Mechanisms of submarine canyon formation on the northern continental slope of the South China Sea

Submarine canyons are common features on the northern South China Sea (SCS) continental slope. Three main submarine canyon systems were observed by multi-beam investigation and evaluated by a pre-existing sedimentary dataset. They include the Xisha Canyon Zone, Shenhu Canyon Zone, and Taiwan Canyon Zone on the northern SCS continental slope which developed from the middle Miocene to the present-day. Previous analysis implied that an enriched oil-gas accumulation formed under this region with distinct gravity anomalies or active tectonic activity. Previous interpretation and geodynamics studies have revealed the detailed sedimentary records and the coupled tectonic-sedimentary processes. However, the timing and mechanism of formation of the canyons on the northern SCS slope are still poorly constrained and vigorously debated, especially the differences among three submarine canyons from west to east that requires allowances for a variety of conflicting datasets. Here, we adopt the high-resolution multi-beam relief map and seismic profiles from these three canyon systems to estimate if the SCS slope controlled geometric segmentation and differentiation of canyon formation mechanisms and times. For this purpose, we ascertained that these canyons were initially controlled by the NE- to NW-trending faults as a better constraint on the sediment flow direction. All the submarine canyons in the northern SCS slope extend in a range from NE-/N-S- to NW- and E-W-trending directions associated with the SCS oceanic spreading and the subsequent subduction-related deformation along the Manila Trench. Furthermore, the present-day morphology of these canyons implies a remarkable tectonic jump from west to east in the SCS continental slope and a north-westward recession of the continental slope. Apart from the neo-tectonic faults, the sea-level fluctuation, gas hydrate disassociation, sediment source, and transportation channel also yielded dynamic processes and preservation for the submarine canyons. We finally propose a coupling model of the sedimentary and tectonic processes and confirm the spatial and temporal evolution of mechanisms of these canyons.