Evolutionary history and controlling factors of the shelf breaks in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea

Han, Jianfa; Xu, Guoce; Li, Yangyang; Zhuo, Haiteng

doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.06.009

Cited by 33 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…From bottom to top, eight formations are identified in the PRMB, namely, the Shenhu, Wenchang, Enping, Zhuhai, Zhujiang, Hanjiang, Yuehai, and Wanshan Formations. The PRMB experienced three major tectonic evolution stages: rifting (65-30 Ma), transition , and thermal subsidence (23.8 Ma-present) [15,22].…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Neogene sequence stratigraphy of the Baiyun Sag reveals that the shelf break has been located in its present position since~23.8 Ma, and that the Baiyun Sag was in a deep-water slope environment at that time [26][27][28]. In Han et al (2016), detailed results for the evolutionary history of the shelf break showed that the shelf break from 23.8 Ma swung back and forth around the boundary, although it stayed quite close to the present location [22]. However, continental shelf deltaic deposition was found in the Zhuhai Formation (32-23.8 Ma) and was characterized by southward progradational reflections with sigmoid-oblique configurations, while deep-water slope depositional systems from 23.8 Ma were observed [26,29].…”

Section: Shoreward Migration Of the Shelf Breakmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Giant Submarine Landslide in the South China Sea: Evidence, Causes, and Implications

Zhu

Cheng

et al. 2019

JMSE

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Submarine landslides can be tremendous in scale. They are one of the most important processes for global sediment fluxes and tsunami generation. However, studies of prodigious submarine landslides remain insufficient. In this review paper, we compile, summarize, and reanalyze the results of previous studies. Based on this reanalysis, we discover the giant Baiyun–Liwan submarine slide in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea. We describe three concurrent pieces of evidence from ~23 Ma to 24 Ma, the Oligocene–Miocene boundary, for this landslide: the shoreward shift of the shelf break in the Baiyun Sag, the slump deposition to the southeast, and the abrupt decrease in the accumulation rate on the lower continental slope. This landslide extends for over 250 km, and the total affected area of the slide is up to ~35,000–40,000 km2. The scale of the landslide is similar to that of the Storegga slide, which has long been considered to be the largest landslide on earth. We suggest that strike–slip movement along the Red River Fault and ridge jump of the South China Sea caused the coeval Baiyun–Liwan submarine slide. The identification of the giant landslide will promote the understanding of not only its associated geohazards but also the steep rise of the Himalayan orogeny and marine engineering. More attention needs to be paid to areas with repeated submarine landslides and offshore installations.

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Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Shoreward Migration Of the Shelf Breakmentioning

confidence: 99%

Giant Submarine Landslide in the South China Sea: Evidence, Causes, and Implications

Zhu

Cheng

et al. 2019

JMSE

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“…Schematic diagram showing the stratigraphy of the Xiajiang Sag and the tectonic evolutionary history of the PRMB. Modified from Han, Xu, Li, & Zhuo ()…”

Section: Geological Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fault interaction and evolution during two‐phase rifting in the Xijiang Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea

Chen

et al. 2019

Geological Journal

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Fault geometries, various fault interactions, and fault evolution during the Palaeogene two‐phase rifting in the north‐west Xijiang Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, are examined using 2D and 3D seismic data. The study area is characterised as a half‐graben bounded by a NE‐striking SE‐dipping listric fault, and it has been proven to have undergone two phases of extension during the Palaeogene rifting stage. The study area comprises several fault sets with different strikes, mainly including NE‐striking and E‐W‐striking faults. Various styles of fault interactions have been examined in this study, which vary in different regions. Based on observations made in this study, we suggest that (1) major E‐W‐striking faults may either abut against or cross‐cut the boundary fault; (2) many thin‐skinned E‐W‐striking faults mainly develop in groups in the unruptured sub‐sag; and (3) most NE‐striking faults are continuously active in Rift Phase 2 on the slope. The NE‐striking faults initiated in Rift Phase 1, while most of the E–W‐striking faults formed in Rift Phase 2. Our results demonstrate that the major E‐W‐striking faults are prone to cross‐cutting the boundary fault surface during Rift Phase 2, which results in the transformation of two‐phase basin architectures. Compared to previous physical model results, we suggest that our natural fault characteristics support the model's conclusions and that the angle between the first‐ and second‐phase extension directions is an important factor that influences the styles of fault interaction and fault evolution during a two‐phase extension.

