This paper uses deep seismic sounding （DSS） data to contrast and analyze the crustal structures of three plateau basins （Songpan-Garze, Qaidam, Longzhong） in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Xizang （Tibetan...This paper uses deep seismic sounding （DSS） data to contrast and analyze the crustal structures of three plateau basins （Songpan-Garze, Qaidam, Longzhong） in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Xizang （Tibetan） plateau, as well as two stable cratonic basins （Ordos, Sichuan） in its peripheral areas. Plateau basin crustal structures, lithological variations and crustal thickening mechanisms were investigated. The results show that, compared to the peripheral stable cratonic basins, the crystalline crusts of plateau basins in the northeastern margin are up to 10 15 km thicker, and the relative medium velocity difference is about 5% less. The medium velocity change in crustal layers of plateau basin indicates that the upper crust undergoes brittle deformation, whereas the lower crust deforms plastically with low velocity. The middle crust shows a brittle-to-plastic transition zone in this region. Thickening in the lower crust （about 5 10 km）, and rheological characteristics that show low- medium velocity （relatively reduced by 7%）, suggest that crustal thickening mainly takes place in lower crust in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau. The crust along the northeastern margin shows evidence of wholesale block movement, and crustal shortening and thickening seem to be the main deformation features of this region. The GPS data show that the block motion modes and crustal thickening in the Tibetan plateau is closely related to the peripheral tectonic stress field and motion direction of the Indian plate. The Mani-Yushu- Xianshuihe fold belt along the boundary between the Qiangtang block and the Bayan Har block divides the different plateau thickening tectonic environments into the middle-western plateau, the northeastern margin and the southeastern plateau.展开更多
On December 18,2023,an M_(s)6.2 earthquake occurred in Jishishan,Gansu Province,China.This earthquake happened in the eastern region of the Qilian Orogenic Belt,which is situated at the forefront of the NE margin of t...On December 18,2023,an M_(s)6.2 earthquake occurred in Jishishan,Gansu Province,China.This earthquake happened in the eastern region of the Qilian Orogenic Belt,which is situated at the forefront of the NE margin of the Tibetan Plateau(i.e.,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau),encompassing a rhombic-shaped area that intersects the Qilian-Qaidam Basin,Alxa Block,Ordos Block,and South China Block.In this study,we analyzed the deep tectonic pattern of the Jishishan earthquake by incorporating data on the crustal thickness,velocity structure,global navigation satellite system(GNSS)strain field,and anisotropy.We discovered that the location of the earthquake was related to changes in the crustal structure.The results showed that the Jishishan M_(s)6.2 earthquake occurred in a unique position,with rapid changes in the crustal thickness,Vp/Vs,phase velocity,and S-wave velocity.The epicenter of the earthquake was situated at the transition zone between high and low velocities and was in proximity to a low-velocity region.Additionally,the source area is flanked by two high-velocity anomalies from the east and west.The principal compressive strain orientation near the Lajishan Fault is primarily in the NNE and NE directions,which align with the principal compressive stress direction in this region.In some areas of the Lajishan Fault,the principal compressive strain orientations show the NNW direction,consistent with the direction of the upper crustal fast-wave polarization from local earthquakes and the phase velocity azimuthal anisotropy.These features underscore the relationship between the occurrence of the Jishishan M_(s)6.2 earthquake and the deep inhomogeneous structure and deep tectonic characteristics.The NE margin of the Tibetan Plateau was thickened by crustal extension in the process of northeastward expansion,and the middle and lower crustal materials underwent structural deformation and may have been filled with salt-containing fluids during the extension process.The presence of this weak layer makes it easier for strong earthquakes to occur through the release of overlying rigid crustal stresses.However,it is unlikely that an earthquake of comparable or larger magnitude would occur in the short term(e.g.,in one year)at the Jishishan east margin fault.展开更多
Based on the recent observations about the movement and rheological structure of the lithosphere and deformation pattern of the crust, we developed a three-dimensional finite element model for the northeastern margin ...Based on the recent observations about the movement and rheological structure of the lithosphere and deformation pattern of the crust, we developed a three-dimensional finite element model for the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.The model considered the impacts of both external and internal conditions, including mantle convection, gravitational potential energy and block interactions. We compared the simulated surface movement rates to the observed GPS velocities, and the results revealed that crustal movement gradually decreased toward the edge of the plateau. The factors controlling this pattern are the interactions of adjacent blocks, gravitational potential energy of the plateau, and also mantle convection as well. Additionally,according to the observation that there was an apparent difference between the horizontal movement rate of the lithosphere and convective velocity of the underlying mantle, and also based on the results of seismic anisotropy studies that suggest different strengths and deformation regimes of the lithosphere in different tectonic blocks, we proposed that the impact of mantle convection on the lithosphere may have varied in space, and introduced a parameter named mantle convection intensity factor in numerical simulations. Our simulation results show consistent surface movement rates with GPS observations, which further supports the viewpoint of seismic anisotropy studies, i.e., the degree of coupling between the crust and mantle varies significantly among different blocks.展开更多
A series of large strike-slip and thrust faults have developed in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau since the Late Cenozoic,with strong and active tectonic activity and frequent occurrences of large earth...A series of large strike-slip and thrust faults have developed in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau since the Late Cenozoic,with strong and active tectonic activity and frequent occurrences of large earthquakes.Modulation of regional tectonic stress distribution,strain fields,and seismic hazards has not been well studied.This study introduces a three-dimensional viscoelastic finite element numerical model to calculate crustal stress and strain rate fields under current tectonic loading.The preliminary results show that the direction of the horizontal principal compressive stress rate and compressive horizontal principal strain rate in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau rotate clockwise as a whole,and this rotation is more significant in the southeast direction because of the block of the Alxa and the Ordos blocks.The NE-SW horizontal principal compressive stress rate and SE horizontal tensile stress rate dominate the entire study region.The maximum value of the horizontal principal compressive strain rate at a depth of 0 km in the model is approximately 4×10^(-8)yr^(-1)near the East Kunlun fault and is smaller in the stable Alxa and Ordos blocks at approximately 1×10^(-8)yr^(-1).The calculated regional stress state is in good agreement with the actual focal mechanism solution,indicating that strike-slip and thrust stress fields dominate the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.The Altyn Tagh,East Kunlun,and Haiyuan faults demonstrate that the maximum shear strain rate gradually decreases eastward,and the decrease in the maximum shear strain rate value is absorbed by orogenic uplift and crustal shortening at its boundaries.The western section of the Altyn Tagh fault,west-to-middle sections of the East Kunlun fault,and west-to-middle sections of the Haiyuan fault will have high seismic hazards in the future.展开更多
