南海西南次海盆声呐浮标地震测深资料研究

利用声纳浮标资料，得到了南海西南次海盆地壳的速度结构。确定海盆中沉积物的速度为1．6～3．9km／s，基底顶面速度为4．2～6．8km／s。确定海盆中存在洋壳。海盆中基底起伏较大，埋深为4400～5700m，很多地方的基底上只有一层300～500m厚的低速沉积层，而缺少其它上第三系的沉积物。海盆中沉积物的厚度为300～1500m，时代为晚渐新世～第四纪，由此推测西南次海盆的扩张开始时间应该为早渐新世。     

琼东南盆地深水区长昌凹陷地壳结构特征

长昌凹陷位于琼东南盆地深水区,向东通过西沙海槽与南海西北次海盆相通,其近东西向的展布形态明显异于深水区其他凹陷的NE-NEE向形态,为了弄清其地壳结构,从而更好地分析凹陷的结构和演化机制,这里根据深反射地震资料、VSP资料和最新重力资料对长昌凹陷的地壳结构进行了综合地球物理模拟.结果显示:长昌凹陷北侧地壳厚度为22～24 km,南侧地壳厚度约20～22 km,从两侧向长昌凹陷中央地壳厚度逐渐减薄,最薄处只有2.8 km;莫霍面深度与沉积基底呈镜像关系,沉积基底最深的地方莫霍面深度最浅,最浅深度距海平面13.8 km;凹陷中央东部存在一层厚约4 km的下地壳高速层,该层在地震剖面和层速度剖面上均可识别.     

南海西南海盆地震反射特征及其形成时代

利用横穿西南海盆的地震剖面，结合声纳浮标资料获得的海盆中沉积物及基底的速度结构，同时结合陆上的钻井分层，并与邻区的沉积盆地地层进行对比，在西南海盆中划分出T2、T3、T4、、T5、Tg5个反射界面。T5界面之下的沉积层对应的年龄约为27Ma，即西南海盆在早渐新世开始扩张；T4界面以上的沉积在海盆中基本呈披覆式沉积。因此，海盆信止扩张的年龄应该在16Ma左右，即西南海盆的扩张时段为早渐新世－中中新世，穿过中央海盆的地震剖面显示海盆中的沉积结构与西南海盆相似，由此推测这两个海盆的海底扩张时代相近，可能是同一次海底扩张的产物。     

南海南部海底地震仪试验及初步结果

采用德国SedisIV型海底地震仪(OBS)和中国科学院地质与地球物理研究所自主研发的OBS,以4×24.5L的大容量气枪阵列为震源,于2009年4～6月在南海南部开展了OBS试验,获得了两条勘测线,其中OBS2009-1测线(剖面1)从南海西南次海盆南部陆缘延伸到海盆中央,另一条OBS2009-2测线(剖面2)穿过礼乐滩东部向西北延伸进入海盆。由剖面2的14台OBS采集的广角地震反射、折射勘测地震数据可知,此次试验,OBS地震记录清晰、震相丰富,所使用的气枪有足够的能量输出,显示了其良好的工作能力,是一次比较成功的地震勘测。数据初步处理和初至波层析成像结果表明,礼乐滩地块的基底较高,很有可能与南海北部陆缘存在共轭关系,但与南海北部陆缘不同的是,北部陆缘有较厚的沉积层覆盖,而礼乐滩块体上的沉积层很薄;东部次海盆地壳明显被拉薄,海盆内的地壳也很薄,莫霍面埋深较浅。     

南海海盆中南—礼乐断裂带研究进展*

文章首先论述了中南—礼乐断裂带的研究现状, 然后基于重力、磁力、地震剖面和地形等地球物理资料, 综合分析了中南—礼乐断裂带在南海海盆中的空间展布和内部构造形变特征。研究表明: 该断裂带在海盆中由北至南具有明显的分段性。北段(西北次海盆与东部次海盆北部之间)断裂带宽15km, 由(18°00'N, 115°30'E)向(17°30'N, 116°00'E)呈NNW向分布。南段(西南次海盆与东部次海盆之间)断裂带宽约60~80km, 由中沙海台东侧向礼乐地块西侧呈NNW向展布。中南—礼乐断裂带的主控断裂沿中南海岭呈NNW向分布。断裂带在南北两段的过渡区总体呈NNE向展布。断裂带两侧海盆的沉积厚度和洋壳厚度存在差异, 推断该断裂带对其东西两侧海盆的地质构造具有控制作用。根据地壳结构变化, 推测该断裂带至少是一条地壳级断裂。     

南海中央海盆热流特征及成因

对南海中央海盆70个热流观测值的统计结果表明,南海中央海盆属于高热流区,热流平均值可达89.9mW/m2。其中西南次海盆热流平均值为96.6mW/m2,东部次海盆热流平均值为86mW/m2,西南次海盆比东部次海盆更＂热＂。高热流值的主要原因是岩石圈的构造拉张减薄以及壳内高导层埋深较浅。而局部存在的热流高值异常其根本原因是断裂和岩浆活动的结果。通过对研究区热流分布以及高值特征的分析,不仅可以对洋壳年龄和扩张年代进行估算,还可以对构造特征以及沉积环境进行有效推测。     

南海海盆海山古地磁及海盆的形成演化

根据海山磁性反演获取的古地磁成果发现,南海海盆东部和西南部的运动形式、生成时代存在很大差异,东部海盆和西南部海盆之间由一条北北西走向的岩石圈压性左旋转换(性)断层——"南海海盆中央断裂"分界.结合已有的地质地球物理成果分析和论证,确定了南海海盆在古南海和与之接壤的华南地块南部边缘形成.南海海盆的形成演化分四个阶段:第一阶段,始新世"古南海断裂"产生,古南海被一分为二;第二阶段,渐新世东部海盆开始发育——扩裂;第三阶段,中中新世西南部海盆开始发育——张裂;第四阶段,南海海盆整体旋转,古南海圈闭.     

南海西南次海盆广角地震探测

2010年12月—2011年3月在南海西南次海盆开展了海底地震仪(Ocean Bottom Seismometer,OBS)探测,采用Sedis IV型、I-4C型和MicrOBS3种不同型号的OBS,以4×24.5L的大容量气枪为震源,获得了覆盖西南次海盆残留扩张脊的3D人工地震数据。从处理的地震数据可知,此次试验是一次比较成功的地震实验,OBS地震记录清晰、震相丰富,所使用的气枪有足够的能量输出,显示了其良好的工作能力。选取剖面1中的7台OBS进行了2D剖面处理。初步建模结果表明,南海西南次海盆地壳结构为普通洋壳,海山顶部沉积层很薄,莫霍面埋深较浅。     

西沙海区碳酸盐台地地震反射特征及沉积模式

随着南海海盆的持续扩张,西沙海区整体沉降,从早中新世起西沙碳酸盐台地开始发育,而且在台地之上生长了不同类型的生物礁。通过地震识别认为,西沙海区生物礁在地震剖面上表现为顶底强振幅的丘形连续反射、内部弱振幅杂乱反射;碳酸盐台地表现为顶部强振幅连续平行反射、底部界面局部模糊、内部强弱相间亚平行连续反射。通过对西沙海区地层层序的分析以及大量地震资料的解释认为,在西沙碳酸盐台地的发育早期它受基底构造的控制,而在后期主要受多期海平面变化的影响,其发育演化经历了初始生长—加积—出露—二次生长—淹没等一系列阶段,复杂的演化过程也使西沙碳酸盐岩具有较好的储集条件和油气远景。     

跨南海西南次海盆OBS、多道地震与重力联合调查

对跨南海西南次海盆及两侧陆缘的一条1050km长的、包括海底地震(OBS)、长排列多道地震和重磁在内的综合地球物理探测剖面(CFT)进行了构造成像和研究。在多道地震成像基础上建立了CFT剖面初始速度模型, 进而通过初至波层析成像方法反演了CFT剖面的速度结构模型, 在重力异常资料的约束下建立了CFT剖面的综合地壳结构模型。讨论了沿CFT剖面出现的下地壳高速体、龙门海山的低密度物质等地质问题。结果表明, 下地壳高速层在北部陆坡、西南海盆和南部南沙地块均有分布, 厚度在0~4km之间, 可能与陆缘下地壳物质和地幔物质熔融混合, 以及深海盆海底扩张期间构造拉伸导致地幔蛇纹岩化有关。     

Characteristics of seismic reflections in central region of the South China Sea and their geological significance

I~IOXThe speCiality in gootectonic position and complicity in origin and evolution of the sleuth China Sea (SCS) has aroused particular attention of the geoscientists at home and abroad. The central region, which consists of continental slope, island slope and a deep-sea basin, is an importantarea for the study of the mechanism of origin and evolution of the SCS. In addition to the surveysof bathemetry, gravity and magnetism, seismic surveys have been carried out by domestic andforeign in…     

Crustal structure of the Southwest Subbasin,South China Sea,from wide-angle seismic tomography and seismic reflection imaging

The Southwest Subbasin (SWSB) is an abyssal subbasin in the South China Sea (SCS), with many debates on its neotectonic process and crustal structure. Using two-dimensional seismic tomography in the SWSB, we derived a detailed P-wave velocity model of the basin area and the northern margin. The entire profile is approximately 311-km-long and consists of twelve oceanic bottom seismometers (OBSs). The average thickness of the crust beneath the basin is 5.3 km, and the Moho interface is relatively flat (10–12 km). No high velocity bodies are observed, and only two thin high-velocity structures (~7.3 km/s) in the layer 3 are identified beneath the northern continent-ocean transition (COT) and the extinct spreading center. By analyzing the P-wave velocity model, we believe that the crust of the basin is a typical oceanic crust. Combined with the high resolution multi-channel seismic profile (MCS), we conclude that the profile shows asymmetric structural characteristics in the basin area. The continental margin also shows asymmetric crust between the north and south sides, which may be related to the large scale detachment fault that has developed in the southern margin. The magma supply decreased as the expansion of the SWSB from the east to the west.     

Deep crustal structure of the conjugate margins of the SW South China Sea from wide-angle refraction seismic data

The South China Sea is the largest marginal basin of SE Asia, yet its mechanism of formation is still debated. A 1000-km long wide-angle refraction seismic profile was recently acquired along the conjugate margins of the SW sub-basin of the South China Sea, over the longest extended continental crust. A joint reflection and refraction seismic travel time inversion is performed to derive a 2-D velocity model of the crustal structure and upper mantle. Based on this new tomographic model, northern and southern margins are genetically linked since they share common structural characteristics. Most of the continental crust deforms in a brittle manner. Two scales of deformation are imaged and correlate well with seismic reflection observations. Small-scale normal faults (grabens, horsts and rotated faults blocks) are often associated with a tilt of the velocity isocontours affecting the upper crust. The mid-crust shows high lateral velocity variation defining low velocity bodies bounded by large-scale normal faults recognized in seismic reflection profiles. Major sedimentary basins are located above low velocity bodies interpreted as hanging-wall blocks. Along the northern margin, spacing between these velocity bodies decreases from 90 to 45 km as the total crust thins toward the Continent–Ocean Transition. The Continent–Ocean Transitions are narrow and slightly asymmetric – 60 km on the northern side and no more than 30 km on the southern side – indicating little space for significant hyper-stretched crust. Although we have no direct indication for mantle exhumation, shallow high velocities are observed at the Continent–Ocean Transition. The Moho interface remains rather flat over the extended domain, and remains undisturbed by the large-scale normal faults. The main décollement is thus within the ductile lower crust.     

Deep structures of the Palawan and Sulu Sea and their implications for opening of the South China Sea

Compared to the northern South China Sea continental margin, the deep structures and tectonic evolution of the Palawan and Sulu Sea and ambient regions are not well understood so far. However, this part of the southern continental margin and adjacent areas embed critical information on the opening of the South China Sea (SCS). In this paper, we carry out geophysical investigations using regional magnetic, gravity and reflection seismic data. Analytical signal amplitudes (ASA) of magnetic anomalies are calculated to depict the boundaries of different tectonic units. Curie-point depths are estimated from magnetic anomalies using a windowed wavenumber-domain algorithm. Application of the Parker–Oldenburg algorithm to Bouguer gravity anomalies yields a 3D Moho topography. The Palawan Continental Block (PCB) is defined by quiet magnetic anomalies, low ASA, moderate depths to the top and bottom of the magnetic layer, and its northern boundary is further constrained by reflection seismic data and Moho interpretation. The PCB is found to be a favorable area for hydrocarbon exploration. However, the continent–ocean transition zone between the PCB and the SCS is characterized by hyper-extended continental crust intruded with magmatic bodies. The NW Sulu Sea is interpreted as a relict oceanic slice and the geometry and position of extinct trench of the Proto South China Sea (PSCS) is further constrained. With additional age constraints from inverted Moho and Curie-point depths, we confirm that the spreading of the SE Sulu Sea started in the Early Oligocene/Late Eocene due to the subduction of the PSCS, and terminated in the Middle Miocene by the obduction of the NW Sulu Sea onto the PCB.     

