MESOZOIC-CENOZOIC INTRAMOUNTAIN BASINS OF TIEN SHAN AND WESTERN TRANSBAIKALIA: COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS AND CORRELATION OF EVENTS. ARTICLE 2. INTRAMOUNTAIN BASINS OF WESTERN TRANSBAIKALIA. ANALYSIS AND GENERALIZATION OF THE DATA
https://doi.org/10.5800/GT-2025-16-4-0833
EDN: XGJONW
Abstract
Negative structures of the Earth’s crust, including intramountain basins, are key sources of information on the development of the continental crust at the plate and orogenic stages of its evolution. The aim of this study is to give a comparative description of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins of the Eurasian intracontinental orogen and identify regional features of the geodynamic development of its various segments. The research methodology included comparative geological analysis, structural and tectonic studies, description of lithological sections, tectonophysical experimental work, analysis of magnetotelluric sounding data. and other investigations.
This article is a logical continuation of the previously published article [Leonov et al., 2025], dealing with the description of the intramountain basins of the Gissar-Alai mountain system and the Central Tien Shan. In this study, consideration has been given to the intramountain depressions of Western Transbaikalia, and analysis has been made of general and individual features of the structure and geotectonic development of all three areas surveyed for the occurrence of similar structural ensembles within the orogenic belt.
The presented data allow us to conclude that the system of intramountain basins and interbasinal highs in Western Transbaikalia, as well as in other considered segments of the Central Asian fold belt, emerged and evolved during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic within a limited tectonic area of shear flow dispersion. A comparative analysis has been carried out to reveal common and individual features of structural evolution, as well as the nature of sedimentation and volcanism in the considered areas; there has been discussion of structural and geodynamic prerequisites for the occurrence of ordered systems of orogenic depressions within the intracontinental orogenic region at the plate stage of its development.
Keywords
About the Authors
M. G. LeonovRussian Federation
7-1 Pyzhevsky Ln, Moscow 119017
E. S. Przhiyalgovskii
Russian Federation
7-1 Pyzhevsky Ln, Moscow 119017
Yu. A. Morozov
Russian Federation
10-1 Bolshaya Gruzinskaya St, Moscow 123242
O. V. Lunina
Russian Federation
128 Lermontov St, Irkutsk 664033
A. M. Mazukabzov
Russian Federation
128 Lermontov St, Irkutsk 664033
A. V. Nikitin
Russian Federation
1 University Sq, Voronezh 394018
References
1. Admakin L.A., 1975. Syngetic Deformations in the Upper Mesozoic Continental Deposits of Transbaikalia. Bulletin of Moscow Society of Naturalists. Geological Section 50 (5), 85–94 (
2. Arzhannikova A.V., 2022. Morphostructural Evolution of Pribaikalye and Transbaikalia in the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Brief PhD Thesis (Doctor of Geology and Mineralogy). Irkutsk, 32 p. (in Russian)
3. Atmaoui N., Kukowski N., Stöckhert B., König D., 2006. Initiation and Development of Pull-Apart Basins with Riedel Shear Mechanism: Insights from Scaled Clay Experiments. International Journal of Earth Sciences 95, 225–238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-005-0030-1.
4. Baluev А.S., Kolodyazhny S.Yu., Terekhov Е.N., 2021. Comparative Tectonics of the White Sea Paleorift System and Other Continental Rifting Systems. Lithosphere 21 (4), 469–490 (in Russian) https://doi.org/10.24930/1681-9004-2021-21-4-469-490.
5. Bazarov D.B., 1986. The Cenozoic of Pribaikalye and Western Transbaikalia. Nauka, Novosibirsk, 182 p. (in Russian)
6. Bogolepov K.V., 1968. Main Features of the Mesozoic Tectonics of the Geosynclinal Areas of Siberia. In: Yu.A. Kosygin (Ed.), Tectonics of the Soviet Far East and Adjacent Water Areas. Nauka, Moscow, p. 44–65 (in Russian)
7. Cambell C.S., 1990. Rapid Granular Flows. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics 22, 57–92. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.fl.22.010190.000421.
8. Carey S.W., 1954. The Rheid Concept in Geotectonics. Journal of the Geological Society of Australia 1 (1–2), 67‒117. https://doi.org/10.1080/14400955308527848.
9. Cherepovsky V.F. (Ed.), 2001. Coal Base of Russia. Coal Basins and Deposits of East Siberia (Tungus and Taimyr Basins, Deposits of Transbaikalia). Vol. 4. Geoinformmark, Moscow, 493 p. (in Russian) [
10. Drake T.G., 1990. Structural Features in Granular Flows. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth 95 (B6), 8681–8696. https://doi.org/10.1029/JB095iB06p08681.
