Volume 32 Issue 3
Jun.  2026
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Article Navigation >  Journal of Geomechanics  > 2026  >  32(3): 759-770
WANG J Z，RAO G，DENG X R，et al.，2026. The controls on the structural styles in the Wuyitage area, southwestern Tarim Basin: Insights from discrete-element numerical simulations[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，32（3）：759−770 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026037
Citation: WANG J Z，RAO G，DENG X R，et al.，2026. The controls on the structural styles in the Wuyitage area, southwestern Tarim Basin: Insights from discrete-element numerical simulations[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，32（3）：759−770 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026037
shu

The controls on the structural styles in the Wuyitage area, southwestern Tarim Basin: Insights from discrete-element numerical simulations

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2026037
  • 1.

    CNPC R&D Center of Ultra-Deep Complex Oil and Gas Reservoir Exploration and Development, Korla 841000, Xinjiang, China

  • 2.

    Xinjiang Engineering Research Center of Ultra-deep Complex Oil and Gas Reservoir Exploration and Development, Korla 841000, Xinjiang, China

  • 3.

    Exploration and Development Research Institute, Tarim Oilfield Branch Company, Korla 841000, Xinjiang, China

  • 4.

    PetroChina Tarim Oilfield Company, Korla 841000, Xinjiang, China

  • 5.

    School of Geoscience and Technology, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan, China

Funds:  This research was financially supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project on New Oil and Gas Exploration and Development (Grant No. 2025ZD1400503), the PetroChina Science and Technology Major Project (Grant No. 2023ZZ14YJ05), the PetroChina Engineering Research Center of Ultra-deep Complex Oil and Gas Reservoir Exploration and Development (Grant No. YF202401), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42272271).
More Information
  • Received: 2026-03-23
  • Revised: 2026-05-24
  • Accepted: 2026-05-25
    • Available Online: 2026-06-03
  • Published: 2026-06-28
    Abstract
  •   Objective  The collision and ongoing convergence between the Indian and the Eurasian plates have driven the uplift and expansion of the Tibetan Plateau and the formation of a mountain–basin system rich in oil and gas resources. Fold-and-thrust belts, as important structural units accommodating compressive shortening, have long been a focal and challenging topic in structural geology research due to their complex structural styles and deformation histories. This study focuses on the Wuyitage area in the foothill belt of the southwestern Tarim Basin, and synthesizes previous investigations on the lateral variations in structural styles, detachment layers, and paleo-uplift distribution.   Methods  Through the application of the discrete-element numerical simulation method, the coupled process between the basin and the mountain under the combined influence of multiple factors is explored.   Results  The thrust belt in the study area exhibits significant structural segmentation, with its geometry largely governed by regional detachment layers such as the Paleogene gypsum-salt layer. The thickness of the detachment layer directly influences fault slip efficiency and deformation intensity. A thicker detachment layer strengthens the detachment effect, promotes decoupling between the upper and lower strata, and facilitates the propagation of thrust structures toward the hinterland. In contrast, a thinner detachment layer weakens the detachment effect, making faulting more prone to occur along pre-existing basement faults. The presence of Ulagen and other paleo-uplifts have also played a dominant role in the development of thrust faults by reconstructing the regional stress field and the mechanical properties of the strata.  Significance  This study reveals the main controlling mechanism of the differential structural deformation styles in the Wuyitage area of the southern Tarim Basin, providing an important basis for better understanding the basin–range coupling and its potential resources and environmental effects in the study area.

     

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