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International audience; Fluids in magmas play a key role in magma differentiation and transportation of economic metals for ore deposits. As a chalcophile and incompatible element, zinc and its isotopes have been increasingly applied to study the magmatic-hydrothermal processes. However, zinc isotopic fractionation between aqueous fluids and magmas has not been well constrained. Here we experimentally determined equilibrium fractionation factors of Zn isotopes between aqueous fluids and silicate magmas (Δ66Znfluid-magma= δ66Znfluid - δ66Znmagma). The results reveal that aqueous fluids are isotopically heavier than the coexisting silicate magmas. No correlation between Δ66Znfluid-magma and temperature or chlorine contents in fluids is observed under our experimental conditions. Instead, Δ66Znfluid-magma is negatively corresponded with NBO/T of the melt (the ratio of non-bridge oxygen and tetrahedron ions), and positively correlated with the molar ratio of Al/(0.5K+Ca+Fe) in the bulk magmas, suggesting the controlling of silicate composition on Zn isotope fractionation. Our data therefore indicate that the isotopically heavier Zn in the fluids exsolved from magmas may account for the higher δ66Zn of pegmatites and high-silica granitic rocks. Moreover, involvement of magmatic fluids can explain the highly variable and remarkably heavier Zn isotopic signatures of fumaroles, thermal spring waters, and seafloor hydrothermal fluids compared to the igneous rocks. This study provides information that can be used to guide research using Zn isotopes to trace fluid activity and magmatism.

International audience; Electrochemical capacitors (ECs), including electrical-double-layer capacitors and pseudocapacitors, feature high power densities but low energy densities. To improve the energy densities of ECs, redox electrolyte-enhanced ECs (R-ECs) or supercapbatteries are designed through employing confined soluble redox electrolytes and porous electrodes. In R-ECs the energy storage is based on diffusion-controlled faradaic processes of confined redox electrolytes at the surface of a porous electrode, which thus take the merits of high power densities of ECs and high energy densities of batteries. In the past few years, there has been great progress in the development of this energy storage technology, particularly in the design and synthesis of novel redox electrolytes and porous electrodes, as well as the configurations of new devices. Herein, a full-screen picture of the fundamentals and the state-of-art progress of R-ECs are given together with a discussion and outlines about the challenges and future perspectives of R-ECs. The strategies to improve the performance of R-ECs are highlighted from the aspects of their capacitances and capacitance retention, power densities, and energy densities. The insight into the philosophies behind these strategies will be favorable to promote the R-EC technology toward practical applications of supercapacitors in different fields.

Variations in the abundances of moderately volatile elements (MVE) are one of the most fundamental geochemical differences between the terrestrial planets. Whether these variations are the consequence of nebular processes, planetary volatilization, differentiation or late accretion is still unresolved. The element mercury is the most volatile of the MVE and is a strongly chalcophile element. It is one of the few elements that exhibit large mass-dependent (MDF) and mass-independent (MIF) isotopic fractionations for both odd (odd-MIF, Δ 199 Hg and Δ 201 Hg) and even (even-MIF, Δ 200 Hg) Hg isotopes in nature, which is traditionally used to trace Hg biogeochemical cycling in surface environments. However, the Hg isotopic composition of Earth and meteorites is not well constrained. Here, we present Hg isotopic data for terrestrial basaltic, trachytic and granitic igneous samples. These rocks are isotopically lighter ( δ 202 Hg = −3.3 ± 0.9‰; 1 standard deviation) than sedimentary rocks that have previously been considered to represent the terrestrial Hg isotope composition ( δ 202 Hg = − 0.7 ± 0.5 ‰ ; 1 standard deviation). We show degassing during magma emplacement induces MIF that are consistent with kinetic fractionation in these samples. Also presented is a more complete dataset for chondritic (carbonaceous, ordinary and enstatite) meteorites, which are consistent with previous work for carbonaceous chondrites (positive odd-MIF) and ordinary chondrites (no MIF), and demonstrate that some enstatite chondrites exhibit positive odd-MIF, similar to carbonaceous chondrites. The terrestrial igneous rocks fall within the range of chondritic compositions for both MIF and MDF. Given the fact that planetary differentiation (core formation, evaporation) would contribute to Hg loss from the silicate portion of Earth and would likely fractionate Hg isotopes from chondritic compositions, we suggest that the budget of the mantle Hg is dominated by late accretion of chondritic materials to Earth, as also suggested for other volatile chalcophile elements (S, Se, Te). Considering the Hg isotopic signatures, materials with compositions similar to CO chondrites or ordinary chondrites are the most likely late accretion source candidates. Finally, eucrite meteorites, which are highly depleted in volatile elements, are isotopically heavier than chondrites and exhibit negative odd-MIF. The origin of volatile depletion in eucrites has been vigorously debated. We show that Δ 199 Hg versus Δ 201 Hg relationships point toward an equilibrium nuclear field shift effect, suggesting that volatile loss occurred during a magma ocean phase at the surface of the eucrite parent body, likely the asteroid 4-Vesta.

