Abstract
Magnetic data has been widely applied in the tectonic division. High-resolution magnetic data were used to analyze the geotectonic zoning of the South China Sea. Based on the newly compilated magnetic data, the processing results and the distribution of known faults, we consider that the U-shaped line approximately along the South China Sea national boundary of China shown in the magnetic map is a significant geological and geophysical boundary. We first described the linear characteristics of the magnetic data and then applied pseudo-gravity, Euler deconvolution, tilt derivatives, and the texture segmentation method to process the data. Results show that the dividing line between the South China Sea and the surrounding blocks is approximately along this U-shaped line. The dividing line between the South China domain and the South China Sea domain is along with the Dongsha Islands to Xisha Trough, which is different from the previous geophysical zoning results. Our results are almost consistent with those of the gravity data indicating roughly the tectonic zonation along the U-shaped line.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability Statement
All data generated and/or analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
References
Arkani-Hamed J. 1988. Differential reduction-to-the-pole of regional magnetic anomalies. Geophysics, 53(12): 1592–1600, https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1442441.
Arkani-Hamed J. 2007. Differential reduction to the pole: revisited. Geophysics, 72(1): L13–L20, https://doi.org/10.1190/1.2399370.
Ates A, Bilim F, Buyuksarac A et al. 2012. Crustal structure of Turkey from aeromagnetic, gravity and deep seismic reflection data. Surveys in Geophysics, 33: 869–885, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-012-9195-x
Aslan Y, Büyüksaraç A, Erik N Y et al. 2013. Geophysical investigation and hydrocarbon potential of Çankırı-Çorum Basin, Turkey, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 110: 94–108, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2013.09.004
Aydemir A, Tigli C S, Ates A S. 2015. Integrated geophysical investigation of the Galatian Basin around Seben region, Bolu, Turkey. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 129: 243–253, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2015.03.019
Baranov V. 1957. A new method for interpretation of aeromagnetic maps: pseudo-gravimetric anomalies[J]. Geophysics, 22(2): 359–382, https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1438369
Ben-Avraham Z, Uyeda S. 1973. The evolution of the China basin and the Mesozoic paleogeography of Borneo. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 18(2): 365–376, https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(73)90077-0.
Blakely R J, Simpson R W. 1986. Approximating edges of source bodies from magnetic or gravity anomalies. Geophysics, 51(7): 1494–1498, https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1442197
Bilim F, Aydemir A, Ateş A. 2016. Crustal thickness variations in the Eastern Mediterranean and southern Aegean region. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 77: 190–197, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.06.012
Bilim F. Aydemir A, Ateş A et al. 2021. Crustal thickness in the Black Sea and surrounding region estimated from the gravity data. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 123: 104735, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104735
Briais A, Patriat P, Tapponnier P. 1993. Updated interpretation of magnetic anomalies and seafloor spreading stages in the South China Sea: implications for the Tertiary tectonics of Southeast Asia. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 98(B4): 6299–6328, https://doi.org/10.1029/92JB02280.
Dai W M. 2018. The Research of potential data processing technique and the interpretation of geological structure in the South China Sea. Jilin University, Changchun. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Geological Survey of Japan, AIST and Coordinating Committee for Coastal and Offshore Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP). 2002. Magnetic anomaly map of East Asia 1:4,000,000. 2nd edn. Geological Survey of Japan, AIST.
Holloway N H. 1982. North Palawan block, Philippines-its relation to Asian mainland and role in evolution of South China Sea. AAPG Bulletin, 66(9): 1355–1383, https://doi.org/10.1306/03B5A7A5-16D1-11D7-8645000102C1865D.
Hsu S K, Yeh Y C, Doo W B et al. 2004. New bathymetry and magnetic lineations identifications in the northernmost South China Sea and their tectonic implications. Marine Geophysical Researches, 25(1–2): 29–44, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-005-0731-7.
Leloup P H, Arnaud N, Lacassin R et al. 2001. New constraints on the structure, thermochronology, and timing of the Ailao Shan Red River shear zone, SE Asia. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 106(B4): 6683–6732, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JB900322.
Li C F, Lu Y, Wang J. 2017. A global reference model of curie-point depths based on EMAG2. Scientific Reports, 7(1): 45129, https://doi.org/10.1038/srep45129.
Li C F, Song T R. 2012. Magnetic recording of the Cenozoic oceanic crustal accretion and evolution of the South China Sea basin. Chinese Science Bulletin, 57(24): 3165–3181, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-012-5063-9.
Li J M, Zhang W Z, Liu S H et al. 2022. Dataset of the South China Sea U-boundary and the geographical names for part of Nanhai Zhudao. Journal of Global Change Data & Discovery, 6(1): 118–124, https://doi.org/10.3974/geodp.2022.01.16.
Li M, Staunton R C. 2008. Optimum Gabor filter design and local binary patterns for texture segmentation. Pattern Recognition Letters, 29(5): 664–672, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patrec.2007.12.001.
Liu G D. 1992. Geologic-Geophysic Features of China Seas and Adjacent Regions. Science Press, Beijing. (in Chinese)
Luo Y, Li J M, Zhang W Z et al. 2019. A historical Map of East Indies representing the U-boundary in the South China Sea as an international boundary. Chinese Science Bulletin, 64(23): 2390–2394, https://doi.org/10.1360/N972018-00685. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Maus S, Barckhausen U, Berkenbosch H et al. 2009. EMAG2: a 2-arc min resolution earth magnetic anomaly grid compiled from satellite, airborne, and marine magnetic measurements. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 10(8): Q08005, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GC002471.
