Velocity structure in the South Yellow Sea basin based on first-arrival tomography of wide-angle seismic data and its geological implications

The South Yellow Sea basin is filled with Mesozoic-Cenozoic continental sediments overlying pre-Palaeozoic and Mesozoic-Palaeozoic marine sediments.Conventional multi-channel seismic data cannot describe the velocity structure of the marine residual basin in detail,leading to the lack of a deeper understanding of the distribution and lithology owing to strong energy shielding on the top interface of marine sediments.In this study,we present seismic tomography data from ocean bottom seismographs that describe the NEE-trending velocity distributions of the basin.The results indicate that strong velocity variations occur at shallow crustal levels.Horizontal velocity bodies show good correlation with surface geological features,and multi-layer features exist in the vertical velocity framework(depth:0–10 km).The analyses of the velocity model,gravity data,magnetic data,multichannel seismic profiles,and drilling data showed that high-velocity anomalies(>6.5 km/s)of small(thickness:1–2 km)and large(thickness:>5 km)scales were caused by igneous complexes in the multi-layer structure,which were active during the Palaeogene.Possible locations of good Mesozoic and Palaeozoic marine strata are limited to the Central Uplift and the western part of the Northern Depression along the wide-angle ocean bottom seismograph array.Following the Indosinian movement,a strong compression existed in the Northern Depression during the extensional phase that caused the formation of folds in the middle of the survey line.This study is useful for reconstructing the regional tectonic evolution and delineating the distribution of the marine residual basin in the South Yellow Sea basin.

Geochemical characteristics of Sr isotopes in the LS33 drill core from the Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea, and their response to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau

Making full use of modern analytical and testing techniques to explore and establish new indexes or methods for extracting paleoseawater geochemical information from sediments will help to reconstruct the sedimentary paleoenvironment in different research areas.The connection between the subsidence of the South China Sea basin and the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau has been a scientific concern in recent decades.To explore the information on the sedimentary paleoenvironment,provenance changes and uplift of Tibetan Plateau contained in core sediments(debris),we selected core samples from Well LS33 in the Qiongdongnan Basin,South China Sea,and analyzed the contents of typical elements(Al,Th,and rare earth elements)that can indicate changes in provenance and the Sr isotopic compositions,which can reveal the geochemical characteristics of the paleoseawater depending on the type of material(authigenic carbonate and terrigenous detritus).The results show the following:(1)during the late Miocene,the Red River transported a large amount of detrital sediments from the ancient continental block(South China)to the Qiongdongnan Basin.(2)The authigenic carbonates accurately record changes in the 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the South China Sea since the Oligocene.These ratios reflect the semi-closed marginal sea environment of the South China Sea(relative to the ocean)and the sedimentary paleoenvironment evolution process of the deep-water area of the Qiongdongnan Basin from continental to transitional and then to bathyal.(3)Since the Neogene,the variations in the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in the authigenic carbonates have been consistent with the variations in the uplift rate of the Tibetan Plateau and the sediment accumulation rate in the Qiongdongnan Basin.These consistent changes indicate the complex geological process of the change in the rock weathering intensity and terrigenous Sr flux caused by changes in the uplift rate of the Tibetan Plateau,which influence the Sr isotope composition of seawater.

Characteristics and classification of paleozoic tight reservoirs in the central uplift of the South Yellow Sea Basin

