U-Pb zircon geochronology and Hf isotope study of metamorphosed basic-ultrabasic rocks from metamorphic basement in southwestern Zhejiang: The response of the Cathaysia Block to Indosinian orogenic event

A combined study using LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating, Hf isotopes, trace elements and the Ti-in-zircon geo-thermometer was carried out on zircons from the metamorphosed basic-ultrabasic rocks in the meta-morphic basement of the Cathaysia Block, southwestern Zhejiang Province. The formation and meta-morphic ages of the rocks from the metamorphic basement of the Cathaysia Block were determined based on zircon U-Pb geochronology. The age for the magmatic crystalline zircons from the protolith is about 1.85 Ga. The εHf(t) values of the older zircons were from ?7 to ?3, with two-stage model Hf ages (TDM2LC) of about 2.9 to 3.4 Ga, indicating that the source material was derived from anatexis and recy-cling of the Archean crust. The newly formed metamorphic zircons yielded U-Pb ages of 260―230 Ma. The metamorphic temperature calculated using the Ti-in-zircon geothermometer ranged from 610 to 720℃, consistent with the results from petrographic observations, indicating that the Cathaysia Block experienced an amphibolite facies metamorphism during the Indosinian. Results from this study pro-vided an important timeframe for the tectonic evolution in South China and the Southeast Asia during the Late Permian and Early Triassic times.     

Shear-wave splitting in the southeast of Cathaysia block, South China

This study is focused on Fujing Province in China, southeast of Cathaysia block (SECB). The present work benefits from the data provided by the Fujian Seismic Network (FJSN) to study the seismic anisotropy in the crust. By means of a systematic analysis and adequate software package, we examine shear-wave splitting from data recorded at ten FJSN stations during the period January 1999 to December 2003. The results demonstrate that the average fast wave polarization is N109.4° E ± 42.6°, corresponding to the horizontal principal compressive stress in the test zone, and the average normalized slow wave time delay is 2.5 ± 1.5 ms/km. The predominant polarizations at stations in the eastern part of SECB are in the N–W direction, which suggests that they are related to the regional horizontal principal compressive stress and also to the strikes of faults. In contrast, the predominant polarizations at two stations in the western part of SECB are in the N–E direction. This polarization direction does not coincide with the direction of the horizontal principal compressive stress, but it follows the strikes of near faults, thus suggesting the influence of the local tectonics and a change in the stress field. The results prove that the predominant polarizations are parallel to the strikes of faults whenever the stations are on active faults. At a few stations near the coastal line, some polarizations show a certain amount of scatter which may be caused by crossing faults and irregular topography. Finally, the spatial distribution of time delays depicts strong lateral variations near the coast just where the seismic activity is comparatively bigger, so that the magnitude of anisotropy seems to be consistent with the most seismically active area.     

The petrogenesis and implications of deformed late Caledonian–early Hercynian granites in the Wuyi area,South China

Precambrian basement rocks have been affected by Caledonian thermal metamorphism. Caledonian‐aged zircon grains from Precambrian basement rocks may have resulted from thermal metamorphism. However, Hercynian ages are rarely recorded. Zircon U–Pb Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) dating reveals that zircon ages from the Huyan, Lingdou, and Pengkou granitic plutons can be divided into two groups: one group with ages of 398.9 ±5.3 Ma, 399 ±5 Ma, and 410.2 ±5.4 Ma; and a second group with ages of 354 ±11 Ma, 364.6 ±6.7 Ma, and 368 ±14 Ma. The group of zircon U–Pb ages dated at 410–400 Ma represent Caledonian magmatism, whereas the 368–354 Ma ages represent the age of deformation, which produced gneissosity. The three plutons share geochemical characteristics with S‐type granites and belong to the high‐K calc‐alkaline series of peraluminous rocks. They have (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i ratios of 0.710 45–0.724 68 and εNd(t) values of ?7.33 to ?10.74, with two‐stage Nd model ages (T_DM2) ranging from 1.84 Ga to 2.10 Ga. Magmatic zircon εHf(t) values range from ?3.79 to ?8.44, and have T_DMC ages of 1.65–1.93 Ga. The data suggest that these granites formed by partial melting of Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic continental crust. A collision occurred between the Wuyi and Minyue microcontinents within the Cathaysia Block and formed S‐type granite in the southwest Fujian province. The ca 360 Ma zircon U–Pb ages can represent a newly recognized period of deformation which coincided with the formation of the unified Cathaysia Block.     

