台湾东部海域沉积物波特征及其成因探讨

利用地震剖面对沉积物波的分布、形态和内部结构进行了分析,结合区域地质背景对沉积物来源和成因进行了探讨。识别出的沉积物波域主要位于台东峡谷与陆坡其他峡谷的交汇区,单个波形的波长为0.8～7.2 km,波高为18～75 m左右,呈NE—SW向展布。台东峡谷弯曲段内侧向上坡迁移的沉积物波,其底界发育块体流沉积,内部可细分为下部过渡单元和上部波形单元。弯曲段外侧的沉积物波呈垂向加积的特征,底部无块体流沉积。基于沉积物波的几何形态,估算整个波域的流体厚度在196～356 m之间,流体速度在15～21 cm/s之间。沉积物波的形态特征、内部结构、分布规律以及数值计算表明这些沉积物波为浊流成因。台湾东部海域沉积物波域的发育与台湾西南部的沉积物波域一样,是台湾造山运动的沉积响应。距今3.5 Ma以来花东海脊的形成以及广燠火山岛—绿岛—兰屿火山岛间闸口的抬升和封闭使得沉积物经由卑南溪及海下水道向南输送到绿岛西侧的台东海槽残留弧前盆地时受阻,转而沿台东峡谷及陆坡冲沟体系向东输送入花东海盆。浊流沉积物沿着峡谷/沟谷体系向下坡方向输送的过程中,在峡谷/冲沟的嘴部等地形限制性降低的位置卸载,或在台东峡谷的高弯曲段漫溢出来,从而形成沉积物波域。     

台湾地区弧-陆碰撞控制的海相前陆盆地

依据现有的地震、钻井和野外地质资料,综合前人关于台湾地区板块相互作用、区域大地构造、岩浆活动、弧-陆碰撞过程、沉积盆地、层序地层等方面的研究成果,本文比较系统地论述了台湾地区弧-陆碰撞过程中的盆地特征及演化规律,认为约15 Ma以吕宋岛弧带为主的弧-陆碰撞对盆地样式和盆地演化产生了重大影响,自东向西,分别形成海沟、沟-坡盆地、弧前盆地、弧内盆地和弧后海相前陆盆地。弧后海相前陆盆地为台湾碰撞带最大的沉积体系,是前陆盆地发育的早期阶段,之前还经历了陆缘断陷盆地阶段和被动大陆边缘盆地阶段。研究区沉积物从源到汇的搬运过程中,盆地的沉积与构造之间的时间存在明显滞后。9~6 Ma期间,吕宋岛弧形成;晚上新世(3 Ma),台湾海相前陆盆地的沉积环境、沉积相、物源等才发生显著变化,沉积物源方向由被动大陆边缘盆地期的向SE倒转为向SW,盆地沉积与构造运动之间滞后时间长达3~6 Ma,远大于一般认为的0.1~1 Ma。沉积物沿年轻造山带走向搬运、基底沉降导致近物源区粗碎屑物质的沉积、整个搬运体系中沉积物的局部保存与释放等因素可能是导致时间滞后的主要原因。     

雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩的形成与日喀则弧前盆地沉积演化

雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩被时代连续的日喀则群沉积覆盖及其形成时代(120-110Ma)与冈底斯弧开始发育的时代(115-100Ma)十分相近的事实使人们有理由提出:雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩是否代表着印度板块与拉萨地块间的特提斯-喜玛拉雅洋残迹的疑问。根据近期的研究,笔者认为雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩不是形成于三叠纪的特提斯-喜玛拉雅洋的残迹,而是特提斯-喜玛拉雅洋向拉萨地块俯冲的初期(阿普第-阿尔必期),由俯冲作用在冈底斯弧前地区引发的海底扩张作用形成的一种俯冲带上叠型蛇绿岩(supra-subduction zone ophiolites).至森诺曼期,弧前海底扩张作用停止,雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩开始向南仰冲,在其南侧形成增生杂岩楔。仰起的蛇绿岩开始向日喀则弧前盆地提供蛇绿质碎屑,如冲堆组。森诺曼期-土仑期,盆地接受了一套深水复理石沉积,沉积物源部分来自南部边缘脊的蛇绿质碎屑,而大部分则来自北侧的弧火山岩和岩浆岩碎屑。森诺期-路坦丁期,盆地逐渐变浅,接受了浅海-滨海沉积,物源均来自北部的岩浆弧。至始新世末期,发育在盆地南侧的增生杂岩楔与印度板块发生碰撞,日喀则弧前盆地闭合。     

