Abstract
Recent geophysical surveys and basin modeling suggest that the No. 1 fault in the Ying-gehai basin (YGHB) is the seaward elongation of the Red River fault zone (RRFZ) in the South China Sea (SCS). The RRFZ, which separates the South China and Indochina block, extends first along the Yuedong fault, offshore of Vietnam, and then continues southward and breaks off into two branches: the Lupar fault and the Tinjia fault. The southern extension of the Lupar fault dies out beneath the NW Borneo while the Tinjia fault extends southeast and reaches the Brunei-Sabah area. According to the gravity and geomagnetic data, and the tectonic evolution of the basins, there are different evolution histories between the Wan’an basin (WAB) and the basins in the Nansha block. The Tinjia fault may be the boundary between the Balingian block and the Nansha block. Hence, the line linking the Yuedong fault and the Tinjia fault, which both are continental margin faults and strike-slip ones in the geological evolution histories, constitute the boundary between the Indochina and Nansha block. The Lupar fault, in contrast, is an intraplate fault within the Indochina block. The results provide new hints for reconstructing the tectonic evolution history of the RRFZ and the opening of the SCS, and also a framework for hydrocarbon prospecting in the region.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Leloup P H, Robin L, Tapponnier P, et al. The Ailao Shan-Red River shear zone (Yunnan, China), Tertiary transform boundary of Indochina. Tectonophysics, 1995, 251: 3–84
Xia B. Terranes of Xizang (Tibet), China. In: Wiley T J, Howell D G, Wong F L, eds. Terrane analysis of China and the Pacific rim: Houston, Texas, Circum-Pacific Council for Energy and Mineral Resources Earth Science Series, 1990, 13: 231–239
Huchon P, Pichon X L, Rangin C. Indochina Peninsula and the collision of India and Eurasia. Geology, 1994, 22: 27–30
Huchon, P, Nguyen T N H, Chamot-Rooke N. Finite extension across the south Vietnam basins from 3D gravimetric modelling: Relation to South China Sea kinematics. Marine Petrol Geol, 1998, 15(7): 619–634
Longley I M. The tectonostratigraphic evolution of SE Asia. Geol Soci Spec Publ, 1997, 126: 311–339
Chung S L, Lee T Y, Lo C H, et al. Intraplate extension prior to continental extrusion along the Ailao shan-Red River shear zone. Geology, 1997, 25(4): 311–314
Zhang Y Q, Xie Y W. Chronology and characters of Nd, Sr isotopes in K-rich intruding rocks from Ailaoshan-Jinshajiang area. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci (in Chinese), 1997, 27(4): 289–293
Li Y W, Zhou W G, Xie H S, et al. Preliminary research of magmatic activity features and deep process of Honghe-Jinshajiang strike-slip faulted zone. Acta Geophys Sin (in Chinese), 1998, 41(Suppl.): 115–122
Zhao W J. INDEPTH Group, The Deep Structure and Tectonic of the Suture Zone Between the Himalayas and Brahmaputra (in Chinese). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 2001
Xia B, Chen G W, Mei H J, et al. Platinum-group elements geochemistry of the ophiolites in Jiding, Tibet. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci (in Chinese), 2001, 31(7): 578–585
Wang J H, Yin A, Harrison T, Mark G, et al. A tectonic model for Cenozoic igneous activities in the eastern Indo-Asian collision zone. Earth Planet Sci Lett, 2001, 188(1/2): 123–133
Fu R S, Xu Y M, Huang J H, et al. Numerical simulation of the compression uplift of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Chin J Geophys (in Chinese), 2000, 43(3): 346–355
Xu Y, Liu J H, Liu F T, et al. The crust and upper mantle structure of the Ailaoshan-Honghe fault zone and its vicinities. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci (in Chinese), 2003, 33(12): 1201–1208
Tapponnier P, Peltzer G, Le Dain A Y, et al. Propagating extrusion tectonics in Asia: New insights from simple experiments with plasticine. Geology, 1982, 10: 611–616
Tapponnie P, et al. The Ailao-Red River metamorphic belt: Tertiary left-lateral shear zone between Indochina and South China. Nature, 1990, 343: 431–437
England P, Houseman G. Finite strain calculations of continental deformation 2: Comparison with the India-Asia collision zone. J Geophys Res, 1986, 91: 3664–3676
Allen H G. Basic prerequisites for petroleum exploration and development programs. In: The South China Sea; hydrocarbon potential and possibilities of joint development, Proceedings of the EAPI/CCOP Workshop. Energy, 1981, 6(11): 1257–1261
Rangin C, Klein M, Roques D, et al. The Red River fault zone in the Tonkin Gulf, Vietnam. Tectonophysics, 1995, 243: 209–222
Sun Z, Zhou D, Zhong Z H, et al. Experimental evidence for the dynamics of the formation of the Yinggehai basin, NW South China Sea. Tectonophysics, 2003, 372(1–2): 41–58
Liu Z S, Yang S K, Chen S Q, et al. Geological Structure and Continental Margin Spreading in the South China Sea (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1988. 103–106
He L S, Chen B Y. Atlas of Geology and Geophysics of South China Sea (in Chinese). Guangzhou: Map Publishing House of Guangdong Province, 1987
