Journal of Palaeogeography, (2015), 4, (3): 284-304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jop.2015.08.

007
H O S T E D BY

H O S T E D BY Available online at www.sciencedirect.com 古地理学报 

（ ）
英文版

ScienceDirect Vol. 4 No. 3   July 2015

journal homepage: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-palaeogeography/

Lithofacies palaeogeography and sedimentology

Characteristics of the Paleozoic slope

break system and its control on strati‑
graphic-lithologic traps: An example from
the Tarim Basin, western China
Hao Liua, *, Chang-Song Lina, Rui-Bo Guob, Min Zhuc, Yong-Qian Cuic

a
School of Ocean Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
b
Institute of Pet Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, United Kingdom
c
Geophysical Exploration Research Institute of PetroChina Huabei Oilfield Company, Renqiu
062552, China

Received 17 March 2015; accepted 20 April 2015

KEYWORDS Abstract  Based on comprehensive analyses of seismic and log data, this study indicates that
Early Paleozoic; mainly four widespread angular to minor angular unconformities (Tg8, Tg51, Tg5 and Tg3)
structural unconform- were formed during the Paleozoic. Through the interpretation of structural unconformities,
ity; calculation of eroded thickness, correction of palaeo-water depth and compaction and compi-
slope break system; lation of the Early Paleozoic structural maps, the Early Paleozoic slope break belt (geomorpho-
stratigraphic-lithologic logic unit) of the Tarim Basin is subdivided into uplift area, subaqueous uplift area, rift slope
trap; break belt, flexure slope break belt (slope belt), depression area and deep basin area. Pal-
Tarim Basin aeogeomorphology of the Cambrian-Early Ordovician was approximately in EW trend within
which three tectonic units including the Tabei Palaeo-uplift, the northern Depressional Belt
and the southern Palaeo-uplift developed respectively and are grouped into two slope break
systems namely as the Tabei Palaeo-uplift and the southern Palaeo-uplift. These tectonic units
obviously control the deposition of isolated platform, open platform, restricted platform and
deep basin. Influenced by extrusion in the Mid-Late Ordovician, the southern and northern
subaqueous uplifts gradually elevated and then were eroded. Resultantly two slope break sys-
tems developed, namely as the northern and central Palaeo-uplifts which obviously controlled
the deposition of provenance area, isolated platform, mixed continental shelf, slope and
basin facies. The intensive extrusion of the Mid-Late Ordovician leads to significant tectonic

*  Corresponding author.
  E-mail address: lhcugb@163.com.
  Peer review under responsibility of China University of
  Petroleum (Beijing).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jop.2015.08.007
2095-3836/Copyright © 2015, China University of Petroleum (Beijing). Production and hosting by Elsevier B. V. This is an open access article under
the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Slope break system and its control: An example from the Tarim Basin, western China 285

deformation of the Tarim Basin: large area of uplifting and erosion and development of EW
trending anticline and syncline. Deposition of shore, tidal flat, delta, shallow marine clastics
and deep marine facies is obviously controlled by the Tabei, the southern and the Tadong
Palaeo-uplifts. Slope break systems control development of stratigraphic unconformity and
thus truncation and onlap unconformity zones become favorable areas in a palaeo-uplift and
at a palaeo-slope belt for forming important unconformity traps; Whereas slope (slope break)
belt along a palaeo-uplift margin is a geomorphologic unit where high-energy sedimentary
facies widely develops, such as reef, oolitic sandy clastics or bioclastic limestone beach bar
facies, thus litho-structural composite hydrocarbon accumulations usually develop when tec-
tonic condition is suitable. In addition, large-scale palaeo-uplifts are the most favourable
areas for hydrocarbon accumulation development.

1 Introduction
In recent years, fundamental principles of sequence
stratigraphy have been applied to analyses of basin fills
formed in various tectonic settings (e.g., Obrist-Farner and
Yang, 2015; Posamentier et al., 1988; Posamentier and Mor-
ris, 2000; Posamentier and Vail, 1988; Vail et al., 1977; Van
Wagoner et al., 1990). Particularly in hydrocarbon industry,
the conceptual models have been widely used to predict
hydrocarbon and reservoir distribution and geometries in
basins (Catuneanu et al., 2009; Fyhn et al., 2009; Li et al.,
2002; Lin et al., 2000; Lin et al., 2001; Paton et al., 2008;
Prather, 2003; Wang et al., 2002; Zagrarni et al., 2008).
Currently, many researchers proposed the concept of basin
slope break belt through studies of sequence stratigraphy
(Fan and Li, 1999; Huang et al., 2012; Lin et al., 2000;
Liu et al., 2006; Ren et al., 2004; Wang et al., 2004; Xu
et al., 2006) and divided it into tectonic slope break belt,
erosional slope break belt and depositional slope break belt
according to their origins. They also proposed that slope
break belt controls the developing pattern of sequence,
deposition and traps, which in turn control the develop-
ment of reservoir sandbodies and subtle traps. But most
preresearches are regarding a single or some kind of slope
break belt or multi-order slope break belt, few of them are
related with slope break association with a similar origin.
Different kinds of slope break association (named as slope
break systems) in basins are closely related with deep basal
(basement) tectonic framework of a basin and its regional
tectonic dynamic setting ( Liu et al., 2015). On a basin
scale, these slope break belts actually reflect the charac-
teristics of a prototype basin formed in a certain period.
Slope break belts in the same slope break system obviously
have original paragenetic relationships. Slope break system
reflects the palaeogeomorphology in the same tectonic dy-
namic setting.
The Tarim Basin, located in western China, is a large-
scale superimposed basin bearing abundant energy re-
sources. Three sets of hydrocarbon source rocks devel-
oped in the Tarim Basin, respectively as the Cambrian, the
Middle-Upper Ordovician and the Carboniferous-Permian
(Cai, 2007; Jin and Wang, 2004; Zhang et al., 2002, 2007;
Zhao et al., 1999, 2007). From Precambrian to Quater-
nary, the Tarim Basin underwent tectonic changes over
long and multiple periods. Oil and gas from the Paleozoic
is mainly controlled by unconformities, palaeo-uplift and
slope in the basin (He and Xie, 1997; Jia, 2005; Wang and
Zhao, 2006; Zhai and He, 2004; Zhang et al., 2002; Zhao
et al., 2002; Zhao et al., 2007). A number of studies have
focused on the identification of the Paleozoic unconformi-
ties (e.g., Jin et al., 2009; Lin et al., 2008, 2012a, 2012b;
Yang, 2005; Zhang et al., 2007), the origin of palaeo-uplift
and its implication for hydrocarbon accumulation (e.g.,
He et al., 2008; Jia and Wei, 1996; Jin et al., 2009; Lin et
al., 2012a; Liu et al., 2012b; Liu and Wang, 2005; Pang et
al., 2008; Xu, 2004; Zhai and He, 2004; Zhao et al., 2007;
Zhao and Wu, 2001). More studies are still necessary re-
garding the following aspects: (1) Palaeogeograpphy, iden-
tification and subdivision of slope break belts of the Paleo-
zoic in the basin have been analyzed mostly according to
the present day remnant thickness and tectonic features,
whereas palaeotectonic-palaeogeographic informations
are lacking; (2) Preresearches are mostly with respect to
a single or an isolated palaeo-uplift or a single slope break
belt, while few of them are related to comprehensive ana-
layses of slope break systems wihthin palaeotectonic units
which are targeted at a specific palaeo-uplift.
This paper thus aims at: (1) identifying main uncon-
formities of the Paleozoic through comprehensive analy-
sis of seismic and borehole data within a basin wide; (2)
reconstructing eroded thickness of main unconformities of
the Paleozoic within the basin range via seismic extropola-
tion interpretation technology, and compiling palaeogeo-
morphologic maps of post‑ and pre-key tectonic changing
periods combined with correction of eroded thickness and
palaeo-water depth; (3) subdividing different structural
palaeogeomorphologic units based on structural sequences
and analyzing slope break system characteristics of each
second-order palaeo structural tectonic belt centered at a
certain palaeo-uplift; (4) analyzing relationships between
slope break system and unconformity distribution pat-
tern and depositional systems, and furthermore discussing
stratal control on lithologic traps.
2  Geological setting
With an area of 5.6×105 km2, the Tarim Basin, the largest
inland basin in China, is generally acknowledged as one of
the most important areas for potential oil and gas explo-
ration. Possessing the Pre-Precambrian craton crystalline
basement, the Precambrian-Quaternary developed well
286
with the thickest layer reaching up to16 000 m. The Tarim
Basin is divided into several tectonic units including the
Kuqa Depression, the North Uplift, the North Depression,
the Central Uplift and the Southwest Depression (Fig. 1).
The Tarim Basin is located between the Pal-Asian and
Paleo-Tethyan tectonic domains. It previously belonged
to the Pal-Asian tectonic domain and was located on the
northern margin of Gondwanaland. During the Meso-Ceno-
zoic era, it was located in the northern Tethyan tectonic
domain and was controlled by two dynamic systems - the
Tethys and the Indian Ocean (Ren et al., 1999). The Tarim
Basin experienced a multi-cycle tectonic evolution due to
its structural setting. Six key tectonic changing periods
respectively corresponded to the following unconformi-
ties: the Precambrian/Cambrian, Ordovician/Silurian, Si-
lurian/Devonian, Permian/Triassic, Triassic/Jurassic, and
Cretaceous/Paleogene (Jin et al., 2004; Lin et al., 2008;
Yang, 2007; Zhang et al., 2007) (Fig. 2). Different types
of basins were developed at different tectonic stages, but
generally, the Meso-Cenozoic foreland-intracontinental
depressional basin was superimposed on the Precambrian-
Paleozoic marine cratonic basin. The Himalayan orogeny
formed its most recent tectonic-geomorphic character-
istics. The relatively smaller size of the Tarim cratonic
plate, combined with frequent and active tectonic move-
ments, led to instability of the Tarim Plate. Hence, a se-
ries of important tectonic changes occurred among the
basins during different periods; these changes were super-
Figure 1  Schematic tectonic map of the Tarim Basin, showing the distribution of tectonic units within the basin and location of the bore-
holes (modified after Liu et al. 2012, 2015 online).
H. Liu et al.
imposed one another. The prototype basin was superim-
posed and reconstructed by tectonic movements in later
periods which changed its appearance and texture (He
et al., 1998; Xu, 2002; Zhang, 1990; Zhang et al., 2007;
Zhang and Song, 1998).
3  Data and methods
The present study utilizes data from 80 boreholes and
2‑D and 3‑D seismic profiles. Seismic data include 22 region-
al 2‑D profiles across the entire Tarim Basin and 3‑D data of
the central and northern Tarim Palaeo-uplifts, which were
processed by the China National Petroleum Corporation.
The first‑ and second-order boundary subdivision stand-
ards in seismic stratigraphy (Vail et al., 1977; Vail, 1987)
were used as a reference to identify unconformities. Syn-
thetic seismograms were used in the calibration of bore-
hole-seismic data. Simultaneous interpretation of the main
unconformities and virtual surfaces in eroded areas was
mostly based on seismic data.
One of the challenges in tectonic reconstruction under
eroded conditions in the Tarim Basin is the fact that marker
bed and its underlying eroded strata cannot be located be-
cause many primary stratigraphic surfaces have been erod-
ed, resulting in back-stripping to the underlying strata when
back-stripping is conducted on the unconformities. A number
of different techniques have been therefore used in recon-
Modified after the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, 2008 (GS (2008) 1834)
 Slope break system and its control: An example from the Tarim Basin, western China