昆仑造山带早-中泥盆世沉积特征及盆地性质探讨

昆仑造山带基本构造—地层格架奠基于古生代,是早古生代和晚古生代洋陆转换、碰撞造山的结果。早古生代末的加里东碰撞造山运动,使早古生代洋盆闭合,昆仑地区整体抬升为陆,作为造山运动的沉积响应,在结合带的山前地区形成早—中泥盆世前陆盆地沉积。东昆仑下—中泥盆统分布于昆中、昆南区,北部为深海、次深海盆地沉积和浅海陆棚及海陆过渡相沉积,南部为滨浅海沉积,沉积物在三维空间上具有北厚南薄的楔状体特点。时间序列上表现为深海、次深海—浅海陆棚—海陆交互相特征,反映沉积盆地向上变浅的规律。物源主要来源于北部北昆仑早古生代造山带,南部为次要物源区。由于其发育于志留纪末祁漫塔格洋盆闭合后的俯冲陆块之上,反映其具有周缘前陆盆地沉积的总体特征。西昆仑只在昆北区发育中泥盆统,西南部主要为深海、次深海盆地沉积,上部发育滨浅海沉积,北部及塔里木南部边缘为滨浅海沉积,沉积物在三维空间上具有西南厚东北薄的楔状体特点。时间序列上表现为深海、半深海—浅海—海陆交互—陆相沉积特点,亦表现为沉积盆地向上变浅的规律。物源主要来源于西南造山带,东北部塔里木古陆为次要物源区。结合该套地层发育于奥陶纪末库地洋盆闭合后的中昆仑岩浆弧后的昆北地区,反映其具有弧后前陆盆地沉积的总体特征。     

台湾岛以南海域新近纪的弧-陆碰撞造山作用

台湾岛以南海域(台南滨海)弧—陆碰撞带位于欧亚板块、菲律宾海板块和南海的结合部位,是新近纪弧—陆碰撞研究的理想场所。本文通过对南海973航次在该区域的多道地震剖面的解释,认为台南滨海弧—陆碰撞带增生的火山—沉积楔由恒春海脊和高屏斜坡两部分组成,前者是菲律宾海板块的增生楔,后者是欧亚板块的增生楔,在增生楔体和火山弧之间是作为弧前盆地的北吕宋海槽。自中新世中期以来,南海洋壳开始沿着马尼拉海沟向菲律宾海板块俯冲,形成活动大陆边缘的增生部分——恒春海脊;与此同时菲律宾海板块开始向北西方向移动,前缘的吕宋岛弧距今6.5Ma以来朝着亚洲陆缘斜向汇聚,形成了被动大陆边缘的增生部分——高屏斜坡。由于菲律宾海板块和欧亚板块之间的斜向汇聚,弧—陆碰撞具有穿时性,造山作用首先发生在台湾岛的北部,然后向南部及台南滨海发展。     

柴达木盆地北缘早奥陶世陆 弧碰撞及弧后前陆盆地——来自碎屑岩地球化学的证据

奥陶纪是柴达木盆地北缘早古生代碰撞造山演化的重要时期,柴达木地块与滩间山岛弧碰撞起始时限以及欧龙布鲁克海盆盆地类型、构造-古地理格局一直存在争议。本文在对欧龙布鲁克地块早奥陶世碎屑岩沉积野外观测及室内分析的基础上,测试了30个砂泥岩样品的主量元素、微量元素及稀土元素含量。结果表明,石灰沟组碎屑岩建造具有快速堆积、低成分成熟度、低结构成熟度的特征;该套碎屑岩沉积于活动大陆边缘背景下的弧后前陆盆地,碎屑物质来自南部由大陆上地壳与岛弧物质组成的上隆基底;早奥陶世(488~472 Ma)柴达木地块与滩间山岛弧陆-弧碰撞已经开始,但陆-弧碰撞起始时间不会早于493Ma。在此基础上,结合前人研究成果,认为早古生代欧龙布鲁克地块处于滩间山岛弧北部,盆地沉降、沉积演化受柴达木盆地北缘洋盆俯冲及柴达木地块-滩间山岛弧碰撞控制,寒武纪发育弧后伸展盆地,奥陶纪初期转为弧后挤压前陆盆地,弧后伸展与弧后挤压、沉积体系转换发生在490~480Ma之间。该成果从沉积学角度为柴达木盆地北缘陆-弧碰撞起始时限提供了新的制约。     