Several sets of Paleozoic tight reservoirs are developed in the Central Uplift of the South Yellow Sea Basin.A qualitative analysis of the microscopic pore structure of the tight reservoir rocks was carried out through cast thin slice and scanning electron microscopic image observation.Based on reservoir pet-rophysical properties,thirty core samples in the Central Uplift of the South Yellow Sea Basin were selected for high-pressure mercury intrusion(HPMI)analysis,which was then combined with fractal calculation to classify and evaluate the tight reservoirs.The analysis of the HPMI curves and related parameters shows that the Paleozoic tight reservoirs can be divided into three types:Type-A,Type-B and Type-C.Type-A sandstone reservoirs contain pores with size mostly ranging between 0.01 and 0.1 mm,followed by pores with size range of 0.001-0.01 m m,and relatively fewer pores larger than 0.1 m m.The Type-B reservoirs are carbonate rocks with extremely heterogeneous pore size distribution,which is closely related to the development of dissolution pores and microfractures.Type-C sandstone reservoirs are dominated by nanopores and submicron pores that distribute more heterogeneously than pores in Type-A reservoirs.The pore distribution in sandstone reservoirs shows significant fractal characteristics and is closely related to the pore size.The heterogeneity of nanopore distribution has a negative cor-relation with porosity and median pressure and a relatively weak correlation with permeability.Our study has important implications for petroleum exploration in the South Yellow Sea Basin.

Organic geochemical characteristics and significance of Permian Gufeng formation siliceous shale in well CSDP-2 of South Yellow Sea central uplift

In order to understand the hydrocarbon generation potential of the siliceous shale in the Permian Gufeng Formation of the South Yellow Sea,the organic geochemistry and organic petrology of the siliceous shale in the Gufeng Formation of the CSDP-2 well were studied and analyzed.It is found that the TOC of the samples is mainly between 9%and 12%,and Tmaxis mainly distributed between 510 and 540℃.The value of the organic microscopic type index(TI)is between 25.71 and 31.00,which is a set of II_(2)high-quality source rocks with high organic matter abundance in the over mature stage of largescale gas generation.According to the distribution characteristics of Molecular fossils in siliceous shale of Gufeng Formation of well CSDP-2,bacterial organic matter is the main hydrocarbon generating parent material,and aquatic animal organic matter is an important hydrocarbon generating parent material.The siliceous shale in Gufeng Formation of CSDP-2 well is in the stage of large-scale gas generation;Therefore,the Gufeng Formation in the central uplift of the South Yellow Sea has the material basis for the formation of large-scale shale gas reservoirs.At the same time,the siliceous metasomatism of the siliceous shale reservoir of Gufeng Formation is not conducive to the primary migration of oil,and there is much oil and gas remaining in the reservoir.

Characteristics of Meso-Cenozoic Igneous Complexes in the South Yellow Sea Basin,Lower Yangtze Craton of Eastern China and the Tectonic Setting

The South Yellow Sea Basin is partially surrounded by the East Asian continental Meso- Cenozoic widespread igneous rocks belt. Magnetic anomaly and multi-channel seismic data both reveal the prevalent occurrence of igneous rocks. We preliminarily defined the coupling relation between magnetic anomalies and igneous rock bodies. Some igneous complexes were also recognized by using multi-channel seismic and drilling data. We identified various intrusive and extrusive igneous rock bodies, such as stocks, sills, dikes, laccoliths and volcanic edifice relics through seismic facies analysis. We also forecasted the distribution characteristics of igneous complexes. More than fifty hypabyssal intrusions and volcanic relics were delineated based on the interpretation of magnetic anomaly and dense intersecting multi-channel seismic data. It is an important supplement to regional geology and basin evolution research. Spatial matching relations between igneous rock belts and fractures document that extensional N-E and N-NE-trending deep fractures may be effective pathways for magma intrusion. These fractures formed under the influence of regional extension during the Meso- Cenozoic after the Indosinian movement. Isotopic ages and crosscutting relations between igneous rock bodies and the surrounding bedded sedimentary strata both indicate that igneous activities might have initiated during the Late Jurassic, peaked in the Early Cretaceous, gradually weakened in the Late Cretaceous, and continued until the Miocene. Combined with previous studies, it is considered that the Meso-Cenozoic igneous activities, especially the intensive igneous activity of the Early Cretaceous, are closely associated with the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.

