Segmentation Differences of the Salt-Related Qiulitage Fold and Thrust Belt in the Kuqa Foreland Basin

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Review of the article   «Segmentation differences of the salt-related Qiulitage fold and thrust belt in the Kuqa foreland basin»

This article is devoted to the study of the influence of salt beds on the differences in the segmentation of folds and thrusts of the Qiulitage belt, which is spread out in Kuqa Depression. The paper presents the results of modelling the structural characteristics and evolution of salt structures using3Dmove inversion techniques. The effect of salt thickness on structural deformation was discussed using different seismic profiles.The topic of the paper is actual, because the presence of salt layers is of great importance for structural deformation of the saline fold-overthrust system and for gas exploration.

There are technical comments to the paper:

- There is a significant number of typographical errors. The authors need to check the article thoroughly.

- It is necessary to improve the quality of submitted figures. Legends on some figures are not readable (e.g. Fig. 2, 3, etc.).

- The list of references should be arranged in accordance with the requirements of the journal Processes.

Author Response

comments 1:There is a significant number of typographical errors. The authors need to check the article thoroughly.

Response 1：Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment.Therefore, we conducted a thorough review of the entire text, correcting grammar and spelling errors, improving awkward sentences, and reorganizing the manuscript.

comments 2:It is necessary to improve the quality of submitted figures. Legends on some figures are not readable (e.g. Fig. 2, 3, etc.).

Response 2：Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment.We adjusted the relevant figures, modified lines and fonts in the figures, deleted unnecessary content, making the figures clearer and more coherent. The related modifications can be seen on pages 20-28 of the manuscript, lines 505-562.

comments 3:The list of references should be arranged in accordance with the requirements of the journal Processes.

Response 3：Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment.Therefore, we have revised the compilation of references as requested, renumbered and reorganized them in the manuscript. The relevant modifications can be observed on pages 15-17, lines 390-478 of the manuscript.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1) The order of references is incorrect throughout the paper.  

2)In employing kinematic and non-kinematic flexural slip techniques during restoration process the parameters are not defined and constrained 

3) Measurements of the shortening rate criterion should be based on the realization of continuous changes

4) The fault angles in geometric patterns should be clearly mentioned and measured in relevant figures

5) Faults must be characterized based on true statistical data to obtain an appropriate detachment layer length. 

6). Ensure that the main text thoroughly describes and explains all methods (regional geology, well logging, and three-dimensional seismic data).

7) The paper writing and presentation must be improved. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Quality of English need to be improved. 

Author Response

comments 1:The order of references is incorrect throughout the paper.  

Response 1: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment.Therefore, we have revised the compilation of references as requested, renumbered and reorganized them in the manuscript. The relevant modifications can be observed on pages 15-17, lines 390-478 of the manuscript.

comments 2:In employing kinematic and non-kinematic flexural slip techniques during restoration process the parameters are not defined and constrained 

Response 2: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment.Therefore, we have added a statistical table of length parameters for critical phases of cross-sections, providing a more intuitive reflection of kinematic changes. The relevant modifications can be seen on pages 34, lines 572-573 of the manuscript.

comments 3: Measurements of the shortening rate criterion should be based on the realization of continuous changes

Response 3: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment.Therefore, we have modified the kinematic diagrams to ensure that the changes in critical phases and the statistics of shortening rates are based on continuous processes. The relevant modifications can be observed on pages 26-28, lines 541-552 of the manuscript. Additionally, we have added a statistical table of length parameters for critical phases of profiles, providing a more intuitive reflection of kinematic changes. The relevant modifications can be seen on page 34, lines 572-573 of the manuscript.

comments 4:The fault angles in geometric patterns should be clearly mentioned and measured in relevant figures

Response 4: Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore, we have made relevant modifications to the seismic profiles in Chapter Three, adding calibrations of fault dip angles for the main faults. The relevant modifications can be seen on pages 22-24, lines 516-536 of the manuscript.

comments 5: Faults must be characterized based on true statistical data to obtain an appropriate detachment layer length. 

