Geodynamics of the South Balkan and Northern Aegean Regions Driven by the Westward Escape of Anatolia

The Plio-Quaternary deformation pattern of the northern Aegean and south Balkan regions is interpreted as an effect of the interaction between the Anatolian-Aegean-Pelagonian system (Tethyan belt), undergoing westward extrusion and strong deformation, and the surrounding plates (Nubia, Europe and Adriatic). Since the middle-late Miocene, the collision of the Tethyan belt with the continental Adriatic domain has caused strong E-W shortening in the outer Hellenides and Albanides, also involving the southward extrusion of the Peloponnesus wedge, at the expense of the Ionian oceanic domain. The roughly E-W extension recognized in the western South Balkan zones (Macedonia and eastern Albania) is related to the divergence between the Pelagonian belt (Albanides and Hellenides) and the Rhodope-Moesia domain. Stressed by the westward displacement of the central Anatolian plateau and by the southward bowing of the Cycladic Arc, the northern Aegean zone has contemporaneously undergone E-W compression and N-S extension, which has generated a series of dextral shear faults, delimiting a number of slats. The westward displacement and deformation of such slats can explain the morphological features of the northern Aegean zone. During this phase, the push of the central Anatolian plateau also caused the separation of the Rhodope massif from the Moesian European domain, with the consequent formation of the upper Thrace basin. This hypothesis can explain the Plio-Quaternary compressional deformations recognized in a sector of the North Anatolian fault system, the Ganos-Gelibolu zone. The proposed geodynamic/tectonic interpretation may help to explain some features of the time-space distribution of major earthquakes in the study area.

Complexity and Geodynamics of Ore-accumulating Basins in the Qinling Orogenic Belt,China

Researches were made of different continental-margin and intraplate basin systems in the Qinling microplate in terms of hydrothermal deposition, geodynamics of basin formation, hydrothermal sedimentary rock facies, syntectonics in the basins, and the styles of ore accumulation in the basins.

GEODYNAMICS OF SUPERLARGE DEPOSITS IN CHINSES YUNNAN-GUIZHOU-GUANGXI ON THE EASTERN MARGIN OF THE QINGZANG PLEAUTAN

Interest in the ore\|forming histories of basins has grown rapid since 1960 and is now intensive. The main reason behind the acceleration is the increasing awareness that the natural processes responsible for generating metal deposits in the sedimentary basin from the source rocks of the beneath the basin and intensively hydrothermal activity in the basin. Observations made in different continental margin basin systems and superlarge deposits in Chinese Yunnan\|Guizhou\|Guangxi Province on the eastern margin of the Qingzang (Himalaya—Karakoram—Tibet) were investigated in terms of geodynamics of basin formation. Geotectonically, the area is situated in the conjoint between the Tethys—Himalaya and the Marginal\|Pacific tectonic domain, characterized by very complex geological structure, typical basin\|mountain tectonics, abundant Superlarge deposits.

Cenozoic Tectonic Deformation and Related Geodynamics in the Western Part of Sichuan and Yunnan,Southwest China

Tectonic deformation of Cenozoic strata,youthful tectonontorphology,and high seismicity in the western part of Sichuan and Yunnan(Southwest China)marked intensive tectonism there during the Ceno7oic.It is a good place for studying the continental geodynamics because it is far away from those active plate boundaries surrounding the East Asian continent but near the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Xizang(Tibet)plateau.The present study discriminated two phases of tectonic deformation with quite different styles in Cenozoic.Early compression deformation,expressed by folds,thrust,and even nappe structure,mainly occurred between the middle and late Eocene.Late extension deformation expressed by block-faulting started at least in the late Pliocene.Nonconformity,absence of strata,nonsuccessive tectonism,and inverse movement of the faults in late stages illustrated that two different deformation phases should be caused by different geodynamic processes.The early compression deformation would be related to

Mesozoic doming extensional tectonics of Wugongshan, South China

Wugongshan in Jiangxi Province, China was a Mesozoic granitic dome type extensional tectonics that is composed of metamorphic core complexes, ductile and brittle shear deformed zones distributed around Mesozoic granites. Within it, the foliation defines an E W elliptical shape and bears S N stretching lineations. The axial part is located in Hongjiang Wanlongshan area and occupied by oriented granites with coaxial symmetric shear fabrics. The southern and northern flanks, including rocks in the Anfu Basin to the south and the Pingxiang Basin to the north, display top to south and top to north motions, respectively. The ductile and brittle structures indicate a geometric and kinematic consistency. The extensional tectonics is developed on a Caledonian metamorphic basement and is unconformably covered by Late Cretaceous red beds. Isotopic ages on muscovite, biotite and whole rock by 40 Ar 39 Ar, K Ar and Rb Sr suggest that the Wugongshan extensional doming began from the Triassic and ended in the Late Cretaceous. A geodynamic model is discussed.

