Spatial structural characteristics of the Deda ancient landslide in the eastern Tibetan Plateau:Insights from Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics and the Microtremor Survey Method

It is of crucial importance to investigate the spatial structures of ancient landslides in the eastern Tibetan Plateau’s alpine canyons as they could provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of the landslides and indicate the potential for future reactivation.This study examines the Deda ancient landslide,situated in the Chalong-ranbu fault zone,where creep deformation suggests a complex underground structure.By integrating remote sensing,field surveys,Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics(AMT),and Microtremor Survey Method(MSM)techniques,along with engineering geological drilling for validation,to uncover the landslide’s spatial feature s.The research indicates that a fault is developed in the upper part of the Deda ancient landslide,and the gully divides it into Deda landslide accumulation zoneⅠand Deda landslide accumulation zoneⅡin space.The distinctive geological characteristics detectable by MSM in the shallow subsurface and by AMT in deeper layers.The findings include the identification of two sliding zones in the Deda I landslide,the shallow sliding zone(DD-I-S1)depth is approximately 20 m,and the deep sliding zone(DD-I-S2)depth is 36.2-49.9 m.The sliding zone(DD-Ⅱ-S1)depth of the DedaⅡlandslide is 37.6-43.1 m.A novel MSM-based method for sliding zone identification is proposed,achieving less than 5%discrepancy in depth determination when compared with drilling data.These results provide a valuable reference for the spatial structural analysis of large-deepseated landslides in geologically complex regions like the eastern Tibetan Plateau.

Proterozoic tectonothermal processes imaged with magnetotellurics and seismic reflection in southern Australia

Over the last two decades,co-located seismic and magnetotelluric(MT) profiles provided fundamental geophysical data sets to image the Australian crust.Despite their complimentary nature,the data are processed and often interpreted separately without common processes in mind.We here qualitatively compare 2 D resistivity inversion models derived from MT and seismic reflection profiles across a region of Archean-Proterozoic Australia to address the causes of variations in seismic response and anomalous conductivity in the crust.We find that there exists a spatial association between regions of low reflectivity in seismic sections and low resistivity in co-located2 D MT modelled sections.These relationships elucidate possible signatures of past magmatic and fluid-related events.Depending on their diffuse or discrete character,we hypothesize these signatures signify fossil melting of the crust due to mafic underplating,magma movement or hydrothermal fluid flow through the crust.The approach discussed herein is a process-oriented approach to interpretation of geophysical images and a significant extension to traditional geophysical methods which are primarily sensitive to a singular bulk rock property or state.

3D Step-by-step inversion strategy for audio magnetotellurics data based on unstructured mesh

A three-dimensional(3D)step-by-step inversion strategy for audio magnetotellurics(AMT)is investigated in this study.The objective function is minimized by iteratively solving the Gauss-Newton normal equation,and the inversion region is discretized with unstructured tetrahedral elements.The inversion proceeds step-by-step from a coarse mesh to a fine mesh.In the inversion iteration process,a mesh is adaptively optimized according to the spatial gradient information about the model resistivity to fine delineate the boundaries of abnormal bodies.In the early stage of inversion execution,a coarse mesh is used for inversion,and the inversion stability is improved by reducing the number of inversion elements.In addition,mesh refinement is performed in the iterative inversion process.The inversion results obtained from the previous mesh are used as the reference and initial models for the next mesh iterative inversion.The step-by-step inversion strategy can ensure that the inversion is performed in the correct direction,improving the inversion stability and results gradually.Synthetic results show that the step-by-step inversion strategy with a Gauss-Newton method for 3D AMT inversion is stable and reliable,which lays a foundation for further practical 3D AMT data inversion.

