Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seismotectonics of the Taiwan Shoal region in the northeastern South China Sea: Insights from the crustal structure

  • Published:
Journal of Ocean University of China Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A cluster of earthquakes occurred in the Taiwan Shoal region on the outer rise of the Manila Trench. Although most were of small to medium magnitudes, one strong earthquake occurred on September 16, 1994. Several previous studies have provided important information to progress our understanding of this single earthquake. However, little is currently known about the earthquake cluster, and it is necessary to investigate the deep crustal structure of the Taiwan Shoal region to understand the mechanisms involved in controlling and generating it. This study presents a two-dimensional seismic tomographic image of the crustal structure along the OBS2012 profile based on ocean-bottom seismograph (OBS) data, which exhibits a high-velocity anomaly flanked by low-velocity anomalies in the upper crust beneath the Taiwan Shoal. In this study, 765 earthquakes (Richter magnitude ML > 1.5) occurring between 1991 and 2015 were studied and analyses of earthquake epicenters, regional faults, and the crustal structure provides an improved understanding of the nature of active tectonics in this region. Results of analyses indicate firstly that the high-velocity area represents major asperities that correspond to the location of the earthquake cluster and where stress is concentrated. It is also depicted that the earthquake cluster was influenced by fault interactions. However, the September 1994 earthquake occurred independently of these seismic activities and was associated with reactivation of a preexisting fault. It is also determined that slab pull is resisted by the exposed precollision accretionary prism, and the resistive force is causing accumulation of inplane compressive-stress. This may trigger a future damaging earthquake in the Taiwan Shoal region.

