陆架边缘三角洲研究进展及实例分析

自上世纪90年代以来,发育在大陆架边缘的一种特殊类型的三角洲（shelf-edge delta）,因其厚度大,分布面积广,储层物性好,常常与陆坡深水扇体伴生,成藏条件好等特点而引起了广泛关注,成为当前国际沉积学界研究的热点和油气勘探新领域。陆架边缘三角洲一般形成于相对海平面下降或低位时期,主要受控于物源供给、可容纳空间和气候变化,并受到陆坡构造活动影响;也可发育在高位时期,受到波浪与潮汐的影响。前人提出了利用陆架边缘迁移轨迹预测深水沉积和基于陆架斜坡发育模式预测深水沉积的模型,即强烈抬升的陆架边缘迁移轨迹、强烈加积的陆架斜坡发育模式,对应的深水区物质传输体系为泥质;水平—轻微下降的陆架边缘迁移轨迹、强烈前积的陆架斜坡发育模式,预示着大量砂体被搬运至深水区;轻微抬升的陆架边缘迁移轨迹、加积与前积的陆架斜坡发育模式,暗示深水沉积砂体发育介于上述二者陆架边缘迁移与深水扇预测模式之间。陆架边缘三角洲—深水扇规模砂体毗邻优质烃源岩,具备多种类型的油气运移通道,成藏条件良好,是油气勘探的有利领域。实例分析表明:渐新世珠海组沉积时期构造相对稳定,在古珠江充足的供源条件下,南海北坡珠江口盆地鹤山凹陷发育陆架边缘三角洲并伴随陆架不断向海迁移而不断进积,S型前积体不断向海迁移,并在晚期发育下切谷及大型盆底扇沉积。鹤山凹陷珠海组沉积时期发育水平—轻微下降的陆架边缘迁移轨迹,对应于强烈前积的陆架斜坡发育模式,在珠海组沉积晚期发育较大规模叠合连片深水扇富砂沉积体系,是研究区极好的潜在油气勘探目标。     

琼东南盆地莺歌海组陆架边缘轨迹演化及主控因素

陆架边缘连接浅水陆架及深水区,其迁移轨迹动态演化可记录和反馈浅水—深水物质输送过程及样式,开展陆架边缘轨迹量化分析,对预测深水沉积体系及油气勘探意义重大。基于井—震资料并选取过研究区LS33a钻井的地震剖面,利用典型的地震同相轴接触关系在琼东南盆地上新统莺歌海组顶底及内部共计识别出5个层序界面,将莺歌海组自下而上划分为4套三级层序。依据地震反射特征量化统计琼东南盆地莺歌海组陆架边缘轨迹,识别并划分出超高角度滑塌型(50°<α<180°)、高角度上升型(5°<α<50°)和低角度上升型(0°<α<5°)等三种陆架边缘轨迹类型。琼东南盆地上新世陆架边缘迁移轨迹经历了4个演化阶段:阶段一(5.5～4.2 Ma)构造稳定且盆地北部陆架物源供给充足,该阶段陆架边缘轨迹迁移角度大多低于5°;阶段二(4.2～3.2 Ma)由于海平面迅速下降、物源供给减弱,陆架边缘滑塌致使陆架边缘轨迹迁移角度增大;阶段三(3.2～2.7 Ma)由于青藏高原隆升、气候转变(3 Ma开始南海及周边地区冬季风增强),指示物源供给增强,陆架边缘轨迹迁移角度再次减小;阶段四(2.7～1.8 ...     

南海西北次海盆物源供给模式及油气勘探前景

基于地震资料,从物源供给模式入手,分析南海北部深水区西北次海盆的沉积层序、物源特征及其油气勘探前景。其物源供给具有相对多期多物源体系特征,初始扩张期沉积中心位于盆地北部边缘,北部陆架-陆坡物源体系作用显著;初始热沉降期,沉积中心开始从盆地边缘向中央转移,北部陆架-陆坡、中-西沙隆起区物源体系具有大规模物源供给,在盆地两侧斜坡坡脚对称发育大量具有下超反射特征的裙积扇以及具有杂乱反射特征的块体搬运沉积体;稳定热沉降期,沉积中心转移至盆地中央,北部陆架-陆坡、西沙海槽物源体系作用存在短期明显加强,中-西沙隆起区物源体系逐渐削弱,盆地内发育大规模深水扇及深水水道。与相邻中-高勘探程度区相比,显示出良好的勘探潜力。     