南海西南次海盆与南沙地块的OBS探测和地壳结构

跨越南海西南次海盆南部陆缘和南沙地块中部的OBS973-1测线是南海南部首次采集的海底地震仪(OBS)广角反射与折射深地震测线,本文通过震相分析和走时正演拟合,获得了沿测线的二维纵波速度结构模型.模拟结果显示表层沉积物速度2.5~4.5 km/s,厚度1000~3000 m,局部基底面起伏较大.结晶基底的速度从顶部的4.5~5.5 km/s增加到地壳底部的6.8~6.9 km/s,中地壳有一个小的速度不连续面(0.1~0.2 km/s),而地壳底部的莫霍面有较大的速度反差(1.2 km/s),上地幔顶部的速度为8.0~8.1 km/s.莫霍面埋深和地壳厚度在测线的北段和南段有很大的不同,在测线北段的海盆区,莫霍面埋深约11 km,结晶地壳的厚度仅为5~6 km,表现为典型洋壳的特征,而在测线南段的陆块区,莫霍面埋深最大达24 km,地壳厚度可达20 km,表现为减薄陆壳的特征,从海盆区到陆块区莫霍面埋深和地壳厚度迅速增加.陆块区上下地壳的厚度和变化趋势相似,下地壳没有看到高速层(HVL),可能说明地壳内部是以纯剪拉张的均匀减薄为主,地壳下部的岩浆底侵不发育.对比OBS973-2和OBS973-3测线的结构模型,可以推测南沙地块的中部和东部具有相似的构造性质,西南次海盆两侧是一对非火山型的不对称共轭陆缘.     

Deep structures of the east Dabie ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt,East China

The Dabie Mountain is one of the best places for geologists to study the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism (UHPM) because coesite-bearing eclogites and other UHPM rocks are well ex-posed on the surface. The Dabie UHPM belt has been studied by many geoscientists with re-markable results[1—9]. Recent researches show that the host rocks of the coesite-bearing eclogites, such as gneiss and marble, also contain coesites[10—14], thus undergoing ultrahigh-pressure meta-morphism. The idea of con…     

华夏地块东南部地壳地震各向异性特征初步研究

本研究采用SAM剪切波分裂分析方法,使用福建区域数字地震台网记录到的（1999年01月～2003年12月）的波形资料,挑选符合剪切波窗口条件的记录,得到华夏地块东南部地区23°N～29°N,116°E～120°E）10个台站的剪切波分裂参数. 研究结果表明,该区域快剪切波平均偏振方向为NW109.4°±42.6°,慢剪切波平均时间延迟为2.5±1.5(ms/km),快剪切波平均偏振方向对应该区的水平主压应力方向. 闽东台站NW方向的快剪切波偏振优势方向揭示了NW向的水平主压应力和NW走向断裂的构造意义. 两个闽西台站NE方向的快剪切波偏振优势方向与区域水平主压应力方向不一致,与NE走向的断裂一致,体现了局部构造和局部应力场的复杂性. 本研究证实,位于活动断裂上的台站的快剪切波偏振方向的优势方向与断裂走向一致,位于海边或岛上的台站的快剪切波偏振方向较为离散,主要是受到不规则表面地形和断裂交汇的影响. 慢剪切波延迟时间的空间分布特征,显示沿海地区慢剪切波延迟时间变化较大,而内陆地区则较为平缓.     

利用S波接收函数研究华南块体的岩石圈结构

本文基于跨越华夏块体至四川盆地西部的130个线性流动地震台站及其附近90个固定台网台站的观测资料,采用S波接收函数波动方程叠后偏移方法,开展了华南大陆岩石圈结构研究.成像结果显示,研究区岩石圈结构复杂,不同构造单元之间差异显著,构造边界带附近小尺度变化强烈.150 km以上的厚岩石圈主要位于四川盆地,不足100 km的薄岩石圈主要分布于川东褶皱带和华夏块体.雪峰山下方岩石圈厚度显著增加,且以雪峰山为界岩石圈结构和性质存在着显著的东西差异.结合其它地球物理观测得到的地壳-上地幔结构信息,我们提出：（1）四川盆地还保留着厚而冷的克拉通岩石圈根,且岩石圈地幔具有结构分层特征;（2）雪峰山可能是扬子克拉通与华夏块体在西南部的边界;（3）雪峰山以东区域可能经历了岩石圈的减薄和改造,且华南岩石圈的减薄与华北相似,都主体发生在东部地区,造成现今南北重力梯度带两侧强烈的结构差异.研究结果为认识华南大陆的构造演化及其深部动力学提供了地震学约束.

