Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2009, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (6): 52-60.doi: 10.11978/j.issn.1009-5470.2009.06.052cstr: 32234.14.j.issn.1009-5470.2009.06.052

• Marine geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Tertiary Paleogeography and Depositional Evolution in the Pearl River Mouth Basin of the Northern South China Sea

ZHAO Zhong-xian1,2,ZHOU Di1,LIAO Jie1,2   

  1. 1.Key Laboratory of Marginal Sea Geology,South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, CAS, Guangzhou 510301, China; 2. Graduate University of CAS,Beijing 100039, China
  • Received:2008-10-06 Revised:2009-02-18 Online:2009-12-30 Published:2009-12-12
  • About author:赵中贤(1985—),男,山东省菏泽市人,主要从事岩相古地理及伸展盆地数值模拟研究
  • Supported by:

    国家自然科学基金(40576027)

Abstract:

Rifting, post-rift subsidence took place in the Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB) of the northern South China Sea during the Tertiary period. The structure of the basin is characterized by NEE-running belts of depressions and uplifts blocked by NW-striking faults. The authors compiled lithofacies and paleogeographic maps for the Tertiary Shenhu, Wenchang, Enping, Zhuhai, and Zhujiang formations of the entire PRMB based on summary of individual studies in the published literature. The Shenhu Formation consists of alluvial fans and lacustrine sediments distributed along the southern fault of the Zhu III depression. The Wenchang Formation is characterized by intermediate and deep lacustrine facies. Fluvial facies are widely developed in the Enping Formation. The Nanhai Movement in late Early Oligocene signified the transition from rifting stage to post-rifting stage, also a transition from continental to marine sedimentation in the PRMB. The Zhuhai Formation consists of transitional sediments, and the Zhujiang and later formations are of marine facies. The compiled lithofacies and paleogeographic maps for the PRMB provide a useful regional background for comprehensive studies of lithofacies and paleogeography of individual districts in the basin.

Key words: Pearl River Mouth Basin, Tertiary, lithofacies palogeography, sedimentation