A case study of continental shelf waves in the northwestern South China Sea induced by winter storms in 2021

This study aims to investigate characteristics of continental shelf wave(CSW)on the northwestern continental shelf of the South China Sea(SCS)induced by winter storms in 2021.Mooring and cruise observations,tidal gauge data at stations Hong Kong,Zhapo and Qinglan and sea surface wind data from January 1 to February 28,2021 are used to examine the relationship between along-shelf wind and sea level fluctuation.Two events of CSWs driven by the along-shelf sea surface wind are detected from wavelet spectra of tidal gauge data.The signals are triply peaked at periods of 56 h,94 h and 180 h,propagating along the coast with phase speed ranging from 6.9 m/s to18.9 m/s.The dispersion relation shows their property of the Kelvin mode of CSW.We develop a simple method to estimate amplitude of sea surface fluctuation by along-shelf wind.The results are comparable with the observation data,suggesting it is effective.The mode 2 CSWs fits very well with the mooring current velocity data.The results from rare current help to understand wave-current interaction in the northwestern SCS.

Measurement of the current and spectral analysis on the continental shelf in the East China Sea

Direct measurements of current velocity and water temperature were undertaken at the mooring Sta. M (125°29.38' N, 31°49.70' E) on the continental shelf area in the East China Sea in June 1999 by R/V Xiangyanghong 14. The relationship between various time series of oceanic fluctuations is calculated by spectral analysis. The major results are as follows: (1) an average (u,v) of (6.9,-3.0 cm/s) at the 30 m depth is obtained during the 9-day observation, and that at the 45 m depth is (3.7,-1.1 cm/s), i. e., the mean flows are southeastward at both the 30 and 45 m depths;the currents become stronger gradually during the observation period; this may be mainly attributed to the transition of the tidal currents from neap to spring; (2)semidiurnal fluctuation is the most dominant in the current fluctuations, and rotates mainly clockwise; in the next place, there is also diurnal fluctuation;the local inertial period is close to the period of diurnal fluctuation, and an inertial motion is clockwise; thus, local inertial motion combines with diurnal fluctuation, and makes the spectral peaks in clockwise components much higher than those in counterclockwise ones; except for the fluctuations of above main periods, there is also the peak at 3 d period for counterclockwise compo-nents in the upper and lower layers; (3) the calculation of cross spectra between two time series of current velocities at the 30 and 45 m depths shows that both the current fluctuations at the 30 and 45 m depths are much alike, i. e., they are synchro; this shows that the flow field here is rather vertically homogeneous; (4)power spectra of tempera-ture time series at both the 30 and 45 m depths show that the semidiurnal peak is the most predominant, and the second highest peak is the diurnal period; besides spectral peaks at above periods, there are also obvious spectral peaks at 6.8 h and 2 d; (5)plots of temperature time series at 16 , 30 , 35 , 45 and 50 m depths show that the temporal variations of temperature at these depths are synchro, which are like those in the velocity field; temperature records also show a gradual rise in temperature, which are also like those in the velocity field.

Vertical Structure of the Tidal Currents on the Continental Shelf of the East China Sea

The available data on tidal currents spanning periods greater than six months for the continental shelf of the East China Sea (26°30.052′N, 122°35.998′E) were analyzed using several methods. Tidal Current Harmonic Analysis results demonstrated that semi-diurnal tides dominated the current movement. The tidal currents of the principal diurnal and semidiurnal rotated clockwise with depth, with the deflection of the major semi-axes to the right in the upper layer and to the left in the lower layer. The vertical structures of two principal semi-diurnal constituents-M2 and S2-were similar, which indicates that the tidal currents are mainly barotropic in this area. The main features of the variation of the four principal tidal constituents with depth demonstrate that the currents in this region are influenced by the upper and lower boundary layers. Therefore, the tidal constituents of the shallow water are similar. Different vertical modes were calculated based on the Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of the Eastern and Northern components of the tidal currents, with a variance contribution for the zero-order model of at least 90%. The variance contribution of the baroclinic model is minimal, which further reveals a strong barotropic character for the tidal currents of this region.

