塔里木盆地北缘南华纪—寒武纪构造背景及构造-沉积事件探讨

以塔里木盆地西北缘和东北缘南区南华系—寒武系野外地质调查为基础,结合古地磁成图及前人研究资料,针对构造-沉积事件等探讨盆地北缘南华纪—寒武纪成盆演化过程。研究区保存了完整的南华纪—寒武纪地层,其中塔东北缘以冰碛岩、碎屑岩(富含有机质)和碳酸盐岩为主,夹多层火山岩;塔西北缘以碎屑岩和碳酸盐岩为主,冰碛岩及火山岩夹层少。塔里木陆块从属于罗迪尼亚超大陆,其北缘邻近澳洲西缘,南华纪—震旦纪发生深度裂解。在它的东北缘和西北缘发育两支裂谷,形成厚层裂谷-被动边缘沉积。南华系—中奥陶统为盆地残留的较早的裂谷-被动陆缘盆地沉积,可划分为南华纪断陷期(超大陆裂解期)和震旦纪-中奥陶世沉降期(板块漂移期)。     

黔东及毗邻地区南华纪锰矿成矿期与成矿后构造专项填图方法研究

黔东及毗邻地区南华纪锰矿成矿期构造主要为同沉积断层,该类型断层在成矿期十分发育,控制和形成了南华纪早期不同序次的次级裂谷盆地,同沉积断层的垂向发育形成了锰矿成矿通道,同沉积断层可作为古天然气渗漏沉积型锰矿床关键地质找矿标志,本文阐述了其主要判别特征。南华纪锰矿形成后,历经加里东运动、印支运动及燕山运动等构造运动,总体来说,该区构造格局主要是受到燕山运动影响形成。本文也讨论了研究区成矿后广泛发育且比较典型,对锰矿层保存与破坏有着较大影响的犁式正断层及其判别特征。     

贵州南华纪—震旦纪沉积大地构造及其对沉积矿产的控制作用

新元古代早期(820 720 Ma),华南由扬子地块、华夏地块和江南造山带3个构造单元组成。新元古代晚期,南华纪-震旦纪(720 541 Ma)沿新元古代早期的江南造山带发育一裂谷盆地-南华裂谷,贵州东部是南华裂谷的重要组成部分。传统认为黔东地区该裂谷盆地为北北东向,越来越多的证据证明该裂谷盆地为北东东向。黔东地区南华纪裂谷盆地具有典型的地堑、地垒结构,并控制着"大塘坡式"锰矿的分布。震旦纪之后,裂谷盆地处于沉降阶段,沉降中心向南迁移到凯里-玉屏一线。震旦纪时期,扬子地块和南华裂谷存在明显的滨浅海磷矿-碳酸盐岩和深水泥质岩-硅质岩的沉积分异。扬子地块和南华裂谷控制着扬子地块震旦系陡山沱组磷矿和南华裂谷老堡组重晶石等沉积矿产的分布。富磷矿位于松桃-贵阳同沉积断裂以北的扬子地块南缘,重晶石矿发育于裂谷盆地强烈沉降区的天柱-岑巩一带。     

湘黔渝毗邻区南华纪岩相古地理及沉积盆地演化

湘黔渝毗邻区大地构造位置位于扬子陆块东南缘,发育有完整的南华纪沉积记录,同时也是我国南华纪“大塘坡式”沉积型锰矿的重要富集区。通过对区内南华系剖面的详细调查与研究,结合室内综合分析,应用“优势相”成图方法编制了南华纪早世、中世、晚世岩相古地理图件。研究表明:受Rodinia超大陆全球性裂解作用影响,南华纪时期扬子陆块东南缘发生广泛的裂解作用,形成武陵次级裂谷盆地和雪峰次级裂谷盆地,构成“堑-垒”式古地理格局,南华系是在这一背景下形成的“楔状”沉积体;划分出大陆相组、过渡相组和海相组三大沉积相组,识别出河流相、湖泊相、三角洲相、海岸相以及浅海陆棚相等沉积相及若干沉积亚相等。系列图件的编制恢复了南华纪时期的沉积盆地演化与古地理变迁,建立了沉积盆地演化模式,为区域上沉积型锰矿的预测与寻找提供了一定的沉积学依据。     