毛塞几比盆地外陆架-陆坡区阿尔比阶-土伦阶沉积特征及成藏体系

近几年来,多个大型油气发现使得毛塞几比盆地成为国际油气勘探的热点区域。基于地震资料和钻测井资料系统开展了沉积相以及沉积模式研究、储层物性分析、烃源岩评价以及成藏体系分析工作。研究结果表明:①盆地中南部外陆架广泛发育多期强制海退三角洲沉积体系,受基准面旋回控制,强制海退三角洲顶积层遭受剥蚀,砂体被搬运到三角洲前部,形成强制海退砂,砂体在陆架边缘附近广泛分布;陆坡类型控制了深水扇差异分布模式,南部断控型陆坡控制了深水扇的分布,深水扇主体发育在陆坡坡脚,距离陆架边缘较近,北部平缓型陆坡下重力流搬运较远,深水扇主体远离陆架边缘,据此建立了南部断控型陆坡控砂模式和北部缓坡型陆坡富砂模式。②外陆架强制海退三角洲和北部缓坡型深水扇储层条件好,测试产能高,受胶结作用和滑塌碎屑影响,南部陡坡型深水扇储层物性差。③油源对比表明,油气主要来自下白垩统阿普第阶-阿尔比阶与上白垩统赛诺曼阶-土伦阶海相烃源岩,阿普第阶-阿尔比阶烃源岩以Ⅱ_2型干酪根为主,主要生气;赛诺曼阶-土伦阶海相烃源岩以I型干酪根为主,主要生油。④研究区发育3套有利成藏体系,分别为阿尔比阶陆架边缘成藏体系、阿尔比阶-土伦阶陆坡坡脚成藏体系以及赛诺曼阶陆坡远端成藏体系,其中陆架边缘成藏体系与陆坡远端成藏体系勘探潜力更大,是下一步勘探的重点。     

西南印度洋中脊斜向扩张分段特征及构造成因探讨

斜向扩张是超慢速扩张洋中脊独特的构造特征,其地形分段特征明显区别于经典的快速-慢速端元洋中脊模型,是理解超慢速扩张洋中脊地质过程的重要切入点。基于西南印度洋中脊Indomed-Gallieni和Shaka-DuToit段多波束地形数据,分析了不同斜向扩张角度(α)洋中脊的地形分段样式。其中,46.5°~47.5°E(α=5°)、16°~25°E(α=10°)和48.5°~52°E(α=15°)为近正向扩张段,发育雁列式叠置的中央火山脊;47.5°~48.5°E(α=50°)和16°~25°E(α=60°)为斜向扩张段,仅在洋脊段中部形成中央火山脊。利用有限差分+颗粒法(FD+MIC)数值模拟技术研究了洋中脊应变分布特征对不同α值的响应,结合地形分析,认为斜向扩张角度和温度异常分布共同控制了洋中脊地形分段样式。近正向扩张洋中脊(α＜20°)在温度异常处形成地壳伸展应变的集中区,有利于岩浆汇聚,发育雁列式叠置的中央火山脊,其位置随温度异常分布的变化而改变;斜向扩张洋中脊(α>20°)地壳伸展应变集中区的位置受斜向扩张几何样式控制,在洋脊段中部发育中央火山脊,对温度异常不敏感,形成位置长期固定的岩浆活动中心。     

南海北部长昌—鹤山凹陷渐新世陆架边缘三角洲—深水扇地震响应及形成条件*

位于现今大陆斜坡之上的长昌—鹤山凹陷是继中国南海北部白云和荔湾深水区油气勘探突破之后的又一个深水战略性勘探区块。根据地震反射上超、下超和顶超等典型反射终止关系、地震相组合以及旋回特征,将渐新统珠海组自下向上划分为ZHSQ1—ZHSQ6共6套三级层序,并在层序格架中,识别出陆架弱—中振幅高连续席状、陆架斜坡变振幅中连续S型—斜交前积楔形、盆地斜坡变振幅中连续丘形双向上超等6种地震相类型,其中大型斜交S型前积和陆坡丘形双向超覆地震反射分别代表陆架边缘三角洲和深水扇沉积。研究表明,随着构造活动、海平面等地质条件的变化,陆架边缘三角洲及深水扇发育特征发生了相应变化。在珠海组ZHSQ1和ZHSQ2沉积时期,断层继承性活动,陆架坡折类型为断控型,沉积体系以局限浅海和近源的三角洲沉积组合为特征。在珠海组ZHSQ3—ZHSQ6沉积时期,盆地进入拗陷阶段,陆架坡折类型为沉积型坡折;在古珠江稳定充裕的供源作用下,陆架坡折带不断向海迁移且范围逐渐变大;伴随着相对海平面下降,大套的前积体不断向前推进,最大前积距离近20,km,且前积角度不断增大;同期深水扇自下而上出现频率增高,且位置更靠近陆架边缘三角洲,规模变大。     

