We present a new extensional tectonic model for the Cenozoic history of SE Asia and the opening of the South China Sea (SCS), proposing a feedback mechanism by which intracontinental rifts initiate and propagate without invoking mantle plumes.

Four principal tectonic models have been proposed for SCS opening: 1) Slab pull from subduction of a Proto South China Sea (PSCS); 2) Extrusion tectonics from the India-Asia collision; 3) Basal drag from a mantle plume; and 4) Backarc rifting. Each model was developed around different particular data, and all tend to perpetuate independently through selective data prioritisation. We present a new GPlates model, showing that the geological and geophysical correlations between the opposing SCS conjugate margins best agrees with a common initial development on the South China Margin, and that regional development via protracted extension since the Mesozoic is in agreement with available paleomagnetic data for Borneo.

The geodynamic mechanism for protracted lithospheric extension in SE Asia is via the development of progressive feedback processes, initiated by Mesozoic slab rollback and migration of the subduction zone beneath South China, leading to intracontinental thinning and extension. This in turn drove passive asthenospheric upwelling, increasing heat flow and crustal ductility, and enhancing further extension as a wide rift rather than narrow crustal neck. Subsequently, following sufficient continental extension, SCS oceanic spreading occurred. This feedback mechanism (involving shallow, not deep mantle processes) may enhance and enable intracontinental rifting elsewhere.

我们提出了一个新的东南亚新生代历史和南海开放（SCS）的伸展构造模型，提出了一种反馈机制，在这种机制下，陆内裂谷在不调用地幔柱的情况下引发和传播。

针对南海开放提出了四种主要构造模型：1）原始南海（PSCS）俯冲的板片拉动；2）印度-亚洲碰撞的挤压构造；3) 地幔柱的基底阻力；4) 弧后裂谷。每个模型都是围绕不同的特定数据开发的，并且都倾向于通过选择性的数据优先级独立地延续下去。我们提出了一个新的GPlates模型，表明相对的南海共轭边缘之间的地质和地球物理相关性最符合华南边缘的共同初始发育，并且中生代以来通过长期延伸的区域发育与可用的古地磁数据一致为婆罗洲。

东南亚岩石圈长期伸展的地球动力学机制是通过渐进反馈过程的发展，由中生代板片后退和华南下方俯冲带的迁移引发，导致陆内减薄和伸展。这反过来又推动了被动软流圈上升流，增加了热流和地壳延展性，并增强了作为宽裂谷而不是狭窄地壳颈的进一步延伸。随后，随着大陆的充分伸展，南海发生了海洋扩张。这种反馈机制（涉及浅层而非深部地幔过程）可能会增强和促成其他地方的大陆裂谷。