Using seismic data of about one year recorded by 18 broadband stations of ASCENT project, we obtained 2547 receiver func- tions in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. The Moho depths under 14 stations were calculated by...Using seismic data of about one year recorded by 18 broadband stations of ASCENT project, we obtained 2547 receiver func- tions in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. The Moho depths under 14 stations were calculated by applying the H-x domain search algorithm. The Moho depths under the stations with lower signal-noise ratio （SNR） were estimated by the time delay of the PS conversion. Results show that the Moho depth varies in a range of -40--60 kin. The Moho near the Haiyuan fault is vague, and its depth is larger than those on its two sides. In the Qinling-Qilian Block, the Moho becomes shallower gradually from west to east. To the east of 105~E, the average depth of the Moho is 45 km, whereas the west is 50 km or even deeper. Combining our results with surface wave research, we suggest a boundary between the Qinling and the Qilian Mountains at around 105~E. S wave velocities beneath 15 stations have been obtained through a linear inversion by using Crust2.0 as an ini- tial model, and the crustal thickness that was derived by H-x domain search algorithm was also taken into account. The results are very similar to the results of previous active source studies. The resulting figure indicates that low velocity layers devel- oped in the middle and lower crust beneath the transition zone of the Tibet Block and western Qinling, which may be related to regional faults and deep earth dynamics. The velocity of the middle and lower crust increases from the Songpan Block to the northeastern margin of Tibetan Plateau. Based on the velocity of the crust, the distribution of the low velocity zone and the composition of the curst （Poisson＇s ratio）, we infer that the crust thickening results from the crust shortening along the direc- tion of compression.展开更多
The geological structure background, the crustal structure and the shape of Moho in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau are studied. Based on artificial seismic sounding profile as well as geologica...The geological structure background, the crustal structure and the shape of Moho in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau are studied. Based on artificial seismic sounding profile as well as geological data. The main results are summarized as follows: (1) The geotectonic subdivisions and the characteristics of main deep and large faults in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau are presented; (2) The general features of the Moho are obtained mainly based on artificial seismic sounding data; (3) There exists well corresponding relation between surface faults and some features of the Moho, which suggests that such complex crustal structure might be the preparation environment of strong earthquakes.展开更多
Characteristics of present-day tectonic movement in the northeastern margin of Qinghai-Xizang plateau (Tibetan) are studied based on earthquake data. Evidence of earthquake activity shows that junctures between blocks...Characteristics of present-day tectonic movement in the northeastern margin of Qinghai-Xizang plateau (Tibetan) are studied based on earthquake data. Evidence of earthquake activity shows that junctures between blocks in this area consist of complicated deformation zones. Between the Gansu-Qinghai block and Alxa block there is a broad compressive deformation zone, which turns essentially to be a network-like deformation region to the southeast. The Liupanshan region, where the Gansu-Qinghai block contacts the Ordos block, is suffering from NE-SW compressive deformation. Junction zone between the Ordos and Alxa block is a shear zone with sections of variable trend. The northwestern and southeastern marginal region of the Ordos is under NNW-SSE extension. The above characteristics of present-day tectonic deformation of the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang plateau may be attributed to the northeastward squeezing of the plateau and the resistance of the Ordos block, as well as the southeastward extrusion of the plateau materials.展开更多
Fold-thrust belts are common structural styles under the background of long-term regional tectonic shortening.The northern and northeastern margins of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are located on the edge of the growth ...Fold-thrust belts are common structural styles under the background of long-term regional tectonic shortening.The northern and northeastern margins of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are located on the edge of the growth and expansion of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.Since nearly 10 Ma,some significant and typical fold thrust belt have been formed.The spatial-temporal evolution of these fold-thrust belts and the characteristics of surface deformations are significant issues in geodynamics.In this paper,we use the elastoplastic finite element model with considering the contact nonlinearity to study the spatialtemporal evolution of the fold-thrust belts in the northern and northeastern margins of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,with particular attention to the details of the relationship between the depth and the shallow,the spatialtemporal order,and the characteristics of the surface deformation,etc.,in order to make a relatively complete mechanical interpretation of the spatial-temporal evolution of the foldthrust belts in the northern and northeastern margins of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau from the perspective of geodynamics.展开更多
The evolution and reforming history of the Cenozoic basins in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau(NETP)are significant for understanding the northeastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau.The sediments in these basins archi...The evolution and reforming history of the Cenozoic basins in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau(NETP)are significant for understanding the northeastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau.The sediments in these basins archived the spatial-temporal patterns of the surface uplift and deformation processes in response to remote effects of growth of the NETP.Here,we present an integrated provenance analysis of the Ningnan basin in the NETP to provide direct insights into the basin evolution and further constraints of the Tibetan Plateau’s northeastward growth.In this study,the Cenozoic strata(Sikouzi,Qingshuiying,Zhang’enpu and Ganhegou formations)in the Ningnan basin yield complex detrital zircon age distributions featured by predominant age populations at 200-360 Ma and 360-540 Ma with minor Precambrian ages.Detrital zircon U-Pb ages indicate that the southwestern Ordos Block,the western Qinling orogenic belt,and the eastern Qilian orogenic belt are primary source areas.Additionally,adjacent local paleo-uplifts(e.g.,Xihua,Nanhua,Xiangshan,Liupan Mts.)also provided minor volumes of sediment.In addition,conglomerates and paleocurrent directions of the Sikouzi-Ganhegou formations exhibit an apparent change since the late Miocene,revealing an obvious provenance shift.The quantitatively determined mixing proportions of the surrounding source areas also reveals that the early source-to-sink system was replaced during the deposition of the Ganhegou Formation.Combined with previous studies,we suggest that the formation of the Ningnan basin was controlled by normal faults in extension setting and experienced continued sediment accumulation during the Qingshuiying-Zhang’enpu period;since the late Miocene,the significant provenance shift reflects the obvious northeastward growth of the NETP and led to the extinction of the Ningnan basin.展开更多
