Analysis of Error Caused by Replacing Spherical Shell with an Elastic Plate Model in Studying Bending Deformation of the Lithosphere

To study the bending deformation of the lithosphere, the simplification of replacing a spherical shell by a plate model is usually made. Based on the differential equations for the bending of plates and shallow spherical shells, an expression for the error caused by such a simplification is derived in this paper. The effect of model sizes on the error is discussed. It is proved that if we replace the shallow spherical shell by a plate model to solve the bending deformation of lithospheric plate, a large error will be caused. In contrast, if we use a plate on an elastic foundation instead, an approximate solution closer to that of spherical shell can be obtained. In such a way, the error can be reduced effectively and the actual geological condition can be modeled more closely.

Large along-axis variations in magma supply and tectonism of the Southeast Indian Ridge near the Australian-Antarctic Discordance

We analyzed seafloor morphology and geophysical anomalies of the Southeast Indian Ridge(SEIR) to reveal the remarkable changes in magma supply along this intermediate fast-spreading ridge. We found systematic differences of the Australian-Antarctic Discordance(AAD) from adjacent ridge segments with the residual mantle Bouguer gravity anomaly(RMBA) being more positive, seafloor being deeper, morphology being more chaotic, M factors being smaller at the AAD. These systematic anomalies, as well as the observed Na8.0 being greater and Fe8.0 being smaller at AAD, suggest relatively starved magma supply and relatively thin crust within the AAD.Comparing to the adjacent ridges segments, the calculated average map-view M factors are relatively small for the AAD, where several Oceanic Core Complexes(OCCs) develop. Close to 30 OCCs were found to be distributed asymmetrically along the SEIR with 60% of OCCs at the northern flank. The OCCs are concentrated mainly in Segments B3 and B4 within the AAD at ~124°–126°E, as well as at the eastern end of Zone C at ~115°E. The relatively small map-view M factors within the AAD indicate stronger tectonism than the adjacent SEIR segments.The interaction between the westward migrating Pacific mantle and the relatively cold mantle beneath the AAD may have caused a reduction in magma supply, leading to the development of abundant OCCs.

Upper mantle anisotropy and crust-mantle deformation pattern beneath the Chinese mainland

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.

Three-dimensional thermo-rheological structure of the lithosphere in the North China Craton determined by integrating multiple observations: Implications for the formation of rifts

The lithosphere of the North China Craton(NCC)has experienced significant destruction and deformation since the Mesozoic,a notable feature of which is the widespread extensional structure and lithospheric thinning in the eastern NCC.Since the thermo-rheological structure of the lithosphere is one of the main factors controlling these dynamic processes,a threedimensional thermo-rheological model of the present lithosphere in the NCC was developed based on a geophysical-petrological method using a variety of data,and its relationship with the extensional structures and the formation of rifts was further analyzed.Our results show that the western NCC is characterized by thick lithosphere,low Moho temperature(TMoho<600°C),as well as high lithospheric strength and mantle-crust strength ratio(Sm/Sc>1).The deformation of the western narrow rift is consistent with the localized deformation dominated by the strength of lithospheric mantle.On the other hand,the lithosphere in the eastern NCC is characterized by extensive thinning(with lithospheric thickness of about 80–110 km).However,the decrease of lithospheric strength is not uniform,with high strength(10×1012 Pa m)observed in some areas(such as the Bohai Bay Basin and Hehuai Basin).Most of the eastern lithosphere is characterized by high TMoho(600–750°C)and low Sm/Sc(<1),which is inconsistent with the widespread extensional structure in the eastern NCC.Incorporating results from palaeo-geothermal and petrological studies,we developed a thermo-rheological structure model of the lithosphere at different evolutionary stages of the NCC,and suggested that the eastern NCC had a significantly thinned and weakened lithosphere in the early stages of the formation of the rift,leading to a regional distributed extension deformation dominated by crustal strength,which eventually evolved into a series of wide rifts.However,the cooling and accretion of the lithosphere in the subsequent stages significantly increased the strength of the lithospheric mantle,resulting in the inconsistency between the present thermo-rheological structure of the lithosphere and the extensional structure formed in the past.

