Late Triassic tectonic stress field of the southwestern Ordos Basin and its tectonic implications: Insights from finite-element numerical simulations

Abstract The tectonic stress field of the southwestern Ordos Basin during Late Triassic is controversial. major controversy whether was a compressional basin throughout or it transformed from an extensional into this period. We divided early to middle and late terminal periods. Two paleotectonic simulation models were constructed using finite-element software (ANSYS 10). Our results showed high consistency with regional geologic correlations, suggesting credibility models. found that dominated by NE-SW strain Triassic, associated strike-slip faulting along western margin block. This consistent development syndepositional normal faults probably induced scissor collision east west between North China craton Yangtze mainly manifested as compressive strain. dominant dynamics for block period may have changed northward compression Songpan-Ganzi Qiangtang terranes. characterized deformation northeastward migration depocenter. depression Triassic.