Discrete-element numerical modeling of sub-salt structures in the Central Kelasu fold-thrust belt, Kuqa Depression, northwestern China

A Structural Interpretation Model and Restoration of the Mesozoic Proto‐basin for the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin

“…In the process of contractional deformation, the geometry and kinematics of detachment faults have an important influence on the structural style, the hanging-wall of the steep ramp being more prone to thickening (Koyi and Maillot, 2007;Koyi et al, 2013;Schöfisch et al, 2021). Even if there is no unified regional detachment fault, the depth involved in contractional deformation decreases gradually from the Southern Tianshan Hercynian orogenic wedge to the interior of the Kuqa Depression, the hangingwall of the steep ramp in the Kelasu structural belt having experienced greater contraction (Zheng et al, 2020).…”

“…The different interpretative models for the structural deformationin the Kuqa Depression result in different amounts of contraction in the cross-sections. Based on the thin-skinned thrust-fold structural model, some researchers have proposed that a detachment fault is located in the Kumgremu Group (E 1-2 KM) salt rocks within the Baicheng sag; it is connected to the detachment fault at the bottom of the Mesozoic strata in the Kelasu structural belt, further north extending to the interior of the orogenic belt at a low angle to form a regional detachment fault (Wang et al, 2002;Guan et al, 2003;Yang et al, 2006;Tian et al, 2016a;Zheng et al, 2020). Most of the contraction is concentrated in the thrust-fold belts of the Cenozoic-Mesozoic tectonic levels in the Qiulitage and Kelasu structural belts (Scharer et al, 2004;Wen et al, 2017), the measured amount of contraction being more than 30 km (Shi et al, 1999;Wang et al, 2002).…”