Paleogeography reconstruction of a multi-stage modified intra-cratonic basin—a case study from the Jurassic Ordos Basin, Western North China Craton

Abstract Post-depositional modification is commonly found in sedimentary basins, particularly in the eastern Tethys Tectonic Domain, and is related to special geological settings and evolution processes of the region. The Chinese continent is composed of numerous small-scale blocks that underwent intensive tectonic movements. Paleogeography reconstruction for a modified basin is fundamental for objectively understanding the basin dynamics and exploration of hydrocarbon, sandstone-type uranium deposits, and other mineral resources. As a large-scale intra-cratonic depression basin in the western part of the North China Craton (NCC), the Mesozoic Ordos Basin underwent multi-stage modification; as a result, only the western part was preserved. In this study, the paleogeography in Bathonian–Oxfordian ages of the Jurassic was reconstructed via integrated approaches including stratigraphic correlation, sedimentary facies analysis, provenance analysis, and fission track analysis. The original sedimentary boundary of the Ordos Basin during this period is approximately outlined. We determine that the northern and southern borders reach the Cenozoic Hetao Basin and the Cenozoic Weihe Basin, respectively, and that the eastern, northwestern, and southwestern borders lie to the west of Taihang Mountain, at the Langshan–Bayanhot Basin–Kexueshan, and to the west of Liupan Mountain, respectively. The original sedimentary extent of the Ordos Basin was almost twice that of the present-day residual basin. The evolution of this basin in the Mesozoic recorded the evolution and destruction processes of the NCC. The NCC shows that N–S- and W–E-trending compressional setting occurred during the Triassic and the Jurassic, respectively. The interactive activities of adjacent tectonic domains played a critical role in subsidence dynamics for the intra-cratonic Ordos Basin. This study provides further insights for exploration of hydrocarbon and sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Ordos Basin.