Figure 2  Generalized tectonostratigraphy of the Tarim Basin, showing the unconformity-bounded sequences and depositional evolution and basin dynamic setting. Note that seven major
287

angular unconformities (Tg8, Tg5, Tg3, Tg, T83, T8 and T2) formed during the basin deformation stages( from Liu et al., 2015 online).
288 H. Liu et al.

struction of the eroded thickness of the main unconformi-
ties in the Tarim Basin, including trace decimation display,
horizon flattening, correction of space closure difference,
gridding of planar interpolation and automatic mapping with
seismic interpretation software (Geoframe). These tech-
niques are different from stratal thickness tendency meth-
od, lying in that the texture of strata and sedimentology
of uneroded strata (strata and deposition information) are
taken into consideration in interpretation of virtual seismic
surfaces (Liu et al., 2012, 2015 online)(Fig. 3).
The final compilation of geomorphologic maps of differ-
ent periods were conducted as follows: first, the eroded
thickness restoration of key tectonic change periods and
the total eroded thickness restoration were carried out
for each stage and each interval; and second, the eroded
thickness was compensated to current remnant thickness
combined with a correction of compaction and palaeo-
water depth. Correction of compaction focused on com-
paction curves of sandstone and mudstone, and porosity
data were obtained from key areas (Tazhong Uplift, Tabei
Uplift and southwestern Tarim Palaeo-uplift). Correction of
palaeo-water depth is based on the research results of re-
gional sedimentary facies (Liu et al., 2012b).
4  Main structural unconformites of the Paleo-
zoic of the Tarim Basin
The Tarim Basin developed a series of significant un-
conformities during the Paleozoic (Fig. 4). These uncon-
formities can be traced throughout most of the basin, and
comprise boundaries of super-sequences or structural se-
quences. Their spatial and temporal distribution reflects
fundamental stratigraphic characteristics of the basin.
Based on analysis of seismic and log data, this study shows
that four major widespread angular to micro angular uncon-
formities (Tg8, Tg51, Tg5 and Tg3) were formed during the
Paleozoic. Three tectonic sequence boundaries correspond-
ed to the main tectonic change periods of the Paleozoic in
the Tarim Basin, namely the Precambrian/Cambrian(Tg8),
Ordovician/Silurian(Tg5), Middle/Late Devonian(Tg3). The
relatively high-angle surface, deformed or hinged underly-
ing strata, and associated thrust faults or fold structures all
suggested that their origin was mainly related to tectonic
events or compressive uplifting (Jin and Wang, 2004; Yang,
2005; Zhang et al., 2007).
4.1  Unconformity Tg8
This unconformity, corresponding to the Keping move-
ment period, influenced a large area, with a large range
of erosion degree and strata thicknesses (He et al., 2006;
Liu et al., 2012a). Therefore, most areas in the eastern
part of the Central Uplift were completely eroded with
remnant strata distributing in an isolated pattern (Fig. 5),
such as the Well Tadong 1. The Well Tacan 1 was drilled
into the Pre-Precambrian granitic gneiss. The high-angle
unconformity in the eastern Yingjisu area and the varia-
tion of stratal thickness between the Cambrian and the
Precambrian periods indicate that fold-back occurred in
the Late Precambrian, followed by an open-closure cycle
beginning in the Cambrian.

Figure 3  Illustration of reconstruction of the eroded thickness of major tectonic periods. Eroded thickness restoration in A shows de-
velopment of stratal thickness, seismic reflection characteristics in areas where strata completely developed, and characteristics of
sedimentary facies of the reconstructed strata; B is virtual seismic extrapolation from areas where strata completely developed to the
first eroded point; C represents the distribution of total eroded thickness of unconformities of the Late Ordovician (Tg5) (modified from
Liu et al., 2015 online).
 Slope break system and its control: An example from the Tarim Basin, western China

