Tectonic deformation analysis of Liupanshan Basin: Constraints from seismic profiles

The Liupanshan Basin has undergone multi−processes such as Early Paleozoic craton carbonate platform, Paleozoic marine to terrestrial, and Mesozoic lacustrine environment, developing three sets of hydrocarbon source rocks: Carboniferous, Triassic−Jurassic, and Cretaceous. It is one of the potential target areas for new hydrocarbon exploration. However, located in such a critical tectonic location, Liupanshan basin is affected by the interaction of multiple blocks such as the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Alxa, and Ordos. It has undergone multiple tectonic periods, developed numerous folds and faults, and undergone high modifications in crustal structure and basin properties, seriously hindering the hydrocarbon evaluation and target zones selection. Based on this, this study uses three key seismic profiles from the Liupanshan area and comprehensively analyzes the basin mountain evolution process. The main processes include early Mesozoic (Triassic/Jurassic) local extensional faulting, early Early Cretaceous compression and late Early Cretaceous extension. Since the Cenozoic era, the Liupanshan Basin has been strongly compressed by the Qinghai Tibet Plateau growth, creating the current Liupanshan fold and thrust belt.