扬子地块西北缘后龙门山南华纪—早古生代沉积地层特征及其形成环境

通过对扬子地块西北缘后龙门山构造带南华纪—早古生代沉积地层的分析研究,综合运用岩石学、沉积特征分析的手段,结合与前龙门山构造带、碧口地块、米仓山构造带和汉南地块的沉积特征对比,探讨后龙门山构造带南华纪—早古生代的沉积环境,查明其形成环境。结果表明：在南华纪—早古生代后龙门山构造带沉积环境可分为南华纪—震旦纪裂解-稳定沉积和早古生代伸展裂陷沉积两个阶段,其中在早古生代伸展裂陷阶段后龙门山构造带经历了裂解→抬升→局部裂解→抬升→裂解的反复过程,最终形成了志留系茂县群裂陷槽沉积,主要沉积了一套代表伸展裂陷环境的沉积岩系,并有少量的陆内火山岩系。研究结果进一步证实,龙门山构造带在南华纪—早古生代总体是一个陆内裂谷带,不发育与古缝合线相关的构造混杂岩和蛇绿混杂岩带,是在陆内裂谷的基础上于印支期—燕山期形成的陆内造山带。     

塔里木盆地东北缘库鲁克塔格地区新元古代构造-沉积演化

塔里木盆地库鲁克塔格地区保存了完整的新元古代南华纪—震旦纪地层,具有从早南华世火山岩-碎屑岩沉积,到晚南华世—早震旦世碎屑沉积,再到晚震旦世碎屑岩-碳酸盐岩沉积的演化过程。其中发育贝义西期、阿勒通沟期、特瑞艾肯期、汉格尔乔克期4期冰川沉积以及贝义西期、阿勒通沟期、扎摩克提期、水泉期4期火山作用。新元古代库鲁克塔格地区为大陆边缘裂谷,早南华世为强烈拉张断陷阶段,晚南华世—早震旦世为断陷向坳陷转变阶段,晚震旦世为稳定沉降阶段。以兴地断裂为界,南北两区具有不同的构造-沉积演化特征,早南华世南区为火山岩喷发中心,形成火山岩高地,北区为裂谷沉积中心,发育滨岸-陆棚沉积体系,整体具有南高北低的构造格局。晚南华世—早震旦世继承早南华世构造格局,南区以三角洲沉积为主,北区发育陆棚沉积体系。晚震旦世,南北两区沉积差异减弱,南区发育碳酸盐岩台地,北区为碎屑岩与碳酸盐岩混积陆棚。晚南华世—震旦纪南区结束火山活动,而北区发育多期次的火山岩。     

新疆哈密沁城一带南华系青石峡组地质特征及意义

在哈密沁城青石峡一带原划为上石炭统居里得能组中解体出一套浅变质火山-沉积岩系,岩石组合为变玄武岩、阳起石片岩、变凝灰岩,变酸性凝灰岩、变火山灰凝灰岩、霏细岩、流纹岩、变岩屑砂岩、千枚岩等,为玄武岩-流纹岩组合,安山岩较少,具双峰式火山岩特征,为裂谷型火山岩组合.火山岩岩石化学特征为碱性玄武岩系列,钠质类型,成熟度低,与裂谷火山岩吻合,稀土元素分布型式为轻稀土富集型,δEu=0.88～0.98,为Eu平坦型,具幔源岩浆特性.微量元素比值蛛网图具大陆板内裂谷玄武岩特征.构造环境判别显示为大陆裂谷环境,具高原火山岩向裂谷演化特点.同位素Sm-Nd测量年龄为707～757 Ma,为早南华世.该套火山岩特征为裂解型的裂谷火山岩,并可与库鲁克塔格地区贝义西组对比,所以这套火山岩时代定为南华纪,新建下南华统青石峡组是古亚洲洋南华纪裂解时产物,为吐哈地块演化提供了新证据.     