Hydrocarbon Geological Conditions and Exploration Potential of Mesozoic–Paleozoic Marine Strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin

No substantial breakthroughs have been made in hydrocarbon exploration of the South Yellow Sea Basin.It is believed that the Mesozoic-Paleozoic marine sedimentary formation in the South Yellow Sea Basin is similar to that in the Sichuan Basin.Therefore,outcrop,drilling,and seismic data were determined and compared with the research results on petroleum geological conditions in the Yangtze land area,and the hydrocarbon geological conditions were analyzed comprehensively from multiple aspects,such as basin evolution and main source rocks,reservoir characteristics,preservation conditions,and structural traps.The results show that two main stages in the South Yellow Sea Basin(the stable evolution stage of the Mesozoic-Paleozoic marine basin and the Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic reformation and basin formation stage)were important for the development and evolution of four sets of main source rocks.Reservoirs dominated by carbonate rocks,three sets of capping beds with good sealing capability,relatively weak magmatic activity,and multiple types of structural traps jointly constituted relatively good hydrocarbon-reservoir-forming conditions.There were four sets of main source-reservoir-cap assemblages and three possible hydrocarbon reservoir types(primary residual-type hydrocarbon reservoir,shallow reformed-type hydrocarbon reservoir,and composite-type hydrocarbon reservoir)developed in the marine strata.It is concluded that the marine strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin have relatively good hydrocarbon potential.The Laoshan Uplift is characterized by stable structure,complete preserved source reservoir cap assemblage,and large structural traps,and thus it is the preferred prospect zone for marine Paleozoic hydrocarbon exploration in this area.

Basin modeling in the initial stage of exploration： a case study from the North Subbasin of the South Yellow Sea Basin

Basin modeling has become an important tool for analyzing sedimentary basins. The North Subbasin of the South Yellow Sea Basin is filled with thick Meso-Cenozoic terrigenous deposits during the rift evolution stage. The accumulation of data and achievements of geological investigations in recent years have provided the preconditions for basin modeling. The necessary parameters and geological elements for simulations are collated and summarized. Modeling of tectono-thermal evolution is performed and the related trend in heat flow is reconstructed and calibrated. The heat flow value commences from an average level of 61 m W/m2during MiddleLate Jurassic, rises to about 80 m W/m2from circa 145 Ma to circa 74 Ma, and then undergoes a gradual decline to65 m W/m2until the end of Oligocene.Three evolutionary phases, namely, the initial rifting phase, syn-rifting phase, and post-rifting phase, have been identified. The modeling results show that the North Subbasin generally enters into a stage of strong rifting during Cretaceous and undergoes rapid subsidence until the Late Cretaceous,then follows by a stage of moderate rifting during the Paleogene. The input and general workflow involved in 3-D modeling are introduced. Reconstruction of the petroleum system in the North Subbasin reveals that the threshold depth of hydrocarbon generation is located near the top of the Paleogene Funing formation, and the underlying Jurassic and Cretaceous source rocks have reached or exceeded peak oil generation and have almost completed the generation and expulsion of hydrocarbons. The main generation and expulsion in the Jurassic source rocks take place during the syn-rifting and post-rifting phases, whereas the peak generation and expulsion in the Cretaceous and Paleogene source rocks take place during the post-rifting phase. Although the study area is still a relatively less explored sedimentary basin, the results of modeling can provide valuable information for exploration. A preliminary discussion of the main uncertainty factors is also presented.

Tectonic Evolution and Geological Characteristics of Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in Marine Mesozoic-Paleozoic Strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin

The South Yellow Sea Basin is the main body of the lower Yangtze area in which marine Mesozoic–Paleozoic strata are widely distributed.The latest geophysical data were used to overcome the limitation of previous poor-quality deep data.Meanwhile,the geological characteristics of hydrocarbon reservoirs in the marine Mesozoic–Paleozoic strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin were analyzed by comparing the source rocks and the reservoir and utilizing drilling and outcrop data.It is believed that the South Yellow Sea Basin roughly underwent six evolutionary stages:plate spreading,plate convergence,stable platform development,foreland basin development,faulted basin development,and depression basin development.The South Yellow Sea Basin has characteristics of a composite platform-fault depression geological structure,with a half-graben geological structure and with a ‘sandwich structure' in the vertical direction.Four sets of hydrocarbon source rocks developed – the upper Permian Longtan–Dalong formation,the lower Permian Qixia formation,the lower Silurian Gaojiabian formation,and the lower Cambrian Hetang formation/Mufushan formation,giving the South Yellow Sea Basin relatively good hydrocarbon potential.The carbonate is the main reservoir rock type in the South Yellow Sea area,and there are four carbonate reservoir types:porous dolomitic,reef-bank,weathered crust,and fractured.There are reservoir-forming horizons similar to the typical hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Yangtze land area developed in the South Yellow Sea,and there are three sets of complete source-reservoir-cap rock assemblages developed in the marine strata,with very good hydrocarbon potential.

Structural characteristics and evolution of the South Yellow Sea Basin since Indosinian

Based on the seismic data gathered in past years and the correlation between the sea and land areas of the Lower Yangtze Platform,the structural characteristics of the South Yellow Sea Basin since the Indosinian tectonic movement is studied in this paper.Three stages of structural deformation can be distinguished in the South Yellow Sea Basin since the Indosinian.The first stage,Late Indosinian to Early Yanshanian, was dominated by foreland deformation including both the uplifting and subsidence stages under an intensively compressional environment.The second stage,which is called the Huangqiao Event in the middle Yanshanian,was a change for stress fields from compression to extension.While in the third stage (the Sanduo Event)in the Late Himalayan,the basin developed a depression in the Neogene-Quatemary after rifting in the Late Cretaceous-Paleogene.The long-time evolution controlled 3 basin formation stages from a foreland basin,then a fault basin to a final depression basin.In conclusion,since the Indosinian,the South Yellow Sea Basin has experienced compressional fold and thrust,collisional orogen,compressional and tensional pulsation,strike-slip,extensional fault block and inversion structures,compression and convergence.The NE,NEE,nearly EW and NW trending structures developed in the basin.From west to east,the structural trend changed from NEE to near EW to NW.While from north to south,they changed from NEE to near EW with a strong-weak-strong zoning sequence.Vertically,the marine and terrestrial facies basins show a "seesaw"pattern with fold and thrust in the early stages,which is strong in the north and weak in the south and an extensional fault in later stages,which is strong in the north and weak in the south.In the marine facies'basin,thrust deformation is more prevailing in the upper structural layer than that in the lower layer.The tectonic mechanism in the South Yellow Sea Basin is mainly affected by the collision between the Yangtze and North China Block,while the stress environment of large-scale strike- slip faults was owing to subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate.The southern part of the Laoshan uplift is a weak deformation zone as well as a stress release zone,and the Meso-Paleozoic had been weakly reformed in later stages.The southern part of the Laoshan uplift is believed,therefore,to be a promising area for oil and gas exploration.

Tectonic Evolution of the North Depression of the South Yellow Sea Basin Since Late Cretaceous

Abstract On the basis of subsidence history analysis and balanced cross-section analysis, the vertical uplift/subsidence history and horizontal extension/compression history of the north depression of the south Yellow Sea basin are quantitatively studied. The results show that the tectonic evolution of the north depression of the south Yellow Sea basin since late Cretaceous can be divided into a rifting phase （late Cretaceous to Paleogene） and a post-rifting phase （Neogene to Quaternary）. The rifting phase can be further subdivided into an initial rifting stage （late Cretaceous）, an intensive rifting stage （Paleocene）, a rifting termination stage （Eocene）, and an inversion-uplifting stage （Oligocene）. Together, this division shows the characteristics of an episodic-evolved intracontinental rift-depression basin. The deformation of the north depression of the south Yellow Sea basin since late Cretaceous was mainly fault-related. The horizontal extension and tectonic subsidence were controlled by the activity of faults. The differential evolution of faults also caused variations in local uplift/subsidence movements and the regional heterogeneity in extension. The late Cretaceous initial rifting of the north depression of the south Yellow Sea basin is related to the Pacific-Eurasia convergence. From the Paleocene intensive rifting stage to present, the Pacific-Eurasia convergence and India-Eurasia convergence have played important roles in the evolution of this region.