Figure 4 E-W (A) and S-N (B) seismic interpretation profiles across the central Tarim Basin; and C-Schematic map indicating locations of 2‑D seismic profiles (solid black lines) and bore-
holes (hollow black circles) used in this study. Meaning of strata abbreviations are shown in Figure 2.
289
290
4.2  Unconformity Tg51
In the Late Ordovician, ocean basins and rift aulacogens
along the southern margin of the Tarim Basin tended to
amass and close (Charvet et al., 2011; Jia et al., 2004;
Lin et al., 2012a; Yu et al., 2011) while the southern side
of the Tarim Craton evoluted from an extensional envi-
ronment into an extrusion setting. The Tabei and Tazhong
Palaeo-uplifts developed their initial patterns and framed
a palaeotopography of “high in southern and northern ar-
eas and low in central (the North Depression) part”. Along
slope break belts between platform and the basin and in ar-
eas including the southern slopes of the Tazhong and Tabei
Palaeo-uplifts, the Mid-Upper Ordovician overlapped and
deposited towards uplift areas, and the Lower Ordovician
in uplift areas was eroded which reflected an uplift feature
of the Tabei and Tazhong areas at that period. In the basin,
Figure 5  Seismic reflection characteristics of Tg8 showing its obvious truncation to the underlying Precambrian. Locations of seismic
profiles are shown in Figure 4c.
H. Liu et al.
bounded by this unconformity (Tg51), the underlying strata
are characterized by weak amplitude and chaotic reflec-
tion configuration on seismic profiles whereas the overlying
strata are characterized by relatively continuous seismic
reflection (Fig. 6).
4.3  Unconformity Tg5
It is a transitional period from the Early Caledonian cycle
to the Late Caledonian cycle which corresponds approxi-
mately to the formation period of Tg5 unconformity. An
obvious regional unconformity occurred between the Ordo-
vician and Silurian which is much larger in scale than other
unconformities in the Central Uplift of the Tarim Basin. The
regional unconformity is widely distributed in the whole ba-
sin with quite large eroded thickness in the North Uplift and
southern area of the Tarim Basin (Fig. 7). In the Early Cal-
edonian cycle, the original basin changed from a cratonic
Slope break system and its control: An example from the Tarim Basin, western China 291

margin aulacogen depression to a peripheral foreland basin
which formed a typical Wilson cycle. In the Silurian-Devo-
nian period, another complete basin tectonic cycle from a
cratonic margin depression to a peripheral foreland basin
was formed. Obviously the tectonic setting changed greatly
during the period from Early Cambrian to Late Ordovician
based on correlation of the structural maps of the Cambri-
an bottom boundary between the Early and Late Cambrian.
4.4  Unconformity Tg3
Caledonian period, the main original basin changed from a
Silurian cratonic margin depression to a Devonian periph-
eral foreland basin. Then, an evolutionary succession from
a cratonic margin depression to a back-arc foreland basin
was formed during the Hercynian cycle.
5  Slope break system of the Early Paleozoic
and its relationship with depositional sys-
tems in the Tarim Basin

It is a transitional period from the Late Caledonian
cycle to the Hercynian cycle which corresponds approxi-
mately to the formation period of Tg3 unconformity. Tg3
is widely distributed and has been intensively eroded (Fig.
8). Above and below the unconformity, the structural and
sedimentary characteristics are quite different. At the Late
Calculation of eroded thickness, compaction and palaeo-
water depth reconstruction are key aspects in reconstruct-
ing palaeogeomorphology. Among which, restoration of
eroded thickness is critical. Followings need to be consid-
ered when calculating eroded thickness given the multi-
period superimposed characteristic of unconformities in

Figure 6  Seismic reflection characteristics of Tg51. Locations of seismic profiles are shown in Figure 4c.

Figure 7  Seismic reflection characteristics of unconformity Tg5 in the Central Uplift. The seismic profile indicated that it was a typical
onlap and truncation unconformity. Locations of seismic profiles are shown in Figure 4c.
292
the Tarim Basin: the total eroded quantity at a key tectonic
changing period, individually eroded quantity of underly-
ing strata during that structural period and eroded quanti-
ties of the same interval at different structural periods.
Tectono-palaeogeomorphological maps of main structural
sequences of the Early Paleozoic were compiled through
restoration of the Early Paleozoic eroded thickness (Liu et
al., 2012a) combined with correction of burial depth and
palaeo-water depth (Liu et al., 2012b).
5.1  The Cambrian-Early Ordovician slope break
system and its depositional response
The Cambrian-Early Ordovician of the Tarim Basin dis-
played an approximate EW trending palaeogeomorpho-
logic framework which can be subdivided into the Tabei
Palaeo-uplift, the northern Depressional Belt and the
southern Palaeo-uplift (Fig. 9). Regional tectonics indi-
cate a stable extension setting from Cambrian to Early
Ordovician, and large-scale palaeo-uplift belts including
the southern and Tabei Palaeo-uplifts along the southern
and northern sides of the Tarim Basin are closely related
to palaeo-ocean basins cleavage of the Tianshan and Kun-
lun Mountains.
The Cambrian-Early Ordovician slope break belt domi-
nantly includes fault slope break belt, flexure (slope) break
belt, continental shelf slope break belt, and its relevant
palaeogeomorphologic units include depression area and
deep basin area (Fig. 9). Continental shelf slope break belt
is a dominant type of that period with slope break width of
about 50 km, height difference at about 2 500 m, distribut-
ing mainly in the eastern Manjiaer Sag in a SN direction.
Continental shelf slope break was not developed in the
Early Cambrian, but took shape in the Middle Cambrian and
developed with an increasing scale during the Late Cambri-
an-Early Ordovician. Palaeo-uplifts of the Cambrian-Early
Ordovician were dominantly subaqueous low uplifts. Fault
Figure 8  Characteristics of Tg3 unconformity adjacent to the North Uplift. Seismic profile obviously indicates characteristics of the un-
conformity, and truncation apparently occurred towards the underlying Ordovician-Devonian. Locations of seismic profiles are shown in
Figure 4c.
H. Liu et al.
slope break belts were mainly the Luntai Fault developed
along the southern side of the Tabei Palaeo-uplift and the
Mazhatake and Tumuxiuke Faults on the southern Palaeo-
uplift both indicating similar and obviously syndepositional
characteristics.
Slope break system of this period was subdivided into
the Tabei and southern Palaeo-uplift systems according
to the Cambrian-Early Ordovician palaeogeomorphologic
framework. The Tabei Palaeo-uplift system consisted of
the Tabei subaqueous low uplift, Lunnan fault slope break
belt, flexure (slope) break belt and continental shelf slope
break belt. The flexure slope break belt, with a steep gra-
dient, was located on the southern side of the Tabei low
uplift. With a similar composition as the northern Palaeo-
uplift, the southern Palaeo-uplift consists of subaqueous
low uplift, fault slope break belt, slope belt and continen-
tal shelf break belt from SW to NE, showing an obvious
multi-order slope break belt associations. Its slope belt
covers a larger distribution area (Fig. 10) with an appar-
ently gentler gradient compared with the northern slope
break system. Subaqueous low uplifts among the southern
and Tabei Palaeo-uplifts mainly controlled depostion of
isolated platform, open carbonate platform deposited in
areas from two sides of the uplift towards the basin, and
fault slope break belt separated isolated platform from
open platform facies (Fig. 9). Rift of the Manjiaer aulaco-
gen was associated with development of the Tabei Palaeo-
uplift. The Tazhong Palaeo-uplift, dominated by a weakly
extentsional and passive continental slope margin envi-
ronment, did not take shape during the Cambrian-Early
Ordovician. The northwestern depression belt, i.e., the
Awati Depression, controlled restricted carbonate plat-
form deposition. Marginal reef facies probably developed
along shelf slope break margin with lithology of calcare-
ous clastics and calcareous turbidite deposits, gray micrit-
ic-sitly limestone, deep water black calcareous mudstone.
The eastern area below the shelf slope break was deep ba-
Slope break system and its control: An example from the Tarim Basin, western China 293

Figure 9  Tectonic palaeogeomorphology and sedimentary facies of the Cambrian-Ordovician in the Tarim Basin. Note that subaqueous
lower uplift, slope, local depression, continental shelf and deep basin developed during this period. Restricted platform developed in
local depression areas. The subaqueous lower uplift and the continental shelf belt control the deposition of bioclastic limestone with
high quality reservoir properties. A is a 3‑D palaeostructural map of Cambrian-Early Ordovician (Figure 9B is modified from Liu et al.,
2015 online).
294 H. Liu et al.

sin area where black gray muddy limestone and mudstone
deposited. In addition, a series of small-scale syndeposi-
tional normal faults and grabens or half-grabens of the
Precambrian-Late Cambrian developed along the south-
ern Palaeo-uplift belt (including the present-day Tazhong
structural belt). The apprant seismic characteristics (Fig.
11) indicated a weakly extensional or passive continental
margin environment in the Early Paleozoic, which, at the
same time, controlled deposition of restricted platform
carbonates, evaporative platform carbonates and gypsum-
bearing mudstone and salt rocks.
5.2  Mid-Late Ordovician slope break system and
its depositional response
The Tarim Basin entered into an extrusion setting since
the Mid-Late Ordovician and reached the maximum extru-
sion in the Late Odovician after experiencing the formation
period of aulacogen depression along the craton margin in
the Cambrian-Early Ordovician. The basin evoluted into a

Figure 10  Developing characteristics of the Cambrian-Early Ordovician slope break belt in areas from the southern Palaeo-uplift to the
Manjiaer Depression. Seismic profile is shown after Tg5 being flattened for a better display of the palaeogeomorphologic characteristics of
the Cambrian-Early Ordovician. For seismic profile location, seeing Figure 9.

