Tectonic evolution of the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau: Insight from crustal structures using P wave receiver functions

• Published in: Journal of Asian earth sciences Vol. 191; p. 104230
• Main Authors: Tian, Muyu, Huang, Zhouchuan, Wang, Liangshu, Xu, Mingjie, Mi, Ning, Yu, Dayong, Wang, Haibo, Gou, Tao, Xu, Mijian, Han, Cunri, Hao, Shijie, Bi, Yajing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.04.2020
• Subjects: Lower crustal flow; Sichuan Basin; Tibetan Plateau; Sichuan Basin; Tibetan Plateau; Lower crustal flow
• ISSN: 1367-9120; 1878-5786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2020.104230

[Display omitted] •We study crustal thickness and velocities in the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau.•There is a significant Moho step beneath the Longmenshan fault zone.•Low velocity anomalies are notable in the mid-lower crust beneath the plateau.•Ancient deformation is clear in the crust beneath the Sichuan Basin. The eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau is under ongoing expansion. Rise and growth of the Longmenshan are results of the interaction between the Songpan-Ganzi Terrane and the Sichuan Basin. In order to understand the block interactions in the eastern plateau margin, we studied the crustal structures using P wave receiver functions (including H-k staking, CCP stacking, and velocity inversion) with the waveforms recorded by 115 portable stations. The Moho, indicated by clear Ps phases, is generally deeper in the Songpan-Ganzi Terrane than in the Sichuan Basin, while a step is notable under the Longmenshan fault zone. We found a low velocity anomaly in the mid-lower crust below the Songpan-Ganzi Terrane and Longmenshan fault zone, which may imply the accumulated partial melting materials in the deep crust under the eastern plateau margin. Clear P-to-s converted phases are found within the crust of the Sichuan Basin. They look as apparent huge anticline structures, which may be caused by ancient crustal deformation under the stable craton.