Mazur S, Green C, Stewart M G et al. 2012. Displacement along the Red River fault constrained by extension estimates and plate reconstructions. Tectonics, 31(5): TC5008, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012TC003174.
Meyer B, Chulliat A, Saltus R. 2017. Derivation and error analysis of the earth magnetic anomaly grid at 2 arc min resolution version 3 (EMAG2v3). Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 18(12): 4522–4537, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GC007280
Miller H G, Singh V. 1994. Potential field tilt-a new concept for location of potential field sources. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 32(2–3): 213–217, https://doi.org/10.1016/0926-9851(94)90022-1.
Pilkington M, Miles W F, Ross G M et al. 2000. Potential-field signatures of buried Precambrian basement in the western Canada sedimentary basin. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 37(11): 1453–1471, https://doi.org/10.1139/e00-020.
Reid A B, Allsop J M, Granser H et al. 1990. Magnetic interpretation in three dimensions using Euler deconvolution. Geophysics, 55 (1): 80–91, https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1442774.
Replumaz A, Tapponnier P. 2003. Reconstruction of the deformed collision zone between India and Asia by backward motion of lithospheric blocks. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 108(B6), https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JB000661.
Sandwell D T, Müller R D, Smith W H F et al. 2014. New global marine gravity model from CryoSat-2 and Jason-1 reveals buried tectonic structure. Science, 346(6205): 65–67, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1258213.
Stavrev P Y. 1997. Euler deconvolution using differential similarity transformations of gravity or magnetic anomalies. Geophysical Prospecting, 45(2): 207–246, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2478.1997.00331.x.
Sun W D, Lin C T, Zhang L P et al. 2018. The formation of the South China Sea resulted from the closure of the Neo-Tethys: a perspective from regional geology. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 34(12): 3467–3478. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Tang D L, Liu Y P, Hao X G et al. 2018. A newly-discovered historical map using both national boundary and administrative line to represent the U-boundary in the South China Sea. Chinese Science Bulletin, 63(9): 856–864. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Tang M, Ma J S, Wang Y et al. 2016. Spatial demarcation principles of the dotted line in the South China Sea. Acta Geographica Sinica, 71(6): 914–927. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Tapponnier P, Peltzer G, Le Dain A Y et al. 1982. Propagating extrusion tectonics in Asia: new insights from simple experiments with plasticine. Geology, 10(12): 611–616.
Taylor B, Hayes D E. 1980. The tectonic evolution of the South China basin. In: Hayes D E ed. The Tectonic and Geologic Evolution of Southeast Asian Seas and Islands, Volume 23. American Geophysical Union, Washington. p.89–104, https://doi.org/10.1029/GM023p0089.
Taylor B, Hayes D E. 1983. Origin and history of the South China Sea basin. In: Hayes D E ed. The Tectonic and Geologic Evolution of Southeast Asian Seas and Islands: Part 2, Volume 27. American Geophysical Union, Washington. p.23–56, https://doi.org/10.1029/GM027p0023.
Verduzco B, Fairhead J D, Green C M et al. 2004. New insights into magnetic derivatives for structural mapping. The Leading Edge, 23(2): 116–119, https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1651454.
Wang P C, Li S Z, Suo Y H et al. 2020. Plate tectonic control on the formation and tectonic migration of Cenozoic basins in northern margin of the South China Sea. Geoscience Frontiers, 11(4): 1231–1251, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2019.10.009.
Yao B C, Wan L, Zeng W J et al. 2006. Three-Dimensional Structure of Lithosphere and its Evolution in the South China Sea. Geological Publishing House, Beijing. (in Chinese)
Yao C L, Guan Z N, Gao D Z et al. 2003. Reduction-to-the-pole of magnetic anomalies at low latitude with suppression filter. Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 46(5): 690–696. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Yin H, Zhou J X. 2018. Compilation of the magnetic anomaly map of China mainland, offshore and adjacent areas. Geological Publishing House, Beijing. (in Chinese)
Yin H, Zhou J X, Shu Q et al. 2015a. The key technologies for making the magnetic anomaly map (1:5, 000, 000) of China mainland, offshore and adjacent areas. Progress in Geophysics, 30(5): 2107–2112, https://doi.org/10.6038/pg20150514. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Yin H, Zhou J X, Zhang Y J et al. 2015b. Subdivision and fault identification of the magnetic anomaly map of China mainland, offshore and adjacent areas. Progress in Geophysics, 30(4): 1526–1534, https://doi.org/10.6038/pg20150406. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Yuan X C. 1995. On continental basal structure in China. Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 38(4): 448–459. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Zhang H T, Zhang X H, Wen Z H et al. 2017. Geological and Geophysical Series Map of Southern China Seas and Adjacent Regions. China Ocean Press, Beijing. (in Chinese)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Supported by the Geological Survey Project of China (Nos. DD20191001, DD20191004, DD20189410) and the National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2017YFC0602000)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Luo, Y., Yin, H., Liu, Q. et al. Tectonic boundaries in the South China Sea from aeromagnetic signature. J. Ocean. Limnol. 41, 550–561 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-022-2043-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-022-2043-z