The Coupling Relationship between the Uplift of Longmen Shan and the Subsidence of Foreland Basin, Sichuan, China

Depending on the analysis of the coeval sedimentary geometry and subsidence mechanism in the Longmen Shan foreland basin, three models about the coupling relationship between Longmen Shan uplift and foreland basin subsidence since the Indosinian have been proposed: (1) crustal shortening and its related wide wedge-shaped foreland basin, (2) crustal isostatic rebound and its related tabular foreland basin, and (3) lower crustal flow and its related narrow wedge-shaped foreland basin. Based on the narrow wedge-shaped foreland basin developed since 4 Ma, it is believed that the narrow crustal shortening and tectonic load driven by lower crustal flow is a primary driver for the present Longmen Shan uplift and the Wenchuan (Ms 8.0) earthquake.