扬子克拉通南华纪-早古生代的构造-沉积旋回

根据影响克拉通盆地演化的板块活动所经历的威尔逊旋回,扬子克拉通南华纪-早古生代的构造-沉积旋回可分为5期,即南华纪-震旦纪的均衡调整期、寒武纪的扩张期、早-中奥陶世的汇聚期、中-晚奥陶世的碰撞期和志留纪新一轮的均衡调整期。发生在晚奥陶世的中加里东运动是加里东期最强烈的一次造山运动,而发生在晚志留世的晚加里东运动是一次地壳上升运动;相应的扬子古板块志留纪盆地的构造背景为造山期后的裂谷伸展环境,其原型盆地表现为周缘裂谷盆地与弱伸展的克拉通内盆地相间发育的格局。     

关于建立“板溪系”的建议及其基础的讨论——以黔东地区为例

作者在分析黔东新元古代早期沉积时限的基础上,结合前人关于Sturtian冰期、南华系底界、青白口系年代学的最新研究成果,指出华南新元古代裂谷盆地早期沉积(板溪群或与之相当的高涧群、芙蓉溪群、丹洲群、下江群、登山群、历口群等)时限为740～820Ma,是南华纪冰期前的非冰成沉积,是Rodinia裂解机制下的填平补齐沉积;而青白口系沉积可能是与Rodinia形成相关的板块碰撞机制下坳陷盆地沉积,南华系是与国际成冰系相对应的冰期沉积,是华南新元古代裂谷盆地的第一个盖层,因此,将板溪群、下江群等归入南华系或青白口系均不合理。由此提出了"板溪系"概念,它包括板溪群或与之相当的一套楔状地层。结合目前华南裂谷盆地开启年龄和南华纪冰期的起始年龄,板溪纪的时限暂定为850～740Ma。板溪系的提出不仅将有利于解决长期存在的南华系划分对比问题,同时也必将有利于新元古代裂谷盆地早期演化及其与Rodinia超大陆裂解、冰期形成等关系的研究和相关重大气候、环境巨变问题的探讨。     

关于建立“板溪系”的建议及其基础的讨论——以黔东地区为例汪正江

作者在分析黔东新元古代早期沉积时限的基础上,结合前人关于Sturtian冰期、南华系底界、青白口系年代学的最新研究成果,指出华南新元古代裂谷盆地早期沉积（板溪群或与之相当的高涧群、芙蓉溪群、丹洲群、下江群、登山群、历口群等）时限为740～820Ma,是南华纪冰期前的非冰成沉积,是Rodinia裂解机制下的填平补齐沉积;而青白口系沉积可能是与Rodinia形成相关的板块碰撞机制下坳陷盆地沉积,南华系是与国际成冰系相对应的冰期沉积,是华南新元古代裂谷盆地的第一个盖层,因此,将板溪群、下江群等归入南华系或青白口系均不合理。由此提出了“板溪系”概念,它包括板溪群或与之相当的一套楔状地层。结合目前华南裂谷盆地开启年龄和南华纪冰期的起始年龄,板溪纪的时限暂定为850～740Ma。 板溪系的提出不仅将有利于解决长期存在的南华系划分对比问题,同时也必将有利于新元古代裂谷盆地早期演化及其与Rodinia超大陆裂解、冰期形成等关系的研究和相关重大气候、环境巨变问题的探讨。     

Distribution Features of the Nanhua‐Sinian Rifts and their Significance to Hydrocarbon Accumulation in the Tarim Basin