11. Eardley A.J., 1954. Structural Geology of North America. Inostrannaya Literatura, Moscow, 668 p. (in Russian)
12. Erkhov V.F., Ochirov Ts.O., Tsyrendorzhiev Ts.Ts., Batuev B.D., 1972. To Tectonics of the Vitim Plateau. Russian Geology and Geophysics 13 (5), 49–55 (in Russian)
13. Ermikov V.D., 1974. Comparative Tectonic Analysis of the Continental Mesozoic of Transbaikalia and Mongolia. Russian Geology and Geophysics 15 (9), 24–33 (in Russian)
14. Ermikov V.D., 1977. Comparative Tectonics of the Gusinoozersk, Borgoi and Tugnui Depressions in Transbaikalia. Russian Geology and Geophysics 18 (7), 153–157 (in Russian)
15. Ermikov V.D., 1994. Mesozoic Precursors of the Cenozoic Rift Structures of Central Asia. Bulletin des Centres de Recherches Exploration 18, 123–134.
16. Florensov N.A., 1960. Mesozoic and Cenozoic Depressions of Pribaikalie. Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Science, Moscow, Moscow–Leningrad, 257 p. (in Russian)
17. Garagash I.A., 1982. Formation of Cellular Structures in Elastoplastic Medium with Internal Friction and Dilatancy. Doklady of the USSR Academy of Sciences 266 (1), 59–63 (in Russian)
18. Geological Map of the Southern East Siberia and Northern Mongolia, 1983. Scale 1:1500000. Mingeo USSR, Moscow (in Russian)
19. Gol’din S.V., 2002. Lithosphere Destruction and Physical Mesomechanics. Physical Mesomechanics 5 (5), 5–22 (in Russian)
20. History of the Upper Cretaceous Coal Deposits in the Buryat ASSR and Southeast Lena Basin, 1963. Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Science, Moscow–Leningrad, 336 p. (in Russian)
21. Ivanov V.G., Yarmolyuk V.V., Smirnov V.N., 1995. New Data on the Age of Volcanism Evidence in the Westen Transbaikalia Late Mesozoic–Cenozoic Volcanic Domain. Doklady Earth Sciences 345 (5), 648–652 (in Russian)
22. Jaeger H.M., Nagel S.R., Behringer R.P., 1996. The Physics of Granular Materials. Physics Today 49 (4), 32–38. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.881494.
23. King L., 1967. Earth Morphology. Progress, Moscow, 559 p. (in Russian)
24. Kocharyan G.G., 2016. Fault Geomechanics. GEOS, Moscow, 424 p. (in Russian)
25. Kuz'min M.I., Yarmolyuk V.V., 2006. Mountain Growth and Climatic Variations in the Earth’s History. Russian Geology and Geophysics 47 (1), 7–25.
26. Leonov M.G., 2008. Tectonics of Consolidated Crust. Iss. 575. Nauka, Moscow, 457 p. (in Russian)
27. Leonov M.G., 2013. Inremontane Basins of the Gissar-Alay Mountain Region, the Tien Shan: Structure and Formation History. Lithosphere 3, 3–24 (in Russian)
28. Leonov M.G., Przhijalgovskij E.S., Lavrushina E.V., Nikitin A.V., 2017. Granite Island Mountains: Morphology, Tectonic Structure and Genesis. Geomorphology 3, 3–15 (in Russian) https://doi.org/10.7868/S043542811703-0018.
29. Leonov M.G., Przhiyaglovskii E.S., Lavrushina E.V., 2018. Granites. Postmagmatic Tectonics and Hydrocarbon Potential. GEOS, Moscow, 332 p. (in Russian)
30. Leonov M.G., Przhiyalgovskii E.S., Morozov Yu.A., Lunina O.V., Mazukabzov A.M., Nikitin A.V., 2025. Mesozoic-Cenozoic Intramountain Basins of the Tien Shan and Western Transbaikalia: Comparative Characteristics and Correlation of Events. Article 1. Question Formulation. Intramountain Basins of the Gissar-Alai and Central Tien Shan. Geodynamics & Tectonophysics 16 (3), 0826 (in Russian) https://doi.org/10.5800/GT-2025-16-3-0826.
31. Leonov M.G., Przhiyalgovskiy E.S., 2021. The Deformation Mechanisms of Tien Shan Basement Rocks in Alpine Tectogenesis. Geotectonics 55, 822–843. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016852121060042.
