Structural Controls of the Taitung Canyon in the Huatung Basin East of Taiwan
Other Title
臺灣東部海域花東海盆中臺東峽谷的構造控制
Journal
Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Journal Volume
9
Journal Issue
3
Pages
453-472
Date Issued
1998
Author(s)
Abstract
The Taitung Canyon originates at the southern end of the Longitudi nal Valley. It runs southward along the axis of the Taitung Trough. The canyon turns eastward into the Huatung Basin, after crossing the Luzon arc between the volcanic islands of Lanyu and Lutao. It then flows north eastward for about 170 km and merges with the Hualien Canyon near the Ryukyu Trench, thus forming the largest canyon in the Huatung Basin. High resolution bathymetric data, and several multi-channel seismic pro files are used to describe the structural fabric in the vicinity of the Taitung Canyon and the factors controlling its path within the Huatung Basin. Cross ing the eastern slope of the Lanyu-Lutao volcanic ridge, the head of the Taitung Canyon is fan shaped and its entrenchment rapidly increases downslope. Throughout the canyon's upper and central portions, the chan nel depth ranges from 300 to 500 m with respect to the surrounding sea floor. The canyon's levees are generally asymmetric and turbidite overbank deposits are observed. Then, a basement high, trending parallel to the Gagua Ridge, forces the path of the Taitung Canyon to turn 90 toward the north west. As the canyon reaches the Ryukyu Trench, the width of the main channel has decreased from 14 km near the Luzon arc, to less than 200 m at the outer-slope of the Ryukyu Trench. The importance of structural con trols, such as basement highs and faulting, on the canyon's development are examined. Thus, the existence of a strike-slip fault system, affecting the oceanic basement in the Huatung Basin, and its role in controlling the path of the canyon are discussed.
SDGs
Publisher
中華民國地球科學學會
Type
journal article
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