TECTONOPHYSICS

ELSEVIER Tectonophysics243 (1995) 209-222

The Red River fault system in the Tonkin Gulf, Vietnam

C. Rangin a, M. Klein

b D. Roques a, X. Le Pichon c, L e V a n Trong d

a Ddpartement de Gdotectonique, CNRS URA 1759, T26-0 Unit'ersit~ Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Paris, Paris Cedex 05, France b Total, la Dffense, Paris, France c Ecole Normale Supdrieure, Paris, France Petrocietnam, Hanoi, Viet Nam

Received 24 March 1994; revised version accepted 27 September 1994

Abstract The Red River fault system in the Tonkin Gulf offshore Haiphong was studied using seismic profiles calibrated by deep wells. Well characterised left-lateral strike-slip occurred continuously within a narrow 30-km-wide zone southwest of the Vinh Minh fault between 30 Ma and 5.5 Ma. However, the corresponding amount of offset probably does not exceed a few tens of kilometres. No sign of post-5.5 Ma right-lateral motion can be detected. Prior to 30 Ma, there is a widespread extension in a wider 100-km-wide zone which could be related to a significant amount of left-lateral motion. The motion of the fault splays to the northeast of the Vinh Minh fault prior to 30 Ma was absorbed in the rifting of the Gulf of Beibu. A 15.5-Ma unconformity separates the transtensional regime from a later transpresional regime. This 15.5-Ma date coincides with the cessation of sea-floor spreading in the South China
Sea.

I. Introduction The Red River fault zone ( R R F Z ) in Asia is a major strike-slip fault zone that may be followed from Tibet to the South China Sea for over 1000 kin. This fault is presently locally active with a right-lateral displacement (Allen et al., 1984). However left-lateral motion resulting in the southeast escape of the Indochina block in response to the India-Eurasia collision was proposed by Tapponnier et al. (1986). Tapponnier et al. (1990) and Sharer et al. (1990) showed the presence of Cenozoic syntectonic metamorphism within this left-lateral shear zone. In the A i l a o Shan Massif, monazite and xenotime U / P b ages from late syntectonic leucogranitic veins parallel

to the foliation and affected by left-lateral shear, cluster at 23 + 0.2 Ma (Sharer et al., 1990). However, other undated metamorphic rocks present along the R R F Z may have a different age. Estimates of left-lateral offsets of geological features across the shear zone made by the team of Tapponnier range between 300 and 700 km (Leloup, 1991; Lacassin et al., 1993), although others consider that the offset may be very small (Dewey et al., 1989). Finally, the chronology of the opening of the South China Sea between 30 and 15 Ma, as deduced from magnetic anomalies (Taylor and Hayes, 1983), appears to be compatible with the timing of strike-slip faulting along the R R F Z as deduced from Tapponnier et al. (1990). A quite

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C. Rangin et al. / Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222

g o o d fit also exists between the a m o u n t of oceanic crust g e n e r a t e d in this basin, and the displacements along the R R F Z p r o p o s e d by T a p p o n n i e r et al. (1990) and Briais et al. (1993), thus supporting the hypothesis of T a p p o n n i e r et al. (1986) who interpreted the South China Sea as a pullapart basin at the southeast termination of the RRFZ. A recent structural study c o n d u c t e d in central and southern V i e t n a m reveals that N W - t r e n d i n g left-lateral strike-slip faults are distributed along the continental margin of the South China Sea ( R a n g i n et al., 1995). This study also shows that N160 to N - S dextral strike-slip faults control the major part of the V i e t n a m continental margin and post-date the left-lateral motion along the N W - t r e n d i n g faults. T h e offshore data in the Tonkin Gulf presented in this paper, reveal that the offshore
105 CHINA 115"

portion of the R e d River fault system was active during Oligocene to Late Miocene (5.5 Ma) times. However, a 30-Ma major onset unconformity marks a major change in tectonic style. Prior to 30 Ma, the activity is broadly distributed and involves a large a m o u n t of N E - S W extension. After 30 Ma, the activity is localised within a 30-km-wide zone of left-lateral strike-slip. T h e a m o u n t of motion is very difficult to estimate. Most of the data discussed here have been acquired by Total in the Tonkin Gulf from 1989 to 1992.

