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Development of an Extensional Fault System and Its Control on Syn-Rift Sedimentation: Insights from 3D Seismic Interpretation of the Weixinan Depression, Northern South China Sea

Authors :
Jie He
Chunyu Qin
Yuantao Liao
Tao Jiang
Entao Liu
Si Chen
Hua Wang
Source :
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Vol 12, Iss 8, p 1392 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

The impacts of the growth and linkage of fault segments on sedimentation in a lacustrine rift basin, the Weixinan Depression, the Beibuwan Basin, in the northern South China Sea, which has been demonstrated to have huge petroleum potential, are elucidated on the basis of well-constrained 3D seismic data. Two main fault systems, the No. 1 boundary fault system and the No. 2 fault system, were developed in the Weixinan Depression. The evolution of the lower basement is based on the No. 1 fault system, which controls the distribution of depocenters (ranging from 450–800 m) within the lower structural layer. It includes the five fault segments isolated at the initial stage, the interaction and propagation stage, the linkage stage, and the decline stage. The No. 2 fault system governs the deposition of the upper structural layer with a series of discrete depocenters in the hangingwall. Initially, it comprises several right-order echelon branching faults. Each branch fault rapidly reached the existing length and maintained a constant length while establishing soft links with each other in the subsequent displacement accrual. The development of topographic slopes, transition zones, transverse anticlines, and related fault troughs and gullies related to the activity of the No. 1 boundary fault system is the main controlling factor that induces the differential development of the western, middle, and eastern sections of steep slope fans. The differential subsidence effect along the No. 2 fault system is responsible for the multiple ‘rising-stable’ stage changes in the relative lake level during the development of axial delta deposits. This study will help elucidate the different controls of extensional fault systems on associated sedimentation, as well as rift basin development in the South China Sea and similar areas throughout the world.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20771312
Volume :
12
Issue :
8
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.fb50d7f2a464880a06b559ce1b62ab3
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12081392