Sinking-slab triggered formation of the giant Ordos basin in central China

The giant Late Triassic Ordos basin, developed along northern Tethyan margin where prolonged terrane amalgamation and accretion occurred, is characterized by rapid subsidence rate along its southwestern margin, but slow and uniform subsidence rate within its interior. Its formation mechanism still remains poorly understood. Here, we use flexural simulation and 4D-geodynamic modeling to explore the potential role of basin adjacent mountain belts and deep mantle processes towards basin subsidence, respectively. Flexural backstripping of stratigraphic record spanning from 245-201 Ma, along two SW-NE trending well sections perpendicular to the southwestern margin of Ordos basin clearly demonstrates that there were long wavelength anomalous subsidence components, here termed residual subsidence, in addition to those induced by thrust loads and sediment loads. From 245-201 Ma, residual subsidence increases from 0 m to ca. 500 m and gradually decreases from southwest towards northeast. Our results indicate that basin adjacent thrust loads could act as the dominant driver for subsidence of foredeep but have limited control towards basin interior. Other mechanism is required to explain the basin-wide anomalous residual subsidence. Long-wavelength nature of residual subsidence and its general agreement, regarding both the magnitude and trend, with dynamic topography predicted by an independently designed geodynamic model suggest that the anomalous subsidence component might be of dynamic origin. We attribute this excess residual subsidence as dynamic subsidence induced by the sinking slab beneath North China plate during and after the oblique closure of Mianlue ocean between North China plate and South China plate. We argue that the Ordos basin is triggered by subduction related mantle processes while modulated by flexural loading along its margin. Our findings may also shed light on formation mechanisms of other giant basins with similar settings in East Asia.