Extension of orogenic belts and upwelling of asthenosphere:the example of Hinggan-Mongolian orogenic belt

There were mighty advances in continental lithosphere study last decade. It is recognized that asthenosphere, which is marked by low-velocity seismic wave, is not only unlike that of ocean in continuity and uniformity, but also not suitable to continent as the concept of mechanical decoupling zone. The depth and reflection characters of the top of asthenosphere vary in different regions within a continent. Instead of the passive response to plate divergence, asthenosphere plays a very active role in continental dynamics,