Anomalous seismic reflections related to gas/gas hydrate occurrences along the western continental margin of India

Gas hydrates along continental margins are commonly inferred from the presence of bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) on reflection seismic records. Shale and mud diapirs are often observed in the proximity of BSR-inferred gas hydrates. Analysis of data from documented gas-hydrate occurrences suggests that the areas where mud volcanoes exist on the seafloor are promising locations for sediments with high gas-hydrate concentration. Along the western continental margin of India (WCMI), we have identified several anomalous reflections on single-channel, analogue seismic records in the proximity of BSRs, from which the presence of gas-charged sediments and gas seepages was inferred. These features characterize both the shelf-slope region of the WCMI and the adjoining deep-sea areas. The seismic records also reveal mud/shale diapiric activity and pockmarks near the gas hydrates.     

2.5-D seismic tomographic modelling of the crustal structure of north-western Spitsbergen based on deep seismic soundings

Deep seismic sounding measurements were performed in the continent-ocean transition zone of the northern Svalbard continental margin in 1985 and 1999. Data from seismic profile AWI-99200 and from additional crossing profiles were used to model the seismic crustal structure of the study area. Seismic energy (airgun and TNT shots) was recorded by land (onshore) seismic stations, ocean bottom seismometers (OBS), and hydrophone systems (OBH). 3-D tomographic inversion methods were applied to test the previous 2-D modelling results. The results are similar to the earlier 2-D modelling, supplemented by new off-line information. The continental crust thins to the west and north. A minimum depth of about 6 km to the Moho discontinuity was found east of the Molloy Deep. The continent-ocean transition zone to the east is characterized by a complex seismic velocity structure according to the 2-D model and consists of several different crustal blocks. The zone is covered by deep sedimentary basins. Sediment thicknesses reach a maximum of 5 km. The Moho interface deepens to 28 km depth beneath the continental crust of Svalbard.     

Analysis of multi-channel seismic reflection and magnetic data along 13° N latitude across the Bay of Bengal

Analysis of the multi-channel seismic reflection, magnetic and bathymetric data collected along a transect, 1110 km long parallel to 13° N latitude across the Bay of Bengal was made. The transect is from the continental shelf off Madras to the continental slope off Andaman Island in water depths of 525 m to 3350 m and across the Western Basin (bounded by foot of the continental slope of Madras and 85° E Ridge), the 85° E Ridge, the Central Basin (between the 85° E Ridge and the Ninetyeast Ridge), the Ninetyeast Ridge and the Sunda Arc. The study revealed eight seismic sequences, H1 to H8 of parallel continuous to discontinuous reflectors. Considering especially depth to the horizons, nature of reflection and on comparison with the published seismic reflection results of Currayet al. (1982), the early Eocene (P) and Miocene (M) unconformities and the base of the Quaternary sediments (Q) are identified on the seismic section. Marked changes in velocities also occur at their boundaries.In the Western Basin the acoustic basement deepening landward is inferred as a crystalline basement overlain by about 6.7 km of sediment. In the Central Basin possibly thicker sediments than in the Western Basin are estimated. The sediments in the Sunda Arc area are relatively thick and appears to have no distinct horizons. But the entire sedimentary section appears to be consisting of folded and possibly faulted layers.The comparatively broader wavelength magnetic anomalies of the Central Basin also indicate deeper depth of their origin. Very prominent double humped feature of the 85° E Ridge and broad basement swell of the Ninetyeast Ridge are buried under about 2.8 km thick sediments except over the prominent basement high near 92° E longitude. The positive structural relief of the buried 85° E Ridge in the area is reflected in magnetic signature of about 450 nT amplitude. Flexural bulge of the 85° E Ridge and subsidence of the Ninetyeast Ridge about 24 cm my^–1 rate since early Eocene period have been inferred from the seismic sequence analysis.     

