Plate tectonics of the northern part of the Pacific Ocean

Geophysical data on the northern part of the Pacific Ocean were systematized to compile a map of geomagnetic and geothermal studies of the Bering Sea. The absence of reliable data about the formation time of the Bering Sea structures of oceanic and continental origins is noted; this hampered the assessment of the geodynamical processes in the North Pacific. Based on the geophysical data, we estimated the age of the structures of the Bering Sea floor such as the Commander Basin (21 My), the Shirshov Ridge (95 and 33 My in the northern and southern parts, respectively), the Aleutian Basin (70 My), the Vitus Arch (44 My), the Bowers Ridge (30 My), and the Bowers Basin (40 My). These values are confirmed by the geological, geophysical, and kinematic data. A numerical modeling of the formation of extensive regional structures (Emperor Fracture Zone, Chinook Trough, and others) in the Northern Pacific is carried out. A conclusion was made on the basis of the geological and geothermal analysis that the northern and southern parts of the Shirshov Ridge have different geological ages and different tectonic structures. The northern part of the ridge is characterized by an upthrust-nappe terrain origin, while the southern part has originated from a torn-away island arc similar to the origin of the Bowers Ridge. The sea floor of the Aleutian Basin represents a detached part of the Upper Cretaceous Kula plate, on which spreading processes took place in the Vitus Arch area in the Eocene. The final activity phase in the Bering Sea began 21 My B.P. by spreading of the ancient oceanic floor of the Commander Basin. Based on the age estimations of the structures of the Bering Sea floor, the results of the modeling of the process of formation of regional fracture zones and of the geomagnetic, geothermal, tectonic, geological, and structural data, we calculated and compiled a kinematic model (with respect to a hot spot reference system) of the northern part of the Pacific Ocean for 21 My B.P.     

Heat flow and thermal evolution of the lithosphere of the Black Sea basin

In most of the studies devoted to the analysis of the thermal regime of the Black Sea basins, the high sedimentation rate is regarded to be the principal reason for the low values of the surface heat flow as compared to the deep flow. We used the basin modeling technique for a more detailed assessment of this issue with regard to the new geological and geophysical data on the age and structure of the sedimentary cover and basement of the Black Sea basins. The use of enhanced seismic data, together with a more accurate estimation of the age limits of the sedimentary sequences in the region, allowed us to refine the results of the previous studies. Based on the calculations performed for an actual cross section with actual properties of the sedimentary rocks under compaction and the basement rocks, it is shown that any version of the sedimentation and evolution of the basin compatible with the geological and geophysical data available lead to heat flow values that are significantly greater than those actually observed. Our analysis proves that the sedimentation alone, as was implied in the previous studies, cannot explain the decrease in the deep heat flow at the floor surface down to values of about 34 mW/m². It is shown that the temperature influence of the invasion of dense though heated waters of the Mediterranean Sea that occurred about 7000 years ago helps one to explain the low present-day heat flow values in the deep-water parts of the Western and Eastern basins of the Black Sea. The application of the basin modeling technique allowed us to pose a version of the thermal evolution of the lithosphere in the Western basin of the Black Sea compatible with the high heat flow at the end of the Cretaceous, with three stages of subsidence of the sea floor down to its present-day depths, and with the low heat flow values measured in the basin. According to the geophysical data, this version implies a relatively high-temperature present-day thermal regime in the basin’s lithosphere with a lithosphere thickness of about 60 km.     

Age of the Scan Basin (Scotia Sea)

Integrated geological and geophysical analysis of the anomalous magnetic field along with the previously unpublished profiles of Spanish expeditions onboard the R/V Hesperides and international databases of geomagnetic data processed in the context of the global tectonics concepts made it possible to identify paleomagnetic anomalies C11–C15 and compile the first map of the bottom geochronology of the Scan Basin. Unlike in earlier known publications, the paleoaxis of spreading does extend northeast, but approximately at an angle of 345°. According to calculations, spreading began 35.294?35.706 Ma ago during chron C15r, and the spreading paleoaxis was abandoned 29.527?29.970 Ma ago during chron C11n.2n. Thus, the destruction of the American–Antarctic bridge in the region joining the Bruce and Discovery banks with formation of oceanic crust in the Scan Basin started about 36 Ma ago. Regular spreading of the bottom has been continuing for about 6 Ma at a average rate close to 1.8 cm/year.     

