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Structural controls on the occurrence and morphology of karstified assemblages in northeastern Vietnam: a regional perspective

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Abstract

Karstified assemblages occur widely in, and distinctively shape, the geological landscape of the northeastern part of Vietnam. These carbonate rocks were deposited during three major periods of basinal evolution including: (1) Late Cambrian, (2) Early Devonian to Early Carboniferous, and (3) Carboniferous to Earliest Triassic. These sedimentary units contain primary sedimentary structures and have undergone numerous post-depositional geological processes including multiple deformational events, which can be regionally correlated. Several thrusting events and associated folding have led to significant thickening of the carbonate units. The subsequent post-thrusting cross-folding events, followed by several phases of brittle faulting and fracturing further modified the spatial geometry and outcrop of these rocks. The combination and interaction of the primary structures with those formed during the long-lived and complicated deformational history is an important controlling factor in local and regional hydrogeological systems in the region. The geological structures now recorded in the carbonate units ultimately govern the formation of the unique modern surface and sub-surface geomorphology of the karstic terrains in northeastern Vietnam. These structures should be further investigated in the context of water resource assessment and natural hazard prediction and mitigation.

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Acknowledgments

This work was partly supported by Vietnam’s National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED), Project No. 105.06.70.09 and National Program on Science and Technology for National Disasters Prevention, Environmental Protection and Rational Utilization of Natural Resources of Vietnam (KC-08/06-10). We are grateful to Dr. James LaMoreaux and Dr. Jacqueline Halpin for their thoughtful reviewing and comments that significant improved the quality of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Hai Thanh Tran, Bat Van Dang, Chi Kim Ngo, Que Dinh Hoang & Quyen Minh Nguyen

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  1. Hai Thanh Tran
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  2. Bat Van Dang
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  3. Chi Kim Ngo
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  4. Que Dinh Hoang
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  5. Quyen Minh Nguyen
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Correspondence to Hai Thanh Tran.

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Thanh Tran, H., Van Dang, B., Kim Ngo, C. et al. Structural controls on the occurrence and morphology of karstified assemblages in northeastern Vietnam: a regional perspective. Environ Earth Sci 70, 511–520 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1057-1

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