang, NW China: Implications for subduction related magmatism in the South Tianshan orogenic belt. Lithos 113:259–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang SF, Chen HL, Cheng XG, Xiao AC, Zhou YZ, Lu HF, Jia CZ, Wei GQ (2003) Cenozoic Uplifting and Unroofing of Southern Tianshan, China. J Nanjing Univ (Natural Sciences) 39:1–8 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao ZG, Zhou LF, Gao P, Gao S, She G (2010) Meso-Cenozoic uplift and exhumation history in the North Tianshan Mountains. J China Univ Min Technol 39:121–126 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeitler PK, Herczeg AL, McDougall I, Honda M (1987) U–Th-He dating of apatite: a potential thermochronometer. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 51:2865–2868

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang PZ, Deng QD, Yang XP, Peng SZ, Xu XW (1996) Late Cenozoic tectonic deformation and mechanism along Tianshan Mountain, Northwestern China. Earthq Res China 12:127–140 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang C, Zheng DM, Li JH (2001a) Attribute of Paleozoic structures and its evolution characteristics in Kalpin fault-uplift. Oil Gas Geol 22:314–318 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang SC, Zhang BM, Wang FY, Liang DG, He ZH, Zhao MJ, Bian LZ (2001b) The two sets of marine source rocks in Tarim basin: their characteristics of organic matter, depositional environment and controlling factors (in Chinese). Nat Sci Prog 11:261–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang GY, Zhao WZ, Wang HJ, Li HH, Liu L (2007) Multicycle tectonic evolution and composite petroleum systems in the Tarim basin. Oil Gas Geol 28:653–663 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang ZY, Zhu WB, Shu LS, Wan JL, Yang W, Su JB, Zheng BH (2009) Apatite fission track thermochronology of the Precambrian Aksu blueschist, NW China: Implications for thermo–tectonic evolution of the north Tarim basement. Gondwana Res 16:182–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang ZY, Zhu WB, Shu LS, Wan JL, Yang W, Zheng BH, Su JB (2011) Multi-stage exhumation of the NE Tarim Precambrian bedrock, NW China: constraints from apatite fission track thermochronology in the Kuluketage area. Terra Nova 23:324–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu WB, Wan JL, Shu LS, Sun Y, Wang F (2005) Mesozoic-Cenozoic thermal history of Turpan-Hami basin: apatite fission track constrains. Prog Nat Sci 15:331–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu WB, Shu LS, Wan JL, Sun Y, Wang F, Zhao ZY (2006) Fission-track evidence for the exhumation history of Bogda-Harlik Mountains, Xinjiang since the Cretaceous. Acta Geol Sinica 80:16–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu WB, Zhang ZY, Shu LS, Wan JL, Lu HF, Wang SL, Yang W, Su JB (2010) Thermotectonic evolution of Precambrian basement rocks of the Kuruktag uplift, NE Tarim craton, China: evidence from apatite fission-track data. Int Geol Rev 52:941–954

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41125010, No. 41072103), State Key Project of Oil and Gas (No. 2011ZX05007-002) and State “973” project (No. 2011CB201101). Grateful acknowledgments are made to the Northwest Oil Company (SINOPEC), who contributed cores and geologic data for this work. Our special thanks are given to Dr. Peter W. Reiners (University of Arizona) and Dr. Nicolescu Stefan (Yale University), who provided assistance for our sample analyses and manuscript improvement. Dr. Qian Yixiong, and Mr. Chen Yue gave much help during sample collection. Our heartfelt gratitude also goes to Dr. Koen de Jong, Dr. Hu Shengbiao, Dr. Edward R. Sobel and anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and linguistic editing to improve the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resource and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, People’s Republic of China

    Nansheng Qiu, Jian Chang, Jiawei Li & Wenzheng Li

  2. Research Centre for Basin and Reservoir, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, People’s Republic of China

    Nansheng Qiu, Jian Chang, Jiawei Li & Wenzheng Li

  3. Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Northwest Oil Company, SINOPEC, Urumqi, 830011, People’s Republic of China

    Lu Yun & Huili Li

Authors
  1. Nansheng Qiu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jian Chang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jiawei Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wenzheng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lu Yun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Huili Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nansheng Qiu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Qiu, N., Chang, J., Li, J. et al. New evidence on the Neogene uplift of South Tianshan: constraints from the (U–Th)/He and AFT ages of borehole samples of the Tarim basin and implications for hydrocarbon generation. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 101, 1625–1643 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-011-0745-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-011-0745-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation