Identification of the Caroline Plate boundary:constraints from magnetic anomaly

The Caroline Plate is located among the Pacific Plate,the Philippine Sea Plate,and the India Australia Plate,and plays a key role in controlling the spreading direction of the Philippine Sea Plate.The Caroline Submarine Plateau(or Caroline Ridge)and the Eauripik Rise on the south formed a remarkable T-shaped large igneous rock province,which covered the northern boundary between the Caroline Plate and the Pacific Plate.However,relationship between these tectonic units and magma evolution remains unclear.Based on magnetic data from the Earth Magnetic Anomaly Grid(2-arc-minute resolution)(V2),the normalized vertical derivative of the total horizontal derivative(NVDR-THDR)technique was used to study the boundary of the Caroline Plate.Results show that the northern boundary is a transform fault that runs 1400 km long in approximately 28 km wide along the N8°in E-W direction.The eastern boundary is an NNW-SSE trending fault zone and subduction zone with a width of tens to hundreds of kilometers;and the north of N4°is a fracture zone of dense faults.The southeastern boundary may be the Lyra Trough.The area between the southwestern part of the Caroline Plate and the Ayu Trough is occupied by a wide shear zone up to 100 km wide in nearly S-N trending in general.The Eauripik transform fault(ETF)in the center of the Caroline Plate and the fault zones in the east and west basins are mostly semi-parallel sinistral NNW-SSE–trending faults,which together with the eastern boundary Mussau Trench(MT)sinistral fault,the northern Caroline transform fault(CTF),and the southern shear zone of the western boundary,indicates the sinistral characteristics of the Caroline Plate.The Caroline hotspot erupted in the Pacific Plate near the CTF and formed the west Caroline Ridge,and then joined with the Caroline transform fault at the N8°.A large amount of magma erupted along the CTF,by which the east Caroline Ridge was formed.At the same time,a large amount of magma developed southward via the eastern branch of the ETF,forming the northern segment of the Eauripik Rise.Therefore,the magmatic activity of the T-shaped large igneous province is obviously related to the fault structure of the boundary faults between the Caroline Plate and Pacific Plate,and the active faults within the Caroline Plate.

Structural features in the mid-southern section of the Kyushu–Palau Ridge based on satellite altimetry gravity anomaly

The Kyushu–Palau Ridge(KPR),an anti-S-shaped submarine highland at the center of the Philippine Sea Plate(PSP),is considered the residual arc of the Izu–Bonin–Mariana Island Arc,which retains key information about the cessation of the Western Philippine Basin(WPB)expansion and the Parece Vela Basin(PVB)breakup.Herein,using the new generation of satellite altimetry gravity data,high-precision seafloor topography data,and newly acquired ship-borne gravity data,the topographic and gravity characteristics of the KPR mid-southern section and adjacent region are depicted.The distribution characteristics of the faults were delineated using the normalized vertical derivative–total horizontal derivative method(NVDR-THDR)and the minimum curvature potential field separation method.The Moho depth and crustal thickness were inverted using the rapid inversion method for a double-interface model with depth constraints.Based on these results,the crust structure features in the KPR mid-southern section,and the“triangular”structure geological significance where the KPR and Central Basin Rift(CBR)of the WPB intersect are interpreted.The KPR crustal thickness is approximately 6–16 km,with a distinct discontinuity that is slightly thicker than the normal oceanic crust.The KPR mid-southern section crust structure was divided into four segments(S1–S4)from north to south,formed by the CBR eastward extension joint action and clockwise rotation of the PVB expansion axis and the Mindanao fault zone blocking effect.

Study on crustal thickness and the prediction of prolific depressions:the Bohai Basin as an example

The deep crustal structure is closely related to oil and gas reserves.Predicting the oil and gas enrichment of depressions based on the Moho depth and crustal thickness is a promising research topic with significant implications for guiding exploration in petroliferous basins.In this study,seismic data were used as a constraint on the use of satellite gravity anomaly inversion to obtain the distribution of Moho depth and crustal thickness in the Bohai Basin.Stretching factors were calculated to analyze the differential distribution of deep crustal structural activity.Four indicators,including the minimum Moho depth,minimum crustal thickness,sum of Moho stretching factors,and sum of crustal stretching factors,were selected.Principal component analysis was applied to reduce the dimensionality of the multi-indicator system and obtain an oil and gas enrichment score for quantitative prediction of favorable prolific depressions.The deviation between the inverted Moho depth and seismic constraints was small;thus,the data effectively reflect the variations in the characteristics of each depression.The analysis revealed significant statistical features related to the minimum Moho depth/crustal thickness and the sum of Moho/crustal stretching factors associated with prolific depressions.Based on the oil and gas enrichment score,the depressions were classified into four categories related to their different deep crustal structural characteristics.Highly active ClassⅠ,ClassⅡ,and ClassⅢdepressions are predicted to be favorable prolific depressions.This study expands the research on quantitatively predicting favorable prolific depressions in the Bohai Basin using the deep crustal structure and can contribute to reducing production costs and improving exploration efficiency in future explorations.

