南海北部珠江口盆地珠一坳陷西江凹陷与陆丰凹陷差异裂陷过程定量分析

西江凹陷和陆丰凹陷均位于南海北部珠江口盆地珠一坳陷,前者盆地结构为两条NE向铲式边界断层控制的近对称地堑,后者表现为6条弯曲主干断层控制的“两洼夹一隆”构造格局。文章运用三维地震资料,在盆地结构、断裂系统描述的基础上,选取了两个凹陷共8条地震—地质剖面进行平衡剖面恢复,计算两幕裂陷阶段盆地伸展量、拆离深度等定量参数,并据此分析二者差异裂陷演化过程及与区域构造演化之间的联系。两个凹陷在新生代均经历裂陷一幕、二幕以及裂后拗陷阶段,其中每幕裂陷又可细分为早、晚两个亚幕。西江和陆丰凹陷的裂陷演化具有时空差异性。从裂陷一幕到二幕,二者伸展量都具有随时间减小的一般特征,其中西江凹陷的伸展量随时间持续减小,在裂陷二幕晚期仍具有较大伸展量,而陆丰凹陷在裂陷二幕早期伸展量略有升高,但在晚期伸展量急剧减小,其减弱程度远大于西江凹陷。两个凹陷的拆离深度都具有随时间逐渐加深的特征。在裂陷一幕早、晚亚幕,陆丰凹陷的拆离深度略大于西江凹陷。在裂陷二幕早、晚亚幕,西江凹陷的平均拆离深度由约8 km增长至9 km左右,而陆丰凹陷的平均拆离深度由约8 km跳跃式增长至约35 km。盆地的几何结构、断裂系统以及伸展量和拆离深度变化特征均反映陆丰凹陷在裂陷二幕晚期受热沉降作用或提前结束裂陷阶段,而西江凹陷在裂陷二幕之后结束裂陷作用。研究区的裂陷阶段自东向西逐渐结束可能受控于东北次海盆的扩张及南海的自东向西渐进式扩张。区域板块构造演化提供了珠江口盆地沿其轴向向SW方向伸展作用增强的差异伸展环境。该研究所揭示的盆地裂陷演化差异性对认识珠江口盆地的裂陷时限的时空分布和差异裂陷演化都具有重要的意义,也对认识南海北部大陆边缘裂陷过程提供重要的定量数据约束。     

中国东部中新生代断陷盆地幕式裂陷过程的动力学响应和模拟模型

结合盆地充填和构造演化的整体分析并进行计算机定量模拟, 揭示了中国东部中新生代断陷盆地的沉降-充填、构造及热演化等对幕式裂陷过程的动力学响应.渤海湾和江汉等盆地的整个裂陷期常表现出3~ 4个裂陷作用幕, 不同裂陷幕的断裂展布方向、岩浆作用、沉降中心以及沉积体系分布等都发生了明显变化.如江汉盆地从白垩至新近纪同沉积断裂的展布就显示出从北西向北东向转化的趋势.幕式裂陷构造沉降速率的变化控制着区域性(二级)沉积旋回和层序类型的发育和演化, 强烈裂陷沉降幕常发育深湖盆型层序, 而初始和晚期裂陷幕以发育浅湖和河流-浅湖型层序为特征.幕式裂陷过程不能用经典的单幕裂谷模型进行正确的描述; 通过校正每一裂陷幕的初始条件和拉伸系数, 建立了适用于幕式拉伸裂陷过程的多幕均匀瞬时拉伸模拟模型.应用这一模型对莺歌海盆地的模拟分析揭示了多幕裂陷过程中岩石圈结构及深部热流等的演化趋势, 其结果得到了地质和地球物理资料的佐证.      

