Continentward-dipping detachment fault system and asymmetric rift structure of the Baiyun Sag, northern South China Sea

Zhou, Zhaohua; Mei, Lianfu; Liu, Jun; Zheng, Jinyun; Chen, Liang; Hao, Shihao

doi:10.1016/j.tecto.2018.02.002

Cited by 57 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…However, Cenozoic tectonic processes alone usually could not well explain diverse rift structure along the rift axis and the origin of many peculiar structural geometries. For example, distinct structural trends (NE‐ENE‐, EW‐WNW‐, and NNW‐trending) also exist in the southern distal basin (the Zhu II Depression) though the influence of pre‐existing basement structures have not been confirmed yet (Yang et al, ; Zhou et al, ). In fact, basement structures in the present inboard northern SCS margin could be even more complex than that in the outboard area as described in this study since it was more closed to the southern plate margin during the Mesozoic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Pre‐existing Basement Faults on the Cenozoic Structure and Evolution of the Proximal Domain, Northern South China Sea Rifted Margin

Mei

et al. 2020

Tectonics

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In this paper, we investigate the structure of the Cenozoic rift basin in the proximal domain of the northern South China Sea (SCS) margin, with an emphasis on the influence exerted by pre-existing basement faults on rift development. Results of our work indicate that the overall rift architecture of the proximal domain of the northern SCS margin is associated with extensional faults arranged in two main structural trends, WNW-to EW-trending and ENE-trending. Structural evidence presented in this paper suggests that extensional faults of the two main structural trends mainly reactivated two pre-existing basement fault systems mapped in previous works, a WNW-to EW-striking thrust fault system (PFS1) and an ENE-striking thrust fault system (PFS2). During the first rifting phase, both pre-existing fault systems were reactivated; however, strains and depocenters were mainly localized on the ENE-striking normal fault system that reactivated the PFS2. On the contrary, in the second rifting phase, extension was mainly accommodated by WNW-to EW-striking normal faults that reactivated the PFS1, while most of the earlier ENE-striking normal faults became inactive or less active. These different degrees of reactivation of the two pre-existing fault systems during the two rifting phases suggest a clockwise rotation of the regional extension direction from NNW-SSE in the Syn-rift stage 1 to N-S in the Syn-rift stage 2. This study implies that apart from Cenozoic tectonic processes, pre-existing structures have also played a key role during rifting evolution across the SCS margin.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Pre‐existing Basement Faults on the Cenozoic Structure and Evolution of the Proximal Domain, Northern South China Sea Rifted Margin

Mei

et al. 2020

Tectonics

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“…Due to the low seismic resolution, the lack of deep wells in the basin, and the hyperextended nature of the Liwan sag basin, the nature of the basin's basement flooring is unconstrained. Although several competing models made clear predictions about the nature of the basement (Gao et al, ; Miao et al, ; Zhou et al, ), at present none of these models have been tested by drilling. At present, there is little consensus among different interpretations.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Miao et al () interpreted the HARs as the base of Cenozoic sediments representing an abrupt change in the sedimentary environment. Zhou et al () attributed the HARs to detachment faults. However, in terms of our analysis, rare faults with big displacements can be observed cutting across the HARs and penetrating into the sub‐HARs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tectono‐Sedimentary Analysis of the Hyperextended Liwan Sag Basin (Midnorthern Margin of the South China Sea)

Zhang

Pang

et al. 2019

Tectonics

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Although hyperextended rifted margins have been the focus of many recent studies, the potential interaction between tectonic deformation and sedimentation during extreme crustal thinning is poorly understood. In this study, we aim to explore the tectono-sedimentary evolution during final rifting and lithospheric breakup in the hyperextended Liwan sag basin. We demonstrate the presence of an oceanward inclined shale sequence, which acts as a decoupling level separating a subshale from a suprashale layer. The suprashale layer is characterized by progradational deltaic facies with a high sediment supply to the north and basal facies farther south. Extensional faults together with local gravitational structures are syndepositional and formed during hyperextension. The shale is observed to overlie a highly attenuated basement comprising high-reflective sequences that may correspond to meta-sediments. We propose a new model to explain the interaction of tectonic deformation, gravity sliding, and sedimentation. A first stage includes the crustal necking that goes along with the deposition of synrift deltaic sequences decoupled above prodelta shales. During hyperextension, a high sediment supply is linked to migration of depocenters and extension oceanward. The prodelta shale layer acts as the main decoupling level, gravity sliding affects synhyperextensional sediments, and dome-shape structures start to form. During a third stage, deformation migrates outboard, while formation of dome structures continues in the Liwan sag basin. Although the process controlling these dome-shape structures remains unclear, a magmatic origin is likely. Diffuse deformation related to differential compaction and minor magmatic additions continued to affect the margin after the onset of seafloor spreading.

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“…The rifting stage included the first Zhuqiong event in the Paleocene and the second Zhuqiong event in the Eocene. These movements formed the structural configuration of the Baiyun Depression (Zhou et al, 2018). In the transition period, the Nanhai event marked the beginning of thermal subsidence Yang et al, 2018).…”

Section: Tectonic Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the study area, the source rocks are mainly developed in the eastern sag (Figs. 1b, c), which can be divided into the eastern sub-sag and western sub-sag (Xu et al, 2015;Zhou et al, 2018). Although the Enping Formation contains type II to type III kerogen, the Enping source rocks in the eastern sag may contain some oilprone organic matter (Peng et al, 2018).…”

Section: Characteristics Of the Source Rocksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Petroleum Migration Characteristics in the Northeastern Part of the Baiyun Depression, Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea

Zeng

Wang

Guo³

et al. 2021

Acta Geologica Sinica (Eng)

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This paper investigates the origin and migration characteristics of petroleum in the northeastern part of the Baiyun Depression, Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB). The discovered petroleum in the study area is mainly located in the Lower Zhujiang Member (N 1 z 2) and mainly originated from the Enping Formation source rocks in the eastern sag. Active faults (vertical migration) and N 1 z 2 sandstones (lateral migration) acted as the petroleum migration systems. The fault activities in the Dongsha event controlled the episodic petroleum migration. Fractures in the fault zones provided effective conduits, and overpressure was the driving force. The vertical migration could not cross the fault zones laterally. The petroleum injection areas in the carrier beds were the contact zones of petroleum-migration faults and carrier beds. The lateral migration was steady-state migration, and buoyancy was the driving force. The migration pathways in the carrier beds were controlled by the structural morphology. Secondary petroleum migration in the study area could be divided into two parts: vertical migration along the fractures in the fault zones and lateral migration through preferential petroleum migration pathways (PPMPs) in the carrier beds. The petroleum migration behaviors, including migrating direction, driving force, and migration pattern, in the faults and sandstone carrier beds were quite different. This study provides a typical example for comprehending secondary migration processes and has great importance for determining future exploration targets in the deep-water area of the PRMB.

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Continentward-dipping detachment fault system and asymmetric rift structure of the Baiyun Sag, northern South China Sea

Cited by 57 publications

References 54 publications

The Influence of Pre‐existing Basement Faults on the Cenozoic Structure and Evolution of the Proximal Domain, Northern South China Sea Rifted Margin

The Influence of Pre‐existing Basement Faults on the Cenozoic Structure and Evolution of the Proximal Domain, Northern South China Sea Rifted Margin

Tectono‐Sedimentary Analysis of the Hyperextended Liwan Sag Basin (Midnorthern Margin of the South China Sea)

Petroleum Migration Characteristics in the Northeastern Part of the Baiyun Depression, Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea

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