Strontium isotope stratigraphy and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb carbonate age constraints on the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the southern South China Sea

Abstract The tectonic evolution of the South China Sea is closely associated with multiple subduction-collision processes in Southeast Asia. When collision Dangerous Grounds terrane Sabah-Palawan Islands terminated debated due to poor age constraints at southern margin Sea. A deep well drilled on Meiji Atoll penetrates Cenozoic carbonate strata central Grounds. Robust strontium isotope ages and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dates provide critical chronological middle Miocene hiatus spanning 9 m.y. thought be mainly caused by uplift was accompanied underthrusting beneath Palawan orogenic uplifting north Borneo during Miocene. Data interpretation indicates an active regrowth above represents end this event ca. 11 Ma, after cessation seafloor spreading, which occurred 15 Ma.