The Influence of the Closure of the East Paleo-Tethys Ocean on Southern South China:Evidences from Kinematics and^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar Geochronology of the Rongxian Ductile Shear Zone in Southeastern Guangxi

The Triassic was a crucial period in the tectonic evolution of the South China Block.Research on tectonic deformation during this period provides information on intracontinental orogenic mechanisms in South China.In this study,alongside thermochronological analyses,we examine the macroscopic and microscopic structural features of the Rongxian ductile shear zone,located south of the Darongshan granite in the southeastern part of Guangxi Province,on the southern margin of South China.Sinistral shear is indicated by the characteristics of rotatedσ-type feldspar porphyroclasts,stretching lineations defined by elongated quartz grains and the orientations of quartz c-axes.LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of zircons from two samples of granitic mylonite and one of granite yielded ages of ca.256 Ma.Furthermore,two samples of granitic mylonite yield muscovite^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar plateau ages of 249-246 Ma.These results indicate that the Rongxian ductile shear zone resulted from Early Triassic deformation of the late Permian Darongshan granite.This deformation was likely related to the closure of the eastern Paleo-Tethys Ocean and the subsequent collision of the South China and Indochina blocks,during the early stage of the Indosinian orogeny.

Geothermal investigation of the thickness of gas hydrate stability zone in the north continental margin of the South China Sea

The exploration of unconventional and/or new energy resources has become the focus of energy research worldwide,given the shortage of fossil fuels.As a potential energy resource,gas hydrate exists only in the environment of high pressure and low temperature,mainly distributing in the sediments of the seafloor in the continental margins and the permafrost zones in land.The accurate determination of the thickness of gas hydrate stability zone is essential yet challenging in the assessment of the exploitation potential.The majority of previous studies obtain this thickness by detecting the bottom simulating reflectors（BSRs） layer on the seismic profiles.The phase equilibrium between gas hydrate stable state with its temperature and pressure provides an opportunity to derive the thickness with the geothermal method.Based on the latest geothermal dataset,we calculated the thickness of the gas hydrate stability zone（GHSZ） in the north continental margin of the South China Sea.Our results indicate that the thicknesses of gas hydrate stability zone vary greatly in different areas of the northern margin of the South China Sea.The thickness mainly concentrates on 200–300 m and distributes in the southwestern and eastern areas with belt-like shape.We further confirmed a certain relationship between the GHSZ thickness and factors such as heat flow and water depth.The thickness of gas hydrate stability zone is found to be large where the heat flow is relatively low.The GHSZ thickness increases with the increase of the water depth,but it tends to stay steady when the water depth deeper than 3 000 m.The findings would improve the assessment of gas hydrate resource potential in the South China Sea.

Tectonic Setting and Metallogenic System of North China Block Margins

The paleocontinental margins have frequent and intensive tectonic movement and various ore forming processes. According to their tectono dynamic characteristics, the paleocontinental margins can be classified into three types: the divergent, the convergent and the transformational. Each type has its specific geological geochemical processes and metallogenic system. The paper discusses the tectonic evolution and ore forming features of the North China block margins, puts forward conceptions such as complexity, variety and multi stage development of metallogenic evolution in the paleocontinental margins, and expounds five factors controlling the formation of large superlarge ore deposits in the paleocontinental margins: (1) channelway, (2) rendezvous of fluids, (3) abundance of ore source, (4) thermo dynamic anomaly, (5) long duration of structural activities.

Geological characteristics and tectonic signifcance of unconformities in Mesoproterozoic successions in the northern margin of the North China Block

Several stratigraphic breaks and unconformities exist in the Mesoproterozoic successions in the northern margin of the North China Block. Geologic characters and spatial distributions of five of these un- conformities, which have resulted from different geological processes, have been studied. The uncon- formity beneath the Dahongyu Formation is interpreted as a breakup unconformity, representing the time of transition from continental rift to passive continental margin. The unconformities beneath the Gaoyuzhuang and the Yangzhuang formations are considered to be the consequence of regional eustatic fluctuations, leading to the exposure of highlands in passive margins during low sea-level stands and transgressive deposition on coastal regions during high sea-level stands. The unconformity atop the Tieling Formation might be caused by uplift due to contractional deformation in a back-arc setting, whereas the uplift after the deposition of the Xiamaling Formation might be attributed to a continental collision event. It is assumed that the occurrences of these unconformities in the Mesoproterozoic successions in the northern margin of the North China Block had a close bearing on the assemblage and breakup of the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents.

