Crustal and uppermost mantle structure of the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau from joint inversion of surface wave dispersions and receiver functions with P velocity constraints

Lithospheric structure beneath the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is of vital significance for studying the geodynamic processes of crustal thickening and expansion of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. We conducted a joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave dispersions with P-wave velocity constraints using data from the Chin Array Ⅱ temporary stations deployed across the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Prior to joint inversion, we applied the H-κ-c method(Li JT et al., 2019) to the receiver function data in order to correct for the back-azimuthal variations in the arrival times of Ps phases and crustal multiples caused by crustal anisotropy and dipping interfaces. High-resolution images of vS, crustal thickness, and vP/vSstructures in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau were simultaneously derived from the joint inversion. The seismic images reveal that crustal thickness decreases outward from the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. The stable interiors of the Ordos and Alxa blocks exhibited higher velocities and lower crustal vP/vSratios. While, lower velocities and higher vP/vSratios were observed beneath the Qilian Orogen and Songpan-Ganzi terrane(SPGZ), which are geologically active and mechanically weak, especially in the mid-lower crust.Delamination or thermal erosion of the lithosphere triggered by hot asthenospheric flow contributes to the observed uppermost mantle low-velocity zones(LVZs) in the SPGZ. The crustal thickness, vS, and vP/vSratios suggest that whole lithospheric shortening is a plausible mechanism for crustal thickening in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, supporting the idea of coupled lithospheric-scale deformation in this region.

Crustal structure in the Anyuan Coal Mine and its adjacent areas of Jiangxi Province by P-wave receiver functions

We collected high-quality teleseismic events recorded by 12 broadband seismographs deployed in the Anyuan Coal Mine and its adjacent areas in Pingxiang City,Jiangxi Province for nearly two years.The H-κ-c stacking method was employed to obtain the crustal thickness and Poisson's ratio distribution,then the characteristics of crustal structure below the stations were obtained by using the time-domain linear inversion method.The crustal thickness in the Anyuan Coal Mine and its adjacent areas ranges from approximately 32~35 km,with an average thickness of 33 km,which is consistent with the crustal thickness results in South China from previous studies using the receiver function method.The average Poisson's ratio of the crustal bulk composition in the study area varies between 0.22 and 0.25,which is lower than the global value with a 0.27 average,indicating a predominantly intermediate-acidic or felsic crustal composition.There is a weak negative correlation between Poisson's ratio and crustal thickness estimates in the Anyuan Coal Mine and its adjacent areas,suggesting that the absence of mafic-ultramafic materials in the lower crust is associated with the process of crustal delamination.The velocity inversion results indicate that the crustal structure including three velocity discontinuity interfaces,with the first at a depth of approximately 1.5 km,the second at about 10~15 km,and the third being the Moho.The study also indicates that the results obtained by the H-κ-c stacking method are significantly better than those obtained by the H-κmethod,effectively reducing the standard deviation and dispersion of crustal thickness and vP/vSratio.

Constraining the crustal structure under the central and western Tian Shan based on teleseismic receiver functions and gravity anomalies

The Tian Shan is a vast range that spans several countries in Asia.Understanding its evolutionary history may provide valuable insights into intracontinental orogenic dynamics.In this study,we explored the crustal characteristics of the Tian Shan and their relationships to the tectonic evolution of the region.A new H-stacking method that combines the P receiver function and gravity anomalies was used to estimate the thickness and ratio of P-to S-wave velocities(Vp/Vs)for 91 broadband seismic stations in the central and western Tian Shan.Our results revealed significant lateral variations in crustal thickness and Vp/Vs.A—45-km-thick crust and an intermediate-high Vp/Vs(-1.74-1.84)were found in the Kazakh Shield and Tarim Basin,which we interpreted to indicate a mafic crystalline basement and lower crust.The central Tian Shan varied greatly in crustal thickness(40-64 km)and Vp/Vs ratio(1.65-2.00).which may be due to crustal shortening,mafic underplating,and crustal melting.In contrast,we observed a relatively thin crust(42-50 km)with an intermediate Vp/Vs ratio(-1.78)in the western Tian Shan.The differences in the crustal structures between the western and central Tian Shan imply that the Talas-Fergana Fault may be trans-lithospheric.

