Quaternary subsidence history of Xisha Islands (northern South China Sea): Evidences from the reef-bank system

Subsidence is a potentially important factor influencing the evolution of carbonate platforms. Yet, few studies have been carried out on the quantitative reconstruction of subsidence history of carbonate platforms in the South China Sea. Using paleo-water depth constraints from core XK-1, drilled in the Xisha Islands, northern South China Sea, the tectonic and total subsidence history of Xisha Islands during the Quaternary is quantitatively reconstructed in this study. Slow tectonic subsidence between 1.945 and 0.988 Ma was related with magmatic intrusion beneath the Xisha Islands, while the relatively high tectonic subsidence rate between 0.988 and 0.781 Ma and the subsequent gradual decline in tectonic subsidence rate between 0.781 and 0.07 Ma were linked to the thermal cooling process. A rapid tectonic uplifting process after 0.07 Ma occurred as a result of compression and volcano eruption. Total subsidence rate showed an increase from the stage of 1.945-0.988 Ma to the stage of 0.988-0.781 Ma, and a gradual decline during the stage of 0.781-0.07 Ma. After 0.07 Ma, there was a rapid uplifting in response to the tectonic movement. The high eustatic sea level and intermediate total subsidence rate from 1.945 to 1.0 Ma caused the domination of bank deposits on the Xisha carbonate platform. From 0.988 to 0.65 Ma, the long-term eustatic sea-level lowering and the relatively high total subsidence rate favored the production of thick reef units. By contrast, the low eustatic sea level and the slow total subsidence between 0.65 and 0.42 Ma forced the accommodation space to be limited, resulting in formation of thin reef-bank deposits and occurrence of exposure horizons. During the stage of slow subsidence, the high eustatic sea level around 0.4 Ma allowed the last presence of thick reef unit in the Quaternary section, after which the lower eustatic sea level reduced the accommodation space again and only thin bioclastic bank deposits and iron-stained exposure ho-rizon occurred. Around 0.07 Ma, the Xisha Islands were continuously exposed due to the uplifting and low eustatic sea level. The strong winter monsoon caused a heterozoan factory nearby the Xisha Islands, and blew the carbonate sediments onshore forming aeolianites. Our results proves that the total subsidence has indeed greatly influenced the evolution of Quaternary carbonate system in the Xisha area. The long-term (at scale of Myr) sea -level lowering could facilitate the flourishment of corals, and a moderate total subsidence in the context of secular sea-level lowering would provide more effective accommodation space for the continuous reef accretion, favoring the formation of thick reef units in the tropical areas.

Automated summary

This study quantitatively reconstructs the tectonic and total subsidence history of the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea using paleo-water depth constraints. The results show that tectonic subsidence rates were influenced by magmatic intrusion and thermal cooling processes, while total subsidence rates had a significant impact on the formation of reef units.