International audience; Stable isotope fractionation in magmatic systems depends on equilibrium isotope fractionation between different phases. However, current equilibrium stable isotope theory mostly assumes ideal crystal structures and simple chemical compositions, but it is unclear how the pressure and complex compositional variations in natural microscopic mineral structures affect inter-mineral stable isotope fractionation and thus control stable isotope fractionation in macroscopic magmatic systems. Here, we calculate the Casingle bondO and Mgsingle bondO bond lengths controlled by pressure and compositional variations of coexisting garnet (Grt) and clinopyroxene (Cpx) in the Roberts Victor eclogites from the Kaapvaal Craton and use these data as a proof of concept to interpret their inter-mineral Ca and Mg isotopic compositions (Δ44/40CaGrt-Cpx and Δ26MgGrt-Cpx). Our results show that the Casingle bondO difference between Grt and Cpx (ΔCasingle bondOGrt-Cpx) shows a significant increase with CaO content from 3.4 to 13.6 wt.% in Grt and with pressure from 2.9 to 6.9 GPa. ΔCasingle bondOGrt-Cpx has an excellent negative correlation with inter-mineral Ca isotope fractionation corrected for temperature effect (Δ44/40CaGrt-Cpx × T2/106), indicating that inter-mineral Ca isotope fractionation is controlled by pressure and compositional variations of the Grt through effects on the bond lengths. Inter-mineral Mg isotope fractionation corrected for temperature effect (Δ26MgGrt-Cpx × T2/106) in these eclogites shows a negative correlation with pressure but no obvious correlations with the mineral compositions, suggesting the dominant role of pressure effect in addition to temperature. The Mgsingle bondO bond length of Grt increases by about 0.02 Å with increasing CaO content in Grt of these eclogites, implying a mild compositional effect on inter-mineral Mg isotope fractionation. The results suggest that pressure and compositional variations in minerals control the equilibrium stable isotope fractionation between minerals. Utilizing the Ca isotope fractionation factor controlled by crystal chemistry of garnet, our modelling indicates that partial melting of eclogite in the mantle could not significantly fractionate Ca isotopes and, therefore, that low δ44/40Ca values in previously reported basalts cannot be attributed to the involvement of eclogite in their sources. This suggests that crystal chemistry exerts major controls on isotope fractionation in magmatic systems in addition to temperature.

23 pages; International audience; The Late Paleozoic tectono–magmatic history and basement of the Maya block are poorly understood due to the lack of exposures of coeval magmatic rocks in the region. Recently, IODP–ICDP Expedition 364 recovered drill core samples at borehole M0077A from the peak ring of the Chicxulub impact crater, offshore of the Yucatán peninsula in the Gulf of México, have been studied comprehensively. In the lowermost ~600 m of the drill core, impact–deformed granitoids, and minor felsite and dolerite dykes are intercalated with impact melts and breccias. Zircon U-Pb dating of granitoids yielded ages of around 326 ± 5 Ma, representing the first recovery of Late Paleozoic magmatic rocks from the Maya block, which could be genetically related to the convergence of Laurentia and Gondwana. The granitoids show the features of high K2O/Na2O, LaN/YbN and Sr/Y ratios, but very low Yb and Y contents, indicating an adakitic affinity. They are also characterized by slightly positive ԑNd(326Ma) of 0.17–0.68, intermediate initial 87Sr/86Sr(326Ma) of 0.7036–0.7047 and two–stage Nd model age (TDM2) of 1027–1069 Ma, which may indicate a less evolved crustal source. Thus, the adakitic granitoids were probably generated by partial melting of thickened crust, with source components similar to Neoproterozoic metagabbro in the Carolina block (Pan–African Orogeny materials) along Peri–Gondwana. Felsite dykes are shoshonitic with typical continental arc features that are sourced from a metasomatic mantle wedge by slab–fluids. Dolerite dykes display OIB–type features such as positive Nb and Ta anomalies and low ThNpm/NbNpm. In our interpretation, the Chicxulub adakitic granitoids of this study are formed by crustal anatexis due to asthenospheric upwelling resulting from slab breakoff. Through comparing sources and processes of Late Paleozoic magmatism along the Peri–Gondwanan realm, a tearing slab breakoff model may explain the discontinuous magmatism that appears to have occurred during the convergence of Laurentia and Gondwana.