Response 5：Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment.Our parameters for detachment layers are primarily determined based on regional geological conditions and drilling information. We ensure the authenticity of the data. Therefore, in the regional contour maps of detachment layers, we have included positional information from well cross-sections. The relevant modifications can be seen on pages 29-30, lines 554-562 of the manuscript.

comments 6: Ensure that the main text thoroughly describes and explains all methods (regional geology, well logging, and three-dimensional seismic data).

Response 6：Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Using regional geological information to determine the sedimentary conditions of key formations in the study area, including the deposition of detachment layers and salt layers. Logging data is utilized to establish the stratigraphy of seismic profiles. Combining the latest seismic data and applying principles of salt structure analysis to accurately delineate the geometric features of structures within the study area. Regional geological methods are reflected in the parameter statistics in Chapter Five, while the use of logging and 3D seismic data is demonstrated in the geometric feature studies in Chapters Three. Relevant modifications can be found on pages 3, 21-24, 29-30, lines 69-82, 509-535, and 554-562 of the manuscript.

comments 7:The paper writing and presentation must be improved. 

Response7：Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment.Therefore, we conducted a thorough review of the entire text, correcting grammar and spelling errors, improving awkward sentences, and reorganizing the manuscript.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Author's, in attached manuscript please correct:

1) literature numeration - it must be provided in order to place in the text (not in alphabetical order)

2) figures must be after their recall in text

3) please correct chapters - in paper I couldn't find, object characteristic, methods, results etc.

4) in chapters 3-5 which information are yours?

5) what is the novelty of the work?

Author Response

comments 1: literature numeration - it must be provided in order to place in the text (not in alphabetical order)

Response1：Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore, we have revised the compilation of references as requested, renumbered and reorganized them in the manuscript. The relevant modifications can be observed on pages 15-17, lines 390-478 of the manuscript.

comments 2:figures must be after their recall in text

Response 2：Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore, as requested, we have modified the main text to ensure that figures are placed after their corresponding descriptions in the manuscript. Relevant modifications can be observed in the manuscript.

comments 3: please correct chapters - in paper I couldn't find, object characteristic, methods, results etc.

Response 3：Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore, we have included descriptions of the relevant methods in Chapter One, as well as corresponding method descriptions in the chapters on geometric studies in Chapter Three and kinematic studies in Chapter Four. Object characteristics have also been appropriately enhanced in their respective chapters. Conclusions have been summarized in Chapter Six and the relevant sections. Relevant summaries and modifications can be seen on pages 3, 5-14, 21-30, lines 69-82, 140-145, 241-254, and 364-386 of the manuscript.

 

comments 4:in chapters 3-5 which information are yours?

Response 4：Thank you for pointing this out. In Chapter Three, Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and Table 1 depict the work conducted in this study. In Chapter Four, Figures 8, 9, 10, Table 2, and Table 3 represent the achievements of this study. In Chapter Five, Figure 13 and Table 4 also showcase the accomplishments of this study. Therefore, other figures modified from previous works and referenced in this paper have been reannotated for your convenience. Relevant modifications can be found on pages 20, 25, 29-30, and lines 504-506, 536-538, 553-561 of the manuscript.

 

comments 5:what is the novelty of the work?

Response 5：Thank you for pointing this out.The innovations of this study primarily include the following aspects: 1. Precisely delineating the geometric features of the Qiulitage fold-thrust belt in the study area and conducting quantitative statistical analysis. 2. Conducting a comparative analysis of geometric differences from east to west and examining similarities and differences in kinematic features of the Qiulitage fold-thrust belt. 3. Clarifying the controlling role of detachment layers on the Qiulitage fold-thrust belt and conducting quantitative statistical analysis. 4. Building upon previous research, refining the overall developmental model of the Qiulitage fold-thrust belt from east to west and from north to south.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thanks for addressing the comments but the paper presentation is still low. The authors have not followed the MDPI format. Event the title of the paper is not properly formatted. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Need to work on English and longer sentances. 

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Corrections provided by Author's are sufficiently.