Teleseismic shear wave splitting and intracontinental collision deformation of the northern Tibetan Plateau and the eastern Tarim basin

Shear wave splitting measurement of teleseismic data has been used to determine the fast polarization directions and delay times for 38 temporary stations and 15 permanent stations from a NW linear seismic array across the eastern Tarim basin(ETB) and the northern Tibetan Plateau(NTP),and 10 permanent stations on both sides of the array.We present an image of upper mantle anisotropy in the ETB and NTP using the 63 new measurements.The results show that the fast directions and delay times have complex spatial distribution characteristics.The delay times within the interior of the Tarim basin are very small,with an average value of 0.6 s,which is not only smaller than that in the Altyn Tagh fault and Tianshan on the southern and northern margins of the basin,but also smaller than that in the NTP,reflecting that the delay time of stable blocks is smaller than that of active blocks.Along the array,from east to west,the fast directions contrarotate from NNW in the southern Songpan-Garze terrane to NW in the northern Songpan-Garze terrane,to near E-W or ENE in the north of the East Kunlun fault and southern margin of the Qaidam basin,then first abruptly rotate to NW in the Qiman Tagh fault on the northwestern margin of the Qaidam basin,second abruptly rotate to ENE in the Altyn Tagh fault and south of the ETB,and third abruptly rotate to NW in the north of the ETB,then finally rotate to WNW in the Tianshan.The comparative analysis between the fast wave directions measured by shear wave splitting and predicted from the surface deformation field shows that,with the exclusion of the five observations with larger misfits within the interior of the ETB(with an average misfit of 27°),the misfits in the NTP and northern and southern margins of the Tarim basin are relatively small(with an average misfit of 9°).In addition,the fast wave directions of the tectonic units such as the Altyn Tagh fault,East Kunlun fault,and Tianshan are parallel to the strikes of faults and mountains in the region,which indicates that the deep and shallow deformations of the NTP and northern and southern margins of the ETB are consistent,where the crust-mantle coupling extent of lithospheric deformation is higher,according with the vertical coherent deformation of the lithosphere.Conversely,the crust-mantle coupling extent within the interior of the Tarim Basin is weak,and it is characterized by weak anisotropy,stable rigidity,and thick lithosphere,which may remain the “fossil” anisotropy of ancient craton.

Upper mantle anisotropy in the Ordos Block and its margins

Based on the polarization analysis of teleseismic data,SKS (SKKS) fast-wave directions and delay times between fast and slow shear waves were determined for each of the 111 seismic stations from both permanent and temporary broadband seismograph networks deployed in the Ordos Block and its margins.Both the Silver and Chan and stacking analysis methods were used.In this way,an image of upper mantle anisotropy in the Ordos Block and its margins was acquired.In the western and northern margins of the Ordos Block,the fast-wave directions are consistently NW-SE.The fast-wave directions are mainly NWW-SEE and EW in the southern margin of the Ordos Block.In the eastern margin of the Ordos Block,the fast-wave directions are generally EW,although some run NEE-SWW or NWW-SEE.In the Ordos Block,the fast-wave directions trend near N-S in the north,but switch to near EW in the south.The delay time between fast and slow waves falls into the interval 0.48-1.50 s,and the average delay time at the stations in the Ordos Block is less than that in its margins.We suggest that the anisotropy of the stable Ordos Block is mainly caused by "fossil" anisotropy frozen in the ancient North China Craton.The NE-trending push of the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau has caused NW-SE-trending lithospheric extension in the western and northern margins of the Ordos Block,and made the upper mantle flow southeastwards.This in turn has resulted in the alignment of the upper mantle peridotite lattice with the direction of material deformation.In the southern margin of the Ordos Block,the collision between the North China and Yangtze blocks resulted in the fast-wave direction running parallel to the collision boundary and the Qinling Orogen.Combining this with the APM and velocity structure of the Qinling Orogen,we propose that eastward-directed asthenospheric-mantle channel flow may have occurred beneath the Qinling Orogen.In the eastern margin of the Ordos Block,the complex anisotropic characteristics of the Fenhe Graben and Taihang Orogen may be caused by the interaction of western Pacific Plate subduction,regional extensional tectonics,and the orogeny.For station YCI,the apparent splitting parameters (the fast-wave directions range from 45° to 106° and the delay times range from 0.6 to 1.5 s) exhibit systematic variations as a function of incoming polarization with a periodicity of π/2.This variation can be best explained by a two-layer anisotropic model (φlower=132°,δtlower=0.8 s,φupper=83°,δtupper=0.5 s).The upper layer anisotropy beneath station YCI can again be attributed to "fossil" anisotropy frozen in the ancient North China Craton.The lower layer anisotropy is affected by the tectonic activity of the western Ordos Block.The NW-SE trending extension caused by the NE trending push of the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau affected the deformation of the lower anisotropic layer beneath station YCI.By comparing the fast-wave directions with GPS velocity directions,we see that the crust and upper mantle possibly have vertically coherent deformation in the margins of the Ordos Block,whereas the internal deformation characteristics of the Ordos Block are complex and require further study.

