The finite element method was used to solve fluid dynamic interaction problems between the crust and mantle of the Earth. To consider different mechanical behaviours, the lithosphere consisting of the crust and upper ...The finite element method was used to solve fluid dynamic interaction problems between the crust and mantle of the Earth. To consider different mechanical behaviours, the lithosphere consisting of the crust and upper mantle was simulated as fluid-saturated porous rocks, while the upper aesthenospheric part of the mantle was simulated as viscous fluids. Since the whole lithosphere was computationally simulated, the dynamic interaction between the crust and the upper mantle was appropriately considered. In particular, the mixing of mantle fluids and crustal fluids was simulated in the corresponding computational model. The related computational simulation results from an example problem demonstrate that the mantle fluids can flow into the crust and mix with the crustal fluids due to the resulting convective flows in the crust-mantle system. Likewise, the crustal fluids can also flow into the upper mantle and mix with the mantle fluids. This kind of fluids mixing and exchange is very important to the better understanding of the governing processes that control the ore body formation and mineralization in the upper crust of the Earth.展开更多
Based on the recording data from the analogue and broadband digital seismic stations in and around Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau, the three dimensional (3-D) seismic velocity structures in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau were...Based on the recording data from the analogue and broadband digital seismic stations in and around Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau, the three dimensional (3-D) seismic velocity structures in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau were obtained by using the regional body wave tomography and surface wave tomography. The results from these two tomography methods have similar characteristics for P- and S-wave velocity structures in crust and upper mantle. They show that there are remarkable low velocity zones in the upper crust of Lhasa block in the southern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the lower crust and upper mantle of Qiangtang block in the northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. These phenomena may be related to the different steps of collision process in southern and northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.展开更多
The status of deep geophysical exploration and research in China is summarized in this paper. New achievements in the study of the velocity structure, seismotectonics and geodynamics of the crust and upper mantle are ...The status of deep geophysical exploration and research in China is summarized in this paper. New achievements in the study of the velocity structure, seismotectonics and geodynamics of the crust and upper mantle are also briefly described.展开更多
The aim of this paper is the introduction of a new approach to 3D modelling of elastic piecewise homogeneous media, in particular Earth crust and upper Mantle. The method is based on the principle of tomography with E...The aim of this paper is the introduction of a new approach to 3D modelling of elastic piecewise homogeneous media, in particular Earth crust and upper Mantle. The method is based on the principle of tomography with Earthquake as a source of the signal and receiver stations on the surface. The wave propagation in solid media is described by a system of three strongly coupled hyperbolic equations with piece - wise constant coefitients. The characteristic set and hi-characteristic curves of this system are computed in a homogeneous half-space with free boundary and the formulae of reflection and diffraction of the hi-characteristics on the internal boundaries of the media. Applications of the characteristic set and bi-eharacteristic curves for the inverse problem in geophysics and Earth modelling are given.展开更多
Over the past 10 years, the number of broadband seismic stations in China has increased significantly. The broadband seismic records contain information about shear-wave splitting which plays an important role in reve...Over the past 10 years, the number of broadband seismic stations in China has increased significantly. The broadband seismic records contain information about shear-wave splitting which plays an important role in revealing the upper mantle anisotropy in the Chinese mainland. Based on teleseismic SKS and SKKS phases recorded in the seismic stations, we used the analytical method of minimum transverse energy to determine the fast wave polarization direction and delay time of shear-wave splitting. We also collected results of shear-wave splitting in China and the surrounding regions from previously published papers. From the combined dataset we formed a shear-wave splitting dataset containing 1020 parameter pairs. These splitting parameters re- veal the complexity of the upper mantle anisotropy image. Our statistical analysis indicates stronger upper mantle anisotropy in the Chinese mainland, with an average shear-wave time delay of 0,95 s; the anisotropy in the western region is slightly larger (1.01 s) than in