<p>Seismic facies analysis is key for understanding geology in underexplored areas with minimal well control. In carbonate environments, however, extracting geological insights from seismic data is challenging due to complex depositional and diagenetic processes. This study utilizes newly acquired high-resolution broadband seismic data to better understand a well-known example of Middle Miocene carbonate buildups in the Dangerous Grounds, South China Sea. By combining seismic facies description, attribute analysis, and self-organizing maps (SOMs), an effective interpretation approach was developed. Based on seismic reflection patterns, we identified distinct facies, including platform carbonates, basinal carbonates, and reef buildups. Platform carbonates exhibit low to moderate amplitude and many kinds of reflection patterns, while basinal carbonates show high amplitude, parallel, and highly continuous reflectors. Well data indicate that basinal carbonate facies have tight, low-porosity limestone layers compared to the platform facies. Reef buildups of different morphologies, with mounded, divergent, and reflection-free patterns, primarily formed on structural highs created by rifting. SOMs proved useful in highlighting carbonate intervals and differentiating them from siliciclastics. However, distinguishing between various reef facies remains challenging, as SOM clusters often overlap, reflecting the difficulty in differentiating these facies using the available seismic attributes. This analysis quantifies seismic patterns, which are essential for understanding the depositional and diagenetic history of carbonate buildups in the area, as these formations are economically valuable hydrocarbon reservoirs and promising sites for carbon dioxide storage.</p>