New insights into marine hydrocarbon geological conditions in the South Yellow Sea Basin:evidence from borehole CSDP-2

The South Yellow Sea Basin(SYSB) has multiple sets of proven source rocks and good hydrocarbon prospects,but no industrial oil and gas has been explored at present.To solve this puzzle for petroleum geologists,we systematically investigated the marine hydrocarbon geological conditions based on cores and testing data from borehole CSDP-2,the first exploration well with continuous coring in SYSB.The qualities of source rocks are evaluated in detail according to organic matter abundance,type,and maturity.The reservoir characterization mainly includes porosity,permeability,and reservoir space.Displacement pressure test and stratum thickness are the main foundations for defining the caprocks.Then,the oil-source rock correlation in the Permian and stratum model are analyzed to determine the favorable source-reservoir-caprock assemblages.The results show that three sets of effective source rocks(the Lower Triassic,Upper Permian,and Lower Permian),two sets of tight sandstone re servoirs(the Upper Permian and Lower Silurian-Upper Devonian),and two sets of caprocks(the Lower Triassic and Carboniferous) combine to constitute the hydrocarbon reservoir-forming as se mblages of "lower-ge neration and upper-accumlation" and "self-generation and self-accumlation",thus laying a solid foundation for promising petroleum prospects.The three sets of marine source rocks are characterized by successive generation and expulsion stages,which guarantees multistage hydrocarbon accumulation.Another three sets of continental source rocks distributed across the Middle Jurassic,Upper Cretaceous,and Paleogene depression areas,especially in the Northern Depression,may supplement some hydrocarbons for the Central Uplift through faults and the Indosinian unconformity.The favorable Permian exploration strata have been identified in the Central Uplift of SYSB.First,the Lower Permian and Upper Permian source rocks with high organic matter abundance and high thermal maturity supply sufficient hydrocarbons.Secondly,the interbedding relationship between the source rocks and sandstones in the Upper Permian strata ensures that hydrocarbons have been migrated into the nearby Upper Permian sandstones,reflecting near-source hydrocarbon accumulation.Finally,the good sealing property of the Lower Triassic Qinglong Formation caprocks plays an indispensable role in hydrocarbon preservation of the Permian reservoirs.This conclusion is supported by direct oil shows,gas logging anomalous layers,and hydrocarbon-bearing fluid inclusions.

Provenance and Tectonic Implications of Paleozoic Strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin, China-Revealed from the Borehole CSDP-2

Well CSDP-2 is a fully coring deep drilling hole, penetrating the thick Paleozoic marine strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin(SYSB) in the lower Yangtze Block(LYB). Based on the petrological and geochemical analysis of 40 sandstone samples from the core CSDP-2, the provenance and tectonic features of Paleozoic detrital rocks from SYSB are analyzed and systematically delineated in this article. The results show that the Silurian – Carboniferous sandstones are mature sublitharenite, while the Permian sandstones are unstable feldspathic litharenite. The average CIA(chemical index of alteration) is 74.61, which reflects these sediments were derived from source rocks with moderate chemical weathering. The REE(rare earth element) patterns are characterized by LREE enrichment, flat HREE and obviously negative Eu anomaly, which are similar to that of the upper continental crust. Dickinson QFL discrimination results indicate the recycled orogeny provenance. Various diagrams for the discrimination of sedimentary provenance based on major and trace element data show all the sediments were derived predominantly from quartz sedimentary rocks, of which the Permian strata contain more felsic sedimentary rocks. Geochemical data for these detrital rocks suggest they occur at the passive continental margin and island arc settings, and the Permian sandstone presents active continental margin setting.