Late Mesozoic extensional tectonics of the Liaodong Peninsula massif:Response of crust to continental lithosphere destruction of the North China Craton

Unlike most Precambrian cratons that have thick sub-continental lithospheric roots,the Archean lithosphere beneath the North China Craton is thin (reduced from 200 km to about 80 km),and has been replaced by a geochemically juvenile lithospheric mantle.This is a unique regional geological event,which has attracted worldwide attention.In the North China Block,Late Mesozoic extensional tectonics is evident by low-angle detachment faults,syntectonic plutons bounded by ductile faults,metamorphic core complexes (MCC) and widespread Jurassic to Cretaceous half-grabens filled by continental terrigenous deposits and volcanic rocks.At a regional scale,these structures share the same NW-SE extensional direction,while maintaining their own individual kinematics.In other words,the MCC feature a top-to-the-NW sense of shear,and syntectonic plutons are typified by a top-to-the-SE shearing deformations.Geochronological results indicate that the extensional structures were formed between 130-120 Ma.These extensional events lead to magmatic rock emplacement,distributed at the footwall of the detachment faults.Two different exhumation stages can be identified based on regional structural and magmatic interpretation:a Jurassic slow or negligible exhumation and a Cretaceous fast one assisted by normal faulting.These two cooling stages correspond to distinct geodynamic processes that occurred during the Jurassic and Cretaceous.Extensional tectonics appear to have been insignificant before the Early Cretaceous,and the process may be demonstrated by partial melting of the crust.The second stage,dominated by an extensional regime,developed after ca 120 Ma,and is tentatively correlated with crustal extension caused by lithospheric removal of the North China Craton.

Extensional Tectonics, Rifting, Formation of Sedimentary Basins, Cretaceous Volcanism, Emplacement of Dyke Swarms and Development of Hydrocarbon Pools: Case Studies from Peninsular India and Indian Ocean Region

Prolonged extensional regime in peninsular India resulted in formation of rift and grabens,elongated basins and Gondwana sedimentation along them.Downward progression of rift related faults caused decompression

青藏高原形成演化动力机制及其远程效应

作为第三极的青藏高原的形成是新生代以来的地球节律构造事件中最典型、最显著的新构造运动的结果,其构造地貌特征及其重要性,内部单元组成,构造演化历程及动力机制,以及对周边盆地乃至整个中国大陆的影响及远程效应至今一直是学术关注的焦点。本文重新圈定了青藏高原构造地貌范围,确立了其在全球构造中的地位。青藏高原的远程效应向南北两侧延伸,北到北冰洋,南到太平洋,总体上围绕东经105°经线穿越了整个亚洲大陆,本文采用东经105°所在经线大圆作为划分东西半球的分界线,该线以东为东半球,以西为西半球。青藏高原处于全球最大、最重要的南北向构造和东西向构造的交汇处,其内部的帕米尔高原更是区域构造的中流砥柱。青藏高原起源于帕米尔高原,它是一个印支期的热穹窿,晚期转化出一条直径200 km的异常重力柱,垂直下沉至600 km,构成一个垂向上的挤压-伸展构造,完成于白垩纪。以它为中心向东西扩展,东边三条、西边一条水平方向挤压-伸展构造。喜山期它还遭受到岩体的侵入,白垩系基本上未变形。古近纪,印度陆块与亚洲陆块碰撞,形成先压后升的雄伟的喜马拉雅造山带。以它为中心向北扩展,第四纪3个地幔枝上升,导致整个青藏高原上升。青藏高原形成与演化的深部动力机制模型:早期表现为地质体在垂向上的离心运动和在水平上的伸展运动;后期是以挤压为主的阶段,表现为地质体在垂向上的向心运动和水平上的挤压运动。从驱动力的角度,早期以热能为主驱动力,后期以重力势能为主驱动力。青藏高原的隆升及其形成演化是欧亚陆块新生代最令人瞩目的地质事件,其直接影响到岩石圈浅部及地壳表层与人类生存发展息息相关的地形地貌、能源、资源、生态、环境和灾害等,产生了具有举足轻重的近区及远程效应。3个远程效应分别是贝加尔湖裂谷、汾渭裂谷以及东非三叉裂谷的形成。本文最后对印支运动的命名和穿时问题、印支运动起止时间和类型、青藏高原是研究各类造山带的最佳基地、喜马拉雅造山带东西构造结的确定和帕米尔高原四维动力学模型的探索等5个问题进行了简单讨论。