Characteristics and evaluation of Mesozoic source rocks in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf

Source rocks are the material basis of oil and gas generation and determine the potential resources of exploration blocks and have important research value. This paper studies the lithology, thickness, and geochemistry of Mesozoic source rocks in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf. The results show that the Mesozoic source rocks are mainly dark mudstone and coal-bearing strata. The total thickness of Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks ranges from 100 m to 700 m, and that of Lower Cretaceous source rocks ranges from 50 m to 350 m. The overall thickness of Mesozoic source rocks is distributed in the NE direction and their thickness center is located in the Jilong Depression. The Lower–Middle Jurassic source rocks are mainly developed shallow marine dark mudstone and transitional coal measure strata. Those of the Lower Cretaceous are mainly mudstone of a fan delta front. Lower –Middle Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon source rocks are dominated by type III kerogen, with Lower –Middle Jurassic hydrocarbon source rocks having high organic matter abundance and being medium –good hydrocarbon source rocks, while Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon source rocks have relatively poor quality. From northwest to southeast, the vitrinite reflectance Ro of Mesozoic source rocks increases gradually. Source rocks in the study area are divided into three types. The first hydrocarbon-generating area is mainly located in the southeastern region of the study area, and the Jilong Depression is the hydrocarbongenerating center. The results of this study can provide a basis for exploration of Mesozoic oil and gas resources in the southeastern East China Sea continental shelf.

pCO_2 distribution and CO_2 flux on the inner continental shelf of the East China Sea during summer 2011

Measurements of pH,total alkalinity(TA),partial pressure of CO2(pCO2) and air-sea CO2 flux(FCO2) were conducted for the inner continental shelf of the East China Sea(ECS) during August 2011.Variations in pCO2 distribution and FCO2 magnitude during the construction of the Three Gorges Dam(TGD)(2003-2009),and the potential effects of the TGD on the air-sea CO2 exchange were examined.Results showed that the ECS acts as an overall CO2 sink during summer,with pCO2 ranging from 107 to 585 μatm and an average FCO2 of-6.39 mmol/(m2·d).Low pCO2(<350 μatm) levels were observed at the central shelf(28°-32°N,123°-125.5°E) where most CO2-absorption occurred.High pCO2(>420 μatm) levels were found in the Changjiang estuary and Hangzhou Bay which acted as the main CO2 source.A negative relationship between pCO2 and salinity(R2=0.722 0) in the estuary zone indicated the predominant effect of the Changjiang Diluted Water(CDW) on the seawater CO2 system,whereas a positive relationship(R2=0.744 8) in the offshore zone revealed the influence of the Taiwan Current Warm Water(TCWW).Together with the historical data,our results indicated that the CO2 sink has shown a shift southwest while FCO2 exhibited dramatic fluctuation during the construction of the TGD,which is located in the middle reaches of the Changjiang.These variations probably reflect fluctuation in the Changjiang runoff,nutrient import,phytoplankton productivity,and sediment input,which are likely to have been caused by the operations of the TGD.Nevertheless,the potential influence of the TGD on the CO2 flux in the ECS is worthy of further study.

The continental shelf wave of the East China Sea and its effect on the Kuroshio

The free shelf wave theory is applied to the practical case of the continental shelf in the East China Sea to analyse the effects of the shelf wave on the Kuroshio. The results indicate that the shelf wave in lower frequency travels from north to south and its phase velocity is proportional to the Kuroshio's current velocity) the maximum current velocity of the Kuroshio lies at the continental margin. The analytical solutions obtained indicate that the hydrodynamic characters of the sea region over the shelf present band structure. The horizontal motion ( x -component) caused by the shelf wave at the margin may be one of the causes for generating wavy pattern of the Kuroshio's axis .

Transport patterns of micro nutrient elements from the continental shelf of the East China Sea to the Kuroshio area

On the basis of the in situ data of DO2, pH, SiO2. PO4-P, NO3-N and NO2-N collected in the north of the East China Sea during 1987-1988, the following points are mainly expounded.1.The inorgonic nutrients are obviously affected by continent runoff in the north of the East China Sea. Their distributions are characteristic of its distribution of terrigenous materials.2.There are three transport paths of nutrients from the shelf to the Kuroshio area. The first is mixing-diffusing-advec-tion and upwelling process, the process of biology and biochemistry belongs to the second, and the sinking process is the last one.3.The swing of the Kuroshio axis affectes both the range of the migration of substances through mixing-diffusing-advec-tion process and the upwelling degree of the subsurface Kuroshio water to the shelf.4.Most part of the substances sink as macroparticles to the deep layer before reaching the Kuroshio area.

