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The Quaternary continental slope of the Baiyun Sag in northern South China Sea is characterized by a complex topography and abundant gravity flow sedimentation. High-resolution 3-D seismic data in this area allow for a detailed study of the seismic geomorphology and deep-water gravity flow depositional process. The Quaternary continental slope in the northern South China Sea is an above-graded slope. An intraslope basin lies within the above-grade continental slope. Slump, erosion, and deposition processes tend to develop a gentle topography and consequently a graded slope. The upper continental slope, which is above the slope equilibrium profile, is dominated by erosion and slumping. Slides, slumps and erosional channels are developed within this continental slope. The intraslope basin is located below the slope equilibrium profile and is potential accommodation space where sediments transported by gravity flows could be deposited, forming lobe aprons. Under the influence of gravity flow supply, gravity flow duration, continental slope topography, equilibrium profile, and accommodation, a slump-erosional channel-lobe depositional system is developed in the Quaternary continental slope in the Baiyun Sag. The deep-water gravity flow depositional process and the distribution of gravity flow sediments are greatly influenced by the continental slope topography, while the continental slope topography at the same time is reshaped by deep-water gravity flow depositional process and its products. The study of the interplay between the continental slope and gravity flow is helpful in predicting the distribution of the deep-water gravity flow sediments and the variation of sediment quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-phase deepwater fan systems have formed in the Baiyun Sag of the Pearl River Mouth Basin on the northern margin of the South China Sea since the beginning of the Miocene. Integrated analysis of 2D/3D seismic, well log, core, and biostratigraphic data shows that the early Miocene Pearl River deepwater fan deposits consist of four 3rd-order sequences, SQ23.8, SQ21, SQ17.5 and SQ16.5. Each of them is bounded by regional discontinuity surfaces (3rd-order sequence boundaries). Of particular interest are the sandy deepwater fan deposits in the HST of SQ23.8 and LST of SQ21, which are absent in SQ17.5 and SQ16.5. The SQ23.8 deepwater deposits are relatively thin sheets, densely spaced sandy debris flow channels and MTDs, whereas in SQ21 they manifest as thicker sheets and larger channels. In terms of lithofacies, SQ23.8 deepwater deposits are massive sandstones, in contrast to SQ21 deposits of massive sandstones, normally graded sandstones, inversely graded sandstones, and locally interbedded ripple laminated siltstones. It is interpreted that SQ23.8 deepwater sands result from homochronous slumping of the shelf margin delta front, while SQ21 deepwater sands result from the erosion and re-deposition of the ancient SQ23.8 highstand shelf margin delta. The Paleocene-Early Oligocene rift stage (57.5 Ma ∼ 32 Ma) was characterized by extensive development of half-grabens and normal faults. Since 32 Ma, the drift stage has been characterized by thermal subsidence and weak tectonic activity. The distributions of deepwater sands in SQ23.8 and SQ21 are interpreted to have been controlled by seabed topography that was inherited from buried rift-related tectonic features. We propose that the primary controlling factor for the development of the early Miocene Pearl River Deepwater Fan System was likely sediment supply of the Pearl River influenced by the Baiyun Event and the uplift of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The specific location of the sandy deepwater fan was due to tectonic influence on paleotopography of the shelf. The interpreted two depositional models can help predict the types of deepwater depositional elements are in the Baiyun Sag of the Pearl River Mouth Basin and where deepwater sands are likely to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Integration of 2D and 3D seismic data from the Qiongdongnan Basin along the northwestern South China Sea margin has enabled the seismic stratigraphy, seismic geomorphology and emplacement mechanisms of eight separate, previously undocumented, mass–transport complexes (MTCs) to be characterized. These eight MTCs can be grouped into two types: (1) Localized detached MTCs, which are confined to submarine canyons and cover hundreds of km2, consist of a few tens of km3 remobilized sediments and show long striations at their base. They resulted from small-scale mass-wasting processes induced by regional tectonic events and gravitational instabilities on canyon margins. (2) Regional