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THE HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL AND TECTONICS OF INDOCHINA*
Author(s) -
Hayashi M.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of petroleum geology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1747-5457
pISSN - 0141-6421
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-5457.1988.tb00815.x
Subject(s) - massif , geology , tectonics , plateau (mathematics) , orogeny , basement , structural basin , hydrocarbon exploration , paleontology , geomorphology , geochemistry , geography , archaeology , mathematical analysis , mathematics
The region under discussion is that part of Indochina which includes Vietnam, Laos, Kampuchea and eastern Thailand. The Kontum Massif composed of a metamorphosed basement complex, is the core of the Indochina region, and crops out from eastern Vietnam to Laos and Kampuchea. The concept of concentric growth of orogenic belts along the periphery of this massif seems to have been accepted as being within the scope of the classic theory of orogeny. The application of a modem plate‐tectonic hypothesis with the aid of Landsat image analysis, has, however, enabled a new interpretation of the tectonic development of the area to be made. The hydrocarbon potential of Indochina is here investigated, based on this interpretation of the region's tectonic development, and taking account of the morphological and textural characteristics detected from Landsat imagery. Three areas: (1) the Mekong Delta. (2) the Khorat Plateau, and (3) the Hanoi Basin‐gulf of Tonkin, are selected for detailed discussion of their hydrocarbon potential.