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The Mienhua submarine volcano (MHV) is located in the southernmost Okinawa Trough and exhibits vigorous hydrothermal activity. This paper presents a detailed volcanic morphological analysis of the MHV, which has not been fully explored or discussed in terms of its hydrothermal characteristics and their relationship to hydrothermal activities. The MHV is situated at a water depth of 1370 m and has a width of 2.2 km and relief height of 220 m. The MHV is an asymmetric volcano composed of two summits in the center, rugged mounds in the west, and flat regions in the east. Two hydrothermal vents, Devil Chimney and Witch Mound were discovered through acoustic flares and a high backscatter intensity in the eastern flank. Based on three repeated mappings, no noticeable depth changes were observed at the acoustic flare zone compared to the area of the rugged mounds and two summits. In addition, a sediment core collected in a high backscatter intensity patch displayed low magnetic susceptibility, which could be influenced by the high methane levels in hydrothermal fluid that flows through sediments. An acoustically transparent zone adjoining active flares was observed in the sub-bottom profiles in the southeastern flank of the MHV, suggesting that the morphological and volcanic features are mainly concentrated in the southeast. Based on the seabed characteristics and the distribution of sills and reflectors in the multichannel seismic profiles, we inferred that the MHV is an off-axis vent that has experienced at least two stages of morphological development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northeast Taiwan margin provides an excellent example of the route of sediment flux from a small mountainous river, the Lanyang River, to a deep-sea basin, the Southern Okinawa Trough (SOT), via a very narrow（8–14 km in width）Ilan Shelf at different time scales. Based on seismic and sub-bottom chirp profiles and onshore borehole and offshore core data, we identify three echo types on the Ilan Shelf that delineate sheets of sediment, mass movement deposits, and echoes indicative of igneous activity. By recognizing lithofacies and seismic facies changes, the Last Glacial Maximum Unconformity and maximum flooding surface are correlated in onshore cores and offshore reflection seismic profiles. With the aids of sequence stratigraphic analysis, the postglacial sedimentation rates on the Ilan Shelf are estimated to range from 0.04 to 1.53 cm/yr. Considering its sediment budget in a source-to-sink system, the Ilan Shelf can be regarded primarily as a temporary trap for fluvial sediment discharged from the Lanyang River. Overall, it has trapped at least 50% of the discharged sediment during the Holocene, and the bulk of sediment was transported, primarily via mass movement to SOT. We deduce that earthquake-induced faulting, axial incision in the channel, and retrogressive failures appear to be triggers for mass wasting, which then combined with channel transport, can play leading roles in rapid downslope transportation to the trough. This inference is indicated by high deposition rates in the western end of SOT and widely distributed mass transport deposits observed in the shallow strata of SOT. We found that the deep strata of SOT are deformed by normal faults, indicating that the sediment accommodation space is structurally controlled by the active back-arc extension. This study documents that frequent typhoons and flooding events, together with strong tidal currents, are significant agents of sediment input over the short term. In contrast, earthquakes and volcanic events occasionally affect sediment dispersal from the Ilan Shelf to SOT. • We firstly present sediment dispersal patterns of the Ilan Shelf since the Last Glacial Maximum. • Combining seismic and well data onshore and offshore, we exhibit Ilan Shelf as a buffer zone temporarily storing sediments within the S2S system. • Mass wasting processes combined with channel transport play leading roles in rapid downslope sediment transportation from the Shelf to SOT. • Ilan Shelf plays as a temporary trap for at least 50% of fluvial sediment discharged from the Lanyang River during the Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strong ocean current influences a marine seismic survey and forces the streamer off-course from the survey line. The sideway drift of the streamer results in that the reflection data are no longer distributed in common midpoint gathers along the survey line but become swath distribution on one side of the ship track. This effect is known as "streamer feathering" which degrades the profile image of the 2D processed seismic data. However, if we have long streamer or closely spaced parallel 2D seismic survey lines, we may turn this deleterious effect into a good opportunity to generate 3D seismic volumes with swath distributed reflection data. We present two case studies in which 2D seismic data were collected offshore eastern Taiwan where the strong Kuroshio Current heavily influenced