Seismic Characteristics and Development Patterns of Miocene Carbonate Platform in the Beikang Basin, Southern South China Sea

The Beikang Basin is located in the southern part of the South China Sea(SCS), which is one of most tectonically complex sea areas. It is a deepwater sedimentary basin that was mainly deposited during the Cenozoic era. Owing to data restrictions, the research on carbonate platforms of this area is still in its infancy. High-resolution seismic data are analyzed to identify the Miocene carbonate platforms and reconstruct the architecture and growth history. The carbonate platforms of Beikang Basin...     

南海共轭陆缘新生代碳酸盐台地 对海盆构造演化的响应

南海新生代碳酸盐台地分布面积广、厚度巨大,但大部分已经淹没,成为淹没碳酸盐台地,它们孕育着南海海盆演变的 重要信息.南海碳酸盐台地伴随着南海陆缘张裂而发育,最初主要发育在两个共轭陆缘伸展地块的构造高地.南海经历了大陆 边缘伸展、岩石圈减薄和地幔剥露等过程,始新世到早渐新世的第二期NE-SW 向扩张,形成了破裂不整合面,随之发生了晚 渐新世至早中新世的海底扩张,形成中央海盆.构造沉降提供了台地生长的可容纳空间,构造掀斜作用、断裂作用和前陆盆地 前沿挤压褶皱的迁移控制了台地各单元厚度、沉积相和地震反射终止特征在横向上的变化,构造控制的相对海平面的变化控 制了不同级序生物礁碳酸盐台地的沉积旋回,而后期加速沉降导致碳酸盐台地淹没.      

Distribution,Seismic Characteristics and Controlling Factors of Carbonate Platforms on the Northwestern Margin of the South China Sea

Newly-acquired seismic data reveal widespread carbonate deposits covering a large part of the northwestern South China Sea margin.Three carbonate platforms are identified to have developed on the topographic highs inherited from tectonic deformation and volcanic accretion.Across the carbonate platforms,the Miocene strata are characterized by high-amplitude seismic reflections and distinct platform architecture that overlaps older strata.The Guangle and Xisha carbonate platforms grew on faulted blocks due to South China Sea continental rifting,while the Zhongjian carbonate platform developed on a structural high induced by early Miocene volcanism.During the late Miocene,partial drowning resulted in the inhibition of platform growth,eventual platform drowning and termination of most carbonate deposition.The drowning of the Guangle and Zhongjian carbonate platforms is shown by the supply of siliciclastic sediments during the late Miocene and seems to be closely linked to late Neogene volcanic activity,whilst the drowning of the Xisha carbonate platform is primarily related to relative eustatic changes.Our results imply that tectonic activity,volcanism and eustasy are the dominant controls on the evolution of carbonate platforms on the northwestern margin of the South China Sea.     

南海表层沉积物中的碳酸钙含量分布及其影响因素

通过测定南海213个表层沉积物样品中的碳酸钙含量, 综合分析整个南海海域碳酸钙含量分布特征及其控制因素.结果表明, 不同的区域海洋环境, 控制表层沉积物中碳酸钙含量变化的因素也不尽相同: 大陆架区, 碳酸钙含量主要受陆源非碳酸盐物质的稀释作用而较低; 大陆坡区, 碳酸钙因丰富的物源量、低的陆源物质输入量和弱的碳酸钙溶解作用等因素而呈较高含量; 深海盆区, 碳酸钙含量因强烈的溶解作用而较低.根据碳酸钙含量在南海整个表层沉积物中的分布趋势, 推测南海纬度14°N以北的海域碳酸钙补偿深度(CCD)为3700m左右, 纬度14°N以南的海域CCD为4000m左右.Pearson相关分析表明, 南海表层沉积物中钙质超微化石对碳酸钙的含量分布具有较高的贡献率.      