北山东南部早白垩世伸展构造变形:二维反射地震剖面解释与磷灰石裂变径迹测年的制约

为深入认识中亚造山带南缘晚中生代陆内变形过程及其动力学机制,通过野外地质观察、二维反射地震剖面解释及磷灰石裂变径迹测年,对北山东南部早白垩世伸展构造及早期挤压构造进行了详细解析。结果表明,一系列逆冲断层与褶皱构造造成下—中侏罗统发生强烈的挤压变形。地震剖面揭示出2条早白垩世伸展正断层,其中梭梭井断层为南东倾向的低角度铲式正断层,五道明断层为北西倾向的高角度正断层,二者共同切割了早期形成的褶皱-冲断系统,指示挤压-伸展构造的转换;梭梭井断层与五道明断层分别限定了早白垩世总口子盆地的北西和南东边界,使得其具有“地堑”样式,盆地内沉积的下白垩统生长地层发育,表明伸展正断层的活动时间为早白垩世晚期。磷灰石裂变径迹热史模拟结果显示,梭梭井断层下盘于132~110 Ma经历了快速冷却和剥露事件,该事件与其持续的正断层活动密切相关,进一步证实北山东南部晚中生代挤压-伸展构造的转换很可能发生在早白垩世晚期(133~129 Ma)。增厚地壳的重力垮塌与局部地幔上涌共同导致了中亚造山带南缘早白垩世的区域伸展作用。

岩石圈伸展的壳/幔拆离模型(Parallel Extension Tectonics):华北克拉通东部早白垩世岩石圈减薄与破坏机理

华北克拉通岩石圈减薄和破坏机理长期以来存在争议,基于岩石学、岩石地球的化学分析研究突出强调深部过程的重要性。前人提出了两种重要模式:包括以拆沉作用为代表的top-down tectonics模型和以热-机械侵蚀与化学侵蚀,或地幔置换、交代作用的bottom-up tectonics模型。然而,对于这两种模式而言尚存在许多无法合理解释的问题,比如在此深部过程中,区域性岩石圈伸展有多大的贡献?地壳伸展构造是作为深部过程的响应,还是同为岩石圈伸展的产物?本文基于早白垩世东亚地区(尤其是华北克拉通东部地区)伸展构造与岩浆活动的综合分析,揭示出华北克拉通东部不同地区伸展构造变形与岩浆活动之间的时、空和成因关系有一定的差异。但整体上看,岩石圈伸展起着主导作用,控制着岩浆上侵和就位,在拆离断层下盘侵入形成各种规模的花岗质为主的侵入体,或于上盘喷发形成火山-沉积岩盆地。在伸展构造发育的不同阶段,可以有伸展早期、伸展期及伸展期后的岩浆活动。岩浆活动的强度及岩浆源区特点有显著的时空变化。一方面,在同一地区不同演化阶段其源区有很大的差异。表现为主体上是早期以古老下地壳源为主,随着壳/幔伸展作用演化,逐渐向混合源或独立幔源的演化。同时,不同地区岩浆源区的变化规律也显著不同。以胶辽地区为例,胶东整体上是壳幔混合源区对于岩浆演化有重要贡献;而辽东地区具有显著的源区演化特点:从剪切早期古老下地壳源区为主,并伴有幔源物质加入,剪切期古老下地壳为主,到剪切晚期和剪切期后以新生下地壳为主。本文认为岩石圈伸展的壳/幔拆离模型(Parallel Extension Tectonics),可以合理地解释华北克拉通及邻区早白垩世构造-岩浆活动性。在该模型中,遭受伸展的华北克拉通岩石圈发生壳-幔拆离作用。在岩石圈伸展作用期间,地壳层次的拆离作用与岩石圈地幔层次上的拆离作用可以是耦合的或者是解耦的,从而导致华北克拉通岩石圈减薄过程中在地壳尺度上的拆离作用与变质核杂岩的剥露有三种不同的类型:同岩浆活动型伸展(C型:Co-magmatism mode extension)、无岩浆活动型伸展(A型:Amagmatism mode extension)和多阶段混合型(M型:Multi-mode extension)。