the ship speed and caused large streamer feathering. The first case is a large-offset 2D seismic profiling data collected using a 6-km long streamer. We processed the swath part of the reflection data in 3D that not only avoids the inappropriate smearing effect in 2D data processing but also generates a 3D seismic volume to help the seismic interpretation. In the second case, we adjusted our 2D survey strategy when realizing that strong Kuroshio Current was causing significant streamer feathering, and collected a set of closely spaced parallel 2D seismic lines. This multi-swath dataset covers a broad area which enables us to generate a 3D seismic volume. Since our datasets are not real 3D seismic data, we have tailored our processing flows to deal with different data configurations and limitations of each dataset. Our results show that not only we have enhanced 2D seismic images of the originally-interested survey lines, but also provide information on 3D geometry of the geological features imaged. The benefits and limitations of utilizing the streamer feathering effect to generate 3D seismic volumes from 2D seismic profile data are reported. Overall, this approach is a considerable way to handle 2D seismic data with large streamer feathering for both avoiding unreliable 2D seismic images and obtaining information on 3D geometry of the geological features imaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-scale reflection seismic data, from deep-penetration to high-resolution, have been analyzed and integrated with near-surface geophysical and geochemical data to investigate the structures and gas hydrate system of the Formosa Ridge offshore of southwestern Taiwan. In 2007, dense and large chemosynthetic communities were discovered on top of the Formosa Ridge at water depth of 1125 m by the ROV Hyper-Dolphin. A continuous and strong BSR has been observed on seismic profiles from 300 to 500 ms two-way-travel-time below the seafloor of this ridge. Sedimentary strata of the Formosa Ridge are generally flat lying which suggests that this ridge was formed by submarine erosion processes of down-slope canyon development. In addition, some sediment waves and mass wasting features are present on the ridge. Beneath the cold seep site, a vertical blanking zone, or seismic chimney, is clearly observed on seismic profiles, and it is interpreted to be a fluid conduit. A thick low velocity zone beneath BSR suggests the presence of a gas reservoir there. This “gas reservoir” is shallower than the surrounding canyon floors along the ridge; therefore as warm methane-rich fluids inside the ridge migrate upward, sulfate carried by cold sea water can flow into the fluid system from both flanks of the ridge. This process may drive a fluid circulation system and the active cold seep site which emits both hydrogen sulfide and methane to feed the chemosynthetic communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The architecture and distribution of mud diapirs are shaped by tectonic activity, sediment filling and unbalanced loading characteristics. Mud diapir development also controls spatial variations of intraslope basins in slope areas and can spur upward fluid migration with diapiric intrusion. The offshore area of southwestern Taiwan is an incipient collision zone in which thick sequences of deep marine sediments filled a rapidly subsided foredeep basin during the Pliocene. Large volumes of deposited sediment serve as source materials of diapiric ridges that extend NNE-SSW, and some mud diapirs even extend to on land SW Taiwan with subsurface signatures of gas. This study examines relationships between mud diapir and intraslope basin development in convergent tectonics through seismic and bathymetry data analyses. Four types of mud diapirs are identified: (1) buried symmetrical diapirs; (2) symmetrical diapirs extruded above the seafloor; (3) asymmetric and irregular diapirs; and (4) small individual diapirs manifested as mud intrusions found in local areas. A 3-stage model is proposed as a tool for describing the development and distribution of these types of diapirs. We further examine the relationship between mud diapirs and intraslope basin development patterns by analyzing 2D and 3D seismic images to reveal structural and sedimentary processes occurring in the Lower Fangliao Basin. This basin is characterized by BSR and amplitude anomalies of seismic profiles and is a prospect of the Taiwanese gas hydrate investigation project. An 8-stage development model with six depositional units is proposed as a means to explain the evolution of diapirs, submarine canyons, and fold and fault activities in the Lower Fangliao Basin, in turn revealing the relationship between mud diapir formation and intraslope basin development offshore of southwestern Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, is the largest natural terrestrial landmass in the South China Sea and is centrally located. Using bathymetry and marine multi-channel seismic data, we explored the seismic stratigraphic features of the offshore and isolated