Structural similarity of lithospheric velocity models of Chinese mainland

Existing lithospheric velocity models exhibit similar structures typically associated with the first-order tectonic features,with dissimilarities due to different data and methods used in model generation.The quantification of model structural similarity can help in interpreting the geophysical properties of Earth's interior and establishing unified models crucial in natural hazard assessment and resource exploration.Here we employ the complex wavelet structural similarity index measure(CW-SSIM)active in computer image processing to analyze the structural similarity of four lithospheric velocity models of Chinese mainland published in the past decade.We take advantage of this method in its multiscale definition and insensitivity to slight geometrical distortion like translation and scaling,which is particularly crucial in the structural similarity analysis of velocity models accounting for uncertainty and resolution.Our results show that the CW-SSIM values vary in different model pairs,horizontal locations,and depths.While variations in the inter-model CW-SSIM are partly owing to different databases in the model generation,the difference of tomography methods may significantly impact the similar structural features of models,such as the low similarities between the full-wave based FWEA18 and other three models in northeastern China.We finally suggest potential solutions for the next generation of tomographic modeling in different areas according to corresponding structural similarities of existing models.

A geochemical perspective on the genesis of Cenozoic basic volcanism in northeastern Turkey:an overview of metasomatism and heterogeneity of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle in a post-collisional setting

The post-collisional Cenozoic basic volcanic rocks in NE Turkey show temporal variations in whole-rock lithophile element and highly siderophile element(HSE)systematics that are mainly associated with the nature of sub-continental lithospheric mantle(SCLM)sources and parental melt generation.So far,the traditional whole-rock lithophile geochemical data of these basic volcanic rocks have provided important constraints on the nature of SCLM sources.Integrated lithophile element and HSE geochemical data of these basic volcanic rocks also reveal the heterogeneity of the SCLM source,which is principally related to variable metasomatism resulting from previous subduction(s)and post-collisional mantle-crust interactions in an extensional setting.Lithophile element geochemical features suggest that the parental magmas have derived from metasomatized spinel-to garnet-bearing SCLM sources for Eocene and Miocene basic volcanic rocks with subduction signatures whereas originated from spinel-to garnet-bearing SCLM sources for Mio-Pliocene and Plio-Quaternary basaltic volcanic rocks without the subduction signature.Lithophile element and HSE geo-chemistry also reveal that Eocene and Miocene basic vol-canic rocks were affected by more pronounced crustal contamination than the basaltic volcanic rocks of Mio-Pliocene and Quaternary.Furthermore,the integrated lithophile element and HSE compositions of these basic volcanic rocks,together with the regional asymmetric lithospheric delamination model,reveal that the compositional variation(especially due to metasomatism)was significant temporally in the heterogeneity of the SCLM sources from which parental magmas formed during the Cenozoic era.

Early Devonian Post-collisional Granitic Magmatism in the North Qilian Orogenic Belt,Western China:Insights into Lithospheric Delamination and Orogenic Collapse