裂陷盆地初始阶段构造—沉积协同机制

裂陷盆地蕴含丰富的油气资源,盆地不同演化阶段发育独特的地层结构样式及其砂体成因类型,形成各具特色的油气藏系统。近年来湖盆初始裂陷层系不断获得油气勘探突破,使之成为石油工业界重要关注对象,其多级次断裂演化、组合关系、地貌特征及其与水系和沉积响应关系已成为当前地质学领域关注的热点科学问题。蒙古塔南凹陷下白垩统铜钵庙组良好记录了一套初始裂陷沉积序列,丰富的钻井及地震资料使之可作为理想的研究对象。综合利用地震、岩心及测录井资料,在构造—沉积学理论指导下重建了塔南凹陷初始裂陷构造—沉积演化及源—汇响应模式。研究表明,塔南凹陷初始裂陷第一阶段以新生的分割型小洼陷群为特征,与前裂陷阶段“高山深谷”地貌背景联控下形成短距离输送且数量众多的小型扇群;初始裂陷第二阶段伴随控洼断层长度的迅速增加发生软联结,形成连通且宽浅的盆地结构,发育多套低坡降构造转换带（面积大于50 km2）和西北侧缓坡带（延伸约28 km）供给型大套扇三角洲体系,长轴及陡坡方向水系运输距离较短。实例解析结合调研结果表明,先存水系和盆地地貌结构联合控制初始裂陷盆地源—汇系统,进而形成初始裂陷第一阶段盆地满盆富砂（沟通先存水系）或欠补偿（不沟通先存水系）,年轻短程水系主导的孤立小湖盆群则主要发育小规模近源碎屑沉积物;初始裂陷第二阶段源—汇系统则与该时期断裂体系联结方式有关:断裂晚期联结型湖盆主要发育以短程断崖或小型转换带水系为特征,而断裂早期联结型湖盆形成大型构造转换带水系及三角洲体系,其缓坡带长度亦快速增大,盆地整体具有“富砂”特征。本研究为其他裂陷盆地寻找大型优质砂体提供了科学理论依据。     

黄骅坳陷孔南地区古近纪构造—地层格架和幕式演化过程

以黄骅坳陷孔南地区新采集的三维地震资料和钻井资料为基础,追踪闭合了盆地内重要的层序地层界面,精细解释了盆地内部的主要构造和地震反射结构特征,新识别出一条重要的构造不整合界面——枣Ⅲ(Ek1Ⅲ)界面,建立了盆地同裂陷阶段的构造-地层格架,划分了盆地新生代幕式构造演化阶段;在此基础上,通过断层地质属性及其组合样式分析、并运用回剥技术和断层活动性定量计算,深入分析了盆地同裂陷阶段不同构造幕的构造演化过程,提出Ek1Ⅲ界面为孔南地区新生代裂陷作用的起始界面,代表了古近纪初期Ek3-Ek1下亚段时期拗陷作用向Ek1上-Ed时期的裂陷作用转变的构造变革界面.之后从Ek1上亚段至Ed沉积时期盆地的裂陷沉降又经历了由正向伸展断陷向右旋走滑伸展断陷两幕不同构造变形方式的演化阶段.在上述构造演化过程中,盆地的断裂系统及其所控制的沉降中心发生规律性迁移,进而制约了盆地沉积体系配置.     

西藏班公湖—怒江构造带尼玛盆地构造性质

雅鲁藏布江洋俯冲及印度-欧亚陆陆碰撞导致了强烈的大陆岩石圈挤压变形与青藏高原的隆升。研究青藏高原内部破碎带构造-沉积演化,对理解相关变形如何向欧亚大陆腹地扩展传递至关重要。班公湖—怒江缝合带内发育一系列白垩纪—新生代陆相沉积盆地,保存了关于该时期高原内部构造-沉积演化的丰富信息。针对该类盆地的构造性质和形成机制有走滑拉分盆地、断陷盆地、前陆盆地3类不同观点。若要检定上述观点,需要开展如下工作:(1)查明盆地基底与充填建造变形特征;(2)结合构造背景探究其演化机制。鉴于此,本文对该带内尼玛盆地开展大比例尺地质填图与构造分析,结合前人成果,对盆地构造背景、构造性质和构造演化进行了探讨。主要取得了如下认识:(1)尼玛盆地基底为班公湖—怒江洋闭合形成的软碰撞缝合带内的变质岩与海相沉积岩。基底断裂为近东西走向,倾向或南或北的逆冲断裂。(2)盆地充填建造为上白垩统—新近系多旋回河湖相沉积。其变形样式主要为轴向近东西延伸的非对称褶皱,局部卷入基底断裂变形。多幕次变形自边缘向盆地中心前展式递进发展。(3)盆地可以划分为盆北掀斜隆起、南部推覆扇状隆起两处主要剥蚀物源区、中部基底断片掀斜隆起一处次要剥蚀物源区,以及北部叠瓦状压陷区与南部对冲压陷区两处主要构造沉积单元,其构造格架可以概括为“三隆夹两坳”。(4)尼玛盆地肇始于班公湖—怒江洋闭合导致的南北向地壳缩短。其后,雅鲁藏布江洋北向俯冲与印度-欧亚碰撞所致南北向挤压,导致盆地基底断裂发生周期性活动,伴有多旋回磨拉石建造与递进变形。简言之,尼玛盆地为软碰撞缝合带之上发育的山间压陷盆地。     

