Abstract
Intracratonic strike-slip faults play an important role in controlling both structural evolution and hydrocarbon exploration in petroliferous basins. Although numerous studies have focused on geometric delineation, the structural evolution and deformation mechanism of intracratonic strike-slip fault systems have not been properly documented. In this study, multiple-approach methods, including seismic interpretation, seismic attributes analysis, three-dimensional structural modeling, and quantitative evaluation of deformation, were employed to investigate intracratonic strike-slip faults in the Moxi area of central Sichuan Basin, particularly the vertical/lateral structural variation and deformation mechanism. In the Moxi area, a deep transtensional fault system, dominated by high-angle faults and negative flower structures, was developed within the strata ranging from the basement to the Permian; while a shallow transpressional fault system, dominated by listric faults, was developed within the Triassic strata. Being detached by the Lower to Middle Triassic gypsum layers, the deep and shallow fault systems were not physically linked. The fault system in the Lower Cambrian presented high level of structural variations, particularly lateral interactions including either linkages or overlaps between neighboring fault segments. In contrast, faults developed in the Upper Permian were dominated by lateral approach between neighboring fault segments. By integrating basin-scale tectonics, it is suggested that the intracratonic strike-slip fault systems in the Moxi area had experienced three stages of deformation since the Sinian, which are, chronologically, (i) the dextral transtensional stage in the Early Cambrian, (ii) sinistral transtensional stage in the Late Permian, and (iii) sinistral transpressional stage in the Middle to Late Jurassic.
Paper Information:
Qingqi Zhao, Nan Su, Zhengshuo Miao, Han Liang, Yangwen Pei*, 2026. Structural characteristics and evolution processes of intracratonic strike-slip fault systems: A case from central Sichuan Basin, SW China. Journal of Structural Geology, 208, 105701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2026.105701.