Post-collisional magmatism contains important clues for understanding the reworking and growth of continental crust,as well as lithospheric delamination and orogenic collapse.Early Devonian magmatism has been identified in the North Qilian Orogenic Belt(NQOB).This paper reports an integrated study of petrology,whole-rock geochemistry,Sm-Nd isotope and zircon U-Pb dating,as well as Lu-Hf isotopic data,for two Early Devonian intrusive plutons.The Yongchang and Chijin granites yield zircon U-Pb ages of 394-407 Ma and 414 Ma,respectively.Both of them are characterized by weakly peraluminous to metaluminous without typical aluminium-rich minerals,LREE-enriched patterns with negative Eu anomalies and a negative correlation between P_(2)O_(5) and SiO_(2) contents,consistent with geochemical features of I-type granitoids.Zircons from the studied granites display negative to weak positive ε_(Hf)(t)values(−5.7 to 2.1),which agree well with those of negative ε_(Nd)(t)values(−6.4 to−2.9)for the whole-rock samples,indicating that they were derived from the partial melting of Mesoproterozoic crust.Furthermore,low Sr/Y ratios(1.13-21.28)and high zircon saturation temperatures(745℃ to 839℃,with the majority being>800℃)demonstrated a relatively shallow depth level below the garnet stability field and an additional heat source.Taken together,the Early Devonian granitic magmatism could have been produced by the partial melting of ancient crustal materials heated by mantle-derived magmas at high-temperature and low-pressure conditions during postcollisional extensional collapse.The data obtained in this study,when viewed in conjunction with previous studies,provides more information about the tectonic processes that followed the closure of the North Qilian Ocean.The tectonic transition from continental collision to post-collisional delamination could be constrained to~430 Ma,which is provided by the sudden decrease of Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios and an increase in zircon ε_(Hf)(t)values for granitoids.A two-stage tectonic evolution model from continental collision to post-collisional extensional collapse for the NQOB includes(a)continental collision and crustal thickening during ca.455-430 Ma,characterized by granulite-facies metamorphism and widespread low-Mg adakitic magmatism;(b)post-collisional delamination of thickened continental crust and extensional collapse of orogen during ca.430-390 Ma,provided by coeval high-Mg adakitic magmatism,A-type granites and I-type granitoids with low Sr-Y ratios.

Microearthquake reveals the lithospheric structure at midocean ridges and oceanic transform faults

Mid-ocean ridge and oceanic transforms are among the most prominent features on the seafloor surface and are crucial for understanding seafloor spreading and plate tectonic dynamics,but the deep structure of the oceanic lithosphere remains poorly understood.The large number of microearthquakes occurring along ridges and transforms provide valuable information for gaining an indepth view of the underlying detailed seismic structures,contributing to understanding geodynamic processes within the oceanic lithosphere.Previous studies have indicated that the maximum depth of microseismicity is controlled by the 600-℃isotherm.However,this perspective is being challenged due to increasing observations of deep earthquakes that far exceed this suggested isotherm along mid-ocean ridges and oceanic transform faults.Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain these deep events,and we suggest that local geodynamic processes(e.g.,magma supply,mylonite shear zone,longlived faults,hydrothermal vents,etc.)likely play a more important role than previously thought.

Early Cretaceous Metasomatized Lithospheric Mantle beneath the Central Jiangnan Orogen in South China:Geochemical and Sr-Nd Isotope Evidence from the Tuanshanbei Dolerite

It is well established that Cretaceous magmatism in the South China Block(SCB)is related to the Paleo-Pacific subduction.However,the starting time and the associated deep crust-mantle processes are still debatable.Mafic dike swarms carry important information on the deep earth(including mantle)geodynamics and geochemical evolution.In the Jiangnan Orogen(South China).there is no information on whether the Mesozoic magmatic activities in this region are also directly related to the Pacific subduction or not.In this study,we present detailed zircon U-Pb geochronological,wholerock element and Sr-Nd isotope data for Early Cretaceous Tuanshanbei dolerite dikes,and provide new constraints on the condition of the lithospheric mantle and mantle dynamics of the SCB during that time.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating suggests that this dolerite erupted in the Early Cretaceous(~145 Ma).All samples have alkaline geochemical affinities with K_(2)O+Na_(2)O=3.11-4.04 wt%,K_(2)O/Na_(2)O=0.50-0.72,and Mg^(#)=62.24-65.13.They are enriched in LILE but depleted in HFSE with higher initial^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratio(0.706896-0.714743)and lower ε_(Nd)(t)(-2.61 to-1.67).They have high Nb/U,Nb/La,La/Sm and Rb/Sr,and low La/Nb,La/Ta,Ce/Pb,Ba/Rb,Tb/Yb and Gd/Yb ratios.Such geochemical signatures suggest that the fractional crystallization is obvious but crustal contamination play a negligible role during magmatic evolution.Tuanshanbei dolerite were most likely derived from low-degree(2%-5%)partial melting of a phlogopite-bearing mantle material consisted of~85% spinel peridotite and~15% garnet peridotite previously metasomatized by asthenospherederived fluids/melts with minor subduction-derived fluids/melts.Slab-rollback generally lead to the upwelling of the hot asthenosphere.The upwelling of asthenosphere consuming the lithospheric mantle by thermo-mechanical-chemical erosion.The lithospheric mantle may have partially melted due to the heating by the upwelling asthenosphere and lithospheric extension.It is inferred that the Tuanshanbei dolerite might be associated with the initial slab rollback and corresponding lithospheric extension occurred potentially at ca.145 Ma.

