Geophysics – Geodynamics

Interaction between tectonic deformation and magmatism at the northern South China Sea

The South China Sea (SCS), located at the junction of multiple plates, offers an important framework for deciphering the geological processes from rifting to drifting. Recent findings from IODP and seismic surveys have revealed that the northern SCS margin exhibits many distinctive features not typically associated with classic magma-poor or magma-rich margins, including widespread detachment, syn-rift magmatism and a notably rapid transition from continental margin to seafloor spreading (e.g. Larsen et al., 2018, Nat. Geosci., Pérez-Gussinyé et al., 2023). An ‘intermediate’ type for the SCS margin is therefore proposed, highlighting the diversity of continental rifting mechanisms. However, the precise role of magmatism in the evolution of this continental margin remains elusive. This project employs high-resolution numerical modelling code, Rift2Ridge, to explore the interactions between magmatism and tectonic deformation during the continental rifting in the northern SCS, aiming to clarify their contributions to margin evolution.

Mr. Peng Yang, 2024-2026

Funding from the China Scientific Council Scholarship

Abbildung zeigt — Interaction of tectonics and surface process at rifted continental margins: example form the Red Sea