Seismic Imaging and 3D Architecture of Yongle Atoll of the Xisha Archipelago, South China Sea

Yongle atoll in the Xisha (Paracel) Archipelago is an isolated carbonate platform developed on Precambrian metamorphic and Mesozoic volcanic rocks since the early Miocene. To identify the 3D stratigraphic architecture and evolution of this platform, 13 high-resolution seismic profiles and shallow-to-deep water multi-beam data were processed and analyzed to reveal seismic facies, sequence boundary reflectors, seismic units, and platform architecture. Nine types of seismic facies were recognized based on their geometry, which included seismic amplitude, continuity, and termination patterns; additionally, six reflections, i.e., Tg, T60, T50, T40, T30, and T20, were identified in the Cenozoic strata. Five seismic units, SQ1 (lower Miocene), SQ2 (middle Miocene), SQ3 (upper Miocene), SQ4 (Pliocene), and SQ5 (Quaternary), were identified from bottom to top across the platform. The platform grew rapidly in the middle Miocene and backstepped in the late Miocene–Pliocene. Here, we discuss the developmental characteristics and evolution of the Yongle Atoll, in combination with drilling wells, which can be divided into four stages: the initiation stage in the early Miocene, the flourishing stage in the middle Miocene, the partial-drowning stage in the late Miocene–Pliocene, and modern atoll in the Quaternary.     

南海北部深水西区中中新世混合沉积模式及控制因素

以新采集的地震资料为基础,对南海北部深水西区的混合沉积作了初步研究。混合沉积在地震剖面上表现为平行—亚平行,振幅强—中,频率中等及连续性中等的反射特征。混合沉积分布在研究区地震资料覆盖范围的西北角,发育规模较大,最大长度达44.7km,最大宽度33.2km,面积1084km2,最大厚度为138m,纵向上分布在中中新统梅山组。综合南海北部构造演化、地震勘探等研究成果,建立了混合沉积模式。该混合沉积分布于半深海沉积区,由其南东东方向的西沙—广乐台地提供碳酸盐岩碎屑(同时也提供部分硅质碎屑),由其西侧的中南半岛提供主要的硅质碎屑。在南海北部深水西区,控制混合沉积分布的主要因素为构造作用(包括海平面变化)、物源供给及水动力条件等三个方面,这三者之间又具有密切的内在联系。     

Stratal Carbonate Content Inversion Using Seismic Data and Its Applications to the Northern South China Sea

Data on the carbonate content in marine sedi-ments are one of the most i mportant proxies to paleo-ceanography,paleoenvironment,and paleocli mate.Itis directly related to the changes in the global carbonreservoir and has unique significance and wide appli-cations in both scientific research and resource explo-ration(Huang et al.,2003;Chen et al.,2002;Trentesaux et al.,2001).The data on the carbonatecontent in sedi ments are pri marily acquired by meas-uring core samples(Fabricius,2003;Kenter…     

南海北部冷泉碳酸盐岩和石化微生物细菌及地质意义

通过对2002年广州海洋地质调查局在南海北部海域拖网采集的碳酸盐岩样品进行岩石、矿物、微量元素和同位素特征的研究,证实在南海水合物远景区发育有冷泉碳酸盐岩。冷泉碳酸盐岩形态类似于烟囱,主要由方解石、伊利石、石英、黄铁矿和一种未知的矿物组成。保存了很可能是石化的甲烷氧化和硫酸盐还原细菌。碳酸盐岩矿物的δ^13CPDB为-51.24‰～-51．757‰。碳酸盐岩矿物的页岩标准化稀土元素配分模式具无Ce和Eu异常、微弱的轻稀土亏损和中稀土富集特征,表明形成于还原的缺氧环境,显示了冷泉碳酸盐岩的特征,指示在南海北部水合物远景分布区内冷泉活动的近海底可能发育有水合物。     

南海西部表层沉积物碳酸盐分布特征及其溶解作用

碳酸盐是海洋沉积物的重要组成部分,在南海表层沉积物中含量最高可超过 70%,因此深入研究现代碳酸盐的分布特征具有十分重要的意义.对南海西部底质的大量取样分析表明,该区 CaCO3含量在上陆坡最高,其中在北部和中南部含量较高,中部和东南部含量较低,其分布特征主要受陆源物质供给量的控制,与陆架的宽度和陆坡的坡度密切相关.CaCO3最富集区出现在水深 400～600 m的上陆坡区,其中水深 500～600 m内的平均含量最高,达 44.37%,水深超过 1 300 m时含量开始明显下降,表明溶解作用增强.对 CaCO3含量与水深关系进行多项式拟合,结果表明,本区没有出现碳酸盐溶解作用突然增强的溶跃面;但在水深 3 500 m附近,拟合曲线出现转折点, CaCO3含量由随水深迅速下降变为相对稳定,因此该水深应为碳酸盐临界补偿深度.     