琼东南盆地古近纪幕式裂陷及构造、层序和沉积的综合响应过程

通过对区域性角度不整合、构造沉降阶段性演化以及断裂幕式活动和古构造格架变化等信息的识别与厘定,揭示了琼东南盆地古近纪构造活动的幕式演化过程及其特征。进一步结合层序地层与沉积充填综合分析,系统论述了幕式裂陷作用对沉积层序形成与演化的控制。研究表明：琼东南盆地古近纪经历了3个裂陷阶段,即裂陷Ⅰ幕（S₁₀₀-S₈₀）、裂陷Ⅱ幕（S₈₀-S₇₀）和裂陷Ⅲ幕（S₇₀-S₆₀）,分别对应盆地的初始断陷期、主断陷期和断坳转换期。裂陷活动早期以强烈的差异性块断作用为主导,而晚期逐渐被区域性坳陷作用和少量断裂活动共同控制的均一化沉降作用所取代,整体呈现出弱-强-弱的演化特征。裂陷作用的幕式过程及不同裂陷幕同沉积构造活动的差异性通过对可容纳空间、沉降速率、同沉积断裂活动和古构造格架的深刻影响,进而控制了盆地内层序地层单元与沉积旋回的整体发育、沉积与沉降中心的时空展布以及层序地层格架下沉积体系域的构成样式。     

珠江口盆地惠州凹陷北部边界断裂复合联接和转换

边界断裂控制断陷盆地的形成和构造格局,不同边界断裂联接模式对不同类型盆地演化具有差异性.基于井控高精度3D地震资料,通过对边界断裂几何学特征描述和“四级小层”刻画,结合裂陷Ⅰ幕边界断裂不同区段的活动差异性以及与沉积中心迁移的空间匹配关系,剖析珠江口盆地惠州凹陷北部边界断裂的形成和演化.惠州凹陷北部边界断裂始新世早期分段孤立发育,逐渐以纵向和横向双向联接的模式发展.纵向联接为断层软联接和硬联接复合联接和转换,形成转换斜坡和横向背斜,控制凹(洼)陷的结构与演化,制约沉积中心及层序的迁移.横向联接表现为转换斜坡内横向断层的多阶段联接,联接过程可划分为孤立正断层、同向叠置及硬联接3个阶段,控制转换斜坡带内沉积体系的发育和展布.研究给出了一个裂陷盆地边界断裂时空演化、复合联接和转换模式的独特案例,对丰富裂陷盆地边界断裂及其与沉积层序、凹陷演化和区域动力学机制的响应关系的研究具有积极的意义和价值.      

二连盆地马尼特坳陷西部幕式裂陷作用对铀成矿的影响

二连盆地包括马尼特坳陷早白垩世具有幕式裂陷特点。裂陷幕不同阶段控制铀储层的垂向分布并且控制砂岩型铀矿的垂向分布。在马尼特坳陷西部,有利的储矿层位、有利的铀储层的成因类型和砂岩型铀矿的形成过程都与盆地的幕式演化密切相关。赛汉组为断拗转换期,为最有利的铀储层发育层位;裂陷幕的末期通常伴随弱构造反转,多幕弱构造反转形成的构造斜坡控制古水文地质系统并控矿;不同裂陷幕阶段之间的不整合面和剥蚀作用是氧化带和砂岩型铀矿发育的有利时期;幕式裂陷决定了石油-天然气、煤和砂岩型铀矿的时空配置。根据二连盆地幕式裂陷不同阶段的构造、沉积特征可以明确重点勘探层位、找矿类型和有利找矿部位。     

