Electromagnetic Studies Of The Lithosphere And Asthenosphere

In geodynamic models of the Earth's interior, the lithosphere and asthenosphere are defined in terms of their rheology. Lithosphere has high viscosity, and can be divided into an elastic region at temperatures below 350 °C and an anelastic region above 650 °C. Beneath the lithosphere lies the ductile asthenosphere, with one- to two-orders of magnitude lower viscosity. Asthenosphere represents the location in the mantle where the melting point (solidus) is most closely approached, and sometimes intersected. Seismic, gravity and isostatic observations provide constraints on lithosphere-asthenosphere structure in terms of shear-rigidity, density and viscosity, which are all rheological properties. In particular, seismic shear- and surface-wave analyses produce estimates of a low-velocity zone (LVZ) asthenosphere at depths comparable to the predicted rheological transitions. Heat flow measurements on the ocean floor also provide a measure of the thermal structure of the lithosphere.Electromagnetic (EM) observations provide complementary information on lithosphere-asthenosphere structure in terms of electrical conductivity. Laboratory studies of mantle minerals show that EM observations are very sensitive to the presence of melt or volatiles. A high conductivity zone (HCZ) in the upper mantle therefore represents an electrical asthenosphere (containing melt and/or volatile) that may be distinct from a rheological asthenosphere and the LVZ. Additionally, the vector propagation of EM fields in the Earth provides information on anisotropic conduction in the lithosphere and asthenosphere. In the last decade, numerous EM studies have focussed on the delineation of an HCZ in the upper mantle, and the determination of melt/volatile fractions and the dynamics of the lithosphere-asthenosphere. Such HCZs have been imaged under a variety of tectonic zones, including mid-ocean ridges and continental rifts, but Archaean shields show little evidence of an HCZ, implying that the geotherm is always below the mantle solidus. Anisotropy in the conductivity of oceanic and continental lithosphere has also been detected, but it is not clear if the HCZ is also anisotropic. Although much progress has been made, these results have raised new and interesting questions of asthenosphere melt/volatiles porosity and permeability, and lithosphere-upper mantle heterogeneity. It is likely that in the next decade EM will continue to make a significant contribution to our understanding of plate tectonic processes.     

论青藏高原及邻区板片构造的一个新模式

本文首先论述了板块学说提出的过程和存在的一些不足与疑问,特别是该学说将Holmes（1948）的地幔热对流说作为驱使岩石圈板块运动的动力机制.而后又以青藏高原及邻区为例,根据区域地质、蛇绿岩和地质构造研究的成果,特别是地震测深研究的成果,详细地论证了本区不存在有大洋中脊扩张成为大洋盆地的新大洋和大洋板块简单的B型俯冲模式,但存在有海底扩张的陆间海和海洋地壳板片（蛇绿岩构造岩片）的仰冲以及大陆岩石圈板片复杂的A型俯冲新模式.新模式不是以地幔对流运动,而是以扩张分离A型俯冲的大陆岩石圈板片与软流圈之间的水平剪切相对运动机制作为它的躯动力.     

岩浆与构造作用对洋壳厚度的影响——以西北印度洋为例

洋中脊及邻区洋盆的洋壳厚度能很好地反映区域岩浆补给特征,对于研究洋中脊内部及周缘岩浆活动和构造演化过程具有很好的指示意义.西北印度洋中脊作为典型的慢速扩张洋中脊,其扩张过程与周缘构造活动具有很强的时空关系.本文利用剩余地幔布格重力异常反演了西北印度洋洋壳厚度,由此分析区域内洋壳厚度分布和岩浆补给特征.研究发现,西北印度洋洋壳平均厚度为7.8 km,受区域构造背景影响厚度变化较大.根据洋壳厚度的统计学分布特征,将区域内洋壳分为三种类型:薄洋壳(小于4.5 km)、正常洋壳(4.5~6.5 km)和厚洋壳(大于6.5 km),根据西北印度洋中脊周缘(~40 Ma内)洋壳厚度变化特征可将洋中脊划分为5段,发现洋中脊洋壳厚度受区域构造活动和地幔温度所控制,其中薄洋壳主要受转换断层影响造成区域洋壳厚度减薄,而厚洋壳主要受地幔温度和地幔柱作用影响,并在S4洋中脊段显示出较强的热点与洋中脊相互作用,同时微陆块的裂解和漂移也可能是导致洋壳厚度差异的原因之一.     