S-wave velocity structure in Tangshan earthquake region and its adjacent areas from joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave dispersion

Using the seismic records of 83 temporary and 17 permanent broadband seismic stations deployed in Tangshan earthquake region and its adjacent areas(39°N–41.5°N,115.5°E–119.5°E),we conducted a nonlinear joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave dispersion.We obtained some detailed information about the Tangshan earthquake region and its adjacent areas,including sedimentary thickness,Moho depth,and crustal and upper mantle S-wave velocity.Meanwhile,we also obtained the vP/vS structure along two sections across the Tangshan region.The results show that:(1)the Moho depth ranges from 30 km to 38 km,and it becomes shallower from Yanshan uplift area to North China basin;(2)the thickness of sedimentary layer ranges from 0 km to 3 km,and it thickens from Yanshan uplift region to North China basin;(3)the S-wave velocity structure shows that the velocity distribution of the upper crust has obvious correlation with the surface geological structure,while the velocity characteristics of the middle and lower crust are opposite to that of the upper crust.Compared with the upper crust,the heterogeneity of the middle and lower crust is more obvious;(4)the discontinuity of Moho on the two sides of Tangshan fault suggests that Tangshan fault cut the whole crust,and the low vS and high vP/vS beneath the Tangshan earthquake region may reflect the invasion of mantle thermal material through Tangshan fault.

Imaging the mantle transition zone beneath eastern and central China with CEArray receiver functions

We analyzed a total of 37 427 receiver-function data recorded by national and regional broadband seismic networks of the China Earthquake Administration to study the mantle transition zone beneath eastern and central China. Significant topography on both the 410-km and 660-km discontinuities was clearly imaged in the 3D volume of CCP （common-conversion-point） stacked images that cover an area of 102.5°F-122.5°E and 22.0°N-42.0°N. 3D crustal and mantle velocity models were used in computing the Ps time moveouts to better image the absolute depths of the two discontinuities. We found that the 660-km discontinuity is depressed up to 25 km along the east coast of China, indicating the presence of the subducted Pacific slab in the region. More interestingly, a double 660-km was observed beneath the Huanghai Sea, which was not seen from the 410-km discontinuity. We found a strong and localized anomaly beneath the Quaternary Datong volcano located at the northeastern edge of the Ordos Plateau in North China. The 410-km is depressed by as much as 15 km beneath the volcano. If the amount of the depression is caused by unmodeled low velocity anomaly in the upper mantle, it requires either a strong （4%-8%） localized low velocity anomaly near the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary or -1.5% low velocity column across the entire upper mantle above the 410-km. The latter could suggest a deep origin of the Datong volcano, although it was usually attributed to edge-driven convection by most of the literatures.

Crustal structure in the Binchuan basin of Yunnan constrained from receiver functions on a 2-D seismic dense array

The Binchuan region is located in a seismically active area in northwestern Yunnan,China.The detailed crustal structure is important to understand the tectonic evolution and to assess the seismic hazard in the study area.With a 2-D dense array deployed in this region,we use teleseismic receiver function traditional imaging methods,including the H-κand common-conversion-point stacking methods,to derive high-resolution crustal thickness and vP/vS ratio maps.Our results indicate that the crustal thickness increases from~40 km to~46 km in the south-north direction,and the average crustal thickness beneath the Binchuan basin is~42 km.Our results agree with previous results but have higher resolution due to dense interstation spacing.

Preliminary analysis of teleseismic receiver functions of the Ningxia and its adjacent area

The teleseismic receiver functions of digital seismic network of Ningxia and its adjacent area are calculated with two different Gauss filter factors. The accuracy and stability of the receiver functions are discussed. The h-k stacking method is applied to estimate the crustal thickness and velocity ratio beneath seismic stations. The results indicate that there are sharp changes of crustal thickness and velocity ratio in the studied region. This region is located in the northeastern margin of Tibet, and also a junction of several first-grade blocks. The large contrast of crustal structure in this region is considered to be resulted from the interaction of these blocks. Our results are helpful to construct the completed model of the formation and evolution of the Tibet. Some local structures are also discussed combining with the geological faults.