     

The history of crustal uplift and metamorphic evolution of Panzhihua-Xichang micro-palaeoland,SW China: Constraints on Sm-Nd, <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar and FT ages of granulites

Panzhihua-Xichang micro-palaeoland (Panxi ter-rane) is located on the western margin of the Yangtze Block. The western boundary of the Panxi mi-cro-palaeoland, and also the western boundary of the Yangtze Block, is the Jinhe-Jinghe fault, which defines the eastern boundary of the Songpan-Ganzi Fold Belt. The eastern boundary of this micro-palaeoland is the Ganluo fault. On the east side of the Ganluo fault is the Sichuan Basin in the Yangtze Block (fig. 1). Panxi micro-palaeoland is on…     

Petrogenesis of Early Cretaceous adakitic granodiorite: Implication for a crust thickening event within the Cathaysia Block,South China

Adakitic rocks in continental settings are commonly considered to be formed by partial melting of thickened or delaminated lower crust. Investigations on this kind of rocks can provide important information about crustal evolution complementary to information from other rocks. This paper reports adakitic granodiorite of the Lingxi pluton in the interior of the Cathayisa Block. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating shows that it was formed in the late Early Cretaceous(100±1 Ma). The granodiorite has geochemical features of adakitic rocks derived from partial melting of the thickened lower crust, e.g., high SiO2(mainly ranging from 64.4 to 68.9 wt.%) and Sr(624–894 ppm) contents, Sr/Y(49.9–60.8) and La/Yb(23.4–42.8) values, low Y(10.3–17.1 ppm), Ni(5.62–11.8 ppm) and MgO(mostly from 0.86 wt.% to 1.57 wt.%) contents and weak Eu anomaly. It has initial 87Sr/86 Sr ratios of 0.7086–0.7091, εNd(t) values of.6.2 to.5.9 and zircon εHf(t) values mostly of.10.1 to.7.6. Based on the geochemical characteristics and simple modelling, it is suggested that the most likely generation mechanism of the Lingxi granodiorite is partial melting of a thickened Proterozoic lower continental crust at a pressure ≥12 kbar(or crust thickness ≥40km), leaving a garnet-bearing amphibolite residue. Combining our results and previous studies of the tectonic evolution of the Cathaysia Block, we propose that the crust was thickened to over 40 km by a compressive event occurring during the late Early Cretaceous, which is supported by the observation that there is an angular unconformity between the Upper Cretaceous Series and the early Lower Cretaceous or the Jurassic rocks. After this event, the Cathaysia Block experienced a lithospheric extension and thinning probably driven by the high-angle paleo-Pacific subduction. With the attenuation of lithosphere, the lower crust was heated to partial melting by upwelling asthenospheric materials, resulting in generation of the Lingxi granodiorite and other coeval granitoids in the Cathaysia Block. This study provides new information on the crustal evolution of the Cathaysia Block during the Early Cretaceous.     

华南大陆东部地壳物质组成的地震学研究

中生代晚期华南大陆东部发生了大规模的火成岩活动,对地壳物质组成属性有显著影响,地壳中SiO2的平均含量是判别其属性的重要参数.基于华南大陆东部布设的宽频带地震台阵和固定台站数据,利用噪声成像获取高分辨率的面波频散,联合利用接收函数反演地壳的S波速度结构.由地壳的平均波速比和速度信息,通过与岩石物理实验数据对比,估测了华...     