Structure of the basins of the White Sea rift systems

For the first time, the structure of the sedimentary basins of the Late Proterozoic rift system in the White Sea is characterized based on a set of new marine geological geophysical data such as the results of the common depth point seismic method, gravity and magnetic data, and seismoacoustics. The main tectonic structures in the topography of the heterogeneous basement within the basin of the White Sea are distinguished and described. A structural tectonic scheme of the basement surface is presented. The thicknesses of the sediments are estimated and the stratigraphic confinement of the seismic units recognized is done.     

南海西部海域新生代地质构造

南海西部海域地质构造复杂,以北东、北西和近南北向断裂构成区域性格架,重力异常和磁力异常具有明显方向性,地震剖面反映新生代地层可划分出上、中、下三套构造层,深部地壳结构变化较大,地壳强烈减薄,甚至出现了洋壳。此外,南海西部海域发育了一系列新生代沉积盆地,是南海地区一个重要的油气聚集带。本文通过收集多年来的地质一地球物理调查成果,从宏观上综合研究了这一地区的地球物理场和地质构造特征及地壳结构,为评价这一地区的油气资源潜力提供基础背景资料。     

南海海盆的形成演化探讨

根据“陆缘扩张”理论,利用古地磁数据,结合地质、地球物理资料,对南海海盆的成因机制和演化过程进行探讨。结果得出:南海的多期多轴扩张及其形成演化,是在欧亚板块、太平洋板块和印度板块的联合作用下,中、新生代南海周缘的微板块和岛弧的相互运动以及南海海盆构造应力场不断变化的情况下逐渐完成的。     

南海海盆扩张成因质疑

从板块构造学、地球物理学和地球动力学等角度,结合南海中央海盆及其周边的地质、地球物理资料进行综合分析论证,对南海“扩张成因”模式提出质疑.认为南海“扩张成因说”不能成立,其中的几个核心问题是:(1)数学理论模型的边界参数选取存在多解性,其结果与地质地球物理资料不符或相去甚远;(2)无法解释海盆区地球物理探测和研究所表明的地壳结构及岩性特征,也无法解释海盆区的断裂分布和岩浆活动特征;(3)地球动力学诸方面难以支持南海“扩张成因说”成立;(4)南海海盆周边不存在与南海“扩张成因”相关的相互强烈作用的地球物理和地质构造特征;(5)南海海盆不具备大规模扩张的空间.南海“扩张成因说”已严重阻碍对南海和周边的地质与地球物理研究工作的深入和发展,应该放弃.     

Rifting to Spreading Process along the Northern Continental Margin of the South China Sea

Understanding the development from syn-rift to spreading in the South China Sea (SCS) is important in elucidating the western Pacific's tectonic evolution because the SCS is a major tectonic constituent of the many marginal seas in the region. This paper describes research examining the transition from rifting to spreading along the northern margin of the SCS, made possible by the amalgamation of newly acquired and existing geophysical data. The northernmost SCS was surveyed as part of a joint Japan-China cooperative project (JCCP) in two phases in 1993 and 1994. The purpose of the investigation was to reveal seismic and magnetic characteristics of the transitional zone between continental crust and the abyssal basin. Compilation of marine gravity and geomagnetic data of the South China Sea clarify structural characteristics of its rifted continental and convergent margins, both past and present. Total and three component magnetic data clearly indicate the magnetic lineations of the oceanic basin and the magnetic characteristics of its varied margins. The analyses of magnetic, gravity and seismic data and other geophysical and geological information from the SCS led up to the following results: (1) N-S direction seafloor spreading started from early Eocene. There were at least four separate evolutional stages. Directions and rates of the spreading are fluctuating and unstable and spreading continued from 32 to 17 Ma. (2) The apparent difference in the present tectonism of the eastern and western parts of Continent Ocean Boundary (COB) implies that in the east of the continental breakup is governed by a strike slip faulting. (3) The seismic high velocity layer in the lower crust seems to be underplated beneath the stretched continental crust. (4) Magnetic anomaly of the continental margin area seems to be rooted in the uppermost sediment and upper part of lower crust based on the tertiary volcanism. (5) Magnetic quiet zone (MQZ) anomaly in the continental margin area coincides with COB. (6) The non-magnetic or very weakly magnetized layer is probably responsible for MQZ. One of the causes of demagnetization of the layer is due to hydrothermal alteration while high temperature mantle materials being underplated. Another explanation is that horizontal sequences of basalt each with flip-flop magnetization polarity cancel out to the resultant magnetic field on the surface. We are currently developing a synthetic database system containing datasets of seismicity, potential field data, crustal and thermal structures, and other geophysical data to facilitate the study of past, contemporary and future changes in the deep sea environment around Japan; i.e. trench, trough, subduction zones, marginal basins and island arcs. Several special characteristics are an object-oriented approach to the collection and multi-faceted studies of global data from a variety of sources.     

