Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Deformation Patterns of an Accretionary Wedge in the Transition Zone from Subduction to Collision Offshore Southwestern Taiwan

  • Published:
Marine Geophysical Researches Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Swath bathymetry data and seismic reflection profiles have been used to investigate details of the deformation pattern in the area offshore southwestern Taiwan where the Luzon subduction complex encroaches on the passive Chinese continental margin. Distinctive fold-and-thrust structures of the convergent zone and horst-and-graben structures of the passive margin are separated by a deformation front that extends NNW-ward from the eastern edge of the Manila Trench to the foot of the continental slope. This deformation front gradually turns into a NNE–SSW trending direction across the continental slope and the Kaoping Shelf, and connects to the frontal thrusts of the mountain belt on land Taiwan. However, the complex Penghu submarine canyon system blurs the exact location of the deformation front and nature of many morphotectonic features offshore SW Taiwan. We suggest that the deformation front offshore SW Taiwan does not appear as a simple structural line, but is characterized by a series of N–S trending folds and thrusts that terminate sequentially in an en-echelon pattern across the passive Chinese continental slope. A number of NE–SW trending lineaments cut across the fold-and-thrust structures of the frontal accretionary wedge and exhibit prominent dextral displacement indicative of the lateral expulsion of SW Taiwan. One of the prominent lineaments, named the Yung-An lineament, forms the southeastern boundary of the upper part of the Penghu submarine canyon, and has conspicuous influence over the drainage pattern of the canyon

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • J. Angelier (1998) ArticleTitleA new direct inversion of earthquake focal mechanisms to reconstruct the stress tensor E.G.S. XXIII Gen. Assembly Nice, 1998, Part I, Soc. Symp. Solid Earth Geoph. Geod., Annales Geophysicae 16 IssueIDsuppl. 1 115

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Angelier H.T. Chu J.C. Lee (1997) ArticleTitleShear concentration in a collision zone: kinematics of the Chihshang fault as revealed by outcrop-scale quantification of active faulting, Longitudinal Valley, eastern Taiwan Tectonophysics 274 117–143 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0040-1951(96)00301-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.C. Biq (1972) ArticleTitleDual-trench structure in the Taiwan-Luzon region Proc. Geol. Soc. China 15 65–75

    Google Scholar 

  • C.C. Biq (1989) ArticleTitleThe Yushan-Hsuehshan megashear zone in Taiwan Proc. Geol. Soc. China 32 7–20

    Google Scholar 

  • C.C. Biq (1992) ArticleTitleAnother Coastal Range on Taiwan Ti-Chih 12 1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Bowin R. Lu C.S. Lee H. Shouthen (1978) ArticleTitlePlate convergence and accretion in Taiwan-Luzon region Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull. 62 1645–1672

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Byrne C.-S. Liu (2002) Introduction to the geology and geophysics of Taiwan T. Byrne C.-S. Liu (Eds) Geology and Geophysics of an Arc-Continent collision. Geological Society American Special Paper Taiwan 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • C.S. Chiang H.S. Yu Y.W. Chou (2004) ArticleTitleCharacteristics of the wedge-top depozone of the southern Taiwan foreland basin system Basin Res. 16 65–78 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1365-2117.2004.00222.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J.-D. Chow T.-D. Lai C.-S. Liu H.-S. Yu (1996) ArticleTitleFlower structures and strike-slip deformation off southwestern Taiwan Terre. Atmos. Oceanic Sci. 7 534–533

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Deffontaines J. Chorowicz (1991) ArticleTitlePrinciple of drainage basin analysis from multisource data: Application to the structural analysis of the Zaire Basin Tectonophysics 194 237–263 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0040-1951(91)90263-R

