Previous sequence stratigraphy research mainly focuses on the two-dimensional seismic
interpretation in its dipping direction, while the variations of sequence architectures in vertical provenance
direction is the focus and difficulty of current research. This study takes the Late Pleistocene (0.125 Ma to today)
shelf margin stratigraphic successions of the Qiongdongdong Basin as an typical example. The internal structure
and combination characteristics of the systems tract units are established and identified, according the methods of
typical stratal terminations, stratal stacking patterns, and shelf-edge migration trajectory. The systems tract in the
studied sequence are classified from bottom to top, including the lowstand systems tract (LST), the transgressive
systems tract (TST), the highstand systems tract (HST), and the falling stage systems tract (FSST). Among them,
the part of the interface within the falling stage systems tract (WSTS) divides the FSST into early and late phases.
The WSTS interface is the transitional surface for the positive to negative angle of the migration trajectory of the
shelf-edge and for the stratal stacking transition from progradation to degradation. The stabilized and collapsed
types of shelf-edge sequence architectures have developed in the Upper Pleistocene of the western part of the
eastern Qiongdongnan Basin. With the change of relative sea-level, the stabilized shelf-edge mainly develops
multi-phase shelf margin deltaic and deep-water fan deposits, while the collapsed shelf-edge mainly develops
large-scale canyons and mass transport deposits. In response to the a short sea-level rising but a prominent falling
cycle, the late Pleistocene shelf-edge sequences are composed of thin or undeveloped LST and TST units, and a
thick FSST unit, whereas the active faults in the outer shelf locations increase the proportion of the HST unit in
sequences. The pre-existing slope break geomorphology, fault activities and asymmetric sea-level fluctuation
coevally lead to a diverse of the sequence architectures in the study area. The quantitative exploration of highfrequency
sequence stratigraphic driving mechanisms is the future development trend of the Pleistocene
stratigraphy, and this study provides a potential reference significance for the standardization of 3D sequence
stratigraphic investigations.