The shallow shelf areas are covered with sediments from the bordering landmasses deposited mainly by the Yangtze and other rivers near the northern part of the sea. Coarser sediments of sand occur farther out, and rocks, muds, and oozes (ooze) are also found in scattered areas. Seismic profiling indicates that the geologic structure beneath the ocean floor consists of nearly parallel folds, with rock ridges near the northern limits of the East China Sea, near the edge of the continental shelf, and along the Ryukyus. These have afforded barriers for sediment brought down by the great Huang He (Yellow River) and also by the Yangtze. Between the ridges the sediment is up to one mile thick.

Most of the shelf belongs to the stable Neo-Cathaysian Geosyncline (or Cathaysian Platform), dating back at least 300 million years. The Okinawa Trough is perhaps 10 million years old. The Ryukyus are an island chain with several volcanic islands on the East China Sea side. Many of the volcanoes are still active. Epicentres of earthquakes are found along the axis of the Okinawa Trough and the Ryukyu island arc.

Weather is dominated by the monsoon wind system, the result of differential heating between land and water. In summer the Asian landmass is much warmer than the sea; in winter it is much colder, particularly in the Plateau of Tibet (Tibet, Plateau of). Summer heating of air masses over Asia builds areas of low pressure and creates the monsoonal winds, which in this season blow predominantly from the southeast. This brings in warm, moist air from the western Pacific, producing a rainy summer season that is accompanied by typhoons (typhoon). In winter the situation is reversed: winds blow predominantly from the north, bringing with them cold, dry air from the continent.

Winds also influence water circulation of the Kuroshio (Japan Current), the north-flowing western extension of the warm North equatorial current. Some of the Kuroshio enters the eastern part of the East China Sea to form the Tsushima Current, which flows north into the Sea of Japan (Japan, Sea of) (East Sea), while the main part of the current diverts eastward back out into the Pacific south of Kyushu and flows east of Japan. Strengthened by monsoon winds, the Kuroshio is at its widest and fastest in summer, and the axis is displaced well into the East China Sea. This warmed surface water varies from 86 °F (30 °C) in the south to 77 °F (25 °C) in the north. In winter, northerly monsoon winds modify the circulation, and the north-flowing Kuroshio, though still important, is reduced in strength, while southerly flowing coastal currents are strengthened. This brings in colder water, with temperatures of 41 °F (5 °C) in the north to 73 °F (23 °C) in the south. Some warm water also enters the sea via the Luzon and Taiwan straits.

Because of the constricting nature of the adjoining Yellow Sea and the funnel shape of some of the inlets on the mainland, tidal ranges are especially high along the coast of China. For example, the spring tide range, which is highest in summer and winter, is as much as 23 feet (7 metres) at Sansha Bay and 30 feet (9 metres) at Hangzhou Bay.

Petroleum and natural gas deposits have been discovered under the sea's continental shelf. These discoveries have led to disputes between the bordering countries over control of areas with potentially exploitable hydrocarbon reserves, particularly the regions around deep trenches, straits, rocks, and uninhabited islands. A small amount of China's oil and natural gas production comes from offshore wells in the East China Sea.

In addition to the local shipping traffic in and out of Chinese and Korean ports, the East China Sea serves as the main shipping route from the South China Sea to Japanese and other North Pacific ports. The main ports of the East China Sea are Shanghai in China, Nagasaki in Japan, and Chi-lung in Taiwan.

Although the East China Sea has been known and traveled for hundreds of years, it only became the subject of major oceanographic research in the mid-20th century. Much early study was undertaken by the Chinese, but by the early 21st century the East China Sea had become the focus of numerous international research collaborations. Such initiatives have not only contributed to a broader scientific knowledge of the sea and its currents but have also led to the discovery of offshore petroleum and natural gas reserves.