海拉尔盆地乌尔逊-贝尔坳陷隆起带类型及对油气成藏控制作用

海拉尔盆地为典型的小型断陷湖盆,具有"下断上凹"的二元结构,"洼槽控油、隆起带控油"特征明显。本文在系统研究构造演化特征的基础上,分析了不同类型隆起带形成演化历史及对油气的控制作用。研究表明,海拉尔盆地构造演化历经了5个阶段:即铜钵庙组山间盆地、南一段和南二段被动裂陷盆地、南三段和南四段主动裂陷盆地、大磨拐河组-伊敏组断-坳转化盆地和青元岗组坳陷盆地。经历了3期强烈变形和2期强烈改造,被动裂陷的走滑作用导致反向断层及其下盘翘倾隆起,形成"长期淋滤造储、近洼不整合输导、反向断层遮挡" 的成藏有利条件,最终成为被动裂陷层序有利油气富集区带。主动裂陷伸展作用形成小型滚动背斜和中央隆起带,小型滚动背斜带形成"小而肥"构造油藏,而中央隆起带形成典型的复式油气聚集带。南屯组沉积末期构造反转,导致部分中央背斜带隆升剥蚀,断裂切割破碎,进而导致大气水下渗淋滤,有效改造基岩潜山储层,成为基岩潜山油藏的富集带。伊敏组沉积末期,形成正反转断层和反转期活动的正断层两种调整型断层,将早期聚集在断陷构造层的油气调整到大磨拐河组,聚集在反转构造及其边部,形成次生油气聚集带。     

珠江口盆地北部坳陷带构造特征

构造演化分析表明,珠江口盆地北部坳陷带在新生代经历了断陷期、断—坳转换期和坳陷期三大演化阶段,而断陷期又可进一步划分为文昌期和恩平期2个裂陷幕。由于纵向上2幕裂陷作用的迁移和地层不完全叠置,在坳陷带内形成了厚文昌薄恩平型和薄文昌厚恩平型2种类型的凹陷,其中前者是较为有利的富生烃凹陷。北部坳陷带内各凹陷断裂十分发育,且具有多期活动的特点。根据断裂活动时间可将其分为3类:早期活动型、晚期活动型和早晚持续活动型。早期活动型断裂对凹陷和构造带的形成、发育起到控制作用,晚期活动型断裂对圈闭形成与定型、油气运移起到控制作用,早晚持续活动型断裂兼有前两者的共同特征。     

Early Jurassic rift structures associated with the Soapaga and Boyacá faults of the Eastern Cordillera, Colombia: Sedimentological inferences and regional implications

The NW-trending Bucaramanga fault links, at its southern termination, with the Soapaga and Boyacá faults, which by their NW trend define an ample horsetail structure. As a result of their Neogene reactivation as reverse faults, they bound fault-related anticlines that expose the sedimentary fill of two Early Jurassic rift basins. These sediments exhibit the wedge-like geometry of rift fills related to west-facing normal faults. Their structural setting was controlled further by segmentation of the bounding faults at approximately 10 km intervals, in which each segment is separated by a transverse basement high. Isopach contours and different facies associations suggest these transverse anticlines may have separated depocenters of their adjacent subbasins, which were shaped by a slightly different subsidence history and thereby decoupled. The basin fill of the relatively narrow basin associated with the Soapaga fault is dominated by fanglomeratic successions organized in two coarsening-upward cycles. In the larger basin linked to the Boyacá fault, the sedimentary fill consists of two coarsening-upward sequences that, when fully developed, vary from floodplain to alluvial fan deposits. These Early Jurassic rift fills temporally constrain the evolution of the Bucaramanga fault, which accommodated right-lateral displacement during the early Mesozoic rift event.     

珠江口盆地多期走滑构造与叠合型拉分盆地:以阳江东凹为例

珠江口盆地的成盆机制和构造演化过程探讨是该地区烃源岩研究中不可缺少的环节,也是大家广泛关注的焦点问题。本文以阳江东凹为例,通过整体与局部相结合的分析方法,从整体上确定了研究区走滑断裂的发育特征和展布框架,明确了区域构造运动与走滑断裂的成因联系;并将整体划分成局部,聚焦于阳江东凹古近纪盆地构造演化阶段逐步分解与精细检验,对珠江口盆地的成盆机制、发育过程和演化模式进行分阶段解剖和分析。结果表明,研究区的构造演化过程分为三个阶段:文三段沉积期NW-SE向伸展,文二段沉积期南北向区域拉张作用下NE走向断裂右行右阶走滑拉分和文一段-恩平组沉积期NWW向走滑断裂左行左阶拉分。由于三个阶段受到不同的区域构造运动影响,各阶段盆地的打开方式和断裂的分布特征具有一定差异。同时,不同时期的构造演化过程与同时期区域构造应力场的转变一一对应,控制了沉积-沉降中心的分布,据此本文提出珠江口盆地的裂解模式是多期走滑构造控制的"叠合型"拉分盆地的新认识,研究区整体表现为三期构造叠合型盆地,盆地的构造叠合机制与洼陷的生烃排烃具有一定的相关性。     