International audience; Highly depleted Archean peridotites have proven very amenable to Re-Os model age dating. In contrast, due to the increasing heterogeneity of mantle Os isotope compositions with time, the Re-Os system has not been as effective in dating post-Archean peridotites. The timing of depletion and accretion of post-Archean lithospheric mantle around cratons is important to understand within the context of the evolution of the continents. In an attempt to precisely date post-Archean peridotite xenoliths, we present a study of the petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry, including whole-rock Re-Os isotopes, highly siderophile elements and clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes of peridotite xenoliths from Lake Nyos in the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). Eight Nyos peridotite xenoliths, all fresh spinel lherzolites, are characterized by low to moderate olivine Fo contents (88.9–91.2) and low spinel Cr# (8.4–19.3), together with moderate to high whole-rock Al2O3 contents (2.0–3.7%). These chemical characteristics indicate that they are mantle residues of a few percent to

International audience; BLM is a multifunctional helicase that plays critical roles in maintaining genome stability. It processes distinct DNA substrates, but not nicked DNA, during many steps in DNA replication and repair. However, how BLM prepares itself for diverse functions remains elusive. Here, using a combined single-molecule approach, we find that a high abundance of BLMs can indeed unidirectionally unwind dsDNA from a nick when an external destabilizing force is applied. Strikingly, human replication protein A (hRPA) not only ensures that limited quantities of BLMs processively unwind nicked dsDNA under a reduced force but also permits the translocation of BLMs on both intact and nicked ssDNAs, resulting in a bidirectional unwinding mode. This activation necessitates BLM targeting on the nick and the presence of free hRPAs in solution whereas direct interactions between them are dispensable. Our findings present novel DNA unwinding activities of BLM that potentially facilitate its function switching in DNA repair.

International audience; The incision history of the Three Rivers (Salween, Mekong, and Yangtze) region in the Southeast Tibetan Plateau has been linked to both tectonic and climatic controls. In this study, we report new apatite (U‐Th)/He and fission‐track thermochronology data from the >6,000‐m‐high Kawagebo massif, which forms the edge of the high plateau on the western flank of the steepened knickzone reach of the middle Mekong River valley. Thermal‐history modeling of a thermochronological age‐elevation profile shows rapid cooling since ~1.5 Ma and suggests a mean Quaternary exhumation rate of >1 km/Myr at the valley bottom. The amount of Quaternary exhumation is too high to be caused by fluvial incision alone and requires additional tectonic uplift. Comparing our data from the western flank of the Mekong River valley with published data from the eastern flank shows differential exhumation across the valley in the late Miocene, with the western flank undergoing more exhumation, but relatively uniform exhumation in the Quaternary. We relate rapid exhumation since the late Miocene on the western flank of the Mekong valley and the high topography of the Kawagebo massif to localized tectonic uplift associated with a restraining (left stepping) overstep between the still‐active right‐lateral Parlung and Zhongdian strike‐slip faults. The pattern of river steepness index across the knickzone also indicates that it results from locally focused uplift. Our results demonstrate the importance of detailed thermochronologic studies in this very active region to constrain the complex multiphase tectonic history before invoking any potential climatic forcing of river incision.