Wan L, Yao B C, Wu N Y. The extending of Honghe faults in the South China Sea and its tectonic significance. Geological Research of South China Sea (in Chinese), 2000, 12: 22–32
Ben-Avraham Z, Emery K O. Structure framework of Sunda Shelf. AAPG Bulletin, 1973, 57(12): 2323–2366
Hidle T W C, Uyeda S, Kroenke L W. Evolution of the western Pacific and its margin. CCOP Techn Bull, 1976, 10: 1–19
Ludwig W J, Kumar N, Houtz R E. Profiler-sonobuoy measurements in the South China Sea Basin. J Geophys Res, 1979, 84: 3505–3518
Robert H. Cenozoic geological and plate tectonic evolution of SE Asia and the SW Pacific: computer-based reconstructions, model and animations. J Asian Earth Sci, 2002, 20: 353–431
Yao B C, Qiu Y, Li T G. The strike-slip characters of the western margin of South China Sea—Wan’an fault and its tectonic significances. In: Yao B C, Qiu Y, Wu N Y, eds. Character of Geology Tectonic and Cenozoic Deposition in the Western South China Sea (in Chinese). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 1999, 45–55
Lee G H, Watkins J S. Seismic sequence stratigraphy and hydrocarbon potential of the Phu Khanh basin, offshore central Vietnam, South China Sea. AAPG Bulletin, 1998, 82(9): 1711–1735
Liu H L, Yan P, Zhang B Y, et al. Role of the Wan-Na fault zone in the western Nansha Islands (southern South China Sea). J Asian Earth Sci, 2004, 23(2): 221–233
Liu G D. The characters of the geology and geophysics. Offshore China Sea and Its Vicinities (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1992
Taylor B, Hayes D E. Origin and history of the South China Basin, In: Hayes D E, ed. Tectonic and Geology Evolution of Southeast Asian Seas and Islands, Part 2. American Geophys Union Geophys. Monograph, 1983, 27: 23–56
Briais A, Patriat P, Tapponnier P. Updated interpretation of magnetic anomalies and seafloor spreading stages in the South China Sea: Implications for the Tertiary tectonics of Southeast Asia. J Geophys Res, 1993, 98: 6299–6328
Ru Ke, Pigott J. Episodic rifting and subsidence in the South China Sea. AAPG Bull, 1986, 70(9): 1136–1155
Liu B M, Xia B, Jin Q H, et al. The basin evolution and petroleum exploration of carbonate rocks in South China Sea. Marine Origin Petroleum Geology (in Chinese), 2003, 8(1/2): 40–46
Jin Q H. Geology and Petroleum Resources in the South China Sea (in Chinese). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 1989
Wu J M. Evaluation and models of Cenozoic sedimentation in the South China Sea. Tectonophysics, 1994, 235: 77–98
Zhong G J, Wu J M, Wang L L. Characteristics of strike-slip zone and its relation to oil and gas in the south-west area of the South China Sea. J Ocean Univ Qingdao (in Chinese), 1995, 25(4): 495–502
Liu B M, Zhou C F. Trap structural analysis of Wan’an basin in the southwest of South China Sea. Mar Geol Quat (in Chinese), 1997, 17(3): 25–30
Jiang S R, Zhou X Z, Huang C L, et al. The stratigraphy, structure and evolution of Zengmu basin. Tectonophysics, 1994, 235: 51–62
Lee G H, Lee K, Watkins J S. Geologic evolution of the Cuu Long and Nam Con Son Basins, offshore southern Vietnam, South China Sea. AAPG Bulletin, 2001, 85(18): 1055–1082
Zhou D, Ru K, Chen H Z. Kinematics of Cenozoic extension on the South China Sea continental margin and its implications for the tectonic evolution of the region. Tectonophysics, 1995, 251: 161–177
Yao B C, Zeng W J, Chen Y Z, et al. The crustal structure in the eastern part of the northern margin of the South China Sea. Acta Geophys Sin (in Chinese), 1994, 37(1): 27–35
Yan P, Zhou D, Liu Z S. A crustal structure profile across the northern continental margin of the South China Sea. Tectonophysics, 2001, 341: 179–193
Qiu X L, Ye S Y, Wu S M, et al. Crustal structure across the Xisha Trough, northwestern South China Sea. Tectonophysics, 2001, 341: 179–193
Shi X B, Zhou D, Qiu X L, et al. Thermal and rheological structures of the Xisha Trough, South China Sea. Tectonophysics, 2002, 351: 285–300
Gong Z S, Li S T, Xie T J, et al. Continental Margin Basin Analysis and Hydrocarbon Accumulation of the Northern South China Sea (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1997
Rangin C, Huchon P, Pichon X L, et al. Cenozoic deformation of central and south Vietnam. Tectonophysics, 1995b, 251: 179–196
Lee T Y. Cenozoic plate reconstruction of the South China Sea. Tectonophysics, 1994, 235: 149–180
Hartono H M S. Geological evolution of the Indonesian Archipelago, Geosea, V Proceedings. Geol Soc Milaysia Bull, 1986, 20: 97–136
Xia K Y, Huang C L. The discovery of meso-tethys sedimentary basin in the South China Sea and their oil and gas perspective. Earth Science Front (in Chinese), 2000, 7(3): 227–237
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Liu, B., Xia, B., Li, X. et al. Southeastern extension of the Red River fault zone (RRFZ) and its tectonic evolution significance in western South China Sea. SCI CHINA SER D 49, 839–850 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-006-0839-x
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-006-0839-x