2. O f f s h o r e

structural

data in the Tonkin

Gulf

The surveyed area is located within the northern part of the Tonkin Gulf where the R R F Z enters the Gulf (Fig. 1) and covers part of the rift

t
+ + +

0 2000
3000

Pre-30 Ma. time map Gulf of Tonkin (VIETNAM).,

4000

~ e+ ~ ~+ + ~i+;+~ + + ++ +++ + + ++ +++ + +++ +++ + +++ ~++~+~ +,,,,,,, +,_~__+ ; + +++ .~ + + ,-+-~+ +" ++ + ++ +++~ ++ ~,
+ +
+

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+

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = :~ = = = + + -+ + + + + _~ / ~
f"

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+

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iil;iiiii::~

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...................................

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H'AINAN

Fig. 1. Isopach time map (30 Ma to basement, in milliseconds TWT) of the study area in the Tonkin Gulf with major faults and location of deep wells. Crosses represents pre-Tertiary highs, and stars the wells. The sediments deposited after the 30-Ma main unconformity are not considered in this map, illustrating the tectonics of basement in the Tonkin Gulf. Note that the main depocentre is located along the Red River fault, Barbed lines represent major normal faults. Time scale in ms (TWT). General location of study area in the insert is hatched. Thick outline represents Fig. 2. H = Hainan; RB = Reed Bank; PA = Palawan.

C mRangin et al./Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222

211

of the Gulf o f Beibu. The Palaeogene (pre-30 Ma) isopach map of this area (Fig. 2) shows trends that indicate two sets of perpendicular structures The northeast, but locally east-west trends of the South China Sea rifted margin are observed north and northwest of Hainan within the Beibu rift, while the northwest-trending trough of the R R F Z continues southwest of Hainan. Northwest-trending vertical faults, interpreted as transfer faults, during rifting, were observed in the Gulf of Beibu. The R R F Z is more than 100 km wide and is the direct continuation of the fault splays known on land in the delta. Immediately south of Haiphong, the Tien k a n g fault which limits a Palaeogene high, curves northeastward, to connect with the northwesternmost grabens of the Gulf of Beibu (Fig. 1). This

horse-tail structure is only clearly displayed in the isopach map of the pre-30 Ma sediments shown in Fig. 2, northeast of the Son Lo fault. The other fault splays extend southeastward into the Tonkin Gulf bounding linear Palaeogene basins connected by pull-apart basins (Fig. 2). Interpreted transverse seismic lines across the R R F Z are shown in Fig. 3. Two major seismic sequences are separated by a main unconformity about 30 Ma old. Palaeogene sediments which fill both the NE- and NW-trending depocentres consist of coarse-grained and conglomeratic clastics of P a l e o c e n e - E o c e n e age conformably overlain by E o c e n e - E a r l y Oligocene lacustrine and alluvial deposits. The seismic stratigraphy is calibrated by three wells along the Red River fault (PA-1X, G - I X
i

oLOWER OLIGOCENE (& EOCENE ?

o o 20k.,

.,.E

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-%

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Fig. 2. Time interval map (in seconds TWT) of the Lower Oligocene and Eocene (?) of the western part of the study area (northeast of the Vinh Mirth fault), Tonkin Gulf (location in Fig. 1). Note the connection with the Beibu Gulf basin to the east. The locations of the three deep wells (G-IX, H-IX and PA-IX) and of representative seismic profiles are shown. Dotted area represents Fig. 5.

212

C. Rangin et al. / Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222

POST 3 0 M a INVERSIONS A

/r a
I
I

~1, !
I
I

'I

.......

S.TWT

1 -2 -3 -4 I

I
t

ONSET UNCONFORMITY = 32 Ma

om
j0

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. . " ," " ."

