南海深水沉积过程之大洋钻探目标

Deep water sedimentary processes in South China Sea and proposed scientific drill targets

  • 摘要: 多个航次的大洋钻探已经在南海成功实施,航次科学目标主要聚焦于古海洋、海盆形成过程以及岩石圈破裂过程等,钻遇了多种类型的深水沉积物,而且近些年来的物理海洋调查也已证实了其复杂的深水沉积动力环境,尤其是南海北部陆缘区海底地形地貌复杂,发育了深水水道、块体流等重力流沉积以及多种类型的等深流沉积。南海独特的构造环境和复杂底流活动所导致的不同深水沉积体系类型和丰富的沉积记录,使南海北部陆缘区成为研究深海沉积过程的最佳场所。通过对2—3个剖面多站位不同地形地貌条件下多类型深水沉积物的钻探对比分析,将有助于深刻理解重力流-底流相互作用特征,揭示块体流、浊流和底流形成和发育演化过程,查明岩石圈破裂和海底扩张的沉积响应等科学问题,丰富深水沉积动力学理论,深化对南海大陆边缘沉积格局演变和深层海流演变的整体性和全面性认识。

     

    Abstract: Several oceanic drilling expeditions in the South China Sea (SCS) have disclosed various types of deep water sediments. The scientific objectives of the expeditions focus mainly on the paleoceangraphy, the formation of SCS, and the break-up processes. In addition, oceanography surveys have confirmed its complex deep-water sedimentary dynamic environment, especially in the northern continental margin of the SCS with complex submarine topography, submarine canyons, mass-transport deposit (MTDs), and various types of contourites. Its unique tectonic environment and complex current patterns result in the development of many types of deep-water sedimentary systems, making the northern South China Sea the best place to study deep-sea sedimentary processes and their interactions. By comparing and analyzing 2—3 multi-station profiles would help deep understanding of the characteristics of bottom currents and their interaction with gravity flows, processes of MTDs, turbidity currents, and bottom currents, as well as marginal basin break-up and spreading. Proposed ocean drilling programs will promote development of the theory on deep water sedimentary dynamics in terms of the evolution of sedimentary patterns and bottom currents in the northern South China Sea.

     

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