3D model of Svecofennian Accretionary Orogen and Karelia Craton based on geology,reflection seismics,magnetotellurics and density modelling:Geodynamic speculations

A 3D model of deep crustal structure of the Archaean Karelia Craton and late Palaeoproterozoic Svecofennian Accretionary Orogen including the boundary zone is presented.The model is based on the combination of data from geological mapping and reflection seismic studies,along profiles 1-EU,4 B,FIRE-1-2 a-2 and FIRE-3-3 a,and uses results of magnetotelluric soundings in southern Finland and northern Karelia.A seismogeological model of the crust and crust-mantle boundary is compared with a model of subhorizontal velocity-density layering of the crust.The TTG-type crust of the Palaeoarchaean and Mesoarchaean microcontinents within the Karelia Craton and the Belomorian Province are separated by gently dipping greenstone belts,at least some of which are palaeosutures.The structure of the crust was determined mainly by Palaeoproterozoic tectonism in the intracontinental settings modified by a strong collisional compression at the end of the Palaeoproterozoic.New insights into structure,origin and evolution of the Svecofennian Orogen are provided.The accretionary complex is characterized by inclined tectonic layering:the tectonic sheets,~15 km thick,are composed of volcanic-sedimentary rocks,including electro-conductive graphite-bearing sedimentary rocks,and electro-resistive granitoids,which plunge monotonously and consecutively eastward.Upon reaching the level of the lower crust,the tectonic sheets of the accretionary complex lose their distinct outlines.In the seismic reflection pattern they are replaced by a uniform acoustically translucent medium,where separate sheets can only be traced fragmentarily.The crust-mantle boundary bears a diffuse character:the transition from crust to mantle is recorded by the disappearance of the vaguely drawn boundaries of the tectonic sheets and in the gradual transition of acoustically homogeneous and translucent lower crust into transparent mantle.Under the effect of endogenic heat flow,the accretionary complex underwent high-temperature metamorphism and partial melting.Blurring of the rock contacts,which in the initial state created contrasts of acoustic impedance,was caused by partial melting and mixing of melts.The 3 D model is used as a starting point for the evolutionary model of the Svecofennian Accretionary Orogen and for determination of its place in the history of the Palaeoproterozoic Lauro-Russian intracontinental orogeny,which encompassed a predominant part of the territory of Lauroscandia,a palaeocontinent combining North American and East European cratons.The model includes three stages in the evolution of the Lauro-Russian Orogen(-2.5,2.2-2.1 and 1.95-1.87 Ga).The main feature of the Palaeoproterozoic evolution of the accretionary Svecofennian Orogen and Lauroscandia as a whole lay in the causal link with evolution of a superplume,which initiated plate-tectonic events.The Svecofennian-Pre-Labradorian palaeo-ocean originated in the superplume axial zone;the accretionary orogens were formed along both continental margins due to closure of the palaeo-ocean.

Intra-continental Orogeny:Insights from Magnetotelluric Data into the Mesozoic Uplift History of the Eastern Jiangnan Orogen in South China

Despite extensive efforts to understand the tectonic evolution of the Jiangnan Orogen in South China,the orogenic process and its mechanism remain a matter of dispute.Previous geodynamic studies have mostly focused on collisional orogeny,which is commonly invoked to explain the Jiangnan Orogen.However,it is difficult for such hypotheses to reconcile all the geological and geophysical data,especially the absence of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks.Based on the magnetotelluric data,we present a group of resistivity models produced through the combination of two-dimensional and three-dimensional inversions,revealing the geo-electrical structures of Jiangnan and a typical collisional orogen.In our models,the resistive crust is separated into three parts by a prominent conductive layer with opposite dipping directions on both sides.A special thrust-nappe system,which is different from that developed in a typical collisional process,is revealed in the Jiangnan Orogen.This structure suggests a process different from the simple collisional orogeny.To interpret our observations,an'intra-continental orogeny'is proposed to address the development of the Jiangnan Orogen in the Mesozoic.Furthermore,this'reworked'process may contain at least two stages caused by the decoupling of the lithosphere,which is revealed by an extra conductive layer beneath Jiangnan.

