Basin-Range System Sedimentology and Case Studies in North China and Tarim Areas, China

Key words: 
• basin-range system /
• depositional record /
• source-sink system /
• tectonic-paleogeography /
• North China block /
• Tarim block /

Abstract: Basin-range system, as a new geological unit or entity, has been accepted and studied in geosciences. Based on reviews on the past research advances, three rules are brought forward for basin-range classification, which includes plate tectonic unit (location), tectonic geodynamical regime, and paleogeographical or tectonic-sedimentary attributes of source-sink systems. There  are  three basin-range types, intracontinent, continent margin (continent-ocean) and intraocean, and further fourteen sub-typies can be presented in the classification scheme. Then a research frame of basin-range system sedimentology is stated and discussed, in which the tectonic-stratigraphic unit and isochronal stratigraphic framework, provenance tracing and source-sink system, and integrated depositional records and paleotectonic-paleoclimatic evolution are three important research basises; and the depositional system (tract) and integrated tectonic-paleogeography is research core; and the basin-range evolution geodynamics is an subject target of basin-range system sedimentology. As a case study of intracontinent basin-range system in eastern North China, the research shows that the most prominent basin-range system occurred in north North China during Jurassic-early Early Cretaceous due to collision and uplift process between Siberia block and North China-Mongolia one. However, a coexistent source-sink system related to the Su-Lu orogen has weak influences on sedimentary paleogeography of the North China. As another case study of continent margin basin-range system in Tarim area, northwest China, the research basicially reveals differential geological records, reflecting passive and arc-related continent margin basin-range systems, respectively coexisted between west South Tianshan and east one. Finally, in order to deepen the basin-range geodynamics, it is especially suggested to pay attention to academic researches of the provenance tracing and source-sink system and the integrated depositional records and paleotectonic-paleoclimatic evolution.