Thermal structure of the crust in the Black Sea: comparative analysis of magnetic and heat flow data

This paper presents the first study of mapping of the Curie point depth (CPD) from magnetic data for the Black Sea and a comparison with a classical thermal modeling from heat flow data. The provided relationship between radially averaged power spectrum of the magnetic anomalies and the depths to the magnetic sources of the Black Sea vary from 22 to 36 km. Deepening of CPDs observed in the western and eastern Black Sea basins correspond with the thickest sediment areas, whereas the shallow CPDs are related to the Mid-Black Sea Ridge and thin sediment areas at the costal side of the Black Sea. For comparison, the temperature field was also modeled from heat flow data from the Black Sea along three approximately north–south directed profiles corresponding to known DSS soundings. The Curie isotherm along the profiles occurs at depths of 22–35 km. A comparison of the results of the two independent methods reveals only 8–10 % discrepancy. This discrepancy is equal to an accuracy of temperature determination from heat flow data.     

北黄海盆地北缘断裂带及其特征

根据最新调查获得的北黄海盆地海洋重力、海洋与航空磁力和多道地震资料,结合以往周边地区的资料,编制了北黄海空间重力异常图、布格重力异常图、磁力异常图。在重磁基础图件的基础上,通过解析延拓、任意方向导数计算、离散小波变换等处理,结合地震和地质资料,对北黄海北缘断裂带进行了综合分析。确定了北黄海北缘断裂带的存在,并对该断裂带的延伸长度、切割深度和性质进行了分析,指出北黄海北缘断裂带是辽东隆起与北黄海盆地的界线,断裂带两侧具有明显不同的地球物理场特征;而且断裂带具有多期活动的特点,对北黄海盆地的形成演化具有重要的控制作用。     

Crustal structure and tectonic provinces of the Riiser-Larsen Sea area (East Antarctica): results of geophysical studies

About 16,000 km of multichannel seismic (MCS), gravity and magnetic data and 28 sonobuoys were acquired in the Riiser-Larsen Sea Basin and across the Gunnerus and Astrid Ridges, to study their crustal structure. The study area has contrasting basement morphologies and crustal thicknesses. The crust ranges in thickness from about 35 km under the Riiser-Larsen Sea shelf, 26–28 km under the Gunnerus Ridge, 12–17 km under the Astrid Ridge, and 9.5–10 km under the deep-water basin. A 50-km-wide block with increased density and magnetization is modeled from potential field data in the upper crust of the inshore zone and is interpreted as associated with emplacement of mafic intrusions into the continental margin of the southern Riiser-Larsen Sea. In addition to previously mapped seafloor spreading magnetic anomalies in the western Riiser-Larsen Sea, a linear succession from M2 to M16 is identified in the eastern Riiser-Larsen Sea. In the southwestern Riiser-Larsen Sea, a symmetric succession from M24B to 24n with the central anomaly M23 is recognized. This succession is obliquely truncated by younger lineation M22–M22n. It is proposed that seafloor spreading stopped at about M23 time and reoriented to the M22 opening direction. The seismic stratigraphy model of the Riiser-Larsen Sea includes five reflecting horizons that bound six seismic units. Ages of seismic units are determined from onlap geometry to magnetically dated oceanic basement and from tracing horizons to other parts of the southern Indian Ocean. The seaward edge of stretched and attenuated continental crust in the southern Riiser-Larsen Sea and the landward edge of unequivocal oceanic crust are mapped based on structural and geophysical characteristics. In the eastern Riiser-Larsen Sea the boundary between oceanic and stretched continental crust is better defined and is interpreted as a strike-slip fault lying along a sheared margin.     