Dynamics of the mid-ocean ridge plate boundary: Recent observations and theory

The global mid-ocean ridge system is one of the most active plate boundaries on the earth and understanding the dynamic processes at this plate boundary is one of the most important problems in geodynamics. In this paper I present recent results of several aspects of mid-ocean ridge studies concerning the dynamics of oceanic lithosphere at these diverging plate boundaries. I show that the observed rift valley to no-rift valley transition (globally due to the increase of spreading rate or locally due to the crustal thickness variations and/or thermal anomalies) can be explained by the strong temperature dependence of the power law rheology of the oceanic lithosphere, and most importantly, by the difference in the rheological behavior of the oceanic crust from the underlying mantle. The effect of this weaker lower crust on ridge dynamics is mainly influenced by spreading rate and crustal thickness variations. The accumulated strain pattern from a recently developed lens model, based on recent seismic observations, was proposed as an appealing mechanism for the observed gabbro layering sequence in the Oman Ophiolite. It is now known that the mid-ocean ridges at all spreading rates are offset into individual spreading segments by both transform and nontransform discontinuities. The tectonics of ridge segmentation are also spreading-rate dependent: the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge is characterized by distinct bulls-eye shaped gravity lows, suggesting large along-axis variations in melt production and crustal thickness, whereas the fast-spreading East-Pacific Rise is associated with much smaller along-axis variations. These spreading-rate dependent changes have been attributed to a fundamental differences in ridge segmentation mechanisms and mantle upwelling at mid-ocean ridges: the mantle upwelling may be intrinsically plume-like (3-D) beneath a slow-spreading ridge but more sheet-like (2-D) beneath a fast-spreading ridge.     

新疆及其毗邻地区地震层析成像

利用新疆地震台网及其毗邻地区的国外地震台站提供的地震Ｐ波到时数据，重建了新疆及其毗邻地区地壳上地幔的三维速度图像．主要结果是：１．研究区地壳上地幔的地震波速度存在明显的横向不均匀性．这种不均匀性出现在不同构造单元之间，也出现在各构造单元之内．２．一般来说，研究区域内盆地是上地幔的隆起区，褶皱系是上地幔的坳陷区．３．岩石层厚度和软流层的深度与全球的平均结果有较大不同．４．海洋岩石层或大陆岩石层板块在兴都库什和克什米尔与中国交界地区的消减明显存在．５．地壳上地幔物质运动比较剧烈，有部分熔融物质上涌到地壳中部或更浅的深度．     

A review on developments in the electrical structure of craton lithosphere

Cratons have a long history of evolution. In this paper, applications of the magnetotelluric method used in the study of craton lithosphere over the past 30 years were reviewed, examining case studies of cratons in North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. The nuclei of the Archean cratons, for example the Kalahari Craton and Rae Craton, are usually characterized by thick and highly resistive lithospheric roots. During or after the formation of the cratons, tectonothermal events, such as collision, mantle plume, and asthenosphere upwelling led to the formation of high-conductivity zones in the craton lithosphere, which could be attributed to the increased hydrogen content (of nominally anhydrous minerals), higher iron content, and formation of graphite films or sulfides along the grain boundary of minerals. These conductive zones are characterized by resistivity discontinuities in craton lithosphere. In particular, the conductive zones include (1) large-scale lithospheric mantle conductors beneath the Slave Craton, Gawler Craton, and central part of North China Craton(Trans-North China Orogen); (2) near-vertical high-conductivity zone associated with the fossil subduction zone beneath the Dharwar Craton and Slave Craton; and (3) regional lateral electrical discontinuities, such as a conductive anomaly under the Bushveld Complex of the Kaapvaal Craton. The eMoho refers to the electrical discontinuity in the crust-mantle boundary. In existing research, this has been detected under the condition of extremely high lithospheric resistivity with only a slight decrease in the lower crust, and in the case of a very thin conductive lower crust or the lack thereof. In the resistivity model, the unique “mushroom-like” lower crust-lithosphere mantle conductor and very thin lower crust layer of the North China Craton may represent lithosphere destruction and/or thinning. We also find that some of the cratons are still not well understood. Therefore, extensive three-dimensional inversion and joint interpretation of geochemical, geophysical, and geologic data are necessary to understand the tectonic evolutionary history of craton lithosphere.