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B. Deffontaines J.C. Lee J. Angelier J. Carvalho J.P. Rudant (1994) ArticleTitleNew geomorphic data on Taiwan active orogen: A multisource approach J. Geophys. Res. 99 IssueIDB8 20243–20266 Occurrence Handle10.1029/94JB00733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B. Deffontaines O. Lacombe J. Angelier H.-T. Chu F. Mouthereau C.-T. Lee J. Deramond J.-F. Lee M.-S. Yu P.-M. Liew (1997) ArticleTitleQuaternary transfer faulting in Taiwan Foothills: Evidence from a multisource approach Tectonophysics 274 61–82 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0040-1951(96)00298-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B. Fruneau E. Pathier D. Raymond B. Deffontaines C.T. Lee H.T. Wang J. Angelier J.P. Rudant C.P. Chang (2001) ArticleTitleUplift of Tainan Tableland (SW Taiwan) revealed by SAR interferometry Geophys. Res. Lett. 28 IssueID16 3071–3074 Occurrence Handle10.1029/2000GL012437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L.B. Harris P.R. Cobbold (1984) ArticleTitleDevelopment of conjugate shear bands during simple shearing J. Struct. Geol. 7 37–44 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0191-8141(85)90113-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.S. Ho (1986) ArticleTitleA synthesis of the geologic evolution of Taiwan Tectonophysics 125 1–16 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0040-1951(86)90004-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M.K. Hsu Q. Li (1996) ArticleTitleTsunami in the region near Taiwan Acta Oceanog. Taiwanica 35 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • J.C. Hu J. Angelier J.C. Lee H.T. Chu D. Byrne (1996) ArticleTitleKinematics of convergence, deformation and stress distribution in the Taiwan collision area: 2-D finite-element numerical modeling Tectonophysics 255 243–268 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0040-1951(95)00140-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Hu J. Angelier S.B. Yu (1997) ArticleTitleAn interpretation of the active deformation of southern Taiwan based on numerical simulation and GPS studies Tectonophysics 274 145–169 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0040-1951(96)00302-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.Y. Huang C.T. Shyu S.B. Lin T.Q. Lee D.D. Sheu (1992) ArticleTitleMarine geology in the arc-continent collision zone off south eastern Taiwan: implications for late neogene evolution of the coastal Range Marine Geol. 107 183–212 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0025-3227(92)90167-G

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.-Y. Huang W.-Y. Wu C.-P. Chang S. Tsao P.-B. Yuan C.-W. Lin K.Y. Xa (1997) ArticleTitleTectonic evolution of accretionary prism in the arc-continent collision terrane of Taiwan Tectonophysics 281 31–51 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0040-1951(97)00157-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.Y. Huang P.B. Yuan C.W. Lin T.K. Wang C.P. Chang (2000) ArticleTitleGeodynamic processes of Taiwan arc-continent collision and comparison with analogs in Timor, Papua New Guinea, Urals and Corsica Tectonophysics 325 1–21 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0040-1951(00)00128-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. Huchon E. Barrier J.-C. Bremaecker Particlede J. Angelier (1986) ArticleTitleCollision and stress trajectories in Taiwan: A finite element model Tectonophysics 125 179–191 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0040-1951(86)90013-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O. Lacombe F. Mouthereau J. Angelier B. Deffontaines (2001) ArticleTitleStructural, geodetic and seismological evidence for tectonic escape in SW Taiwan Tectonophysics 333 323–345 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0040-1951(00)00281-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lallemand, S., Liu, C.-S., ACT cruise scientific team 1997, Swath bathymetry reveals active arc-continent collision near Taiwan. EOS Tran. Am. Geophys. Un. 78(17), 173–175.

  • Lee C.T. (1986) Methods of stress analysis and paleostress changes in northern Taiwan due to acr-continent cossision. Ph.D. dissertation, National Taiwan University.

  • Lee, J.C., Deffontaines, B., Angelier, J., Chu, H.-T., Hu, J.-C., Lacombe, O., Mouthereau, F., Yeh, Y.-H., Bureau, D., Carvalho, J., Lu, C.-Y., Liew, P.-M., Rudant, J.-P., Li, F.-C., Jeng, J.-C. and Lee, C.-T., 1997, Morphotectonic Map of Taiwan, Central Geological Survey, Ministry of Economic Affairs, R.O.C.

  • T.Y. Lee C.H. Tang J.S. Ting Y.Y. Hsu (1993) ArticleTitleSequence stratigraphy of the Tainan Basin, offshore southwestern Taiwan Petro. Geol. Taiwan 28 119–158

    Google Scholar 

  • C.-S. Liu I.L. Huang L.S. Teng (1997) ArticleTitleStructural features off southwestern Taiwan Marine Geol. 137 305–319 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0025-3227(96)00093-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.-S. Liu S.Y. Liu S.E. Lallemand N. Lundberg D. Reed (1998) ArticleTitleDigital elevation model offshore Taiwan and its tectonic implications Terre. Atmos. Oceanic Sci. 9 IssueID4 705–738

    Google Scholar 

  • C.-S. Liu N. Lundberg D. Reed Y.L. Huang (1993) ArticleTitleMorphological and seismic characteristics of the Kaoping Submarine Canyon Marine Geol. 111 93–108 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0025-3227(93)90190-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.Y. Lu F.S. Jeng K.J. Chang W.T. Tian (1998) ArticleTitleImpact of basement high on the structure and kinematics of the western Taiwan thrust wedge: insights from sandbox models Terre. Atmos. Oceanic Sci. 9 IssueID3 533–550

    Google Scholar 

  • C.Y. Lu J. Malavieille (1994) ArticleTitleOblique convergence, indentation and rotation tectonics in the Taiwan mountain belt: insights from experimental modelling Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 121 477–494 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0012-821X(94)90085-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C.Y. Lu S.B. Yu H.T. Chu (1997) Neotectonics of the Taiwan mountain belt F.J. Martin S.L. Chung C.H. Lo T.Y. Lee S. Uyeda (Eds) Mantle dynamics and plate interaction in East Asia Geodynamic Series Am. Geophy. Union 301–315