32. Leonov Yu.G., 1972. Neoactivation and Alpine Orogenesis. Geotectonics 2, 3‒14 (in Russian)
33. Leonov Yu.G., 1976. Tectonic Nature of the Devonian Orogenesis. Nedra, Moscow, 192 p. (in Russian)
34. Logachev N.A., 1958. Cenozoic Continental Deposits in Basins of the Baikal Type. Bulletin of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Geological Series 4, 18–29 (in Russian)
35. Logachev N.A., 1968. Sedimentary and Volcanogenic Formations of the Baikal Rift Zone. In: N.A. Florensov (Ed.), Baikal Rift. Nauka, Novosibirsk, p. 72–101 (in Russian)
36. Logachev N.A., Plotnikov V.P., Skoblo V.M., 1958. To the Discussion of the Structure of the Upper Mesozoic Basins in Western Transbaikalia. Bulletin of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Geological Series 12, 113–116 (in Russian)
37. Lukyanov A.V., 1965. Structural Manifestations of the Horizontal Crustal Movements. Nauka, Moscow, 204 p. (in Russian)
38. Lukyanov A.V., 1991. Plastic Deformation and Tectonic Flow in the Lithosphere. Nauka, Moscow, 144 p. (in Russian)
39. Lunina O.V., Gladkov A.S., 2009. Fault-Block Structure and State of Stress in the Earth’s Crust of the Gusinoozersky Basin and the Adjacent Territory, Western Transbaikal Region. Geotectonics 43, 67–84. https://doi.org/10.1134/s0016852109010051.
40. Lunina O.V., Gladkov A.S., Nevedrova N.N., 2010. Tectonics, Stress State, and Geodynamics of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Rift Basins in the Baikal Region. Geotectonics 44, 237–261. https://doi.org/10.1134/s0016852110030039.
41. Mazukabzov A.M., 2003. Structure and Geodynamics of the Souhern Margin of the Siberian Craton. Brief PhD Thesis (Doctor of Geology and Mineralogy). Irkutsk, 33 p. (in Russian)
42. Mazukabzov A.M., Donskaya T.V., Gladkochub D.P., Sklyarov E.V., 2008. The Nature of Metamorphic Complexes in Transbaikalia. In: General and Regional Problems of Tectonics and Geodynamics. Proceedings of the XLI Tectonic Conference (January 29 – February 2, 2008). Vol. 1. GEOS, Moscow, p. 529–532 (in Russian)
43. Mehta A. (Ed.), 1994. Granular Matter: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Springer, New York, 306 p. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4290-1.
44. Mesozoic Tectonics and Magmatism of the Mongol-Okhotsk Belt, 1983. Nauka, Moscow, 231 p. (in Russian)
45. Metelkin D.V., 2012. Evolution of Structures in Central Asia and the Role of Shear Tectonics from Paleomagnetic Data. IPGG SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 460 p. (in Russian)
46. Metelkin D.V., Gordienko I.V., Zhao X., 2004. Paleomagnetism of Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks from Transbaikalia: Argument for Mesozoic Strike-Slip Motions in Central Asian Structure. Russian Geology and Geophysics 45 (12), 1404–1417.
47. Morozov Yu.A., 2002. Structure-Formation Function of Transpression and Transtension. Geotectonics 36 (6), 431–450.
48. Morozov Yu.A., Leonov M.G., Alekseev D.V., 2014. Pull-Apart Formation Mechanism of Cenozoic Basins in the Tien Shan and Their Transpressional Evolution: Structural and Experimental Evidence. Geotectonics 48, 24–53. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016852114010051.
49. Mossakovsky A.A., Ruzhentsev S.V., Samygin S.G., Kheraskova T.N., 1993. Central Asian Fold Belt: Geodynamic Evolution and Formation History. Geotectonics 6, 3–33 (in Russian)
50. Nagibina M.S., 1963. Tectonics and Magmatism of the Mongol-Okhotsk Belt. Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Science, Moscow, 464 p. (in Russian)
51. Nesov L.A., Starkov A.I., 1992. Cretaceous Vertebrates of the Gusinoe Lake Depression in Transbaikalia and Their Contribution into Dating and Determination of Sedimentation Conditions. Russian Geology and Geophysics 33 (6), 10–19 (in Russian)
52. Novikov I.S., Zhimulev F.I., Vetrov E.V., Savelieva P.Yu., 2019. Mesozoic and Cenozoic Geologic History and Surface Topography of the Northwestern Altai–Sayan Area. Russian Geology and Geophysics, 60 (7), 781–792. https://doi.org/10.15372/RGG2019054.