In the Southeast Margin of the Tibetan Plateau, low-velocity sedimentary layers that would significantly affect the accuracy of the H-κ stacking of receiver functions are widely distributed.In this study, we use tele...In the Southeast Margin of the Tibetan Plateau, low-velocity sedimentary layers that would significantly affect the accuracy of the H-κ stacking of receiver functions are widely distributed.In this study, we use teleseismic waveform data of 475 events from 97 temporary broadband seismometers deployed by ChinArray Phase I to obtain crustal thicknesses and Poisson's ratios within the Chuxiong-Simao Basin and adjacent area, employing an improved method in which the receiver functions are processed through a resonance-removal filter, and the H-κ stacking is time-corrected.Results show that the crustal thickness ranges from 30 to 55 km in the study area, reaching its thickest value in the northwest and thinning toward southwest, southeast and northeast.The apparent variation of crustal thickness around the Red River Fault supports the view of southeastern escape of the Tibetan Plateau.Relatively thin crustal thickness in the zone between Chuxiong City and the Red River Fault indicates possible uplift of mantle in this area.The positive correlation between crustal thickness and Poisson's ratio is likely to be related to lower crust thickening.Comparison of results obtained from different methods shows that the improved method used in our study can effectively remove the reverberation effect of sedimentary layers.展开更多
There are many active faults in the southeast margin of Tibetan Plateau,where three large active faults zones,the Longmenshan,Xianshuihe and Anninghe,merge to form a"Y"shape.Strong crustal deformation and a ...There are many active faults in the southeast margin of Tibetan Plateau,where three large active faults zones,the Longmenshan,Xianshuihe and Anninghe,merge to form a"Y"shape.Strong crustal deformation and a complicated fault distribution accompany strong earthquake activity in this zone.In this paper,we investigate a multi-scale gravity anomaly in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau using the wavelet transform;we find that the pattern of the gravity field is closely related to the fault system in the study area.Analyzing the characteristics of this Bouguer gravity anomaly at different orders indicates that the eastern Himalayan syntaxis has produced a strong eastward push during its northward movement,resulting in a shortening of the crust from west to east and a rapid uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.The Songpan–Garzêand Sichuan–Yunnan blocks have been forced to slip and extrude southward and eastward laterally.The distributions of seven large earthquakes from 1970 to 2018 reflects the relationship between large earthquakes and characteristics of the gravity anomaly.Comparing the tectonic backgrounds of several earthquakes reveals that the large earthquakes occur usually in the high gravity anomaly gradient zone,which corresponds in general to the boundary zones of the blocks.We infer that large earthquakes occur primarily in high Bouguer gravity anomaly zones in the upper crust,while low Bouguer gravity anomalies encompass the lower crust and the uppermost mantle.展开更多
We present in this paper some new evidence for the change during the Quaternary in kinematics of faults cutting the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. It shows that significant shortening deformation occurred duri...We present in this paper some new evidence for the change during the Quaternary in kinematics of faults cutting the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. It shows that significant shortening deformation occurred during the Early Pleistocene, evidenced by eastward thrusting of Mesozoic carbonates on the Pliocene lacustrine deposits along the Minjiang upstream fault zone and by development of the transpressional ridges of basement rocks along the Anninghe river valley. The Middle Pleistocene seems to be a relaxant stage with local development of the intra-mountain basins particularly prominent along the Minjiang Upstream and along the southern segment of the Anninghe River Valley. This relaxation may have been duo to a local collapse of the thickened crust attained during the late Neogene to early Pleistocene across this marginal zone. Fault kinematics has been changed since the late Pleistocene, and was predominated by reverse sinistral strike-slip along the Minshan Uplift, reverse dextral strike-slip on the Longmenshan fault zone and pure sinistral strike-slip on the Anninghe fault. This change in fault kinematics during the Quaternary allows a better understanding of the mechanism by which the marginal ranges of the plateau has been built through episodic activities.展开更多
In large continental orogens, an important research topic is the behavior of deep crustal and upper mantle deformation, and the flow styles of ductile material. The morphology of the eastern margin of the Tibetan plat...In large continental orogens, an important research topic is the behavior of deep crustal and upper mantle deformation, and the flow styles of ductile material. The morphology of the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau, adjacent to the Sichuan basin, is characterized by very steep relief with high mountain ranges. The crust beneath this region slows the velocities in the middle and lower crust. We have adopted a relatively dense network to inverse the detailed structure of the crust and upper mantle along the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau and Sichuan basin, using teleseismic data via receiver function analysis. The results are in-line with the hypothesis that viscous crustal material is flowing beneath the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau and that this process drives overlying crustal material around the strong and rigid Sichuan basin. When the viscous material hits this obstruction, flows are divided into two or more branches with different directions. The upper part of the upwelling viscous flow produces the pressure to intrude the upper crust, thereby driving uplift of mountain ranges and high peaks. In contrast, the lower part of the downwelling viscous flow produces the pressure to intrude the lower crust and upper mantle to deepen the Moho discontinuity, causing observed crustal thickening.展开更多
The Wenchuan earthquake has altered the crustal motion characteristics in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions.Using discontinuous GPS survey data for 2008–2012, the velocity field for the E...The Wenchuan earthquake has altered the crustal motion characteristics in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions.Using discontinuous GPS survey data for 2008–2012, the velocity field for the Eurasia reference framework has been obtained, and the general trend of contemporary crustal motion after the occurrence of the Wenchuan earthquake has been studied.In addition, using the velocity field, the block movement velocity has been estimated by least-squares fitting.Furthermore, the properties and displacement rates of main faults have been obtained from the differences in velocity vectors of the blocks on both sides of the faults.The results reveal that there are no obvious changes in the general characteristics of crustal motion in this area after the Wenchuan earthquake.The earthquake mainly changed the rate of the movement of the Chuan-Qing block and caused variation in the movement direction of the South China block.The effect of the earthquake on faults is mainly reflected in variations in fault displacement velocity; there is no fundamental change in the properties of fault activity.The displacement rates of the Xianshuihe fault decreased by 3–4 mm/a, the Longmenshan fault increased by 9–10 mm/a, and the northern segment of the Anninghe fault increased by approximately 9 mm/a.Furthermore, the displacement rates of the Minjiang, Xueshan, Huya, Longquanshan, and Xinjin faults increased by 2–3 mm/a.This implies that the effects of the Wenchuan earthquake on crustal movement can mainly be observed in the Chuan-Qing, South China, and N-Chuan-Dian blocks and their internal faults, as well as the Xianshuihe and Longmenshan faults and the northern section of the Anninghe fault.The reason for this is that the Wenchuan earthquake disturbed the kinematic and dynamic balance in the region.展开更多
