Structural characteristics of the KPR-CBR triple-junction inferred from gravity and magnetic interpretations,Philippine Sea Plate

The intersection of the Kyushu-Palau Ridge(KPR)and the Central Basin Rift(CBR)of the West Philippine Basin(WPB)is a relic of a trench-trench-rift(TTR)type triple-junction,which preserves some pivotal information on the cessation of the seafloor spreading of the WPB,the emplacement and disintegration of the proto-Izu-Bonin-Mariana(IBM)Arc,and the transition from initial rifting to steady-state spreading of the Parece Vela Basin(PVB).However,the structural characteristics of this triple-junction have not been thoroughly understood.In this paper,using the newly acquired multi-beam bathymetric,gravity,and magnetic data obtained by the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology,China Geological Survey,the authors depict the topographic,gravity,and magnetic characteristics of the triple-junction and adjacent region.Calculations including the upward continuations and total horizontal derivatives of gravity anomaly are also performed to highlight the major structural features and discontinuities.Based on these works,the morphological and structural features and their formation mechanisms are analyzed.The results show that the last episode amagmatic extension along the CBR led to the formation of a deep rift valley,which extends eastward and incised the KPR.The morphological and structural fabrics of the KPR near and to the south of the triple-junction are consistent with those of the western PVB,manifesting as a series of NNE-SSW-and N-S-trending ridges and troughs,which were produced by the extensional faults associated with the initial rifting of the PVB.The superposition of the above two reasons induced the prominent discontinuity of the KPR in deep and shallow crustal structures between 15°N‒15°30′N and 13°30′N‒14°N.Combined with previous authors’results,we propose that the stress produced by the early spreading of the PVB transmitted westward and promoted the final stage amagmatic extension of the CBR.The eastward propagation of the CBR destroyed the KPR,of which the magmatism had decayed or ceased at that time.The destruction mechanism of the KPR associated with the rifting of the PVB varies along strike the KPR.Adjacent to the triple-junction,the KPR was destroyed mainly due to the oblique intersection of the PVB rifting center.Whereas south of the triple-junction,the KPR was destroyed by the E-W-directional extensional faulting on its whole width.

Characteristics of gravity and magnetic fields and deep structural responses in the southern part of the Kyushu-Palau Ridge

The southern part of the Kyushu-Palau Ridge(KPR)is located at the conjunction of the West Philippine Basin,the Parece Vela Basin,the Palau Basin,and the Caroline Basin.This area has extremely complex structures and is critical for the research on the tectonic evolution of marginal seas in the Western Pacific Ocean.However,only few studies have been completed on the southern part,and the geophysical fields and deep structures in this part are not well understood.Given this,this study finely depicts the characteristics of the gravity and magnetic anomalies and extracts information on deep structures in the southern part of the KPR based on the gravity and magnetic data obtained from the 11th expedition of the deep-sea geological survey of the Western Pacific Ocean conducted by the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey,China Geological Survey using the R/V Haiyangdizhi 6.Furthermore,with the data collected on the water depth,sediment thickness,and multichannel seismic transects as constraints,a 3D density model and Moho depths of the study area were obtained using 3D density inversion.The results are as follows.(1)The gravity and magnetic anomalies in the study area show distinct zoning and segmentation.In detail,the gravity and magnetic anomalies to the south of 11°N of the KPR transition from high-amplitude continuous linear positive anomalies into low-amplitude intermittent linear positive anomalies.In contrast,the gravity and magnetic anomalies to the north of 11°N of the KPR are discontinuous and show alternating positive and negative anomalies.These anomalies can be divided into four sections,of which the separation points correspond well to the locations of deep faults,thus,revealing different field-source attributes and tectonic genesis of the KPR.(2)The Moho depth in the basins in the study area is 6-12 km.The Moho depth in the southern part of KPR show segmentation.Specifically,the depth is 10‒12 km to the north of 11°N,12‒14 km from 9.5°N to 11°N,14-16 km from 8.5°N to 9.5°N,and 16‒25 km in the Palau Islands.(3)The KPR is a remnant intra-oceanic arc with the oceanic-crust basement.which shows noticeably discontinuous from north to south in geological structure and is intersected by NEE-trending lithospheric-scale deep faults.With large and deep faults F3 and F1(the Mindanao fault)as boundaries overall,the southern part of the KPR can be divided into three zones.In detail,the portion to the south of 8.5°N(F3)is a tectonically active zone,the KPR portion between 8.5°N and 11°N is a tectonically active transition zone,and the portion to the north of 11°N is a tectonically inactive zone.(4)The oceanic crust in the KPR is slightly thicker than that in the basins on both sides of the ridge,and it is inferred that the KPR formed from the thickening of the oceanic crust induced by the upwelling of deep magma in the process of rifting of remnant arcs during the Middle Oligocene.In addition,it is inferred that the thick oceanic crust under the Palau Islands is related to the constant upwelling of deep magma induced by the continuous northwestward subduction of the Caroline Plate toward the Palau Trench since the Late Oligocene.This study provides a scientific basis for systematically understanding the crustal attributes,deep structures,and evolution of the KPR.