Influence of lithospheric thickness distribution on oil and gas basins,China seas and adjacent areas

The distribution of oil and gas resources is intricately connected to the underlying structure of the lithosphere.Therefore,investigating the characteristics of lithospheric thickness and its correlation with oil and gas basins is highly important.This research utilizes recently enhanced geological–geophysical data,including topographic,geoid,rock layer thickness,variable rock layer density,and interface depth data.Employing the principles of lithospheric isostasy and heat conduction,we compute the laterally varying lithospheric thickness in the China seas and adjacent areas.From these results,two pivotal parameters for different types of oil and gas basins were statistically analyzed:the minimum lithospheric thickness and the relative fluctuation in lithospheric thickness.A semiquantitative analysis was used to explore the connection between these parameters and the hydrocarbon abundance within the oil and gas basins.This study unveils distinct variations in lithospheric thickness among basins,with oil and gas rich basins exhibiting a thicker lithosphere in the superimposed basins of central China and a thinner lithosphere in the rift basins of eastern China.Notably,the relative fluctuations in lithospheric thickness in basins demonstrate significant disparities:basins rich in oil and gas often exhibit greater thickness fluctuations.Additionally,in the offshore basins of China,a conspicuous negative linear correlation is observed between the minimum lithospheric thickness and the relative fluctuation in lithospheric thickness.This study posits that deep-seated thermal upwelling results in lithospheric undulations and extensional thinning in oil and gas basins.Concurrently,sustained deep-seated heat influences sedimentary materials in basins,creating favorable conditions for oil and gas generation.The insights derived from this study contribute to a quantitative understanding of the intricate relationships between deep lithospheric structures and oil and gas basins.These findings provide valuable guidance for future oil and gas exploration in the studied areas.

Experimental study on reactions between alkaline basaltic melt and orthopyroxenes: constraints on the evolution of lithospheric mantle in the North China Craton

The experimental results of the reactions between an alkaline basaltic melt and mantle orthopyroxenes under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions of 1300–1400℃ and 2.0–3.0 GPa using a six-anvil apparatus are reported in this paper.The reactions are proposed to simulate the interactions between melts from the asthenospheric mantle and the lithospheric mantle.The starting melt in the experiments was made from the alkaline basalt occurring in Fuxin,Liaoning Province,and the orthopyroxenes were separated from the mantle xenoliths in Damaping,Hebei Province.The results show that clinopyroxenes were formed in all the reactions between the alkaline basaltic melt and orthopyroxenes under the studied P–T conditions.The formation of clinopyroxene in the reaction zone is mainly controlled by dissolution–crystallization,and the chemical compositions of the reacted melt are primarily infl uenced by the diff usion eff ect.Temperature is the most important parameter controlling the reactions between the melt and orthopyroxenes,which has a direct impact on the melting of orthopyroxenes and the diff usion of chemical components in the melt.Temperature also directly controls the chemical compositions of the newly formed clinopyroxenes in the reaction zone and the reacted melt.The formation of clinopyroxenes from the reactions between the alkaline basaltic melt and orthopyroxenes can result in an increase of CaO and Al_(2)O_(3) contents in the rocks containing this mineral.Therefore,the reactions between the alkaline basaltic melt from the asthenospheric mantle and orthopyroxenes from the lithospheric mantle can lead to the evolution of lithospheric mantle in the North China Craton from refractory to fertile with relatively high CaO and Al 2 O 3 contents.In addition,the reacted melts in some runs were transformed from the starting alkaline basaltic into tholeiitic after reactions,indicating that tholeiitic magma could be generated from alkaline basaltic one via reactions between the latter and orthopyroxene.

