Seismic stratigraphy and development of a modern isolated carbonate platform (Xuande Atoll) in the South China Sea

Xuande Atoll is an isolated carbonate platform that has developed since the early Miocene. This study conducted high-resolution seismic surveys and shallow drilling to understand its internal structure development. Five sequences were observed (from bottom top): SQ1 (early Miocene), SQ2 (middle SQ3 (late SQ4 (Pliocene), SQ5 (Quaternary). The data indicated formation started in Miocene flourished during middle shrank before formed final shrinking stage occurred southern western parts of at end Miocene, which may reflect rapid tectonic subsidence increased terrigenous sediment inputs owing semi-marginal sea. peri-platform contains a falling sea-level sequence was dominated by mass wasting deposits.