Petroleum geology controlled by extensive detachment thinning of continental margin crust: A case study of Baiyun sag in the deep-water area of northern South China Sea

The relationships between crustal stretching and thinning,basin structure and petroleum geology in Baiyun deep-water area were analyzed using large area 3D seismic,gravity,magnetic,ocean bottom seismic(OBS),deep-water exploration wells and integrated ocean drilling program(IODP).During the early syn-rifting period,deep-water area was a half-graben controlled by high angle faults influenced by the brittle extension of upper crust.In the mid syn-rifting period,this area was a broad-deep fault depression controlled by detachment faults undergone brittle-ductile deformation and differentiated extension in the crust.In the late syn-rifting period,this area experienced fault-sag transition due to saucer-shaped rheology change dominated by crustal ductile deformation.A broad-deep fault depression controlled by the large detachment faults penetrating through the crust is an important feature of deep-water basin.The study suggests that the broad-deep Baiyun sag provides great accommodation space for the development of massive deltaic-lacustrine deposition system and hydrocarbon source rocks.The differentiated lithospheric thinning also resulted in the different thermal subsidence during post-rifting period,and then controlled the development of continental shelf break and deep-water reservoir sedimentary environment.The high heat flow background caused by the strong thinning of lithosphere and the rise of mantle source resulted in particularities in the reservoir diagenesis,hydrocarbon generation process and accumulation of deep-water area in northern South China Sea.

Predicting sediment flux from continental shelf islands,southeastern China

Continental shelf islands are contributors of terrestrial sediment supply to shelf regions,and the sediment flux from these islands shall be quantified.We calculated the sediment flux of continental shelf islands in the southeastern China using two empirical equations under two preconditions.The first,the sediment load/yield of the islands has the same pattern as the adjacent small,mountainous rivers along the coastline;and the second,each of the islands was treated as a single catchment.The results show that the sediment supply from these islands reached an order of magnitude of 1 Mt/a,which is comparable to the supply from the local smaller rivers.A sensitivity analysis indicates that this value represents the lower limit of estimate;if the accurate amount of sub-catchments of any island is considered,then this value will be enhanced slightly.This study demonstrates that the sediment supply from continental shelf islands to oceans is an important factor affecting the regional sedimentation and,therefore,should be paid with attention.

Contribution of Mountain River Materials to the Continental Shelf off Southeastern Hainan Island Since the Mid-Holocene

The concentrations of rare earth elements(REEs)in the bulk sediment of Core X2,which was collected from southeastern Hainan Island,were analyzed to investigate the relative contributions of various provenance regions since mid-Holocene.The results show that sediments in Core X2 were primarily derived from Hainan Island with lesser amounts from Taiwan and limited input from the Pearl River.Based on the application of quantitative inversion to model the REE data,the average contributions of river materials from southeastern Hainan Island and southwestern Taiwan to the study area were 68%and 32%,respectively.Furthermore,starting at 4.0 kyr BP,the transport of fluvial sediments from Taiwan to the study region increased due to enhanced hydrodynamics in South China Sea(SCS).These results indicate that the contributions of mountain river materials from Hainan Island and Taiwan to the continental shelf of northern SCS are non-negligible.Furthermore,these results demonstrate that mountain rivers can play an important role in the material cycle of continental margins and may feature a greater impact than large river systems in specific continental shelf areas.

Sedimentary Features of Shallow Ancient River Channels on the Northern Shelf of the South China Sea

Quaternary buried ancient river channels are widespread in the shallow-level sediments of the northern shelf of the South China Sea. The sedimentary sequence mainly of fluvial deposits comprise an important component part of the low-stand system tract and transgressive system tract in the study region. The plannar variation and spatial association of the sedimentary features such as incised valley fillings, deltaic foreset wedges and block slides of shelf-marginal fans reflect the palaeogeographic environment during the fall of the regional sea level in the northern part of the South China Sea. Based on the high-resolution seismic reflection data and gelogical data from boreholes, the present paper makes an integrated interpretation of the Quaternary ancient river channels in the shallow sediments of the study area, studies the sedimentary features of the ancient channels such as their spatial distribution, seismic facies reflection indicators, sedimentary facies and sand -body types, and discusses their formational setting and evolutionary model, with the main purpose to render a service to the hydrocarbon resources exploration and development and marine engineering in the northern shelf of the South China Sea.