This study examines the relationship between high positive isostatic gravity anomalies （IGA）, steep topography and lower crustal extrusion at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. IGA data has revealed uplift a...This study examines the relationship between high positive isostatic gravity anomalies （IGA）, steep topography and lower crustal extrusion at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. IGA data has revealed uplift and extrusion of lower crustal flow in the Longmen Shan Mountains （the LMS）. Firstly, The high positive IGA zone corresponds to the LMS orogenic belt. It is shown that abrupt changes in IGA correspond to zones of abrupt change of topography, crustal thickness and rock density along the LMS. Secondly, on the basis of the Airy isostasy theory, simulations and inversions of the positive IGA were conducted using three-dimensional bodies. The results indicated that the LMS lacks a mountain root, and that the top surface of the lower crust has been elevated by 11 km, leading to positive IGA, tectonic load and density load. Thirdly, according to Watts＇s flexural isostasy model, elastic deflection occurs, suggesting that the limited （i.e. narrow） tectonic and density load driven by lower crustal flow in the LMS have led to asymmetric flexural subsidence in the foreland basin and lifting of the forebulge. Finally, based on the correspondence between zones of extremely high positive IGA and the presence of the Precambrian Pengguan-Baoxing complexes in the LMS, the first appearance of erosion gravels from the complexes in the Dayi Conglomerate layer of the Chengdu Basin suggest that positive IGA and lower crustal flow in the LMS took place at 3.6 Ma or slightly earlier.展开更多
We applied the material balance principle of the denudation volume and sedimentary flux to study the denudation-accumulation system between the Longmen Mountains （Mts.） and the foreland basin. The amount of sediment...We applied the material balance principle of the denudation volume and sedimentary flux to study the denudation-accumulation system between the Longmen Mountains （Mts.） and the foreland basin. The amount of sediment in each sedimentation stage of the basin was estimated to obtain the denudation volume, erosion thickness and deposit thickness since the Late Triassic Epoch, to enable us to recover the paleoelevation of the provenance and the sedimentary area. The results show the following： （1） Since the Late Triassic Epoch, the elevation of the surface of the Longmen Mts. has uplifted from 0 m to 2751 m, and the crust of the Longmen Mts. has uplifted by 9.8 km. Approximately 72% of the materials introduced have been denuded from the mountains. （2） It is difficult to recover the paleoelevation of each stage of the Longmen Mts. foreland basin quantitatively by the present-day techniques and data. （3） The formation of the Longmen Mts. foreland basin consisted of three stages of thrust belt tectonic load and three stages of thrust belt erosional unload. During tectonic loading stages （Late Triassic Epoch, Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous, Late Cretaceous-Miocene）, the average elevation of Longmen Mts. was lower （approximately 700-1700 m）. During erosional unloading stages （Early and Middle Jurassic, Middle Cretaceous and Jiaguan, Late Cenozoic）, the average elevation of Longmen Mts. was high at approximately 2000-2800m.展开更多
Project INDEPTH （InterNational DEep Profiling of Tibet and the Himalaya） is an interdisciplinary program designed to develop a better understanding of deep structures and mechanics of the Tibetan Plateau. As a compo...Project INDEPTH （InterNational DEep Profiling of Tibet and the Himalaya） is an interdisciplinary program designed to develop a better understanding of deep structures and mechanics of the Tibetan Plateau. As a component of magnetoteUuric （MT） work in the 4th phase of the project, MT data were collected along a profile that crosses the eastern segment of the Altyn Tagh fault on the northern margin of the plateau. Time series data processing used robust algorithms to give high quality responses. Dimensionality analysis showed that 2D approach is only valid for the northern section of the profile. Consequently, 2D inversions were only conducted for the northern section, and 3D inversions were conducted on MT data from the whole profile. From the 2D inversion model, the eastern segment of the Altyn Tagh fault only appears as a crustal structure, which suggests accommodation of strike slip motion along the Altyn Tagh fault by thrusting within the Qilian block. A large-scale off-proffie conductor within the mid-lower crust of the Qilian block was revealed from the 3D inversion model, which is probably correlated with the North Qaidam thrust belt. Furthermore, the unconnected conductors from the 3D inversion model indicate that deformations in the study area are generally localized.展开更多
A new 3D velocity model of the crust and upper mantle in the southeastern （SE） margin of the Tibetan plateau was obtained by joint inversion of body- and sur- face-wave data. For the body-wave data, we used 7190 eve...A new 3D velocity model of the crust and upper mantle in the southeastern （SE） margin of the Tibetan plateau was obtained by joint inversion of body- and sur- face-wave data. For the body-wave data, we used 7190 events recorded by 102 stations in the SE margin of the Tibetan plateau. The surface-wave data consist of Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion curves obtained from ambient noise cross-correlation analysis recorded by a dense array in the SE margin of the Tibetan plateau. The joint inversion clearly improves the Vs model because it is constrained by both data types. The results show that at around 10 km depth there are two low-velocity anomalies embedded within three high-velocity bodies along the Longmenshan fault system. These high-velocity bodies correspond well with the Precambrian massifs, and the two located to the northeast of 2013 Ms 7.0 Lushan earthquake are associated with high fault slip areas during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The aftershock gap between 2013 Lushan earthquake and 2008 Wenchuan earthquake is associated with low-velocity anomalies, which also acts as a barrier zone for ruptures of two earthquakes. Generally large earthquakes （M 〉 5） in the region occurring from 2008 to 2015 are located around the high-velocity zones, indicating that they may act as asperities for these large earthquakes. Joint inversion results also clearly show that there exist low-velocity or weak zones in the mid-lower crust, which are not evenly distributed beneath the SE margin of Tibetan plateau.展开更多
The eolian deposits distributed in the river valleys in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau （TP） are very useful in neotectonic and paleoclimatic studies. Firstly, the climate in the eastern margin of the TP i...The eolian deposits distributed in the river valleys in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau （TP） are very useful in neotectonic and paleoclimatic studies. Firstly, the climate in the eastern margin of the TP is mainly controlled by the Indian summer monsoon, and detailed studies on the loess-paleosol sequences in this region can provide valuable terrestrial evidence of past changes in the Indian summer monsoon. Secondly, the river terraces in the eastern margin of the TP are considered to be a sensitive recorder of neotectonism to reflect the timing and amplitude of the TP uplift.展开更多
We simulate accumulative Coulomb failure stress change in a layered Maxwell viscoelastic media in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang （Tibetan） Plateau since 1920. Lithospheric stress/strain evolution is assumed to be d...We simulate accumulative Coulomb failure stress change in a layered Maxwell viscoelastic media in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang （Tibetan） Plateau since 1920. Lithospheric stress/strain evolution is assumed to be driven by dislocations of large earthquakes （M≥7.0） and secular tectonic loading. The earthquake rupture parameters such as the fault rupture length, width, and slip are either adopted from field investigations or estimated from their statistic relationships with the earthquake magnitudes and seismic moments. Our study shows that among 20 large earthquakes （M≥7.0） investigated, 17 occurred in areas where the Coulomb failure stress change is positive, with a triggering rate of 85%. This study provides essential data for the intermediate to long-term likelihood estimation of large earthquakes in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau.展开更多
