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Stratigraphy of Quaternary inner-shelf sediments in Tai O Bay, Hong Kong, based on ground-truthed seismic profiles

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Abstract

High-resolution boomer profiles from Tai O Bay, Hong Kong SAR, were ground-truthed using ten discontinuously sampled boreholes penetrating bedrock with a maximum length of 82.1 m. The relationship between depth below seabed and seismic profiles was established through the measurement of two borehole compressional-wave velocity profiles. In departure from previous interpretations, nine Quaternary seismic units were identified, which can be divided into eight systems tracts formed by cycles of fourth-order sea-level fluctuations dating back at least to marine isotope stage (MIS) 7 (ca. 190–245 ka). These consist of two lowstand systems tracts, two transgressive systems tracts, and four highstand systems tracts. Secondary unconformities within the highstand deposits are interpreted to document fifth-order sea-level fluctuations. Lowstand deposits are less common because, as soon as the sea level drops by a few metres, Tai O Bay becomes sub-aerially exposed, leading to widespread non-deposition or erosion. At the same time, extensive fluvial erosion and channel incision take place. Filling of the fluvial channels occurs during rising sea level. Lowstand sediments (if present) are generally landslide deposits laid down on a basal alluvial plain. Uncorrected accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates of mollusc shells show that the depositional environment was marine since 6.2 ka, becoming gradually more brackish as a result of progradation of the Pearl River delta. The computed average sedimentation rate for the period 6.2–4.1 ka is 4.4 m/1,000 year, and approximately 1 m/1,000 year since 4.1 ka.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the Director, Civil Engineering Department, Government of the Hong Kong SAR for providing us the borehole and seismic data. We would particularly like to thank A.Y.L. Chan, W.J. Dickson, the late M.J. Head, Allen Lowrie, W. Ng, K. Tam and Y. Wang for their assistance. This research was supported by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, and the University of Hong Kong (W.W.-S.Y., project no. HKU 7126/00P), as well as by the German/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme (H.K.W. and W.W.-S.Y.). This is a contribution to the International Geological Correlation Programme project no. 464 “Continental shelves during the last glacial cycle”, and the Carbon, Hydrology and Global Environmental Systems (CHANGES) programme co-initiated by the UNESCO–International Union of Geological Sciences–International Council of Scientific Unions. This paper benefited significantly from the thoughtful, constructive reviews of two anonymous reviewers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biogeochemistry and Marine Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany

    A. Bahr, H. K. Wong & T. Lüdmann

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China

    W. W.-S. Yim & L. S. Chan

  3. Guangzhou Institute of Geography, 100 Xian Lie Road, 510070, Guangzhou, China

    G. Huang

  4. EGS (Asia) Ltd., 9th Floor South, Somerset House, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China

    W. N. Ridley Thomas

  5. Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Universität Bremen, Postfach 330440, 28334, Bremen, Germany

    A. Bahr

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Correspondence to A. Bahr.

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Bahr, A., Wong, H.K., Yim, W.WS. et al. Stratigraphy of Quaternary inner-shelf sediments in Tai O Bay, Hong Kong, based on ground-truthed seismic profiles. Geo-Mar Lett 25, 20–33 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-004-0185-y

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