Tectonic evolution and geodynamics of the Neo-Tethys Ocean

The Neo-Tethys Ocean was an eastward-gaping triangular oceanic embayment between Laurasia to the north and Gondwana to the south.The Neo-Tethys Ocean was initiated from the Early Permian with mircoblocks rifted from the northern margin of Gondwana.As the microblocks drifted northwards,the Neo-Tethys Ocean was expanded.Most of these microblocks collided with the Eurasia continent in the Late Triassic,leading to the final closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean,followed by oceanic subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic slab beneath the newly formed southern margin of the Eurasia continent.As the splitting of Gondwana continued,African-Arabian,Indian and Australian continents were separated from Gondwana and moved northwards at different rates.Collision of these blocks with the Eurasia continent occurred at different time during the Cenozoic,resulting in the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and building of the most significant Alps-Zagros-Himalaya orogenic belt on Earth.The tectonic evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean shows different characteristics from west to east:Multi-oceanic basins expansion,bidirectional subduction and microblocks collision dominate in the Mediterranean region;northward oceanic subduction and diachronous continental collision along the Zagros suture occur in the Middle East;the Tibet and Southeast Asia are characterized by multi-block riftings from Gondwana and multi-stage collisions with the Eurasia continent.The negative buoyancy of subducting oceanic slabs can be considered as the main engine for northward drifting of Gondwana-derived blocks and subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean.Meanwhile,mantle convection and counterclockwise rotation of Gondwana-derived blocks and the Gondwana continent around an Euler pole in West Africa in non-free boundary conditions also controlled the evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean.

Late Mesozoic basin and range tectonics and related magmatism in Southeast China

During the Late Mesozoic Middle Jurassic--Late Cretaceous, basin and range tectonics and associated magmatism representative of an extensional tectonic setting was widespread in southeastern China as a result of Pacific Plate subduction. Basin tectonics consists of post-orogenic （Type I） and intra-continental extensional basins （Type II）. Type I basins developed in the piedmont and intraland during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, in which coarse-grained terrestrial clastic sediments were deposited. Type II basins formed during intra-continental crustal thinning and were characterized by the development of grabens and half-grabens. Graben basins were mainly generated during the Middle Jurassic and were associated with bimodal volcanism. Sediments in half-grabens are intercalated with rhyolitic tufts and lavas and are Early Cretaceous in age with a dominance of Late Cretaceous-Paleogene red beds. Ranges are composed of granitoids and bimodal volcanic rocks, A-type granites and dome-type metamorphic core complexes. The authors analyzed lithological, geochemical and geochronological features of the Late Mesozoic igneous rock assemblages and proposed some geodynamical constraints on forming the basin and range tectonics of South China. A comparison of the similarities and differences of basin and range tectonics between the eastern and western shores of the Pacific is made, and the geo- dynamical evolution model of the Southeast China Block during Late Mesozoic is discussed. Studied results suggest that the basin and range terrane within South China developed on a pre-Mesozoic folded belt was derived from a polyphase tectonic evolution mainly constrained by subduction of the western Pacific Plate since the Late Mesozoic, leading to formation of various magmatism in a back-arc exten- sional setting. Its geodynamic mechanism can compare with that of basin and range tectonics in the eastern shore of the Pacific. Differences of basin and range tectonics between both shores of the Pacific, such as mantle plume formation, scales of extensional and igneous rock assemblages and the age of basin and range tectonics, were caused mainly by the Yellowstone mantle plume in the eastern shore of the Pacific.

Extensional Tectonic Framework of Post High and Ultrahigh Pressure Metamorphism in Dabieshan,China

The most prominent feature of the extensional tectonic framework of post high pressure (HP) and ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphism in Dabieshan is the development of the multi layered extension detachment zones surrounding the core of the Luotian dome, and the separation of the UHP, HP and epidote blueschist units by the detachment zones, which form the vertically stacking sheet like slices of the HP and UHP metamorphic rocks. From the core outwards, exist the HP and UHP rock barren Dabie complex, UHP unit, HP unit and epidote blueschist unit. The extension tectonics of post HP and UHP metamorphic event constrain the distribution and present configuration of the HP and UHP metamorphic rocks, and the extensional tectonic framework bears some similarities to the Cordillera metamorphic core complex. It is suggested that partial melting happened in the Dabie gneiss complex (DGC) and UHP unit contemporaneously with the extrusion of UHP metamorphic rocks into the lower-middle crust. The formation and emplacement of the migmatite and granites are the response to the change in thermal state, facilitating the transfer from the compressive regime to extensional regime in the crust. The large scale crustal extension and uplift and the accompanying anatexis in Dabieshan are probably related to the delamination and magmatic underplating in the mantle and the lower crust.