Western fault zone of South China Sea and its physical simulation evidences

The western fault zone of the South China Sea is a strike-slip fault system and consists of four typical strike-slip faults. It is the western border of the South China Sea. The formation of the system is due to the extrusion of Indo - China Peninsula caused by the collision of India with Tibet and the spreading of the South China Sea in Cenozoic. There are five episodes of tectonic movement along this fault zone, which plays an important role in the Cenozoic evolution of the South China Sea. By the physical modeling experiments, it can be seen the strike-slip fault undergoes the sinistral and dextral movement due to the relative movement velocity change between the South China Sea block and the Indo - China block. The fault zone controls the evolution of the pull basins locating in the west of the South China Sea.

LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb Age of Longtou Syenite body in South Songxian County, Southern Margin of the North China Craton

Objective Indosinian magmatic rocks mainly locate in west Qinling Orogen, which are, however, extremely rare in east Qingling Orogen （Lu Xinxiang, 2000; Zhang Guowei et al., 2001; Guo Xianqing et al., 2017）. The Zhifang Huangzhuang （ZH） area in south Songxian County is located in the southern margin of the North China Craton （Fig. l a）, which is an important lndosinian alkaline magmatic occurrence including 32 syenite bodies and syenitic dykes in east Qinling Orogen. There are five syenite bodes in the ZH area, i.e., the Lang＇aogou, Mogou, Longtou, Jiaogou and Wusanggou from west to east （Fig. l b）.

TEMPORAL SPATIAL VARIATION CHARACTERISTICS OF CRUST DEFORMATION OF ACTIVE TECTONIC BLOCKS IN NORTH CHINA

Global Positioning System (GPS) observations during four measurement campaigns from 1992 to 1999 are used in a study of the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of crustal deformation of active tectonic blocks in North China. The Euler vectors for these active blocks are determined on the basis of GPS velocities of a group relative stable points in 1992,1995,1996 and in 1996,1999 respectively. We have studied the relative motion between blocks at the boundaries and the intra block deformation field. We have also inverted the strain rate fields for these active blocks by bi cubic spline model based on the GPS velocity field. The results show that the intra block deformation rates are different from those in block boundary zones, and are also different in different periods; the deformational field is generally characterized by intra-block extension in North China.

Tectonic unit divisions based on block tectonics theory in the South China Sea and its adjacent areas

Identifying distinct tectonic units is key to understanding the geotectonic framework and distribution law of oil and gas resources.The South China Sea and its adjacent areas have undergone complex tectonic evolution processes,and the division of tectonic units is controversial.Guided by block tectonics theory,this study divide the South China Sea and its adjacent areas into several distinguished tectonic units relying on known boundary markers such as sutures(ophiolite belts),subduction-collision zones,orogenic belts,and deep faults.This work suggests that the study area is occupied by nine stable blocks(West Burma Block,Sibumasu Block,LanpingSimao Block,Indochina Block,Yangtze Block,Cathaysian Block,Qiongnan Block,Nansha Block,and Northwest Sulu Block),two suture zones(Majiang suture zone and Southeast Yangtze suture zone),two accretionary zones(Sarawak-Sulu accretionary zone and East Sulawesi accretionary zone),one subduction-collision zone(RakhineJava-Timor subduction-collision zone),one ramp zone(Philippine islands ramp zone),and six small oceanic marginal sea basins(South China Sea Basin,Sulu Sea Basin,Sulawesi Sea Basin,Banda Sea Basin,Makassar Basin,and Andaman Sea Basin).This division reflects the tectonic activities,crustal structural properties,and evolutionary records of each evaluated tectonic unit.It is of great theoretical and practical importance to understand the tectonic framework to support the exploration of oil and gas resources in the South China Sea and its adjacent areas.

Determination of 3-D Velocity Anomalies of the Nanbei Tectonic Zone of China Based on Local Earthquakes

: In this paper, 3-D velocity images of the crust and upper mantle beneath the Nanbei tectonic zone of China are constructed using P-wave travel time residuals of earthquakes, with the data supplied by China's seismic networks and the International Seismic Centre.

