Coastal Quaternary morphologies on the northern coast of the South China Sea, China, and their implications for current tectonic models: A review and preliminary study

Abstract

Marine terraces, tidal notches and sediments along a 1200-km-long stretch of the northern coast of the South China Sea passive margin were studied and divided into five areas with varying tectonic characters. Up to three marine terraces occur, that have elevations reaching up to 60 m above mean sea level (amsl), and two marine notches occur up to 11 m amsl. Chronology of the morphologies and deposits was obtained mainly by comparison with Quaternary sea levels derived from the oxygen isotope curve. However, prior to the last interglacial highstand (MIS 5e, c. 125 ka), evidence of history of events is less well-constrained, leading to less precision on sea-level positions prior to MIS 5e. Using the morphological features of MIS 5e as a marker, mean coastal uplift rates in the last c.125 ka range from 0.07 mm/yr to 0.18 mm/yr. The pattern of deformations is slightly higher than those observed on passive margin coasts in other parts of the world. The cause of uplift of the south China coastline is not clear, but may relate to the Himalayan collision zone or any other large-scale phenomena.

Coastal notches: Their morphology, formation, and function

“…Elevated Quaternary notches of last interglacial age are generally best preserved, older notches at higher elevation often having collapsed or been covered in colluvium. Notches are especially prominent behind the raised MIS 5 reefs in Barbados (Johnson, 2001), although they have also been reported from many other places (Jones and Hunter, 1990;Merritts et al, 1999;Zazo et al, 2003;Antonioli et al, 2004b;Pedoja et al, 2008;Irion et al, 2012) (Fig. 7a).…”

Uplift of quaternary shorelines in eastern Patagonia: Darwin revisited

“…This minor discrepancy could be explained Tassara et al, 2007), and the transition between the two units largely corresponds to the transition (Rutter et al, 1989;González Bonorino et al, 1999;Vilas et al, 1999) Pedoja et al, 2008b;Rostami et al, 2000;Schellmann and Radtke, 2000;Feruglio, 1950 4 17 3 marine terrace / beach ridge / notch 0.12 0.03 Since 0.7 Ma This study; Pedoja et al, 2008b;Feruglio, 1950 5 18 2 marine terrace / beach ridge 0.12 0.03 Since 1.5 Ma This study; Pedoja et al, 2008b;Rutter et al, 1989Rutter et al, , 1990Codignotto et al, 1988;Feruglio, 1950 5 18 2 marine terrace / beach ridge 0.12 0.03 Since MIS 11 and/or 14 This study; Aguirre et al, 2009;Pedoja et al, 2008b;Rostami et al, 2000;Schellmann and Radtke, 2000;Codignotto et al, 1992;Feruglio, 1933Feruglio, , 1950 17.5 3 marine terrace / beach ridge 0.12 0.04 Since MIS 11 and/or 13 This study; Aguirre et al, 2009;Pedoja et al, 2008b;Aguirre, 2003;Schellmann andRadtke, 2000, 2003;Rostami et al, 2000;Feruglio, 1950 5 17.5 1 marine terrace 0.12 0.03 Since MIS 9 This study; Pedoja et al, 2008b;Schellmann and Radtke, 2003;Caldenius, 1940 Pedoja et al, 2008b;Sauer et al, 2007;Aguirre et al, 2005;Rostami et al, 2000;Schellmann and...…”

Assessment for the Coastal Sedimentary Environment in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region, China by Using 14C Dating

“…However, in the tectonic subsidence areas, the lower the sedimentary layer is, the older the stratum is, and each new layer is laid down horizontally over older ones in a process [6,17,18] as shown in Figure 2. It is no doubt that the upper cycle of two sedimentary cycles in PRD belongs to Holocene, and the lower one is dating back to late Pleistocene [19].In addition, the tectonic movement has of great significant in the development of PRD.…”