Extensional Tectonic System of Erlian Fault Basin Groupand Its Deep Background

The Erlian fault basin group, a typical Basin and Range type fault basin group, was formed during Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, in which there are rich coal, oil and gas resources. In the present paper the abundant geological and petroleum information accumulated in process of industry oil and gas exploration and development of the Erlian basin group is comprehensively analyzed, the structures related to formation of basin are systematically studied, and the complete extensional tectonic system of this basin under conditions of wide rift setting and low extensional ratio is revealed by contrasting study with Basin and Range Province of the western America. Based on the above studies and achievements of the former workers, the deep background of the basin development is treated.

The 144–140 Ma Mafic Dykes in North China and Northeast China Indicating Regional Extensional Tectonic Setting

Objective Previous studies indicate that the North China Craton（NCC）had undergone the loss of thickened lithosphere and fundamental change of physical and chemical property of lithospheric mantle（the destruction of NCC）during the Mesozoic.The peak period of the destruction of NCC is estimated to be 130 Ma,accompanied by widespread metamorphic core complex,rift basins,A-type granites and mafic dykes. However, it remains greatly controversial on the tectonic setting of NCC in the pre- 130Ma.

Tectonics-palaeogeomorphology in rift basins: controlling effect on the sequence architecture

The relationship between deposition and tectonics of sedimentary basins has been a significant subject in recent years.Using typical rift basins such as the Nanpu Sag as an example,combined with the analysis of the tectonics-palaeogeomorphology of basins,we undertook a detailed study of the differences of the third-order sequences in different basins,the combination of depositional systems within the sequence framework and the distribution of depocenters and subsidence centers.Our results revealed a significant relationship between the tectonics-palaeogeomorphology of rift basins and the filling styles of sedimentary sequences.The basin structure plays a primary role in controlling the development of the third-order sequences and the boundary of these sequences is easily formed in basins with gentle slopes,shallow water and a small area.The characteristics of the tectonics-palaeogeomorphology of rift basins are dominated by half-grabens of extensional faults,which affect the temporal and spatial combination of sedimentary systems within the sequences as well as the distribution of depocenters and subsidence centers.Based on the development rules of the faults dominating the half-grabens of extensional faults,rift basins are classified into two types： the single fault segmented-linkage type and the multi-fault combination type.The main controlling factors of the temporal and spatial combination of sedimentary systems and the distribution of depocenters and subsidence centers in different basins are different.The characteristics of early segmentation and later linkage of the faults play a critical role in controlling the sedimentary system combination within the sequence framework and the temporal and spatial differences of depocenters and subsidence centers of the single fault segmented-linkage rift basins,while the differences in fault activities are the dominating factors of the multi-fault combination rift basins.

Inversion of two-phase extensional basin systems during subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate in the SW Korean Peninsula:Implication for the Mesozoic “Laramide-style” orogeny along East Asian continental margin

During subduction, continental margins experience shortening along with inversion of extensional sedimentary basins. Here we explore a tectonic scenario for the inversion of two-phase extensional basin systems, where the Early-Middle Jurassic intra-arc volcano-sedimentary Oseosan Volcanic Complex was developed on top of the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic post-collisional sequences, namely the Chungnam Basin. The basin shortening was accommodated mostly by contractional faults and related folds. In the basement, regional high-angle reverse faults as well as low-angle thrusts accommodate the overall shortening, and are compatible with those preserved in the cover. This suggests that their spatial and temporal development is strongly dependent on the initial basin geometry and inherited structures.Changes in transport direction observed along the basement-sedimentary cover interface is a characteristic structural feature, reflecting sequential kinematic evolution during basin inversion. Propagation of basement faults also enhanced shortening of the overlying sedimentary cover sequences. We constrain timing of the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous(ca. 158-110 Ma) inversion from altered K-feldspar 40 Ar/39 Ar ages in stacked thrust sheets and K-Ar illite ages of fault gouges, along with previously reported geochronological data from the area. This "non-magmatic phase" of the Daebo Orogeny is contemporaneous with the timing of magmatic quiescence across the Korean Peninsula. We propose the role of flat/low-angle subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate for the development of the "Laramide-style" basement-involved orogenic event along East Asian continental margin.