He-Ar isotopic system of fluid inclusions in pyrite from the molybdenum deposits in south margin of North China Block and its trace to metallogenetic and geodynamic background

The helium and argon isotopic compositions of the ore-forming fluids from the molybdenum deposits such as Jinduicheng, Donggou, Shijiawan, and Sandaozhuang, which are located in the East Qinling molybdenum belt in south margin of North China Block (SMCNB), are reported in this paper. The origin and the evolution of the ore-forming fluids and their coupled-relationships with the intra-continental collision and orogenic process of Qinling Orogen in Mesozoic-Cenozoic have been discussed. The 3He/4He and 40Ar/36Ar values (3He/4He=1.38―3.64 Ra, and 40Ar/36Ar=295.68―346.39, respectively) of the fluid inclusions in pyrite from the molybdenum deposits in East Qinling suggest that, the ore-forming fluid system is mixed by two end members. One is the high temperature deep-derived fluid congenetic with the porphyries generated by crust-mantle mixing, and the other is the low-temperature meteoric water which is rich in crustal radiogenic He with the component of atmospheric Ar. From the Pb isotopic composition, and ore-bearing potential of the porphyry and the regional stratum, we can conclude that the ore-forming materials of the deposits in the East Qinling molybdenum belt are derived from the deep source by the mixing of lower crust and upper mantle. Therefore, the formation of the molybdenum deposits in SMNCB can be related to the crust-mantle interaction, which is accompanied by the intra-continental orogenic and extension process in the post-collision period of Qinling Orogen. The granitic porphyries which are related to Mo mineralization are not simple crust-remelting type granites or S type granites, but belong to syntexis-type or mantle-derived granites, hence their formation has a profound and regional geodynamic background.

Existence of Qiongnan suture zone on the north margin of South China Sea

This paper aims to explore whether paleo-suture zone exists in the pre-Cenozoic basement of South China Sea (SCS). By taking advantage of integrated geophysical surveying data, including multi-channel reflection seismicity, oceanic bottom seismicity, gravity and magnetic data as well as paleomagnetism and drilling information, a comprehensive analysis on sedimentary stratigraphy, seismic stratigraphy, magmatic and metamorphic petrology, geochemistry, gravity study, magnetics, paleogeomagnetics as well as geotectonics was carried out, and the results clearly indicate that a pre-Cenozoic suture zone, i.e. “Qiongnan (south Hainan Island) suture zone”, does exist on the north margin of SCS. This suture zone starts in the west from the Jiusuo-Lingshui fault zone in the south of Hainan Island, extends eastward across the continental slope to the north of SCS, and links with Shoufeng fault in Taiwan. It is inferred that the Qiongnan suture zone was sutured approximately in Indosinian (Triassic) Epoch and is actually the vestige of “Qiongnan ocean basin”, the extension of the main paleo-Tethys ocean basin in SCS. The formation of Qiongnan suture zone marked the collision-accretion of the Qiongnan Block toward the Qiongzhong Block. The Qiongnan suture zone is linked to the west with the southward extension of the principal suture zone of the Paleo-Tethys at Bitu-Changning-Menglian-Bentong-Raub, across the southern segment of the Red River-East Vietnam-Wanna strike-slip fault zone, and connected to the east with the suture zone emplaced into the south margin of the Oki-Hida Pre-Jurassic terranes in southwest Japan, across the northerni2 e segment of the Manila trench fault zone in the northeast side of Taiwan Island. The discovery of this suture zone is believed to be potentially significant toward study of the pre-Cenozoic geotectonic pattern of SCS, the temporal and spatial distribution of the east paleo-Tethys structural domain in SCS and the relationship of recombination and superimposition between the east paleo-Tethys structural domain and the west Pacific structural domain, in addition to the oil/gas geological potentials in the pre-Cenozoic marine vestige-superimposed basin in the study area.

Discovery of Late Carboniferous strata and their tectonic significance in the southern margin of the North China Block(Huoqiu and Gushi areas)

Late Carboniferous fossils(such as Boultonia? sp., Tabulata, and spiriferoid specimens with smooth shells), bioclastic material(such as crinoid stems and sponge fragments), and Late Ordovician microfossils of the conodont Belodina have been discovered in the lower part of the strata typically referred to as the Neoproterozoic on the boundary of the provinces of Anhui and Henan in the southern margin of the North China Block. These findings prove that the strata contain macrofossils belonging to the Late Carboniferous, which belonged to a carbonate debris flow deposit that was formed under a carbonate slope environment. The conodont fossils might belong to a detrital deposit. Thus, it is possible to reset the stratigraphic sequences and tectonic attributes belonging to the North Huaiyang tectonic belt and limit the Shouxian fault to the boundary between the Dabie Orogen and North China Block.