Figure 11  Distribution of small-scale syndepositional normal faults of the Cambrian-Early and Late Ordovician in the southern Tarim
Basin. The locations of seismic profiles are shown in Figure 9.
Slope break system and its control: An example from the Tarim Basin, western China
“two uplifts and two depressions” framework within which
the southern depressional belt, Central Uplift belt (includ-
ing the Taxi’nan and Tazhong Palaeo-uplifts), the northern
depressional belt and the northern uplift belt (Tabei Palaeo-
uplift) (Fig. 12). Slope break belts or geomorphologic units
dominantly consist of uplifting erosional area, low uplift
area, fault slope break belt, flexure slope break belt (slope
belt), shelf slope break belt, depressional area and deep
basin area. Uplift area of this period was mainly palaeo-
uplift formed by strata uplift in an extrusion setting with
a smaller range compared with palaeouplift formed due to
intensive extrusion in the Late Ordovician. Two syndeposi-
tional faults developed on southern and northern sides of
the Tazhong Palaeo-uplift respectively besides three fault
slope break belts inherited from the Cambrian-Early Ordo-
vician, of which, the Tazhong No. 1 Fault was located on
north side with larger scale. Shelf slope break belt, show-
ing an inheritance characteristic, developed with relatively
smaller scale and apparently reduced height compared to
the early period which was more obvious on the northern
side than the southern segment of the slope break belt.
Slope break system of this period was subdivided into the
northern and central uplifts according to palaeostructural
framework of the Mid-Late Ordovician. Within the northern
uplift slope system, the Tabei Palaeo-uplift was an erosion
area, and the Lunnan fault slope break belt, subaqueous
uplift, slope belt and continental shelf slope break belt
developed respectively towards southeast (Fig. 13). Slope
systems along the northern and southern sides of the Cen-
tral Uplift were different. Towards the south, palaeo-uplift
erosion area, subaqueous uplift, slope belt and depression
area developed respectively; and towards the northeast,
slope break system extended far away and respectively de-
veloped palaeo-uplift erosion area, subaqueous uplift, fault
slope break belt, slope belt and continental shelf slope
break belt. Fault slope break belt with a multi-order devel-
oped at many locations, such as the Mazatake Fault slope
break belt, neighbouring the erosion uplift area, separated
the erosion area from the subaqueous uplift. The Tumux-
iuke and Tazhong No. 1 faults were second-order fault slope
break belts which separated subaqueous uplift and depres-
sion of the basin.
The Central Uplift and northern Palaeo-uplift slope break
systems shared the same characterisitc: From palaeo-uplift
erosion area towards depression area, palaeogeomorpho-
logic assciations constituted by multi-order slope break
belts or geomorphologic units apparently controlled depo-
sition of provenance area, isolated platform, mixed conti-
nental shelf facies, slope facies and basin facies. For ex-
ample, subsidence of the Mid-Late Ordovician Tanggubazisi
Depression led to deposition of thick-bedded turbidites in
a relatively deep environment; Controlled by palaeo-uplift,
a peninsula-type carbonate platform system was formed.
High energy sedimentary facies like bioreef and beach
bar were widely developed along the platform margin and
served as important hydrocarbon reservoir of the basin;
Controlled by EN-oriented continental shelf slope break
belt, basin floor fan turbidite clastics with great thickneses
deposited in the Manjiaer Depression which were charac-
terized by development of deep water turbidite system,
deep water continental shelf and mixed shallow marine-
semi-deep marine facies; Many syndepositional thrusting
295
faults developed in the basin and exerted an apparent con-
trol on strata and deposition.
5.3  Slope break belt system of the Silurian-Early-
Middle Devonian and its depositional response
Great tectonic deformation occurred in the Tarim Basin
after intensive extrusion of the Mid-Late Ordovician. Tec-
tonic deformation was characterized by large-area uplifting
and erosion, development of anticline and syncline in EW
direction and formation of the Tadong Palaeo-uplift as well.
Tectonically it was subdivided into the Tabei Palaeo-uplift
in an approximately EW direction, the northern Depression
Belt, the southern Palaeo-uplift (including the Taxi’nan and
Tazhong Palaeo-uplifts) and the Tadong Palaeo-uplift (Fig.
14). The Silurian-Early-Middle Devonian was therefore,
characterized by development of large-scale palaeo-uplift
and erosion areas. These palaeo-uplifts usually distributed
widely and were divided into higher and lower uplift areas
according to shape and eroded thickness. Lower uplift area
was relatively gentle terrace within an uplifting belt. Fault
slope break belt, flexure slope break belt (slope belt), de-
pression belt and deep basin area developed as well. Con-
tinental shelf break belt connecting depression and deep
basin area was replaced by slope belt and deep basin area.
Three slope break belt systems were subdivided in the
Tarim Basin, respectively as the Tabei, southern and Ta-
dong Palaeo-uplifts according to palaeogeomorphologic
characteristics of the Silurian-Early-Middle Devonian pe-
riod. The Taxi’nan Palaeo-uplift at that period, with an
area several times larger than the Tabei Palaeo-uplift, de-
veloped higher uplift area, lower uplift area, fault slope
break belt, slope belt, depression (or deep basin area)
respectively from uplift area towards the basin. Tectonic
difference of the Tabei Palaeo-uplift occurred in the Si-
lurian-Early-Middle Devonian period and possibly formed
a series of secondary convexes and sags in NE direction.
The Tabei slope break belt system consisted of uplift area
(higher and lower uplift area), fault slope break belt,
slope, depression or deep basin area which was similar
as slope break belt association at early periods. The rela-
tively simple slope break belt association of the Tabei Pal-
aeo-uplift mainly included uplift area, slope belt and deep
basin area within which slope belt, with steep gradient,
was the dominant passageway of depositional systems
and developed many ditches and troughs. Development
and associations of slope break belt system determined
distribution of depositional systems. For example, in the
southern slope break belt system, they controlled fluvi-
al-deltaic and clastic coastal deposition, shallow marine
clastic and deep marine deposition in central depression.
The relatively steep palaeogeomorphology along northern
and eastern margins of the basin controlled deposition
of shore, tidal and delta facies. The eastern and western
margins of the northern depression belt, generally distrib-
uting in an EW direction, belonged to a shallow marine or
semi-deep marine environment in the early Early Silurian.
Turbidite clastic deposits of deep marine basin were found
along the southwestern margin. Seismic facies analysis in-
vestigated development of lowstand systems tract delta
at the bottom of Silurian and the seismic depositional geo-
morphology of meandering fluvial-delta system (Fig. 15).
296 H. Liu et al.

Figure 12  Tectonic palaeogeomorphology and sedimentary facies of the Mid‑Late Ordovician in the Tarim Basin. Note that the geomor-
phologic units developed during this period include eroded uplift areas, subaqueous lower uplift, slope, local depression, continental shelf
and deep basin. Uplift areas provided source materials, mixed shelf deposition developed in local depression areas, and isolated platform
facies developed in subaqueous lower uplift areas. The platform margin facies developed adjacent to the Tahzong No. 1 Fault Belt of the
Tazhong Uplift. A is a 3‑D map of palaeostructure (Figure 12B is modified from Liu et al., 2015 online).
Slope break system and its control: An example from the Tarim Basin, western China 297

Figure 13  Developing characteristics of the Mid-Late Ordovician slope break belts in areas from the Tabei Palaeo-uplift to the Manjiaer
Depression. Note that multi-order associations of palaeogeographic units from higher uplift area of the Tabei Palaeo-uplift to the basin
showing an apparent control on depositional systems, seeing Figure 9 for the locations of seismic profiles.

