Articles | Volume 12, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2327-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2327-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
14 Oct 2021
Research article |
| 14 Oct 2021
| 14 Oct 2021
Impact of basement thrust faults on low-angle normal faults and rift basin evolution: a case study in the Enping sag, Pearl River Basin
State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
Rixiang Zhu
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China
State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
Jianhui Han
College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China
Yu Shu
Shenzhen Branch Company of CNOOC, Shenzhen, 518054, China
Yuxiang Wu
Shenzhen Branch Company of CNOOC, Shenzhen, 518054, China
Kefeng Hou
Changqing Oil Field, PetroChina Company Limited, CNPC, Xi'an, 710021, China
Wei Long
College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China
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14 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Mapping a proximal breakaway complex: Evidence of inherited basement fabric reactivation and polyphase rifting leading to the opening of a V-shaped basin at the Campos rifted margin proximal domain A. Ribeiro et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2026.231109
- Spatial variation in topological characteristics of fault networks in rift basins: Zhu I Depression, Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea G. Peng et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2026.105632
- Discrete element modeling reveals crustal strength control on fault architecture with global hydrocarbon distribution implications S. An & B. So https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-026-03411-4
- Rifting a post-orogenic continental crust: Insights from the South China Sea F. Zhou et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119679
- Reappraisal of the Continental Rifting and Seafloor Spreading That Formed the South China Sea B. Taylor https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15040152
- Stratigraphic Characteristics and Sediment-Filling Process of the Early Permian Fengcheng Formation in the Northwestern Margin of the Junggar Basin, Northwest China D. Zhi et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.945563
- Tectono-stratigraphic evolution of multiphase rifts in a hangingwall dip-slope setting: A case study in Eocene western slope, Xihu Sag of East China Sea Shelf Basin X. Zhou et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2025.107382
- Together but separate: decoupled Variscan (late Carboniferous) and Alpine (Late Cretaceous–Paleogene) inversion tectonics in NW Poland P. Krzywiec et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-639-2022
- Negative structural inversion: an overview G. Tari et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2023.106223
- Extensional fault geometry and evolution within rifted margin hyper-extended continental crust leading to mantle exhumation and allochthon formation J. Gómez-Romeu & N. Kusznir https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-477-2024
- Early Cenozoic exhumation of the Nanling Mountains (South China): a response to extensional tectonics and Asian monsoon intensification J. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.114147
- Kinematic analysis of the mesozoic - Early Cenozoic deformation in the paipote basin (27°10′S) M. Peña et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2023.104543
- The reactivation of pre-existing faults and their controlling effects on the formation of rift basin: A case from the Enping-17 Sag in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea Z. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2026.01.010
- Multiphase faults activation in the southwest Huizhou Sag, Pearl River Mouth basin: Insights from 3D seismic data X. Tang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2023.106257
14 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Mapping a proximal breakaway complex: Evidence of inherited basement fabric reactivation and polyphase rifting leading to the opening of a V-shaped basin at the Campos rifted margin proximal domain A. Ribeiro et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2026.231109
- Spatial variation in topological characteristics of fault networks in rift basins: Zhu I Depression, Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea G. Peng et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2026.105632
- Discrete element modeling reveals crustal strength control on fault architecture with global hydrocarbon distribution implications S. An & B. So https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-026-03411-4
- Rifting a post-orogenic continental crust: Insights from the South China Sea F. Zhou et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119679
- Reappraisal of the Continental Rifting and Seafloor Spreading That Formed the South China Sea B. Taylor https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15040152
- Stratigraphic Characteristics and Sediment-Filling Process of the Early Permian Fengcheng Formation in the Northwestern Margin of the Junggar Basin, Northwest China D. Zhi et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.945563
- Tectono-stratigraphic evolution of multiphase rifts in a hangingwall dip-slope setting: A case study in Eocene western slope, Xihu Sag of East China Sea Shelf Basin X. Zhou et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2025.107382
- Together but separate: decoupled Variscan (late Carboniferous) and Alpine (Late Cretaceous–Paleogene) inversion tectonics in NW Poland P. Krzywiec et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-639-2022
- Negative structural inversion: an overview G. Tari et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2023.106223
- Extensional fault geometry and evolution within rifted margin hyper-extended continental crust leading to mantle exhumation and allochthon formation J. Gómez-Romeu & N. Kusznir https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-477-2024
- Early Cenozoic exhumation of the Nanling Mountains (South China): a response to extensional tectonics and Asian monsoon intensification J. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.114147
- Kinematic analysis of the mesozoic - Early Cenozoic deformation in the paipote basin (27°10′S) M. Peña et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2023.104543
- The reactivation of pre-existing faults and their controlling effects on the formation of rift basin: A case from the Enping-17 Sag in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea Z. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2026.01.010
- Multiphase faults activation in the southwest Huizhou Sag, Pearl River Mouth basin: Insights from 3D seismic data X. Tang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2023.106257
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 20 Oct 2026
Short summary
This study uses seismic reflection data to interpret the geometric relationship and evolution of intra-basement and rift-related structures in the Enping sag in the northern South China Sea. Our observations suggest the primary control of pre-existing thrust faults is the formation of low-angle normal faults, with possible help from low-friction materials, and the significant role of pre-existing basement thrust faults in fault geometry, paleotopography, and syn-rift stratigraphy of rift basins.
This study uses seismic reflection data to interpret the geometric relationship and evolution of...
