Abstract
The Taiwan Shoal is the convex terrain in the southern Taiwan Strait, the largest strait in China. In 2006 and 2007, 21 samples and more than 200-km sub-bottom data as well as 80-km near shore side-scan sonar data were gotten, which gave an initial image of the boundaries of the Taiwan Shoal and revealed the internal structure of the sand waves in this area. The results showed that the major component of the sediment samples was sand, and sand waves occurred everywhere in this area, which closely followed the range of the Taiwan Shoal as we know. The western boundary of the Taiwan Shoal thus reaches the 30 m isobaths near the shore, and as a result, its area potentially covers approximately 12 800–14 770 km2. The sand waves have different shapes under the complex ocean dynamics, and the height of sand waves in the near shore is usually smaller than that in the Taiwan Shoal. The number of sand waves ranged from1–5 per kilometer, with more waves in the isobath-intensive area, suggesting the importance of topography for the formation of sand waves. The stratigraphic structure under the seabed has parallel bedding or cross bedding, and large dipping groove bedding can be seen locally in different parts, which may be the result of terrestrial deposition since the Late Pleistocene.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Boggs W, Wang Huaqing, Chen Ruiqin. 1974. Structure and composition of sediment model in the continental shelf of Taiwan. Acta Oceanographica Taiwan, 4: 13–56
Cai Baoquan. 2002. The evidence of dry land of the Taiwan Straits during Late Wurm glaciation. Marine Sciences (in Chinese), 26(6): 51–54
Cai Ai’zhi, Zhu Xiaoning, Li Yuanmi, et al. 1992. Sedimentary environment in Taiwan Shoal. Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 10(4): 331–339
Chen Lirong, Xu Wenqiang, Shen Shunxi. 1982. Heavy mineral characteristics of assemblages and distribution on the continental shelf of Minnan Taiwan Shoal. In: The Geology of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 98–104
Du Xiaoqin, Li Yan, Gao Shu. 2008. Characteristics of the large-scale sand waves, tidal flow structure and bed-load transport over the Taiwan Bank in southern China. Acta Oceanologica Sinica (in Chinese), 30(5): 124–136
Hong Huasheng, Qiu Shuyuan, Ruan Wuqi, et al. 1991. Minnan-Taiwan Bank Fishing Ground Upwelling Ecosystem Study (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1–18
Hu Jianyu, Kawamura H, Li Chunyan, et al. 2010. Review on current and seawater volume transport through the Taiwan Strait. Journal of Oceanography, 66: 591–610
Hu Jianyu, Kawamura H, Hong Huasheng et al. 2003. A review of research on upwelling in the Taiwan Strait. Bulletin of Marine Science, 73(3): 605–628
Huang Qiuhuo, Xu Wenqiang. 1997. Surface micro-textures of quartz grains in the sediments of China seas. Marine Sciences (in Chinese), 2: 43–47
Jan Sen, Sheu D D, Kuo Huei-Ming. 2006. Water mass and through flow transport variability in the Taiwan Strait. Journal of Geophysical Research, 111, C12012: 1–15
Jan Sen, Wang J, Chern C S, et al. 2002. Seasonal variation of the circulation in the Taiwan Strait. Journal of Marine Systems, 35: 249–268
Lan Dongzhao, Zhang Weilin, Chen Chenhui, et al. 1991. Preliminary study on age and origin ofmedium-coarse sands in Taiwan Shoal. Journal of Oceanography in Taiwan Strait (in Chinese), 10(2): 156–161
Li Li, Li Da. 1989. Summer hydrographic features of channel west of Taiwan Shoals and the coastal upwelling. Journal of Oceanography in Taiwan Strait (in Chinese), 8(4): 353–359
Li Yan, Ma Liming, Yang Jingsong, et al. 2001. Study on stability of sand saves by satellite sensing. In: Qiu Dahong, Li Yucheng, eds. The Proceedings of the First Asian and Pacific Coastal Engineering Conference, APACE 2001, v2. Dalian: Dalian University of Technology Press, 850–856
Lin Yuliang, Liao Kangming. 1983. The wave study in Taiwan Strait. Journal of Oceanography in Taiwan Strait (in Chinese), 2(1): 20–28
Liu Zhenxia, Xia Dongxing. 2004. Tidal Sands in the China Seas (in Chinese). Beijing: China Ocean Press, 49–53
Liu Zhenxia, Xia Dongxing, Berne S, et al. 1998. Tidal deposition systems of China’s continental shelf, with special reference to the eastern Bohai Sea. Marine Geology, 145(3): 225–253
Niino H, Emery K O. 1961. Sediments of shallow portions of East China Sea and South China Sea. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 72(5): 731–762
Shang Shaolin, Zhang Caiyun, Hong Huasheng. 2004. Short-term variability of chlorophyll associated with upwelling events in the Taiwan Strait during the southwest monsoon of 1998. Deep-Sea Research II, 51(10–11): 1113–1127
Shi Qian, Zhang Junyuan, Cai Ai’zhi. 2009. Taiwan Shoal, magnitude storage of sand resources. Journal of Natural Resources (in Chinese), 24(3): 507–513
Tang Danlin, Kester Dana R, Hsun Ni I. 2002. Upwelling in the Taiwan Strait during the summer monsoon detected by satellite and shipboardmeasurements. Remote Sensing of Environment, 83: 457–471
Wang Shenjie, Liu Xiqin, Dai Qinfeng, et al. 2003. Distribution characteristics of marine aggregate resources and potential prospect in China. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology (in Chinese), 23(3): 83–89
Wu Chauron, Chao Shennyu, Hsu Chun. 2007. Transient, seasonal and interannual variability of the Taiwan Strait current. Journal of Oceanography, 63: 821–833
Xu Zhifeng, Wang Minliang, Hong A’shi, et al. 1989. Ages of sediments and sedimentation rates of the western Taiwan Strait since late Pleistocene. Journal of Oceanography in Taiwan Strait (in Chinese), 8(2): 114–121
Yang Shunliang, Luo Huizhong, Liang Hongxing. 1996. Submarine dunes and their sedimentary environment of eastern sea area of Dongshan Island, Fujian. Journal of Oceanography in Taiwan Strait (in Chinese), 15(4): 324–331
Yu HoShing, Song Gwo-Shyh. 2000. Submarine physiographic features in Taiwan region and their geological significance. Journal of the geological society of China, 43(2): 267–286
Zhang Junyuan. 1989. Preliminary study on the topography and sediment characteristics of the Taiwan Strait and adjacent area. Studia Marine Sinica (in Chinese), 30: 1–17
Zhen Tieming, Zhang Junyuan. 1982. Primary study of characteristics of topography and sedimentation on the Taiwan Bank and its neighborhood. In: Qin Yunshan, ed. The Geology of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 52-66
Zhuang Zhenye, Cao Lihua, Liu Shenfa, et al. 2008. Activity level and balance signs of subaqueous dunes (Waves) in the continental shelf. Periodical of Ocean University of China (in Chinese), 38(6): 1001–1007
Zhuang Zhenye, Lin Zhenhong, Zhou Jiang, et al. 2004. Environmental conditions for the formation and development of sand dunes (waves) in the continental shelf. Marine Geology Letters (in Chinese), 20(4): 5–10
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Foundation item: Scientific Research Foundation of Third Institute of Oceanography, SOA under contract No. 2009004; the Ocean Public Welfare Scientific Research Project under contract Nos 201005029 and 201105001.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hu, Y., Chen, J., Xu, J. et al. Sand wave deposition in the Taiwan Shoal of China. Acta Oceanol. Sin. 32, 26–34 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-013-0338-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-013-0338-9