Geological evolution of the Dongsha Uplift and its surrounding depressions in the South China Sea

The tectonic types of the Zhujiang (Pearl) River Mouth Basin in the South China Sea are epicontinental rift-depression basins.Prior to Early Cretaceous time, the Dongsha Uplift arid its surrounding depressions had been combined with the Eurasia Plate in a single unit.Many ENE-trending narrow rifted basins were formed in the third episode of Yanshan orogeny (Late Laramide).The rifted basins in the Paleocene and Eocene were stretched and extended, forming Zhu 1, Zhu 2 and Zhu 3 depressions.The Dongsha Uplift is located between Zhu 1 and Zhu 2 depressions.covering an area of 28 000 Km².Its geologic evolution can be divided into four stages:
(1) Late Cretaceous-Paleocene block-faulting stage.
(2) Eocene-Oligocene uplifting and eroding stage.
(3) Late Oligocene-Early Miocene sustained subsiding stage.
(4) Middle Miocene-Recent noncompensated subsiding stage.
The Dongsha Uplift is a structural zone favourable for oil-gas accumulation.