Crustal structure along the Zhenkang-Luxi deep seismic sounding profile in Yunnan derived from receiver functions

The crustal thicknesses and the Poisson’s ratios under the seismic stations can be calculated by receiver function method with H-κ stacking effectively. But the stacking results are affected to some extent by the average crustal P-wave velocity. To eliminate this effect and get more accurate crustal structure along the Zhenkang-Luxi deep seismic sounding profile which lies in Yunnan Province, we calculate the receiver functions from the teleseismic events recorded by 11 temporary stations as well as 5 permanent ones along the profile and carry out the stacking with Vp obtained from the profile in this study. Our study shows that the crustal thicknesses along the Zhenkang-Luxi profile range from 34.8 km to 41.8 km with an average of 39 km. The crust is thicker in the middle part of the profile and thinner in both sides in general. Dramatic changes of crustal thickness about 3 km are detected across both the Lancangjiang fault and the Xiaojiang fault, which implies that these faults cut through the Moho. The lowest Poisson’s ratio under the stations is 0.22 and the highest is 0.27 with the mean of 0.25, which is lower than the global average value 0.27 in the continental crust. It suggests that most of the crust along the profile lacks mafic component, but contains more felsic substance. The low Poisson’s ratio also indicates that there is no satisfying condition for partial melting. We deduce that the material flow in the middle-lower crust in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau may occur only in the north region of 24°N.

Preliminary study of lateral variation in crustal structure of Northeast China from teleseismic receiver functions

We conducted comprehensive receiver function analyses for a large amount of high-quality broadband teleseismic waveforms data recorded at 19 China National Digital Seismic Network （CNDSN） stations deployed in Northeast China. An advanced H-κ domain search method was adopted to accurately estimate the crustal thickness and vp/vs ratio. The crust has an average thickness of about 34.4 km. The thinnest crust occurs in the central region of Northeast China, while the thickest crust is beneath the Yanshan belt. The vp/vs ratio is relatively uniform with an average of about 1.733. The highest vp/vs ratio is found beneath the Changbaishan, likely associated with its volcanic activities. We found significant lateral heterogeneity beneath three stations CN2, MDJ, and MIH located along the Suolon suture from the back-zimuthal dependence of Moho depth. The velocity modeling from receiver functions indicated complicated Earth structure beneath these stations with large crust-mantle transition zone, noticeable velocity jump in upper mantle, and low velocity zone in middle crust. Dipping velocity interface in the crust with strike approximately parallel to the Suolon suture and down-dip to the south or southeast might explain the observed lateral heterogeneity.

Velocity and density contrasts across the Moho interface of Guangdong province in south China constrained by receiver functions

The P receiver function includes P-to-SV converted phases and multiple reverberations of the discontinuities in the crust and mantle.The time of these phases is related to the crustal thickness and vp/vs ratio,and the amplitude of these phases is mainly controlled by the velocity and density contrast of interfaces.By using H-κstacking method,this work estimated the crustal thickness and vP/vS ratio beneath the stations in the Guangdong province of South China.The velocity and density contrast(δβ-δρ)scanning stacking algorithm of the receiver function is applied to constrain the velocity and density contrast of the Moho in Guangdong province.This work analyzed the results of the crustal thickness,vp/vS ratio,and the velocity and density contrasts of Moho.The results indicate that the velocity contrast is higher beneath Yangjiang area in western Guangdong province and Nanao area in eastern Guangdong,which has a strong correlation with the distribution of geothermal springs in local areas and the characteristics of high heat flow.The velocity contrast of Moho has also a good correlation with the vP/vS ratio and the crustal thickness,which indicates that there is a strong material composition contrasts of the Moho in the study area.Velocity and density contrasts of Moho in some local area(such as western Guangdong)are somewhat consistent with the seismic activities.

