Structure kinematics of a transtensional basin: An example from the Linnan Subsag, Bohai Bay basin, Eastern China

The Linnan subsag is a petroliferous, secondary tectonic unit of the Huimin sag that is located in the western part of the Jiyang depression in the Bohai Bay basin, eastern China. In this study, the authors calculated basin extensional rate and slipping displacement of boundary faults in the dip and strike directions, using seismic and drilling data. The evolution of the Linnan transtensional basin from the Eogene through the Quaternary is quantitatively described, and a dynamic model is established. The Linshan and Xiakou boundary faults of the Linnan subsag are used as a case study to describe a method to calculate the strike and dip slipping displacements of active faults under oblique extension. The results quantitatively illustrate the behavior of the Linnan subsag boundary faults over time. The Linnan subsag transtensional basin experienced four stages of evolution: weak extension during the Kongdian Formation, rapid extension and fault depression during the fourth member of the Shahejie Formation, intensive transtension and fault depression during the third member of the Shahejie Formation–Dongying Formation, and weakening fault depression during the Guantao Formation–Pingyuan Formation. The results of this study provide further understanding of the processes of petroleum migration and accumulation in the region.