Core and well log data investigated that a typical fluvial-
delta depositional succession developed at the bottom of
Lower Ordovician Kepingtage Formation as well.
6  Discussion: Relationship between slope break
belt system and stratal-lithologic trap
6.1  Distribution of slope break belt system‑
unconformity and stratal trap
6.1.1  Higher uplift area and superimposed uncon-
formity
Usually a dominant unconformity, with a large erosion
area, large amount of eroded stratal thickness and a long
erosion history which represents the most dominant uplift
and erosion period, exists within an unconformity super-
imposed belt and occurs as a higher uplift area in palae-
ogeomorphologic units(Lin et al., 2012a; Liu et al., 2015
online). The late Late Ordovician and late Middle Devo-
nian unconformities (Tg5 and Tg3 respectively) are domi-
nant tectonic epoch unconformites which formed super-
imposed belts along with the underlying unconformities.
Distribution of superimposed unconformity is generally
controlled by large-scale fault slope break belt within
the basin. The simultaneously intense extrusion on these
thrust faults lead to a sharp elevation and a long period of
erosion of the hanging wall. Resultantly, locations where
these fault belts develop are usually boundary belts be-
tween higher and lower uplift areas within a palaeo-uplift
and boundary between superimposed and individual pe-
riod unconformities as well. For example, the palaeogeo-
morphologic map of the Silurian-Early-Middle Devonian
(Fig. 14) indicates that strong tectonic movement of the
late Late Ordovician led to the formation of the Tabei
and Tanan Palaeo-uplifts. Within the Hetian, Tazhong and
Tabei higher uplift areas of the Tanan Palaeo-uplift, the
Mazhatake, Tazhong No. 1 and Luntai Faults developed
respectively which separate higher and lower uplifts (or
slope belt) areas. At dominant locations where faults
develop on seismic profile, apparently multi-period su-
perimposed unconformity evolves into individual period
unconformity (Fig. 16).
6.1.2  Lower uplift area and truncation-onlap asso-
ciation unconformity
Unconformity developed in lower uplift area is domi-
nantly truncation type with truncation-onlap association
(Fig. 16). From higher uplift area to lower uplift area,
usually secondary unconformity or important sequence
298 H. Liu et al.

Figure 14  Tectonic palaeogeomorphology and sedimentary facies of the Silurian to Early-Middle Devonian in the Tarim Basin. Note that
uplift areas expanded further and depositional areas reduced. Onshore-fluvial-deltaic sandstone, tidal flat muddy sandstone, shallow
marine sandy mudstone, basin facies mudstone and basin floor fan developed in eroded areas in the basin. A is a 3‑D palaeostructural map
(Figure 14B is modified from Liu et al., 2015 online).
 Slope break system and its control: An example from the Tarim Basin, western China

Figure 15  Seismic reflection characters of fluvial-deltaic facies in southern Tabei Palaeo-uplift. Note that three systems tracts developed in the Early Silurian. T3 borehole data investigated
that delta front facies developed in lowstand systems tract, delta plain subfacies developed in transgressive and highstand systems tracts, seeing Figure 14 for profile location.
299
300
boundary first develops beneath the dominant unconform-
ity which forms a truncation unconformity triangle belt
(Lin et al., 2008); Whereas the secondary unconform-
ity above the dominant unconformity onlaps above this
boundary layer by layer, and is named as onlap uncon-
formity triangle belt (Lin et al., 2012a; Liu et al., 2015
online) (Fig. 16).
6.1.3  Slope belt (slope break belt) and overlap un-
conformity
Slope belt is mainly located in the lower part of an uplift
area and is dominated by regional onlap reflection on domi-
nant and secondary unconformities (Liu et al., 2015 online).
Palaeo-uplifts within the Tazhong Palaeo-uplift formed by
the Late Ordovician tectonic movement experienced an ob-
vious uplifting during the Silurian period. From the Manjiaer
Depression towards the south, an apparent wedge-shape
overlap body (Fig. 17) developed on the Tazhong southern
slope. In addition, typical stratal onlap developed adjacent
to two large-scale continental shelf slope break belts which
were formed in the Cambrian-Ordovician. And onlap of this
period usually developed during the period when relative
sea-level falled beneath continental shelf slope break belt
(Fig. 16).
Truncation and onlap unconformities within a palaeo-
uplift and along a palaeo-slope belt are profitable for
the formation of important unconformity traps. Coarse-
grained deposits of lowstand systems tract developed
along marginal areas of the remnant basin during tectonic
uplift period. Clastic coastal deposits of early transgres-
sion period developed along marginal belt of palaeo-slope
associated with tectonic subsidence and transgression.
This kind of clastic depositional system onlapping over
unconformity generally constitutes important reservoir
within a basin. Onlap unconformity triangle belt above
the unconformities of the late Late Ordovician (Tg5) and
late Middle Devonian (Tg3) of the Tarim Basin forms sig-
nificant lithostratigraphic traps. Seismic profile charac-
teristics indicated that from palaeo-uplift margin towards
slope belt along the margin of a depression, overlap of
the transgressive systems tract of the Early Silurian and
Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous formed a wide onlap
unconformity belt (Fig. 17). A palaeo-uplift was drowned
mostly or entirely along with transgression expansion.
The overlying marine mudstone or muddy limestone con-
stitutes favourable reservoir-cap rock association. The
large-scale Hadexun oil and gas field located at southern
slope belt of the Tabei Palaeo-uplift in the northern Tarim
Basin is a hydrocarbon accumulation type related with
this kind of sandbody and trap. Truncation unconformity
triangle belt formed by the late Middle Devonian uncon-
formity (Tg3) can be found widely on seismic profiles and
important hydrocarbon accumulations have already been
discovered in stratigraphic traps which were formed by
the Silurian sandstone below the unconformity and cap
rocks above the unconformity (Li et al., 2002; Lin et al.,
2008).
6.2  Slope break system-reef, beach high energy
facies belt along slope margin of a palaeo-
uplift and structural-lithologic composite trap
Development and distribution of carbonate rock sedi-
H. Liu et al.
mentary facies is related with depositional kinetic energy,
water depth, photic zone and other factors which are di-
rectly controlled by palaeogeomorphologic characteristics
at depositional period. Sedimentary facies of carbonate
rocks changes orderly from uplift area towards slope
and basin area. Slope (slope break) belt along margin of
a palaeo-uplift, indicating a sharp change from shallow
water platform to deep water environment, is a palaeo‑
geomorphologic unit (Fig. 13) within which high energy
sedimentary facies, such as reef, oolitic sandy clastic or
bioclastic limestone beach bar facies develops. The Upper
Ordovician, dominated by reef, beach bar deposits, most-
ly developed in highstand systems tract beneath the main
unconformity (Lin et al., 2008). Syngenetic dissolution
occurs frequently on unconformity or exposed sequence
boundary. Petroleum exploration indicated that the plat-
form margin slope of Tazhong No. 1 Fault on northern side
of the Tazhong Palaeo-uplift is a profitable hydrocarbon
accumulation belt where high energy sedimentary facies,
along with karst and fissure belt, formed penetrative and
connective body which was favourable for the formation
of petroleum reservoirs and constituted dominant res-
ervoir of litho-stratigraphic hydrocarbon accumulations
found in this area.
6.3  Slope break system-palaeo-uplift and its
relevant slope break belt forming favourable
areas for hydrocarbon accumulation
Slope break system in the Tarim Basin is generally closely
related with palaeo-uplift and fault developed at different
periods. Development of the northern and southern slope
break belts of the Silurian are mainly controlled by the
large-scale Tabei and Tazhong Palaeo-uplifts of the Tarim
Basin. Most petroleum reservoirs concentrate in this type
of palaeo-uplifts. The gigantic Tabei Palaeo-uplift belongs
to a typical remnant palaeo-uplift which existed until the
Early Neogene and was deeply buried and transformed
into a foredeep belt of the Tabei Foreland basin (Liu et
al., 2012b). Due to many times of uplifting and erosion,
the top part of the uplift is incomplete with poor reser-
vation conditions for hydrocarbon accumulations and thus
is difficult to form large-scale oil and gas fields; whereas
the Mesozoic and Cenozoic structural intervals of its up-
per part can form secondary hydrocarbon accumulations.
Strata developed completely on slope area of flanks with
good preservation conditions and development of erosion
line and onlap pinch-out line which made it a main hydro-
carbon accumulation area and the most favourable area
for the formation of large-scale original hydrocarbon ac-
cumulations. For example, the Tahe Oilfield was formed on
slope area of the Lunnan Palaeo-uplift (Yang et al., 2007;
Zhang et al., 2011; Zhou et al., 2009). The Tazhong Palaeo-
uplift, since its formation in the Late Ordovician, should
own the best preservation conditions due to stable tecton-
ics, whereas oil and gas discovered there are far less than
in the Tabei Palaeo-uplift. Whether or not that oil and gas
mainly concentrate in stratal-lithologic traps or in deep
buried strata or along slope belt? Petroleum-rich character
of this type of palaeo-uplift (Lv et al., 2008; Sun et al.,
2007; Wang et al., 2009; Yang et al., 2007) is testified by
considerable breakthrough of oil and gas exploration from
Figure 16  Relationship among tectonic palaeogeomorphology, unconformities and sequence deposition. The location of seismic profile is shown in Figure 14. Two important depositional
systems tracts can be identified in the study area when taking palaeo-uplift evolution and sea-level rise and fall into consideration. The first one is a detrital depositional system of a low-
stand systems tract developing along the remnant basin margins during the maximum tectonic uplift period with erosion of higher uplift areas and slope belt. The second is a coastal clastic
depositional system of a transgressive systems tract developing along palaeo-slope belts after tectonic uplift.
Slope break system and its control: An example from the Tarim Basin, western China