基金supported by the project Active Fault Survey in Chinese mainl and-DSS profile in the central Longmen-shan from CEA (2010)National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40974033)
文摘This paper uses deep seismic sounding （DSS） data to contrast and analyze the crustal structures of three plateau basins （Songpan-Garze, Qaidam, Longzhong） in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Xizang （Tibetan） plateau, as well as two stable cratonic basins （Ordos, Sichuan） in its peripheral areas. Plateau basin crustal structures, lithological variations and crustal thickening mechanisms were investigated. The results show that, compared to the peripheral stable cratonic basins, the crystalline crusts of plateau basins in the northeastern margin are up to 10 15 km thicker, and the relative medium velocity difference is about 5% less. The medium velocity change in crustal layers of plateau basin indicates that the upper crust undergoes brittle deformation, whereas the lower crust deforms plastically with low velocity. The middle crust shows a brittle-to-plastic transition zone in this region. Thickening in the lower crust （about 5 10 km）, and rheological characteristics that show low- medium velocity （relatively reduced by 7%）, suggest that crustal thickening mainly takes place in lower crust in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau. The crust along the northeastern margin shows evidence of wholesale block movement, and crustal shortening and thickening seem to be the main deformation features of this region. The GPS data show that the block motion modes and crustal thickening in the Tibetan plateau is closely related to the peripheral tectonic stress field and motion direction of the Indian plate. The Mani-Yushu- Xianshuihe fold belt along the boundary between the Qiangtang block and the Bayan Har block divides the different plateau thickening tectonic environments into the middle-western plateau, the northeastern margin and the southeastern plateau.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Project Nos.41804046 and 41974050)the Special Fund of the Key Laboratory of Earthquake Prediction,China Earthquake Administration(No.CEAIEF2022010100).
文摘On December 18,2023,an M_(s)6.2 earthquake occurred in Jishishan,Gansu Province,China.This earthquake happened in the eastern region of the Qilian Orogenic Belt,which is situated at the forefront of the NE margin of the Tibetan Plateau(i.e.,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau),encompassing a rhombic-shaped area that intersects the Qilian-Qaidam Basin,Alxa Block,Ordos Block,and South China Block.In this study,we analyzed the deep tectonic pattern of the Jishishan earthquake by incorporating data on the crustal thickness,velocity structure,global navigation satellite system(GNSS)strain field,and anisotropy.We discovered that the location of the earthquake was related to changes in the crustal structure.The results showed that the Jishishan M_(s)6.2 earthquake occurred in a unique position,with rapid changes in the crustal thickness,Vp/Vs,phase velocity,and S-wave velocity.The epicenter of the earthquake was situated at the transition zone between high and low velocities and was in proximity to a low-velocity region.Additionally,the source area is flanked by two high-velocity anomalies from the east and west.The principal compressive strain orientation near the Lajishan Fault is primarily in the NNE and NE directions,which align with the principal compressive stress direction in this region.In some areas of the Lajishan Fault,the principal compressive strain orientations show the NNW direction,consistent with the direction of the upper crustal fast-wave polarization from local earthquakes and the phase velocity azimuthal anisotropy.These features underscore the relationship between the occurrence of the Jishishan M_(s)6.2 earthquake and the deep inhomogeneous structure and deep tectonic characteristics.The NE margin of the Tibetan Plateau was thickened by crustal extension in the process of northeastward expansion,and the middle and lower crustal materials underwent structural deformation and may have been filled with salt-containing fluids during the extension process.The presence of this weak layer makes it easier for strong earthquakes to occur through the release of overlying rigid crustal stresses.However,it is unlikely that an earthquake of comparable or larger magnitude would occur in the short term(e.g.,in one year)at the Jishishan east margin fault.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41504079)the China National Special Fund for Earthquake Scientific Research in Public Interest (Grant No. 201308011)
文摘Based on the recent observations about the movement and rheological structure of the lithosphere and deformation pattern of the crust, we developed a three-dimensional finite element model for the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.The model considered the impacts of both external and internal conditions, including mantle convection, gravitational potential energy and block interactions. We compared the simulated surface movement rates to the observed GPS velocities, and the results revealed that crustal movement gradually decreased toward the edge of the plateau. The factors controlling this pattern are the interactions of adjacent blocks, gravitational potential energy of the plateau, and also mantle convection as well. Additionally,according to the observation that there was an apparent difference between the horizontal movement rate of the lithosphere and convective velocity of the underlying mantle, and also based on the results of seismic anisotropy studies that suggest different strengths and deformation regimes of the lithosphere in different tectonic blocks, we proposed that the impact of mantle convection on the lithosphere may have varied in space, and introduced a parameter named mantle convection intensity factor in numerical simulations. Our simulation results show consistent surface movement rates with GPS observations, which further supports the viewpoint of seismic anisotropy studies, i.e., the degree of coupling between the crust and mantle varies significantly among different blocks.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China for Distinguished Young Scholars(Grant Nos.U2239205,41725017)the National Key Scientific and Technological Infrastructure Project。
文摘A series of large strike-slip and thrust faults have developed in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau since the Late Cenozoic,with strong and active tectonic activity and frequent occurrences of large earthquakes.Modulation of regional tectonic stress distribution,strain fields,and seismic hazards has not been well studied.This study introduces a three-dimensional viscoelastic finite element numerical model to calculate crustal stress and strain rate fields under current tectonic loading.The preliminary results show that the direction of the horizontal principal compressive stress rate and compressive horizontal principal strain rate in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau rotate clockwise as a whole,and this rotation is more significant in the southeast direction because of the block of the Alxa and the Ordos blocks.The NE-SW horizontal principal compressive stress rate and SE horizontal tensile stress rate dominate the entire study region.The maximum value of the horizontal principal compressive strain rate at a depth of 0 km in the model is approximately 4×10^(-8)yr^(-1)near the East Kunlun fault and is smaller in the stable Alxa and Ordos blocks at approximately 1×10^(-8)yr^(-1).The calculated regional stress state is in good agreement with the actual focal mechanism solution,indicating that strike-slip and thrust stress fields dominate the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.The Altyn Tagh,East Kunlun,and Haiyuan faults demonstrate that the maximum shear strain rate gradually decreases eastward,and the decrease in the maximum shear strain rate value is absorbed by orogenic uplift and crustal shortening at its boundaries.The western section of the Altyn Tagh fault,west-to-middle sections of the East Kunlun fault,and west-to-middle sections of the Haiyuan fault will have high seismic hazards in the future.