坦桑尼亚滨海盆地陆坡峡谷沉积特征及其控制因素*

东非陆缘深水盆地具有巨大油气资源潜力,但对陆坡峡谷沉积特征研究较少,制约有利储集层预测。本研究利用三维地震资料,对东非坦桑尼亚滨海盆地陆坡峡谷开展精细研究。结果表明:(1)研究区陆坡发育多条大型海底峡谷;上陆坡处,坡度较陡,峡谷内以侵蚀作用为主,沉积物主要局限在褶皱推覆带的翼部;褶皱推覆带之外的下陆坡区,坡度变缓,峡谷末端发育席状砂质沉积及砂泥混杂的碎屑流沉积,同时在峡谷北侧发育向北延伸的泥质漂积体;在陆坡边缘,发育海底滑塌,形成块体搬运沉积。(2)峡谷沉积受陆源物质供给、褶皱推覆带、北大西洋底流以及陆坡边界断层等因素控制。受东非裂谷海域分支活动影响,研究区陆架窄、陆坡陡,陆源物质可迅速通过陆架,进入陆坡峡谷:与河流相连的峡谷,物源充足、规模较大,有沉积物发育而没有与河流直接相连的峡谷物源有限、规模较小,峡谷内无明显沉积;褶皱推覆带通过改变海底地形来控制峡谷内沉积分布,褶皱翼部发育沉积,核部则以侵蚀为主;褶皱推覆带外,北大西洋底流与峡谷末端重力流发生交互作用,细粒物质被搬运至峡谷北岸形成漂积体;陆坡边缘断层活跃,峡谷被断层切割,形成断崖,并引发海底滑塌,陆坡处不发育水道及朵体沉积,陆源物质通过峡谷被搬运至更深的深海盆地内。     

南海北部白云凹陷深水区SQ13.8深水扇砂体识别与分布研究：以SF-5为例

珠江口盆地白云凹陷在继“白云运动”之后,在13.8 Ma发生了一次大规模的海退事件,海平面下降至陆架坡折带附近,三角洲向盆地方向推进最远,十分有利于深水扇的发育。通过深水陆坡区B6井及陆架边缘多口井的井震标定,结合钻井、测井分析,系统总结出具有厚度较大（20~40 m）、以泥质粉砂岩为主的斜坡扇储层,对应低频、短轴、强振幅的地震反射特征,在负极性显示的地震剖面上,表现为强波谷地震响应。层序地层格架分析认为工区处于SQ13.8“陆架边缘三角洲—沉积过路区—斜坡扇”的沉积环境,并在层序格架的约束下,通过合成地震记录建立井-震关系,对斜坡扇区第5套砂层组（SF-5）进行储层识别与追踪解释,确定SF-5砂层为主体分布在陆架坡折带外侧陆坡区的丘状体,平面形态似帚状或朵叶状,具有斜坡扇的特征,其优质储层主要分布在工区的中部-西部地区,呈NW-SE方向条带状展布。     

珠江口盆地中中新世SQ14.8层序-沉积演化及其地质意义

中中新世,位于南海北部陆缘的珠江口盆地发生了构造、沉积和古气候格局的骤然变迁,而对古珠江沉积体系层序、沉积的研究为重塑该变革提供了良好契机.本文利用珠江口盆地三维地震和钻井资料,选取中中新世SQ14.8三级层序开展了系统的层序地层和沉积解剖,通过厘定关键层序、体系域界面,建立了高精度区域四分体系域格架,并在此基础上重建陆架-陆坡区主要沉积体系的宏观展布特征和演化过程.研究发现,SQ14.8三级层序记录了珠江口盆地新近纪以来最大规模的一次相对海平面下降,引发沉积滨线跨越陆架长距离迁移到陆架坡折,发育了从低位到强制海退完整的体系域单元.古珠江三角洲作为陆架区主要的沉积体系,在相对海平面升降旋回的驱动下,其发育位置从内陆架到陆架边缘的迁移过程中,发育主控因素也由河流作用为主逐渐变为河流和海洋水动力共同控制.强制海退体系域的识别及沉积展布研究为预测深水储层提供了依据,该时期发育的陆架边缘三角洲下方陆坡区是寻找富砂重力流储集体的有利地区,而陆架边缘三角洲侧翼砂质沉积较少,下方的扇体以泥质扇为主.综合分析认为中中新世变冷事件是造成13.8 Ma相对海平面强烈下降的主要原因,在珠江口盆地促成SQ14.8层序典型强制海退体系域及陆架边缘三角洲的发育,进一步证明该事件是一次全球性的气候事件,其响应不仅可以在大洋钻孔获取的O同位素中找到证据,在边缘海盆的沉积记录中也有明显反映.     

