Neotectonics in the Foreland Thrust Belt of Taiwan 

Yen -Tsung Chen 

Abstract

 The neotecteonics of the foreland thrust belt of Taiwan are mainly controlled by the oblique convergence between the Eurasian and Philippine Sea Plate. Most of the foreland structures are influenced by this oblique convergence mechanism. In fact, the foreland structures are not only influenced it, but also influenced by the shapes of the backstop and structural highs. As a result, in this paper, there are three indentation tectonics developed in the foreland thrust belt: (1) the crescent shape of the thrust wedge: (2) transpressional and transtensional structure induced by strick-slip tectonics: and (3) rotational and extensional structures around the indentation point.

The author make use of the field observations, experimental modeling, present-day stress, paleomagnetic and GPS data to be briefly summarized the foreland structures of Taiwan as follows: the north to the south. Northeastern Taiwan is characterized by the combination of the contractional, transcurrent, rotational and extensional structure. The Taoyuan-Linkou Terraces represent a relatively stable area on the kuanyin High. The Hsuehshan-Chuhuangkeng area is distinguished by squeeze-out or pop-up structures between the two structural Highs. The Yushan area is characterized by a transfer zone and the Pingtung-Chishan area is marked by escape structure.

 

Reference 

F.Mouthereau, O. Lacombe, B. Deffontaines, J. Angelier, S. Brusset (2001). Deformation History of the Southwestern Taiwan Foreland Thrust BeltInsights from Tectono-Sedimentary Analyses and Balanced Cross-Sections: Tectonophysics, 333, 293-322.

(Abstract)(Full text)

John Suppe, Jay Namson (1979). Fault-Bend Origin of Frontal Folds of the Western Taiwan Fold-and-Thrust Belt: Petrol. Geol. Taiwan, N0.16, p.1-18

(Abstract)(Full text)