Peeling linear inversion of upper mantle velocity structure with receiver functions

A peeling linear inversion method is presented to study the upper mantle （from Moho to 800 km depth） velocity structures with receiver functions. The influences of the crustal and upper mantle velocity ratio error on the inversion results are analyzed, and three valid measures are taken for its reduction. This method is tested with the IASP91 and the PREM models, and the upper mantle structures beneath the stations GTA, LZH, and AXX in northwestern China are then inverted. The results indicate that this inversion method is feasible to quantify upper mantle discontinuities, besides the discontinuities between 3hM （hM denotes the depth of Moho） and 5hM due to the interference of multiples from Moho. Smoothing is used to overcome possible false discontinuities from the multiples and ensure the stability of the inversion results, but the detailed information on the depth range between 3hM and 5hM is sacrificed.

Receiver functions of CCDSN and crustal structure of Chinese mainland

The teleseismic receiver functions of 48 stations belonging to the CCDSN are used to invert the crustal structure beneath each station with the neighborhood algorithm. Thin layers with low velocity have been found beneath eight stations with ＂abnormal＂ observed receiver functions. Unreasonable results of few stations have been adjusted lightly with the trial-and-error method. The final result indicates that the crust in the western China is relatively thicker than the eastern China. The crust thickness beneath the Tibetan plateau is very large, which reaches 84 km at the station LSA. Double-crust structure exists below the stations LSA and CAD in Tibet, which might imply the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. A pronounced low velocity zone in the lower crust beneath the station TNC of Yunnan province might relate to the high temperature or emergence of partially molten material caused by Quaternary volcano, magma and geothermal activities in this area. The Moho is a transitional zone made up of thin layers instead of simple sharp discontinuity beneath several stations. The Conrad discontinuity is clearly identified beneath 20 stations mainly in the southeastern China, whereas it is blurry beneath 14 stations and uncertain beneath remaining stations.

High-resolution Moho depth and V_(p)/V_(s) ratio distributions in northeast China from joint inversion of receiver functions and gravity data and their geological implications

In this study,high-resolution Moho depth and average crustal V_(p)/V_(s) ratio distributions in northeast China were obtained through joint inversion of receiver functions and gravity data.The new joint inversion method comprehensively considers the complementary imaging strengths of the receiver functions in the vertical direction and the gravity data in the lateral direction.To a certain extent,it can reduce the adverse effects of the receiver function data caused by the sedimentary layers of the basin,the inclination of the Moho,and the structure heterogeneity below the station.In preprocessing the receiver function data,a regularized virtual station network was constructed using the teleseismic receiver function waveform reconstruction method to improve the overall spatial resolution.To filter the gravity data,the velocity structure-guided gravity filtering method and gravity upward continuation were used for the shallower region above the Moho and the deeper region below the lithosphere,respectively.The newly obtained model shows that the Moho depths of the Hailar Basin,Erlian Basin,Sanjiang Basin,and Bohai Bay Basin are slightly shallower than those of the surrounding areas,while the Moho depths of the Greater Xing’an Range,Lesser Xing’an Range,and Zhangguangcai Range are slightly deeper.Compared with previous results,the refined Moho depth distribution obtained in this study has a better correspondence with topographic relief and basin boundaries,and the contrast is more evident across the north-south gravity gradient lineament(NSGL).In the eastern part of the Songliao Basin,the Moho is relatively shallow,and there is a high V_(p)/V_(s) ratio,which may have been caused by the intrusion of hot mantle materials into the crust induced by lateral extension of the Songliao Basin.The high V_(p)/V_(s) ratio of the crust below the Changbaishan volcanic area implies the existence of partial melting in the crust caused by upwelling hot mantle materials.