Late Quaternary sedimentary environmental evolution offshore of the Hangzhou Bay,East China——implications for sea level change and formation of Changjiang alongshore current

这研究集中于 Hangzhou 海湾近海的沉积环境变化，华东，自从晚第四级。AMS < 啜 class= “ a-plus-plus ” > 14 从核心 CJK10，岩性学，有孔虫类的分发，重矿物质，和 S 和 Cl 元素的 C 年龄在 23.211.0 cal ka BP 期间显示出河的平台环境；一对潮汐公寓的环境沿岸在 11.010.2 cal ka BP 期间；并且有相对低的沉积的浅海洋的环境自从 4.3 cal ka BP，评估 0.10.22 cm/a。高 depositional 从 10.9 ～ 10.2 cal ka BP 评估 1.6 cm/a 源于快速的海水平上升从 44 创造的足够的住所空间 m 到 33 m 从本地河边的高沉积交货，并且由潮汐公寓的植被的沉积的有效套住。海水平上升的率是可变的；自从 10.6 cal ka BP 1.2 cm/a 相对从 10.9 ～ 10.6 cal ka BP 2.1 cm/a 高、更低。Changjiang 沿著岸水流穿过 Hangzhou 海湾比 9.4 cal ka BP 晚在华东海的内部架上形成泥楔。CJK10 地点从近似 9.4-9.2 cal ka BP 是潮主导的架环境和富有经验的侵蚀到 4.3 cal ka BP。depositional 中断被 Changjiang 沿著岸水流引起，它在 9.4-7.5 cal ka BP 期间是相对弱的并且在 7.5-4 cal ka BP 期间在力量增加了。从 4.3 cal ka BP，来自 Changjiang 河的大量沉积部分在 Hangzhou 海湾的大陆人架上被扔，一些搬运了向南方。因此，这研究澄清导出 Changjiang 的沉积疏开和免职的历史，尽管在自从 4.3 cal ka BP 当前的 Changjiang 沿著岸的变化的一个详细记录是困难的因为证据的缺乏，获得。

ANALYSIS OF Cu, Cd, Co AND Ni IN SURFACE WATER OF THE KUROSHIO AREA IN THE EAST CHINA SEA

Study of 1986 and 1987 heavy metal distribution in surface water of the Kuroshio area in the East China Sea showed regional and slight seasonal variations in distribution and concentration . Heavy metal levels in Taiwan Strait, the sea area north of Taiwan and the continental shelf are higher than those in the main axis of the Kuroshio . Dissolved Cu in summer and winter decreases with the increase of salinity , but dissolved Cd has no obvious change with salinity .

Satellite infrared remote sensing observation of surface circulation of the northeast South China Sea in winter

Based on several images taken by. the NOAA -11 and - 12 advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR/2) during 1989-1993, and combined with a larger-scale of oceanographic investigation during 8-27 March 1992, some related questions of the physical oceanography in the South China As have been discussed. The results show that there were a more complementary action for the investigation and study on the physical oceanographic phenomena in the South China As using the satellite imageries and in-situ data, and the distribution and variation of the satellite-derived sea surface tempera- ture field in the northeast South China Sea basically mirrored the results obtained from in-situ investigation. Some of the large-scale and meso-scale marine phenomena varied with the long and medium periods, for instance, an anticyclonic meandering of the Kuroshio path when it flowed through the Bashi Channel, the win water with high temperature along the west coastline of Lain Island, the western and northern warmer water tongues off the southwest of Taiwan Island, China, as well as the thermal front along the continental shelf off Guangdong, were well presented in both the satellite imageries and in-situ data. Then, there the can be revealed some marine phenomena with a short period, or in the further large area using the satellite imageries, which will provide scientific basis for planning and carrying out the effective marine investigation. Finally, a map of surface circulation pattern in the northeast South China Sea in winter is sketched according to the comprehensive analysis of the satellite and in-situ data.