attached MTCs, which occur within semi-confined or unconfined settings and are distributed roughly perpendicular to the strike of the regional slope. Attached MTCs occupy hundreds to thousands of km2 and are composed of tens to hundreds of km3 of remobilized sediments. They contain headwall escarpments, translated blocks, remnant blocks, pressure ridges, and basal striations and cat-claw grooves. They were created by large-scale mass-wasting processes triggered by high sedimentation rates, slope oversteepening by shelf-edge deltas, and seismicity. Our results show that MTCs may act as both lateral and top seals for underlying hydrocarbon reservoirs and could create MTC-related stratigraphic traps that represent potential drilling targets on continental margins, helping to identify MTC-related hydrocarbon traps. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Plio-Quaternary unidirectionally migrating channels (UMCs) and contourites in the northern slope of the South China Sea were investigated in this paper using seismic data. The UMCs include thalweg deposits (TDs) and laterally migrating deposits (LMDs), which result from the interaction between gravity flow and contour current. The LMDs migrating directions are northeast (NE) and west-southwest (WSW) and also display weak seismic reflection and obvious multi-stages. By contrast, the TDs show high seismic reflection and lateral aggradation. Giant elongated, confined, and slope sheeted drifts, as well as sediment waves are widespread in the northern slope of the South China Sea. Helicoidal contour currents can generate giant elongated and confined drifts associated with moats. By contrast, tabular contour currents can develop slope sheeted drifts with rare moats. NE-migrating channels, giant elongated drifts, and a number of sediment waves are exclusively formed at water depths of 200 m–1200 m. Drifts, sediment waves, and few WSW-migrating channels are developed at water depths of 1200 m–3000 m. The intermediate water contour current circulates clockwise, moving from Xisha Islands to Dongsha Islands and extending into the eastern part of Dongsha Islands because of the bathymetry. Deep water contour current may circulate counterclockwise and be transported northeastward through Dongsha Islands to Xisha Islands, bifurcating in the Xisha Islands because of topographical prominences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Submarine canyons have been the subject of intense studies in recent years because of their close link to deepwater systems. The Central Canyon is a large unusual submarine canyon in the northwestern margin of the South China Sea, has a total length of about 425 km and is oriented sub-parallel to the continental slope. Using integrated 2D/3D seismic, well log, core, and biostratigraphy data, the current study documents the stratigraphic framework, internal architecture, depositional processes, and controlling factors of the segment of the Central Canyon located in the Qiongdongnan Basin. The integrated analysis shows that the canyon fill consists of four 3rd-order sequences, SQ4, SQ3, SQ2, and SQ1. Each of them is bounded by regionally important erosional surfaces (3rd-order sequence boundaries). Within each 3rd-order sequence there is maximum regressive surface separating a regressive systems tract in the lower part and a transgressive systems tract in the upper part. Nine facies are identified and are further grouped into five depositional units, DU1 through DU5. The canyon evolved through four cut-and-fill stages, with a change from predominantly axial cut-and-fill to primarily side cut-and-fill. Axial cut-and-fill dominated during the first stage, and the slope-subparallel paleo Xisha Trough was intensely eroded by large-scale axial gravity flows. During the second cut-and-fill stage, the Central Canyon experienced both axial and side cut-and-fill. The third stage was dominated by side cut-and-fill. The canyon was eroded and fed by slope channels that transported sandy sediments from the shelf to the north during regression, and was covered by side-derived muddy MTCs during transgression. The last stage was also dominated by side cut-and-fill. The canyon, however, was filled predominantly by side-derived muddy MTCs. Evolution and depositional processes in the Central Canyon were likely controlled by slope-subparallel negative-relief induced by paleo-seafloor morphology, structural inversion of the Red River Fault and the slope-subparallel basement faults. Additionally, Coriolis force, sea-level fluctuations, high sedimentation rate, and rapid progradation of the slope also controlled and influenced the depositional processes, and internal architectures of the canyon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]