Poisson's ratios and S-wave velocities of the Xishancun landslide,Sichuan,China,inferred from high-frequency receiver functions of local earthquakes

Landslides are recurrent geological phenomena on Earth that cause heavy casualties and property losses annually.In this study,we use the V_(p)-k stacking and nonlinear waveform inversion methods of high-frequency receiver functions extracted from local earthquakes,to sequentially invert Poisson’s ratios and S-wave velocities of the Quaternary Xishancun landslide,which is composed of three segments,i.e.,h1,h2,and h3 from bottom to top.Our results show that Poisson’s ratio values are generally higher than 0.33 and that the S-wave velocities vary from 0.1 to 0.9 km s^(-1).High Poisson’s ratios(>0.44)are mainly distributed in the juncture regions between different segments,as well as the western edge of h2.These zones show significant variation in landslide thickness and are potentially hazardous areas.Low velocities of 0.05–0.2 km s^(-1)with thicknesses of 10–30m are widely observed in the lower layer of the landslide.The high Poisson’s ratios and low-velocity layer may be related to water-rich materials in these areas.Our study suggests that the high-frequency receiver functions from local earthquakes can be used to delineate geotechnical structures,which is valuable for landslide stability analysis and hazard mitigation.

Shear-wave velocity structures of the shallow crust beneath the Ordos and Sichuan Basins from multi-frequency direct P-wave amplitudes in receiver functions

As the two largest cratonic basins in China,the Ordos Basin and the Sichuan Basin are of key importance for understanding the evolutionary history of the Chinese continent.In this study,the shear-wave velocity(V_(S))structures of the shallow crust(depth up to 10 km)beneath the two basins are imaged based on the frequency-dependence of direct P-wave amplitudes in receiver functions.The teleseismic data used in the study came from 160 broadband seismic stations,including permanent and temporary stations.The results show that the V_(S) and the thickness of the sediments in the Ordos Basin and the Sichuan Basin are respectively lower and thicker in the west than in the east.In the Ordos Basin,the shallow crustal V_(S) increases gradually from 2.10 km s^(−1)in the northwest to 2.65 km s^(−1)in the southeast and the thickest sediments are 7–8 km in the northwest and 5 km in the east.In the Sichuan Basin,the shallow crustal V_(S) increases from 2.4 km s^(−1) in the west to 2.7 km s^(−1)in the east and the thickness of the sediments decreases from>7 km in the west to 6 km in the east.The east-west difference of the shallow crustal structures of the two basins may have been controlled by the Cenozoic India-Eurasia collision.The western parts of the basins near the collision have a higher deposition rate,while in the parts inside the basins far from the collision,the V_(S) slowly increases with depth,indicating that these areas have experienced a more uniform deposition process.In addition,both basins are characterized by velocity structures that are higher along the edges and lower inside of the basins.The edges of the basins suffered strong denudation due to the uplifting and deformation influenced by tectonic evolution.The downward gradient of the shear-wave velocity beneath the Ordos Basin is twice that of the Sichuan Basin,which may be caused by the different deposition and denudation rates of the two basins resulting from differences in structural evolution and thermal events.In addition,the northern Ordos Basin exhibits a strong structural horizontal stratification,while the southern part shows obvious lateral variations in the V_(S) structure,both of which may have been affected by the Qilian orogenic event,the collision and assembly of the South China and the North China block,and the lateral extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau.

Crustal Structure of Yunnan Province of China from Teleseismic Receiver Functions:Implications for Regional Crust Evolution

Yunnan Province is located on the southeastern margin of Tibet and represents an important marker in understanding the tectonic evolution of Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we calculated teleseismic P-wave receiver functions at 49 permanent broadband seismic stations in Yunnan Province and estimated crustal thickness and the bulk crust ratios of P-wave to S-wave velocities using the H-κ method together with more detailed crustal structural profiles from the common conversion point stacking method. There is a significant transition of Moho interface and lower crustal composition along latitude 26°N in northwestern Yunnan. Decrease of crustal thickness with a concomitant increase of Poisson’s ratio occurs at station CUX. An interesting phenomenon is that a step-like Moho fashion is observed at several stations, which might correspond to local thermal activities, such as partial melt/lower crust delamination. Our results show changes in crustal properties appear to be associated with varieties in upper mantle structure and compositions. We propose the controlling factor of the dynamic processes below 26°N is the result of eastern forward subduction of the Indian Plate; the northern part is controlled by the redirected material flow from the SE Tibet.