carbonate platform north of Taiping Island. The western flank of the carbonate platform is characterized by an intercalation between high-amplitude and low-amplitude reflections, showing the landward and seaward migration of the platform foreslope deposits. In addition, there are two offshore carbonate build-ups that are underlain by normal faults. Six sequence boundaries and five depositional sequences caused by eustatic sea level cycles are identified and correlated with the eustatic sea level change chart. Although the evolution of the seismic sequences is partly controlled by local tectonics, the overall stacking pattern of the sedimentary strata in our study area reveals five third-order cycles and one second-order cycle, which is in accordance with the eustatic sea level chart. Additionally, the formations of the Western Taiping Seamount Group and the Zhenghe-Daoming Trough are preliminarily analyzed based on seismic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During seismic investigations, multiple and unexpected sources may cause serious interference on seismic records, and coherent noise generated by another unwanted active source could result in extremely poor data quality. Because airgun arrays have been widely used as the sound source in marine seismic surveys, the noise generated by another airgun array usually has similar characteristics to the primary signals in both frequency bands and wave forms, so the suppression of this type of coherent noise is very difficult. In practice, seismic crews try to avoid conducting multiple surveys simultaneously in a same area, so the source interference problem normally does not occur, and suppression of coherent noise from another active source has rarely been discussed and proposed before. This paper presents a dataset in which part of the records are contaminated by shot noise from another seismic vessel, and proposes a hybrid approach to suppress the coherent noise from that unwanted seismic source. Noise subtraction and primary signal preservation within different data properties are considered to begin the noise suppression. Based on different noise characteristics from various source directions and wave propagation paths, coherence noise can be separated from primary signals in frequency-wave number (F-K), frequency-time (F-T) and intercept time-slowness (tau-p) domains, respectively. This hybrid coherent noise suppression approach involves applying three different filters, F-K, F-T and tau-p, to the contaminated dataset. Our results show that most of the coherent noise generated by another seismic source could be suppressed, and seismic images could be substantially improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether the formation of the isolated sand body deposition in the forebulge area of a foreland basin system is structure- or deposition-controlled has puzzled geologists for decades, although sand body deposition is generally believed to be indicative of the position of the flexural forebulge in a foreland basin. The formation of a modern sand body in the forebulge area is thus examined by multi-scale geophysical observations based on combined reflection seismic profiles and compressed high-intensity radar pulse (CHIRP) profiles across the sand deposition along the forebulge of the Western Taiwan Foreland Basin (WTFB), which is a Late Miocene-present foreland basin in the overfilled stage. These profiles suggest that the accumulation of the sand deposits along the forebulge of the WTFB is not directly associated with forebulge faultings. The relief map of the forebulge deposit substratum shows a northwestward tilting slope, and the isopach of the forebulge sand body indicates that a large part of the sand body accumulated along the axis of the Taiwan Strait and the subdued forebulge of the WTFB. The difference between the prevailing directions of tidal currents between the Taiwan Strait and the East China Sea reflects the probable sedimentary influence of the cratonward migrating fold-thrust belt within a foreland shelf. We suggest that the formation and distribution of the sand deposits along the forebulge of the WTFB are generally controlled not only by the transverse downslope sedimentation but also longitudinal hydrodynamic processes at distal parts of the foreland basin. Our explanation provides a plausible tectono-sedimentary cause of the sand body deposition in the forebulge area in an overfilled foreland basin. The sedimentary dynamics of the sand body in the Taiwan Strait may be applicable for understanding the formation of isolated sand bodies in the distal part of the Cretaceous Western Interior Foreland Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Distribution and architecture of slope basins across a continental slope vary as a consequence of accommodation forming, sediment dispersal rates, canyon cutting, sediment filling and different sediment transporting mechanisms. The area offshore Southwestern Taiwan is generally recognized as having active tectonics and high sediment deposition rates. In the