the eastern region (0.92 s). On a larger scale, the SKS splitting and surface deformation data in the Tibetan Plateau and the Tianshan region jointly support the lithospheric deformation mode, i.e. the crust-lithospheric mantle coherent deformation. In eastern China, the average fast-wave direction is approximately parallel to the direction of the absolute plate motion; thus, the upper mantle anisotropy can be attributed to the asthenospheric flow. The area from the Ordos block to the Sichuan Basin in central China is the transition zone of deformation modes between the east and the west regions, where the anisotropy images are more complicated, exhibiting "fossil" anisotropy and/or two-layer anis^3trc^py. The c^llisi(3n between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate is the main factor of upper mantle anisotropy in the western region of the Chinese mainland, while the upper mantle anisotropy in the eastern region is related to the subduction of the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.展开更多
The total magmatic output in modern arcs,where continental crust is now being formed, is believed to derive from melting of the mantle wedge and is largely basaltic. Globally averaged continental crust, however, has a...The total magmatic output in modern arcs,where continental crust is now being formed, is believed to derive from melting of the mantle wedge and is largely basaltic. Globally averaged continental crust, however, has an andesitic bulk composition and is hence too silicic to have been derived directly from the mantle. It is well known that one way this imbalance can be reconciled is if the parental basalt differentiates into a mafic garnet pyroxenitic residue/cumulate(‘‘arclogite'') and a complementary silicic melt, the former foundering or delaminating into the mantle due to its high densities and the latter remaining as the crust.Using the Sierra Nevada batholith in California as a case study, the composition of mature continental arc crust is shown in part to be the product of a cyclic process beginning with the growth of an arclogite layer followed by delamination of this layer and post-delamination basaltic underplating/recharge into what remains of the continental crust.A model is presented, wherein continuous arc magmatism and production of arclogites in continental arcs are periodically punctuated by a delamination event and an associated magmatic pulse every *10–30 My. The recycling flux of arclogites is estimated to be *5 %–20 % that of oceanic crust recycling by subduction. Delaminated arclogites have the necessary trace-element compositions to yield time-integrated isotopic compositions similar to those inferred toexist as reservoirs in the mantle. Because of their low melting temperatures, such pyroxenites may be preferentially melted, possibly forming a component of some hotspot magmas.展开更多
The gravity and topography of Venus obtained from observations of the Magellan mission, as well as the gravity and topography from our numerical mantle convection model, are discussed in this paper. We used the hypoth...The gravity and topography of Venus obtained from observations of the Magellan mission, as well as the gravity and topography from our numerical mantle convection model, are discussed in this paper. We used the hypothesis that the geoid of degrees 2–40 is produced by sublithospheric mantle density anomalies that are associated with dynamical process within the mantle. We obtained the model dynamical admittance(the geoid topography ratio based on a convection model) by a numerical simulation of the Venusian mantle convection, and used it to correct the dynamical effect in the calculation of crustal thickness. After deducting the dynamical effect, the thickness of the Venusian crust is presented. The results show that the gravity and topography are strongly correlated with the Venusian mantle convection and the Venusian crust has a significant influence on the topography. The Venusian crustal thickness varies from 28 to 70 km. Ishtar Terra, and Ovda Regio and Thetis Regio in western Aphrodite Terra have the highest crustal thickness(larger than 50 km). The high topography of these areas is thought to be supported by crustal compensation and our results are consistent with the hypothesis that these areas are remnants of ancient continents. The crustal thickness in the Beta, Themis, Dione, Eistla, Bell, and Lada regiones is thin and shows less correlation with the topography, especially in the Atla and Imdr regiones in the eastern part of Aphrodite Terra. This is consistent with the hypothesis that these highlands are mainly supported by mantle plumes. Compared with the crustal thickness calculated with the dynamical effect, our results are more consistent with the crust evolution and internal dynamical process of Venus.展开更多