Figure 17 A-Seismic onlap characteristics adjacent to slope belt above Tg5. At least three onlap bodies, which developed during the Silurian, onlapped, from the Manjiaer Depression
towards the south, along the northern slope belt of the Tazhong Palaeo-uplift. Planar distribution of onlap surfaces 1 and 2 tend to coincide with trend of the Tazhong Palaeo-uplift. These
three onlap surfaces were truncated by Tg3 along the southern slope of the Tabei Palaeo-uplift and distribution of erosion lines coincided with trend of the southern slope of the Tabei
301

Palaeo-uplift (B).
302
the Lower Paleozoic along the northern slope break belt of
Tazhong area.
7 Conclusions
1) Based on analysis of seismic and log data, the study
results indicate that four major widespread angular to mi-
cro angular unconformities (Tg8, Tg51, Tg5 and Tg3) formed
during the Paleozoic. Three tectonic sequence boundaries
coincide with the main tectonic change periods of the Pale-
ozoic in the Tarim Basin.
2) Palaeogeomorphologic framework of the Cambrian-
Early Ordovician is approximately EW trending overall
within which the Tabei Palaeo-uplift, northern Depres-
sion Belt and southern Palaeo-uplift develop respectively.
Slope break belt includes, fault, flexure (slope), continen-
tal shelf, and palaeogeomorphologic units related to slope
break belt include palaeo-uplift, depression and deep basin
area which can be grouped into the Tabei and southern Pal-
aeo-uplift slope break systems respectively, and exerted a
significant control on deposition of isolated platform, open
platform, restricted platform and deep basin.
3) The extrusion of the Mid‑Late Ordovician led to up-
lift and erosion of the southern and northern subaqueous
uplifts and resultantly two slope break systems, namely as
the northern and Central Uplifts, developed. Regardless of
slope break system, palaeogeomorphologic association con-
stituted by multi-order slope break belt or geomorphologic
units was formed and distributed from palaeo-uplift ero-
sion area towards depression area which obviously controls
deposition of provenance area, isolated platform, mixed
continental shelf, slope and basin facies.
4) Great tectonic deformation occurred in the Tarim Ba-
sin after the intensive extrusion of the Mid‑Late Ordovician
which is characterized by large-area of uplift and erosion,
and development of anticline and syncline in EW direction.
The Tabei, southern and Tadong Palaeo-uplifts controlled
deposition of shore, tidal, delta, shallow marine clastic and
deep marine faices in the basin.
5) Area adjacent to slope break belt of a slope break
system is usually closely related with all kinds of strati-
graphic unconformity. Truncation and onlap unconformity
zones within a palaeo-uplift and a palaeo-slope belt are
favourable areas for forming important unconformity traps.
Slope (slope break) belt of a palaeo-uplift margin is a high
energy sedimentary facies, and those units such as reef,
oolitic sandy clastic or bioclastic limestone beach bar are
favorable for forming litho-structural composite hydrocar-
bon accumulations when tectonic conditions are suitable as
well. Large-scale palaeo-uplift provides the most favour-
able condition for hydrocarbon accumulation as well.
References
1. Cai, X.Y., 2007. Main factors controlling hydrocarbon accumu-
lation of middle‑ and large‑ sized oil and gas fields and their
distribution rules in the Tarim Basin. Oil & Gas Geology, 28(6),
693-702 (in Chinese with English abstract).
2. Catuneanu, O., Abreub, V., Bhattacharya, J.P., Blum, M.D.
2009. Towards the standardization of sequence stratigraphy.
H. Liu et al.
Earth-Science Reviews, 92, 1-33.
3. Charvet, J., Shu, L.S., Laurent-Charvet, S., Wang, B., Faure,
M., Cluze, D., Chen, Y., Jong, K.D., 2011. Paleozoic tectonic
evolution of the Tianshan belt, NW China. Science in China,
54(2), 166-184.
4. Fan, T.L., Li, W.D. 1999. A successful case on sequence stra-
tigraphy applied to the prediction of nonmarine oil reservoir.
Acta Petrolei Sinica, 20, 12-17 (in Chinese with English ab-
stract).
5. Fyhn, M.B.W., Nielsen, L.H., Boldreel, L.O., Thang, L.D.,
Bojesen-Koefoed, J., Petersen, H.I., Huyen, N.T., Duc, N.A.,
Dau, N.T., Mathiesen, A., Reid, I., Huong, D.T., Tuan, H.A.,
Hien, L.V., Nytoft, H.P., Abatzis, I., 2009. Geological evolu-
tion, regional perspectives and hydrocarbon potential of the
northwest Phu Khanh Basin, offshore Central Vietnam. Marine
and Petroleum Geology, 26, 1-24.
6. He, D.F., Xie, X.A., 1997. Petroleum exploration in central
paleo-uplifts of cratonic basins in China. China Petroleum Ex‑
ploration, 2(2), 11-19 (in Chinese with English abstract).
7. He, D.F., Bai, W.M., Meng, Q.R., 1998. Geodynamic evolution
and petroleum system cycle of Tarim Basin. Acta Geophysica
Sinica, 41(suppl.), 77-87 (in Chinese with English abstract).
8. He, D.F., Zhou, X.Y., Zhang, C.J., Yang, W.J., Shi, X. 2006.
Characteristics of geologic framework of multicycle superim-
posed basin in Tarim Basin. China Petroleum Exploration, 1,
31-41 (in Chinese with English abstract).
9. He, D.F., Zhou, X.Y., Yang, H.J., Guan, S.W., Zhang, C.J.,
2008. Formation mechanism and tectonic types of intracra-
tonic paleo-uplifts in the Tarim Basin. Earth Science Fron‑
tiers, 15(2), 207-221 (in Chinese with English abstract).
10. Huang, C.Y., Wang, H., Wu, Y.P., Wang, J.H., Chen, S., Ren,
P.G., Liao, Y.T., 2012. Genetic types and sequence stratig-
raphy models of Palaeogene slope break belts in Qikou Sag,
Huanghua Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, eastern China. Sedi‑
mentary Geology, 261-262, 65-75.
11. Jia, C.Z., Wei, G.Q., 1996. Paleozoic uplifts and Meso-Ceno-
zoic foreland thrust belts and its controls on hydrocarbon ac-
cumulation in Tarim Basin, in: Tong, X .G., Liang, D.G., Jia,
C.Z. (Eds.), New Advances in the Study of Petroleum Geology
of Tarim Basin. Science Press, Beijing, pp. 225-234 (in Chi-
nese).
12. Jia, C.Z., Wang, L.S., Chen, H.L., Jia, D., 2004. Plate Tec-
tonics and Continental Dynamics in Tarim Basin. Petroleum
Industry Press, Beijing (in Chinese).
13. Jia, C.Z. 2005. Chinese Petroleum Geology and Onshore Ex-
ploration Strategy in the 21st Century. Petroleum Industry
Press, Beijing (in Chinese).
14. Jin, Z.J., Wang, Q.C., 2004. The latest development of China
typical superimposed basin and reservoir accumulation —
Take the Tarim Basin as a case. Science in China Series D:
Earth Science, 34(Suppl. 1), 1-12 (in Chinese)
15. Jin, Z.J., Yun, J.B., Zhou, B., 2009. Types and characteristics
of slope zones in Tarim Basin and their relationship with oil
accumulation. Oil & Gas Geology, 30(2), 127-135 (in Chinese
with English abstract).
