Abstract: Using abundant 3D seismic data, this paper analyzed the geometrical characteristics, and clarified the Neogene tectonic
evolution process and discussed the regional dynamics mechanism of the Pearl River Mouth Basin. Pearl River Mouth Basin underwent
tectonically stable period and tectonic activation period in the Neogene period. During the depositional period of the Zhujiang
Formation, uplift zone and depression zone were all in a regional subsidence stage, only a few basin-controlling faults in the depression
zone were still weakly active, the whole depression was in the stage of structural stability. While in the depositional period of Hanjiang
Formation, the whole basin was in the tectonic activation period, and the depression zone showed continuous subsidence, the
pre-existing basin-controlling faults became more active and are characterized by the movement of fault block. Dongsha uplift zone
experienced three syn-deposition uplifts during the early depositional period of the Hanjiang Formation, the late depositional period of
the Hanjiang Formation, and the depositional period of the Yuehai Formation. The uplift stage continued since the depositional period
of the Wanshan Formation, and the conjugate strike-slip fault system composed of a subparallel EW dextral strike-slip fault zone and a
NW sinistral strike-slip fault zone, and a series of NWW secondary tensile fractures occurred during this stage. The expansion of the
South China Sea resulted in the tectonic stability of the basin, while the Neogene tectonic activation was closely related to an
extensional setting caused by the obduction and arc-continent collision of the NW and NWW movement of the Philippine Sea Plate.

Key words: tectonic evolution, genetic mechanism, Neogene, Pearl River Mouth Basin