Discussion on "sandwich"structures and preservation conditions of shale gas in the South Yellow Sea Basin

In order to make a breakthrough in Mesozoic-Paleozoic shale gas exploration in the South Yellow Sea Basin,a comparison of the preservation conditions was made within the Barnett shale gas reservoirs in the Fortworth Basin,the Jiaoshiba shale gas reservoirs in Sichuan Basin and potential shale gas reservoirs in Guizhou Province.The results show that the "Sandwich"structure is of great importance for shale gas accumulation.Therein to,the "Sandwich"structure is a kind of special reservoir-cap rock assemblage which consist of limestone or dolomite on the top,mudstone or shale layer in the middle and limestone or dolomite at the bottom.In consideration of the Mesozoic-Paleozoie in the Lower Yangtze,and Laoshan Uplift with weak Paleozoic deformation and thrust fault sealing On both flanks of the Laoshan Uplift,a conclusion can be drawn that the preservation conditions of shale gas probably developed "Sandwich" structures in the Lower Cambrian and Permian,which are key layers for the breakthrough of shale gas in the South Yellow Sea.Moreover,the preferred targets for shale gas drilling probably locate at both flanks of the Laoshan Uplift.

The difference analysis of physical-mechanical properties of sediments in the central South Yellow Sea and Zhe-Min coastal area in China

The difference analysis of physical-mechanical properties of muddy sediments is made in the central South Yellow Sea and the Zhe-Min（Zhejiang Province to Fujian Province of China） coastal area. The results show that sediments in the two regions are both dominated by mud. There are perfect negative power function correlations between the water content and the density, the compression coefficient and the compression modulus; a good positive power function correlation between the liquid limit and the plastic limit, a perfect positive linear correlation between the water content and the void ratio, and a perfect polynomial function correlation between the miniature vane shear strength and the pocket penetration resistance. In general, compared with sediments in the Zhe-Min coastal area, sediments in the central South Yellow Sea possess high water content, high void ratio,low density, high plasticity, high compressibility, low shear strength. The causes of the differences between physical-mechanical properties of sediments are analyzed from the topographic features, material sources,hydrodynamic conditions, deposition rate, and material composition. Compared with the Zhe-Min coastal area,the central South Yellow Sea is far from the Mainland and low-lying; has poor hydrodynamic condition; the materials diffused to the area are less and dominated by fine clay, have the high content of smectite and organic matters. These factors lead to sediments of the central South Yellow Sea has the higher water content, the higher plasticity, the lower density, and the lower strength than sediments in the Zhe-Min coastal area.

Geochemistry of the upper Permian sandstones in the Dalong Formation in the South Yellow Sea Basin,East China:implications to provenance,weathering,and tectonic setting

To reconstruct the paleoenvironment,the petrography and geochemical compositions of the upper Permian Dalong Formation(Fm)(P_(3)d)sandstones in the Central Uplift,South Yellow Sea Basin,was investigated,after which the provenance,tectonic setting,weathering conditions,and diagenetic history were determined.The Dalong Fm is mainly composed of sandstones with a few mudstones and limestones.The petrographic analysis showed that the P_(3)d sandstones are in low maturity and could be classified into feldspar sandstone and lithic sandstone on average framework composition of Q_(63)F_(16)L_(21).The major and trace element results show that Dalong Fm sandstones are enriched in Rb and depleted in Cr and Ni compared with the upper continental crust(UCC).The chemical weathering intensity is weak to low moderate in the source area as indicated by the chemical index of alteration(CIA)and other results from a variety of methods.The diagenetic process included three main stages:eodiagenesis,mesodiagenesis,and telodiagenesis.Tectonic discrimination plots show that the source areas were an active continental margin(ACM)and a passive continental margin(PCM),which may have been related to the northward movement of the Lower Yangtze Plate(LYP)and the collision between the LYP and the North China Plate(NCP).