On the basis of reprocessing 34 new two-dimensional spliced long sections(20,191 km) in the Tarim Basin, the deep structure features of the Tarim Basin were analyzed through interpreting 30,451 km of two-dimensional seismic data and compiling basic maps. Seismic interpretation and geological analysis conclude that the Nanhua-Sinian strata are a set of rift-depression depositional systems according to their tectonic and depositional features. The rift valley formed in the Nanhua Period, and the transformation became weaker during the late Sinian Period, which eventually turned into depression. From bottom to top, the deposited strata include mafic igneous, tillite, mudstone, and dolomite. Three major depocenters developed inside this basin during the rift stage and are distributed in the eastern Tarim Basin, the Awati area, and the southwestern Tarim Basin. Among them, the rift in the eastern Tarim Basin strikes in the near east-west direction on the plane and coincides with the aeromagnetic anomaly belt. This represents a strong magnetic zone formed by upwelling basic volcanic rock along high, steep normal faults of the Nanhua Period. Controlled by the tectonic background, two types of sedimentary systems were developed in the rift stage and depression stage, showing two types of sequence features in the Sinian depositional stage. The Nanhua System appears as a wedge-shaped formation, with its bottom in unconformable contact with the base. The rifting event has a strong influence on the current tectonic units in the Tarim Basin, and affects the distribution of source rock in the Yuertus Formation and reservoir beds in the Xiaoerbulake Formation in Lower Cambrian, as well as the gypseous cap rock in Middle Cambrian. The distribution features of the rifts have important and realistic significance for determining the direction of oil and gas exploration in the deep strata of the Tarim Basin. Comprehensive analysis suggests that the Tazhong region is the most favorable zone, and the Kalpin-Bachu region is the optimal potential zone for exploring sub-salt oil and gas in deep Cambrian strata.     

大陆裂谷中断层的演化：北贝加尔盆地西南端构造地貌证据

北贝加尔盆地西南端位于贝加尔盆地中部,包括Olkhon岛及其邻区,文中研究了这个区域的构造地貌格架。北贝加尔盆地西南端的构造地貌类型是由走滑构造末端的一系列雁列构造、裂谷断层及次级断层的末端复合构造控制。朝着海的方向Olkhon地区次级断层包括4个连续的末端复合构造Primorsky断层带,Buguldeika-Chernorud地堑—MaloyeMore裂谷盆地—Ushkaniy断层带,Tazheran高原—Olkhon岛鞍部和淹没的Akademichesky山脊,Olkhon断层带。这个末端构造被横向断层切为几段,其活动时间在南西最年轻,向北东逐渐加大,同时断层垂直断距从数十米增至2000余米,且断层带变得更为宽阔,也更为复杂。Pri-morsky断层带向北东从西南端简单的线性断层崖,变为断层围限的断块系统,再变为上升和沉降(盆地)块体系统,并最终汇入一个盆地之中;沿着这个方向裂谷边界断层则突然地复合于盆地构造中。这种构造地貌类型记录了断层演化的时间和空间关系,即从属于递进的沉降和加宽直至最终发育为盆地。因此其趋势是发育完好的湖盆、陆地构造直至被水淹没。陆地构造淹没趋势及没有断层围限块体的盆内构造组合可能是与犁式断层旋转相关的陆内裂谷的共同特点,并具一般裂谷的打开机制。     