Hydrous minerals are important water carriers in the crust and the mantle, especially in the subduction zone. With the recent development of the experimental technique, studies of the electrical conductivity of hydrou...Hydrous minerals are important water carriers in the crust and the mantle, especially in the subduction zone. With the recent development of the experimental technique, studies of the electrical conductivity of hydrous silicate minerals under controlled temperature, pressure and oxygen fugacity, have helped to constrain the water distribution in the Earth's interior. This paper introduces high pressure and temperature experimental study of electrical conductivity measurement of hydrous minerals such as serpentine, talc, brucite, phase A, super hydrous phase B and phase D, and assesses the data quality of the above minerals. The dehydration effect and the pressure effect on the bulk conductivity of the hydrous minerals are specifically emphasized. The conduction mechanism of hydrous minerals and the electrical structure of the subduction zone are discussed based on the available conductivity data. Finally, the potential research fields of the electrical conductivity of hydrous minerals is presented.展开更多
A phase-matched filtering technique is applied to extract fundamental mode signals from Rayleigh waves recorded at 62 digital seismic stations in the Yunnan and Sichuan regions.We use the fundamental mode of vibration...A phase-matched filtering technique is applied to extract fundamental mode signals from Rayleigh waves recorded at 62 digital seismic stations in the Yunnan and Sichuan regions.We use the fundamental mode of vibrations at two stations that are located on the same great circle as the focus to calculate an inter-station attenuation coefficient of the Rayleigh wave with periods between 0.40 and 80.64 s,and invert for the inter-station S-wave Q-factor (Qβ) at depths of 0-200 km.The results indicate that Qβ in Yunnan is 20-140,presenting a low Qβ background with apparent lateral variation.Taking the Honghe Fault as the boundary,Qβ of the crust is only 20 on the west side,extending to a depth of 120 km.The distribution of Qβ is consistent with large-scale Cenozoic volcanic and intrusive rocks in western Yunnan,implying that the crust and mantle are in the thermally active state.In the eastern Yunnan Block,east of the Xiaojiang Fault,Qβ in the upper 120 km is 140 in the south but only 20 in the north.Additionally,around the Dukou-Chuxiong in the mid-Yunnan Block,Qβ in the lithosphere is relatively high at 60-100,corresponding to a stiff crust.This is because the suture between the Indian and Eurasian plates reversed the tension in the rifting stage into the compression of orogenesis,leading to the closure of a gap in the crust.After some time,interstitial fluids gradually disappeared,resulting in a high velocity layer in the crust and low heat flow on the surface.The Yunnan region consists of an obvious block of elevated Qβ,distributed within the low background,consistent with the distribution of heat-flow values on the surface.The Honghe and Xiaojiang faults are tectonic boundaries in addition to being boundaries between regions of high and low crustal Qβ.The low Qβ is probably the result of crustal rupture and disturbance caused by strong earthquakes and the upwelling of hot substances along the deep fault zones.展开更多
From the 1960 s to 1970 s, North China has been hit by a series of large earthquakes. During the past half century,geophysicists have carried out numerous surveys of the crustal and upper mantle structure, and associa...From the 1960 s to 1970 s, North China has been hit by a series of large earthquakes. During the past half century,geophysicists have carried out numerous surveys of the crustal and upper mantle structure, and associated studies in North China.They have made significant progress on several key issues in the geosciences, such as the crustal and upper mantle structure and the seismogenic environment of strong earthquakes. Deep seismic profiling results indicate a complex tectonic setting in the strong earthquake areas of North China, where a listric normal fault and a low-angle detachment in the upper crust coexist with a high-angle deep fault passing through the lower crust to the Moho beneath the hypocenter. Seismic tomography images reveal that most of the large earthquakes occurred in the transition between the high-and low-velocity zones, and the Tangshan earthquake area is characterized by a low-velocity anomaly in the middle-lower crust. Comprehensive analysis of geophysical data identified that the deep seismogenic environment in the North China extensional tectonic region is generally characterized by a low-velocity anomalous belt beneath the hypocenter, inconsistency of the deep and shallow structures in the crust, a steep crustalal-scale fault,relative lower velocities in the uppermost mantle, and local Moho uplift, etc. This indicates that the lithospheric structure of North China has strong heterogeneities. Geologically, the North China region had been a stable craton named the North China Craton or in brief the NCC, containing crustal rocks as old as ~3.8 Ga. The present-day strong seismic activity and the lower velocity of the lower crust in the NCC are much different from typical stable cratons around the world. These findings provide significant evidence for the destruction of the NCC. Although deep seismic profiling and seismic tomography have greatly enhanced knowledge about the deep-seated structure and seismogenic environment, some fundamental issues still remain and require further work.展开更多