Three-dimensional magnetotelluric modeling in the spherical and Cartesian coordinate systems:A comparative study

With the increase in the coverage area of magnetotelluric data,three-dimensional magnetotelluric modeling in spherical coordinates and its differences with respect to traditional Cartesian modeling have gradually attracted attention.To fully understand the influence of the Earth’s curvature and map projection deformations on Cartesian modeling,qualitative and quantitative analyses based on realistic three-dimensional models need to be examined.Combined with five representative map projections,a type of model conversion method that transforms the original spherical electrical conductivity model to Cartesian coordinates is described in this study.The apparent resistivity differences between the spherical western United States electrical conductivity model and the corresponding five Cartesian models are then compared.The results show that the cylindrical equal distance map projection has the smallest error.A meridian convergence correction resulting from the deformation of the map projection is introduced to rotate the Cartesian impedance tensor from grid north to geographic north,which reduces differences from the spherical results.On the basis of the magnetotelluric field data,the applicability of the Cartesian coordinate system to western and contiguous United States models is quantitatively evaluated.Precise interpretations of the contiguous United States model were found to require spherical coordinates.

MT探测居里面深度的可行性研究

居里面是地球内部铁磁性物质向顺磁性物质转换的界面,在温度略低于居里点时物质磁化率会快速升高,这被称为Hopkinsin峰.对于地球内部而言Hopkinsin峰是只有几百米至几公里厚的薄层,由于其与居里温度的关系,因此其底界面的深度可以作为居里面深度的估计.传统的居里面深度探测方法包括谱分析方法、等层模型方法和温度-深度剖面法.这些方法是人们研究地球内部热结构和居里面深度的重要手段,但是谱分析和等层模型的结果均有一些固有的缺点,如横向分辨率太低等;而地热方程的结果则受地表因素影响十分严重,并且地球内部的热源分布也不是十分清楚,这导致了其结果是不可靠的.本文提出用MT方法探测居里面深度,通过对几种简单一维模型进行的正反演数值试验,论证了该方法的可行性.结果表明,用MT方法研究居里面性质,不但可以得到居里面深度,还可以得到居里面顶部Hopkinsin峰所对应介质的电学和磁学性质,但必须同时反演岩层的电阻率和磁导率,才能获得较为可靠的居里面深度估计.

Experimental Verification and Research for the Distortion in the Integrated Frequency Responses of the High-Pressure Sealed Cabin and Magnetic Field Sensor

Although magnetotelluric sounding method applied to the land is advanced, there are many difficulties when it is applied to marine environment, one of which is how to lay magnetic field sensors down to the seafloor to complete measurements. To protect the magnetic field sensors from intense erosion and high pressure, suitable high-pressure sealed cabins must be designed to load them. For the consideration of magnetic measurement and marine operation, the sealed pressure cabin should be nonmagnetic and transportable. Among all optional materials, LC4 super.hard aluminum alloy has the highest performance of price/quality ratio to make the sealed pressure cabin. However, it does not mean that the high-pressure sealed cabin made using LC4 will be perfect in performance. In fact, because of its weak magnetism, the pressure cabin made using LC4 has distorting effect on frequency responses of the magnetic field sensors sealed in it. This distorting effect does not affect the use of the magnetic field sensor, but if we want to eliminate its effect, we should study it by experimental measurements. In our experiment tests, frequency sweep magnetic field as excitation signal was used, and then responses of the magnetic field sensor before and after being loaded into the high-pressure sealed cabin were measured. Finally, normalized abnormal curves for the frequency responses were obtained, through which we could show how the high-pressure sealed cabin produces effects on the responses of the magnetic field sensor. Experimental results suggest that the response distortion induced by the sealed pressure cabin appears on mid- and high-frequency areas. Using experimental results as standardization data, the frequency responses collected from seafloor magnetotelluric measurements can be corrected to restore real information about the seafloor field source.