Tectono-stratigraphic evolution and hydrocarbon exploration in the Eocene Southern Lufeng Depression,Pearl River Mouth Basin,South China Sea

The structural evolution and stratigraphic architecture of the Southern Lufeng Depression in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea show two second-order sequences (SSQ1 and SSQ2) and nine third-order sequences (WSQ1-5 and ESQ1-4) within the Eocene rift-related successions. Based on integrated interpretations of seismic reflections, well logs and core data, five distinct tectono-stratigraphic patterns are identified: (1) the initial synrift-I sequence (WSQ1) of low tectonic subsidence, overfilled by alluvial fan or fan-delta deposits and volcanic deposits, with no clear systems tracts; (2) the climax synrift-I sequences (WSQ2–4) developed in response to rapid tectonic subsidence, generally consisting of a low-stand systems tract (LST), transgressive systems tract (TST) and high-stand systems tract (HST); (3) the late synrift-I sequence (WSQ5) characterised by a decreased tectonic subsidence rate, dominated by braided delta, deep and shallow lacustrine sediments, mainly constructed by TST and HST; (4) the early synrift-II sequences (ESQ1–2) rapidly filled by braided deltaic sandstone and mainly composed of TST and HST with less common LST units; and (5) the late synrift-II sequences (ESQ3–4), which are totally filled by braided deltaic system in a shallow-water lake setting, presenting typical imbricate clinoforms or sub-parallel seismic configurations, consisting of only TST and HST components. During the climax stage of synrift-I development, the depositional setting changed from a prominent shallow lake (WSQ2) to a deep-lucustrine with turbiditic deposits (WSQ3) and finally dominated by mostly braided deltaic-shallow lacustrine deposits (WSQ4); the HST occupies an increasing proportion from early to late. Furthermore, the stratigraphic patterns, especially LST units of the climax synrift-I stage, are significantly influenced by topographic variations and slope-break belt types in the hanging dip-slope. This study reveals that the spatial and temporal evolution of lacustrine depositional and stratigraphic patterns were significantly controlled by the interplay of tectonic subsidence and sediment supply, and provides a fundamental basis for predicting the favourable reservoirs and geometry of source rocks related to the general variability of Eocene rift-related tectonic subsidence in the Southern Lufeng Depression of the Pearl River Mouth Basin. Furthermore, the topographic responses of differential active fault-stepped patterns associated with magma intrusions, highlight the variability of relevant sequence architectures in the hanging dip-slope in lacustrine rift basins.     

珠江口盆地珠一坳陷新生代盆地结构与成因演化

运用丰富的三维地震资料,在断裂体系的静态描述基础上,通过断层活动速率计算和平衡剖面分析,并结合残留地 层展布特征,恢复了新生代盆地垂向演化与叠合过程,探讨盆地发育与转型的动力学机制。珠一坳陷新生代经历了裂陷早 期、裂陷晚期、裂后拗陷和构造活动期四大演化阶段。裂陷期（E2w-E2e）,印支地块旋转挤出和古南海俯冲,区域拉张应 力场由NW 向顺时针转变为近SN 向,导致了裂陷早期NE、NEE 向断裂控盆向裂陷晚期近EW 向、NWW 向断裂控盆转变, 岩石圈伸展作用由宽裂谷方式向窄裂谷方式转变,导致盆地格局由彼此孤立的半地堑或窄地堑系趋于相互扩展连通;裂后 拗陷期（E3z-N1z-N1h）,岩石圈伸展中心迁移至南海扩张中心,南海北部地区整体处于裂后热沉降阶段,构造活动微弱;构 造活化期（N1y-N2w-Q）,菲律宾海板块NWW 向仰冲-碰撞联合作用下产生NNE 向拉张,同时派生近EW 向和NW 向的共 轭剪切作用,导致了先存NWW 向和近EW 断裂的活化,以及隆起区NWW 向张性断裂和近EW 向、NW 向走滑断裂带的形 成。该研究所揭示的盆地发育演化过程不仅对该区油气勘探提供指导,也对被动大陆边缘演化的研究有着一定的借鉴意义。     

