Paleoseismic event recorded in the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation in southeastern area of the Songliao Basin (NE China)

The Yaojiachezhan (YJCZ) section and NGN1, Zk3389 and SK1-S wells, which are located in the southeastern part of the Songliao Basin, NE China, were used to analyse paleoseismic events recorded in the Upper Cretaceous first member of the Nenjiang Formation. Two representative seismic sequences are recognised in these lacustrine deposits. The seismic sequence observed in the YJCZ section, from the base to top, includes step micro-faulting, seismic fissures, liquefaction sandstone veins, brecelated structures, liquefied fold-deformed laminations and sand pillow structures. Whereas in NGN1 core, from the base to top, includes micro-faulting, seismic fissures, sand pillow structures, liquefied fold-deformed laminations and liquefaction sandstone veins. These two seismic sequences together reflect the processes resulting from a strong seismic event from initiation to culmination, then decline and recession. The occurrence of brecciated structures reflects the earthquake magnitude in the YJCZ section area probably reached M7.5, while liquefied fold-deformed laminations in the NGN1 core area reflects an earthquake magnitude of M7.0. Empirical relations between earthquake magnitude and the maximum distance of liquefaction deformation structure sites from the epicentres show that the longest distance between the earthquake source area for the YJCZ section and NGN1 well are <100 km, whereas the distance for the Zk3389 and SK1-S wells is >100 km. The trigger source area for this paleoseismic event is most likely the Yilan-Yitong Fault, meaning that the Yilan-Yitong Fault was active during the deposition of the first member of the Nenjiang Formation.