基金financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40930317)CHINARE2012-02-02+1 种基金Project SinoProbe-02-03the NSFC Innovation Research Group Fund(Grant No.41021001)
文摘Using seismic data of about one year recorded by 18 broadband stations of ASCENT project, we obtained 2547 receiver func- tions in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. The Moho depths under 14 stations were calculated by applying the H-x domain search algorithm. The Moho depths under the stations with lower signal-noise ratio （SNR） were estimated by the time delay of the PS conversion. Results show that the Moho depth varies in a range of -40--60 kin. The Moho near the Haiyuan fault is vague, and its depth is larger than those on its two sides. In the Qinling-Qilian Block, the Moho becomes shallower gradually from west to east. To the east of 105~E, the average depth of the Moho is 45 km, whereas the west is 50 km or even deeper. Combining our results with surface wave research, we suggest a boundary between the Qinling and the Qilian Mountains at around 105~E. S wave velocities beneath 15 stations have been obtained through a linear inversion by using Crust2.0 as an ini- tial model, and the crustal thickness that was derived by H-x domain search algorithm was also taken into account. The results are very similar to the results of previous active source studies. The resulting figure indicates that low velocity layers devel- oped in the middle and lower crust beneath the transition zone of the Tibet Block and western Qinling, which may be related to regional faults and deep earth dynamics. The velocity of the middle and lower crust increases from the Songpan Block to the northeastern margin of Tibetan Plateau. Based on the velocity of the crust, the distribution of the low velocity zone and the composition of the curst （Poisson＇s ratio）, we infer that the crust thickening results from the crust shortening along the direc- tion of compression.
基金National Key Research Development Project(95-13-02-02).Contribution No.LC2000052,Lanzhou Institute of Seismology,China SeismologicalBureau.
文摘The geological structure background, the crustal structure and the shape of Moho in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau are studied. Based on artificial seismic sounding profile as well as geological data. The main results are summarized as follows: (1) The geotectonic subdivisions and the characteristics of main deep and large faults in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau are presented; (2) The general features of the Moho are obtained mainly based on artificial seismic sounding data; (3) There exists well corresponding relation between surface faults and some features of the Moho, which suggests that such complex crustal structure might be the preparation environment of strong earthquakes.
基金State Natural Science Foundation of China !(49732090) the Development Program on National Key Basic Researches under the Pro
文摘Characteristics of present-day tectonic movement in the northeastern margin of Qinghai-Xizang plateau (Tibetan) are studied based on earthquake data. Evidence of earthquake activity shows that junctures between blocks in this area consist of complicated deformation zones. Between the Gansu-Qinghai block and Alxa block there is a broad compressive deformation zone, which turns essentially to be a network-like deformation region to the southeast. The Liupanshan region, where the Gansu-Qinghai block contacts the Ordos block, is suffering from NE-SW compressive deformation. Junction zone between the Ordos and Alxa block is a shear zone with sections of variable trend. The northwestern and southeastern marginal region of the Ordos is under NNW-SSE extension. The above characteristics of present-day tectonic deformation of the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang plateau may be attributed to the northeastward squeezing of the plateau and the resistance of the Ordos block, as well as the southeastward extrusion of the plateau materials.
基金financially supported by the National Science Foundation of China (42074117)supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities。
文摘Fold-thrust belts are common structural styles under the background of long-term regional tectonic shortening.The northern and northeastern margins of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are located on the edge of the growth and expansion of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.Since nearly 10 Ma,some significant and typical fold thrust belt have been formed.The spatial-temporal evolution of these fold-thrust belts and the characteristics of surface deformations are significant issues in geodynamics.In this paper,we use the elastoplastic finite element model with considering the contact nonlinearity to study the spatialtemporal evolution of the fold-thrust belts in the northern and northeastern margins of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,with particular attention to the details of the relationship between the depth and the shallow,the spatialtemporal order,and the characteristics of the surface deformation,etc.,in order to make a relatively complete mechanical interpretation of the spatial-temporal evolution of the foldthrust belts in the northern and northeastern margins of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau from the perspective of geodynamics.
基金granted by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41802119,42230815 and 41972153)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,CHD(Grant No.300102262508)+2 种基金Outstanding Youth Science Fund of Xi’an University of Science and Technology(Grant No.6310222003)Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi(Grant No.2019JQ-088)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2019M663779).
文摘The evolution and reforming history of the Cenozoic basins in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau(NETP)are significant for understanding the northeastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau.The sediments in these basins archived the spatial-temporal patterns of the surface uplift and deformation processes in response to remote effects of growth of the NETP.Here,we present an integrated provenance analysis of the Ningnan basin in the NETP to provide direct insights into the basin evolution and further constraints of the Tibetan Plateau’s northeastward growth.In this study,the Cenozoic strata(Sikouzi,Qingshuiying,Zhang’enpu and Ganhegou formations)in the Ningnan basin yield complex detrital zircon age distributions featured by predominant age populations at 200-360 Ma and 360-540 Ma with minor Precambrian ages.Detrital zircon U-Pb ages indicate that the southwestern Ordos Block,the western Qinling orogenic belt,and the eastern Qilian orogenic belt are primary source areas.Additionally,adjacent local paleo-uplifts(e.g.,Xihua,Nanhua,Xiangshan,Liupan Mts.)also provided minor volumes of sediment.In addition,conglomerates and paleocurrent directions of the Sikouzi-Ganhegou formations exhibit an apparent change since the late Miocene,revealing an obvious provenance shift.The quantitatively determined mixing proportions of the surrounding source areas also reveals that the early source-to-sink system was replaced during the deposition of the Ganhegou Formation.Combined with previous studies,we suggest that the formation of the Ningnan basin was controlled by normal faults in extension setting and experienced continued sediment accumulation during the Qingshuiying-Zhang’enpu period;since the late Miocene,the significant provenance shift reflects the obvious northeastward growth of the NETP and led to the extinction of the Ningnan basin.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project 41730212)the Basic Research Project of the Institute of Earthquake Forecasting, China Earthquake Administration (2017IES0102)
文摘In the Southeast Margin of the Tibetan Plateau, low-velocity sedimentary layers that would significantly affect the accuracy of the H-κ stacking of receiver functions are widely distributed.In this study, we use teleseismic waveform data of 475 events from 97 temporary broadband seismometers deployed by ChinArray Phase I to obtain crustal thicknesses and Poisson's ratios within the Chuxiong-Simao Basin and adjacent area, employing an improved method in which the receiver functions are processed through a resonance-removal filter, and the H-κ stacking is time-corrected.Results show that the crustal thickness ranges from 30 to 55 km in the study area, reaching its thickest value in the northwest and thinning toward southwest, southeast and northeast.The apparent variation of crustal thickness around the Red River Fault supports the view of southeastern escape of the Tibetan Plateau.Relatively thin crustal thickness in the zone between Chuxiong City and the Red River Fault indicates possible uplift of mantle in this area.The positive correlation between crustal thickness and Poisson's ratio is likely to be related to lower crust thickening.Comparison of results obtained from different methods shows that the improved method used in our study can effectively remove the reverberation effect of sedimentary layers.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Project 41730212)the Basic Research Project of the Institute of Earthquake Forecasting,China Earthquake Adm inistration(Grant No.2017IES0102)
