Physical simulation of Cenozoic tectonic deformation in the Lower Yangtze region and its main controlling factors

The Cenozoic extensional tectonic deformation is an important window for the study of Cenozoic tectonic dynamics in East China. We evaluated four main controlling factors and designed seven sets of physical simulations to study the deformation mechanism of the Cenozoic structure in the Lower Yangtze region. The deformation process of the Lower Yangtze region during Cenozoic was simulated with different controlling factors. Stress angle and boundary position are the main factors controlling tectonic deformation. In the paralleled-experiments, the tectonic deformation of the Tan-Lu fault and the Lower Yangtze region and its surrounding blocks showed significant variations in boundary compression. In the paralleled-experiments of block thickness, deformation and displacement were similar, but there are significant differences in uplift characteristics and extrusion effects between east and west boundaries. With smaller angle between stress and model boundary, the Tan-Lu fault presented obvious dextral movement. In the simulation with optimal controlling factors, the extensional tectonics of the Lower Yangtze block and the dextral movement of the Tan-Lu fault formed a tectonic system with dextral strike-slip and lateral extension.