东海地区地热场综述

综述了东海地区地热场的特征及研究进展,根据收集的各航次热流值资料,绘制了东海地区的热流值分布图,并根据热流值的分布特点将东海地区分为陆架区、冲绳海槽区、琉球岛弧和海沟区、菲律宾海盆区等4个区块,详细分析了它们的热流分布成因,在已有的东海南北热结构模型基础上对东海南北热结构差异进行了分析。南冲绳海槽区的地壳热流值和地壳减薄程度都明显高于北冲绳海槽及其它各区,说明高热流值起源于地幔抬升和地壳的减薄,东海的扩张已经从冲绳海槽北部转移到南部。     

Analysis of the geomagnetic field of the White Sea: The Gorlo Strait

The objective of our research is the interpretation of the results of the geomagnetic survey of the geologic structure in the Gorlo Strait of the White Sea. We used the maps of the anomalous magnetic field (AMF) available and processed them with original interpretation software. As a result of this processing, we compiled a structural-tectonic chart of this region. We distinguished the boundaries of the major first-order tectonic structures such as the underwater extension of the Leshukon graben and a number of minor structures related to the Proterozoic and Paleozoic stages of the magmatic activity in the region. Modeling was performed for the most important objects, which allowed us to refine the geological structure of these objects and their genesis.     

南海东北部的断裂分布及其构造格局研究

通过对南海东北部重磁异常的分析和处理,结合珠江口盆地、潮汕坳陷等地区的综合地质地球物理研究成果,根据研究区的重磁异常特征划分了4个异常区。应用地球物理数据处理方法,推断了该区的主要断裂35条,其主要走向为NW、NE、NEE向及S-N向4组。综合各方面研究成果在该区划分了7个构造单元。依据地震剖面、物性资料和重磁资料的分析,对南海东北部地区中生界的地层标定、构造与结构特征有了新的认识,研究了该地区前第三系基底和中生界的分布,并对南海东北部构造演化进行了探讨。     

Origin of West Pacific seamounts and features of the cretaceous dynamics of the Pacific plate

A correlation between the age and position of 25 seamounts in the West Pacific Ocean formed, judging from the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data, in the period from 120 to 65 My B.P. was recognized. The seamounts studied are joined into linear zones with extensions up to 5000 km; the age of the seamounts decreases in the southeastern direction. In the interval 93–83 My B.P., the seamount formation was extremely rapid; this interval coincides with the period of acceleration in the Pacific plate movements. In the middle of this interval, 87 My B.P., an intensification of the magmatic activity accompanying the seamount formation was observed simultaneously with the extinction of the Isanagi plate and the appearance of the Kula plate. The results of this study are in the best agreement with the hypothesis of diffuse tension of the Pacific plate at its displacement in the northwestern direction, which led to the formation of weak zones of decompressional melting. The complementary character of the system of tension zones in the western part of the ocean with respect to the system of major transform faults in its eastern part, which probably reflects the common general process of deformation of the Pacific lithosphere in the Cretaceous, is shown.     

Ventilation of the Black Sea pycnocline. Parameterization of convection, numerical simulations and validations against observed chlorofluorocarbon data

Data from field observations and numerical model simulations are used to understand and quantify the pathways by which passive tracers penetrate into the Black Sea intermediate and deep layers. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) concentrations measured during the1988 R.V. Knorr cruise show strong decrease with increasing density in the Black Sea and illustrate the very slow rate of ventilation of deep water in this basin. We develop a 3D numerical model based on the Modular Ocean Model (MOM), and calibrate it in a way to produce consistent simulations of observed temperature, salinity and CFCs. One important feature is the implementation of a special parameterization for convection, which is an alternative of the convective adjustment in MOM and handles the penetration of the Bosporus plume into the halocline. The model forcing includes interannually variable wind, heat and water fluxes constructed from Comprehensive Ocean–Atmosphere Data Set and ECMWF atmospheric analysis data and river runoff data. The analysis of observations and simulated data are focused on correlations between thermohaline and tracer fields, dynamic control of ventilation, and the relative contributions of sources at the sea surface and outflow from the Bosporus Strait in the formation of intermediate and deep waters. A simple theory is developed which incorporates the outflow from the strait along with the vertical circulation (vertical turbulent mixing and Ekman upwelling) and reveals their mutual adjustment. The analyses of simulated and observed CFCs demonstrate that most of the CFC penetrating the deep layers has its source at the sea surface within the Black Sea rather than from the Marmara Sea via the Bosporus undercurrent. Under present-day conditions, the surface CFC signals have reached only the upper halocline. Intrusions below 600 m are not simulated. The major pathways of penetration of CFCs are associated with cold-water mass formation sites, Bosporus effluent, as well as with the diapycnal mixing in the area of Rim Current. Future CFC sampling strategies coherent with the unique conditions in the Black Sea are discussed.     