International audience; Through geological times, the main turnover of marine ostracod group occurred at the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) when the Palaeozoic world gave way to Meso-Cainozoic world. As quite all the groups, ostracods intensively suffered of the end Palaeozoic events but they have the particularity to pass the PTB and to be present in quite all marine environments. We have studied the ostracod assemblages from the best preserved marine Permian-Triassic sections through the world. These sections are, for most of them, located along the Palaeo-Tethys margins: South China Block and Tibet (R.P. China), Bükk Mountains (Hungary), Dolomites (Italy), Taurus Mountains (Turkey) and Elbourz Mountains (Iran). These areas present different environmental settings from very shallow water to deep shelf. The biostratigraphy is well constrained by the presence of conodont index. In deep environment from external shelf to slope, all the Permian ostracods disappear slightly before the PTB and are absent from the Early Triassic. The last representatives of palaeopsychrospheric forms occur in the Early Anisian. On the platforms, during the Late Permian, the ostracods are abundant and highly diversified everywhere along Peri-Tethyan margins. The typical Palaeozoic forms are mixed with the very first Meso-Cainozoic representatives. The specific extinction rates, in the latest Permian, vary from 74% to 100%. During the earliest Triassic, two different settings have to be considered: with or without microbialitic deposits. The development of microbialites gives favorable ecological conditions to ostracods. During the Griesbachian, the fauna is composed of both new comers and surviving Palaeozoic forms. The reduction of size is frequently observed. This interval is called "survival stage". During the Dienerian and the Smithian the fauna are very scarce and poor. These two substages represent the maximum of poverty for the ostracod fauna, may be due to the development of anoxia on the platforms. During the Spathian, occurs the beginning of the true recovery. The very last Palaeozoic representatives are found in the Earliest Anisian which is the radiation stage of ostracod fauna with typical new comers. The interval of Palaeozoic-Meso-Cainozoic ostracod turnover is quite long (about 15My).

The Rümker region (41–45°N, 49–69°W) is located in northern Oceanus Procellarum of the Moon. Mons Rümker is the most distinctive geological feature in the area. The region is characterized by prolonged lunar volcanism (Late Imbrian Period to Eratosthenian Period), forming multiple geologic units in the area, including very low-Ti to low-Ti mare basalts, high-Ti mare basalts, and volcanic complexes. Each geologic unit has distinct element composition and mineral assemblages. The Rümker region, overlying the Procellarum KREEP Terrain, was selected as the landing region for China's Chang'E-5 lunar sample return mission. Prelanding analyses of the geologic context and scientific potential are reported in this contribution. We conducted detailed geological mapping using image, spectral, and altimetry data. Fourteen geological units were defined, a geologic map was constructed, and the geologic history was outlined. The western mare units (Im1, Im2, and Im3) are Imbrian-aged (~3.4–3.5 Ga) representing the major stage of lunar mare eruptive volcanism. The eastern young mare units (Em3 and Em4

International audience; We report a combined study of whole-rock major- and trace-element geochemistry, SmNd isotope composition, zircon U/Pb dating, and LuHf systematics of peralkaline and aluminous A-type granites from the Ririwai Ring Complex in north-central Nigeria. The Ririwai peralkaline and aluminous A-type granites are strongly ferroan, alkalic to alkali-calcic, and enriched in Hf, Zr, Ga, Rb, Y and REEs. They were emplaced between 176 ± 2.3 Ma and 169.6 ± 0.75 Ma. The peralkaline granites yield relatively higher ɛNd(t) (−2.3 to −1.2) and zircon ɛHf(t) values (−5.8 to −1.7) than the aluminous granites (ɛNd(t) = −3.6 to −3.3; zircon ɛHf(t) = −7.8 to −2.4). In addition, inherited zircons in the aluminous granites yield Pan-African (~590 Ma) ages and low ɛHf(t) values (−14.0). Taken together, these data suggest that the granites formed from extensive fractional crystallization of a transitional basaltic melt derived from an enriched OIB mantle source. The depletions of MgO, CaO, Ti2O, Sr and Ba in the granites indicate that Mg-rich olivine, calcic pyroxene, calcic amphibole, feldspars and FeTi oxides were the major fractionated phases during magma evolution. In addition, several types of evidence, e.g., moderately negative ɛNd(t) and ɛHf(t) values, and the presence of inherited zircons, imply that the parental melt was modified by assimilation of Pan-African upper crust into which the granites were emplaced. A transtensional regime generated prior to late Jurassic breakup of Gondwana, which led to reactivation of shear zones and opening of associated transcurrent faults, paved the way for emplacement of the A-type suite. The Sn–Nb–Zn mineralization of the Ririwai A-type suite was probably linked to complex magmatic evolutionary processes involving extensive fractional crystallization coupled with crustal assimilation and late-stage hydrothermal fluid activity.