基金Project(10872219) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘The finite element method was used to solve fluid dynamic interaction problems between the crust and mantle of the Earth. To consider different mechanical behaviours, the lithosphere consisting of the crust and upper mantle was simulated as fluid-saturated porous rocks, while the upper aesthenospheric part of the mantle was simulated as viscous fluids. Since the whole lithosphere was computationally simulated, the dynamic interaction between the crust and the upper mantle was appropriately considered. In particular, the mixing of mantle fluids and crustal fluids was simulated in the corresponding computational model. The related computational simulation results from an example problem demonstrate that the mantle fluids can flow into the crust and mix with the crustal fluids due to the resulting convective flows in the crust-mantle system. Likewise, the crustal fluids can also flow into the upper mantle and mix with the mantle fluids. This kind of fluids mixing and exchange is very important to the better understanding of the governing processes that control the ore body formation and mineralization in the upper crust of the Earth.
文摘Based on the recording data from the analogue and broadband digital seismic stations in and around Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau, the three dimensional (3-D) seismic velocity structures in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau were obtained by using the regional body wave tomography and surface wave tomography. The results from these two tomography methods have similar characteristics for P- and S-wave velocity structures in crust and upper mantle. They show that there are remarkable low velocity zones in the upper crust of Lhasa block in the southern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the lower crust and upper mantle of Qiangtang block in the northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. These phenomena may be related to the different steps of collision process in southern and northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
文摘The status of deep geophysical exploration and research in China is summarized in this paper. New achievements in the study of the velocity structure, seismotectonics and geodynamics of the crust and upper mantle are also briefly described.
文摘The aim of this paper is the introduction of a new approach to 3D modelling of elastic piecewise homogeneous media, in particular Earth crust and upper Mantle. The method is based on the principle of tomography with Earthquake as a source of the signal and receiver stations on the surface. The wave propagation in solid media is described by a system of three strongly coupled hyperbolic equations with piece - wise constant coefitients. The characteristic set and hi-characteristic curves of this system are computed in a homogeneous half-space with free boundary and the formulae of reflection and diffraction of the hi-characteristics on the internal boundaries of the media. Applications of the characteristic set and bi-eharacteristic curves for the inverse problem in geophysics and Earth modelling are given.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grants Nos.90914005,91014006,41174070)the Basic Pro-ject in the Ministry of Science and Technology(Grants No.2006FY1101100)
文摘Over the past 10 years, the number of broadband seismic stations in China has increased significantly. The broadband seismic records contain information about shear-wave splitting which plays an important role in revealing the upper mantle anisotropy in the Chinese mainland. Based on teleseismic SKS and SKKS phases recorded in the seismic stations, we used the analytical method of minimum transverse energy to determine the fast wave polarization direction and delay time of shear-wave splitting. We also collected results of shear-wave splitting in China and the surrounding regions from previously published papers. From the combined dataset we formed a shear-wave splitting dataset containing 1020 parameter pairs. These splitting parameters re- veal the complexity of the upper mantle anisotropy image. Our statistical analysis indicates stronger upper mantle anisotropy in the Chinese mainland, with an average shear-wave time delay of 0,95 s; the anisotropy in the western region is slightly larger (1.01 s) than in the eastern region (0.92 s). On a larger scale, the SKS splitting and surface deformation data in the Tibetan Plateau and the Tianshan region jointly support the lithospheric deformation mode, i.e. the crust-lithospheric mantle coherent deformation. In eastern China, the average fast-wave direction is approximately parallel to the direction of the absolute plate motion; thus, the upper mantle anisotropy can be attributed to the asthenospheric flow. The area from the Ordos block to the Sichuan Basin in central China is the transition zone of deformation modes between the east and the west regions, where the anisotropy images are more complicated, exhibiting "fossil" anisotropy and/or two-layer anis^3trc^py. The c^llisi(3n between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate is the main factor of upper mantle anisotropy in the western region of the Chinese mainland, while the upper mantle anisotropy in the eastern region is related to the subduction of the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.