扬子陆块西北缘早新元古代俯冲增生过程的岩浆记录

华南早新元古代俯冲相关岩浆作用记录为揭示罗迪尼亚超大陆边缘陆块的聚合及增生过程提供了重要制约。本文聚焦华南扬子陆块西北缘出露的早新元古代岩浆作用记录,总结梳理了其年代学框架、地球化学特征以及同位素特征,查明了其源区性质和岩石学成因、并探讨了不同阶段岩浆记录所对应的构造环境。结果表明,扬子陆块西北缘约1.0~0.9 Ga岩石具有与新生岛弧岩浆类似的微量元素特征,强不相容元素的含量略低于大陆弧,并且具有亏损的Sr-Nd-Hf同位素组成和略低于地幔值的锆石δ~(18)O值,这些特征指示约1.0~0.9 Ga岩浆岩最有可能形成于洋内弧环境。相比之下,约0.9~0.83 Ga岩浆岩具有与平均上地壳类似的微量元素特征,富集强不相容元素和轻稀土元素,亏损高场强元素,并且具有富集的SrNd-Hf同位素组成,锆石δ^(18)O值与地幔值相当或略高,指示其可能形成于大陆弧环境。此外,镁铁质岩石全岩Nd和锆石Hf同位素随年龄的长期变化趋势揭示了地幔源区性质周期性地富集和亏损,这可能是由于俯冲带间歇性地前进和后撤引起的挤压–伸展构造体制的不断交替所致。本文结果为扬子陆块西北缘新元古代早期的构造演化历史和俯冲增生动力学机制提供了制约。

华南地区地幔过渡带结构及其动力学意义

华南地区同时受特提斯构造域和太平洋构造域影响,是研究板块相互作用的最佳场所之一.为研究华南地区深部动力学过程,本文基于国家固定台网30°N以南的宽频带台站数据,利用接收函数方法开展了华南地区地幔过渡带结构研究,并结合已有地质、地球物理资料,讨论了华南地区深部构造单元划分及其浅部构造响应.研究结果表明:(1)扬子克拉通下方地幔过渡带结构接近全球平均水平,相对稳定;(2)海南岛地区地幔过渡带厚度偏薄,且410-km和660-km界面分别显著下沉和上升,可能与海南地幔柱密切相关;(3)太平洋构造域和特提斯构造域深部构造边界显著,青藏高原东南缘主要受特提斯构造域影响,其地幔过渡带中可能残留有拆沉的岩石圈板片;(4)雪峰山以东地区的地幔过渡带主要受太平洋构造域影响,但南北也存在局部差异,南部华夏地块下方可能不存在滞留板片,太平洋板块的俯冲、后撤与东南沿海地区地壳减薄和大规模出露的中-新生代岩浆岩密切相关.

洛南任家滩—荞麦山正长斑岩成因及其对古元古代晚期裂解的指示——岩石化学及锆石U-Pb年龄和Lu—Hf同位素特征

华北克拉通南缘的陕西洛南—河南豫西地区出露一系列形成于1.8~1.6 Ga的碱性岩,对这些碱性岩的研究有助于提高对华北克拉通南缘古元古代构造环境的认识。笔者等选取陕西省洛南县任家滩—荞麦山一带碱性侵入体进行系统的岩石学、LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年代学、Lu—Hf同位素分析和岩石地球化学研究,讨论了其成因机制和构造背景。研究表明,任家滩—荞麦山岩体的主体岩性为正长斑岩,加权平均年龄为1689±20 Ma(MSWD=0.12),表明其侵位时代为古元古代。该岩体富碱(Na_(2)O+K_(2)O=7.95%~9.5%),高钾(K_(2)O=4.67%~8.51%);稀土元素总量较高(496.15×10^(-6)~650.16×10^(-6),平均543.06×10^(-6)),轻、重稀土元素分馏比较明显,轻稀土元素相对富集(LREE=454×10^(-6)~605×10^(-6)),重稀土元素亏损(HREE=39.3×10^(-6)~45.6×10^(-6)),具有弱负铕异常;K、Rb、Ba、Th富集,Nb、Ta、P、Ti亏损,并且具有明显的Sr负异常。εHf(t)值<0,TDM1值为2038~2218 Ma,TDM2值为2250~2516 Ma,说明岩浆源区物质与富集地幔有关或受到过地壳物质的混染。因此,任家滩—荞麦山岩体是由地幔玄武质岩浆与地壳基底太华杂岩形成的中酸性花岗质岩浆混合后形成的熔体,经强烈的结晶分异作用形成的,其形成于陆内裂谷的构造环境,是华北克拉通南缘对哥伦比亚超大陆裂解事件的响应。

