Crust and Upper Mantle Electrical Resistivity Structure in the Panxi Region of the Eastern Tibetan Plateau and Its Significance

The Panxi region is located in the frontal zone of positive squeezing subduction and side squeezing shearing between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. The long-period magnetotelluric （LMT） and broadband magnetotelluric （MT） techniques are both used to study the deep electrical conductivity structure in this region; magnetic and gravity surveys are also performed along the profile. According to the 2-D resistivity model along the Yanyuan-Yongshan profile, a high- conductivity layer （HCL） exists widely in the crust, and a high-resistivity block （HRB） exists widely in the upper mantle in general, as seen by the fact that a large HCL exists from the western Jinpingshan tectonic zone to the eastern Mabian tectonic zone in the crust, while the HRB found in the Panxi tectonic zone is of abnormally high resistivity in that background compared to both sides of Panxi tectonic zone. In addition, the gravity and magnetic field anomalies are of high value. Combined with geological data, the results indicate that there probably exists basic or ultrabasic rock with a large thickness in the lithosphere in the Panxi axial region, which indicates that fracture activity once occurred in the lithosphere. As a result, we can infer that the high-resistivity zone in the Panxi lithosphere is the eruption channel for Permian Emeishan basalt and the accumulation channel for basic and ultrabasic rock. The seismic sources along the profile are counted according to seismic record data. The results indicate that the most violent earthquake sources are located at the binding site of the HRB and the HCL, where the tectonic activity zone is generally acknowledged to be; however, the earthquakes occurring in the HCL are not so violent, which reflects the fact that the HCL is a plastic layer, and the fracture threshold of a plastic layer is low generally, making high stress difficult to accumulate but easy to release in the layer. As a result, a higher number of smaller earthquakes occurred in the HCL at Daliangshan tectonic zone, and violent earthquakes occurred at the binding site of high- and low-resistivity blocks at the Panxi tectonic zone.

Viability of high-density resistivity method for evaluating mountain slope stability in Erdaojiang District,Tonghua City,China

The authors employ the high-density resistivity method to image the subsurface structure of a mountain in Erdaojiang District,Tonghua City,Jilin Province,China,to evaluate the potential risk of slope failure on surrounding residential areas and infrastructure,and identify a shallow fault that extends across the center of the mountain and is perpendicular to the mountain slope and accurately locate the spatial position and depth of another fault on the southern side of the mountain.The results provide an important basis for evaluating mountain slope stability.This study also demonstrates that the high-density resistivity method is effective for detecting mountain faults.

Application of high-density resistivity method to evaluate safety around Minyan Tunnel,Helong City

By determining the distribution and extent of geological structures surrounding the Mingyan Tunnel,Xicheng Town,Helong City,Jilin Province,we can evaluate the stability of the rock mass and assess potential hazards during tunnel construction.We use the high-density resistivity method to analyze the subsurface structure of the study area.Conductive anomalies are likely to represent joint and fissure systems within strongly weathered host rocks,and the bedrock surrounding the tunnel is relatively stable and does not contain well-developed faults.High-density resistivity analysis can provide valuable information in the context of tunnel engineering and safety.

Application of high-density resistivity method in archaeological investigation of Sumicheng ancient city site

The authors employ the high-density resistivity method during an archaeological investigation of Sumicheng site,an ancient city of the Tang Dynasty,to find evidence of human activities and locate a favorable target for archaeological excavation in the southern part of the outer city.There are two obvious high-resistivity structures,the south wall of the inner city and an ancient building near the south gate along the outer city wall,of which the resistivities are indicative of rammed soil foundations.The south wall of the inner city is continuous but is cut off abruptly to the east,which we suggest it is due to either wall damage or destruction.The resistivity signature of the target area is verified by archaeological excavation,proving the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing the high-density resistivity method for archaeological exploration.

Magnetotelluric imaging and tectonic movement characteristics of the central Yunnan sub-block and its adjacent areas

The central Yunnan sub-block is an important channel for southeast migration of materials in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,and therefore a key area to study tectonic movement and deformation.In this study,a three-dimensional electrical structure of the crust and upper mantle lithosphere was derived from magnetotelluric data inversion along a survey line across the central Yunnan sub-block.Results suggest that the middle and upper crust of the central Yunnan sub-block is comprised of several independent high-resistivity bodies.Deep extension of some faults was revealed according to electrical structure and relocated microseismicity.The Chenghai fault extends downward along the eastern boundary of a high-resistivity body.The Yuanmou fault dips to the west and extends to the depth along the boundary between two high-resistivity bodies.The Tanglang-Yimen fault cuts through a high-resistivity body in the middle and upper crust.There is an obvious high-conductivity C1 layer in the lower crust in the eastern part of the central Yunnan sub-block,and its western border displays an obvious structural boundary in the shallow part.The eastern part of the central Yunnan sub-block moves eastward relative to the western part(bounded by the west side of a high-resistivity body R3 in the C1 west).C1 is speculated to be characterized by low rheological strength and viscosity,thus reducing the resistance to eastward movement of the eastern part.Owing to the combined action of C1 and its western boundary,the eastern materials slip eastward faster relative to R3.Due to South China Block resistance,the middle and upper crust in the eastern part is within a compressional tectonic environment,consistent with the negative dilatation rate and the presence of compressive faults in this region.The C1 ground surface has a low strain rate,indicating weak deformation in this region and rigid motion dominance.Our results suggest that under the decoupling effect of the high-conductivity layer in the lower crust,the independent rigid blocks in the middle and upper crust can also exhibit tectonic deformation characteristics of rigid extrusion.