非洲中部新元古代Lufilian弧地区地质特征、成矿时代及构造演化历史

研究非洲中部新元古代Lufilian弧的地质矿产特征和构造演化历史,对深入了解前寒武纪地壳演化和成矿作用具有重要的意义。本文在系统收集Lufilian弧内地层、岩浆岩、变质、变形和成矿作用的基础上,对该带的构造演化历史进行了总结概括。研究表明:Lufilian弧基底为一条古元古代弧岩浆作用带,约880 Ma,Lufilian弧开始了早期的陆内裂谷作用,发育恩昌加花岗岩和早期基性岩浆作用,并沉积有罗安群地层。约765 Ma,裂谷作用演化至原始大洋裂谷阶段,罗安群沉积结束并开始沉积恩古巴群早期地层,在成岩期热液流体作用下形成了同沉积阶段铜钴、铀和铅锌矿化作用。至660 Ma左右,开始了早期的洋壳俯冲作用,并沉积有恩古巴群晚期碎屑地层。550 Ma左右,卡拉哈里克拉通与刚果克拉通发生陆-陆碰撞作用,在530 Ma左右,碰撞作用达到高峰阶段,而后期高温变质叠加作用持续到520 Ma左右,挤压作用晚阶段可能受莫桑比克洋闭合阶段近东西向远场挤压应力的影响,板块发生幕式折返作用,形成Hook岩基。约520～470 Ma,为变质岩石抬升冷却阶段。在同构造和构造后期,在变质热液流体作用下,早期矿物再次活化,在构造有利部位形成矿体。     

珠江口盆地荔湾凹陷珠江组关键地质界面SB21的识别及地质意义

荔湾凹陷是珠江口盆地最南部的一个超深水凹陷,其结构特点、沉积过程研究是认识被动陆缘演化的重要内容.运用地震地层学方法,基于高分辨率2D/3D地震资料的沉积追踪与对比,一个特征明显且全区可追踪的地质界面——SB21界面被识别出.该界面上下揭示出多种沉积现象:北部剥蚀区、中北部的沉积物过路区、中南部冲沟和沉积物波叠置区、南部的沉积物堆积区.推测这种沉积样式的多样性与发生在23.8 Ma前后的白云运动有密切关系,该构造运动造成荔湾凹陷的差异性沉降,主要表现为荔湾凹陷中南部的快速沉降,导致凹陷北部及中东部的相对抬升.该期构造运动使原有的沉积平衡发生改变,造成沉积物的再分配,沉积物从北部剥蚀区经过路区向中南部堆积区运移.自东向西发育的冲沟,推测与该时期差异沉降导致中东部近南北走向的相对隆起与西侧沉降区的差异沉降,以及有来自凹陷东北角的物源叠加作用有关.SB21界面的沉积反射特征研究,揭示了洋陆边界复杂多变的沉积过程及其驱动机制,对我们认识更大区域的构造沉积过程具有一定的帮助.      