长江口—东海内陆架悬浮重矿物组成与颗粒特征

沉积物重矿物矿物组成和颗粒大小对揭示沉积物源和水动力分选过程具有重要指示意义。然而,受研究手段的制约,对于长江细粒沉积的重矿物组成和物源、水动力分选之间关系的探究还尚属空白。本研究利用自动定量矿物分析系统(TIMA)对长江口—东海内陆架不同水层悬浮物的重矿物组成和颗粒大小进行了研究,同时,结合电子探针分析对细粒级重矿物自动识别结果进行了验证。研究表明,长江口悬浮物中特征重矿物组合为角闪石—绿帘石—铁质金属矿物,与长江下游沉积物特征重矿物组合一致。长江口悬浮物与长江下游沉积物的重矿物组成具有极好的相关性,指示其来源与长江有关。而长江口外悬浮物中赤/磁铁矿相对富集,可能是强潮作用导致的中等密度重矿物再搬运和扩散的结果。值得关注的是,在舟山群岛附近站位悬浮物样品中发现了铬铁矿的异常富集,推测与海区人类生产活动有关。长江口悬浮重矿物颗粒绝大部分为粗粉砂—极细砂,富集在悬浮物中的较粗粒级(Φ<D_(0.5))中,主要由径流携带搬运。不同水层悬浮物中不同类型重矿物的粒径无明显差异,受沉降差异的影响小。

Exotic origin of the Chinese continental shelf: new insights into the tectonic evolution of the western Pacific and eastern China since the Mesozoic

The effect of paleo-Pacific subduction on the geological evolution of the western Pacific and continental China is likely complex. Nevertheless, our analysis of the distribution of Mesozoic granitoids in the eastern continental China in space and time has led us to an interesting conclusion: The basement of the continental shelf beneath East and South China Seas may actually be of exotic origin geologically unrelated to the continental lithosphere of eastern China. By accepting the notion that the Jurassic–Cretaceous granitoids in the region are genetically associated with western Pacific subduction and the concept that subduction may cease to continue only if the trench is being jammed, then the termination of the granitoidmagmatism throughout the vast region at *88 ± 2 Ma manifests the likelihood of ‘‘sudden'', or shortly beforehand(*100 Ma), trench jam of the Mesozoic western Pacific subduction. Trench jam happens if the incoming‘‘plate'' or portion of the plate contains a sizeable mass that is too buoyant to subduct. The best candidate for such a buoyant and unsubductable mass is either an oceanic plateau or a micro-continent. We hypothesize that the basement of the Chinese continental shelf represents such an exotic, buoyant and unsubductable mass, rather than seaward extension of the continental lithosphere of eastern China. The locus of the jammed trench(i.e., the suture) is predictably located on the shelf in the vicinity of, and parallel to, the arc-curved coastal line of the southeast continental China. It is not straightforward to locate the locus in the northern section of the East China Sea shelf because of the more recent(\20 Ma) tectonic re-organization associated with the opening of the Sea of Japan. We predict that the trench jam at *100 Ma led to the re-orientation of the Pacific plate motion in the course of NNW direction as inferred from the age-progressive Emperor Seamount Chain of Hawaiian hotspot origin(its oldest unsubdued Meiji and Detroit seamounts are *82 Ma),making the boundary between the Pacific plate and the newly accreted plate of eastern Asia a transform fault at the location east of the continental shelf of exotic origin. This explains the apparent *40 Myr magmatic gap from *88to *50 Ma prior to present-day western Pacific subduction initiation. We propose that basement penetration drilling on well-chosen sites is needed to test the hypothesis in order to reveal the true nature of the Chinese continental shelf basement. This testing becomes critical and cannot longer be neglected in order to genuinely understand the tectonic evolution of the western Pacific and its effect on the geology of eastern China since the Mesozoic, includingthe cratonic lithosphere thinning, related magmatism/mineralization, and the mechanism of the subsequent South China Sea opening, while also offering novel perspectives on aspects of the plate tectonics theory. We also suggest the importance of future plate tectonic reconstruction of the western Pacific to consider the nature and histories of the Chinese continental shelf of exotic origin as well as the probable transform plate boundary from *100 to*50 Ma. Effort is needed to reveal the true nature and origin of the *88 ± 2 Ma granitic gneisses in Taiwan and the 110–88 Ma granitoids on the Hainan Island.

