THE EPOCH AND DIVERSITIES OF NEOTECTONIC MOVEMENT IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

Abstract

Based on the topography, geophysical profiles, gravity and magnetic anomalies, structural characteristics and crustal dynamic environment, the paper illustrates the epoch and diversities of the neotectonic movement in the South China Sea. The traditional point looks the late Tertiary as the beginning of the neotectonic movement in the South China Sea. So as this view, the stratum between early and late Tertiary should be unconformable. But there are no many tectonic events during this period. From middle Miocene to late Miocene there is a stage of peneplanation in the South China Sea and there are many tectonic events in this area, such as stratum unconformable contact, faults, deformation and magmatism. So we think the neotectonic movement in the South China Sea begins in middle Miocene. By contrasting the tectonic event between the middle Miocene to late Miocene in the South China Sea, we can see the neotectonic movement has distinct characteristics in different area.