Distribution characteristics and formation mechanism of sediment waves on the continental margin of the northern South China Sea—a literature research

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2022.2.67

Abstract

Abstract:

Studying the formation process of deep-sea sediment waves is of great significance for the reconstruction of paleoclimate, paleocean and paleotectonics, and it provides strong support for the development of marine oil and gas hydrate resources. The northern continental margin of the South China Sea is a focal area for such study because of its complex tectonic sedimentary system, unique topography and rich mineral resources. This paper systematically summarizes the recent progress in the relevant studies. Combing the results on the key regions of sediment-wave development in the South China Sea, this paper analyzes the development depth, slope, wavelength, wave height and wave peak characteristics of sediment waves from the sea areas of southeastern Hainan to southwestern Taiwan, and discusses the genetic mechanism and main controlling factors of sediment waves in different regions. It is found the Taiwan orogeny and the deep water of the North Pacific have a strong impact on the sediment waves in the southwestern Taiwan sea area, while the Pearl River Estuary sea area is mostly influenced by internal waves. It is also found the sediment waves in the South China Sea provide superior geological condition for gas hydrate accumulation. But most of the existing studies only consider a single influencing factor and lack of knowledge of the development status of sediment waves in the southern South China Sea, as in-situ seabed observation methods are also lacking. Therefore, future research should pay attention to multi-factor dynamic processes in sediment-wave formation, deepen the research on sediment-wave development in the southern South China Sea, and strengthen the research on seabed geophysical exploration technology and in-situ comprehensive long-term observation technology, so as to provide a scientific basis for in-depth understanding of the formation and evolutionary process of deep-sea sediment waves and enhance the safety of marine development projects.

Key words: northern South China Sea, sediment wave, origin, developmental characteristics

CLC Number:

P736.21

LIU Xiaolei, LI Weijia, LU Yang, LI Xingyu, ZHANG Shuyu, YU Heyu. Distribution characteristics and formation mechanism of sediment waves on the continental margin of the northern South China Sea—a literature research[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2023, 30(2): 81-95.

Figures/Tables 11

Table 1 Characteristics of sediment-wave development in the northern continental margin of the South China Sea

研究区	水深/m	波长/km	波高/m	发育坡度/(°)	波峰特征	数据来源
台西南海域	3 000~3 200	0.5~4(平均2.6)	7~117(平均28)	1.6	SW-NE	文献[24]
	3 200~3 400	1.5~5.4(平均1.9)	平均80	0.3	整体平行等深线	文献[24]
	2 400~2 680	2~27	35	平均0.28	NEE-SWW	文献[17]
	2 230~2 820	3.9~14	36	平均0.31	NEE-SWW
	2 920~3 350	5.5~27.8	30	平均0.46	NEE-SWW
	2 950~3 250	7.2~11	60	平均0.51	NNE-SSW
	2 700~3 400	0.3~5.5(平均3.2)	5~50	0.57	NEE-SWW	文献[2]
	2 800~3 700	0.46~5.8(平均3.5)	5~50	3.43	近E-W	文献[2]
	2 250~2 840	1.2~3.7	30~47	平均0.5	近W-E	文献[27]
	3 150~3 500	1.5~5.4	50~110	0.57	近W-E	文献[27]
珠江口海域	600~900	1~2	20~50	1~5	整体平行等深线	文献[28]
	<1 300	1.3~3.6	50~80	大约2		文献[28]
	500~900	1.4~2	30~50	3~5	NE-SW	文献[29]
	160~600	0.016	0.35	0.65		文献[11]
琼东南海域	2 200~3 400	4	30	0.5~1		文献[19,30]

Fig.1 Distribution and genesis of sediment waves in the northern continental margin of the South China Sea. Modified after [19,36]. Basemap from [37].

Table 2 Provenance of and genetic factors controlling sediment waves in the northern continental margin of the South China Sea. Adapted from [14,19,45-46].

沉积物波区	地理位置/代号	波域面积/km²	物源	成因控制因素
台西南海域	东沙陆坡东南翼的下陆坡/B1	263	台湾岛南部及滨海地区狭窄的陆架; 西侧的东沙隆起	浊流、北太平洋底流、台湾造山运动以及水合物分解
	台湾峡谷两侧与澎湖峡谷西侧/T2	4 240
	马尼拉海沟的北端/T2	12 500
	Damuth^[10]/T1	25 000
珠江口海域	珠江海谷下陆坡段的东翼/T3	3 640	白云凹陷陆坡区;古珠江	浊流、底流、沉积变形(气体渗漏、底辟活动以及存在水合物)及内波
	神狐海域的中陆坡—	670
	神狐海域中、下陆坡的过渡区位/B2	2 707
	神狐海域上、中陆坡,毗邻峡谷/D1	1 940
	东沙群岛的西南翼,毗邻峡谷/D2	259
	中下陆坡,珠江海谷的西翼和南翼/C1	1 387
琼东南海域	西沙海槽陆坡的中下陆坡/—	2 350	中央峡谷浊流	浊流、底流
琼东南海域	琼东南盆地长昌凹陷北部斜坡/T5	400	中央峡谷浊流	浊流、底流

Fig.2 Schematic illustration of sediment-wave development in a canyon system. (a) Generalized continental margin turbidite sedimentary system (modified after [9]). (b) Hydraulic jump of a single cyclic step (modified after [47]). (c) Flow pattern over a series of cyclic steps generated by turbidity currents (modified after [48]). (d) Geometric parameters for sediment waves (modified after [51]). (e) Map view of channel-lobe transition zone (modified after [9]). (f) Re-distribution of coarse sediment waves in channel-lobe transition zone due to underflow (adapted from [52]).

Fig.3 Multi-beam bathymetric map of the northeastern slope canyon of the South China Sea (modified after [54]), with insert maps showing the Taiwan Canyon (a) and Western Penghu Canyon (b) cyclic step areas. Gray areas outline the four sediment-wave areas discovered by Kuang et al. (modified after [17]).

Fig.4 Relationship between sediment wave length/height and slope, water depth or particle size. Modified after [13,55].

Fig.5 (a) Lee-wave model for sediment wave propagation (modified after [43]), and (b) two-dimensional seismic profile of bottom-current sediment waves in Beijiao Sag, Qiongdongnan Basin (modified after [61]).

Fig.6 Movements of ideal traveling internal waves at the interface between low- and high-density water layers. Modified after [64].

Fig.7 Formation of sediment waves by sediment deformation. (a) Sediment waves with broad peaks and narrow troughs with commonly occurring faults, formed by creep deformation initiated on gentle slopes (< 0.5°) by external triggers such as earthquakes (modified after [13]). (b) Seismic profile (adapted from [72]) of sediment waves in Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin (yellow lines indicate interfaces between sediment-wave groups; blue line indicates BSR (bottom simulating reflector)).

Fig.8 Composite sediment waves formed by interaction of gravity and contour currents on the west and south wings of the Pearl River Valley. Adapted from [13].

Fig.9 Distribution of sediment waves in the South China Sea. (a) Three dimensional bathymetric map of sediment waves around the Taiwan and Penghu Canyons. (b) Schematic diagram summarizing the major depositional processes in diferent regions of the southwestern Taiwan. (c,d) High- resolution seismic profiles showing the differences in geometry，morphology and seismic reflection configuration between sediment waves in fields 1 and 2. Modified after [24].

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