Gaoping Slope, slope basins are formed by the developments of folds, faults and diapiric intrusions. Portions of the sediments discharged from the Taiwan mountain belt have been trapped in these basins in the Gaoping Shelf and Gaoping Slope. The rest of the sediments were transported to deep sea areas through submarine canyons. This complex system of folds, faults, diapirs, slope basins, submarine canyons, and sediment deposits has also readjusted the morphology of the Gaoping Slope. This study examines the linkage between accommodation spaces of tectonic and sedimentary processes in the Gaoping Slope through seismic facies analysis. Four seismic facies which include convergent-symmetrical facies, convergent-baselapping facies, chaotic facies, and parallel and drape facies, and different deposition patterns have been recognized in the Gaoping Slope basins. The thick mud layers which are regarded as the source of diapiric intrusions are first observed beneath the basin. Strata records show that the accommodation spaces in various slope basins have increased or decreased during different stages of basin evolution. Because of the competition between regional tectonism (accommodation space variations) and sediment routing distance from provenance to depository (sediment input variations), most under-filled basins lie in the lower slope domain in the Gaoping Slope, but also in the upper slope domain east of the Gaoping Submarine Canyon. This observation suggests that in the inner Gaoping Slope west of the Gaoping Submarine Canyon, sediment deposition rate is higher than the basin subsidence rate, the topography of the upper slope domain there is “healed”, and most sediments are overfilled in the slope basins now. Besides the sequential steps of sedimentary disposal in the filling-and-spilling model, we have also observed evidences which indicate that mass movements and submarine canyons in the area have significantly changed the sediment dispersal patterns in the slope basins of the Gaoping Slope. We suggest that although filling-and-spilling is a key sedimentary process in the Gaoping Slope, tectonic activities, mass wasting events and canyon feeding processes have diversified sediment transporting mechanisms from the inner to outer slopes in the area offshore Southwest Taiwan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Newly compiled bathymetry, sub-bottom profiling and seismic data are used to illustrate seafloor morphology, submarine canyon networks and stratigraphic framework in Huatung Basin (HB) and an adjacent sub-basin, named as East Luzon Arc Basin offshore east Taiwan. Based on seismic facies characteristics and isopach maps, three major stratigraphic sequences are recognized and we suggest that they could be resulted from pre- and syn -Taiwan arc-continent collision. Based on the sediment thickness and sedimentation rates, ages of the HB strata could be estimated. Pelagic sediments formed the lower HB sequence which follows the HB basement reliefs since 50–102 Ma. Then, the initiation of Taiwan orogen and Luzon Arc volcanic activities changed the deposition pattern after 5 Ma, and mass transport deposits developed in middle HB sequence. After rapid uplift of the Taiwan mountain belt since about 1.5 Ma, complex canyon-levee systems and thick strata formed the upper sequence in the northern HB. In contrast, sediment thickness is thin and no submarine canyon developed in southern HB. The seafloor in South Huatung Basin is flat, except in its eastern part where couple basement ridges appeared. In North Huatung Basin, canyon-levee complex and sediment waves are the most distinct morphological features in the drainages of two submarine canyons. We propose a three-stage process for sediment wave development: (1) sediment gravity flow can initiate a base of sediment wave; (2) wavy geometry begins to develop; (3) sediment waves continuously aggrade due to overbank sediments in the canyon-levee system. This study presents the evolution of sedimentary processes in a deep-sea basin and how the deposition patterns were affected by the convergent tectonics. • We report stratigraphic framework and sediment waves of Huatung Basin firstly. • Major stratigraphic sequences above oceanic basement of Huatung Basin are mapped. • Geological evolution of sedimentary processes & sediment wave fields in the basin are presented. • The age of Huatung Basin is estimated based on calculated sedimentation rates & sediment thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface Related Multiple Elimination (SRME) usually suffers the issue of either over-attenuation that damages the primaries or under-attenuation that leaves strong residual multiples. This dilemma happens commonly when SRME is combined with least-squares subtraction. Here we introduce a more sophisticated subtraction approach that facilitates better separation of multiples from primaries. Curvelet-domain subtraction transforms both the data and the multiple model into the curvelet domain, where different frequency bands (scales) and event directions (orientations) are represented by a finite number of curvelet coefficients. When combined with adaptive subtraction in the time–space domain, this method can handle model prediction errors to achieve effective subtraction. We demonstrate this method on two 2D surveys from the TAiwan Integrated GEodynamics Research (TAIGER) project. With a careful parameter determination flow, our result shows curvelet-domain subtraction outperforms least-squares subtraction in all geological settings. We also present one failed case where specific geological condition hinders proper multiple subtraction. We further demonstrate that even for data acquired with short cables, curvelet-domain subtraction can still provide better results than least-squares subtraction. We recommend this method as the standard processing flow for multi-channel seismic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is the structural geometry of the southern Taiwan transition zone from the Manila subduction offshore to the Taiwan onshore collision, specifically in the western flank of the Hengchun peninsula that corresponds to the summit of the Manila subduction accretionary prism? This paper aims to decipher the onshore/offshore structures and tectonic deformation that occur west of the Hengchun Ridge through both detailed topographic analyses and interpretation of numerous old and new seismic profiles. From a geomorphic point of view, both Fangliao and Hongchai submarine canyons have different structural and landslide implications. The Fangliao Canyon is guided by a N-S elongated mud diapir (the Fangliao Ridge), intruding an inferred N010°E trending, left lateral strike-slip fault zone. Conversely, the arcuate and concave shape of the Hongchai Canyon appear to follow the crown and the northern boundary of a newly recognized Hongchai submarine landslide situated on the steep western flank of the onshore asymmetric Hengchun Anticline. Our results highlight that both Fangliao and Hengchun Faults are linear, near-vertical left-lateral strike-slip faults. They converge onshore to the Chaochou Fault. This study demonstrates that neotectonics combine with morphostructural analysis of the submarine canyon drainages lead to a better comprehension of the present deformation in the northern part of the Manila accretionary prism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the distal part of the Western Taiwan Foreland Basin, the forebulge is caused by emplacement and loading of the Taiwan orogenic belt onto a flexed Eurasian plate. Examining reflection seismic data collected from the shelf region in the Taiwan Strait, we present the merging of successive unconformities which is the result of regional uplift due to upwarp of flexural forebulge, erosion on elevated highs, and subsequent lateral shift of forebulge. The intersection points occurring along westward merging unconformities overstepped toward Chinese craton, representing cratonward migrations of a forebulge in the Western Taiwan Foreland basin. A hiatus map across foreland basal unconformity shows not only cross-strike increase in chronostratigraphic gap, but also a S-shaped distribution of similar hiatus intervals in the along-strike direction. Foreland basin sequence in the Taiwan Strait can thus be divided into two zones on the basis of seismic reflection patterns. The distal zone comprises flat-lying layers, while the proximal zone comprises feather-edging of reflection intervals and onlapping reflections. The current position of forebulge crest is suggested to be farther cratonward than that of the middle part of the Taiwan Strait. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We re-examined the cessation of the South China Sea seafloor spreading by using radioactive dating and fossil assemblage of the ETO, and the Te-derived age. The youngest available age for the fragment of the South China Sea is ∼15 Ma and is more consistent with those suggested by previous studies. Moreover, recent IODP Expedition preliminary results suggested that the hemipelagic claystone layer stratigraphically bounded by igneous sequences of massive lava flow rock is Early Miocene in age. Therefore, the previous interpretations are more inclusive than those provided by Barckhasen et al. (2014) and indicate that a slow spreading ridge was more plausible to have occurred during the seafloor spreading of the South China Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using bathymetric and multichannel seismic (MCS) data, we explored the volcanic influence on the bathymetric and stratigraphic features of the Mianhua Terrace. The Mianhua Terrace occupies the marine counterpart of the Northern Taiwan Volcanic Zone (NTVZ) along the collapsed Taiwan orogenic wedge and is dominated by post-collisional magmatism and extensional structures. The bathymetric data showed several semicircular-shaped features near the shelf break. The MCS profiles showed that the Pleistocene unconformity buried beneath the Mianhua Terrace is partly difficult to observe due to seafloor multiples, suggesting that the seafloor is dominated