文摘There are many active faults in the southeast margin of Tibetan Plateau,where three large active faults zones,the Longmenshan,Xianshuihe and Anninghe,merge to form a"Y"shape.Strong crustal deformation and a complicated fault distribution accompany strong earthquake activity in this zone.In this paper,we investigate a multi-scale gravity anomaly in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau using the wavelet transform;we find that the pattern of the gravity field is closely related to the fault system in the study area.Analyzing the characteristics of this Bouguer gravity anomaly at different orders indicates that the eastern Himalayan syntaxis has produced a strong eastward push during its northward movement,resulting in a shortening of the crust from west to east and a rapid uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.The Songpan–Garzêand Sichuan–Yunnan blocks have been forced to slip and extrude southward and eastward laterally.The distributions of seven large earthquakes from 1970 to 2018 reflects the relationship between large earthquakes and characteristics of the gravity anomaly.Comparing the tectonic backgrounds of several earthquakes reveals that the large earthquakes occur usually in the high gravity anomaly gradient zone,which corresponds in general to the boundary zones of the blocks.We infer that large earthquakes occur primarily in high Bouguer gravity anomaly zones in the upper crust,while low Bouguer gravity anomalies encompass the lower crust and the uppermost mantle.
基金supported jointly by the China Geological Survey project(grant number:1212011120167,12120114002201)China National Natural Science Foundation(grant number 41472178)
文摘We present in this paper some new evidence for the change during the Quaternary in kinematics of faults cutting the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. It shows that significant shortening deformation occurred during the Early Pleistocene, evidenced by eastward thrusting of Mesozoic carbonates on the Pliocene lacustrine deposits along the Minjiang upstream fault zone and by development of the transpressional ridges of basement rocks along the Anninghe river valley. The Middle Pleistocene seems to be a relaxant stage with local development of the intra-mountain basins particularly prominent along the Minjiang Upstream and along the southern segment of the Anninghe River Valley. This relaxation may have been duo to a local collapse of the thickened crust attained during the late Neogene to early Pleistocene across this marginal zone. Fault kinematics has been changed since the late Pleistocene, and was predominated by reverse sinistral strike-slip along the Minshan Uplift, reverse dextral strike-slip on the Longmenshan fault zone and pure sinistral strike-slip on the Anninghe fault. This change in fault kinematics during the Quaternary allows a better understanding of the mechanism by which the marginal ranges of the plateau has been built through episodic activities.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under grant Nos. 40839909,41074062, and 40674040
文摘In large continental orogens, an important research topic is the behavior of deep crustal and upper mantle deformation, and the flow styles of ductile material. The morphology of the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau, adjacent to the Sichuan basin, is characterized by very steep relief with high mountain ranges. The crust beneath this region slows the velocities in the middle and lower crust. We have adopted a relatively dense network to inverse the detailed structure of the crust and upper mantle along the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau and Sichuan basin, using teleseismic data via receiver function analysis. The results are in-line with the hypothesis that viscous crustal material is flowing beneath the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau and that this process drives overlying crustal material around the strong and rigid Sichuan basin. When the viscous material hits this obstruction, flows are divided into two or more branches with different directions. The upper part of the upwelling viscous flow produces the pressure to intrude the upper crust, thereby driving uplift of mountain ranges and high peaks. In contrast, the lower part of the downwelling viscous flow produces the pressure to intrude the lower crust and upper mantle to deepen the Moho discontinuity, causing observed crustal thickening.
基金supported by a geological survey project of the China Geological Survey (No.1212011140013, No.12120113009800)
文摘The Wenchuan earthquake has altered the crustal motion characteristics in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions.Using discontinuous GPS survey data for 2008–2012, the velocity field for the Eurasia reference framework has been obtained, and the general trend of contemporary crustal motion after the occurrence of the Wenchuan earthquake has been studied.In addition, using the velocity field, the block movement velocity has been estimated by least-squares fitting.Furthermore, the properties and displacement rates of main faults have been obtained from the differences in velocity vectors of the blocks on both sides of the faults.The results reveal that there are no obvious changes in the general characteristics of crustal motion in this area after the Wenchuan earthquake.The earthquake mainly changed the rate of the movement of the Chuan-Qing block and caused variation in the movement direction of the South China block.The effect of the earthquake on faults is mainly reflected in variations in fault displacement velocity; there is no fundamental change in the properties of fault activity.The displacement rates of the Xianshuihe fault decreased by 3–4 mm/a, the Longmenshan fault increased by 9–10 mm/a, and the northern segment of the Anninghe fault increased by approximately 9 mm/a.Furthermore, the displacement rates of the Minjiang, Xueshan, Huya, Longquanshan, and Xinjin faults increased by 2–3 mm/a.This implies that the effects of the Wenchuan earthquake on crustal movement can mainly be observed in the Chuan-Qing, South China, and N-Chuan-Dian blocks and their internal faults, as well as the Xianshuihe and Longmenshan faults and the northern section of the Anninghe fault.The reason for this is that the Wenchuan earthquake disturbed the kinematic and dynamic balance in the region.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41372114,41502116,41340005,41172162,40972083,40841010)a research project of the National Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation(Grant No.SK-0801)
文摘This study examines the relationship between high positive isostatic gravity anomalies （IGA）, steep topography and lower crustal extrusion at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. IGA data has revealed uplift and extrusion of lower crustal flow in the Longmen Shan Mountains （the LMS）. Firstly, The high positive IGA zone corresponds to the LMS orogenic belt. It is shown that abrupt changes in IGA correspond to zones of abrupt change of topography, crustal thickness and rock density along the LMS. Secondly, on the basis of the Airy isostasy theory, simulations and inversions of the positive IGA were conducted using three-dimensional bodies. The results indicated that the LMS lacks a mountain root, and that the top surface of the lower crust has been elevated by 11 km, leading to positive IGA, tectonic load and density load. Thirdly, according to Watts＇s flexural isostasy model, elastic deflection occurs, suggesting that the limited （i.e. narrow） tectonic and density load driven by lower crustal flow in the LMS have led to asymmetric flexural subsidence in the foreland basin and lifting of the forebulge. Finally, based on the correspondence between zones of extremely high positive IGA and the presence of the Precambrian Pengguan-Baoxing complexes in the LMS, the first appearance of erosion gravels from the complexes in the Dayi Conglomerate layer of the Chengdu Basin suggest that positive IGA and lower crustal flow in the LMS took place at 3.6 Ma or slightly earlier.