'r
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data

I I t I I I I I

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Fig. 3. Simplified line drawings of regional seismic lines across the Red River fault system immediately offshore Haiphong. The interpreted seismic lines reveal a major 30-Ma unconformity over most of the fault system. The central part of the shear zone over a width of only 30 km continues to be active during Late Oligocene-Early Miocene time (30-5.5 Ma). Location of profiles in Fig. 8a. A = post-5.5 Ma sequence; B = 5.5-32 Ma sequence; C = pre-32 Ma sequence; D = acoustic basement.

and H-1X in Fig. 1) and by correlation with the Gulf of Beibu where various wells were drilled south of the Wushi depression (Fig. 1). In the Gulf of Beibu and along the RRFZ, various unconformities were dated within the Cenozoic sequence. The first marine incursion (horizon H 260 in Figs. 5 and 6) within the Eocene-Oligocene continental sequence was dated NP 25 (Chattian, 28-27 Ma) and is part of the sequence lying disconformably upon Early Oligocene continental sediments dated by palynomorphs. The unconformity itself was dated as 30 My old using eustatic curves as it corresponds to a large regres-

sion. It can be traced continuously from the coast of Vietnam to the west to Hainan and the Gulf of Beibu to the east as shown in Fig. 3. This unconformity is particularly well displayed in the pull-apart basins located between the Son Lo and Vinh Minh faults (Figs. 3 and 4). A depocentre migration toward the southeast occurred across these basins, some of the faults being slightly reactivated during the OligoceneMiocene as discussed below. A detail of one of these basins is shown of Fig. 4b. Here, no significant deformation is observed above the main Late Oligocene unconformity, indicating an ab-

C. Rangin et al. / Tectonophysics243 (1995) 209-222

sence of strike-slip motion after the Oligocene along this branch of the R R F northeast of the Vinh Minh fault.

213

2.1. Tectonic actiuity from Late Oligocene to Pliocene

Cross-sections of the R R F shear zone in Fig. 3 show that active extension occurred over most of this fault zone before the 30 Ma unconformity. After the 30-Ma unconformity, fault activity and subsidence are localised to a restricted 30 km wide portion of the shear zone, in the direct extension of the Vinh Minh and Chay faults (Fig. 1). The isopach map of this depocentre, active during Late Oligocene and Miocene times and shown in Fig. 5, demonstrates that it was affected by left-lateral strike-slip deformation as evidenced for example by E-W-trending pull-apart basins. A seismic line across this depocentre (Fig. 6a) shows normal faults disconformably covered by Pliocene sediments. The unconformity is dated as latest Miocene. Just above this unconformity nannozone NN1 was sampled in drill hole 10TH1X (Fig. 7). Using precise nannofossil calibrating sedimentation rates in the uppermost sequence we can date this unconformity at 5.5 Ma. The seismic line shown in Fig. 6b located slightly to the north, shows large N-S-elongated folds and flower structures, also active up to the 5.5 Ma unconformity. We conclude that left-lateral strike-slip motion was active up to 5.5 Ma along this segment of the fault. We have not observed any deformation younger than 5.5 Ma which could be related to the right-lateral motion along the R R F onshore Vietnam.

strike. Similarly the thickness of the deformed sediments before 30 Ma is also highly variable from northwest to southeast. On the other hand, the thickness of the seismic sequences affected by the post-30 Ma deformation is relatively uniform across the deformed zone as illustrated in Fig. 3. Some local changes in thicknesses are mainly due to inversion along former normal faults. This uniformity in sediment thicknesses across the fault system is better demonstrated in Fig. 7 where these sequences are calibrated by two wells. It is difficult to reconcile these observations with very large (100's o f ' k i l o m e t r e s ) offsets along the strike-slip fault system after 30 Ma. We argue that 100 km or more of displacement along the strike-slip fault zone in Late Oligocene-Miocene time would have juxtaposed very distinctive sedimentary packages, although the actual amount of offset is extremely difficult to demonstrate as in all synsedimentary deformation.

2.3. Significance of the Miocene unconformities

Two Miocene unconformities were drilled in wells G-1X and H-1X (Figs. 5 and 7) and could be mapped over the whole area as illustrated in Fig. 8. These two main erosion surfaces (Figs. 7 and 8) post-date the onset unconformity of the South China Sea (30 Ma). The first regional unconformity is at 5.5 Ma above which no more tectonic activity can be detected across the RRFZ. The second unconformity is recorded either at 16.5 or 15.5 Ma, and affects a wider area across the RRFZ, as illustrated on lines 2, 3 and 4 (Fig. 8). A rather discrete unconformity dated around 21 Ma, was also noticed on some of the lines (7, Fig. 8, and Fig. 7). Each seismic sequence bounded by these unconformities do not show significant internal thickness variations except for a general thinning of the sequences toward the northeast or the southwest beyond the fault zone itself. These unconformities coincide with periods of marine regression and rapid erosion. However, these unconformities separate different periods of tectonic activity. Between 30 and 15.5 Ma unconformities, there is a significant component of N E - S W distension within the strike-slip regime

2.2. Amount of strike-slip motion along the Red Rir'er fault

Left-lateral motion along the central part of the R R F system occurred between 30 and 5.5 Ma as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, and no deformation is recorded within the Plio-Quaternary sequence. However, Fig. 4 shows that the Late OligoceneMiocene undeformed sediments deposited along the R R F Z increase rapidly in thickness along

214

C. Rangin et al. / Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222

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I,LI Z W 0 n

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C. Rangin et al. / Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222

215

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216
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C. Rangin et al. ,/Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222

i J i 1

UPPER OLIGOCENE& MIOCENEDEPOCENTER TIME MAP (horizon H 260)

03T-G-IX

0
, I

8kin
I J I

TOTAL PERMIT 1

Fig. 5. Isopach map (in seconds TWT) of the depocentre related to the fault splays active during Late Oligocene-Miocene times. Locations of profiles of Figs. 6a and 6b are also shown. Base of isopachs (horizon H 260) is reported on seismic line of Fig. 7.

C. Rangin et al. / ~cton~hysics 243 (1995) 209-222

217

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C. Rangin et al. / Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222

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C. Rangin et al. / Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222

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220

C. Rangin et al. / Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222

as illustrated on the line drawings of Fig 8. Between 15.5 and 5.5 Ma, on the other hand, the narrow fault zone is affected by N E - S W compression as illustrated in Figs. 6b and 8. N - S extension in the pull-apart basins of Fig. 6a continues to the 5.5 Ma unconformity, illustrating the continuity of the left-lateral regime up to this unconformity.

3. Interpretation
The seismic and drilling data discussed in this p a p e r place important new constraints on the tectonic activity of the R R F Z within the Tonkin Gulf. (1) The motions of the splays to the northeast of the Vinh Minh fault were absorbed in the opening of the Beibu Rift and ceased at the 30-Ma unconformity. (2) The motion of the splays to the southeast of the Vinh Minh fault are transferred further to the southeast and have been active up to the 5.5-Ma unconformity, much later than previously thought. These motions are well characterised as

left-lateral strike-slip by flower structures, pullapart basins and en-echelon folds. (3) A 15.5-Ma unconformity separates an older left-lateral transtensional regime from a younger left-lateral transpressional regime. (4) The amount of left-lateral displacement is impossible to quantify prior to the 30-Ma unconformity. After 30 Ma, it seems difficult to infer offsets exceeding 100 km and we believe that the offset between 30 and 5.5 Ma may not exceed a few tens of kilometres. (5) There is no tectonic activity after the 5.5-Ma unconformity which could be related to the recent right-lateral motion proposed by Allen et al. (1984) on the basis of morphological studies and displaced drainages, although Allen et al. proposed a slip rate of 2 to perhaps 5 m m / y . Nguyen Trong Yem (1986) geodetic data confirm that right-lateral displacements occur today. Assuming a 2 m m / y rate since 5.5 Ma, one would expect an l l-km right-lateral offset. The absence of any sign of it is puzzling and suggests either that the motion is absorbed elsewhere, for example southwest of the gulf, or may not be detected by the seismic profiles.

1;o

20,
. .:.'" .'' ..';

I,l

"":::'i~: /
I |

\
I

Fig. 8. (a) Location of profiles and simplified sections of Figs. 3 and 8b. (b) Simplified sections perpendicular to the upper three ones and parallel to the RRFZ. Note the well defined unconformities at 30, 15.5 and 5.5 Ma.

C. Rangin et aL / Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222

221

LIGNE 6 SVV o.o

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Fig. 8 (continued).

222

C. Rangin et al. / Tectonophysics 243 (1995) 209-222 ated faults, Yunnan Province, China: Quaternary geology, slip rates, and seismic hazard. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 95: 686-700. Briais, A., Patriat, P. and Tapponnier, P., 1993. Updated interpretation of magnetic anomalies and seafloor spreading stages in the South China Sea, implications for the Tertiary tectonics of SE Asia. J. Geophys. Res., 98: 62996328. Dewey, J.F., Cande S. and Pitman III, W.C., 1989. Tectonic evolution of the India/Eurasia collision zone. Eclogae Geol. Helv., 83(2): 717-734. Huchon, P., Le Pichon, X. and Rangin, C., 1994. The Indochinese peninsula and the collision of India with Eurasia. Geology, 22: 27-30. Lacassin, R., Leloup, P.H. and Tapponnier, P., 1993. Bounds on strain in large shear zones of SE Asia from boudinage restoration. J. Struct. Geol., 15: 677-692. Leloup, P.H., 1991. Cin6matique des d6formations "himalayennes" dans la zone de cisaillement crustal de l'Ailao Shan-Fleuve Rouge. Th~se Doctorat, Universit6 de Paris VI, 148 pp., unpubl. Nguyen Trong Yem, 1986. Recent geodynamics of Red River Faults System. Proc. 1st Conf. Geology of Indochina, Vol 1, General Department of Geology of Vietnam, Hanoi, pp. 405 -408. Rangin, C., Huchon P., Le Pichon, X., Bellon, H., Lepvrier, C., Roques, D., Nguyen Dinh Hoe and Phan Van Quynh, 1995. Cenozoic deformation of central and southern Vietnam. Tectonophysics (in press). Sharer, U., Tapponnier, P., Lacassin, R., Leloup, P.H., Zhong Dalai and Ji Shaocheng, 1990. Intraplate tectonics in Asia: a precise age for large scale Miocene movement along the Ailao Shan-Red River fault zone, China. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 97: 65-77. Tapponnier, P., Peltzer, G. and Armijo, R., 1986. On the mechanics of the collision between India and Asia. In: M.P. Coward and A.C. Ries (Editors), Collision Tectonics. Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., 19: 115-157. Tapponnier, P., Lacassin, R., Leloup, P.H., Sharer, U., Zhong Dalai, Wu Haiwei, Liu Xiaohan, Ji Shaocheng, Zhang Liangshen and Zhong Jiayou, 1990. The Ailao Shan-Red River metamorphic belt: Tertiary left lateral shear between Sundaland and South China. Nature, 343: 431-437. Taylor, B. and Hayes, D.E., 1983. Origin and history of the South China Sea Basin. In: D.E. Hayes (Editor), Tectonics and Geologic Evolution of Southeast Asian Seas and Islands (Pt.2). Am. Geophys. Union, Geophys. Monogr., 27: 23-56.

The continuation of the left-lateral motion in Middle Miocene time, between 15.5 and 5.5 Ma, after cessation of the sea-floor spreading within the South China Sea, is similarly puzzling. Either this motion has no relation with the tectonic activity of the South China Sea, or some distensive activity has continued within its western portion as evidenced by widespread basaltic volcanism. The demonstration that left-lateral strike-slip motion has been present there in OligoceneEarly Miocene time supports one of the tenets of the model of Tapponnier et al. (1986). On the other hand, the apparently fairly limited amount of motion possible during the Early Miocene is difficult to reconcile with a pull-apart mechanism for the Miocene opening of the South China Sea. The recent discovery of N-S right-lateral strikeslip fault zones of probable Oligo-Miocene age within the eastern portion of central Vietnam (Rangin et al., 1995) suggests an alternate model with a rate of opening within the South China Sea larger than the rate of left-lateral motion along the RRFZ (Huchon et al., 1994, Rangin et al., 1995).

Acknowledgements
This paper is part of a concerted study of the continental margin of Vietnam made within a Franco-Vietnamese co-operative effort. We thank Total and its partners Lasmo, Repsol and Petrovietnam for having allowed publication of the seismic data, and for discussing some of the well results.
References
Allen, C.R., Gillepsie, A.R., Han Yuan, Sieh, K.E., Buchun Zhang and Zhu Chengnan, 1984. Red River and associ-