塔里木盆地塔中低凸起古构造演化与变形特征

通过区域地质和构造地震精细研究,提出了塔里木南缘早古生代板块构造控制塔南—塔中从伸展到挤压盆地演化：寒武纪—早奥陶世板缘拉张控制了塔中北斜坡断陷构造;中奥陶世北昆仑洋盆关闭后塔中前缘隆起;晚奥陶世—晚泥盆世塔中前陆冲断与走滑构造变形。晚奥陶世塔南前陆冲断构造由东南向西北方向传播,形成塘北—塔中南—塔中5号断裂带等弧形断裂体系和塔中低凸起中西段与Ⅰ号断裂带小角度斜交的走滑断裂体系。冲断构造位移的传播受控于两个滑脱层：其一是沿寒武系内部膏盐岩的滑脱,形成弧形冲断构造,终止于塔中南缘断裂带;另一个是沿中地壳韧性变形带的滑脱,形成塔中1号断裂带东端的弧形构造带。塔中1号断裂带东段的构造变形方式主要为向北传播水平位移的断层传播褶皱和向南反向冲断的楔形构造。塔中低凸起的中西段右行走滑构造导致了向东收敛的扫帚状走滑断裂体系的形成,剖面发育花状构造。塔中低凸起的古构造演化与变形特征、构造变形样式、构造变形成因和断裂体系,是克拉通盆地内部叠合盆地深层的主要构造地质特征。     

The Wan-An fault and its relationship with the Wan-An Basin, western South China Sea

The Wan An Basin, a major basin located in the southwestern part of the South China Sea, is suggested to be closely related to the extrusion of the Indo-China Block. But the published documentation about the Wan An Basin is very sparse. High-resolution seismic reflection profiles obtained by the petroleum industry along the southwestern margin of the South China Sea provide us a chance to study the characteristics of the Wan-An fault and its relationship to the Wan-An Basin. The Wan-An Fault staggered strata in the Wan-An Basin and formed negative flower structures. The deformation related to the Wan-An fault is localized along the fault, while the strata away from the strike-slip fault were not affected. The characteristics of strike-slip extensional basin are not obvious in the Wan-An Basin. However, this basin has obvious characteristics of rift basin. Initial analysis shows that the Wan-An Basin should be a continental margin rift basin.     

Água Bonita pull apart basin and its relationship to Transbrasiliano Lineament

The Transbrasiliano Lineament (TBL), a NE-SW trending strike slip system at least 2700 km long, is one of the main structures of the South American Platform. This lineament, along with other structures, influenced greatly the installation and depositional history of the Paraná and Parnaíba sedimentary basins. The Água Bonita Basin (ABB) occurs at an intermediate position between both basins. This work aims to provide information on the origin and evolution of the Água Bonita Basin, considered a Silurian-Devonian basin, as well as its relationship with the Transbrasiliano Lineament.Geological, aero and ground geophysics data were used to determine a structural geological model for the ABB located in the Brasilia Fold Belt in the Tocantins tectonic province. The airborne geophysical magnetic data used in the study were acquired in the 1970s by the existing 147 ground gravity stations in addition to the 498 new ground gravity and geodetic stations that were added to the existing ones.The analysis of the outcrops allowed identifying the sedimentary facies associations providing new information on the depositional environments. The compilation of existing data, satellite images analysis, geological maps and shaded relief provided an integrated model for the study area.A geological model was proposed for the ABB based on the interpretation, integration, depth analysis and 2D gravity forward modeling according to a theoretical model for an extensional duplex in a strike slip system with flower structures. We observed several segmented gravity anomalies, which were interpreted as steps/faults. This interpretation is consistent with a pull apart basin. According to the depth data estimated by this model, the maximum thickness of the Água Bonita Formation is 1.6 km and 2.4 km for the precursor rift. The basin has two dextral faults on each border, whose main fault of the TBL strike slip system and the master fault controlling the ABB are observed on the east border of the rift phase. Lineaments perpendicular to the west edge, in addition to those crossing the ABB in the N65E, delineate peculiar magnetic, gravity and geological signatures in the northern part of the basin. The basin is located in the weak region of the TBL and its main eastern fault is dipping sub-vertically to the west. This fault modeled up to the 8 km depth using the gravity data, was also observed in the Tilt Angle of the Total Horizontal Gradient (TAHG) matched filter grid result at approximately 8 km, however this may not be this fault maximum depth.Three main sedimentary-tectonic stages were observed, (i) a Pre-Devonian precursor rift present in the Água Bonita Basin and Jaibaras Group; (ii) the sag stage developed during the Devonian, when the Paleozoic basins of Paraná, Parnaíba and Água Bonita Basin were connected evidenced by the sedimentary facies and similar thicknesses; and (iii) the Pos-devonian rocks that are probably not preserved in the Água Bonita Basin.     