珠江口盆地深水区珠海组陆架边缘三角洲特征及其意义

陆架边缘三角洲发育于大陆架边缘、由物源越过陆架坡折并在陆坡沉积而形成, 分布广、储层发育, 其富油气性已经全球多个地区的勘探实践所证实。基于最新钻井与地震资料综合分析, 首次系统揭示了珠江口盆地深水区珠海组大型陆架边缘三角洲的分布与结构充填, 分析了其发育的主控因素与油气勘探意义。研究表明, 珠海组陆架边缘三角洲剖面上呈S形、斜交或叠瓦状前积结构, 钻井揭示为厚层水下分流河道、河口坝、席状砂与前三角洲泥互层沉积, 平面上北东向展布于白云凹陷至鹤山凹陷一带。白云凹陷段三角洲规模相对较小, 以斜交前积为主;白云南洼东段呈S形前积结构, 顶积层为厚层水下分流河道与河口坝砂岩, 前端深水水道与深水扇发育;南部隆起段以斜交、叠瓦状前积为主, 规模较小;鹤山凹陷段以S形前积结构为主, 发育大型下切谷与深水扇。晚渐新世构造活动相对平静, 深水区形成了稳定的陆架坡折带, 古珠江携带的充沛物源与珠海组时期相对海平面下降促使了陆架边缘三角洲的发育。珠海组陆架边缘三角洲的泥质沉积是一套中等-好的烃源岩, 同时其发育也为海相泥岩带来了丰富的陆源有机质;陆架边缘三角洲的河口坝、水下分流河道、席状砂分布广、纵向厚度大, 是深水区重要的储层类型, 其前端发育的深水扇体是有利勘探目标。     

琼东南盆地中央峡谷体系东段形态-充填特征及其地质意义

通过对琼东南盆地东部水深数据和高精度地震资料的综合分析,对盆地东段中央峡谷体系的形态特征和内部充填结构进行了详细的描述和刻画。研究结果显示:琼东南盆地中央峡谷体系东段呈NEE向分布于长昌凹陷中央,峡谷具有相对笔直的通道,较为狭窄,剖面上表现为明显的“V型”形态,两侧发育陡峭的峡谷侧壁;东段峡谷的内部充填沉积物由滞留沉积体、块体流-席状砂复合体、浊流沉积体和垮塌沉积体构成,垂向上显示出多期的形成演化过程。形态特征和充填结构表明,盆地东段峡谷主要受到该区域古地貌特征的影响和控制,形成于晚中新世早期的长条状负地形为中央峡谷的形成提供了有利的空间,限制了盆地东段峡谷的形态特征,该地貌特征将持续影响峡谷内部的沉积物输送和堆积样式。更新世以来充分的沉积物供给在陆架坡折处形成了大量的陆坡峡谷,沉积物以垂向输送的方式沿着坡降向下运移,在下陆坡位置形成现代深水扇,并被现今中央峡谷的头部区域所捕获,在地貌特征的限制下,沉积物将发生转向输送,沿着盆地东段峡谷的走向,自西向东发生轴向运移。盆地东段构造控制型峡谷是造成琼东南盆地东西部中央峡谷体系在形态和充填上具有明显差异的原因。研究区内3种不同的现代沉积物输送方式,对于更好地理解盆地西部沉积物运移和西段峡谷的形成过程也具有一定的指示和对比意义。     

南海北部陆坡古地貌特征与13.8Ma以来珠江深水扇

综合利用层序地层学和地球物理方法对珠江口盆地白云凹陷13.8 M a以来沉积古地貌进行了分析。通过对南海珠江深水扇系统分布及其独特的沉积特征和层序充填演化规律的分析,得出在13.8 M a以来层序发育过程中,凹陷位于宽阔陆架向海盆变迁的陆坡区,北部发育两种类型的峡谷水道,向南海盆方向逐渐变得宽缓;盆地的古地貌背景、物源和气候变化为其主控因素的结论。同时,13.8 M a以来南海北部陆坡深水区的沉积具有明显的继承性特点,现今的海底峡谷发育特点基本反映了整体的沉积背景。结果表明,白云凹陷13.8 M a以来的深水沉积受海平面相对变化的影响相对较弱,主要受古地貌背景及其变迁的控制,沉积具有继承性,与现今的沉积面貌非常相似。     

