Lithospheric thermal structure and rheology of the eastern China

Wang, Yang; Cheng, Shujia

doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2011.11.022

Cited by 40 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…The low velocities observed beneath northern Tibet are indicative of a hotter upper mantle and are inconsistent with the interpretation of whole scale underthrusting of India beneath the entire Tibetan Plateau [ Zhou and Murphy , ]. Other major low‐velocity anomalies, indicating very thin lithosphere (70–100 km), occur beneath Eastern China and the marginal seas and correspond to areas of high heat flow, associated with Meso‐Cenozoic extension and volcanism [e.g., Wang and Cheng , ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Lithospheric strength variations in Mainland China: Tectonic implications

Deng

Tesauro

2016

Tectonics

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We present a new thermal and strength model for the lithosphere of Mainland China. To this purpose, we integrate a thermal model for the crust, using a 3‐D steady state heat conduction equation, with estimates for the upper mantle thermal structure, obtained by inverting a S wave tomography model. With this new thermal model and assigning to the lithospheric layers a “soft” and “hard” rheology, respectively, we estimate integrated strength of the lithosphere. In the Ordos and the Sichuan basins, characterized by intermediate temperatures, strength is primarily concentrated in the crust, when the rheology is soft, and in both the crust and upper mantle, when the rheology is hard. In turn, the Tibetan Plateau and the Tarim basin have a weak and strong lithosphere mainly on account of their high and low temperatures, respectively. A comparison of temperatures, strength, and effective viscosity variations with earthquakes distribution and their seismic energy released indicates that both the deep part of the crust and the upper mantle of the Tibetan Plateau are weak and prone to flow toward adjacent areas. The high strength of some of the tectonic domains surrounding Tibet (Tarim, Ordos, and Sichuan basins) favors the flow toward the weak western part of South China block.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Lithospheric strength variations in Mainland China: Tectonic implications

Deng

Tesauro

2016

Tectonics

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“…In tectonically active regions each of the factors listed above could provide an explanation (S. Li et al, ; Unsworth et al, ). The low resistivity of this feature is very unlikely to be partial melt, since there has been no recent tectonic activity and the heat flow is low (~50 mW/m 2 ; Wang & Cheng, ). The most reasonable interpretation of the low resistivity is either (1) interconnected saline fluids or (2) graphite films or sulfide minerals.…”

Section: Interpretation and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Lithospheric Structure of the Solonker Suture Zone and Adjacent Areas: Crustal Anisotropy Revealed by a High‐Resolution Magnetotelluric Study

Unsworth

Wei

et al. 2019

JGR Solid Earth

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The closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean along the Solonker Suture Zone (SSZ) during the Late Permian and Triassic represented the final stage in the formation of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt between the Siberian Craton and the North China Craton. In order to better understand the structure and formation of this ancient plate boundary, a high‐resolution magnetotelluric (MT) profile was collected in 2010–2012 with both broadband and long‐period MT data. Dimensionality analysis showed that a 2‐D analysis was valid. Both 2‐D isotropic and anisotropic resistivity models were derived from the joint inversion of MT and tipper data. The high‐resolution mapping achieved in this study is due to the closely spaced MT stations (2–3 km). The major south dipping conductive layer was detected beneath the SSZ and found to be electrically anisotropic with the highest conductivity in the down dip direction. This feature was interpreted as evidence for southward subduction forming the suture. Previous studies of electrical anisotropy in Paleoproterozoic orogens have reported electrical anisotropy with the maximum conductivity in the strike direction. The high conductivity has been interpreted as being due to graphite or sulfides concentrated in fold hinges. In contrast to these studies, the Solonker Suture conductor shows an enhanced conductivity in the dip direction. The difference between these situations could be explained if the Solonker Suture has the fold axes rotated by high strain into the strike direction. This would result in the highest conductivity being parallel to the dip direction.

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“…This means that the present-day rheology of the Tibetan plateau belongs to the typical "crème-brûlée" layering. Previous studies point to the weak (<1×10 13 Pa m) strength of the "crème-brûlée" layering as being earthquake-prone (Wang, 2001;Wang and Cheng, 2012). Accordingly, the high intensity of seismic activity in the Tibetan plateau is determined by rheological characteristics of the lithosphere.…”

Section: Panxi Tectonic Belt Electric Structure Characteristics and Tmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The relative crust strength for the Tibetan plateau, as the percentage of the crust strength to the integrated strength of whole lithosphere is calculated. Detailed descriptions on the methodology and the physical parameters adopted to reconstruct the geothermal gradients and rheological strength of the lithosphere can be found in Wang (2001) as well as Wang and Cheng (2012). The thickness of the thermal lithosphere defined as the conductive layer above the adiabat with a potential temperature of 1300°C, is more than 120 km in the Tibetan plateau (Fig.…”

Section: Panxi Tectonic Belt Electric Structure Characteristics and Tmentioning

confidence: 99%