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Geoscience ›› 2023, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (02): 340-352.DOI: 10.19657/j.geoscience.1000-8527.2022.082

• Structural Geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Discovery and Geological Significance of Bayanengger Active Fault in the Southern Hetao Basin

LI Chenglu1(), ZHANG Xujiao1(), WU Fadong1, YE Peisheng2, LU Jing1   

  1. 1. School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
    2. Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
  • Received:2022-06-20 Revised:2022-10-24 Online:2023-04-10 Published:2023-05-23
  • Contact: ZHANG Xujiao

Abstract:

The study of active faults in the southern margin of Hetao Basin can reveal the structural and geomorphological evolution of the northwestern margin of Ordos Block. Recently, we found a 15 km long ENE-trending active fault in the eastern Dengkou County, Inner Mongolia. Displacement of channels and geomorphic features suggest that the Bayanengger Fault (BEF) is a normal fault with dextral strike-slip component. The kinematic characteristics and active periods of the BEF have been identified through field work, surface wave seismic exploration, and OSL dating. The results indicate that the Yellow River tributaries were displaced dextrally, with an average horizontal displacement of 179 m since the Late Pleistocene. The normal motion with dextral strike-slip component between (118.98±20.96) ka and (76.97±13.5) ka may have formed fault scarps on the planation surface of the Ordos Plateau and high terraces of the Yellow River. The latest event of the BEF occurred in (38.20±2.3) -30 ka, which was dominated by vertical offset. The latest geomorphic surface faulted by the BEF is T3 of the Yellow River tributary. The slip rate was 0.337 mm/a. The BEF activity likely caused the exposure of the Oligocene Wulanbulage Formation on the planation surface of Ordos Plateau. It also led to the rapid incision of T3 in the southwest margin of Hetao Basin, which played an important role in the regional geomorphological evolution.

Key words: active fault, Hetao Basin, faulted landform, OSL dating

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