Upper mantle anisotropy of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis and surrounding regions from shear wave splitting analysis

Polarization analysis of teleseismic data has been used to determine the XKS(SKS,SKKS,and PKS)fast polarization directions and delay times between fast and slow shear waves for 59 seismic stations of both temporary and permanent broadband seismograph networks deployed in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis(EHS)and surrounding regions.The analysis employed both the grid searching method of the minimum tangential energy and stacking analysis methods to develop an image of upper mantle anisotropy in the EHS and surrounding regions using the newly obtained shear wave splitting parameters and previously published results.The fast polarization directions are oriented along a NE-SW azimuth in the EHS.However,within the surrounding regions,the fast directions show a clockwise rotation pattern around the EHS from NE-SW,to E-W,to NW-SE,and then to N-S.In the EHS and surrounding regions,the fast directions of seismic anisotropy determined using shear wave splitting analysis correlate with surficial geological features including major sutures and faults and with the surface deformation fields derived from global positioning system(GPS)data.The coincidence between structural features in the crust,surface deformation fields and mantle anisotropy suggests that the deformation in the crust and lithospheric mantle is mechanically coupled.In the EHS,the coherence between the fast directions and the NE direction of the subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Tibetan Plateau suggests that the lithospheric deformation is caused mainly by subduction.In the regions surrounding the EHS,we speculate that a westward retreat of the Burma slab could contribute to the curved anisotropy pattern.The Tibetan Plateau is acted upon by a NE-trending force due to the subduction of the Indian Plate,and also affected by a westward drag force due to the westward retreat produced by the eastward subduction of the Burma slab.The two forces contribute to a curved lithospheric deformation that results in the alignment of the upper mantle peridotite lattice parallel to the deformation direction,and thus generates a curved pattern of fast directions around the EHS.

Geodynamic characteristics of tectonic extension in the northern margin of South China Sea

Based on the geothermal and gravitation methods, this paper investigated the rheological and thermal structure of the lithosphere under the northern margin of South China Sea. The result shows that the temperature of the upper crust is 150–300°C lower than that of the lower crust, and the viscous coefficient of the upper crust is 2–3 orders of magnitude larger than that of the lower crust. It reveals that the upper crust is characterized by brittle deformation while the lower crust by ductile deformation. A channel of lower-viscosity should be formed between the upper and lower crust when the lithosphere is scattered and spreads out toward ocean from northwest to southeast along the northern margin of South China Sea. And, a brittle deformation takes place in the upper part of the lithosphere while a ductile deformation takes place in the lower part of the lithosphere due to different viscous coefficients and temperature. The layered deformation leads the faulted blocks to rotate along the faulting and the marginal grabens to appear in the northern margin of South China Sea in Cenozoic tectonic expansion.