     

Diapirism of depleted peridotite — a model for the origin of hot spots

A model is proposed for the origin of hot spots that depends on the existence of major-element heterogeneities in the mantle. Generation of basaltic crust at spreading centers produces a layer of residual peridotite ～20–25 km thick directly beneath the crust which is depleted in Fe/Mg, TiO₂, CaO, Al₂O₃, Na₂O and K₂O, and which has a slightly lower density than undepleted peridotite beneath it. Upon recycling of this depleted peridotite back into the deep mantle at subduction zones, it becomes gravitationally unstable, and tends to rise as diapirs through undepleted peridotite. For a density contrast of 0.05 g cm^?3, a diapir 60 km in diameter would rise at roughly 8 cm y^?1, and could transport enough heat to the base of the lithosphere to cause melting and volcanism at the surface. Hot spots are thus viewed as a passive consequence of mantle convection and fractionation at spreading centers rather than a plate-driving force.It is suggested that depleted diapirs exist with varying amounts of depletion, diameters, upward velocities and source volumes. Such variations could explain the occurrence of hot spots with widely varying lifetimes and rates of lava production. For highly depleted diapirs with very low Fe/Mg, the diapir would act as a heat source and the asthenosphere and lower lithosphere drifting across the diapir would serve as the source region of magmas erupted at the surface. For mildly depleted diapirs with Fe/Mg only slightly less than in normal undepleted mantle, the diapir could provide not only the source of heat but also most or all of the source material for the erupted magmas. The model is consistent with isotopic data that require two separate and ancient source regions for mid-ocean ridge and oceanic island basalts. The source for mid-ocean ridge basalts is considered to be material upwelling at spreading centers from the deep mantle. This material forms the oceanic lithosphere. Oceanic island basalts are considered to be derived from varying mixtures of sublithospheric and lower lithospheric material and the rising diapir itself.     

南北构造带及邻域地壳、岩石层速度结构特征研究

本文利用重力数据采用Parker-Oldenburg方法反演了南北构造带及邻域地区的地壳厚度,同时采用体波地震层析成像方法反演了研究区的地壳至上地幔的三维速度结构.根据计算结果对研究区的地壳及岩石层结构进行了探讨,力图揭示南北构造带及邻域地壳、岩石层变形特征,并且对青藏高原边缘活动带壳幔构造演化的深部成因、研究区的上地幔流变性及其动力学意义进行了相应的讨论.通过分析研究表明南北构造带地区为地壳厚度剧变区,西侧为地壳增厚区,东侧的鄂尔多斯、四川盆地为地壳稳定区,而再向东为地壳逐渐减薄区.中国岩石层减薄与增厚的边界基本被限定在大兴安岭—太行山—秦岭—大巴山—武陵山一带,这也是东部陆缘带和中部扬子、鄂尔多斯克拉通地区深部构造边界的分界线,其两侧不仅浅层地质构造存在较大的差异,上地幔深部的物性状态和热活动也明显不同,这说明研究区的岩石层和软流层结构以及深部物质的分布存在横向非均匀性.中部地区和青藏高原深部构造边界的分界线位于东经100°—102°左右.     

Implications of melting for stabilisation of the lithosphere and heat loss in the Archaean

The increased depth and volume of melting induced in a higher temperature Archaean mantle controls the stability of the lithosphere, heat loss rates and the thickness of the oceanic crust. The relationship between density distributions in oceanic lithosphere and the depth of melting at spreading centres is investigated by calculating the mineral proportions and densities of residual mantle depleted by extraction of melt fractions. The density changes related to compositional gradients are comparable to those produced by thermal effects for lithosphere formed from a mantle which is 200°C or more hotter than modern upper mantle. If Archaean continental crust formed initially above oceanic lithosphere, the compositional density gradients may be sufficient to preserve a thick Archaean continental lithosphere within which the Archaean age diamonds are preserved. The amount of heat advected by melts at mid-ocean ridges today is small but heat advected by melting becomes proportionally more important as higher mantle temperatures lead to a greater volume of melt and as the rate of production of oceanic plates increases. Archaean tectonics could have been dominated by spreading rates 2–3 times greater than now and with mantle temperatures between ca. 1600°C and 1800°C at the depth of the solidus. Mid-ocean ridge melting would produce a relatively thick but light refractory lithosphere on which continents could form, protected from copious volcanism and high mantle temperatures.     