文摘The total magmatic output in modern arcs,where continental crust is now being formed, is believed to derive from melting of the mantle wedge and is largely basaltic. Globally averaged continental crust, however, has an andesitic bulk composition and is hence too silicic to have been derived directly from the mantle. It is well known that one way this imbalance can be reconciled is if the parental basalt differentiates into a mafic garnet pyroxenitic residue/cumulate(‘‘arclogite'') and a complementary silicic melt, the former foundering or delaminating into the mantle due to its high densities and the latter remaining as the crust.Using the Sierra Nevada batholith in California as a case study, the composition of mature continental arc crust is shown in part to be the product of a cyclic process beginning with the growth of an arclogite layer followed by delamination of this layer and post-delamination basaltic underplating/recharge into what remains of the continental crust.A model is presented, wherein continuous arc magmatism and production of arclogites in continental arcs are periodically punctuated by a delamination event and an associated magmatic pulse every *10–30 My. The recycling flux of arclogites is estimated to be *5 %–20 % that of oceanic crust recycling by subduction. Delaminated arclogites have the necessary trace-element compositions to yield time-integrated isotopic compositions similar to those inferred toexist as reservoirs in the mantle. Because of their low melting temperatures, such pyroxenites may be preferentially melted, possibly forming a component of some hotspot magmas.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 91014005, 40774045)the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciencesthe CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams
文摘The gravity and topography of Venus obtained from observations of the Magellan mission, as well as the gravity and topography from our numerical mantle convection model, are discussed in this paper. We used the hypothesis that the geoid of degrees 2–40 is produced by sublithospheric mantle density anomalies that are associated with dynamical process within the mantle. We obtained the model dynamical admittance(the geoid topography ratio based on a convection model) by a numerical simulation of the Venusian mantle convection, and used it to correct the dynamical effect in the calculation of crustal thickness. After deducting the dynamical effect, the thickness of the Venusian crust is presented. The results show that the gravity and topography are strongly correlated with the Venusian mantle convection and the Venusian crust has a significant influence on the topography. The Venusian crustal thickness varies from 28 to 70 km. Ishtar Terra, and Ovda Regio and Thetis Regio in western Aphrodite Terra have the highest crustal thickness(larger than 50 km). The high topography of these areas is thought to be supported by crustal compensation and our results are consistent with the hypothesis that these areas are remnants of ancient continents. The crustal thickness in the Beta, Themis, Dione, Eistla, Bell, and Lada regiones is thin and shows less correlation with the topography, especially in the Atla and Imdr regiones in the eastern part of Aphrodite Terra. This is consistent with the hypothesis that these highlands are mainly supported by mantle plumes. Compared with the crustal thickness calculated with the dynamical effect, our results are more consistent with the crust evolution and internal dynamical process of Venus.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41590623&41472040)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities+2 种基金China University of Geosciences(Grant No.CUGL150801)Special Fund from the State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral ResourcesChina University of Geosciences(Grant No.MSFGPMR201408)
文摘Hydrous minerals are important water carriers in the crust and the mantle, especially in the subduction zone. With the recent development of the experimental technique, studies of the electrical conductivity of hydrous silicate minerals under controlled temperature, pressure and oxygen fugacity, have helped to constrain the water distribution in the Earth's interior. This paper introduces high pressure and temperature experimental study of electrical conductivity measurement of hydrous minerals such as serpentine, talc, brucite, phase A, super hydrous phase B and phase D, and assesses the data quality of the above minerals. The dehydration effect and the pressure effect on the bulk conductivity of the hydrous minerals are specifically emphasized. The conduction mechanism of hydrous minerals and the electrical structure of the subduction zone are discussed based on the available conductivity data. Finally, the potential research fields of the electrical conductivity of hydrous minerals is presented.