Geophysical signatures of fluids in a reactivated Precambrian collisional suture in central India

The Central India Tectonic Zone （CITZ） marks the trace of a major suture zone along which the south Indian and the north Indian continental blocks were assembled through subduction-accretion- collision tectonics in the Mesoproterozoic. The CITZ also witnessed the major, plume-related, late Cretaceous Deccan volcanic activity, covering substantial parts of the region with continental flood basalts and associated magmatic provinces. A number of major fault zones dissect the region, some of which are seismically active. Here we present results from gravity modeling along five regional profiles in the CITZ, and combine these results with magnetotelluric （MT） modeling results to explain the crustal architecture. The models show a resistive （more than 2000 Ω. m） and a normal density （2.70 g/cm3） upper crust suggesting dominant tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite （TTG） composition. There is a marked correlation between both high-density （2.95 g/cm3） and low-density （2.65 g/cm3） regions with high conductive zones （〈80 Ω. m） in the deep crust. We infer the presence of an interconnected grain boundary network of fluids or fluid-hosted structures, where the conductors are associated with gravity lows. Based on the conductive nature, we propose that the lower crustal rocks are fluid reservoirs, where the fluids occur as trapped phase within minerals, fluid-filled porosity, or as fluid-rich structural conduits. We envisage that substantial volume of fluids were transferred from mantle into the lower crust through the younger plume-related Deccan volcanism, as well as the reactivation, fracturing and expulsion of fluids transported to depth during the Mesoproterozoic subduction tectonics. Migration of the fluids into brittle fault zones such as the Narmada North Fault and the Narmada South Fault resulted in generating high pore pressures and weakening of the faults, as reflected in the seismicity. This inference is also supported by the presence of broad gravity lows near these faults, as well as the low velocity in the lower crust beneath regions of recent major earthquakes within the CITZ.

Analysis of prospecting polymetallic metallogenic belts by comprehensive geophysical method

This paper is based on the analysis and research on the silver-lead-zinc polymetallic ore in New Ballyhoo Banner in southern Manzhouli of Inner Mongolia.Because metal mineralization brings rock formations,the geophysical features such as low resistivity,high polarization rate and uneven distribution of magnetization,the comprehensive geophysical methods are adopted including high-precision magnetic measurement,high-power induced polarization,IP field middle gradient and controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics.In the survey work of multi-metal ore deposits,from surface sweeping to single point measurement,and from single point to section going deeper layer by layer,the resolution of measurement is continuously improved,and various geophysical methods support and complement each other,so explorers can successfully predict the direction,scale and volume of the metallogenic belts in conjunction with geochemical exploration,geological survey and drilling.It has provided a strong basis for completing the exploration task of predicting the reserve volume of ore bodies.The research conclusions of this exploration case have thus a high reference value in the same type of exploration work.

High resolution tomography of the Tanlu fault zone near Hefei with passive seismic and magnetotelluric linear array data

As the largest fault trending NNE-SSW to NE-SW in the eastern Eurasia Continent,the Tanlu fault zone(TLFZ)extends over 2,400 km within China,roughly from Wuxue,Hubei Province,to Russia.Since the Quaternary period,the TLFZ has been an earthquake-prone area in eastern China where several major earthquakes resulted by tectonic compression occurred,causing tremendous casualties and significant economic losses.Many studies on different segments of the TLFZ have been carried out in the past few decades.However,numerous key questions regarding the fault zone remain unanswered due to a lack of clear subsurface characterization and fault delineation.In this study,we present high-resolution tomographic results across the TLFZ to the east of Hefei,where one 22-km-long passive seismic array with densely spaced short-period nodes,and a 24-km-long magnetotelluric array were deployed adjacent to each other.We find the velocity and resistivity variations are highly consistent with known surface geology.Sharp property contrasts in both the seismic shear wave velocity and electrical resistivity profiles clearly delineate the Tanlu F1 fault(TLF-1)near Hefei.More interestingly,an upwelling with distinct high velocity is imaged within the Hefei Basin to the west of the TLF-1,whereas a slanted block with lowvelocity and low-resistivity seems to cut into or thrust upon the high-grade to low-grade middle-pressure rocks in the Zhangbaling uplift right below the Tanlu F2 ductile shear fault(TLF-2).The presented results show a new approach to characterize deep subsurface structure of the TLFZ beyond 2-km depths using passive data,which it is often difficult for active seismic surveys with refracted and reflected waves to image.