Structural characteristics and tectonic division of the Zambezi Delta basin in the offshore East Africa:evidences from gravity and seismic data

The Zambezi Delta basin is a passive marginal basin located on the East African coast that has good oil and gas exploration potential.Due to the special geological evolutionary background of the Beira High in the Zambezi Delta basin,it has a low gravity anomaly,and the existing seismic survey lines do not cover the whole basin;therefore,it is difficult to interpret the structural characteristics of the whole basin based solely on gravity or seismic data.Based on satellite altimetry gravity anomaly data,this study infers the distribution characteristics of faults in the Zambezi Delta basin by using the normalized vertical derivative of the total horizontal derivative(NVDR-THDR)technique.Then,constrained by seismic data,the gravity anomaly at the Moho interface is extracted by using the fast forward method of the double-interface model of the gravity anomaly,and this anomaly is then removed from the Bouguer gravity anomaly to obtain the sedimentary layer gravity anomaly.The thickness of the sedimentary strata is obtained by inversing the sedimentary basement depth of the whole basin.Then,uplifts and depressions are divided based on a sedimentary layer thickness of 3 km.This research demonstrates that the Zambezi Delta basin mainly features nearly SN-trending and NE-trending faults and that these faults exhibit east-west partitioning.The nearly SN-trending strike-slip faults controlled the sedimentary development of the basin,and the NE-trending tensile faults may have acted as migration channels for oil,gas and magma.The“overcompensation”effect of the Moho interface gravity anomaly on the gravity anomaly of the sedimentary layer is caused by the depression of the Moho interface beneath the Beira High,which results in a low gravity anomaly value for the Beira High.The pattern of uplifts and depressions trends NE and has the structural characteristics of east-west blocks.

Influence of lithospheric thickness distribution on oil and gas basins,China seas and adjacent areas

The distribution of oil and gas resources is intricately connected to the underlying structure of the lithosphere.Therefore,investigating the characteristics of lithospheric thickness and its correlation with oil and gas basins is highly important.This research utilizes recently enhanced geological–geophysical data,including topographic,geoid,rock layer thickness,variable rock layer density,and interface depth data.Employing the principles of lithospheric isostasy and heat conduction,we compute the laterally varying lithospheric thickness in the China seas and adjacent areas.From these results,two pivotal parameters for different types of oil and gas basins were statistically analyzed:the minimum lithospheric thickness and the relative fluctuation in lithospheric thickness.A semiquantitative analysis was used to explore the connection between these parameters and the hydrocarbon abundance within the oil and gas basins.This study unveils distinct variations in lithospheric thickness among basins,with oil and gas rich basins exhibiting a thicker lithosphere in the superimposed basins of central China and a thinner lithosphere in the rift basins of eastern China.Notably,the relative fluctuations in lithospheric thickness in basins demonstrate significant disparities:basins rich in oil and gas often exhibit greater thickness fluctuations.Additionally,in the offshore basins of China,a conspicuous negative linear correlation is observed between the minimum lithospheric thickness and the relative fluctuation in lithospheric thickness.This study posits that deep-seated thermal upwelling results in lithospheric undulations and extensional thinning in oil and gas basins.Concurrently,sustained deep-seated heat influences sedimentary materials in basins,creating favorable conditions for oil and gas generation.The insights derived from this study contribute to a quantitative understanding of the intricate relationships between deep lithospheric structures and oil and gas basins.These findings provide valuable guidance for future oil and gas exploration in the studied areas.