南海构造变形分区及成盆过程

为了系统认识新生代南海沉积盆地形成演化过程和成盆机制, 在对南海及其周缘区域构造和沉积研究进展调研的基础上, 利用覆盖南海主要盆地新近采集和重处理的地震剖面开展详细的构造-地层分析.基于盆地结构构造、演化特征和成盆动力学的差异性, 以红河-越东-Lupar线大型走滑构造带为界, 将南海及其周缘沉积盆地划分为古南海俯冲拖拽构造区沉积盆地群和挤出-逃逸构造区沉积盆地群, 前者主要是古南海俯冲及其所引起的区域构造变形形成的盆地, 包括北部湾、琼东南、珠江口、曾母、北康、文莱-沙巴和礼乐等盆地, 后者是印度-欧亚大陆碰撞导致印支地块挤出和旋转形成的盆地, 如莺歌海、湄公、中建南、万安等盆地.最后, 结合周缘板块动力学事件和本次对盆地构造研究的成果, 特别是盆地中重要界面属性的重新厘定, 建立了南海及其周缘沉积盆地演化过程.      

开展南海碳酸盐岩台地大洋钻探的建议：揭示台地演化的控制因素与淹没机制

南海发育大量新生代碳酸盐岩台地，它们是南海古构造、古气候和古海洋演变的重要信息来源，也是石油天然气的重要储层。虽然前人对这些碳酸盐岩台地已经开展了大量的研究，但是目前仍未能建立南海现代碳酸盐岩台地的三维结构和高分辨率层序地层格架，关于台地发育演化的控制因素与淹没机制也存在争议。因此，亟需开展南海碳酸盐岩台地大洋钻探。南海北部西沙海域发育大量的现代碳酸盐岩台地，是一个非常好的研究靶区。本文建议选择宣德和北礁这两个典型孤立碳酸盐岩台地，在台地潟湖、边缘、斜坡和深水盆地开展钻探，建立碳酸盐岩台地的高精度年代框架，精细刻画台地内部以及周边的沉积体系，明确南海新生代碳酸盐岩台地形成、生长和淹没的历史，建立台地沉积与演化模式，揭示南海碳酸盐岩台地演化的控制因素，在此基础上，开展南海古构造、古海洋与古气候环境重建，并与全球其他碳酸盐岩台地进行对比，分析异同点及其原因。     

南海大陆边缘盆地构造演化差异性及其与南海扩张耦合关系

南海大陆边缘盆地由于边界条件的差异,不仅形成了不同类型的陆缘盆地,如离散型、走滑伸展型和伸展挠曲复合型,而且这些盆地构造演化存在明显的非同步性。这些陆缘破裂过程与南海扩张作用过程呈现明显不一致性。研究表明,南海扩张时期南海南、北大陆边缘均形成了一系列裂陷盆地,然而,南海南部、北部大陆边缘盆地裂陷作用结束时间不同,北部大陆边缘盆地裂陷作用结束于23 Ma或21 Ma,而南部大陆边缘盆地裂陷作用结束于15.5 Ma,显然北部大陆边缘盆地裂陷结束时间明显早于南部大陆边缘盆地。南海扩张停止后,南海南、北部陆缘仍表现出明显差异,北部陆缘仍以伸展作用为主,晚中新世以来出现快速沉降幕,而南海南部陆缘则以挤压作用为主,且其挤压时间及强度呈现南早北晚的特点,即南部曾母盆地明显早于南薇西盆地和北康盆地。南海南、北大陆边缘盆地形成演化的差异性,特别是构造转型差异变化,为新生代南海扩张的迁移性提供了有力的佐证,可以推断南海不同期次海盆扩张可能存在向南的突然跃迁。因此,本次研究梳理出的南海不同陆缘盆地张裂伸展的非同步性可为南海洋盆扩张演化过程解释提供新的证据。     