Transition from platemargin to intraplate environment: Geochemistry of basalts in Paleogene Liaohe basin,northeastern China

Mesozoic and Cenozoic volcanic rocks are widely distributed in the circum-Pacific area of eastern China. These rocks have long been genetically linked to westward subduction of the paleo-Pacific oceanic plate to the eastern Asia continent[1,2]. Research in re-cent years[3―6] has attained conclusions that a simple paleo-Pacific subduction model does not work well in interpreting all the volcanic rocks in eastern China, although some of them could be attributed to circum-Pacific interaction …     

Partial melt in the asthenosphere: Evidence from electrical conductivity data

Modelled conductivity variations with depth in the upper mantle obtained from geomagnetic induction and magnetotelluric results are compared to predicted conductivity variations obtained from laboratory measurements on dry material assumed to occur in the mantle. Higher than predicted conductivities at the base of the oceanic lithosphere suggest the presence of highly conductive partial melt. Using a known relationship between observed conductivity and the conductivity and volume fraction of the fluid, estimates of the melt volume fraction have been made assuming the melt to be in continuously connected network. In the sub-oceanic asthenosphere these values range from approximately 0.45 to 9%, whereas in sub-continental asthenosphere the partial melt volume fraction appears to be too low to increase the bulk conductivity. The partial melt content of the sub-continental asthenosphere may reach a few percent if the melt exists in isolated pockets. The apparent difference in melt content in sub-oceanic and sub-continental asthenosphere is discussed in terms of the different velocities of Pacific-type plates (which carry no continental block) and Atlantic-type plates (which carry a continental block).     

中国东部海域岩石圈结构面波层析成像

本文通过面波层析成像得到了中国东部海域及邻近地区的地壳上地幔S波速度图像,给出了主要构造单元的区划及其结构特征,并讨论了速度结构与现今构造活动及构造演化历史的关系.研究区内中下地壳的平均速度与地震活动存在比较显著的关系,强震基本都发生在低速区内或高低速过渡区.太行山以东地壳内存在几条北西向低速带,其中张家口—渤海地震带下方的低速带最为显著.东部海域划分成北黄海、南黄海、东海、和冲绳海槽等4个构造块体.北黄海具有较薄较高速的岩石圈,与南华北盆地类似,推测是中生代特提斯洋向北俯冲造成岩石圈减薄的遗迹.北华北地区具有低速的地壳和较厚的岩石圈,岩石圈地幔速度偏低且上下比较均匀,可能反映中生代沿北方缝合带持续碰撞作用的特点.南黄海具有相对较厚的岩石圈,较多地保存了下扬子克拉通的特征.在下扬子与华北地块的拼合过程中,洋壳俯冲可能是北黄海和苏皖地区上地幔低速特征的成因.在125°E以东的朝鲜半岛地区未发现这一拼合过程的遗迹.有可能整个朝鲜半岛都是华北地块的一部分;但也有可能是太平洋俯冲和日本海张开的作用完全改造了朝鲜半岛的岩石圈上地幔,抹去了以往构造运动的痕迹.东海地区的地壳厚度,特别是岩石圈厚度向冲绳海槽方向减小,反映出菲律宾海板块俯冲在弧后广大地区都有影响.冲绳海槽地区可见俯冲的菲律宾海板片以及板片上方显著低速的地壳和上地幔,为冲绳海槽的弧后扩张机制提供了证据.     

A rolling mill effect in asthenosphere beneath oceanic spreading centers

From structural studies in seventeen ophiolite massifs, information has been drawn about the activity of the asthenosphere beneath oceanic spreading centers. This information, together with geophysical data pertaining to oceanic ridges, has been integrated into a numerical model. It is inferred that for a fast-spreading ridge (< 5 cm/yr) a local diapiric uprise of melted peridodite is superimposed to the main circulation driven by the lithosphere drifting. As a result, the upward flow splits, at a depth of 35 km, into a 10–20 km wide axial jet and a horizontal flow diverging away from the ridge. The small diapir channels upward most of the partially molten peridotites. Magmatic activity in the crust is thus constrained to an area of similar horizontal extension, in agreement with ophiolitic and oceanic data. Also in agreement with findings in ophiolites, the meeting at a few tens of kilometers away from the ridge of the two diverging mantle circulations, creates a change in shear sense of the flow. From there on, the horizontal diverging flow is compatible with lithosphere drift.     