Extensional tectonics and sedimentary response of the Early-Middle Cambrian passive continental margin, Tarim Basin, Northwest China

The fact that several half-grabens and normal faults developed in the Lower—Middle Cambrian of Tazhong(central Tarim Basin) and Bachu areas in Tarim Basin,northwest China,indicates that Tarim Basin was under extensional tectonic setting at this time.The half-grabens occur within a linear zone and the normal faults are arranged in en echelon patterns with gradually increasing displacement eastward.Extensional tectonics resulted in the formation of a passive continental margin in the southwest and a cratonic margin depression in the east,and most importantly,influenced the development of a three-pronged rift in the northeast margin of the Tarim Basin.The fault system controlled the development of platform-slope-bathyal facies sedimentation of mainly limestone-dolomite-gypsum rock-saline rock-red beds in the half-grabens.The NW-SE trending half-grabens reflect the distribution of buried basement faults.     

Evolution of the eastern margin of Korea: Constraints on the opening of the East Sea (Japan Sea)

We interpreted marine seismic profiles in conjunction with swath bathymetric and magnetic data to investigate rifting to breakup processes at the eastern Korean margin that led to the separation of the southwestern Japan Arc. The eastern Korean margin is rimmed by fundamental elements of rift architecture comprising a seaward succession of a rift basin and an uplifted rift flank passing into the slope, typical of a passive continental margin. In the northern part, rifting occurred in the Korea Plateau that is a continental fragment extended and partially segmented from the Korean Peninsula. Two distinguished rift basins (Onnuri and Bandal Basins) in the Korea Plateau are bounded by major synthetic and smaller antithetic faults, creating wide and considerably symmetric profiles. The large-offset border fault zones of these basins have convex dip slopes and demonstrate a zig-zag arrangement along strike. In contrast, the southern margin is engraved along its length with a single narrow rift basin (Hupo Basin) that is an elongated asymmetric half-graben. Analysis of rift fault patterns suggests that rifting at the Korean margin was primarily controlled by normal faulting resulting from extension rather than strike-slip deformation. Two extension directions for rifting are recognized: the Onnuri and Hupo Basins were rifted in the east-west direction; the Bandal Basin in the east–west and northwest–southeast directions, suggesting two rift stages. We interpret that the east–west direction represents initial rifting at the inner margin; while the Japan Basin widened, rifting propagated southeastward repeatedly from the Japan Basin toward the Korean margin but could not penetrate the strong continental lithosphere of the Korean Shield and changed the direction to the south, resulting in east–west extension to create the rift basins at the Korean margin. The northwest–southeast direction probably represents the direction of rifting orthogonal to the inferred line of breakup along the base of the slope of the Korea Plateau; after breakup the southwestern Japan Arc separated in the southeast direction, indicating a response to tensional tectonics associated with the subduction of the Pacific Plate in the northwest direction. No significant volcanism was involved in initial rifting. In contrast, the inception of sea floor spreading documents a pronounced volcanic phase which appears to reflect asthenospheric upwelling as well as rift-induced convection particularly in the narrow southern margin. We suggest that structural and igneous evolution of the Korean margin, although it is in a back-arc setting, can be explained by the processes occurring at the passive continental margin with magmatism influenced by asthenospheric upwelling.     