Thermal State and Strength of the Lithosphere Beneath the Chinese Mainland

The temperature distributions of the lithosphere underneath the mainland of China were estimated by applying local isostatic equilibrium-constrained geothermal calculations. Maps of the lateral temperature variation at depths of 40, 70, and 100 km are presented for the whole Chinese continent, with the thermal thickness of the lithosphere is calculated. Lithospheric roots of 160-200 km thickness underlie Tarim and the Upper Yangtze Korean platform. In general, the Tibetan plateau lithospheres, whereas thinner thermal lithospheres platform, but are absent beneath the entire Sino- and fold belts to the north have warm but thick have been identified in northern Tibet and central Tian Shan around Issyk-Kul Lake. The warm and soft lithosphere in the Tibetan plateau and Tian Shan are caused by uniform north-south shortening, which may represent a snapshot of the early stage of convective thinning of the convergent lithosphere. However, the lithospheric thinning beneath northeastern China might be related to volatile infiltration by dehydration of the deeply subducting Pacific slab during the Cenozoic. Dry and wet upper mantle rheology display ＂jelly sandwich＂ and ＂cr^me brfil^e＂ pictures, respectively, demonstrating the mechanical behaviour of the Chinese lithosphere outside the Tibetan plateau. Considering a more geologically evident wet-mantle rheology, the ＂creme brulee＂ model can approximate the lithospheric rheology for the most earthquake-prone regions on the Chinese mainland.

Azimuthal anisotropy in lithosphere on the Chinese mainland from observations of SKS at CDSN

The shear wave splitting in SKS are investigated from all available teleseismic data recorded at the broad band stations of China Digital Seismograph Network. The polarization direction of fast S wave of anisotropy and the time delay of slow S wave are determined. Detectable shear wave splitting was found at eight analysed stations of CDSN. Time delay ranges from 0. 7 s to 1. 7 s. The previous work show that the shear wave splitting of SKS which propagate through the mantle is due to the anisotropy in upper mantle. The anisotropy in upper mantle can be interpreted by the strain-induced lattice dominant orientation of mantle minerals. The thickness of the anisotropic layer responsible for SKS wave splitting, which is estimated from time delay, corresponds generally to the thickness of lithosphere beneath Chinese mainland, which is estimated from depth of the high conductivity layer and the low velocity layer in the upper mantle. In most stations, the polarization direction of fast S wave obtained in this study are generally close to these predicted by the deformation of intraplate blocks as a whole. However, there is obvious difference between the two directions at some stations. This suggests that the causes of this well observed phenomenon are clearly complex. In order to interpret the shear wave splitting of mantle shear wave, more high-quality observation and more additional information about the strain in the mantle will be needed.