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“…There are three large‐scale shallow water deltas on the northern slope of the Baiyun Sag from the Enping and Zhuhai formations to the Zhujiang formation (Han, Xu, Li, & Zhuo, ; Li et al, ; Wang et al, ; Xu et al, ; Zhang et al, ; Zhang, Ding, Du, Liu, & Liu, ; Zhou, Gao, et al, ; Zhou, Wang, et al, ).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Petrography and geochemistry of Oligocene to Lower Miocene sandstones in the Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea: Provenance, source area weathering, and tectonic setting

Chen

et al. 2018

Geological Journal

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There is a controversy regarding the source area and weathering intensity of Oligocene to Lower Miocene sediments in the Baiyun Sag of the Pearl River Mouth Basin.Detrital modes, geochemistry, heavy mineral data, and detrital zircon U-Pb ages were analysed to understand the provenance, source area weathering, and tectonic setting of Oligocene to Lower Miocene sandstones in the Baiyun Sag. Petrographic data reveal that the sandstones were derived from a recycled orogen. With increasing transport distance, sediment maturity increased correspondingly. The Oligocene to Lower Miocene sandstones in the Baiyun Sag have low compositional maturity and have experienced low to moderate weathering. The sediments of the Zhuhai Formation have experienced relatively strong weathering intensity compared with those of the Enping and lower Zhujiang formations. Due to low degree of illitization and differences in the geochemical compositions of the sediments, the continental island arc data from different boreholes in the Baiyun Sag are more irregularly distributed in the A-CN-K plot. The modal composition (e.g., quartz, feldspar, and lithic fragments) and geochemical indices (Al 2 O 3 /TiO 2 ratio; Al 2 O 3 -TiO 2 diagram; discriminant F1-F2 diagram; Eu/Eu*, La/Sc, La/Co, Th/Sc, and Th/Co ratios; Hf-La/Th and La/Sc-Co/Th diagrams; and rare earth element patterns) indicate that the sediments in the Baiyun Sag are mainly derived from felsic source rocks. Although the uplift around the Baiyun Sag includes multistage magmatism and basic rocks, it has little influence on the sediment in the depression, and no sediments were transported by the Han River to the Baiyun Sag. Geochemical data and detrital zircon U-Pb ages suggest that the Pearl River was formed in the Early Oligocene and became the main source for the sediments in this area. The river carried felsic material from the South China Coast forming a large delta on the northern slope of the Baiyun Sag. The ratios of Eu/Eu*, La/Sc, La/ Co, Th/Sc and Th/Co, and heavy mineral data indicate that the sediments transported by the Pearl River to the Baiyun Sag were changed from the arc-dominated coastal zone to the interior of the South China Block during the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene and even reached the south-eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (West Yunnan Plateau). The La-Th-Sc and Th-Sc-Zr/10 diagrams suggest that the provenance of these sandstones is evolved continental island arc or an active continental margin setting.

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Evolutionary history and controlling factors of the shelf breaks in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea

Cited by 33 publications

References 18 publications

Giant Submarine Landslide in the South China Sea: Evidence, Causes, and Implications

Giant Submarine Landslide in the South China Sea: Evidence, Causes, and Implications

Fault interaction and evolution during two‐phase rifting in the Xijiang Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea

Petrography and geochemistry of Oligocene to Lower Miocene sandstones in the Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea: Provenance, source area weathering, and tectonic setting

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