53. Obukhov A.N., 1990. Evolution of the Intermountain Basins of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Nauka, Moscow, 88 p. (in Russian)
54. Ochirov Ts.O., 1969. The Main Features and Types of the Mesozoic Structures of Buryatia and Adjacent Areas. Geotectonics 1, 83–97
55. Parfenov L.M., Berzin N.A., Khanchuk A.I., Badarch G., Belichenko V.G., Bulgatov A.N., Dril S.I., Kirillova G.L. et al., 2003. A Model for the Formation of Orogenic Belts in Central and Northeast Asia. Russian Journal of Pacific Geology 22 (6), 7–41 (in Russian)
56. Patalakha E.I., 1971. On Differential Mobility of Jointly Deformed Heterogeneous Geological Bodies, Its Causes and Effects. Viscosity Inversion. Geotectonics 4, 15–20 (in Russian)
57. Pavlovsky E.V., 1948. Geological History and Geological Structure of the Baikal Mountains. Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Science, Moscow, 176 p. (in Russian)
58. Pospelov G.L., 1972. Dispergites and Autodispergation as Important Problem of Litho-Petrogenesis. Russian Geology and Geophysics 13 (12), 53–73 (in Russian)
59. Przhiyalgovskii E.S., Leonov M.G., Lavrushina E.V., 2011. Granite Protrusions in Zones Intraplate Activization of South Mongolia. Doklady Earth Sciences 440, 1359–1362. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X11100059.
60. Reiner M., 1947. Ten Lectures on Theoretical Rheology. Gostekhizdat, Moscow, 134 p. (in Russian)
61. Revuzhenko A.F., 2003. Mechanics of Granular Medium. Ofset, Novosibirsk, 274 p. (in Russian)
62. Revuzhenko A.F., Bobryakov A.P., Kosykh V.P., 1997. On Flow of Granular Medium with Possible Unlimited Sliding on Localization Surfaces. Physical and Technical Problems of Mining 3, 37–42 (in Russian)
63. Shelgachev K.M., Shatkovskaya L.V., 2002. Improving Legends for Geological Maps of the Selenga Series. Buryatgeolcenter, Ulan-Ude, 80 p. (in Russian)
64. Sherman S.I., 1977. Physical Regularities of Crustal Faulting. Nauka, Novosibirsk, 102 p. (in Russian)
65. Sinitsa S.M., 1975. Gneiss Domes of the Nerchinsky Ridge in Eastern Transbaikalia. Nauka, Novosibisk, 137 p. (in Russian)
66. Sklyarov E.V., Mazukabzov A.M., Melnikov A.I., 1997. Cordilleran Metamorphic Core Complexes. SPC UIGGM SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 182 p. (in Russian)
67. Skoblo V.M., Lyamina N.A., Rudnev A.F., Luzina I.V., 2001. Continental Upper Mesozoic of the Pribaikalie and Transbaikalia. SB RAS Publishing House, Novosibirsk, 332 p. (in Russian)
68. Solovyev V.M., Seleznev V.S., Chechelnitsky V.V., Galyova N.A., 2020. Upper Mantle of Baikal and Transbaikalia According to the Area Data of Seismological Research. Russian Journal of Seismology 2 (1), 7–17 (in Russian) https://doi.org/10.35540/2686-7907.2020.1.01.
69. Solovyov V.A., 1968. The Main Features of Mesozoic Tectonics of Pribaikalye and Transbaikalia. Nauka, Moscow, 128 p. (in Russian)
70. Starchenko V.V., 1963. A Brief Outline of the Geological Structure of Central Transbaikalia. In: Materials on Geology and Mineral Resources of the Chita Region. Iss. 1. Gosgeoltekhizdat, Moscow, p. 3–15 (in Russian)
71. Stefanov Yu.P., Bakeev R.A., Rebetsky Yu.L., Kontorovich V.A., 2014. Structure and Formation Stages of a Fault Zone in a Geomedium Layer in Strike-Slip Displacement of the Basement. Physical Mesomechanics 17, 2004–2015. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1029959914030059.
72. Thompson P.A., Grest G.S., 1991. Granular Flow: Friction and the Dilatancy Transition. Physical Review Letters 67 (13), 1751–1754. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.67.1751.
73. Trifonov V.G., Artyushkov E.V., Dodonov A.E., Bachmanov D.M., Mikolaichuk A.V., Vishnyakov F.A., 2008. Pliocene-Quaternary orogeny in the Central Tien Shan. Russian Geology and Geophysics 49 (2), 98–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rgg.2007.06.012.
74. Trifonov V.G., Sokolov S.Yu., 2018. Comparison of Tectonic Phases and Geomagnetic Reversals in the Late Mesozoic and in the Cenozoic. Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences 88, 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1019331617060119.