The Variscan Deformation Front (VDF) in Northwest Germany and Its Relation to a Network of Geological Features Including the Ore-Rich Harz Mountains and the European Alpine Belt

The crustal basement of Northwest Germany can be interpreted as an “Avalonian Terrane Assemblage” subdivided by a roughly NW-SE (Hercynian) and SW-NE (Rhenish) running horst and graben system. In Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous times, this assemblage was flooded by the sea and mainly marine carbonates were deposited on the horsts and Stillwater shales in the grabens, as interpretable through magnetotelluric measurements. During the Late Carboniferous Variscan Orogeny, this terrain became the coal-rich foreland of the colliding Rhenohercynian belt. The shale-filled grabens reacted through folding and thrusting with different anticlinal patterns, the main carbonate covered horst in a still unknown way. This horst was the location of the Late Carboniferous basin center and of the inverted oil-rich Mesozoic Lower Saxony Basin (southwestern sector), respectively, with the so-called Bramsche Massif therein. It probably acted as an indenter for the evolution of the Variscan ore-rich Harz Mountains and forced the approaching Rhenohercynian orogen to stack the appropriate tectonic nappes by horizontal shortening to very high altitudes and the root into large depths. Based on seismic evidence this root is still an uncompleted crust/mantle transition zone with a deep reflection seismic and petrological Moho and a shallower hardly reflecting refraction seismic velocity Moho. The alternative, partly unsolved location of the Variscan Deformation Front in Northwest Germany may represent the new findings. The results may be supported by a comparison with features of the northern Alpine deformation belt.

Analytic Solution to the MT Responses of a Two-Segment Model with Axially Anisotropic Conductivity Structures Overlying a Perfect Insulator

The analytic solution of the magnetotelluric fields for an idealized 2-D model which is composed of two segments with diagonal anisotropy underlain by aperfect insulator basement is considered using aquasi-static analytic approach.The analytic magnetotelluric responses for a particular model are presented.The resulting analytic solution could be used to check the numerical solutions given by numerical algorithms before more complex situations are investigated.

Investigating the Whole-lithosphere Structure of a Mineral System——Pathways and Source of Ore-forming Fluids Imaged with Magnetotelluric Modeling

Whole-lithosphere structure has direct implications for both the genesis of minerals and the locations of mineral emplacement;thus knowledge of the deep structural framework of the lithosphere can advance understanding of the development and evolution of mineral systems.

An Asthenospheric Upwelling Beneath Central Mongolia——Implications for Intraplate Surface Uplift and Volcanism

Intraplate processes,such as continental surface uplift and intraplate volcanism,are enigmatic and the underlying mechanisms responsible are not fully understood.Central Mongolia is an ideal natural laboratory for studying such processes because of its location in the continental interior far from tectonic plate boundaries.

Implications for the lithospheric structure of Cambay rift zone,western India:Inferences from a magnetotelluric study

Broad-band and long-period magnetotelluric(MT)data were acquired along an east-west trending traverse of nearly 200 km across the Kachchh,Cambay rift basins,and Aravalli-Delhi fold belt(ADFB),western India.The regional strike analysis of MT data indicated an approximate N59°E geoelectric strike direction under the traverse and it is in fair agreement with the predominant geological strike in the study area.The decomposed transverse electric(TE)-and transverse magnetic(TM)-data modes were inverted using a nonlinear conjugate gradient algorithm to image the electrical lithospheric structure across the Cambay rift basin and its surrounding regions.These studies show a thick(~1-5 km)layer of conductive Tertiary-Mesozoic sediments beneath the Kachchh and Cambay rift basins.The resistive blocks indicate presence of basic/ultrabasic volcanic intrusives,depleted mantle lithosphere,and different Precambrian structural units.The crustal conductor delineated within the ADFB indicates the presence of fluids within the fault zones,sulfide mineralization within polyphase metamorphic rocks,and/or Aravalli-Delhi sediments/metasediments.The observed conductive anomalies beneath the Cambay rift basin indicate the presence of basaltic underplating,volatile(CO2,H2 O)enriched melts and channelization of melt fractions/fluids into crustal depths that occurred due to plume-lithosphere interactions.The variations in electrical resistivity observed across the profile indicate that the impact of Reunion plume on lithospheric structures of the Cambay rift basin is more dominant at western continental margin of India(WCMI)and thus support the hypothesis proposed by Campbell&Griffiths about the plume-lithosphere interactions.

