Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2020, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (6): 18-29.doi: 10.11978/YG2020002CSTR: 32234.14.YG2020002

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

International collaboration of ocean exploration in the South China Sea enhanced by International Ocean Discovery Program Expeditions 367/368/368x

SUN Zhen1,2,3(), LIN Jian1,2,3, WANG Pinxian4, JIAN Zhimin4, LI ChunFeng5   

  1. 1. CAS Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology (South China Sea Institute of Oceanology), Innovation Academy of South China Sea Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
    2. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
    3. China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
    4. State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
    5. Department of Marine Sciences, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
  • Received:2020-05-25 Revised:2020-06-24 Online:2020-10-10 Published:2020-12-03
  • Contact: SUN Zhen E-mail:zhensun@scsio.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    Guangdong NSF research team project(2017A030312002);K.C. Wong Education Foundation(GJTD-2018-13);Key Special Project for Introduced Talents Team of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)(GML2019ZD0104);Key Special Project for Introduced Talents Team of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)(GML2019ZD0205);Key Special Project for Introduced Talents Team of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)(2019BT02H594)

Abstract:

With the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology, China joined the International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) in 1998. IODP-China has so far led the organization of 4+1 expeditions. Through the complimentary proposal project (CPP), Chinese scientists led the drilling expeditions of 349/367/368/368x to investigate the full history of rifting- breakup-spreading of the South China Sea (SCS) basin. In this paper, we summarize the latest achievements of IODP Expeditions 367/368/368x, which revealed surprising evidence for abundant magma intrusion and underplating at the distal northern margin of the SCS as well as rapid continent-ocean transition. Extensive in-depth exchanges and cooperation with the international scientific community have greatly enhanced the operation of ocean drilling platforms, management of the IODP organization, scientific and technical staff training, and public outreach. These experiences will further enhance international cooperation of China's oceanographic research.

Key words: South China Sea, continental rifting and breakup, ocean drilling, international cooperation in ocean exploration, personnel training, public outreach

CLC Number: 

  • P738