Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2026, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 53-79.doi: 10.11978/2025248CSTR: 32234.14.2025248

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Triassic subduction of the Paleo-Pacific: magmatic records from the southern continental margin of the South China Sea*

WANG Chan1(), LIU Hao2(), XU Weihai1   

  1. 1 State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
    2 Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
  • Received:2025-12-25 Revised:2026-02-09 Online:2026-09-10 Published:2026-10-13
  • Contact: LIU hao. email: liuhao@ms.giec.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021-06); National Natural Science Foundation of China(42206073)

Abstract:

The Nansha Block (NB), an important segment of the southeastern margin of the South China Block (SCB) during the Triassic period, preserves critical records of geodynamic and tectonic transition processes. To clarify the dynamic evolution process of the westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean during the Triassic, Well Nanke-1 (NK-1) within this block was selected as the research target, and published research data from our team were integrated. The latest petrographic and geochemical data reveal that the rock assemblage comprises two distinct types: Type I and Type II basaltic-basaltic andesitic (BA) series and a dacitic (DA) series, which were emplaced during the early Late Triassic [(217.9 ± 3.5) to (218.6 ± 3.2) Ma]. These three series exhibit typical geochemical signatures of arc magmatism. We propose that the flat-slab subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate transported significant volumes of the continental crust frontal accretionary wedge to depths sufficient for its remelting. This process generated substantial melts/fluids, which, upon infiltration into the asthenosphere or metasomatism of the lithospheric mantle on the side of the continental margin, induced mantle melting that formed type I and type II basaltic magma chambers (BA series). With continued subduction, the leading edge of the slab experienced flexural deformation, which induced upwelling of the adjacent asthenosphere on the continental side. This upwelling, in turn, led to persistent underplating, triggering partial melting of the mafic lower crust and generating the DA series dacitic magma chambers. The sustained ascent of mantle-derived magmas during this period resulted in significant lithospheric thinning beneath the study area. This thinning not only facilitated the eventual rifting of the NB from the SCB but also preconditioned the region for the subsequent development of early intracontinental rifting during the later seafloor spreading stage of the South China Sea.

Key words: Paleo-Pacific tectonic domain, Tethyan tectonic domain, rift-related volcanic rocks, Nansha Block, South China Block

CLC Number: 

  • P736.1