Geodynamic mechanism and classification of basins in the Earth system

The sedimentary basin is a basic geological unit in the Earth system: its formation and evolution are controlled mainly by plate tectonics and geodynamics, which have produced a variety of basin types. The development and evolution of various basins depend not only on the tectonic effect of lithospheric plate but also on sublithospheric, and Earth surface actions. Basin classification schemes based on the theories of platform- geosyncline or plate tectonics could neither include all basin types nor reflect the complex processes of basin formation and evolution. From the viewpoint of Earth system, we proposed a new basin classification scheme based on geodynamic mechanism-that is, lithospheric plate, sublithospheric, and Earth surface actions. In our geodynamic classification, we employed a series of geodynamic settings of basin formation and evolution, including the lithospheric plate, sublithospheric, and Earth surface environments, the dynamic regimes of basin formation and evolution, such as tectonic setting (extension, compression and shearing), the thermal processes and gravity effects, the various natures of basin basement and crustal types (continental, oceanic, or transitional crust), and the history of basin sedimentary filling and tectonic paleogeography successively, as the controlling factors for basin classification. This new geodynamic classification scheme highlights both the role of the lithosphere and the effects of the sublithospheric and the Earth surface actions on controlling the basin formation and evolution. The basic dynamic types of basin classification include the prototype basin forming under a single tectonic, thermal, or gravity regime and the superimposed basin as well as residual basin forming under multistage thermal and/or tectonic regimes. Thus, this classification scheme could provide an evolving understanding of lithosphere, crust-mantle interaction, and geodynamic processes as well as of hydrocarbon accumulation and metallogenic mechanisms in sedimentary basins and would help in the synthetic exploration of various resources. (c) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of International Association for Gondwana Research. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

The sedimentary basin is a fundamental geological unit in the Earth system, whose formation and evolution are influenced by plate tectonics and geodynamics. Traditional basin classification schemes cannot account for all basin types or reflect the complex processes involved. A new classification scheme based on geodynamic mechanisms is proposed, which emphasizes the role of lithospheric plates, sublithospheric actions, and Earth surface actions in controlling basin formation and evolution. This scheme provides a comprehensive understanding of lithosphere, crust-mantle interaction, and geodynamic processes in sedimentary basins, and facilitates the exploration of various resources.