Formation mechanism, sedimentary model and typical example of a deep-water gravity flow in continental slope-basin systems

The development of deep-water gravity flow sedimentary models in oil-and-gas exploration has evolved from the discovery of a variety of large-scale oil-and-gas fields in deep-water gravity flow deposits, which in turn drives further development of deep-water gravity flow sedimentology. However, since the system is complicated and is not yet well understood, deep-water gravity flow models are not only different in terms of use and classification schemes, but also have different views on formation mechanisms. This situation has seriously hindered the development of the theory of the deep-water gravity flow and its identification. This paper tried to clarify the formation mechanism of deep-water gravity flow based on previous studies about the types and flow patterns of gravity flow, and combined with examples from the South China Sea and the southwestern sea area of the Taiwan Strait Basin. Research showed that, in the formation of deep-water gravity flow, there are many kinds of interaction and controlling mechanisms, including water depth, source supply, slope folding shape and angle, triggering mechanism and regression mechanism, which together determine the morphology, classification and sedimentary characteristics of the deep-water gravity flow sedimentary system.