16. Kang, Y.Z., 2005. Petroleum exploration practice in the Tarim
Basin. West China Petroleum Geosciences, 1(1), 4-8 (in Chi-
nese with English abstract).
17. Kang, Y.Z., 2006. Some Important Advances in exploration of
Cambrian-Ordovician reservoir s and suggestions for future
exploration in the Tarim Basin. West China Petroleum Geo‑
sciences, 2(3), 237-240 (in Chinese with English abstract).
18. Li, S.T., Pan, Y.L., Lu, Y.C., Ren, J.Y., Xie, X.L., Wang, H.,
2002. Key technology of prospecting and exploration of subtle
traps in lacustrine fault basins: Sequence stratigraphic re-
searches on the basis of high resolution seismic survey. Earth
Science-Journal of China University of Geosciences, 27, 592-
Slope break system and its control: An example from the Tarim Basin, western China
598.
19. Li, Y.P., Wang, Y., Sun, Y.S., Li, X.S., Zhao, R.D. 2002. Two
accumulation stages of the Silurian hydrocarbon reservoirs in
central area of the Tarim Basin. Chinese Journal of Geology,
37(Suppl.), 45-50 (in Chinese with English abstract).
20. Lin, C.S., Pan, Y.L., Xiao, J.X., Kong, F.X., Liu, J.Y., Zheng,
H.R., 2000. Structural slope-break zone: Key concept for
stratigraphic sequence analysis and petroleum forecasting in
fault subsidence basin. Earth Science-Journal of China Uni‑
versity of Geosciences, 25, 260-265.
21. Lin, C.S, Kenneth, E., Li, S.T., Wan, Y.X, Ren, J.Y., Zhang,
Y.M. 2001. Sequence architecture, depositional systems, and
controls on development of lacustrine basin fills in part of the
Erlian Basin, northeast China. AAPG Bulletin, 85(11), 2017-
2043.
22. Lin, C.S., Yang, H.J., Liu, J.Y., Cai, Z. Z., Peng, L., Yang,
X.F., Yang, Y.H., 2008. Paleohigh geomorphology and paleo-
geographic framework and their controls on the formation
and distribution of stratigraphic traps in the Tarim Basin. Oil
& Gas Geology, 29(2), 190-197 (in Chinese with English ab-
stract).
23. Lin, C.S., Yang, H.J., Liu, J.Y., Rui, Z.F., Cai, Z.Z., Zhu, Y.F.,
2012a. Distribution and erosion of the Paleozoic tectonic
unconformities in the Tarim Basin, Northwest China: Signifi-
cance for the evolution of paleo-uplifts and tectonic geogra-
phy during deformation. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 46,
1-19.
24. Lin, C.S., Yang, H.J., Liu, J.Y., Rui, Z.F., Cai, Z.Z., Li, S.T., Yu,
B.S., 2012b. Sequence architecture and depositional evolu-
tion of the Ordovician carbonate platform margins in the Ta-
rim Basin and its response to tectonism and sea-level change.
Basin Research, 24, 559-582.
25. Liu, H., Wang, Y.M., 2005. Early Paleozoic palaeogeomorphol-
ogy — characteristics of slope break zones and their control
on stratigraphic-lithologic traps in Tarim Basin. Oil & Gas Ge‑
ology, 26(3), 297-304 (in Chinese with English abstract).
26. Liu, H., Wang, Y.M., Xin, R.C., Wang, Y., 2006. Study on the
slope break belts in the Jurassic down-warped lacustrine
basin in western-margin area, Junggar Basin, northwestern
China. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 23, 913-930.
27. Liu, H., Wang, Y.M., 2012a. Restoration of thickness of eroded
strata in key periods of tectonic change in a multi-stage su-
perimposed Tarim Basin in China. Journal of Palaeogeogra‑
phy, 1(2), 149-171.
28. Liu, H., Lin, C.S., Wang, Y.M., Zhang, S.D., 2012b. Tempo-
ral and spatial evolution analysis: The Early Paleozoic paleo-
uplifts in the Tarim Basin. Journal of Earth Science, 23(4),
559-581.
29. Liu, H., Xia, Q.L., Somerville, I.D., Wang, Y., Zhou, X.H., Niu,
C.M., Du, X.F., Zhang, X.T., 2015. Paleogene of the Huanghe-
kou Sag in the Bohai Bay Basin, NE China: Deposition-erosion
response to a slope break system of rift lacustrine basins.
Geological Journal, 50, 71-92.
30. Liu H., Somerville, I.D., Lin, C.S., Zuo, S.J., 2015 online. Dis-
tribution of Paleozoic tectonic superimposed unconformities
in the Tarim Basin, NW China: Significance for the evolution of
palaeogeomorphology and sedimentary response. Geological
Journal. DOI: 10.1002/gj.2664.
31. Lv, X.X., Bai, Z.K., Zhao, F.Y., 2008. Hydrocarbon accumula-
tion and distributional characteristics of the Silurian reser-
voirs in the Tazhong uplift of the Tarim Basin. Earth Science
Frontiers, 15(2), 156-166 (in Chinese with English abstract).
32. Obrist-Farner, J., Yang, W., 2015. Nonmarine time-stratigra-
phy in a rift setting: An example from the Mid-Permian lower
Quanzijie lower-order cycle, Bogda Mountains, NW China.
Journal of Palaeogeography, 4(1), 27-51.
33. Pang, X.Q., Gao, J.B., Lv, X.X., Meng, Q.Y., Wang, Y.M., Jiang,
303
Z.X., Liu, L.F., 2008. Reservoir accumulation pattern of multi-
factor recombination and procession superimposition and its
application in Tarim Basin. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 29(2), 159-
172 (in Chinese with English abstract).
34. Paton, D.A., van der Spuy, D., di Primio, R., Horsfield, B.,
2008. Tectonically induced adjustment of passive-margin ac-
commodation space; influence on the hydrocarbon potential
of the Orange Basin, South Africa. AAPG Bulletin, 92, 589-
609.
35. Posamentier, H.W., Vail, P.R., 1988. Eustatic controls on clas-
tic deposition II — Sequence and systems tract models, in:
Wilgus, C.K., Hastings, B.S., Kendall, C.G.St.C., Posamentier,
H.W., Ross, C.A., Van Wagoner, J.C. (Eds.), Sea Level Changes
— An Integrated Approach. SEPM Special Publication, 42,
125-154.
36. Posamentier, H.W., Jervey, M.T., Vail, P.R., 1988. Eustatic
controls on clastic deposition I — Conceptual framework, in:
Wilgus, C.K., Hastings, B.S., Kendall, C.G.St.C., Posamentier,
H.W., Ross, C.A., Van Wagoner, J.C. (Eds.), Sea Level Changes
— An Integrated Approach. SEPM Special Publication, 42,
110-124.
37. Posamentier, H.W., Morris, W.R., 2000. Aspects of the stratal
architecture of forced regressive deposits, in: Hunt, D., Gaw-
thorpe, R.L. (Eds.), Sedimentary Responses to Forced Regres-
sions. Geological Society of London, Special Publication, 172,
19-46.
38. Prather, B.E., 2003. Controls on reservoir distribution, archi-
tecture and stratigraphic trapping in slope settings. Marine
and Petroleum Geology, 20, 529-545.
39. Ren, J.Y., Lu, Y.C., Zhang, Q.L., 2004. Forming mechanism
of structural slope-break and its control on sequence style in
faulted basin. Earth Science-Journal of China University of
Geosciences, 29, 596-602.
40. Ren, J.S., Wang, Z.X., Chen, B.W., 1999. A Brief Description of
the Tectonic Map of China and Adjacent Regions 1:5,000,000
— Analysis of Tectonic Structure in China from A Worldwide
Point of View. Geological Publishing House, Beijing, pp. 18-19
(in Chinese).
41. Sun, L.D., Li, Y.J., Jiang, T.W., Yang, H.J., J. 2007. The cen-
