“…The focus of this study is a hydrate test area located in the Shenhu Sea region of the South China Sea (Figure 1). The study area is situated within the Baiyun Depression, which forms part of the Pearl River Estuary Basin and is positioned between the Xisha Trough and Dongsha Islands [27] at a water depth of 1342 m. The geological setting of the study area is characterized by the interaction of several tectonic plates, including the Eurasian, Pacific, and Sino-Indian plates. The region exhibits both passive and active continental features, and displays a complex seafloor topography with varying elevations, characterized by the presence of erosion channels, sea valleys, seamounts, steep slopes, plateaus, alluvial fans, landslides, and other geological hazards.…”