南海西北部莺歌海盆地陆架晚更新世三角洲及其控制因素

莺歌海盆地陆架区作为南海北部的一个重要地质构造单元,记录了第四纪以来沉积和海平面变化的丰富信息。通过对研究区高分辨率单道地震剖面的解释,结合深水区钻孔资料,分析了该地区晚第四纪地层的沉积特征,研究区浅部地层划分出层A和层B 2套地层单元,并进一步对研究区三角洲平原、三角洲前缘和前三角洲3种沉积亚相的地震特征进行了解释分析。钻孔AMS^(14)C与光释光测年结果表明,三角洲形成于晚更新世65~56 ka,即MIS4晚期-MIS3早期。结合钻孔岩性和有孔虫分布特征以及区域地质、沉积背景等资料,开展了三角洲形成的控制因素分析,认为莺歌海盆地的构造和古地貌、海南岛隆升、物源供给、海平面变化、古季风对三角洲的形成发育具有重要的控制作用。

南海北部冬季陆架波特征

【目的】统计南海北部冬季沿岸传播的陆架波信号,分析其振幅、传播相速度、发生数量的年际变化以及波动对沿岸风的响应。【方法】基于1976—1997年坎门、厦门、汕尾、中国香港、闸坡5个验潮站的水位数据,利用小波分析等方法判断剔潮水位数据中的陆架波信号,并计算其传播相速度。【结果与结论】陆架波冬半年月平均信号数量约为1.34个,波动周期约为60~380 h,坎门、厦门、汕尾、中国香港、闸坡5站陆架波信号的平均振幅依次为0.424、0.425、0.313、0.297、0.314 m。陆架波信号发生数量的变化与厄尔尼诺事件能较好对应。陆架波向南传播过程中在5个站位的频率基本不变,坎门-厦门站之间的传播相速度为11.0~17.3 m/s,厦门-闸坡站的传播相速度为5.7~22.5 m/s,信号的传播性质与陆架波频散关系吻合。由陆架波信号与沿岸风的超前滞后关系得知,南海北部陆架波主要以自由波形式沿岸传播。

Linear sand ridges on the outer shelf of the East China Sea

Based on the latest full-coverage high-resolu- tion multi-beam sounding data, the distribution of the linear sand ridges on the outer shelf of the East China Sea (ECS) is studied with quantitative statistical analysis. The study area can be divided into the northeastern part and the southwest-ern part. Sand ridges in the northeastern area, trending 116°N, show obvious linear character and shrink to the inner shelf. Sand ridges in the southwestern area, trending 120°N-146°N, tend to have net form. Sand ridges gradually be-come sand sheets in the center part of study area. Sand ridges are distributed landward to the isobath of 60m, dis-tributed seaward to the water depth of 120 m in the north-east and 150 m in the southwest. Immature sand ridges are observed at water depth of 130-180 m in the southwestern depressions. The acoustic reflection properties of the internal high-angle inclined beddings of the sand ridges are analyzed based on the typical seismic profiles close to the research area. Lithological analysis and dating of 4 boreholes and 12 cores indicate that the widely distributed transgressive sand layer with high content of shell debris which was formed in the early-middle Holocene is the main composition of the linear sand ridges on the outer shelf of the ECS. The domi-nating factor in formation, developing and burying of the sand ridges is the variation of water depth caused by sea- level change and the rate of sediment supply. In 12400 aBP the cotidal lines of the M2 tidal component were closely per-pendicular to the strike-directions of the sand ridges in the study area, and the tidal wave system during 12000-8000 aBP might play a key role in the formation of the linear sand ridges which are widely distributed on the outer shelf of the ECS.

南海的盆地群与盆地动力学

南海发育有众多的新生代盆地,按发育位置,总体可分为陆架盆地、陆坡盆地和深海海盆,陆架、陆坡盆地成因上与大陆边缘的裂解、转换密切相关,可分为走滑拉分-伸展盆地群、挤出-断陷盆地群、伸展-俯冲挠曲型盆地群,这些盆地进一步发展可形成不同阶段的洋盆群,西南次海盆发育程度低,中央次海盆发育程度高,因而南海盆地群的盆地动力学不是单一的动力学机制下形成的,机制非常复杂多变。这些盆地新生代以来经历了神狐、南海、东沙等多期构造运动,形成了复杂的角度不整合分布,且这些角度不整合时空上存在一定迁移规律。伴随着盆地构造迁移演化,断裂、岩浆、沉积沉降中心、成藏、灾害等都表现出显著的跃迁规律。南海成因的动力学背景复杂,受多种因素影响,其中板块动力因素既有东侧太平洋板块俯冲、菲律宾海板块楔入的影响,又有西侧印度洋板块斜向俯冲、洋中脊俯冲,还可能有北侧青藏高原隆升、大陆块体挤出的影响;同时,深部底侵、拆沉、地幔柱、地幔水化过程等地幔动力学背景也不可忽视。最终提出南海海盆的开启模式可能为走滑拉分模式,与太平洋构造域演化关系更为密切。