Triassic carbonate submarine fans along the Arabian platform margin, Sumeini Group, Oman

ABSTRACT The Sumeini Group formed along the passive continental margin slope that bounded the northeastern edge of the Arabian carbonate platform. With the initial development of this passive continental margin in Oman during Early to Middle Triassic time (possibly Permian), small carbonate submarine fans of the C Member of the Maqam Formation developed along a distally steepened slope. The fan deposits occur as several discrete lenticular sequences of genetically related beds of coarsegrained redeposited carbonate (calciclastic) sediment within a thick interval of basinal lime mudstone and shale. Repeated pulses of calciclastic sediment were derived from ooid shoals on an adjacent carbonate platform and contain coarser intraclasts eroded from the surrounding slope deposits. Sediment gravity flows, primarily turbidites with lesser debris flows and grain flows, transported the coarse sediments to the relatively deep submarine fans. Channel erosion was a major source of intraformational calcirudite. Two small submarine fan systems were each recurrently supplied with calciclastic sediment derived from point sources, submarine canyons. The northern fan system retrogrades and dies out upsection. The southern fan system was apparently longer-lived; calciclastic sediments in it are more prevalent and occur throughout the section. The proximal portions of this fan system are dominated by channelized beds of calcirudite which represent inner- to mid-fan channel complexes. The distal portions include mostly lenticular, unchannelized beds of calcarenite, apparently mid- to outer-fan lobes. Carbonate submarine fans appear to be rare in the geological record in comparison with more laterally continuous slope aprons of coarse redeposited sediment. The carbonate submarine fans of the C Member apparently formed by the funnelling of coarse calciclastic sediment into small submarine canyons which may have developed due to rift and/or transform tectonics. The alternation of discrete sequences of calciclastic sediment with thick intervals of ‘background’ sediment resulted from either sea-level fluctuations or pulses of tectonic activity.     

南海北部陆坡分类及成因分析

陆坡形态隐含了丰富的地质信息,其差异性是大陆边缘沉积、侵蚀过程长期交互作用的结果。利用横跨南海北部的二维地震测线,采取曲线拟合的研究手段,在南海北部识别出了下凹型、平直型、"S"型等三种类型的陆坡。下凹型陆坡发育在莺歌海-琼东南西部、珠江口中部两个陆坡区,但其成因不同,前者主要受控于快速的沉积物供给,而后者受到陆架边缘三角洲进积和海底峡谷侵蚀的联合作用;平直型陆坡仅见于琼东南东部地区,其主控因素为弱的沉积物供给和较快的构造沉降;"S"型陆坡发育在珠江口地区的两翼,其形成明显受到海流和内波等外作用的改造。不同类型的陆坡具有特定的地层叠置样式、陆架坡折迁移轨迹类型和沉积体系分布特征。对陆坡类型的研究有助于建立沉积过程和产物的预测模式,从而指导古代陆坡的深水油气勘探。     

南海西北陆缘深水沉积体系内部构成特征

深水沉积是近年来我国海域油气勘探重点之一,利用高精度二维和三维地震剖面的精细解剖,揭示了南海西北陆缘区深水沉积体系类型及其内部构成特征.这些深水地区除堆积正常深海-半深海泥岩外,还发育大量深水重力流沉积,包括块体流沉积、深水峡谷、沉积物波等大型沉积体.研究表明,南海西北陆缘区发育4类陆坡, 即进积型、滑塌型、水道化型、宽缓渐变型陆坡.不同陆坡类型具有不同地貌形态,发育不同的沉积体类型.大型块体流沉积主要发育于滑塌型和水道化型陆坡,沉积物波主要发育于宽缓渐变型陆坡下部及深海中央峡谷长昌段的周缘地区.由于南海西北陆缘自晚中新世以来形成向东开口的喇叭形变深的地貌形态,导致在盆地中央形成了独特的与陆坡走向一致的深海峡谷体系——中央峡谷.该峡谷的沉积充填不仅包括来自于西部峡谷头部的浊积水道沉积,还包括来自于北部陆坡的块体流沉积,特别是来自于滑塌型陆坡的块体流沉积.中央峡谷体系构成了西北陆缘区多源汇聚的深水沉积物输送系统,同时也是南海西北陆缘深水区重要的油气储层发育层系.      