Tectonic Model of Boundary Fault Migration and its Genetic Mechanism in the Nanpu Sag,Bohai Bay BasinEI北大核心CSCD

Due to the important control on basin formation and hydrocarbon accumulation, boundary faults have always been the focus of attention in the study of rift basins. However, researches on boundary fault migration in the rift basins have not been reported yet. On the basis of structural analysis of 3D seismic data in the Nanpu Sag, faulting model of pre-existing weaknesses regional tectonic stress field results, and the latest exploration achievements in the Jidong Oilfield, the northern boundary faults in the Nanpu Sag were systematically analyzed. A new model of boundary fault (Boundary faults migration model) is proposed. The results show that: (1) in the rifting stage, with the evolution of tectonic stress field, the northern boundary faults are continuously migrating; (2) the No.5 fault is the northern boundary fault in E2s3 era in the west side of the sag, and the Gaoliu fault is the northern boundary fault in E3d1-2 era in the middle of the sag; (3) the change of stress field (the extension direction) in the rifting stage is the primary cause for the boundary fault migration in the rift basin. Considering that the change of extension direction during 40-38 Ma involves almost all the Cenozoic rift basins in the eastern and southern China, the model of boundary fault migration is expected to have useful implication for fine structural interpretation and oil and gas exploration of the rifted basins in the east and south of China. © 2018, Science Press. All right reserved.     

珠江口盆地新近纪构造特征与演化

在构造特征精细刻画的基础上,运用丰富的三维地震资料,通过断裂活动性的定量计算和平衡剖面分析,恢复了珠 江口盆地新近纪构造演化过程,探讨了盆地动态演化的区域动力学机制。珠江口盆地新近纪经历了构造稳定期和构造活化 期两大演化阶段。珠江组沉积时期,隆起区与坳陷区均整体沉降,仅坳陷内少量控盆断裂微弱活动,整体处于构造稳定阶 段。进入韩江组沉积时期以来,盆地进入构造活化阶段,坳陷区表现为连续沉降,先期控盆断裂活动强度明显增强,以断 块活动为特点;而东沙隆起区则经历了韩江组下段沉积时期、韩江组上段沉积时期和粤海组沉积时期三期同沉积隆升和万 山组沉积时期以来的持续隆升过程,同时发育了近EW向右旋和NW向左旋共轭走滑断裂带以及一系列NWW向次级张性断 裂。构造稳定阶段主要受南海扩张的影响,而构造活化阶段则是在伸展背景下发生的,可能与菲律宾海板块NW、NWW向 运动导致的仰冲和弧-陆碰撞作用有关。     

Controls of faulting on synrift infill patterns in the Eocene PY4 Sag,Pearl River Mouth Basin,South China Sea

Tectono-stratigraphic analysis of the Eocene PY4 Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, reveals that the evolution of normal faulting exerted an important control on the basin infill patterns. Seismic, well log and core data jointly indicate the Eocene Wenchang Formation can be subdivided into four third-order sequences that are related to early rift (WSQ1), rift climax (WSQ2–3) and late rift (WSQ4) stages. During the early rift stage, the PY4 Sag was defined by three, small-sized depocentres; it was related to low tectonic subsidence and likely overfilled by footwall-derived fan-delta deposits. The isolated depocentres coalesced and formed a larger and more uniform depocentre during the rift climax stage. Significantly increased tectonic subsidence during the rift climax WSQ2 sub-stage gave rise to prominent deep lake deposition including nearshore subaqueous fans, turbidite fan deposits and good source rocks. Two sediment infill patterns adjacent to boundary fault are developed during the rift climax WSQ3 sub-stage: (i) a more likely sediment balance-filled pattern controlled by the low-angled fault and (ii) a sediment under-filled pattern adjacent to the relatively high-angle boundary fault. The late rift stage was characterised by a waned displacement on the NE-striking fault but an increase in displacement on E-striking rift-related faults; this non-synchronous faulting has led to the sediment overfilled pattern observed in the South Sub-sag but a more sediment balance-fill on the South-western Slope. The variability in the basin infill patterns is suggested to have resulted from the different fault displacement patterns, which are closely linked to the boundary fault angles and possible stress field transitions during the basin evolution. This study may provide potential implications for basin infill evaluations in the Eocene Pearl River Mouth Basin and other similar rift systems.