Strike–slip origin of Cretaceous Mazhan Basin, Tan-Lu Fault Zone, Shandong, east China

The Mazhan Basin, Shandong Province, China, is located between the main faults, F₃ and F₄, of the Tan-Lu Fault Zone. It is an elongated basin more than 60 km in length and 8 km in width and contains a series of typical continental sediments (the Upper Cretaceous Wangshi Group). This series was divided into three sedimentary facies associations: conglomerate facies association; sandstone facies association of alluvial fan to lake margin environment; and siltstone facies association of lacustrine origins. Their zonal distribution pattern may represent a contemporaneous heterotopic facies due to a lateral facies change from margins to axis of the basin. Their stratigraphic sequence becomes younger northward along the boundary faults. This suggests that the depocenter of the fan–lake system tends to migrate northward along F₃. From the asymmetric features (i.e. basin shape, lithofacies distribution, facies change) the Mazhan Basin can be explained by progressive subsidence at the Tangwu releasing bend of F₃ with sinistral strike–slip movement. Judging from the fission track (FT) ages from the Wangshi Group, it was concluded that a sinistral strike–slip movement along the main fault, F₃ of the Tan-Lu Fault in Shandong, has lasted until the Late Cretaceous. Its displacement is estimated to be larger than the migrated distance, 60 km, of the depocenter of the Mazhan Basin.     

The discovery of Neoproterozoic extensional structures and its significance for gas exploration in the Central Sichuan Block,Sichuan Basin,South China

The Central Sichuan Block(CSB) is the hardest block between the deep faults of Pujiang-Bazhong and Huaying Mountain in the central part of Sichuan Basin, which lies in the northwestern part of the upper Yangtze Craton. The CSB has long been considered as the oldest and most stable core area of Yangtze Craton, with the uniform basement and high level of hardening. Here we present a detailed interpretation of deep structures in the CSB by integrating high-resolution seismic data(approx. 50000 km2) with large-scale aeromagnetic data. Results show that eight Neoproterozoic extensional structures of different scales are nearly EW-, NEE-, and NW-trending in the CSB. Discovery of these extensional structures changes previous understanding of the CSB as a unified block. The extensional structures experienced one or two stages of extension in the longitudinal section, and filled with 3000–5000-m-thick weakly magnetic materials. Development of basal A-type granite in Weiyuan, Sichuan Basin and bimodal volcanic rocks of the Suxiong Formation, Western Sichuan confirms the CSB's Neoproterozoic extensional tectonic setting. The newly discovered Neoproterozoic extensional structures are of great significance for source rock and favorable sedimentary facies distribution, reservoir development, and gas accumulation.     

东海冲绳海槽陆坡天然气水合物的地震学研究

本文通过对东海973 航次在冲绳海槽取得的多道地震数据进行有针对性的特殊处理,形成一套针对天然气水合物地震学研究行之有效的处理思路,提高速度分析的精度和分辨能力,压制浅层多次波,资料在保持一定信噪比的基础上尽可能的提高分辨率,相对振幅处理以及用于AVO分析的预处理等.在此基础上对天然气水合物进行识别和预测,我们发现在冲绳海槽南部西侧槽坡附近以及海槽内部发育有一系列泥底辟构造,在这些底辟构造的顶部明显存在与天然气水合物赋存相关的地球物理特征,如似海底反射层（BSR）、与海底反射同相轴极性相反,BSR上方的振幅空白区以及BSR上下的速度异常.从该区域的地质背景资料分析,冲绳海槽不仅具有很高的沉积速率并且海槽西侧的断层活跃,提供了富含有机质的物源以及用于天然气运移的通道,有利于天然气水合物的形成.     

华南块体中部上地壳剪切波分裂特征

本文采用剪切波分裂分析方法,使用华南流动地震台阵（HN Array）和国家地震台网记录的近场波形资料,分析华南块体上地壳介质的地震各向异性特征.结果显示,华南块体快剪切波优势偏振方向整体表现为近东西向,与区域最大主压应力方向基本一致.结合华北块体地震各向异性特征,推测太平洋板块西向俯冲和菲律宾板块北西向俯冲作用,是中国大陆东部中上地壳各向异性的重要构造背景,导致中国大陆东部表现出近东西向的构造应力特征.苏鲁—大别造山和江南造山带的快剪切波偏振方向发生明显区域性变化,揭示了块体之间相互作用产生局部复杂构造特征和应力分布特点.研究显示,各向异性观测结果会因地壳结构的多样性变得复杂,通过江汉盆地的地震各向异性特征揭示出盆地内存在不同尺度的应力场.研究认为,岩石组分对中上地壳地震各向异性有重要贡献,华夏块体东部广泛存在的变质岩导致东西华夏块体各向异性偏振方向存在明显差异.