南海北康盆地热流分布特征及其构造控制因素探讨

热流是天然气水合物储量估算和油气资源评价的基础数据。南海实测热流数据虽然多,但分布不均。为深入认识北康盆地的热流特征,本文首先利用北康盆地获得的实测热流数据和前人研究成果,绘制了北康盆地热流分布图;根据热流和地温梯度变化特征,重点讨论了北康盆地热流异常区的成因机制,并根据区域地质构造背景,对北康盆地热流分布主要的控制因素进行了简要分析。数据统计结果表明:北康盆地热流变化范围为43.0~115.0mW/m~2,平均为76.8±21.7 mW/m~2;地温梯度变化范围为49.0~133.1℃/km,平均地温梯度为82.2±22.4℃/km。热流整体偏高,具有西高东低,南部高、东南部热流最低的热流特征,且在盆地西北部具有明显的热流异常。分析认为:(1)热流异常区中B区是由于海底高导层埋深影响,A区和C区是由海底流体渗漏区的地下水循环导致热流异常,推测A区为补给区,C区为排泄区;(2)北康盆地热流分布明显受构造作用的控制。西北部及南部受廷贾断裂控制,而东南部为古俯冲带及古洋陆过渡带,西高东低的热流分布特征还与盆地经历的3次快速沉降作用有关,但北康盆地拉张的构造背景引起整体热流值偏高。这对北康盆地油气和天然气水合物的研究均有重要意义。     

南海北部陆缘的构造属性问题

以1号断裂为界,南海北部陆缘可分为东,西两段：东段包括北部湾盆地,琼东南盆地,珠江口盆地和台西盆地等,西段包拓莺歌海盆地。两者构造形变特征存在一定的差异性：东段盆地边界断层主要为NE－EW向,为分支断层通过不同类型转换坡连接而成的多支正断层系,因断层位移沿走向有规律变化,在其上盘发育相关褶皱,如横向褶皱;西段盆地边界断层也是由多条分支断层连接的多支断层系,但方向为NW向,以走滑作用为主,上盘没有发育断层相关褶皱。结合新生代岩浆作用,沉降和充填作用及地壳结构等特征分析,南海北部陆缘东段在构造活动上可以分成三个相对活跃时期,即50－40,30－28和10－5Ma左右。每一期拥有各自的特点,并具有不同的动力学来源,前两期与南海的扩张关系密切,3则与南海扩张无成因联系。南海北部陆缘虽然有一定的岩浆活动,但不是张烈的同期产物,因而它在形成机制上属于非火山型被动大陆边缘,其活动性因素是受周边板块相互作用的叠加所致。西段从成因机制上来讲并不属于南海北部陆缘,可能与印－藏碰撞关系更为密切。     

南海北部—东海南部中生代盆地演化与油气资源潜力

目前的勘探成果表明,南海北部到东海南部的广阔海域普遍发育中生代地层,但是除了在台西南盆地发现工业油气藏之外,其他地区的中生界尚未有大的勘探突破。本次研究将中生代南海北部—东海南部作为一个整体,开展大地构造背景分析,厘清各构造时期盆地的性质及其形成演化机制,探讨油气资源潜力。结果表明:南海北部—东海南部从晚三叠世到白垩纪整体为一个大型盆地,盆地的演化受其周围板块相互运动所控制;晚三叠世(T₃)主要受特提斯构造域控制,发育被动陆缘边缘海沉积盆地;从早侏罗世(J₁)到早白垩世均受古太平洋板块(伊泽奈崎板块)向欧亚板块俯冲机制的控制,其中早—中侏罗世(J_1-2)发育弧前坳陷盆地,晚侏罗—早白垩世(J₃—K₁)盆地性质为弧后断陷盆地;晚白垩世(K₂)受太平洋板块、欧亚板块和印度板块的联合控制,性质依然为弧后断陷盆地,与前期相比,裂陷强度加大;海水由东南方向侵入,地层垂向上由海相向陆相逐渐过渡,由东南向西北和东北方向,水体逐渐变浅,亦由海相向陆相逐渐演变;中生界在南海北部潮汕坳陷等地区发育深海相和海湾相泥岩,在东海南部基隆坳陷也发育良好的海湾相泥岩,生烃潜力大,具有形成大型油气藏的物质基础和地质条件,勘探潜力巨大。本次研究结果可以为南海北部—东海南部中生界的油气资源勘探提供依据。     

