Late Pleistocene–Holocene seismic stratigraphy of Nha Trang shelf, central Vietnam

• Published in: Marine and petroleum geology Vol. 58; pp. 789 - 800
• Main Authors: Dung, Bui Viet, Stattegger, Karl, Thanh, Nguyen Trung, Van Phach, Phung, Dung, Tran Tuan, Thong, Bui Xuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2014
• Subjects: Continental shelves; Marine; Mathematical models; Nha Trang; Sea level; Sediment supply; Sedimentation; Sediments; Seismic stratigraphy; Shelves; Subsidence; Vietnam; Water depth; Vietnam; Vietnam, Central Coast, Khanh Hoa Prov., Nha Trang; Seismic stratigraphy; Sediment supply; Nha Trang; Sea level
• ISSN: 0264-8172; 1873-4073
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2014.05.017

The late Pleistocene–Holocene stratigraphic architecture on the steep and narrow shelf off Nha Trang, central Vietnam has been explored by high resolution seismic profiles integrated with sediment core data. Sequence stratigraphic results reveal five major seismic units and three bounding surfaces which are composed of two distinctive sequences. Those sequences are bounded by two regional unconformities (SB1, SB2) which have been formed in respond to different sea-level regimes. The revealed relict beach–ridge deposits at water depth of about ∼130 m below the present water depth indicate that the Last Glacial Lowstand (LGM) sea-level in this area was lower than in neighboring areas and it probably resulted from subsidence due to high sedimentation rate and/or neotectonic movements of the East Vietnam Fault System. The late Pleistocene high amplitude of sea-level change during a long fourth-order and superimposed by shorter fifth-order cycle is the principal factor in reorganizing the formation of the Nha Trang continental shelf sequence. Other local controlling factors as fluctuations in sediment supply, morphological variations of the LGM surface, subsidence rate and hydrodynamic conditions provided the distinctive features of the Nha Trang shelf sequence stratigraphic model in comparison with neighboring other areas. •We investigate the late Pleistocene–Holocene seismic stratigraphy of Nha Trang shelf.•Five seismic units, three bounding surfaces and two sequences are identified.•The LGM sea-level was about 130 m below the present water depth.