Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2021, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (5): 85-100.doi: 10.11978/2020114CSTR: 32234.14.2020114

• Marine Geophysics • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Seismic characteristics and triggering mechanism analysis of two types of mass-transport complexes in the southeast of Baiyun Sag, South China Sea

LI Yan1,2,3(), WU Nan4(), HU Shouxiang1,2,3, ZHAO Fang1,2, ZHAN Wenhuan1,2,3   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Guangzhou 510301, China
    2. Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 511458, China
    3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    4. Tongji University, School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Shanghai 200092, China
  • Received:2020-09-27 Revised:2020-11-02 Online:2021-09-10 Published:2020-11-16
  • Contact: WU Nan E-mail:liyan191@mails.ucas.ac.cn;nanwu@tongji.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2020A1515010497);Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2020B1515020016);Special Foundation for National Science and Technology Basic Research Program of China(2017FY201406);Guangdong Pearl River Talents Program(2017GC010510);Guangzhou Science and Technology Program(202102020900)

Abstract:

Mass-transport complexes (MTCs) are one of the gravity-driven depositional process. MTCs contain slides, slumps, and debris deposits in submarine settings. The occurrence of MTCs can generate submarine geo-hazards (i.e., tsunami), and the fast traveling mass can destroy offshore constructions (e.g., pipelines and communication cables). MTCs can also act as seals for submarine hydrocarbon accumulation, due to their over-compacted nature. In this study, we use 3D seismic reflection data, to reveal the internal reflection characteristics, external morphology, and kinematic indicators of two types of MTCs in the southeast of the Baiyun Sag, the South China Sea. We interpreted four distinct seismic facies in the study area, including: 1) low amplitude, horizontal and continuous seismic reflections, 2) high amplitude, undulating and continuous seismic reflections, 3) low amplitude, semi-transparent to chaotic seismic reflections, and 4) moderate-to-high amplitude continuous seismic reflections. We classified two different types of MTCs based on their scale (i.e., thickness) and seismic facies characteristics in the Upper Miocene assemblage. Type 1 MTCs consist of several small-scale MTCs, showing low amplitude, semitransparent to chaotic seismic reflections. Type 2 MTCs have larger scale, consisting of low amplitude, semitransparent to chaotic seismic facies moderate-to-high amplitude continuous seismic reflections. The widely distributed MTCs in the study area could be corelated with the high sedimentation rates and earthquakes during the Late Miocene. Our study indicates that the Dongsha event (associated seismic activity and formation uplift) is the major trigger for the occurrence of MTCs. Our result can help better understand the triggers and formation process of MTCs during the Late Miocene in the Baiyun Sag. A better understating of the distribution and occurrence of MTCs in the study area will help us better determine the location of buried MTCs, as well as conducting research for the formation mechanism of paleo-MTCs in the South China Sea.

Key words: Baiyun Sag, South China Sea, Mass-transport complexes, Seismic characteristics, triggering mechanism

CLC Number: 

  • P736.1