     

南海西南次海盆岩石圈结构及其地质意义

南海地区岩石圈资料稀少,阻碍了其形成演化过程的研究.为此,本次研究结合大地热流、空间重力异常、高程、大地水准面和地震数据,在南海西南次海盆反演了两条2.5维岩石圈剖面.本次计算基于三种假设：岩石圈地幔的密度取决于岩石温度;研究区岩石圈处于热稳定状态;研究区处于重力均衡状态.在剖面A-E中,岩石圈底界面从珠江口盆地的105 km迅速抬升到西沙海槽处的50 km,在西沙海槽、西沙-中沙群岛和西南次海盆变化不大,为50~60 km.在剖面F-I中,岩石圈底界面从西沙群岛-中建地块处的88 km向海盆逐渐抬升,在西南次海盆处为46~50 km,到郑和隆起再逐渐变深至64 km.我们比较了西南次海盆岩石圈的冷却模型和热稳定模型,根据冷却模型由水深和热流数据所推断的西南次海盆年龄比实际年龄差很多,说明冷却模型不适用于西南次海盆.通过对比剖面A-E和剖面F-I,说明了剖面A-E经历了更长时间的拉伸,证明南海西南次海盆在形成演化过程中是从北东向南西逐步打开的渐进式扩张.最后,我们综合分析西南次海盆及其大陆边缘的岩石圈结构、减薄陆壳区范围、碳酸盐台地的分布、下地壳韧性流动、流变结构和沉积层特征等多方面资料,认为西南次海盆在形成演化过程中岩石圈地幔首先破裂而地壳后破裂,属于type Ⅱ型非火山型大陆边缘.

     

扬子地块奥陶系碳酸盐岩重磁化机制探讨

碳酸盐岩是记录古地磁场信息的重要载体,然而,广泛存在的重磁化现象制约了碳酸盐岩在古地磁研究中的应用,其重磁化机制亟待解决.本文对采自贵州羊蹬地区的319块奥陶系碳酸盐岩定向样品作了详细的古地磁学和岩石磁学研究,其结果表明,94%样品(A类)记录了单一剩磁分量A,其解阻温度低于450℃;在地理坐标系下的平均方向为Dg/Ig=3.1°/48.1°(α95=2.9°),对应的古地磁极(87.0°N,2.8°E,A95=3.0°)与扬子地块古近纪-第四纪的古地磁极重合.6%样品(B类)记录了两个磁化分量,其高温分量(450℃~585℃)与A分量显著不同,但明显远离扬子块体早古生代古地磁极;低温分量(< 450℃)与A分量类似.说明羊蹬剖面奥陶系碳酸盐岩记录了两期重磁化.A分量和B低温分量的主要载磁矿物为磁黄铁矿(胶黄铁矿),B高温分量的主要载磁矿物为磁铁矿.这些磁性矿物都是成岩后的次生矿物.其中,解阻温度高于450℃的磁铁矿可能受晚燕山期造山运动影响生成;磁黄铁矿(胶黄铁矿)等矿物可能与印度板块与欧亚大陆碰撞引起的喜马拉雅造山运动所产生的流体作用有关,以后一期重磁化为主.新生代早期青藏高原隆升产生的流体在流经东南缘的碳酸盐岩等沉积岩层时,与原岩发生相互作用,使磁黄铁矿、胶黄铁矿、磁铁矿等磁性矿物生长并获得化学剩磁,造成了广泛重磁化.     

近50 a中国东部和西部湖区水量空间变化趋势

基于近代湖泊水量(水位、水深和面积)记录,对近50 a中国东部和西部湖区水量的空间变化趋势进行半定量研究.结果表明:整体上看,20世纪80年代以前,东部湖区水量呈现波动变化而西部湖区水量基本趋于减少;80年代以后东部和西部湖区水量均表现为不同程度的增加.其中,20世纪50年代,东部和西部湖区水量状况基本相似,均保持高湖面特征.20世纪60年代,东部湖区水量有所减少但幅度不明显,而西部湖区以中高水量为主.20世纪70年代,不同区域湖泊基本都保持中湖面特征.20世纪80年代,东部湖区水量呈增加趋势而西部湖区水量相对70年代略有减少.20世纪90年代,东部和西部湖区水量均表现为增加趋势.进一步研究发现,最近50 a来中国不同区域湖泊水量发生变化除了气候因素的驱动外,人类活动的影响也是不可忽视的.     