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

  • Abe, K., 1972. Lithospheric normal faulting beneath the Aleutian trench. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 5: 190–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Angelier, J., 1986. Geodynamics of the Eurasia-Phillippine Sea plate boundary: Perface. Tectonophysics, 125: 9–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Astiz, L., Lay, T., and Kanamori, H., 1988. Large intermediatedepth earthquakes and the subduction process. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 53 (1): 80–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briais, A., Patriat, P., and Tapponnier, P., 1993. Updated interpretation of magnetic anomalies and seafloor spreading stages in the South China Sea: Implications for the Tertiary tectonics of Southeast Asia. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 98 (B4): 6299–6328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burchfiel, B., and Royden, L. H., 1985. North-south extension within the convergent Himalayan region. Geology, 13 (10): 679–682.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapple, W. M., and Forsyth, D. W., 1979. Earthquakes and bending of plates at trenches. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 84 (B12): 6729–6749.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. H., Wang, W. H., and Teng, T. L., 2001. 3D velocity structure around the source area of the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan, earthquake: Before and after the mainshock. Bulletin Seismological Society of America, 91 (5): 1013–1027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. X., Wu, S. G., and Zhao, C. L., 2014. Incoming plate variation along the north Manila Trench. In: Subduction Dynamics: From Mantle Flow to Mega Disasters. Morra, G., ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 81–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, E. M., and Huang, Y. Y., 1984. Nineteen strong earthquakes in South China–The summary of continental margin seismic belt along the northern South China Sea. South China Journal of Seismology, 4 (1): 11–32 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, W. B., 2004. Crustal structure of the high magnetic anomaly belt, western Taiwan, and its implications for continental margin deformation. Marine Geophysical Researches, 25 (1–2): 79–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, D. H., and Ruff, L. J., 1988. Seismic coupling and outer rise earthquakes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 93 (B11): 13421–13444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clouard, V., Campos, J., Lemoine, A., Perez, A., and Kausel, E., 2007. Outer rise stress changes related to the subduction of the Juan Fernandez Ridge, central Chile. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 112 (B5): B05305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding, W. W., Wang, Y. M., Chen, H. L., Yang, S. F., and Wu, N. Y., 2004. Deformation characters and its tectonic evolution of the Southwest Taiwan Basin. Journal of Zhejiang University (Science Edition), 31 (2): 216–220 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding, W. W., Li, J. B., Li, M. B., Qiu, X. L., Fang, Y. X., and Tang, Y., 2008. A Cenozoic tectono-sedimentary model of the Tainan Basin, the South China Sea: Evidence from a multichannel seismic profile. Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE A, 9 (5): 702–713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fromm, R., Alvarado, P., Beck, S., and Zandt, G., 2006. The April 9, 2001 Juan Fernández Ridge (Mw 6.7) tensional outerrise earthquake and its aftershock sequence. Journal of Seismology, 10 (2): 163–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gahalaut, V., and Singh, S., 2004. Fault interaction and earthquake triggering in the Koyna–Warna region, India. Geophysical Research Letter, 31 (11): L11614.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guinness, E., Arvidson, R., Strebeck, J., Schulz, K., Davies, G., and Leff, C., 1982. Identification of a Precambrian rift through Missouri by digital image processing of geophysical and geological data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 87 (B10): 8529–8545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hildenbrand, T. G., 1985. Rift structure of the northern Mississippi embayment from the analysis of gravity and magnetic data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 90 (B14): 12607–12622.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hildenbrand, T. G., Stuart, W., and Talwani, P., 2001. Geologic structures related to New Madrid earthquakes near Memphis, Tennessee, based on gravity and magnetic interpretations. Engineering Geology, 62 (1): 105–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinze, W. J., and Hildenbrand, T. G., 1988. The utility of geopotential field data in seismotectonic studies in the Eastern United States. Seismological Research Letters, 59 (4): 289–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, S. K., Yeh, Y. C., Doo, W. B., and Tsai, C. H., 2004. New bathymetry and magnetic lineations identifications in the northernmost South China Sea and their tectonic implications. Marine Geophysical Researches, 25 (1–2): 29–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, C. Y., Xia, K., Yuan, P. B., and Chen, P. G., 2001. Structural evolution from Paleogene extension to Latest Miocene–Recent arc-continent collision offshore Taiwan: Comparison with on land geology. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 19 (5): 619–639.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, C. Y., Yuan, P. B., Lin, C. W., Wang, T. K., and Chang, C. P., 2000. Geodynamic processes of Taiwan arc-continent collision and comparison with analogs in Timor, Papua New Guinea, Urals and Corsica. Tectonophysics, 325 (1): 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanamori, H., 1971. Seismological evidence for a lithospheric normal faulting–The Sanriku earthquake of 1933. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 4 (4): 289–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kao, H., and Wu, F. T., 1996. The 16 September 1994 earthquake (mb = 6.5) in the Taiwan strait and its tectonic implications. Terrestrial Atmosphere and Oceanic Science, 7 (1): 13–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kao, H., Huang, G. C., and Liu, C. S., 2000. Transition from oblique subduction to collision in the northern Luzon arc-Taiwan region: Constraints from bathymetry and seismic observations. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 105 (B2): 3059–3079.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, S., Engdahl, R. E., and Denlinger, R., 1996. Intermediate-depth intraslab earthquakes and arc volcanism as physical expressions of crustal and uppermost mantle metamorphism in subducting slabs. In: Subduction: Top to Bottom. American Geophysical Union, 195–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ku, C. Y., and Hsu, S. K., 2009. Crustal structure and deformation at the northern Manila Trench between Taiwan and Luzon Islands. Tectonophysics, 466 (3): 229–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lay, T., Ammon, C. J., Kanamori, H., Rivera, L., Koper, K. D., and Hutko, A. R., 2010. The 2009 Samoa-Tonga great earthquake triggered doublet. Nature, 466 (7309): 964–968.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lay, T., Astiz, L., Kanamori, H., and Christensen, D. H., 1989. Temporal variation of large intraplate earthquakes in coupled subduction zones. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 54 (3–4): 258–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lay, T., Kanamori, H., Ammon, C. J., Hutko, A. R., Furlong, K., and Rivera, L., 2009. The 2006–2007 Kuril Islands great earthquake sequence. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 114 (B11): B11308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, H. H., and Lin, J. Y., 2013. Seismic characteristics of outerrise earthquakes in the different seismic coupling subduction zones. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 15: EGU2013–4056.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees, J. M., and Malin, P. E., 1990. Tomographic images of P wave velocity variation at Parkfield, California. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 95 (B13): 21793–21804.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lees, J. M., and Nicholson, C., 1993. Three-dimensional tomography of the 1992 southern California earthquake sequence: Constraints on dynamic earthquake rupture? Geology, 21 (5): 387–390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lester, R., Lavier, L. L., McIntosh, K., Van Avendonk, H. J., and Wu, F., 2012. Active extension in Taiwan’s precollision zone: A new model of plate bending in continental crust. Geology, 40 (9): 831–834.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lester, R., McIntosh, K., Van Avendonk, H. J., Lavier, L., Liu, C. S., and Wang, T., 2013. Crustal accretion in the Manila trench accretionary wedge at the transition from subduction to mountain-building in Taiwan. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 375: 430–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lester, R., Van Avendonk, H. J., McIntosh, K., Lavier, L., Liu, C. S., Wang, T., and Wu, F., 2014. Rifting and magmatism in the northeastern South China Sea from wide-angle tomography and seismic reflection imaging. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 119 (3): 2305–2323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, C. F., Zhou, Z., Hao, H., Chen, H., Wang, J., Chen, B., and Wu, J., 2008. Late Mesozoic tectonic structure and evolution along the present-day northeastern South China Sea continental margin. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 31 (4): 546–561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, C. F., Zhou, Z., Li, J., Hao, H., and Geng, J., 2007. Structures of the northeasternmost South China Sea continental margin and ocean basin: Geophysical constraints and tectonic implications. Marine Geophysical Researches, 28 (1): 59–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y. X., Hu, X. K., Li, Z., Geng, H., Guo, L. Q., Guo, F. Y., and Liu, X. Y., 2002. Crustal movement and deformation in Taiwan and its coastal area. Acta Seismologica Sinica, 15 (5): 510–518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z. X., and Li, X. H., 2007. Formation of the 1300-km-wide intracontinental orogen and postorogenic magmatic province in Mesozoic South China: A flat-slab subduction model. Geology, 35 (2): 179–182, DOI: 10.1130/G23193A.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, A., Watts, A., and Hesselbo, S., 2003. Cenozoic stratigraphy and subsidence history of the South China Sea margin in the Taiwan region. Basin Research, 15 (4): 453–478, DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2117.2003.00215.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, S. J., Ding, X. R., Chen, W. W., and Chen, X. X., 2009. Research on focal mechanism solutions and tectonic stress field in Fujian region. Journal of Geodesy and Geodynamics, 29 (5): 27–32 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y. X., Zhong, J. Q., and Zhan, W. H., 1994. The basic characteristics of seismic belts and preliminary analyses of regional stability in north continental margin of South China Sea. South China Journal of Seismology, 14 (4): 41–46 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynnes, C. S., and Lay, T., 1988. Source process of the great 1977 Sumba earthquake. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 93 (B11): 13407–13420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra, O., and Zhao, D., 2003. Crack density, saturation rate and porosity at the 2001 Bhuj, India, earthquake hypocenter: A fluid-driven earthquake? Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 212 (3): 393–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller, S., Choy, G. L., and Spence, W., 1996a. Inelastic models of lithospheric stress-I. Theory and application to outer-rise plate deformation. Geophysical Journal International, 125 (1): 39–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller, S., Spence, W., and Choy, G. L., 1996b. Inelastic models of lithospheric stress-II. Implications for outer-rise seismicity and dynamics. Geophysical Journal International, 125 (1): 54–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nalbant, S. S., Steacy, S., and McCloskey, J., 2006. Stress transfer relations among the earthquakes that occurred in Kerman province, southern Iran since 1981. Geophysical Journal International, 167 (1): 309–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ren, Z. Y., Luo, Z. N., and Hua, W., 2002. Characteristics of the seismicity and analysis of earthquake situation in the border area of Guangdong, Fujian and Jiangxi. South China Journal of Seismology, 22 (3): 28–38 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Saada, S. A., 1983. Elasticity: Theory and Applications. Pergamon Press, New York, 395–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seno, T., 1993. A model for the motion of the Philippine Sea Plate consistent with NUVEL-1 and geological data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 98 (B10): 17941–17948.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seno, T., and Yamanaka, Y., 1996. Double seismic zones, compressional deep trench-outer rise events, and superplumes. Subduction: Top to Bottom: 347–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, H., and Li, C. F., 2012. Mesozoic and early Cenozoic tectonic convergence-to-rifting transition prior to opening of the South China Sea. International Geology Review, 54 (15): 1801–1828, DOI: 10.1080/00206814.2012.677136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibuet, J., and Hsu, S. K., 2004. How was Taiwan created. Tectonophysics, 379: 159–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibuet, J. C., Hsu, S. K., and Debayle, E., 2004. Geodynamic context of the Taiwan orogen. In: Continent-Ocean Interactions Within East Asian Marginal Seas. Clift, P. D., et al., eds., Geophysics Monogr Series, AGU, Washington, 127–158.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Simons, W., Socquet, A., Vigny, C., Ambrosius, B., Haji Abu, S., Promthong, C., Subarya, C., Sarsito, D., Matheussen, S., and Morgan, P., 2007. A decade of GPS in southeast Asia: Resolving Sundaland motion and boundaries. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 112 (B6): B06420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srinagesh, D., Singh, S., Reddy, K. S., Prakasam, K., and Rai, S., 2000. Evidence for high velocity in Koyna seismic zone from P-wave teleseismic imaging. Geophysical Research Letters, 27 (17): 2737–2740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stauder, W., 1968a. Mechanism of the Rat Island earthquake sequence of February 4, 1965, with relation to island arcs and sea-floor spreading. Journal of Geophysical Research, 73 (12): 3847–3858.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stauder, W., 1968b. Tensional character of earthquake foci beneath the Aleutian Trench with relation to sea-floor spreading. Journal of Geophysical Research, 73 (24): 7693–7701.