Integrated gravity and magnetic study on patterns of petroleum basin occurrence in the China seas and adjacent areas

The China seas and adjacent areas contain numerous petroleum basins.One of the main challenges for future oil and gas exploration is to identify the inherent patterns of petroleum basin distribution.The formation and evolution of petroleum basins along with the migration and accumulation of oil and gas are often closely related to the tectonic environment.The gravity and magnetic fields with high lateral resolution and wide coverage provide important data for regional tectonic research.Based on the gravity data in the Global Satellite Gravity Anomaly Database(V31.1)and magnetic data from the Earth Magnetic Anomaly Grid(2-arc-minute resolution)(V2),this study uses integrated gravity and magnetic field technique to obtain integrated gravity and magnetic field result for the China seas and adjacent areas,and then adopts the normalized vertical derivative of the total horizontal derivative technique to conduct partition.Finally,it identifies the relationship between the partition characteristics and tectonics as well as the patterns of petroleum basin occurrence.The research shows that the partition of gravity and magnetic field integrated result has a good correlation with the Neo-Cathaysian tectonic system and tectonic units.The petroleum basins are characterized according to three blocks arranged from north to south and four zones arranged from east to west.The north-south block structure causes the uneven distribution of oil and gas resources in the mainland area and the differences in the hydrocarbon-bearing strata.Petroleum basins are more abundant in the north than in the south.The ages of the main oil-and gas-bearing strata are“Paleozoic–Mesozoic,Paleozoic–Mesozoic–Cenozoic,and Paleozoic–Mesozoic”,in order from north to south.The difference in the overall type of oil and gas resources in all basins is controlled by the east–west zonation.From east to west,the oil and gas resource type exhibits a wave-like pattern of“oil and gas,gas,oil and gas,gas”.The vertical distribution is characterized by an upper oil(Mesozoic–Cenozoic)and lower gas(Mesozoic–Paleozoic)structure.Within the study area,the Paleozoic marine strata should be the main strata of future natural gas exploration.

Study on the distribution characteristics of faults and their control over petroliferous basins in the China seas and its adjacent areas

As one of the main controlling factors of oil and gas accumulation,faults are closely related to the distribution of oil and gas reservoirs.Studying how faults control petroliferous basins is particularly important.In this work,we investigated the plane positions of major faults in the China seas and its adjacent areas using the normalized vertical derivative of the total horizontal derivative(NVDR-THDR)of the Bouguer gravity anomaly,the fusion results of gravity and magnetic anomalies,and the residual Bouguer gravity anomaly.The apparent depths of major faults in the China seas and its adjacent areas were inverted using the Tilt-Euler method based on the Bouguer gravity anomaly.The results show that the strikes of the faults in the China seas and its adjacent areas are mainly NE and NW,followed by EW,and near-SN.Among them,the lengths of most ultra-crustal faults are in the range of 1000–3000 km,and their apparent depths lie between 10 km and 40 km.The lengths of crustal faults lie between 300 km and 1000 km,and their apparent depths are between 0 km and 20 km.According to the plane positions and apparent depths of the faults,we put forward the concept of fault influence factor for the first time.Based on this factor,the key areas for oil and gas exploration were found as follows:the east of South North China Basin in the intracontinental rift basins;the southeast region of East China Sea Shelf Basin,the Taixinan and Qiongdongnan basins in the continental margin rift basins;Zhongjiannan Basin in the strike-slip pull-apart basins;the Liyue,Beikang,and the Nanweixi basins in the rifted continental basins.This work provides valuable insights into oil and gas exploration,mineral resource exploration,and deep geological structure research in the China seas and its adjacent areas.

Influence of the Moho surface distribution on the oil and gas basins in China seas and adjacent areas

Owing to the strategic significance of national oil and gas resources,their exploration and production must be prioritized in China.Oil and gas resources are closely related to deep crustal structures,and Moho characteristics influence oil and gas distribution.Therefore,it is important to study the relationship between the variation of the Moho surface depth undulation and hydrocarbon basins for the future prediction of their locations.The Moho depth in the study area can be inverted using the Moho depth control information,the Moho gravity anomaly,and the variable density distribution calculated by the infinite plate.Based on these results,the influences of Moho characteristics on petroleum basins were studied.We found that the Moho surface depth undulation deviation and crustal thickness undulation deviation in the hydrocarbon-rich basins are large,and the horizontal gradient deviation of the Moho surface shows a positive linear relationship with oil and gas resources in the basin.The oil-bearing mechanism of the Moho basin is further discussed herein.The Moho uplift area and the slope zone correspond to the distribution of oil and gas fields.The tensile stress produced by the Moho uplift can form tensile fractures or cause tensile fractures on the surface,further developing into a fault or depression basin that receives deposits.The organic matter can become oil and natural gas under suitable chemical and structural conditions.Under the action of groundwater or other dynamic forces,oil and natural gas are gradually transported to the uplift or the buried hill in the depression zone,and oil and gas fields are formed under the condition of good caprock.The research results can provide new insights into the relationship between deep structures and oil and gas basins as well as assist in the strategic planning of oil and gas exploration activities.