Crustal Electrical Structure and Deep Metallogenic Potential in Northern Wuyi Area(South China),based on Magnetotelluric Data

The northern Wuyi area,which is located in the northern Wuyi metallogenic belt,has superior mineralization conditions.The Pingxiang-Guangfeng-Jiangshan-Shaoxing fault(PSF)extends across the whole region regardless of whether or how the PSF relates to the near-surface mineralization.We carried out an MT survey in the region and obtained a reliable 2D model of the crustal electrical structure to a depth of 30 km.In the resistivity model,we inferred that a continuous high conductivity belt that ranges from the shallow to deep crust is a part of the PSF.Then,we estimated the fluid content and pressure gradient to identify the deep sources of fluid as well as its pattern of motion pattern.Finally,we proposed a model for the deep metallogenic migration processes that combines geological data,fluid content data,pressure gradient data,and the subsurface resistivity model.The model analysis showed that the Jiangnan orogenic belt and the Cathaysia block formed the PSF during the process of com.The deep fluid migrated upward through the PSF to the shallow crust.Therefore,we believe that the PSF is an ore-forming fluid migration channel and that it laid the material basis for large-scale mineralization in the shallow crust.

Deep electrical anomaly in the M7.5 Qiongzhou earthquake region and its relation with future seismicity

From the magnetotelluric detection in the epicentral region and the adjacent areas of the 1605 M7.5 Qiongzhou earthquake, we have discovered there is a low resistive body in the deep crust of the epicentral region. The low resistive body extends straightly from the depth of about 13 km to the upper mantle, which is supposed as an uprising mantle pole. We therefore consider it is just the existing mantle pole and its upwelling thermal material that result in the faulting and stick-slipping activities of the upper crust, which is an important factor for the M7.5 Qiongzhou great earthquake occurrence. The postseismic faulting activity is characterized by creep, which shows that the risk is greatly decreased for the occurrence of a great earthquake with similar intensity in the future.

Inversions for MT data in 2D symmetrical anisotropic media

In the paper, a 2D symmetrical anisotropic medium whose strike agrees with one of the horizontal principal axes is considered to develop a corresponding inversion technique. In the specified conditions, if we assume an equivalent conductivity anisotropy in both the vertical and dipping directions, i.e., σzz=σyy, the differential equations obtained are formally the same as that for TE and TM modes in the 2D isotropic geoelectrical media. The same inversion technique as that in the 2D isotropic media can be employed to obtain the anisotropic conductivities. It means that the TE and TM inversion results in the isotropic media can be respectively thought as the resistivities in the two principal directions of the symmetrically anisotropic media, which has offered a new approach and a theoretical guidance for interpreting magnetotelluric data. And the inversion technique developed here is used to test the magnetotelluric data in the area of Tianzhu and Yongdeng in Gansu Province, so that the crust anisotropic geoelectrical structures in this region can be obtained.

Study on new optimum parameters in MT repeated survey

The first MT monitoring profile with initial shape both at home and abroad has been built in the northern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Based on MT data observed before and after the eight earthquakes of M=5-7 from 1988 to 1992,a new parameter-mean resistivity has been introduced. The results show that indicates not only the major feature of decreasing-increasing and recovering to notmal value, but also synchronism of phase or the variation in a large area, 'lead or delay' among different small areas and the amplitude decreasing with the increase of the distance from the epicenter. Two characters mentioned above might correspond to reginal field precursor of the tectonic generating earthquake and field precursor of the tectonic kinematics. This paper analyses the errors of observed data and the cause of variation. The MT profile optimum parameter system consists of parameter,apparent resistivity,twisting degree and the principal-axis azimuth which might provide quantitative criterion for the physical prooes of the great destructive earthquake and moderate and short-term earthquake prediction.