The magmatic activity mechanism of the fossil spreading center in the Southwest sub-basin,South China Sea

Petrogeochemical data indicate that after the end of seafloor spreading,residual magmatic activity still exists in the deep basin of the South China Sea.By using different viscous structure models beneath the fossil spreading center of the Southwest sub-basin we simulated the amount of melt produced,the length of the melting period,and the thermal evolution process in terms of geothermics and the buoyant decompression melting mechanism.We compared the results of our model with observed heat flow,seismic,and petrogeochemistry data.The results show that depletion buoyancy induced by buoyant decompression melting plays an important role in the melting process,while retention buoyancy,thermal buoyancy,and viscous shear force have only a weak influence on the melting process.From the length of the melting period,we determined that for the three viscous structures models the magmatic activity lasted about 5,12,and 15 Ma.Under the effect of buoyant depression melting,local high-temperature areas will develop under the basin,which can explain the low-velocity layer detected by seismic exploration in the middle and upper lithosphere of the Southwest sub-basin.We also simulated the possible lithology distribution beneath the fossil spreading center with the physical conditions of different viscous structure,different temperature structure,and different melting fraction,which provided a greater understanding of the rock petrogeochemical data of the deep sea basin in the South China Sea.     

Diversity of Mesozoic tin-bearing granites in the Nanling and adjacent regions,South China: Distinctive mineralogical patterns

The Nanling and adjacent regions of South China host a series of tin deposits related to Mesozoic granites with diverse petrological characteristics. The rocks are amphibole-bearing biotite granites, or(topaz-) albite-lepidolite(zinnwaldite) granites,and geochemically correspond to mealuminous and peraluminous types, respectively. Mineralogical studies demonstrate highly distinctive and critical patterns for each type of granites. In mealuminous tin granites amphibole, biotite and perthite are the typical rock-forming mineral association; titanite and magnetite are typical accessory minerals, indicating high fO2 magmatic conditions;cassiterite, biotite and titanite are the principal Sn-bearing minerals; and pure cassiterite has low trace-element contents. However,in peraluminous tin granites zinnwaldite-lepidolite, K-feldspar and albite are typical rock-forming minerals; topaz is a common accessory phase, indicative of high peraluminity of this type of granites; cassiterite is present as a uniquely important tin mineral,typically rich in Nb and Ta. Mineralogical distinction between the two types of tin granites is largely controlled by redox state,volatile content and differentiation of magmatic melts. In oxidized metaluminous granitic melts, Sn4+ is readily concentrated in Ti-bearing rock-forming and accessory minerals. Such Sn-bearing minerals are typical of oxidized tin granites, and are enriched in granites at the late fractionation stage. In relatively reduced peraluminous granitic melts, Sn2+ is not readily incorporated into rock-forming and accessory minerals, except for cassiterite at fractionation stage of granite magma, which serves as an indicator of tin mineralization associated with this type of granites. The nature of magma and the geochemical behavior of tin in the two types of granites thus result in the formation of different types of tin deposits. Metaluminous granites host disseminated tin mineralization,and are locally related to deposits of the chlorite quartz-vein, greisen, and skarn types. Greisen, skarn, and quartz-vein tin deposits can occur related to peraluminous granites, but disseminated mineralization of cassiterite is more typical.     

南海西南海盆构造演化的热模拟研究

南海西南海盆的张裂和海底扩张是白垩纪末至中始新世南海形成过程中最重要的构造事件.本文采用三维有限单元法对该区的热演化过程进行了模拟计算.通过对变形、温度结构的计算,研究了西南海盆张裂变形、海底扩张持续时间、地幔物质上升、地壳岩墙沿扩张中心的挤入扩张活力、岩浆活动等.计算结果表明：由于其深部动力学条件不足,海盆一次扩张持续时间在10～15Ma之间,其后地幔物质的上升活动逐渐停止,地壳失去扩张动力,使得扩张中心成为残留扩张中心的死亡裂谷,而未构成中脊或中隆带.虽然该处地幔物质上升的潜力不足,但伴随局部的断裂,尤其是盆、缘边界的拆离拉张,仍能产生相当强烈的岩浆喷溢活动,导致此区海盆成型之后的海山崛起.