S-wave velocity structure inferred from receiver function inversion in Tengchong volcanic area

Tengchong volcanic area is located near the impinging and underthrust margin of India and Eurasia plates. The volcanic activity is closely related to the tectonic environment. The deep structure characteristics are inferred from the receiver function inversion with the teleseismic records in the paper. The results show that the low velocity zone is influenced by the NE-trending Dayingjiang fault. The S-wave low velocity structure occurs obviously in the southern part of the fault, but unobviously in its northern part. There are low velocity zones in the shallow po-sition, which coincides with the seismicity. It also demonstrates that the low velocity zone is directly related to the thermal activity in the volcanic area. Therefore, we consider that the volcano may be alive again.

The velocity structure of crust and upper mantle in the Wudalianchi volcano area inferred from the receiver function

The Wudalianchi volcano is a modern volcano erupted since the Holocene. Its frequent occurrence of the small earthquake is considered to be indicator of active dormancy volcano. The S wave velocity structure is inferred from the receiver function for the crust and upper mantle of the Wudalianchi volcano area. The results show that the low velocity structure of S wave is widely distributed underneath the volcano area and part of the low-velocity-zone located at shallow depth in the Wudalianchi volcano area. The low velocity structure is related to the seismicity. The Moho interface is not clear underneath the volcano area, which may be regard to be an nec-essary condition for the lava upwelling. Therefore, we infer that the Wudalianchi volcano has the deep structural condition for the volcano activity and may be alive again.

Crustal structure beneath the central and western North China from receiver function analysis

The North China Craton(NCC)is one of the oldest cratons on earth.Several important tectonic transformations of MesozoicCenozoic tectonic regime led to the destruction of the North China craton.The knowledge of crustal structure can provide important constraints for the formation and evolution of cratons.New maps of sediment thickness,crustal thickness(H)and v_(P)/v_(S)(κ)in the central and western NCC were obtained using sequential H-κstacking.P-wave receiver functions are calculated using teleseismic waveform data recorded by 405 stations from Chin Array project.Benefiting from the densely distribution of temporary seismic stations,our results reveal details of the crustal structure in the study area.The thickness of sedimentary layer in North China ranges from 0–6.4 km,and the thickest sedimentary layer is in Ordos block and its surroundings(about 2.8–6 km);The thickness of sedimentary layer in the Mongolia fold belt and Yinshan orogenic belt is relatively thin(less than 1 km).The crustal thickness of the study area varies between 27–48 km,of which the crust of the North China Plain is about 30–33 km,the central NCC is about 33–40 km,and the Ordos block is 40–48 km thick.The average v_(P)/v_(S)ratios in the study area is mostly between 1.66 and 1.90,and that in the Yanshan-Taihang mountain fold belt is between 1.70 and 1.85,and that in the Ordos block is between 1.65 and 1.90,with an average value of 1.77,indicating the absence of a thick basaltic lower crust.The obvious negative correlation between crustal thickness and average v_(P)/v_(S)ratio within Ordos and Central Asia orogenic belt may be related to magmatic underplating during the crustal formation.There is no significant correlation between the crustal thickness and the v_(P)/v_(S)ratio in the Lüliang-Taihang mountain fold belt,which may be related to the multiple geological processes such as underplating and crustal extension and thinning in this area.The lack of correlation between crust thickness and topography in the central orogenic belt and the North China Basin indicates the topography of these areas are controlled not only by crustal isostatic adjustment but also by the lithospheric mantle processes.

Receiver function study of the crustal structure of Northeast China:Seismic evidence for a mantle upwelling beneath the eastern flank of the Songliao Basin and the Changbaishan region

Northeast China is a unique place to study intra-plate volcanism. We analyzed P-wave receiver function data recorded by 111 permanent broadband seismic stations in Northeast China. The results show that the crustal thickness varies from 27.9 km beneath the eastern flank of the Songliao Basin to 40.7 km beneath the Great Xing＇an Range region. The large depth variations of the Moho can be largely but not completely explained by surface topography. The residual Moho depth calculated based on the Airy＇s isostasy model indicates that the Moho is dynamically uplifted by 〈3 km beneath the eastern flank of the Songliao Basin and the Changbaishan region. We suggest that a mantle upwelling, which has been proposed by several recent seismic studies, might have caused the uplift.