tral Tarim lower uplift: A composite hydrocarbon accumula-
tion play in the Tarim Basin, NW China. Chinese Journal of
Geology, 42(3), 602-620 (in Chinese with English abstract).
42. Vail, P.R., Mitchum, R.M., Thompson, S., 1977. Seismic stra-
tigraphy and global changes of sea level, in: Payton, C.E.
(Ed.), Seismic stratigraphy — Applications to hydrocarbon
exploration. AAPG Memoir, 26, 83- 97.
43. Vail, P.R., 1987. Seismic stratigraphy interpretation using se-
quence stratigraphy Part I: Seismic stratigraphy interpreta-
tion procedure, in: Bally, A.W. (Ed.), Atlas of seismic stratig-
raphy, AAPG Studies in Geology, 27, 1-10.
44. Vail, P.R., Audemard, F., Bowman, S.A., 1991. The strati-
graphic signatures of tectonics, eustasy and sedimentology:
An overview, in: Einsele, G., Ricken, W., Seilacher, A. (Eds.),
Cycles and Events in Stratigraphy. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp.
617-659.
45. Van Wagoner, J.C., Mitchum Jr., R.M., Campion, K.M., Rah-
manian, V.D., 1990. Siliciclastic sequence stratigraphy in well
logs, core, and outcrops: Concepts for high-resolution corre-
lation of time and facies. American Association of Petroleum
Geologists Methods in Exploration Series, 7, 55.
46. Wang, F.H., Wang, Z.M., Han J.F., Yu, H.F., Ji, Y.G., Zhao,
K.Z., 2009. Geological conditions of oil and gas enrichment
in carbonate reservoirs of Tazhong area, Tarim Basin. Natural
Gas Geoscience, 20(5), 695-702 (in Chinese with English ab-
stract).
47. Wang, Y.M., Liu, H., Li, L.C., Qi, X.F., Wang, Y., 2002. Types
and distribution characteristics of slope breaks of large-type
304
down-warped lake basins. Earth Science-Journal of China
University of Geosciences, 27, 683-688 (in Chinese with Eng-
lish abstract).
48. Wang, Y.M, Liu, H., Xin, R.C., Jin, W.D., Wang, Y., Li, W.G.,
2004. Lacustrine basin slope break — A new domain of strata
and lithological trap exploration. Petroleum Science, 1(2),
55-61.
49. Wang, Z.C., Zhao, W.Z., 2006. A role of marine paleo-uplift
in reservoir-forming of oil and gas. China Petroleum Explora‑
tion, 11(4), 26-32 (in Chinese with English abstract).
50. Xu, C.G., 2006. Genetic types of Paleogene slope break zones
and their controls on depositional system in Bohai off shore.
China Offshore Oil and Gas, 18, 365-371 (in Chinese with Eng-
lish abstract).
51. Xu, X.H., 2002. The significance of the analysis of Tarim Pale-
ozoic prototype basins in oil and gas exploration. Oil & Gas
Geology, 23(3), 224-228 (in Chinese with English abstract).
52. Xu, X.H., 2004. Formation of paleo-uplift and petroleum oc-
currence in Tarim Basin. Journal of Tongji University, 32(4),
461-465 (in Chinese with English abstract).
53. Yang, K.S., 2005. Tectonic evolution of the Tarim Basin. Ma‑
rine Geology Letters, 21(2), 25-29 (in Chinese with English
abstract).
54. Yang, H.J., Han, J.F., 2007. The characteristics and control-
ling factors of compound reservoir accumulation of Lunnan
area in Tarim Basin. Science in China (Series D), 37(Suppl.),
53-62 (in Chinese with English abstract).
55. Yang, H.J., Han, J.F., Sun, C.H., Zhang, H.Z., 2011. Explora-
tion of reef-flat complex giant oil-gas field in Tazhong No.1
slope break in Tarim Basin: Theory and technology. Xinjiang
Petroleum Geology, 32(3), 224-227 (in Chinese with English
abstract)
56. Yang, J., Liu, D., Wu, H.H., Yang, K.S. 2012. Structural belt
styles and multiple oil and gas reservoirs/fields in petrolif-
erous basins, northwestern China. Marine Origin Petroleum
Geology, 17(1), 1-9 (in Chinese with English abstract)
57. Yu, B.S., Lin, C.S., Fan, T.L., Wang, L.D., Gao, Z.Q., Zhang,
C., 2011. Sedimentary response to geodynamic reversion in
Tarim Basin during Cambrian and Ordovician and its signifi-
cance to reservoir development. Earth Science Frontiers,
18(3), 221-232 (in Chinese with English abstract).
58. Zagrarni, M.F., Negra, M.H., Hanini, A., 2008. Cenomanian-
Turonian facies and sequence stratigraphy, Bahloul Forma-
tion, Tunisia. Sedimentary Geology, 204, 18-35.
59. Zhai, G.M., He, W.Y., 2004. An important petroleum explora-
tion region in Tarim Basin. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 25(1), 1-7 (in
Chinese with English abstract).
H. Liu et al.
60. Zhang, G.Y., Song, J.G., 1998. Control of basin reworking on
hydrocarbon accumulation and preservation in the Tarim cra-
tonic basin, Northwest China. Geological Review, 44(5), 511-
521 (in Chinese with English abstract).
61. Zhang, G.Y., Wang, H.J., Li, H.H., 2002. Main factors control-
ling hydrocarbon accumulation and the distribution of oil and
gas of cratonic area in Tarim Basin. Chinese Science Bulletin,
17(Suppl.), 24-29 (in Chinese).
62. Zhang, G.Y., Zhao, W.Z., Wang, H.J., Li, H.H., Liu, L., 2007.
Multicycle tectonic evolution and composite petroleum sys-
tems in the Tarim Basin. Oil & Gas Geology, 28(5), 653-663
(in Chinese with English abstract).
63. Zhang, K., 1990. On the basin type, evolution feature and
petroleum potential of Tarim Basin. Oil & Gas Geology, 11(1),
1-15 (in Chinese with English abstract).
64. Zhao, J.Z., Wu, B.G., 2001. Probe into reservoir accumulation
model in Tarim Basin. China Petroleum Exploration, 6(1), 20-
23 (in Chinese with English abstract).
65. Zhao, M.J., Zhou, X.X., Lu, S.F., 1999. Tarim Basin rich in
natural gas. Natural Gas Industry, 19(2), 13-18 (in Chinese
with English abstract).
66. Zhao, M.J., Song, Y., Qin, S.F., Liu, S.B., Hong, F., Fu, G.F.,
Da, J., Chen, J.M., 2007. Hydrocarbon accumulation of four
assemblage foreland basins in central-western China: Part II.
Filling stages. Natural Gas Geoscience, 18(3), 321-327 (in
Chinese with English abstract).
67. Zhao, W.Z., Zhang, G.Y., He, H.Q., 2002. Chinese Marine Pe-
troleum Geology and Superimposed Petroliferous Basin. Geo-
logical Publishing House, Beijing (in Chinese).
68. Zhao, Z.J., Li, Y.P., Wu, X.N., Chen, X.S., Yu, G., He, X.Y.,
Wang, S.C., 2004. Conditions for migration and accumulation
of Ordovician giant lithologic oil and gas reservoirs in Tazhong
region and exploration potential. China Petroleum Explora‑
tion, 5, 12-20 (in Chinese with English abstract).
69. Zhou, B., Jia, C.Z., Gu, J.Y., Li, Q.M., Wu, G.H., Ju, Y.
2008. Controlling effect of the fractures in Upper Ordovician
fractures upon reservoir formation at the platform edge of
Tazhong oilfield, the Tarim Basin. Oil & Gas Geology, 29(2),
198-209 (in Chinese with English abstract).
70. Zhou, X.Y., Yang, H.J., Han, J.F., Wang, F.H., Han, J., 2009.
Cases of discovery and exploration of marine fields in china
(Part 12): Lunnan Ordovician oil-gas field in Tarim Basin. Ma‑
rine Origin Petroleum Geology, 14(4), 67-77 (in Chinese with
English abstract).
(Edited by Yuan Wang)