Oceanic crust thickens approaching the Clipperton Fracture Zone

A multi-channel seismic reflection image shows the reflection Moho dipping toward the Clipperton Fracture Zone in crust 1.4 my old. This seismic line crosses the fracture zone at its eastern intersection with the East Pacific Rise. The seismic observations are made in travel time, not depth. To establish constraints on crustal structure despite the absence of direct velocity determinations in this region, the possible effects of temperature, tectonism, and anomalous lithospheric structure have been considered. Conductive, advective, and frictional heating of the old crust proximal to the ridge-transform intersection can explain <20% of the observed travel-time increase. Heating has a negligible effect on crustal seismic velocity beyond ~10 km from the ridge tip. The transform tectonized zone extends only 6 km from the ridge tip. Serpentinization is unlikely to have thickened the seafloor-to-reflection Moho section in this case. It is concluded that, contrary to conventional wisdom, the 1.4 my old Cocos Plate crust thickens approaching the eastern Clipperton Ridge-Transform Intersection. Increase in thickness must be at least 0.9 km between 22 and 3 km from the fracture zone.     

The final rifting evolution in the South China Sea

Seismic reflection data imaging conjugate crustal sections at the South China Sea margins result in a conceptual model for rift-evolution at conjugate magma-poor margins in time and space.The wide Early Cenozoic South China Sea rift preserves the initial rift architecture at the distal margins. Most distinct are regular undulations in the crust–mantle boundary. Individual rift basins are bounded to crustal blocks by listric normal faults on either side. Moho uplifts are distinct beneath major rift basins, while the Moho is downbended beneath crustal blocks, with a wavelength of undulations in the crust–mantle boundary that approximately equals the thickness of the continental crust. Most of the basin-bounding faults sole out within the middle crust. At the distal margins, detachment faults are located at a mid-crustal level where a weak zone decouples crust and mantle lithosphere during rifting. The lower crust in contrast is interpreted as being strong. Only in the region within about 50 km from the Continent–Ocean Transition (COT) we suggest that normal faults reach the mantle, enabling potentially a coupling between the crust and the mantle. Here, at the proximal margins detachment fault dip either seaward or landward. This may indicate the presence of exhumed mantle bordering the continental margins.Post-rift shallow-water platform carbonates indicate a delay in subsidence during rifting in the South China Sea. We propose that this is an inherent process in highly extended continental margins and a common origin may be the influx of warm asthenospheric material into initially cool sub-lithospheric mantle.On a crustal-scale largely symmetric process predominate in the initial rifting stage. At the future COT either of the rift basin-bounding faults subsequently penetrates the entire crust, resulting in asymmetry at this location. However, asymmetric deformation which is controlled by large scale detachment faulting is confined to narrow areas and does not result in a margin-wide simple-shear model. Rather considerable along-margin variations are suggested resulting in alternating “upper and lower plate” margins.     

Matter composition and formation conditions of the Pliocene-Pleistocene sediments in the Kuril basin (sea of Okhotsk)

An integrated (petrographical and micropaleontological) study of the sedimentary cover samples dredged from the lower slopes of the Kuril deep-sea basin was carried out. The Pliocene-Pleistocene sediments are mainly represented by tuffaceous sedimentary rocks (tuffites, tuffaceous muds, tuffaceous diatomites, tuffaceous silts, tuffaceous sandstones, etc.). Significant admixtures of pyroclastic matter, especially of volcanic glasses, indicates that the sedimentation process was accompanied by explosive volcanism. The data obtained give evidence about the intensification of the tectonomagmatic regime within the region under study during the Pliocene-Pleistocene time. By the beginning of the Pliocene, a deep-sea basin with a well-manifested continental and/or island slope and a narrow shelf already existed. The Pliocene-Pleistocene deposits accumulated in a cold well-aerated deep-sea basin under oxic conditions and downslope sediment transport.