30 pages; International audience; The transition from the Smithian substage to the Spathian substage of the Olenekian stage of the late Early Triassic was a critical time marked by a series of biological and environmental changes during the multimillion-year recovery interval following the end-Permian mass extinction. However, the Smithian/Spathian boundary (SSB) does not yet have an agreed definition, a shortcoming that complicates high-resolution analysis of events during the Smithian-Spathian transition. Here, we review key biostratigraphic (i.e., ammonoid and conodont) studies of the Smithian and Spathian substages in historically important regions (e.g., the Canadian Arctic for the Boreal realm, western North America for the eastern Panthalassic Ocean) and more recently re-studied locations (e.g., Pakistan and India in the southern Tethys, South China in the eastern Tethys) as well as the carbon isotope chemostratigraphy of 29 major Smithian-Spathian sections globally. Key ammonoid genera (e.g., Wasatchites, Anasibirites, Glyptophiceras and Xenoceltites of the late Smithian, and Bajarunia, Tirolites and Columbites of the early Spathian), conodont species (e.g., Scythogondolella milleri, Novispathodus waageni, and Borinella buurensis of the late Smithian, and ‘Triassospathodus’ hungaricus, Neogondolella aff. sweeti, and Icriospathodus spp. of the early Spathian), and carbonate carbon isotope excursions provide appropriate markers for constraining the SSB. Use of the first occurrence of the conodont Novispathodus pingdingshanensis as a potential marker of the SSB is also discussed. Based on correlations of biostratigraphic and carbon isotope data globally, we propose to revise previous placements of the SSB transition in some sections. Finally, we show that the Smithian Thermal Maximum (STM; herein named) was middle Smithian in age and not correlative with the SSB, as inferred in some earlier studies, and that the SSB coincided with a subsequent major global cooling event.

6 pages; International audience

International audience; Au cours de ces dernières années, les coupes les plus représentatives de la limite Permien-Trias en milieu marin ont été échantillonnées pour l'étude des ostracodes (Crustacea). Nous avons travaillé, entre autres, le GSSP de Meishan en Chine du Sud, la coupe de Bulla dans les Dolomies italiennes, la coupe du Cürük dağ dans le Taurus en Turquie, une coupe dans les Montagnes du Bükk en Hongrie et une coupe dans l'Elbourz en Iran, dans le but d'évaluer les taux d'extinction et de récupération chez ce groupe. Les taux d'extinctions spécifiques sont de 98 à 100% dans la majorité des coupes sauf en Hongrie. Les taux d'extinction génériques sont faibles de 30 à 39%. Après l'événement d'extinction en masse qui se produit toujours avant la limite Permien-Trias, la biodiversité des ostracodes est strictement contrôlée par l'environnement. Nous avons pu distinguer différentes phases pour la récupération post-crise des ostracodes :  Une phase de survivance (Griesbachien) avec des faunes mixtes paléozoïques et méso-cénozoïques  Un maximum de pauvreté (Dienérien-Smithien), avec une diversité et une abondance très faibles  Une phase de récupération-dispersion (Spathien) qui marque le début de la récupération  Une phase de radiation à l'Anisien Le niveau de biodiversité des ostracodes du Permien moyen ne sera pas atteint avant le Ladinien.

International audience; Together with generalized self-similarity and the fractal spectrum, local singularity analysis has been introduced as one part of the new 3S principle and technique for mineral resource assessment based on multifractal modeling, which has been demonstrated to be useful for anomaly delineation. Local singularity is used in this paper to characterize the property of multifractal distribution patterns of geochemical indexes to delineate potential areas for oil/gas exploration using the advanced GeoDAS GIS technology. Geochemical data of four oil/gas indexes, consisting of acid-extracted methane (SC1), ethane (SC2), propane (SC3), and secondary carbonate (?C), from 9637 soil samples amassed within a large area of 11.2×104 km2 in the Songpan-Aba district, Sichuan Province, southwestern China, were analyzed. By eliminating the interference of geochemical oil/gas data with the method of media-modification and Kriging, the prospecting area defined by the local singularity model is better identified and the results show that the subareas with higher singularity exponents for the four oil/gas indexes are potential targets for oil/gas exploration. These areas in the shape of rings or half-rings are spatially associated with the location of the known producing drilling well in this area. The spatial relationship between the anomalies delineated by oil/gas geochemical data and distribution patterns of local singularity exponents is confirmed by using the stable isotope of ?13C.