The principal characteristics of the lithosphere of China

The lithospheric structure of China and its adjacent area is very complex and is marked by several prominent characteristics. Firstly, China＇s continental crust is thick in the west but thins to the east, and thick in the south but thins to the north. Secondly, the continental crust of the Qinghai--Tibet Plateau has an average thickness of 60-65 km with a maximum thickness of 80 km, whereas in eastern China the average thickness is 30-35 km, with a minimum thickness of only 5 km in the center of the South China Sea. The average thickness of continental crust in China is 47.6 km, which greatly exceeds the global average thickness of 39.2 km. Thirdly, as with the crust, the lithosphere of China and its adja- cent areas shows a general pattern of thicker in the west and south, and thinner in the east and north. The lithosphere of the Qinghai--Tibet Plateau and northwestern China has an average thickness of 165 kin, with a maximum thickness of 180--200 km in the central and eastern parts of the Tarim Basin, Pamir, and Changdu areas. In contrast, the vast areas to the east of the Da Hinggan Ling-Taihang-Wuling Mountains, including the marginal seas, are characterized by lithospheric thicknesses of only 50-85 kin. Fourthly, in western China the lithosphere and asthenosphere behave as a ＂layered structure＂, reflecting their dynamic background of plate collision and convergence. The lithosphere and asthenosphere in eastern China display a ＂block mosaic structure＂, where the lithosphere is thin and the asthenosphere is very thick, a pattern reflecting the consequences of crustal extension and an upsurge of asthenospheric materials. The latter is responsible for a huge low velocity anomaly at a depth of 85--250 km beneath East Asia and the western Pacific Ocean. Finally, in China there is an age structure of ＂older in the upper layers and younger in the lower layers＂ between both the upper and lower crusts and between the crust and the lithospheric mantle.

Multi-layer Tectonic Model for Intraplate Deformation and Plastic-Flow Network in the Asian Continental Lithosphere

In a large area of the east—central Asian continent there is a unified seismic network system composed of two families of large—seismic belts that intersect conjugately. Such a seismic network in the middle—upper crust is actually a response to the plastic flow network in the lower lithosphere including the lower crust and lithospheric mantle. The existence of the unified plastic flow system confirms that the driving force for intraplate tectonic deformation results mainly from the compression of the India plate, while the long-range transmission of the force is carried out chiefly by means of plastic flow. The plastic flow network has a control over the intraplate tectonic deformation.

HETEROGENEITY OF THE LITHOSPHERE IN TIBETAN PLATEAU ON THE CONSTRAINTS OF MAGMATISM

Many evidences including those from magmatism and igneous rocks strongly support the heterogeneity of lithosphere in Tibetan plateau.By estimation, volcanic and plutonic rocks occupy an area of 300000km\+2, equaling to 10% of total area of the Tibetan Plateau. Temporal and spatial distribution of igneous rocks in the Tibetan Plateau is very inhomogeneous (Mo et al., 1998). Temporarily, most of plutonic and volcanic rocks, which occurred in 60% of total area of igneous rocks in the plateau, formed in the period of 65～45Ma. Spatially, 80% of igneous rocks in the plateau concentrated in the Gangdise—Nyainqentanglha region formed a huge complex granite\|volcanic belt. Petrotectonic assemblage and type of igneous rocks also vary from district to district. While Himalayas (especially High\|Himalayan region) were characterized by well development of muscovite\|bearing granites with no high\|potassium volcanic rocks and other volcanic contemporaries, North Tibet (Qiangtang region) by highly potassic volcanic rock series without muscovite\|bearing granites. Besides wide\|spreading calc\|alkaline igneous rocks, however, both highly potassic volcanic rocks and muscovite\|bearing granites developed in the central portion of Gangdise\|Nyainqentanglha region. It was lack of igneous activities in the Pamirs. Mantle\|derived nodules and their hosted rocks have been found only on northern and eastern margins of the plateau so far. All mentioned above, combined with other evidences from geophysics, geochemistry and structural geology, give us a hint to understand the heterogeneity of the lithosphere in its structure, thermal state and evolution processes underneath Tibetan plateau.