by physically hard lithology, probably volcanic lavas. We interpreted the high-amplitude reflectors and their projected seafloor relief as intrusive sills and associated extrusive edifice. Similarly, we interpreted high-amplitude reflectors in the vicinity of normal faults as intrusive sills emplaced and facilitated by fault structures. A volcanic or hydrothermal mound was also recognized. We propose that the Mianhua Terrace is a breached ramp in a transfer zone between the tips of two successive normal faults along the shelf break. Once the fault tips reactivate and extend toward each other, the Mianhua Terrace may continue to collapse, leading to catastrophic volcanic or associated hydrothermal events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution bathymetry collected with an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) along the flanks of three ridges of the accretionary prism offshore southwestern (SW) Taiwan revealed more than 650 elongated depressions in water depths ranging from 1155 to 1420 m. The depressions are between 12 and 129 m long, 5 to 70 m wide, and up 9 m deep at their center and shallowing downslope to about 1-m depth. Due to their shape in downslope cross section, they are termed comet-shaped depressions (CSD). The CSD occur in patches of more than 100 with densities of 53 to 98 CSD/km2. In addition, seven topographic mounds were mapped and interpreted as pingos, which remotely operate vehicle (ROV) observations and sampling show to be covered with authigenic carbonate. These features overlie areas where multichannel seismic reflection (MCS) profiles show bottom simulating reflectors (BSR) and dipping strata extending from below the BSR to near the seafloor. We consider comet-shaped depression, a new type of pockmark, forms on a sloping seafloor where fluids expulsion occurred. We also suggest that the two types of distinctive geomorphic features are attributed to fluid venting which occurs at different rates, with the mounds developing slowly over time, but the CSD forming in discrete events perhaps associated with large earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multibeam (MB) and subbottom profile (SBP) data along the forearc slope off Miyagi, Japan, are combined to investigate structural-morphological and sedimentary structures along the forearc slope of the Japan Trench subduction zone. In addition to dip-oriented slope gullies, the MB data image a nearly dip-perpendicular slope trough bounded by a fault scarp landward of the trench-slope break. Seaward of the trench-slope break, the subbottom mostly contains normal faults that dip in opposite directions. The SBP data show not only unconformity and sliding surfaces, but also underfilled (forearc trough) and filled structures that may reflect the most recent forearc subsidence and basin filling. We propose these forearc trough and associated filling structures may indicate the earliest developments of modern isolated basins. Thus, a model of forearc basin development from slope gully to slope trough, isolated basins and forearc basin, transferred by active structures, could be proposed. Observed seafloor liquefaction in the SBP data may represent a near-surface seep structure of a plumbing system that enables hydrosphere-mantle fluid migration plausibly activated by earthquake cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite numerous recent works (Zhang et al., 2014, Giletycz et al. 2015A and B, 2017; Deffontaines et al., 2016, 2017/2018; Huang et al., 2018), the Hengchun Peninsula (S.Taiwan) remains still poorly known in terms of geodynamic and geomorphological processes. Contrasting results and opposite conclusions are emitted by those previous works in terms of active uplift/subsidence locations, and dealing with the location of the Hengchun and Kenting active faults that definitely needs a much better regional comprehension in order to understand the geodynamic of the outcropping southern tip of the Taiwan Central Range.Two new high resolution datasets (1) the UAS Digital Terrain Model (<10cm ground resolution and <40cm vertical accuracy) and (2) displacements processed from PSInSAR techniques (modified from J.Champenois, 2011, Deffontaines et al. 2017, 2018) that are validated by some GPS fixed stations, lead us to up-date the Hengchun Peninsula geological mapping. The latter had been validated in the fields and the added PSInSAR lead us to determine the active interseismic structures (active faults and folds) during the monitoring time period taking into account even small magnitude of displacements. Special attention where focussed on the location, characterization and quantification of the Hengchun, Kenting and Manchou Faults and their associated active folds that affect the whole Hengchun Penisula.Moreover South to the Hengchun Peninsula, offshore high resolution bathymetric data sets acquired offshore (Chang K.-J. et al., 2015) and E-W transverse seismic reflection profiles (Liu C.-S., and Hsu H.