In:
Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, American Geophysical Union (AGU), Vol. 122, No. 4 ( 2017-04), p. 2831-2858
Abstract:
We show a seaward thinning trending of the crustal structure across the continental shelf and continent‐ocean transition (COT), whereas the crust was slightly and unconventionally thickened beneath the Dongsha Rise accompanying the increase in the Moho depth. The Dongsha Rise is also characterized by ~4–7 km thick high‐velocity layer (HVL) in the lower crust underlying the thick crust. In the COT, the crust sharply thinned seaward and a ~2–3 km thick HVL was imaged underlying the hype‐extended crust. We discuss the nature of the HVL in the northeastern South China Sea (SCS) by integrating the volcanic activity, magnetic anomaly, Moho morphology, and geochemistry of the region. We observed that the HVL underlying the COT is probably extension related resulting from the decompression melting in the Cenozoic, whereas that beneath the Dongsha Rise is probably arc related and associated with the subduction of the paleo‐Pacific plate. These findings are inconsistent with those of some previous studies. We believe that our viewpoint is first put forward through the detailed demonstration and provides new insights into the rifting processes of the northeastern SCS margin. It will be of great interest to the broad marine geosciences community, particularly those interested in the formation and evolution of the marginal seas.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2169-9313
,
2169-9356
DOI:
10.1002/2016JB013481
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Publication Date:
2017
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2016813-5
detail.hit.zdb_id:
161666-3
detail.hit.zdb_id:
3094197-0
SSG:
16,13
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