塔里木东北地区盆山耦合及其对油气成藏的控制

震旦纪一寒武纪库鲁克塔格、英吉苏地区为陆内裂谷盆地。加里东末期与早海西运动造成塔东地区的普遍抬升剥蚀，孔雀河斜坡、罗布庄凸起开始形成，早二叠世，塔里木板块与中天山地块、哈萨克斯坦一准噶尔板块最终碰撞拼贴，古天山造山带相继形成。燕山晚期，受中特提斯洋关闭影响。塔里木盆地基底随造山带的构造抬升而部分抬升，喜马拉雅期开始，在南北向挤压力作用下，收缩、隆升的山体侧向扩张，向沉积盆地逆冲形成型逆冲推覆构造。造山带和盆地的共同演化不仅形成了多套烃源岩，而且控制了古生界和中新生界两套不同的油气成藏系统。元古界地层由北向南推覆，可能预示着在库鲁克塔格南缘西段山前前寒武纪地层下部保存有古生代和中新生代烃源岩建造，如果配有有利的油气储盖组合和圈闭，有望在山前获得突破。     

塔西南坳陷古新统蒸发岩沉积条件及成因模式初探

基于近期野外地质调查及钻井资料整理,对塔西南地区古新统蒸发岩沉积特征、展布规律及成因模式进行了初步探讨。研究表明,塔西南古新统吐依洛克组蒸发岩以石盐岩为主,为海退过程中的产物;阿尔塔什组蒸发岩以石膏岩或者硬石膏岩为主,为缓慢海侵的产物。吐依洛克组石盐岩沉积是海退背景下、多级盆地卤水回流的结果,其受控于同时期区域性构造运动和海平面变化等多种因素。古新世早期,从卡拉库姆盆地向东至费尔干纳-阿富汗-塔吉克盆地再到塔西南地区,在空间上表现为一个自西向东水体盐度逐渐升高的湖链系统。在塔西南与最西部特提斯海之间,以石膏相为主的预备盆地的出现,是导致塔西南地区吐依洛克组蒸发岩以石盐岩为主而显著缺乏石膏岩的主要原因。这种多级次级盆地中卤水的回流作用对盐类物质向后期分异具有积极意义,指示了塔西南古新统具有较好的成钾远景。     

The tectonic evolution of the Qiongdongnan Basin in the northern margin of the South China Sea

Qiongdongnan Basin is a Cenozoic rift basin located on the northern passive continental margin of the South China Sea. Due to a lack of geologic observations, its evolution was not clear in the past. However, recently acquired 2-D seismic reflection data provide an opportunity to investigate its tectonic evolution. It shows that the Qiongdongnan Basin comprises a main rift zone which is 50–100 km wide and more than 400 km long. The main rift zone is arcuate in map view and its orientation changes from ENE–WSW in the west to nearly E–W in the east. It can be divided into three major segments. The generally linear fault trace shown by many border faults in map view implies that the eastern and middle segments were controlled by faults reactivated from NE to ENE trending and nearly E–W trending pre-existing fabrics, respectively. The western segment was controlled by a left-lateral strike-slip fault. The fault patterns shown by the central and eastern segments indicate that the extension direction for the opening of the rift basin was dominantly NW–SE. A semi-quantitative analysis of the fault cut-offs identifies three stages of rifting evolution: (1) 40.4–33.9 Ma, sparsely distributed NE-trending faults formed mainly in the western and the central part of the study area; (2) 33.9–28.4 Ma, the main rift zone formed and the area influenced by faulting was extended into the eastern part of the study area and (3) 28.4–20.4 Ma, the subsidence area was further enlarged but mainly extended into the flanking area of the main rift zone. In addition, Estimates of extensional strain along NW–SE-trending seismic profiles, which cross the main rift zone, vary between 15 and 39 km, which are generally comparable to the sinistral displacement on the Red River Fault Zone offshore, implying that this fault zone, in terms of sinistral motion, terminated at a location near the southern end of the Yinggehai Basin. Finally, these observations let us to favour a hybrid model for the opening of the South China Sea and probably the Qiongdongnan Basin.