Evidence for Growth Fault-Bend Folds in the Tarim Basin and Its Implications for Fault-Slip Rates in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic

Growth fault bend folds were discovered in the Tarim basin for the first time. The growth fault bend fold is an excellent indicator for timing the emplacement of thrust fault. Typical growth triangle and growth strata are well exposed on surface and identified in seismic profiles. They are of V_s/V_u>1 type, V_s/V_u=l type and V_s/V_u<1 type (V_s: sedimentary rate; V_u: uplift rate), and occurred during the Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cenozoic. In light of the growth triangle, the average movement rate of the thrust is estimated as 0.06 mm/a during Jurassic. The slow thrust emplacement rate is favorable for oil and gas accumulation.