Scholarlink

Abstract <p>This study aims to reveal the temporal-spatial distribution and genetic mechanisms of the fault system in the Xuande Atoll, Xisha Islands, northwestern South China Sea. Based on the latest acquired 2D seismic reflection profile, as well as geological and geophysical data such as gravity and multibeam data, this study determined in detail the temporal and spatial distribution, internal structural deformation, and development periods of faults in the Xuande Atoll and explored their formation mechanisms and evolutionary model. The results are as follows: (1) The faults in the Xuande Atoll have mainly developed in the slope and on the margins of the coral reef area and the main body area. They mainly include shallow faults and have a NE strike. The faults in the atoll are normal faults and mainly developed from the Middle Miocene to the Quaternary; (2) The development of deep-seated faults in the slope area may be related to the rifting of the northern continental margin of the South China Sea and the seafloor spreading of the sea. Meanwhile the development of faults on the margins of the coral reef area and the main body area may be related to the rapid growth of the coral reef area and the regional uneven subsidence since the Middle Miocene; (3) The faults in the Xuande Atoll experienced four evolutionary stages, namely the development of depression-controlling faults before the Late Oligocene, the growth of depression-controlling faults from the Early Miocene to the end of the Middle Miocene, the period when faults controlled the coral reef area from the Late Miocene to the end of the Pliocene, and the period when faults controlled the coral reef area during the Quaternary. The Xuande Atoll has a stable internal structure overall, and it is recommended that the coastal engineering construction in the atoll should avoid the slope area and areas where stepped reefs are connected to each other. This study will counteract the lack of research on the faults of the Xuande Atoll in the Xisha Islands and provide scientific support for coastal engineering construction and resource exploration and development.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

The Temporal-Spatial Distribution and Formation Mechanism of Normal Faults in the Xuande Atoll of Xisha Islands, South China Sea

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月3日

查看全文
  • Ziying Xu,
  • Jianglang Tang,
  • Yongjian Huang,
  • Bo Li,
  • Jiao Zhou,
  • Xiaoqiu Yang

摘要

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the temporal-spatial distribution and genetic mechanisms of the fault system in the Xuande Atoll, Xisha Islands, northwestern South China Sea. Based on the latest acquired 2D seismic reflection profile, as well as geological and geophysical data such as gravity and multibeam data, this study determined in detail the temporal and spatial distribution, internal structural deformation, and development periods of faults in the Xuande Atoll and explored their formation mechanisms and evolutionary model. The results are as follows: (1) The faults in the Xuande Atoll have mainly developed in the slope and on the margins of the coral reef area and the main body area. They mainly include shallow faults and have a NE strike. The faults in the atoll are normal faults and mainly developed from the Middle Miocene to the Quaternary; (2) The development of deep-seated faults in the slope area may be related to the rifting of the northern continental margin of the South China Sea and the seafloor spreading of the sea. Meanwhile the development of faults on the margins of the coral reef area and the main body area may be related to the rapid growth of the coral reef area and the regional uneven subsidence since the Middle Miocene; (3) The faults in the Xuande Atoll experienced four evolutionary stages, namely the development of depression-controlling faults before the Late Oligocene, the growth of depression-controlling faults from the Early Miocene to the end of the Middle Miocene, the period when faults controlled the coral reef area from the Late Miocene to the end of the Pliocene, and the period when faults controlled the coral reef area during the Quaternary. The Xuande Atoll has a stable internal structure overall, and it is recommended that the coastal engineering construction in the atoll should avoid the slope area and areas where stepped reefs are connected to each other. This study will counteract the lack of research on the faults of the Xuande Atoll in the Xisha Islands and provide scientific support for coastal engineering construction and resource exploration and development.