Comparison of mantle lithosphere beneath early Triassic kimberlite fields in Siberian craton reconstructed from deep-seated xenocrysts

Mantle xenocrysts from early Triassic kimberlite pipes from Kharamai, Ary-Mastakh and Kuranakh fields in the Anabar shield of Siberia revealing similar compositional trends were studied to estimate the superplume influence on the subcratonic lithosphere mantle （SCLM）. Pressure-temperature （PT） reconstructions using monomineral thermobarometry for 5 phases show division of the SCLM beneath the Kharamai field into 6 units： pyroxenitic Fe-rich （1-2 GPa） and Mg-rich （2-3 GPa） layers; middle with two levels of Gar-Sp pyroxenites at - 3 and 4-5 GPa; Gar-dunite-harzburgites - 4.5-6.5 GPa subjected to llm-Px vein metasomatism; and a Mg-rich dunite lower part. In the Anabar shield （Ary-Mastakh, Dyuken and Kuranakh fields） mantle lithosphere is composed of three large units divided into two parts： upper part with amphiboles and phlogopite; two levels of pyroxenites and eclogites at 3 and 4 GPa, and a lower part composed of refertilized dunites. Diagrams showing P-Fe#Gar clusters for garnets and omphacites illustrate the differences between SCLM of these localities. Differences of Triassic SCLM from Devonian SCLM are in simple layering; abundance of Na-Cr-amphiboles and metasomatism in the upper SCLM part, thick pyroxenite-eclogite layer and lower part depletion, heated from SCLM base to 5.0 GPa. Kharamai mantle clinopyroxenes represent three geochemical types： （1） harzburgitic with inclined linear REE, HFSE troughs and elevated Th, U; （2） lherzolitic or pyroxenitic with round TRE patterns and decreasing incompatible elements; （3） eclogitic with Eu troughs, Pb peak and high LILE content. Calculated parental melts for garnets with humped REE patterns suggest dissolution of former Cpx and depression means Cpx and garnets extraction. Clinopyroxenes from Ary-Mastakh fields show less in- dined REE patterns with HMREE troughs and an increase of incompatible elements. Clinopyroxenes from Kuranakh field show flatter spoon-like REE patterns and peaks in Ba, U, Pb and St, similar to those in ophiolitic harzburgites. The PT diagrams for the mantle sections show high temperature gradients in the uppermost SCLM accompanied by an increase of P-Fe#OI upward and slightly reduced thickness of the mantle keel of the Siberian craton, resulting from the influence of the Permian-Triassic superplume, but with no signs of delamination.

The westward drift of the lithosphere:A tidal ratchet?

Is the westerly rotation of the lithosphere an ephemeral accidental recent phenomenon or is it a stable process of Earth's geodynamics? The reason why the tidal drag has been questioned as the mechanism determining the lithospheric shift relative to the underlying mantle is the apparent too high viscosity of the asthenosphere. However, plate boundaries asymmetries are a robust indication of the 'westerly'decoupling of the entire Earth's outer lithospheric shell and new studies support lower viscosities in the low-velocity layer(LVZ) atop the asthenosphere. Since the solid Earth tide oscillation is longer in one side relative to the other due to the contemporaneous Moon's revolution, we demonstrate that a non-linear rheological behavior is expected in the lithosphere mantle interplay. This may provide a sort of ratchet favoring lowering of the LVZ viscosity under shear, allowing decoupling in the LVZ and triggering the westerly motion of the lithosphere relative to the mantle.

Deep scientific drilling results from Koyna and Killari earthquake regions reveal why Indian shield lithosphere is unusual, thin and warm