Prospective prediction and exploration situation of marine Mesozoic-Paleozoic oil and gas in the South Yellow Sea

The South Yellow Sea Basin is a large sedimentary basin superimposed by the Mesozoic-Paleozoic marine sedimentary basin and the Mesozoic-Cenozoic terrestrial sedimentary basin, where no oil and gas fields have been discovered after exploration for 58 years. After the failure of oil and gas exploration in terrestrial basins, the exploration target of the South Yellow Sea Basin turned to the marine Mesozoic- Paleozoic strata. After more than ten years' investigation and research, a lot of achievements have been obtained. The latest exploration obtained effective seismic reflection data of deep marine facies by the application of seismic exploration technology characterized by high coverage, abundant low-frequency components and strong energy source for the deep South Yellow Sea Basin. In addition, some wells drilled the Middle-Upper Paleozoic strata, with obvious oil and gas shows discovered in some horizons. The recent petroleum geological research on the South Yellow Sea Basin shows that the structure zoning of the marine residual basin has been redetermined, the basin structure has been defined, and 3 seismic reflection marker layers are traceable and correlatable in the residual thick Middle-Paleozoic strata below the continental Meso-Cenozoic strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin. Based on these, the seismic sequence of the marine sedimentary strata was established. According to the avaliable oil and gas exploration and research, the marine Mesozoic-Paleozoic oil and gas prospects of the South Yellow Sea were predicted as follows.(1) The South Yellow Sea Basin has the same sedimentary formation and evolution history during the sedimentary period of the Middle-Paleozoic marine basin with the Sichuan Basin.(2) There are 3 regional high-quality source rocks.(3) The carbonate and clastic reservoirs are developed in the Mesozoic- Paleozoic strata.(4) The three source-reservoir-cap assemblages are relatively intact.(5) The Laoshan Uplift is a prospect area for the Lower Paleozoic oil and gas, and the Wunansha Uplift is one for the marine Upper Paleozoic oil and gas.(6) The Gaoshi stable zone in the Laoshan Uplift is a favorable zone.(7) The marine Mesozoic-Paleozoic strata in the South Yellow Sea Basin has the geological conditions required to form large oil and gas fields, with remarkable oil and gas resources prospect. An urgent problem to be addressed now within the South Yellow Sea Basin is to drill parametric wells for the Lower Paleozoic strata as the target, to establish the complete stratigraphic sequence since the Paleozoic period, to obtain resource evaluation parameters, and to realize the strategic discovery and achieve breakthrough in oil and gas exploration understanding.

Last 150-Year Variability in Japanese Anchovy (Engraulisjaponicus) Abundance Based on the Anaerobic Sediments of the Yellow Sea Basin in the Western North Pacific

Relatively short historical catch records show that anchovy populations have exhibited large variability over multi-decadal timescales.In order to understand the driving factors(anthropogenic and/or natural) of such variability,it is essential to develop long-term time series of the population prior to the occurrence of notable anthropogenic impact.Well-preserved fish scales in the sediments are regarded as useful indicators reflecting the fluctuations of fish populations over the last centuries.This study aims to validate the anchovy scale deposition rate as a proxy of local anchovy biomass in the Yellow Sea adjoining the western North Pacific.Our reconstructed results indicated that over the last 150 years,the population size of anchovy in the Yellow Sea has exhibited great fluctuations with periodicity of around 50 years,and the pattern of current recovery and collapse is similar to that of historical records.The pattern of large-scale population synchrony with remote ocean basins provides further evidence proving that fish population dynamics are strongly affected by global and basin-scale oceanic/climatic variability.

Characteristics of seismic reflections in central region of the South China Sea and their geological significance

More than 4 000 km 48-channel seismic reflection data from the central region of the South China Sea have been interpreted. Five seismic interfaces have been distinguished, named T1, T2, T4, T6 and Tg respectively Meanwhile, five seismic sequences numbered I - V have been divided with the ages of Quaternary and Pliocene, Later Mocene, Earlier and Middle Miocene, Oligocene and Pre- Oligocene separately. Sequences I-II overlie all parts of the area. In the continental slope and island slope, Sequences III-V are mainly found in the grabens. Sequence III is found at moot profiles of the deep-sea basin, and Sequnce IV is seen not only at the margins of the east subbasin but also at the margins of the southwest subbasin. Strong reflection from Moho is found at most profiles of the deep-sea basin. The depth of Moho varies between 10 and 12 km, with a thickness of 6- 8 km for the crust. Calculated by age-basement depth correlation formula, the age of basaltic basement in the southwest subbasin is 51-39 Ma. It is indicated that the evolution of the southwest subbasin is simultaneous with or earlier than that of the east subbasin.