Response of geomorphic and geological processes to insufficient and ample sediment supply along the upper continental slope in the north-western South China Sea

We document upper slope sedimentary process and strata on the passive margin of the north-western South China Sea (SCS) using multibeam bathymetry and high-resolution seismic data. The upper slope can be divided into two segments based on geomorphology, strata, and sediment supply. (1) The east segment is characterised by deep incised canyons and gullies, and slope failure. Submarine canyons with both U- and V-shaped morphology (13–28 km long × 2–4 km wide) are oriented NNE–SSW or NNW–SSE and are approximately perpendicular to the slope. Erosion is dominant, with escarpments, slumps, and several mass transport deposits (MTDs). Shelf-margin clinoforms show strongly upward vertical aggradation with time and are strongly aggradational in style. Since 5.5 Ma, the shelf break line migrated southwards and then retreated to its present position. The segment is classified as erosion-dominated due to insufficient sediment supply. (2) The west segment has a smooth surface, gentle gradient, and a strongly progradational style, with MTDs triggered by high sedimentation rates. Shelf-margin clinoforms display a combination of progradational and aggradational stacking patterns. The shelf break line migrated southwards with time. The segment is classified as deposition-dominated, resulting from plentiful sediment supply. Depositional models have been constructed for each segment: a constant shelf break model with insufficient sediment supply in the east, and a migration shelf break model with plenty sediment supply in the west. This case study contributes to the understanding of the upper slope sedimentary process and stratigraphic style under different sediment supply conditions.     

珠江口盆地坡折带特征及其对沉积体系的控制

本文基于对覆盖全区的二维地震资料研究,在珠江口盆地识别出了大型的陆架坡折及多种小型坡折带,包括侵蚀坡折带、沉积坡折带、断裂坡折带和挠曲坡折带。不同的构造背景发育了不同的坡折带类型。自30Ma年以来,坡折带总体呈向北迁移的趋势。古近纪一早中新世中期以各种小型坡折带为主,主要控制三角洲及扇三角洲等浅水沉积的展布;早中新世中期至今,由于陆架一陆坡体系已形成,坡折带以陆架坡折为主,控制了陆架边缘三角洲及海底扇等较深水沉积的发育。     

Research Status and Application Prospect of Shelf-Edge Trajectory Analysis

Trajectory analysis is the hotspot and research frontier of sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy. Compared with conventional analytical methods, trajectory analysis is aiming at identifying sedimentary systems and predicting sandstone reservoirs more directly. The definition of trajectory analysis has been made by Helland-Hansen as “The study of the lateral and vertical migration of geomorphological features and associated sedimentary environments, with emphasis on the paths and directions of migration”. Based on current research progress, the basic concepts and methods of trajectory analysis, types of basinward-migrating trajectories (ascending, flat and descending), quantitative parameters and the application in predicting deep-water sandstone reservoirs were introduced. Trajectory analysis mainly centers on two scales: Shoreline trajectories and shelf-edge trajectories. The formation of basin-floor fans has close relation with shelf-edge trajectories, and multiple case studies have confirmed that large-scale basin floor fan usually form under flat or descending shelf-edge trajectories. As research advances, trajectory analysis theory, which developed in continental margins, is believed to have been influenced by multiple factors. Thus, the accurate prediction of sandstone reservoirs requires the comprehensive consideration of the influence of sediment supply, accommodation spaces, past climate and so on. In addition, the problems and extensions of trajectory analysis were also introduced, including ①the along-strike lateral differential evolution; ② trajectory analysis theory in hydrological-closed sedimentary basins; ③the application of trajectory analysis in carbonate settings. As a developing theory, the terminology of trajectory analysis still needs standardization, and the coupling between shelf-edge trajectories and the development and distribution of deep-water sandstones also needs further understanding. The next research focus could be placed on interpreting the evolution of three-dimensional sedimentary systems, and the extension of shelf-edge trajectory theory to hydrologically-closed basin and carbonate sedimentary environments. The research methods of trajectory analysis should also follow the newest trends to allow researchers to better study the evolution of shelf-edge trajectories, for instance, integrating high-resolution seismic data and logging data, core samples, outcrops and high-resolution dating techniques to describe ancient sedimentary environment and geomorphology, combining satellite imaging, ground penetrating radar to portray the modern morphology of continental margins, and utilizing remote sensing to construct more precise three-dimensional models for outcrops.