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, J. L., Xu, H. L., Zhan, W. H., and Cao, J. H., 2012. Activity and triggering mechanism of seismic belt along the northern South China Sea continental margin. Journal of Tropical Oceanography, 31 (3): 40–47 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B., and Hayes, D. E., 1980. The tectonic evolution of the South China Basin. Geophysical Monograph Series: The Tectonic and Geologic Evolution of Southeast Asian Seas and Islands, 23: 89–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B., and Hayes, D. E., 1983. Origin and history of the South China Sea Basin. Geophysical Monograph Series: The Tectonic and Geologic Evolution of Southeast Asian Seas and Islands, 27: 23–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd, E. K., and Lay, T., 2013. The 2011 northern Kermadec earthquake doublet and subduction zone faulting interactions. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 118 (1): 249–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turcotte, D. L., and Schubert, D., 2001. Geodynamics. 2nd edition. Cambridge University, New York, 213pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, R. T., Talebian, M., Saiffori, S., Sloan, R. A., Rasheedi, A., MacBean, N., and Ghassemi, A., 2010. Active faulting, earthquakes, and restraining bend development near Kerman city in southeastern Iran. Journal of Structural Geology, 32 (8): 1046–1060.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wan, K. Y., Cao, J. H., Xia, S. H., Sun, J. L., Huang, H. B., and Xu, H. L., 2016. Characteristics of secondary Pg phases from OBS wide-angle seismic survey and their role in crustal imaging. Chinese Journal of Geophysics–Chinese Edition, 59 (4): 427–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wan, K. Y., Xia, S. H., Cao, J. H., Sun, J. L., and Xu, H. L., 2017. Deep seismic structure of the northeastern South China Sea: Origin of a high-velocity layer in the lower crust. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 122 (4): 2831–2858, DOI: 10.1002/2016JB013481.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, D., and Shu, L., 2012. Late Mesozoic basin and range tectonics and related magmatism in southeast China. Geoscience Frontiers, 3 (2): 109–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, T. K., Chen, M. K., Lee, C. S., and Xia, K., 2006. Seismic imaging of the transitional crust across the northeastern margin of the South China Sea. Tectonophysics, 412 (3): 237–254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z., and Zhao, D., 2006. Seismic images of the source area of the 2004 mid-Niigata prefecture earthquake in northeast Japan. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 244 (1): 16–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z., Su, J., Liu, C., and Cai, X., 2015. New insights into the generation of the 2013 Lushan earthquake (Ms 7.0), China. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 120 (5): 3507–3526.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woolard, G. P., 1959. Crustal structure from gravity and seismic measurements. Journal of Geophysical Research, 64: 1521–1544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, W. N., Hsu, S. K., Lo, C. L., Chen, H. W., and Ma, K. F., 2009. Plate convergence at the westernmost Philippine Sea Plate. Tectonophysics, 466 (3): 162–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xia, K. Y., Huang, C. L., Jiang, S. R., Zhang, Y. X., Su, D. Q., Xia, S. G., and Chen, Z. R., 1994. Comparison of the tectonics and geophysics of the major structural belts between the northern and southern continental margins of the South China Sea. Tectonophysics, 235 (1): 99–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xia, S., Zhao, D., and Qiu, X., 2008. The 2007 Niigata earthquake: Effect of arc magma and fluids. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 166 (3): 153–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, H. L., Qiu, X. L., Zhao, M. H., Sun, J. L., and Zhu, J. J., 2006. Characteristics of the crustal structure and hypocentral tectonics in the epicentral area of Nan’ao earthquake (M7.5), the northeastern South China Sea. Chinese Science Bulletin, 51 (S2): 83–91 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, Q., Shi, X., and Castillo, P. R., 2014. The late Mesozoic–Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the South China Sea: A petrologic perspective. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 85: 178–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, S. X., Qiu, Y., and Zhu, B. D., 2015. Atlas of Geology and Geophysics of the South China Sea. China Navigation Publications, Tianjin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zelt, C., and Smith, R., 1992. Seismic traveltime inversion for 2-D crustal velocity structure. Geophysical Journal International, 108 (1): 16–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, P. Z., Wang, Q., and Ma, Z. J., 2002. GPS velocity field and active crustal blocks of contemporary tectonic deformation in continental China. Earth Science Frontiers, 9 (2): 431–441 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J. H., Li, Y. X., and Guo, L. Q., 2005. Contemporary tectonic movement and internal deformation of South China block. Journal of Geodesy and Geodynamics, 25 (3): 59–62 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, P. Z., Wang, Q., and Ma, Z. J., 2002. GPS velocity field and active crustal deformation and around Qinghai Tibet plateau. Earth Science Frontiers, 9 (2): 442–450 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, D., Hasegawa, A., and Horiuchi, S., 1992. Tomographic imaging of P and S wave velocity structure beneath northeastern Japan. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 97 (B13): 19909–19928, DOI: 10.1029/92JB00603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, D., Kanamori, H., Negishi, H., and Wiens, D., 1996. Tomography of the source area of the 1995 Kobe earthquake: Evidence for fluids at the hypocenter? Science, 274 (5294): 1891–1894.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, D., Mishra, O., and Sanda, R., 2002. Influence of fluids and magma on earthquakes: Seismological evidence. PEPI, 132 (4): 249–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, D., Tani, H., and Mishra, O., 2004. Crustal heterogeneity in the 2000 western Tottori earthquake region: Effect of fluids from slab dehydration. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 145 (1): 161–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, T. Y., Ai, Y. S., and Chen, Q. Z., 1998. The 16 September 1994 Taiwan Strait earthquake: A simple rupture event starting as a break of asperity. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 107 (4): 269–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, D., Wang, W., Wang, J., Pang, X., Cai, D., and Sun, Z., 2006. Mesozoic subduction-accretion zone in northeastern South China Sea inferred from geophysical interpretations. Science in China Series D, 49 (5): 471–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, S. Y., Shu, A. P., and Zhang, Y. G., 2000. Present-day crustal movement in China continent and its southeast coast region. Progress in Natural Science, 10 (7): 536–541 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, X., and Li, W., 2000. Origin of late Mesozoic igneous rocks in southeastern China: Implications for lithosphere subduction and underplating of mafic magmas. Tectonophysics, 326 (3): 269–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