基金the Project of the National Natural Science Foudation of China (Grant No.41372114,41340005,41172162,40972083)
文摘We applied the material balance principle of the denudation volume and sedimentary flux to study the denudation-accumulation system between the Longmen Mountains （Mts.） and the foreland basin. The amount of sediment in each sedimentation stage of the basin was estimated to obtain the denudation volume, erosion thickness and deposit thickness since the Late Triassic Epoch, to enable us to recover the paleoelevation of the provenance and the sedimentary area. The results show the following： （1） Since the Late Triassic Epoch, the elevation of the surface of the Longmen Mts. has uplifted from 0 m to 2751 m, and the crust of the Longmen Mts. has uplifted by 9.8 km. Approximately 72% of the materials introduced have been denuded from the mountains. （2） It is difficult to recover the paleoelevation of each stage of the Longmen Mts. foreland basin quantitatively by the present-day techniques and data. （3） The formation of the Longmen Mts. foreland basin consisted of three stages of thrust belt tectonic load and three stages of thrust belt erosional unload. During tectonic loading stages （Late Triassic Epoch, Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous, Late Cretaceous-Miocene）, the average elevation of Longmen Mts. was lower （approximately 700-1700 m）. During erosional unloading stages （Early and Middle Jurassic, Middle Cretaceous and Jiaguan, Late Cenozoic）, the average elevation of Longmen Mts. was high at approximately 2000-2800m.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(General Program No.40974058)National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars(No.40904025 and 41404060)+4 种基金Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2652014016)National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaUnited States National Science FoundationScience Foundation of Ireland(award 08/RFP/GEO1693 to AGJ)Natural Science and Engineering Research Council(Canada)for financial support
文摘Project INDEPTH （InterNational DEep Profiling of Tibet and the Himalaya） is an interdisciplinary program designed to develop a better understanding of deep structures and mechanics of the Tibetan Plateau. As a component of magnetoteUuric （MT） work in the 4th phase of the project, MT data were collected along a profile that crosses the eastern segment of the Altyn Tagh fault on the northern margin of the plateau. Time series data processing used robust algorithms to give high quality responses. Dimensionality analysis showed that 2D approach is only valid for the northern section of the profile. Consequently, 2D inversions were only conducted for the northern section, and 3D inversions were conducted on MT data from the whole profile. From the 2D inversion model, the eastern segment of the Altyn Tagh fault only appears as a crustal structure, which suggests accommodation of strike slip motion along the Altyn Tagh fault by thrusting within the Qilian block. A large-scale off-proffie conductor within the mid-lower crust of the Qilian block was revealed from the 3D inversion model, which is probably correlated with the North Qaidam thrust belt. Furthermore, the unconnected conductors from the 3D inversion model indicate that deformations in the study area are generally localized.
基金supported by the Natural National Science Foundation of China under grant number 41474039China National Special Fund for Earthquake Scientific Research in Public Interest under grant number 2016 CESE 0201+1 种基金Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology under grant number 14231202600the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under grant number WK2080000053
文摘A new 3D velocity model of the crust and upper mantle in the southeastern （SE） margin of the Tibetan plateau was obtained by joint inversion of body- and sur- face-wave data. For the body-wave data, we used 7190 events recorded by 102 stations in the SE margin of the Tibetan plateau. The surface-wave data consist of Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion curves obtained from ambient noise cross-correlation analysis recorded by a dense array in the SE margin of the Tibetan plateau. The joint inversion clearly improves the Vs model because it is constrained by both data types. The results show that at around 10 km depth there are two low-velocity anomalies embedded within three high-velocity bodies along the Longmenshan fault system. These high-velocity bodies correspond well with the Precambrian massifs, and the two located to the northeast of 2013 Ms 7.0 Lushan earthquake are associated with high fault slip areas during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The aftershock gap between 2013 Lushan earthquake and 2008 Wenchuan earthquake is associated with low-velocity anomalies, which also acts as a barrier zone for ruptures of two earthquakes. Generally large earthquakes （M 〉 5） in the region occurring from 2008 to 2015 are located around the high-velocity zones, indicating that they may act as asperities for these large earthquakes. Joint inversion results also clearly show that there exist low-velocity or weak zones in the mid-lower crust, which are not evenly distributed beneath the SE margin of Tibetan plateau.
基金supported by the National Department Public Benefit Research Foundation of China(grant No.201211077)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40802033)
文摘The eolian deposits distributed in the river valleys in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau （TP） are very useful in neotectonic and paleoclimatic studies. Firstly, the climate in the eastern margin of the TP is mainly controlled by the Indian summer monsoon, and detailed studies on the loess-paleosol sequences in this region can provide valuable terrestrial evidence of past changes in the Indian summer monsoon. Secondly, the river terraces in the eastern margin of the TP are considered to be a sensitive recorder of neotectonism to reflect the timing and amplitude of the TP uplift.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(40374012 and 40334042)State Key Fundamental Research De-velopment Plan Project(2001CB711005)
文摘We simulate accumulative Coulomb failure stress change in a layered Maxwell viscoelastic media in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang （Tibetan） Plateau since 1920. Lithospheric stress/strain evolution is assumed to be driven by dislocations of large earthquakes （M≥7.0） and secular tectonic loading. The earthquake rupture parameters such as the fault rupture length, width, and slip are either adopted from field investigations or estimated from their statistic relationships with the earthquake magnitudes and seismic moments. Our study shows that among 20 large earthquakes （M≥7.0） investigated, 17 occurred in areas where the Coulomb failure stress change is positive, with a triggering rate of 85%. This study provides essential data for the intermediate to long-term likelihood estimation of large earthquakes in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau.
