New insights on the origin of the basement of the Xisha Uplift, South China Sea

Abstract

The study of basement geochronology provides crucial insights into the tectonic evolution of oceans. However, early studies on the basement of the Xisha Uplift were constrained by limited geophysical and seismic data; Xiyong1 was the only commercial borehole drilled during the 1970s because of the huge thickness of overlying Cenozoic strata on the continental margin. Utilizing two newly-acquired basement samples from borehole XK1, we present petrological analysis and zircon uranium (U)-lead (Pb) isotope dating data in this paper that enhance our understanding of the formation and tectonic features of the Xisha Uplift basement. Results indicate that this basement is composed of Late Jurassic amphibole plagiogneisses that have an average zircon 206Pb/238U age of 152.9±1.7 Ma. However, the youngest age of these rocks, 137±1 Ma, also suggests that metamorphism termination within the Xisha basement occurred by the Early Cretaceous. These metamorphic rocks have adamellites underneath them which were formed by magmatic intrusions during the late stage of the Early Cretaceous (107.8±3.6 Ma). Thus, in contrast to the Precambrian age (bulk rubidium (Rb)-strontium (Sr) analysis, 627 Ma) suggested by previous work on the nearby Xiyong1 borehole, zircons from XK1 are likely the product of Late Mesozoic igneous activity. Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous regional metamorphism and granitic intrusions are not confined to Xisha; rocks have also been documented from areas including the Pearl River Mouth Basin and the Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands) and thus are likely closely related to large-scale and long-lasting subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate underneath the continental margins of East Asia, perhaps the result of closure of the Meso-Tethys in the South China Sea (SCS). Controversies remain as to whether, or not, the SCS region developed initially on a uniform Precambrian-aged metamorphic crystalline basement. It is clear, however, that by this time both Mesozoic compressive subduction and Cenozoic rifting and extension had significantly modified the original basement of the SCS region.