OBS data were obtained during a shared voyage with the Natural Science Foundation of China in 2012. Earthquake data were provided by the data centers of the China National Seismic Network (http://www.csndmc.ac.cn/newweb/index.jsp) and the Guangdong Seismic Network (http://www.gdsin.net/). The bathymetric chart was plotted using Generic Mapping Tools (Wessel and Smith, 1995) and the 2008 version of the General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean (GEBCO_08, from ‘The GEBCO_08 Grid, version 20090202’, http://www.gebco.net). This work is supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. XDA13010101) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 91328206, 41676042, 41376060, and 41506046).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CAS Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China

    Kuiyuan Wan, Jinlong Sun, Huilong Xu, Shaohong Xia, Jinghe Cao, Fang Zhao & Chaoyan Fan

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Kuiyuan Wan & Chaoyan Fan

  3. Earthquake Administration of Hainan Province, Haikou, 570203, China

    Xiaoling Xie

  4. Earthquake Administration of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, 510070, China

    Xiang Zhang

Authors
  1. Kuiyuan Wan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jinlong Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Huilong Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiaoling Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shaohong Xia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xiang Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jinghe Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Fang Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Chaoyan Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shaohong Xia.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wan, K., Sun, J., Xu, H. et al. Seismotectonics of the Taiwan Shoal region in the northeastern South China Sea: Insights from the crustal structure. J. Ocean Univ. China 17, 156–168 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-018-3443-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-018-3443-8

Key words

Search

Navigation