3D Structure of Low-Angle Normal Faults and Tectono-Sedimentary Processes of Nascent Continental Core-Complexes in the SE South China Sea

This contribution explores the formation and evolution of hyper-extended basins, associated with the early stage of core complex formation, controlled by low-angle normal faults active at <30°. Based on a high-resolution industrial 3D seismic reflection survey along the southern margin of the South China Sea (SCS) (Dangerous Grounds), we mapped and analyzed the 3D geometry of low-angle normal fault systems and the related stratigraphy. Two main hyper-extended basins were documented, filled by up to 6 km of sediments including pre- to post-rift sequences. The observed normal faults on depth migrated seismic sections show an average dip angle of <30° and appear planar, characterized by continuous reflections with no clear steepening at depth and sole-out on distinct decollement levels. Detailed fault surface mapping reveals the occurrence of km-scale corrugations together with large wavelength undulation. The formation of these hyper-extended basins is associated with polyphased syn-rift infill during the development of the low-angle normal faults. The first syn-rift sequence appears as chaotic and discontinuous packages that has been dismembered and fragmented during the activity of low-angle normal faults. The second syn-rift package shows unexpected sedimentary wedges developing successively toward the footwall and the hangingwall. This geometry results from the interplay between the main low-angle normal fault and antithetic faults defining a so-called extensional fishtail. The deep structure of these basins shows nascent domes with limited evidence of magmatism. Eventually, these basins likely capture the earliest stage of core complex development in the proximal margin of the southern SCS.