    Google Scholar 

  • N. Lundberg D. Reed C.-S. Liu J. Lieske SuffixJr. (1992) ArticleTitleStructural controls on orogenic sedimentation, submarine Taiwan collision Acta Geologica Taiwanica 30 131–140

    Google Scholar 

  • N. Lundberg D. Reed C.-S. Liu J. Lieske SuffixJr. (1997) ArticleTitleForearc-basin closure and arc accretion in the submarine suture zone south of Taiwan Tectonophysics 274 5–24 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0040-1951(96)00295-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. Pathier B. Fruneau B. Deffontaines J. Angelier C.C. Pai S.B. Yu C.T. Lee (2003) ArticleTitleCoseismic displacements of the footwall of the Chelungpu fault caused by the 1999, Taiwan, Chi-Chi earthquake from InSAR and GPS data Earth Plan. Sci. Lett. 212 73–88 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00244-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D.L. Reed N. Lungberg C.-S. Liu B.Y. Kuo (1992) ArticleTitleStructural relations along the margins of the offshore Taiwan accretionary wedge: implications for accretion and crustal kinematics Acta Geologica Taiwanica 30 105–122

    Google Scholar 

  • S.C. Sun (1985) ArticleTitleThe Cenozoic tectonic evolution of offshore Taiwan Energy 10 421–423 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0360-5442(85)90058-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Suppe (1981) ArticleTitleMechanics of mountain building and metamorphism in Taiwan Mem. Geol. Soc. China 4 67–89

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Suppe (1984) ArticleTitleKinematics of arc-continent collision, flipping of seductions, and backarc spreading near Taiwan Mem. Geol. Soc. China 6 21–33

    Google Scholar 

  • L.S. Teng (1990) ArticleTitleGeotectonic evolution of late Cenozoic arc-continent collision in Taiwan Tectonophysics 183 57–76 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0040-1951(90)90188-E

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L.S. Teng (1996) ArticleTitleExtensional collapse of the northern Taiwan mountain belt Geology 24 949–952 Occurrence Handle10.1130/0091-7613(1996)024<0949:ECOTNT>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Y.-B. Tsai (1986) ArticleTitleSeismotectonics of Taiwan Tectonophysics 125 17–37 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0040-1951(86)90005-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F. Wu (1978) ArticleTitleRecent tectonics in Taiwan J. Phys. Earth 26 IssueIDsuppl. 265–299

    Google Scholar 

  • F. Wu R.-J. Rau D. Salzberg (1997) ArticleTitleTaiwan orogeny: thin skinned or lithospheric collision? Tectonophysics 274 191–200 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0040-1951(96)00304-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K.M. Yang H.H. Ting J.W. Yuan (1991) ArticleTitleStructural styles and tectonic modes of Neogene extensional tectonics in SW Taiwan: implications for hydrocarbon exploration Petrol. Geol. Taiwan 26 1–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Y.H. Yeh E. Barrier C.H. Lin J. Angelier (1991) ArticleTitleStress tensor analysis in the Taiwan area from focal mechanisms of earthquakes Tectonophysics 200 267–280 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0040-1951(91)90019-O

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S.B. Yu H.Y. Chen (1998) ArticleTitleStrain accumulation in southwestern Taiwan Terre. Atmos. Oceanic Sci. 9 IssueID1 31–50

    Google Scholar 

  • S.B. Yu H.Y. Chen L.C. Kuo (1997) ArticleTitleVelocity field of GPS stations in the Taiwan area Tectonophysics 274 41–59 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0040-1951(96)00297-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H.S. Yu E.C. Huang (1998) ArticleTitleMorphology and origin of the Shoushan submarine canyon off southwestern Taiwan J. Geol. Soc. China 41 IssueID4 565–579

    Google Scholar 

  • H.S. Yu Y.H. Wen (1992) ArticleTitlePhysiographic characteristics of the continental margin off southwestern Taiwan J. Geol. Soc. China 35 337–351

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Char-Shine Liu

  2. Laboratoire de Geomateriaux, Institut Francilien des Geosciences, Universite de Marne-la-Vallee, France

    Benoit Deffontaines

  3. Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

    Chia-Yu Lu

  4. Laboratoire Dynamique de la Lithosphere, Universite Montpellier 2, France

    Serge Lallemand

Authors
  1. Char-Shine Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Benoit Deffontaines
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chia-Yu Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Serge Lallemand
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Char-Shine Liu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liu, CS., Deffontaines, B., Lu, CY. et al. Deformation Patterns of an Accretionary Wedge in the Transition Zone from Subduction to Collision Offshore Southwestern Taiwan. Mar Geophys Res 25, 123–137 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-005-0738-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-005-0738-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation