Geometries and mechanism of folds in sediments on the southern Huanghai Sea shelf

Most descriptions and studies about folds have been associated with consolidated strata; fold deformation in loosely-consolidated sediments, however, has been rarely discussed. Since the Pleistocene, tectonic activities have been intensive over the South Huanghai Sea (SHS) shelf, resulting in fold deformation features that are preserved in thick sediment layers. Four types of folds with different geometries have been identified on the basis of an analysis of single-channel seismic profiles from the SHS shelf region:(1) fault-propagation fold; (2) fault-drag fold; (3) transversal bending fold; and (4) multi-action-folding fold. Studies on the geometry and mechanism of the folds indicate that base faults and fault blocks control the folding patterns in loosely-consolidated sediments on the SHS shelf and a large quantity of pore water in sediments plays an important role in cansing the deformation of sediment layers. The continuity of deformations of fault-propagation fold and fault-drag fold indicates that there is a genetic relationship between these fold types. The potential of earthquakes induced by fault-propagation folding in the deformation zone should be taken into account in the assessment of the marine engineering geology conditions of the SHS shelf.