再论台湾造山带构造格架与演化过程SCIEI北大核心CSCD

台湾造山带是中新世晚期以来相邻菲律宾海板块往北西方向移动,导致北吕宋岛弧系统及弧前增生楔与欧亚大陆边缘斜碰撞形成的。目前该造山带仍在活动,虽然规模很小,但形成了多数大型碰撞造山带中的所有构造单元,是研究年轻造山系统的理想野外实验室,为理解西太平洋弧-陆碰撞过程和边缘海演化提供了一个独特的窗口。本文总结了二十一世纪以来对台湾造山带的诸多研究进展,讨论了其构造单元划分及演化过程。我们将台湾造山带重新划分为6个构造单元,由西至东分依次为:(1)西部前陆盆地;(2)中央山脉褶皱逆冲带;(3)太鲁阁带;(4)玉里-利吉蛇绿混杂岩带;(5)纵谷磨拉石盆地;(6)海岸山脉岛弧系统。其中,西部前陆盆地为6.5Ma以来伴随台湾造山带的隆升剥蚀形成沉积盆地。中央山脉褶皱逆冲带为新生代(57~5.3Ma)欧亚大陆东缘伸展盆地沉积物由于弧-陆碰撞受褶皱、逆冲及变质作用改造形成的。太鲁阁带是造山带中的古老陆块,主要记录中生代古太平洋俯冲在欧亚大陆活动边缘形成的岩浆、沉积和变质岩作用。玉里-利吉蛇绿混杂岩带和海岸山脉岛弧系统分别为中新世中期(~18Ma)以来南中国海板块向菲律宾海板块之下俯冲形成的岛弧和弧前增生楔,其中玉里混杂岩中有典型低温高压变质作用记录,变质年龄为11~9Ma;岛弧火山作用的主要时限为9.2~4.2Ma。纵谷磨拉石盆地记录1.1Ma以来的山间盆地沉积。台湾造山带的构造演化可划分为4个阶段:(a)古太平洋板块俯冲与欧亚大陆边缘增生阶段(200~60Ma);(b)欧亚大陆东缘伸展和南中国海扩张阶段(60~18Ma);(c)南中国海俯冲阶段(18~4Ma);(d)弧-陆碰撞阶段(<6Ma)。台湾弧-陆碰撞造山带是一个特殊案例,其弧-陆碰撞并不伴随着弧-陆之间的洋盆消亡,而是由于北吕宋岛弧及弧前增生楔伴随菲律宾海板块运动向西北方走滑,仰冲到欧亚大陆边缘,形成现今的台湾造山带。     

鄂尔多斯盆地陇东地区延长组重力流沉积特征及其模式

利用岩心、测井资料和重力流沉积理论,系统研究了鄂尔多斯盆地陇东地区延长组重力流沉积特征及其沉积模式。该区重力流沉积物可分为浊积岩、砂质碎屑流沉积物、泥质碎屑流沉积物和滑塌岩。其中,浊积岩发育正粒序;砂质碎屑流沉积物以冻结块状沉积为特征;泥质碎屑流沉积物以泥质为主,内部含少量砂质颗粒和砂质团块;滑塌岩发育包卷层理等液化构造。不同重力流沉积物发育程度差异明显,浊积岩和砂质碎屑流沉积物的钻遇井数最多,泥质碎屑流沉积物最少。在重力流单期沉积厚度方面,砂质碎屑流沉积物单期沉积厚度平均为0.986m,明显高于其他类型;浊流沉积厚度最低,平均厚度为0.414m。本区重力流是由三角洲前缘沉积物失稳滑塌所致,砂质碎屑流沉积物和浊积岩是主要的重力流沉积类型,其次为滑塌岩和泥质碎屑流沉积物。砂质碎屑流沉积物主要发育于北东向曲流河三角洲前缘前方的深水区;浊积岩主要发育于西部、西南部和南部物源形成的辫状河三角洲前缘前方的深水区域;泥质碎屑流沉积物和富含泥砾砂质碎屑流沉积物在平面分布极少,且规律不明显。     

深水沉积物波及其在南海研究之现状

深水沉积物波的研究始于20世纪50年代。根据成因和结构特征,可以将深水沉积物波划分为细粒底流、细粒浊流、粗粒底流和粗粒浊流等类型。不同类型的沉积物波具有不同的形态、物质组成及分布特征。已提出的深水沉积物波的形成模式主要有背流波模式、逆行沙波模式、内波模式及底形和斜坡失稳混合模式等。1994年太阳号95航次和1999年ODP184航次揭示并证实,南海北部东沙岸外1144站所处的深水陆坡区发育有一高速沉积物牵引体。根据最新的地震资料分析发现,该牵引体实际上由一系列逆陆坡向上倾方向迁移的沉积物波组成,这一发现对于南海北部大陆边缘古海洋、古环境和古气候研究,以及南海深水油气勘探具有重要意义。     

Features and Origin of Turbidity Current Sediment Waves in the Huatung Basin off the Eastern Taiwan Island

