Subsidence mechanisms and stratigraphic models of foreland basins
前陆盆地沉降机理和地层模型

Lithospheric flexure caused by orogenic loading is the main reason of the formation of foreland basins. The huge mass created by crustal thickening associated with thrusting of a mountain belt causes the regional isostatic subsidence beneath the orogenic load, generating a depression adjacent and parallel to the mountain belt. In addition, the evolution of a foreland basin is also influenced by many other factors, such as sediment supply, the efficiency with which sediment is distributed in the basin, strength of the lithosphere, thrust rate of the mountain belt, eustatic sea-level change and dynamic subsidence related to subduction. This paper describes the relationships between these factors and subsidence of foreland basins, and introduces stratigraphic models related to episodic thrusting and the underfilled-overfilled stratigraphic model. It is hoped that this paper can become a useful reference for stratigraphic studies in foreland basins in Northwest China.