The movement resulted from collision between the Philippine Sea plate and Eurasian plate in the Mindoro Island during 13 MaBP, and from collision between the Australian plate and the Eurasian plate in the Sulawesi Island during 10 MaBP.

• 根据南海区域构造分析,产生这次构造运动的起因可能与菲律宾海板块和欧亚板块于13MaBP在民都洛岛处发生碰撞,以及澳大利亚板块和欧亚板块在苏拉威西岛处发生碰撞(10MaBP)有关。