Characteristics of crustal variation and extensional break-up in the Western Pacific back-arc region based on a wide-angle seismic profile

The marginal sea and back-arc basins in the Western Pacific Ocean have become the focus of tectonics due to their unique tectonic location.To understand the deep crustal structure in the back-arc region,we present a 545-kmlong active-source ocean bottom seismometer(OBS)wide-angle reflection/refraction profile in the East China Sea.The P wave velocity model shows that the Moho depth rises significantly,from approximately 30 km in the East China Sea shelf to approximately 16 km in the axis of the Okinawa Trough.The lower crustal high-velocity zone(HVZ)in the southern Okinawa Trough,with V_(p) of 6.8-7.3 km/s,is a remarkable manifestation of the mantle material upwelling and accretion to the lower crust.This confirms that the lower crustal high-velocity mantle accretion is developed in the southern Okinawa Trough.During the process of back-arc extension,the crustal structure of the southern Okinawa Trough is completely invaded and penetrated by the upper mantle material in the axis region.In some areas of the southern central graben,the crust may has broken up and entered the initial stage of seafloor spreading.The discontinuous HVZs in the lower crust in the back-arc region also indicate the migration of spreading centers in the back-arc region since the Cenozoic.The asthenosphere material upwelling in the continent-ocean transition zone is constantly driving the lithosphere eastward for episodic extension,and is causing evident tectonic migration in the Western Pacific back-arc region.

渤海湾盆地旅大隆起区多期叠加构造及其对潜山的控制作用

旅大隆起区位于渤海湾盆地渤海海域的西北部,经历了中生代—新生代多幕构造运动的叠加改造,内幕断裂发育类型多样、变形复杂,前人对其古生界和中生界的构造研究仍相对薄弱。基于三维地震数据的详细构造解析揭示,研究区印支期主要表现为自南向北的逆冲推覆,形成了北西—近东西向的宽缓褶皱和逆冲推覆断裂;燕山早期和中期主要表现为挤压背景下的局部伸展和沉积,中-下侏罗统和上侏罗统-下白垩统之间未见明显的角度不整合;燕山晚期主要表现为自南东往北西方向的逆冲推覆;早喜马拉雅期在北西-南东向的伸展作用下形成了多米诺式的伸展-拆离断层和箕状断陷沉积。其中,印支期北西—近东西向的逆冲断层控制了研究区的基底构造格局,后期的燕山运动和早喜马拉雅运动继承或改造了早期的断层系统。晚白垩世是旅大隆起区构造格局转变的关键时期,自之前的北西—近东西向转为北东向。位于构造转变区的秦皇岛30-1构造和旅大25-1构造潜山是印支期近南北向挤压、燕山晚期北西-南东向挤压和早喜马拉雅期北西-南东向伸展叠加改造的结果,而南部的428构造潜山则受控于近东西走向的印支期逆冲及燕山期和早喜马拉雅期伸展断裂体系。

微板块与深部地幔LLSVP的遥相关作用

基于海洋地质地球物理观测建立的板块构造理论意味着板块和浅部地幔共同演化,然而地幔底部尤其是大型横波低速异常区(LLSVP)与板块(尤其微板块)运动和演化之间是否存在关联仍有争议。一些研究认为LLSVP长期保持稳定,而另一些模型则认为它与各级板块存在相互作用。为此,本文通过总结前人成果,并基于近期发表的板块重建和地幔对流模型进行进一步分析,探讨微板块运动和LLSVP的演化关系。模拟结果表明,微板块与大板块类似,俯冲后通常会下沉至核幔边界。微幔块会推动地幔底部热的物质聚集并形成大的热化学结构。该热化学结构与层析成像揭示的LLSVP基本吻合。下地幔径向流速场和温度场的二阶结构与地表速度场散度的二阶结构随时间的移动轨迹相似,表明深浅部圈层的耦合演化,但是下地幔结构演化一般会滞后于浅表。在微幔块推挤之下,地幔柱优先沿着地幔底部热化学结构的边缘形成,且有时会被推至热化学结构的内部。地幔柱上升至浅部后,能够导致岩石圈弱化甚至裂解或板块边界跃迁,形成微板块。因此,地幔底部LLSVP不是稳定或静止的,而是与微板块动态协同演化,并通过地幔柱与浅表板块边界发生遥相关,从而控制微板块生成场所。