CAREER: Giant Nonmarine Sedimentary Basins of China and Intracontinental Tectonics - an Integrated Research and Education Plan in Asia and Western North America

东亚和中亚的特点是复杂的板内变形，而不是简单地与同步构造板块边界有关。这种变形伴随着大型的、长期存在的、非海相的陆内盆地的耦合演化，现有的盆地模型不能充分描述这些盆地。通过对变形、沉降和沉积的分布、类型和时间的详细分析，可以更好地理解板内变形和伴随的盆地形成过程，以及沉积和构造演化之间的反馈机制。中生代鄂尔多斯盆地和新生代柴达木盆地就是这种体系的极好例子，因为这两个盆地都是地质大省，其特点是在盆地边缘和盆地内部变形时积累了厚实的、相对连续的同构造沉积包。因此，这些盆地提供了记录变形和沉积轨迹如何随着时间的推移相互关联，以及它们如何相互影响的机会。中生代鄂尔多斯和柴达木盆地的沉积和构造史正在通过地质图、测量的地层剖面和其他盆地特征的组合来记录，例如古水流和物源分析，以及沉降模拟。在鄂尔多斯盆地，重点研究了盆地北部中生代盆缘露头。在柴达木，研究包括结合东北和西南盆地边缘的露头地质，以及分析盆地内部的地震反射数据。在这些地区，通过比较特定构造的位置和运动学，以及下沉沉积中心的几何形状和来源，可以确定控制可容纳空间和沉积物供应的机制。它还提供了厚层沉积层序的积累以及与之相关的热流、地壳厚度和质量横向分布变化影响盆地内变形机制的线索。这项研究试图对中国盆地板内应变与沉积之间的长期和空间关系提供更清晰的认识。这将澄清这些盆地如何演化的构造控制，并测试沉积分布的动态变化是否会影响构造的样式或位置。除了增加了对中国板内变形历史的洞察和改进了“中国式”后继盆地的模型，该项目还为海外本科生研究提供了一个平台，并加强了与中国同事的合作。美国西部的模拟沉积系统为中国的盆地研究提供了比较的例子，可以作为自然课堂来培训本科生研究人员，并将这一研究项目的教训翻译给公众。

Eastern and central Asia is characterized by complex intraplate deformation that is not related simply to synchronous tectonic plate boundaries. This deformation is accompanied by the coupled evolution of large, long-lived, nonmarine intracontinental basins, which are not adequately described by existing basin models. The processes that link intraplate deformation and concomitant basin formation, and feedback mechanisms between sedimentation and structural evolution can be understood better through detailed analysis of distribution, style and timing of deformation, subsidence and sedimentation. The Mesozoic Ordos basin and Cenozoic Qaidam basin are excellent examples of such systems because both are large geologic provinces characterized by thick, relatively continuous packages of syntectonic sediment that accumulated during deformation on the margins of, and within, each basin. Thus, these basins provide the opportunity to document how loci of deformation and sedimentation correlate through time, and how they may exert influences on each other. The sedimentary and structural history of the Mesozoic Ordos and Cenozoic Qaidam basin is being documented with a combination of geologic maps, measured stratigraphic sections, and other basin characterization such as paleocurrent and provenance analysis, and subsidence modeling. In the Ordos basin, efforts are focused on Mesozoic basin-margin outcrops in the northern half of the basin. In Qaidam, studies include a combination of outcrop geology along the northeast and southwest basin margins, and analysis of seismic reflection data in the basin interior. In these areas, comparison between location and kinematics of specific structures and the geometry and provenance of subsiding depocenters allows the mechanisms that control accommodation space and sediment supply to be determined. It also provides clues to the ways that accumulation of thick sedimentary sequences and associated changes in heat flow, crustal thickness, and lateral distribution of mass affect mechanisms of intrabasinal deformation. This research is attempting to provide a clearer understanding of the secular and spatial relationships between intraplate strain and sedimentation in Chinese basins. This will clarify the structural controls on how such basins evolve and test whether the dynamic changes in sedimentary distribution affect the style or location of structure. In addition to added insights gained into the history of intraplate deformation in China and improved models for "Chinese-type" successor basins, this project is a platform for undergraduate research overseas and increased collaboration with Chinese co-workers. Analog sedimentary systems in the western United States provide comparative examples to the basins studies in China, and can be used as natural classrooms to train undergraduate researchers and translate the lessons of this research project to the public.