华北克拉通南缘角子山花岗岩的锆石U-Pb定年、岩石地球化学特征及构造背景

角子山岩基是秦岭造山带东端伏牛山余脉规模居第二位的燕山期侵入岩,其岩石成因模型有助于深入认识华北克拉通南缘伏牛山余脉早白垩世酸性岩浆的形成规律和深部构造演化。角子山花岗岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年样品的30个测点中,18个有效锆石测点的U-Pb年龄集中于(129.5±1.4)Ma(1个)和(116.1±1.4)~(122.2±1.3)Ma(17个)两组,形成了锆石年龄谱,后者的加权平均年龄为(119.3±0.9)Ma。结合前人10个有效锆石测点的U-Pb年龄数据,27颗锆石的加权平均年龄为(118.2±1.2)Ma,代表了角子山花岗岩的形成时代。角子山花岗岩样品具有富Si和碱、贫Ca和Mg的特征,为高钾钙碱性系列岩石,属于准铝质-弱过铝质花岗岩。在微量元素蛛网图中,角子山花岗岩样品显示了Rb、Th及Zr、Hf的正异常和Sr、P、Ti的负异常。角子山花岗岩稀土总量为20.9×10^(-6)~204×10^(-6),(La/Yb)N值为4.24~21.0,δEu值为0.53~0.78,稀土配分模式呈轻稀土富集(右倾平滑)和中、重稀土亏损(近水平)的特征。角子山花岗岩样品的LaN-(La/Yb)N投点显示了正相关关系,表明其成分变异受控于部分熔融作用。角子山花岗岩的部分熔融源残余相包括角闪石、斜长石和金红石,无石榴子石残余,表明它形成于正常厚度地壳,存在深度大致为40~50 km和小于30 km的两个部分熔融岩石源区。角子山花岗岩形成于秦岭早白垩世陆(板)内造山阶段,经历了岩浆/流体混合再活化作用,是~120 Ma区域岩石圈拆沉作用的产物。

Deep electrical structures of Qinzhou-Fangcheng Junction Zone in Guangxi and seismogenic environment of the 1936 Lingshan M6^(3/4)earthquake

The tectonic position of the southwest section of the Qinzhou Bay-Hangzhou Bay Tectonic Junction Zone(QHTJZ)can be determined by examining the Qinzhou-Fangcheng Junction Zone(QFJZ)in Guangxi.This zone is significant because it was the location of the largest earthquake ever recorded in the inland region of South China,specifically the 1936 Lingshan M6^(3/4)earthquake in Guangxi.Therefore,this region serves as an optimal location for researching the origins of intraplate earthquakes in South China.This study presents a display of a broadband magnetotelluric(MT)prospecting profile that traverses the Guangxi QFJZ and the Lingshan earthquake zone,extending from the northwest(NW)to the southeast(SE).A resistivity structure model was generated using three-dimensional(3D)inversion technology along the profile.The main faults in QFJZ were analyzed in terms of their deep extension forms and tectonic attributes.This analysis was performed by integrating the results obtained from geology,gravity,wave velocity ratio,Global Position System(GPS),and geothermal flow.The results showed that(1)the Dongzhong-Xiaodong fault(DXf),the eastern Fangcheng-Lingshan fault(FLf2),and the eastern Hepu-Beiliu fault(HBf2)were all trans-crustal deep faults,and crust-mantle ductile shear zones developed in the deep part.Two electrical boundary zones,DXf and HBf2,were identified.DXf inclined towards the northwest,while HBf2 inclined towards the southeast.The FangchengLingshan fault(FLf)exhibits a tectonic style resembling a“flower”shape in the upper crust.In the deeper section,it is characterized by an electrical boundary zone that gradually slopes towards the southeast direction.(2)The Hunan-Guangxi Passive Continental Margin(HGPCM)on the NW side of DXf had a stratified resistivity structure and relatively stable Bouguer gravity anomalies,which conformed to the quasi-craton tectonic attribute of the local failure at the southeastern margin of the Yangtze Block(YB).The southeastern side of this block is marked by the presence of the QFJZ and Yunkai Magmatic Arc(YKMA).These areas exhibit varying Bouguer gravity anomalies,indicating a combination of high and low resistivity in their electrical structures.This suggests that this zone has undergone multiple stages of structural evolution and transformation.The giant high-resistivity body under the Qinzhou-Fangcheng Remnant Ocean Basin(QFROB)might be the trace left by the extinction of the South China Ocean and the collision orogeny between YB and the Cathaysian Block(CB).The presence of sublow-resistivity layers in the middle-lower crust between the Liuwandashan Magmatic Arc(LMA)and YKMA indicates that this particular zone is being influenced from a distance by magmatic activities originating from the Leiqiong mantle.(3)The focal area of the 1936 Lingshan earthquake was located in the brittle high-resistivity body with a low strain rate.Under the coupling action of NWW-SEE regional tectonic stress and deep thermodynamic force,the brittle high-resistivity body in the upper crust became the main body for accumulating the tectonic stress.The Lingshan earthquake occurred due to the dextral strike-slip fracture instability of FLf2,a rock layer with slightly lower strength in the sub-high-resistivity zone.This instability was triggered when the accumulated stress reached the ultimate rock strength.The unveiling of the seismogenic model of the Lingshan earthquake,as presented in this study,holds significant scientific importance in comprehending the factors contributing to intraplate earthquakes in the South China region.