Based on numerous high-resolution seismic profiles, sediment waves and their distribution, morphological characteristics, internal structure, and potential origins were revealed in the eastern waters of Taiwan. The sediment waves are located at the junction between the Taitung Canyon and other canyons in the slope. The wave length and the wave height of a single waveform ranged from 0.8 to 7.2 km and from 18 to 75 m, respectively (NE-SW direction). Sediment waves, located inside the bend of the Taitung Canyon, were characterized by an upward migration and showed mass transport deposits (MTDs) at the bottom, while the inner curve of the bend was subdivided into lower and upper wavy transition units. The sediment waves on the outer curve of the bend were characterized by vertical accumulation, and there was no mass flow deposit at the bottom. According to the geometry of the sediment waves, the calculated flow thicknesses across the entire wave field ranged from 196 to 356 m, and the current velocity ranged from 15 to 21 cm/s. The morphological characteristics, the internal structure, and the distribution of sediment waves, as well as the numerical calculations, evidenced that these sediment waves had formed by turbidity currents. The development of the sediment wave field in eastern Taiwan was found to be similar to that in southwestern Taiwan. It was the sedimentary response of the tectonic movement between 3 and ~1 Ma which created the sedimentary systems where gravity flow processes predominated. Turbidity current sediments settled in the place of less topographical constraints or overflowed in the bend section of the Taitung Canyon, which resulted in the formation of sediment wave fields.     

南海北部陆坡高速堆积体的构造成因

南海北部陆坡是南海海域沉积活动最为活跃的地区之一,发育着迄今为止所发现的南海最高沉积速率堆积体。构成该堆积体的沉积物究竟来自何方,仍是南海沉积学研究中未解决的问题之一。通过对南海北部多道地震剖面的解释和海底底流观测资料的分析,指出南海北部中新统披覆层是南海北部断陷阶段结束后开始沉积的一套地层,直到上新世开始前,该地层在很大一个区域内是保持水平的;上新世后,由于构造抬升,中新统披覆层随之隆起,并在东沙隆起的部位遭受很大程度的剥蚀,其剥蚀量和南海北部珠江、韩江以及台湾西南部高屏溪和曾文溪向南海的输沙量相当,为南海北部一个非常重要的沉积物来源。研究分析指出,如果珠江和韩江所携带的沉积物全部沉积到南海北部陆坡区,则可获得的沉积速率为12 cm/ka,这一数值远低于该高速堆积体上的沉积速率值。从南海北部现今的沉积动力条件和地形上看,来自珠江和韩江的沉积物几乎不可能经过平坦的陆架区,再绕过东沙岛,优先沉积到该高速堆积体上。本研究中的高速堆积体的沉积物也不可能主要来自台湾西南的高屏溪和曾文溪,因为台西南河流所携带的沉积物被特殊的洋流体系圈闭于台湾周边一个较小的范围内沉积下来。观测数据表明,南海北部东沙隆起区有足够强的水动力环境能够剥蚀海底隆起的沉积地层,并将剥蚀下来的沉积物向南经陆架输运到陆坡区;该高速堆积体紧邻东沙隆起剥蚀区,其沉积物来源应该主要来自东沙隆起剥蚀区。     

Occurrence of submarine canyons,sediment waves and mass movements along the northern continental slope of the South China Sea

In this study, we reveal a series of newly discovered submarine canyons, sediment waves, and mass movements on a flat and smooth seafloor using high-resolution, multi-beam bathymetry and shallow seismic surveys along the northern slope of the South China Sea. We also describe their geomorphology and seismic stratigraphy characteristics in detail. These canyons display U-shaped cross sections and are roughly elongated in the NNW–SSE direction; they are typically 8–25 km long, 1.2–7 km wide, and form incisions up to 175 m into Pliocene–Quaternary slope deposits at water depths of 400–1000 m. Slide complexes and the sediment wave field are oriented in the NE–SW direction and cover areas of approximately 1790 and 926 \(\hbox {km}^{2}\), respectively. Debris/turbidity flows are present within these canyons and along their lower slopes. Detailed analysis of seismic facies indicates the presence of six seismic facies, in which Cenozoic strata located above the acoustic basement in the study area can be roughly subdivided into three sequences (1–3), which are separated by regional unconformities (Tg, T4, and T3). By combining these data with the regional geological setting and the results of previous studies, we are able to determine the genetic mechanisms used to create these canyons, sediment wave field, and mass movements. For example, frontally confined slide complexes could have been influenced by high sedimentation rates and high pore pressures. A series of very large subaqueous sediment waves, which record wavelengths of 1.4–2 km and wave heights of 30–50 m, were likely produced by interactions between internal solitary waves and along-slope bottom (contour) currents. Canyons were likely initially created by landslides and then widened laterally by the processes of downcutting, headward erosion, and active bottom currents and debris/turbidity flows on canyon floors. We therefore propose a three-dimensional model to describe the development of these mass movements, the sediment wave field, and canyons. The four stages of this model include a stable stage, followed by the failure of the slope, and subsequent formations of the sediment wave field and canyons.     