Variations of the geomagnetic dipole magnitude over the past 400 My

The international bank of the virtual dipole moment data supplemented by the values from more recent publications is used as the basis for an analysis of the behavior of the virtual dipole moment values over the last 400 My. The results obtained revealed a positive linear trend from 4.1 × 10²² to 5.7 × 10²² A m² during the last 400 My. Against the background of the linear increase, fluctuations with a periodicity of about 40 My were observed. In the Phanerozoic time, minimums within the intervals of 340–370, 290–300, 240–270, 190–210, 165-140 (chrons M17-M43), 130-120 (chrons M2-M10), 100–110 (chron 34), 75–85 (chron C33 and the beginning of chron C34), 70-60 (chrons C31-C27), and 40-15 (chrons C18-C5AD) My B.P. are found. The distribution of the virtual dipole moment is strictly related to the distribution of the ancient geomagnetic field and may be taken into consideration when modeling the magnetization of the inversive magnetic layer of the ocean.     

Viscous model of plate tectonics for the Black Sea region (in relation to the problem of the late Cenozoic evolution of the Black Sea basins)

A numerical model of the Black Sea region (Northeastern Mediterranean) is presented in which it is regarded as a part of the mosaic plate ensemble consisting of the fixed East European platform; the active Arabian, Adriatic, and Pannonian plates; and passive East and West Black Sea and Mysian microplates, which are embedded in a plastically deformable regional orogenic matrix. The fields of displacements, stresses, and deformations in the region are calculated by means of the finite element method within the framework of a linear-viscous rheology approach to a system with nonhomogeneous viscosities. The velocity field obtained is in good agreement with published data of direct observations of plate displacements in the region. In the pressure field, areas of low pressure and decompression are established in the western part of Black Sea and in the south of the Mysian microplate. The poles of rotation of the East and West Black Sea microplates and of the Mysian microplate are computed. For the latter two microplates, significant rotational components are suggested. The East Black Sea microplate acts mostly as indenter, which transmits the collisional motion from the Arabian plate to the southern edge of the East European platform including the Crimea. According to the geodynamical model, the rates of the Cenozoic sedimentation in the Black Sea depression at the collision stage (Oligocene-Pliocene) result from the greater compression of the East Black Sea microplate as compared to the West Black Sea microplate, which, probably, experienced a kind of extension.     

Magnetic zoning and seismic structure of the South China Sea ocean basin

We made a systematic investigation on major structures and tectonic units in the South China Sea basin based on a large magnetic and seismic data set. For enhanced magnetic data interpretation, we carried out various data reduction procedures, including upward continuation, reduction to the pole, 3D analytic signal and power spectrum analyses, and magnetic depth estimation. Magnetic data suggest that the South China Sea basin can be divided into five magnetic zones, each with a unique magnetic pattern. Zone A corresponds roughly to the area between Taiwan Island and a relict transform fault, zone B is roughly a circular feature between the relict transform fault and the northwest sub-basin, and zones C, D, and E are the northwest sub-basin, the east sub-basin, and the southwest sub-basin, respectively. This complexity in basement magnetization suggests that the South China Sea evolved from multiple stages of opening under different tectonic settings. Magnetic reduction also fosters improved interpretation on continental margin structures, such as Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary basins and the offshore south China magnetic anomaly. We also present, for the first time, interpretations of three new 2D reflection seismic traverses, which are of ~2,000 km in total length and across all five magnetic zones. Integration of magnetic and seismic data enables us to gain a better 3D mapping on the basin structures. It is shown that the transition from the southwest sub-basin to the east sub-basin is characterized by a major ridge formed probably along a pre-existing fracture zone, and by a group of primarily west-dipping faults forming an exact magnetic boundary between zones D and E. The northwest sub-basin has the deepest basement among the three main sub-basins (i.e., the northwest sub-basin, the southwest sub-basin, and the east sub-basin). Our seismic data also reveal a strongly faulted continent–ocean transition zone of about 100 km wide, which may become wider and dominated with magmatism or transit to an oceanic crust further to the northeast.     

Laboratory investigation of the mechanism of the periodic eddy formation behind capes in a coastal sea

The observations carried out in the Caucasian sector of the Black Sea have shown that, under certain conditions, the Rim Current detaches from the coast behind Cape Idocopas. In these cases, an anticyclonic eddy is formed between the detached Rim Current and the coast. Sometimes, the eddy grows in size until it is captured by the flow and goes downstream. After that, a next eddy is formed nearly at the same place, etc. The conditions of the periodic eddy formation behind a cape are revealed by means of laboratory modeling. The laboratory results are compared with the data of field observations in the Black Sea.