The nature of crustal and lithospheric mantle evolution of the Archean shields as well as their subsequent deformation due to recent plate motions and sustained intraplate geodynamic activity, has been a subject of considerable interest. In view of this, about three decades ago, a new idea was put forward suggesting that out of all shield terrains, the Indian shield has an extremely thin lithosphere（w100 km,compared to 250e350 km, elsewhere）, apart from being warm, non-rigid, sheared and deformed. As expected, it met with scepticism by heat flow and the emerging seismic tomographic study groups, who on the contrary suggested that the Indian shield has a cool crust, besides a coherent and thick lithosphere（as much as 300e400 km） like any other shield. However, recently obtained integrated geological and geophysical findings from deep scientific drillings in 1993 Killari（M w： 6.3） and 1967 Koyna（M w： 6.3）earthquake zones, as well as newly acquired geophysical data over other parts of Indian shield terrain,have provided a totally new insight to this debate. Beneath Killari, the basement was found consisting of high density, high velocity mid crustal amphibolite to granulite facies rocks due to exhumation of the deeper crustal layers and sustained granitic upper crustal erosion. Similar type of basement appears to be present in Koyna region too, which is characterized by considerably high upper crustal temperatures.Since, such type of crust is depleted in radiogenic elements, it resulted into lowering of heat flow at the surface, increase in heat flow contribution from the mantle, and upwarping of the lithosphereasthenosphere boundary. Consequently, the Indian shield lithosphere has become unusually thin and warm. This study highlights the need of an integrated geological, geochemical and geophysical approach in order to accurately determine deep crust-mantle thermal regime in continental areas.

A comparative study of seismic tomography models of the Chinese continental lithosphere

The Chinese mainland is subject to complicated plate interactions that give rise to its complex structure and tectonics. While several seismic velocity models have been developed for the Chinese mainland, apparent discrepancies exist and, so far, little effort has been made to evaluate their reliability and consistency. Such evaluations are important not only for the application and interpretation of model results but also for future model improvement. To address this problem, here we compare five published shear-wave velocity models with a focus on model consistency. The five models were derived from different datasets and methods (i.e., body waves, surface waves from earthquakes, surface waves from noise interferometry, and full waves) and interpolated into uniform horizontal grids (0.5° × 0.5°) with vertical sampling points at 5 km, 10 km, and then 20 km intervals to a depth of 160 km below the surface, from which we constructed an averaged model (AM) as a common reference for comparative study. We compare both the absolute velocity values and perturbation patterns of these models. Our comparisons show that the models have large (> 4%) differences in absolute values, and these differences are independent of data coverage and model resolution. The perturbation patterns of the models also show large differences, although some of the models show a high degree of consistency within certain depth ranges. The observed inconsistencies may reflect limited model resolution but, more importantly, systematic differences in the datasets and methods employed. Thus, despite several seismic models being published for this region, there is significant room for improvement. In particular, the inconsistencies in both data and methodologies need to be resolved in future research. Finally, we constructed a merged model (ChinaM-S1.0) that incorporates the more robust features of the five published models. As the existing models are constrained by different datasets and methods, the merged model serves as a new type of reference model that incorporates the common features from the joint datasets and methods for the shear-wave velocity structure of the Chinese mainland lithosphere.

Piecemeal Delamination of Thickened Lithosphere Triggered Pulsed Magmatism and Mineralization during Late Mesozoic Intracontinental Orogeny in East Asia

The East Asia continent is characterized by a mosaic architecture with various composing blocks,such as the North and South China blocks,which had been collaged in Late Permian to Triassic in response to the break-up of Pangea.In the Late Mesozoic.

Effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere from joint inversion in western China and its implications

The western China lies in the convergence zone between Eurasian and Indian plates.It is an ideal place to study the lithosphere dynamics and tectonic evolutions on the continental Earth.The lithospheric strength is a key factor in controlling the lithosphere dynamics and deformations.The effective elastic thickness(T_(e))of the lithosphere can be used to address the lithospheric strength.Previous researchers only used one of the admittance or coherence methods to investigate the T_(e) in the western China.Moreover,most of them ignored the internal loads of the lithosphere during the T_(e) calculation,which can produce large biases in the T_(e) estimations.To provide more reliable T_(e) estimations,we used a new joint inversion method that integrated both admittance and coherence techniques to compute the T_(e) in this study,with the WGM2012 gravity data,the ETOPO1 topographic data,and the Moho depths from the CRUST1.0 model.The internal loads are considered and investigated using the load ratio(F).Our results show that the joint inversion method can yield reliable T_(e) and F values.Based on the analysis of T_(e) and F distributions,we suggest(1)the northern Tibetan Plateau could be the front edge of the plate collision of Eurasian and Indian plates;(2)the southern and part of central Tibetan Plateau have a strong lithospheric mantle related to the rigid underthrusting Indian plate;(3)the southeastern Tibetan Plateau may be experiencing the delamination of lithosphere and upwelling of asthenosphere.