Middle miocene deduction and late miocene beginning of collision registered in the hengchun peninsula: Geodynamic implications for the evolution of Taiwan

Taiwan is located in the axis of the Manila Trench. It results from an oblique collision between the northernmost part of the Luzon arc and the Chinese passive margin. This active collision follows the subduction of the Oligocene-Miocene oceanic crust of the South China Sea along the Manila Trench. The tectonized Chinese margin emerged in the Hengchun peninsula (South Taiwan). Gentle folds which are delineated by the Quaternary reefal limestones demonstrate Recent deformations. These folds deformed a thick detrital sequence of Miocene age (Ssuchung Chi series) which was previously strongly folded and thrust westward (axis NS-N20) upon the Renting mélange of Latest Miocene age. These main deformations, sealed by the Middle Pliocene, are the evidence for the onset of collision in this part of Taiwan at the end of the Miocene. Because of its obliquity, the collision started already in the northern part of Taiwan during the Late Miocene (6-7-8 Ma ?).The Ssuchung Chi series, a sequence of proximal turbidites, has contained, since the Middle Miocene (NN 6~13 Ma), fragments of an Oligocene to Lower Miocene oceanic crust. This ophiolitic material is very similar to the East Taiwan Ophiolite of the Coastal Range. It originated most probably from a slice of South China Sea crust obducted in Middle Miocene times (13–14 Ma) upon the Chinese margin (North of the Hengchun peninsula). This obduction occurred 7 to 8 Ma before the beginning of collision. These results make it possible to propose an evolutionary model for Taiwan from the Oligocene to the Recent, with the different phases of a collision between a volcanic arc and a passive margin.     

南海北部神狐陆坡限制型滑塌体特征及成因机理

滑塌体是深水沉积的重要组成部分,研究滑塌体沉积有助于揭示深水沉积过程。利用高精度多道地震资料,首次在南海北部神狐陆坡段发现了规模逾千平方千米的限制型滑塌体,它在顺坡滑塌时,未能超越下坡地层的围限,突然终止于下坡未变形地层中,因此陡冲斜坡两侧的地震相特征发生截然的变化。滑塌体整体呈楔形,内部呈杂乱反射,前端存在逆冲断层以及挤压褶皱。由于顺坡滑塌距离较短,因此与非限制型滑塌体相比,限制型滑塌体内部地层连续性较好。结合神狐滑塌体地震反射特征并通过与世界典型滑塌体的对比,可知滑塌体的厚度、地形坡度二者共同控制了神狐滑塌体的发育类型,前端地形突起对其发育没有影响。     

南海北部莺琼陆坡浊流沉积数值模拟分析

南海具有优越的地理位置和特殊的构造环境,其丰富充足的沉积物源、复杂多样的地形地貌以及广泛分布的陆坡都为浊流的发育提供了良好条件和理想场所.南海北部更是有华南大陆以及台湾岛的大量陆源沉积物搬运至陆坡,加上陆坡区合适的坡度,浊流沉积十分发育.南海北部陆坡发育有大量不同规模的海底滑坡,浊流沉积分布广泛.在南海北部莺琼陆坡的钻...     

The Danube River inception: Evidence for a 4 Ma continental‐scale river born from segmented ParaTethys basins

Before reaching the Black Sea, the Danube River passes through a string of Para‐Tethyan (Vienna, Pannonian and western and eastern Dacian) basins. The key question is, when and how did the Danube River become a continental‐scale river with a drainage similar to present? New data presented here show that the Late Miocene deepwater strata in the Black Sea have a significant sediment source and depositional style change at about 4 Ma. However, the presence of active Miocene basins within the Danube catchment raises questions about the timing of Danube River inception and whether the upstream palaeogeography would have allowed or disallowed delivery of large sediment volumes to the deepwater Black Sea. Stratigraphic analyses in the Pannonian and Dacian basins reveal a phase of coeval sedimentary fill of the basins along the Danube at about 4 Ma. This multi‐basin observation points to a concurrent basin‐fill model rather than the basin fill‐and‐spill or Messinian‐type lowstand models previously proposed for Danube inception.