基金supported by National Natural Science Fundation of China (Grant No. U0933602)Professional Projects of the Chinese Seismological Bureau (Grant No. 200808061)
文摘A phase-matched filtering technique is applied to extract fundamental mode signals from Rayleigh waves recorded at 62 digital seismic stations in the Yunnan and Sichuan regions.We use the fundamental mode of vibrations at two stations that are located on the same great circle as the focus to calculate an inter-station attenuation coefficient of the Rayleigh wave with periods between 0.40 and 80.64 s,and invert for the inter-station S-wave Q-factor (Qβ) at depths of 0-200 km.The results indicate that Qβ in Yunnan is 20-140,presenting a low Qβ background with apparent lateral variation.Taking the Honghe Fault as the boundary,Qβ of the crust is only 20 on the west side,extending to a depth of 120 km.The distribution of Qβ is consistent with large-scale Cenozoic volcanic and intrusive rocks in western Yunnan,implying that the crust and mantle are in the thermally active state.In the eastern Yunnan Block,east of the Xiaojiang Fault,Qβ in the upper 120 km is 140 in the south but only 20 in the north.Additionally,around the Dukou-Chuxiong in the mid-Yunnan Block,Qβ in the lithosphere is relatively high at 60-100,corresponding to a stiff crust.This is because the suture between the Indian and Eurasian plates reversed the tension in the rifting stage into the compression of orogenesis,leading to the closure of a gap in the crust.After some time,interstitial fluids gradually disappeared,resulting in a high velocity layer in the crust and low heat flow on the surface.The Yunnan region consists of an obvious block of elevated Qβ,distributed within the low background,consistent with the distribution of heat-flow values on the surface.The Honghe and Xiaojiang faults are tectonic boundaries in addition to being boundaries between regions of high and low crustal Qβ.The low Qβ is probably the result of crustal rupture and disturbance caused by strong earthquakes and the upwelling of hot substances along the deep fault zones.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 91014006, 90914005 & 41474073)
文摘From the 1960 s to 1970 s, North China has been hit by a series of large earthquakes. During the past half century,geophysicists have carried out numerous surveys of the crustal and upper mantle structure, and associated studies in North China.They have made significant progress on several key issues in the geosciences, such as the crustal and upper mantle structure and the seismogenic environment of strong earthquakes. Deep seismic profiling results indicate a complex tectonic setting in the strong earthquake areas of North China, where a listric normal fault and a low-angle detachment in the upper crust coexist with a high-angle deep fault passing through the lower crust to the Moho beneath the hypocenter. Seismic tomography images reveal that most of the large earthquakes occurred in the transition between the high-and low-velocity zones, and the Tangshan earthquake area is characterized by a low-velocity anomaly in the middle-lower crust. Comprehensive analysis of geophysical data identified that the deep seismogenic environment in the North China extensional tectonic region is generally characterized by a low-velocity anomalous belt beneath the hypocenter, inconsistency of the deep and shallow structures in the crust, a steep crustalal-scale fault,relative lower velocities in the uppermost mantle, and local Moho uplift, etc. This indicates that the lithospheric structure of North China has strong heterogeneities. Geologically, the North China region had been a stable craton named the North China Craton or in brief the NCC, containing crustal rocks as old as ~3.8 Ga. The present-day strong seismic activity and the lower velocity of the lower crust in the NCC are much different from typical stable cratons around the world. These findings provide significant evidence for the destruction of the NCC. Although deep seismic profiling and seismic tomography have greatly enhanced knowledge about the deep-seated structure and seismogenic environment, some fundamental issues still remain and require further work.