综合物探方法在内蒙古敖汉旗林家地地热资源勘查中的应用试验

在“碳达峰、碳中和”双碳目标背景下,如何科学、高效地进行地热资源的勘查开发是地热产业的关键问题。本文针对目前普遍关注的中深层地热资源勘查技术难题,以内蒙古敖汉旗林家地为研究区,开展了综合地球物理勘探方法的有效性试验研究。在区域地质条件和水文地质条件分析基础上,初步查明了敖汉旗林家地一带地温场特征和地下水化学特征;运用可控源音频大地电磁法(CSAMT)、微动测深和放射性氡气剖面测量多种方法组合,基本查明了研究区地层、岩浆岩及断裂构造的分布,推测了地热异常区控制因素及热水运移情况,并据此设定了勘探孔位,进行了960 m钻探验证。结果表明:综合运用可控源音频大地电磁法和微动测深等物探方法,并结合放射性氡气剖面测量进行辅助验证,对开展中深层地热资源勘查较为有效,可为其他地区地热资源勘查提供方法参考。

The Early Paleozoic paleogeography of the North China block and the other major blocks of China

With the summarization of the Early Paleozoic paleomagnetic data recently obtained from the three major blocks of China, the Early Paleozoic (i.e. Cambrian and Ordovician) paleogeographic positions of the North China, South China and Tarim blocks were discussed in detail. The North China, South China and Tarim blocks were inferred to be located adjacent to East Gondwana in low latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere during the Early Cambrian. During the Early-Middle Ordovician, the South China and Tarim blocks were also located in low latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere with some affinities of the Gondwanaland, whereas the North China block may have episodically separated from the Gondwanaland, and might be sited close to the North America and Siberia. The reestablished paleogeographic configurations are in agreement with the studies on the biogeography, paleoclimate and sedimental facies of the North China and South China blocks.

Geodynamic characteristics of tectonic extension in the northern margin of South China Sea

Based on the geothermal and gravitation methods, this paper investigated the rheological and thermal structure of the lithosphere under the northern margin of South China Sea. The result shows that the temperature of the upper crust is 150–300°C lower than that of the lower crust, and the viscous coefficient of the upper crust is 2–3 orders of magnitude larger than that of the lower crust. It reveals that the upper crust is characterized by brittle deformation while the lower crust by ductile deformation. A channel of lower-viscosity should be formed between the upper and lower crust when the lithosphere is scattered and spreads out toward ocean from northwest to southeast along the northern margin of South China Sea. And, a brittle deformation takes place in the upper part of the lithosphere while a ductile deformation takes place in the lower part of the lithosphere due to different viscous coefficients and temperature. The layered deformation leads the faulted blocks to rotate along the faulting and the marginal grabens to appear in the northern margin of South China Sea in Cenozoic tectonic expansion.