Development of Integrated and Intelligent Geodetic and Photogrammetry Satellites with Corresponding Key Technologies

Aerospace surveying and mapping has become the main method of global earth observation.It can be divided into the geodetic observation satellites and the topographic surveying satellites according to the disciplines.In this paper,the geodetic satellites and photographic satellites are introduced respectively.Then,the existing problems in Chinese earth observation satellites are analyzed,and the comprehensive satellite with integrated payloads,the intensive microsatellite constellation and the intelligent observation satellite are proposed as three different development ideas for the future earth observation satellites.The possibility of the three ideas is discussed in detail,as well as the related key technologies.

Review:Progress in SQUID⁃Based Geophysical Precision Measurement Technology

Superconducting quantum interference device(SQUID),with the advantages of ultra⁃high sensitivity,low noise,broad frequency bandwidth,and excellent low⁃frequency response,is widely used in several geophysical methods,such as vector magnetic survey,electromagnetic method,gravity and gravity gradient measurement.In this paper,the latest technological progress of SQUID and SQUID⁃based geophysical precision measurement technology are described.In addition,the advantages,characteristics,and existing problems of each measurement technology are analyzed.Combined with the requirements of current geophysical technology,the future application prospect is discussed and development suggestions are given.

Deep structural research of the South China Sea: Progresses and directions

The South China Sea(SCS)is the hotspot of geological scientific research and nature resource exploration and development due to the potential for enormous hydrocarbon resource development and a complex formation and evolution process.The SCS has experienced complex geological processes including continental lithospheric breakup,seafloor spreading and oceanic crust subduction,which leads debates for decades.However,there are still no clear answers regarding to the following aspects:the crustal and Moho structure,the structure of the continent-ocean transition zone,the formation and evolution process and geodynamic mechanism,and deep processes and their coupling relationships with the petroliferous basins in the SCS.Under the guidance of the“Deep-Earth”science and technology innovation strategy of the Ministry of Natural Resources,deep structural and comprehensive geological research are carried out in the SCS.Geophysical investigations such as long array-large volume deep reflection seismic,gravity,magnetism and ocean bottom seismometer are carried out.The authors proposed that joint gravitymagnetic-seismic inversion should be used to obtain deep crustal information in the SCS and construct high resolution deep structural sections in different regions of the SCS.This paper systematically interpreted the formation and evolution of the SCS and explored the coupling relationship between deep structure and evolution of Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins in the SCS.It is of great significance for promoting the geosystem scientific research and resource exploration of the SCS.

Geophysical Data Bearing on Hydrocarbon Traps and Resource Potential of the Galisteo Basin, New Mexico

Land-based gravity and magnetic data were obtained at 56 gravity stations and 250 magnetic stations throughout the northern-central part of the Galisteo Basin south of Santa Fe, NM. The study area extends south from the village of Eldorado to the foothills of the Ortiz Mountains and east from I-25 to Highway 285, an area of approximately 2200 square kilometers. These data offered an approach to integrating surface geological mapping and subsurface geophysical surveys to characterize the distribution, depth, and potential hydrocarbon trap geometries in parts of the Galisteo Basin using the Talwani geophysical modeling program. Both sets of potential field data were integrated into ArcGIS and Surfer to generate extrapolated surfaces and derivative maps, which allowed for the characterization of the subsurface geology along with specific profiles across the mapped area. These data revealed several anomalies within the central portion of the basin that are interpreted as likely hydrocarbon trap-structures.

Comprehensive Study of the Activity in the Middle Sections of Huangzhuang-Gaoliying and Babaoshan Faults

To monitor the activity of the Huangzhuang-Gaoliying and Babaoshan faults in their middle sections,a network for leveling,short-side ranging,and gravity and geomagnetic observations at the same time and at the same station was set up.By this network,the time and space distribution and the relation between different observations have been studied.It is considered that the Huangzhuang-Gaoliying fault is in a locked state for rapid strain energy accumulation,while the Babaoshan fault is in a state of creep or unrestrained motion.To do comprehensive monitoring of fault activity by making deformation,gravity,and geomagnetic observations at the same time and at the same station,it would be possible to acquire the microscopic state of fault activity and the data of earthquake preparation; such an approach is considered worth popularizing.