The effect of altimetry data in estimating the elastic thickness of the lithosphere in the western Pacific Ocean

The elastic thickness of the lithosphere(Te)is a key parameter used to describe the strength of the lithosphere.It is usually estimated by a spectral analysis between gravity and topography.In previous research on the estimation of Te,altimetry data were used on both the gravity data and topography data,which could lead to deviations.The study described in this paper analyzed the effects of using gravity anomalies derived from different data sources on the estimation of Te,Taking the western Pacific region as an example,this study analyzed the impact of the repeated presence of altimetry satellite data on the calculation of the effective elastic thickness and found that if gravity anomalies and topography model both contain altimetry satellite data,they systematically overestimate effective elasticity.For a uniform area,the difference in Te can reach up to 30%.For a Te distribution,the difference can reach up to about16%.After eliminating this effect,the effective elastic thickness of the western Pacific region was found to be 10 km,and the statistical results of the effective elastic thickness distribution showed that the effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere in most areas of the western Pacific is about 12 km.The paper shows the importance of choosing the appropriate gravity model in evaluating the elastic thickness of lithosphere in the oceans.A figure of Te at seamounts with loading ages demonstrates that Te in the western Pacific is generally distributed within the 100-300℃isotherm depth and does not increase with loading age.

Mantle heterogeneity,plume-lithosphere interaction at rift controlled ocean-continent transition zone:Evidence from trace-PGE geochemistry of Vempalle flows,Cuddapah Basin,India

This study reports major, trace, rare earth and platinum group element compositions of lava flows from the Vempalle Formation of Cuddapah Basin through an integrated petrological and geochemical approach to address mantle conditions, magma generation processes and tectonic regimes involved in their formation. Six flows have been identified on the basis of morphological features and systematic three-tier arrangement of vesicular-entablature-colonnade zones. Petrographically, the studied flows are porphyritic basalts with plagioclase and clinopyroxene representing dominant phenocrystal phases.Major and trace element characteristics reflect moderate magmatic differentiation and fractional crystallization of tholeiitic magmas. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns corroborate pronounced LREE/HREE fractionation with LREE enrichment over MREE and HREE. Primitive mantle normalized trace element abundances are marked by LILE-LREE enrichment with relative HFSE depletion collectively conforming to intraplate magmatism with contributions from sub-continental lithospheric mantle(SCLM) and extensive melt-crust interaction. PGE compositions of Vempalle lavas attest to early sulphur-saturated nature of magmas with pronounced sulphide fractionation, while PPGE enrichment over IPGE and higher Pd/Ir ratios accord to the role of a metasomatized lithospheric mantle in the genesis of the lava flows. HFSEREE-PGE systematics invoke heterogeneous mantle sources comprising depleted asthenospheric MORB type components combined with plume type melts. HFSE-REE variations account for polybaric melting at variable depths ranging from garnet to spinel lherzolite compositional domains of mantle. Intraplate tectonic setting for the Vempalle flows with P-MORB affinity is further substantiated by(i) their origin from a rising mantle plume trapping depleted asthenospheric MORB mantle during ascent,(ii) interaction between plume-derived melts and SCLM,(iii) their rift-controlled intrabasinal emplacement through Archeane Proterozoic cratonic blocks in a subduction-unrelated ocean-continent transition zone(OCTZ). The present study is significant in light of the evolution of Cuddapah basin in the global tectonic framework in terms of its association with Antarctica, plume incubation, lithospheric melting and thinning, asthenospheric infiltration collectively affecting the rifted margin of eastern Dharwar Craton and serving as precursors to supercontinent disintegration.