75. Tsekhovsky Yu.G., Baluev A.S., Stukalova I.E., Korneva R.G., 2018. Sedimentogenesis in the Мesozoic and Сenozoic Rift Troughs of Central Asia. GEOS, Moscow, 168 p. (in Russian)
76. Tsekhovsky Yu.G., Leonov M.G., 2007. Sedimentary Formations and Main Development Stages of the Western Transbaikal and Southeastern Baikal Regions in the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic. Lithology and Mineral Resources 42, 349–362. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0024490207040037.
77. Tsekhovsky Yu.G., Stukalova I.E., Gusev I.M., 2005a. Regularities of Coal Formation in the Mesozoic Grabens of Western Transbaikalia. In: Geology of Coal Deposits. Interuniversity Collection of Research Papers. Iss. 15. Ural State Mining University, Ekaterinburg, p. 94–107 (in Russian)
78. Tsekhovsky Yu.G., Yapaskurt O.V., Gusev I.M., 2005b. Plain Fan Complexes in Jurassic–Cretaceous Grabens of the Western Transbaikal Region. Lithology and Mineral Resources 40, 537–551. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10987-005-0051-7.
79. Ufimtsev G.F., 1992. Morphotectonics of the Baikal Rift Zone. Novosibirsk, Nauka, 216 p. (in Russian)
80. Vorontsov A.A., Yarmolyuk V.V., 2007. The Evolution of Volcanism in the Tugnui-Khilok Sector of the Western Transbaikalia Rift Area in the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Journal of Volcanology and Seismology 1, 213–236. https://doi.org/10.1134/S074204630704001X.
81. Vorontsov A.A., Yarmolyuk V.V., Komaritsyna T.Yu., 2016. Late Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic Rifting Magmatism in the Uda Sector of Western Transbaikalia. Russian Geology and Geophysics 57 (5), 723–744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rgg.2015.09.015.
82. Yarmolyuk V.V., Ivanov V.G., 2000. Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic Magmatism and Geodynamics of Western Transbaikalia. Geotectonics 34 (2), 121–140.
83. Yarmolyuk V.V., Kovalenko V.I., Ivanov V.G., 1998. Sources of Intraplate Magmatism of Western Transbaikalia in the Late Mesozoic–Cenozoic: Trace-Element and Isotope Data. Petrology 2 (6), 101–123.
84. Yarmolyuk V.V., Kovalenko V.I., 1995. Late-Mesozoic–Cenozoic Intraplate Magmatism in Central and Eastern Asia (Nature, Development Dynamics, and Volcanic Hazard). Russian Geology and Geophysics 36 (8), 131–141 (in Russian)
85. Zakharov S.A., 1970. The Evolution of Tectonic Ideas in Tadzhikistan and the Hypothesis of Zonal Tectogenesis. Donish, Dushanbe, 308 p. (in Russian)
86. Zorin Yu.A., 1999. Geodynamics of the Western Part of the Mongolia–Okhotsk Collisional Belt, Trans-Baikal Region (Russia) and Mongolia. Tectonophysics 306 (1), 33–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-1951(99)00042-6.
87. Zorin Yu.A., Balk T.V., Novoselova M.R., Turutanov E.Kh., 1988. Lithosphere Thickness Beneath the Mongolian-Siberian Mountain Belt and Adjacent Areas. Physics of the Earth 7, 32–42 (in Russian)
88. Zorin Yu.A., Sklyarov E.V., Belichenko V.G., Mazukabzov A.M., 1996. Gneissic Arches and Early Cretaceous Riftogenesis in the Trans-Baikal Region. Doklady Earth Sciences 349 (5), 752‒755.
89. Zorin Yu.A., Turutanov E.Kh., 2005. Plumes and Geodynamics of the Baikal Rift Zone. Russian Geology and Geophysics 46 (7), 685–699 (in Russian)
Review
For citations:
Leonov M.G., Przhiyalgovskii E.S., Morozov Yu.A., Lunina O.V., Mazukabzov A.M., Nikitin A.V. MESOZOIC-CENOZOIC INTRAMOUNTAIN BASINS OF TIEN SHAN AND WESTERN TRANSBAIKALIA: COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS AND CORRELATION OF EVENTS. ARTICLE 2. INTRAMOUNTAIN BASINS OF WESTERN TRANSBAIKALIA. ANALYSIS AND GENERALIZATION OF THE DATA. Geodynamics & Tectonophysics. 2025;16(4):0833. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.5800/GT-2025-16-4-0833. EDN: XGJONW