Using thermochronological data and thermokinematic modeling, we constrain the timing of late Miocene exhumation of the northern portion of the Gongga batholith, located in Southeast Tibet along the Xianshuihe Fault (XF). We show that rapid exhumation started in the north of the Gongga batholith at ∼9 Ma at a rate of ∼1.85 km/Myr and slowed down since ∼4 Ma. A magmatic pulse occurring during the early Pliocene (∼4 Ma) has overprinted the rapid Miocene exhumation phase in some parts of the batholith, which record mainly early Pliocene post-magmatic cooling. Slow exhumation since ∼4 Ma is consistent with the present-day lower relief observed in the centre of the batholith, which contrasts with the rugged high peaks located to the south. We propose that the northern segment of the XF, the Yalahe fault, which is not active at present, was active between 9 and 4 Ma, forming a restraining bend that focused exhumation south of it. Since ∼4 Ma, the Selaha and the Zheduotang faults form the present-day restraining bend south of which the highest part of the massif is located, including the Gongga Shan that rises more than 3000 m above the mean elevation of the plateau. In the north of the batholith, similar peaks have been removed since the Miocene by local relief reduction at high elevations. Considering that the onset of motion along the XF is contemporaneous with the onset of rapid exhumation recorded along the Kangding transect at ∼9 Ma and a total offset of ∼62 km documented for the XF, the average slip rate of the XF is ∼7 mm/yr since 9 Ma.

International audience; Water is often used as an internal standard in quantitative Raman spectroscopic measurements of dissolved species in aqueous solutions containing salts at varying temperatures. However, the effects of temperature and dissolved ions on the relative differential Raman scattering cross section (RSCS) of the OH stretching vibration band of water at elevated temperatures and salinities are not well defined quantitatively. In this study, the Raman spectra of NaCl solutions with different salinity (from 0 to 5 mol NaCl/kg·H2O) at 20 o C at atmospheric pressure and from 0 to 300 o C at 30 MPa were studied. The relative RSCS of the OH stretching vibration band of liquid water (σ(mNaCl, T, 30 MPa)/σ(Pure water, 20 o C, 30 MPa)) as a function of temperature (T, in o C) and salinity (mNaCl, in mol/kg·H2O) was established: σ(mNaCl, T, 30 MPa) /σ(Pure water, 20 o C, 30 MPa) = f (T, mNaCl) = a(T-20) + b where a = 0.000089 × mNaCl 1/2-0.001164; b = 0.0355 × mNaCl + 1; The RSCS of the OH stretching vibration band of water in pseudo back-scattering geometry decreases linearly with increasing temperature, but increases with the addition of dissolved NaCl within the whole temperature range. The enhancement factor of the RSCS by dissolved NaCl increases with temperature. Such effects of temperature and salinity should be considered in quantitative Raman spectroscopic study of species concentration in aqueous solution at high temperature when using water as internal standard.

International audience; The Litang fault system that crosses the Litang Plateau, a low relief surface at high elevation (~4200–4800 m above sea level) that is not affected by regional incision, provides the opportunity to study exhumation related to tectonics in the SE Tibetan Plateau independently of regional erosion. Combining apatite and zircon fission track with apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronologic data, we constrain the cooling history of the Litang fault system footwall along two transects. Apatite fission track ages range from 4 to 16 Ma, AHe ages from 2 to 6 Ma, and one zircon fission track age is ~99 Ma. These data imply a tectonic quiet period sustained since at least 100 Ma with a slow denudation rate of ~0.03 km/Ma, interrupted at 7 to 5 Ma by exhumation at a rate between 0.59 and 0.99 km/Ma. We relate that faster exhumation to the onset of motion along the left-lateral/normal Litang fault system. That onset is linked to a Lower Miocene important kinematic reorganization between the Xianshuihe and the Red River faults, with the eastward propagation of the Xianshuihe fault along the Xiaojiang fault system and the formation of the Zhongdian fault. Such strike-slip faults allow the sliding to the east of a wide continental block, with the Litang fault system accommodating differential motion between rigid blocks. The regional evolution appears to be guided by the strike-slip faults, with different phases of deformation, which appears more in agreement with an “hidden plate-tectonic” model rather than with a “lower channel flow” model.