-H., work in progress) lead us to propose an up-dated and integrated onshore/offshore geodynamic model of the whole Hengchun Penisula and clarify its recent evolution. Definitely, this area remains a major Natural Hazards sensitive area as the still active Taiwan Nuclear Power Plant N°3 is situated so close to the Hengchun Fault.References: Champenois, J., 2011: Caractérisation des déformations tectoniques intersismiques de l'île de Taiwan par interférométrie radar, Geophysics, Université Paris-Est, 244 pp., 2011 (some parts in French).Chang, C. P., et al., 2009: Polyphase deformation in a newly emerged accretionary prism: Folding, faulting and rotation in the southern Taiwan mountain range, Tectonophysics, 466, 395–408.Deffontaines, B., et al.: 2016. Structure and deformation of the Southern Taiwan accretionary prism: The active submarine Fangliao Fault Zone offshore west Hengchun Peninsula, Tectonophysics, 692, 227–240, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2016.11.007, 2016.Deffontaines B., et al., 2017 discussion paper, doi:10.5194/nhess-2017-55. and 2018: Active tectonics of the onshore Hengchun Fault using UAS DSM combined with ALOS PS-InSAR time series (Southern Taiwan), Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 829–845, 2018https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-18-829-2018.Giletycz, S.J., 2015A: Landscape dynamics of the Hengchun Peninsula, Southern Taiwan. PhD dissertation, National Central University, Chungli, Taiwan, 184 pp., 2015.Giletycz, S.J., et al. 2015B. Transient fluvial landscape and preservation of low-relief terrains in an emerging orogen: exemple from Hengchun peninsula, Taiwan. Geomorphology 231, 169–181.Giletycz, S.J., et al., 2017: Tectonophysics, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2017.10.018Huang, C.Y., et al.,2006. Temporal and spatial records of active arc-continent collision in Taiwan:A synthesis. Geological Society of America Bulletin 118(3/4), 274-288. Zhang, X.C., et al., 2014. Provenance analysis and its geological significance to the Miocene accretionary prism of Hengchun Peninsula, southern Taiwan. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 85, 26-39. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the multi-channel seismic (MCS) and gravity data offshore north of Taiping Island (Itu Aba Island) in the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands), we revisited the crustal structures in the northern part of the southern margin of the Southwest (SW) Sub-basin of the South China Sea (SCS). The MCS data suggest that the basement structural highs in the southwest margin of the SCS are dominated by both fault blocks and volcanic basement structures that probably formed along with the basement faults. The gravity modeling results reveal that these volcanic basement structures were probably associated with the high velocity or density lower crust (HVDLC), suggesting that the southern margin of the SW Sub-basin serves as an intermediate margin. Based on the tectonic features in the SCS margins, including (1) the transition between the magma-poor margins of the Northwest (NW) Sub-basin and intermediate margins of the East and SW Sub-basins; (2) the cessation of the seafloor spreading in the NW Sub-basin being succeeded by a major ridge jump event, which was very likely to reflect an active mantle upwelling event; (3) the extensive distribution of the HVDLC beneath in the well-investigated northern margin of the East Sub-basin and as explored in the SW Sub-basin in this study; and (4) basement faulting and volcanism shown in this study that may be related to the HVDLC and hyper-extension, we proposed a conceptual model to interpret the origin of the HVDLC in the southern margin of the SW Sub-basin. The margin of the SCS basin was magma-poor at the time it occurred. An active mantle upwelling event caused by small-scale mantle convection, possibly related to the influence of the nascent Hainan mantle plume, was formed subsequently, resulting in a southward ridge jump and the HVDLC beneath the current margins of the East and SW Sub-basins. The East and SW Sub-basins continued to spread, latitudinally dividing their HVDLCs as the margins separated accordingly. Afterwards, the hyper-extension in the distal margins may also be responsible for a crust weakening zone wherein the subsequent volcanic events could occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Acoustic remote sensing can be used to determine different types of sedimentary seabeds using quantitative classification. • Three attributes extracted from acoustic waveforms reveal four types of sedimentary seabeds. • The proposed method differentiates sedimentary seabed types with similar grain size distribution. • Core data from the offshore area of southwestern Taiwan validates the method. • This study provides a sensitive and robust quantitative method and reduces the uncertainty of manual identification between different seabeds. The sedimentary seabed properties are direct indicators of its stability, whose measure has several important implications in understanding and forecasting geological events. This study