南海及邻区新构造运动表现特征及其主控因素

南海具有复杂的地质构造背景,扩张结束以后,新构造运动活跃,但各区域新构造运动发生的时间及运动特征有较大差异。本文综合分析了南海各区域构造演化事件、现今构造格局及新构造运动的基本特征,认为南海新构造运动的起始时间为中中新世（约15 Ma）较合理。在此基础上,收集和整理了南海及邻区最新的地质和地球物理资料,对南海海域新构造期地层差异升降、活动断裂、天然地震以及岩浆活动等新构造表现形式进行了综合分析,系统总结了南海新构造运动特征,并根据活动断裂、天然地震以及岩浆活动等特征和分布规律分析,认为南海海域新构造的表现形式之间存在较大的耦合性。本文根据新构造运动表现形式在空间分布的不平衡性,将南海及邻区划分为1个强构造活动区、3个中等强度构造活动区以及1个弱构造活动区,并结合研究区应力场特征分析,认为南海新构造运动主要受控于东部菲律宾海板块和太平洋板块对东亚大陆边缘的持续俯冲碰撞作用。     

Tectonic Evolution of the Wanan Basin,Southwestern South China Sea

Quantitative studies on the extension and subsidence of the Wanan Basin were carried out based on available seismic and borehole data together with regional geological data.Using balanced cross-section and backstripping techniques,we reconstructed the stratigraphic deposition and tectonic evolution histories of the basin.The basin formed from the Eocene and was generally in an extensional/transtensional state except for the Late Miocene local compressoin.The major basin extension ocurred in the Oligocene and Early Miocene(before ~16.3 Ma) and thereafter uniform stretch in a smaller rate.The northern and middle basin extended intensely earlier during 38.6–23.3 Ma,while the southern basin was mainly stretched during 23.3–16.3 Ma.The basin formation and development are related to alternating sinistral to dextral strike-slip motions along the Wanan Fault Zone.The dominant dynamics may be caused by the seafloor spreading of the South China Sea and the its peripheral plate interaction.The basin tectonic evolution is divided into five phases:initial rifting,main rifting,rift-drift transition,structural inversion,and thermal subsidence.     

Basement of the South China Sea Area: Tracing the Tethyan Realm

The basement of the South China Sea (SCS) and adjacent areas can be divided into six divisions (regions) – Paleozoic Erathem graben-faulted basement division in Beibu Gulf, Paleozoic Erathem strike-slip pull-apart in Yinggehai waters, Paleozoic Erathem faulted-depression in eastern Hainan, Paleozoic Erathem rifted in northern Xisha (Paracel), Paleozoic Erathem strike-slip extending in southern Xisha, and Paleozoic-Mesozoic Erathem extending in Nansha Islands (Spratly) waters. The Pre-Cenozoic basement in the SCS and Yunkai continental area are coeval within the Tethyan tectonic domain in the Pre-Cenozoic Period. They are formed on the background of the Paleo-Tethyan tectonic domain, and are important components of the Eastern Tethyan multi-island-ocean system. Three branches of the Eastern Paleo-Tethys tectonic domain, North Yunkai, North Hainan, and South Hainan sea basins, have evolved into the North Yunkai, North Hainan, and South Hainan suture zones, respectively. This shows a distinctive feature of localization for the Pre-Cenozoic basement. The Qiongnan (i.e. South Hainan) Suture Zone on the northern margin of the South China Sea can be considered the vestige of the principal ocean basin of Paleo-Tethys, and connected with the suture zone of the Longmucuo-Shuanghu belt–Bitu belt –Changning-Menglian-Bentong-Raub belt, the south extension of Bitu-Changning-Menglian–Ching Mai belt–Chanthaburi-Raub-Bentong belt on the west of South China Sea, and with the Lianhua-Taidong suture zone (a fault along the east side of Longitudinal Valley in Taiwan)–Hida LP/HT (low pressure-high temperature) metamorphic belt–Hida-marginal HP/LT metamorphic belt in southwestern Honshu of Japan, on the east of the South China Sea. The Qiongbei (North Hainan) suture zone may eastwards extended along the Wangwu-Wenjiao fault zone, and connects with the Lufeng-Dapu-Zhenghe-Shangyu (Lianhuashan) deep fault zone through the Pearl River Mouth Basin. The Meso-Tethys developed on the south of the South China Sea. The Nansha Trough may be considered the vestige of the northern shelf of the Meso-Tethys. The oceanic crust of the Meso-Tethys has southwards subducted along the subduction-collision-thrust southern margin of the Nansha Trough with a subduction-pole opposite to those of the Yarlung Zangbo-Mytkyina-Bago zone on the west of the South China Sea, and the Meso-Tethyan (e.g. Northern Chichibu Ocean of the Meso-Tethys) suture zone “Butsozo tectonic line” in the outer belt of the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous terrene group in southwest Japan, on the east of the South China Sea.