Sedimentary Characteristics of the Second Marine Layer During the Late Marine Isotope Stage 3 in Southern Yellow Sea and Their Response to the East Asian Monsoon

We use the particle size of sediments in core YS01A to study the sedimentary environment of the mud deposit in the central South Yellow Sea of China during late Marine Isotope Stages 3 （MIS3; 40.5 kyr-31.3 kyr）. In addition, the East Asian Monsoon and its relationship with the North Atlantic Ocean climate change are discussed based on the sensitive grain-size calculation and the spectrum analysis. The results show that during late MIS3, the muddy area in the central South Yellow Sea experienced the evolution of coastal facies, shallow marine facies, coastal facies, and continental facies, with weak hydrodynamic conditions. Compared with other climate indicators, we found that there were many century to millennium-scale climate signals documented in the muddy area sediments in the central South Yellow Sea. According to our particle size results, three strong winter monsoon events occurred at 37.6kyr, 35.6kyr and 32.2kyr. The East Asian Winter Monsoon records in core YS01A are consistent with the Greenland ice core and the Hulu cave stalagmite 8180. The millennial and centennial scale cycles, which are 55 yr, 72 yr, 115 yr, 262 yr respectively, correspond to solar activity cycles, while the 1049 yr and 2941 yr cycles correspond to the Dansgaard-Oeschger cycles. These cycles indicate that the paleoclimate evolution of the area was controlled by the solar activities, with the high-latitude driving thermohaline circulation as the main energy conveyor belt, followed by the sea-air-land amplification of the winter monsoon variation in the central Yellow Sea in the late MIS3.

Geology and hydrocarbon accumulations in the deepwater of the northwestern South China Sea——with focus on natural gas

The deepwater of the northwestern South China Sea is located in the central to southern parts of the Qiongdongnan Basin （QDN Basin）, which is a key site for hydrocarbon exploration in recent years. In this study, the authors did a comprehensive analysis of gravity-magnetic data, extensive 3D seismic survey, cores and cuttings, paleontology and geochemical indexes, proposed the mechanism of natural gas origin, identified different oil and gas systems, and established the model of hydrocarbon accumulations in the deep-water region. Our basin tectonic simulation indicates that the evolution of QDN Basin was controlled by multiple-phased tectonic movements, such as Indochina-Eurasian Plate collision, Tibetan Uplift, Red River faulting and the expansion of the South China Sea which is characterized by Paleogene rifting, Neogene depression, and Eocene intensive faulting and lacustrine deposits. The drilling results show that this region is dominated by marine- terrestrial transitional and neritic-bathyal facies from the early Oligocene. The Yacheng Formation of the early Oligocene is rich in organic matter and a main gas-source rock. According to the geological-geochemical data from the latest drilling wells, Lingshui, Baodao, Changchang Sags have good hydrocarbon-generating potentials, where two plays from the Paleogene and Neogene reservoirs were developed. Those reservoirs occur in central canyon structural-lithologic trap zone, Changchang marginal trap zone and southern fault terrace of Baodao Sag. Among them, the central canyon trap zone has a great potential for exploration because the various reservoir- forming elements are well developed, i.e., good coal-measure source rocks, sufficient reservoirs from the Neogene turbidity sandstone and submarine fan, faults connecting source rock and reservoirs, effective vertical migration, late stage aggregation and favorable structural-lithological composite trapping. These study results provide an important scientific basis for hydrocarbon exploration in this region, evidenced by the recent discovery of the significant commercial LS-A gas field in the central canyon of the Lingshui Sag.