investigates the classification of sedimentary seabed types in different depositional environments using the three attributes: reflection coefficient (RC), similarity index (SI), and amplitude ratio (AR) values extracted from sub-bottom profiling data. Four sedimentary seabed types were evaluated automatically according to the waveforms in the horizontal and vertical directions. To infer the seabed properties, the attribute SI is used to identify the occurrence of homogeneity of sediment transportation in an area, while RC and AR are used to determine the seabed characteristics in terms of the variation of acoustic energy reflected from the sediment. To validate the results of this quantitative analysis method, sixteen seafloor sediment samples collected at different sites in the offshore area of southwestern Taiwan were analyzed. The automatic classification results suggest that the different sub-bottom profiling images are associated with the grain size distributions and compositions, such as the concentrated distribution, sand, silt, and clay percentages, and the mean bulk density. In addition, an inhomogeneous environment with similar grain size distribution can be identified. The proposed seabed classification is an effective method to study seabed characteristics, especially for identifying chaotic sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What are the geodynamic processes during the transition from the onshore NE Taiwan collision to the offshore southwest Okinawa back-arc basin opening associated to the Ryu-Kyu subduction? What is the local neotectonic scheme of this transition (e.g.: structural sketch map of the outcropping volcanic edifice highlighting major faults and their associated earthquakes)? These are some of the fundamental questions adressed to the Kuei-Shan Tao volcanic island (KST hereafter) which is the unique emerged volcanic outcrops situated within this geodynamic transition area. Several incompatible KST geological mappings had been published without any faults, nor dykes, nor feeders (Ichikawa, 1934 ; Hsu, 1963 ; and Chiu et al., 2010) that needed to be updated and completed on the structural point of view. In order to do so, we acquired a new high resolution UAS-drone topography (Digital Surface Model) through photogrammetric processing, with a ground resolution <10 cm. We analyse and interprete it in detail using morphostructural photo-interpretation methods. Field works on KST is restricted due to technical and administrative reasons, so we compare our morphostructural map to the shoreline outcrops observed from a boat survey. Then, we have updated the Kuei-Shan Tao geological mapping (lava flows and pyroclastic falls), and the structural scheme as well as the major erosionnal landslide processes. Taking into account the re-interpretation of surroundings offshore bathymetry, old and new seismic profiles, the different drillings done in the Kuei-Chia northern flank, previous geophysical works, the existing massive andesite datings), as well as the inferred stress regimes deduced from the earthquake's focal mechanisms, we propose a KST neotectonic map. We propose also a new scenario for the recent KST volcanic evolution. Kuei-Shan Tao geology and geodynamics may have a so great importance for the 0.5 millions citizens of the so close flat lying Ilan Plain in terms of natural hazards (eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes...). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outer rise on the distal periphery of a subduction system is caused by emplacement of an accreted load onto the flexed oceanic lithosphere. By examining the bathymetry and free-air gravity anomaly data collected by satellite observations and marine reflection seismic data collected during the TAIGER project, we demonstrate the characteristics of the flexural outer rise seaward of the Manila Trench. The region of the outer rise on the westernmost periphery of the Manila subduction system is characterized by the positive free-air gravity anomaly seaward parallel to the Manila Trench and the morphological rise at the south of the Manila subduction system. A flexure simulation is performed based on the flexural profiles along the southern Manila Trench-outer system and the resulting effective elastic thickness values may provide an alternative aspect for the spreading rates of the South China Sea basin. Since both the western periphery of the Taiwan collision belt and Manila subduction belt are dominated by the strain regime of extension of flexural origin, it appears that the strain regime of flexural extension associated with the flexural forebulge of the Western Taiwan Foreland Basin to the north, and the strain regime of flexural extension associated with the outer rise seaward of the Manila Trench to the south are meridionally interconnected. This revised understanding of the strain regime of flexural extension origin west of the Taiwan-Luzon convergent belt provides an alternative point of view on the strain regime offshore SW Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]