上地幔高导层与内生金属矿产及油气藏的关系

依据大地电磁测深所发现的上地幔高导层顶面深度可以给出大陆岩石圈-软流圈界面(LAB)的空间发育特征,为认识岩石圈结构及壳幔相互作用等提供重要信息.本文在1996年编制的中国大陆上地幔高导层顶面深度图的基础上,补充了1995—2010年大地电磁测深结果和大地热流数据,以1°×1°网度编制了新的中国大陆上地幔高导层顶面深度图.我国上地幔高导层顶面深度变化很大,具有南北分带,东西分块的特征,呈东浅、西深、北浅、南深的格局,从最浅的50~60km到最深的230km,平均深度为100~120km.据上地幔高导层顶面分布形态,全国共可划分出27个隆起区.通过与中国已知内生金属矿产和油气田的分布对比,发现我国大陆80%以上中生代内生金属矿床分布在上地幔高导层隆起带或其梯度带上方.中国大陆东部含油气盆地主体对应上地幔隆起区,油气田多位于隆起区上方或其边部的过渡带上;西部主体位于幔坳区,主要油气田对应盆地中心的幔坳向周边幔隆过渡的梯度带上;中部表现为仅盆地腹地对应幔坳,盆地周边对应规模较大的上地幔隆起带,主要油气田位于隆起带.总的来看内生金属矿床一般分布在上地幔隆起区靠近造山带一侧,而油气田一般分布在上地幔隆起区靠近盆地一侧.软流圈的不断上隆,造成岩石圈减薄、拉张,张性断裂的出现成为地球深部物质和热量向地壳上部运移的有利通道,为内生金属矿产的形成提供了成矿物质和能量保障,也为含油气盆地带来了生烃催化剂、热能和无机成因的石油与天然气.地球深部超临界流体的存在对上地幔高导层的形成、成矿物质运移可能发挥了重要作用.     

四川大足-福建泉州深部地电特征

根据四川大足-福建泉州剖面的大地电磁测深结果,划分了低阻的中新生界、高阻的三叠系-古生界以及相对低阻的浅变质的元古界板溪群等;了解了一些岩体的底界深度,推断沅麻盆地5 km以下出现岩脉群. 武陵山重力梯度带附近,中下地壳至上地幔岩石层有很高的电阻率,它和梯度带的形成有关.华南褶皱系普遍存在壳内高导层,它和爆破地震所反映的壳内低速层的位置相近. 深部电性证明,华蓥山断裂带、茶陵断裂带和福安-南靖断裂带等是深、大断裂带. 上地幔岩石层在横向上具有不同的电阻率.软流层深度自西向东由120-150kin变化到76km,衡阳以东最深可达240km. 由软流层变化及断裂分布,认为扬子准地台和华南褶皱系两大构造单元的分界位于茶陵-永兴断裂附近.     

Intraplate seismicity in the western Bohemian Massif (central Europe): A possible correlation with a paleoplate junction

Locations of the Eger Rift, Cheb Basin, Quaternary volcanoes, crustal earthquake swarms and exhalation centers of CO₂ and ³He of mantle origin correlate with the tectonic fabric of the mantle lithosphere modelled from seismic anisotropy. We suggest that positions of the seismic and volcanic phenomena, as well as of the Cenozoic sedimentary basins, correlate with a “triple junction” of three mantle lithospheres distinguished by different orientations of their tectonic fabric consistent within each unit. The three mantle domains most probably belong to the originally separated microcontinents – the Saxothuringian, Teplá-Barrandian and Moldanubian – assembled during the Variscan orogeny. Cenozoic extension reactivated the junction and locally thinned the crust and mantle lithosphere. The rigid part of the crust, characterized by the presence of earthquake foci, decoupled near the junction from the mantle probably during the Variscan. The boundaries (transitions) of three mantle domains provided open pathways for Quaternary volcanism and the ascent of ³He- and CO₂-rich fluids released from the asthenosphere. The deepest earthquakes, interpreted as an upper limit of the brittle–ductile transition in the crust, are shallower above the junction of the mantle blocks (at about 12 km) than above the more stable Saxothuringian mantle lithosphere (at about 20 km), probably due to a higher heat flow and presence of fluids.     

Electromagnetic evidence for lateral inhomogeneities within the Earth's upper mantle

The composition of the upper mantle is of great significance to our understanding of plate tectonics and global evolution. Information about the physical properties of the Earth at upper mantle depths, including lateral variations in electrical conductivity, can be deduced from measurements of the electric and magnetic fields at the Earth's surface. Electromagnetic methods appear to give poorer resolution than do some other methods, for example seismics, but as they are sensitive to quite different properties of a medium they provide a different and complementary class of information.The basic theory of electromagnetic sounding methods is briefly reviewed below, and evidence regarding lateral conductivity inhomogeneities in the Earth's upper mantle is examined. While lateral electrical conductivity inhomogeneities appear to be the rule rather than the exception, the interpretation of electromagnetic data still presents difficulties and the results from many regions are not as yet unambiguous. Where the data are of sufficient resolution, a rapid increase in electrical conductivity can usually be identified within the upper mantle. The depth to this highly conductive zone is different in different tectonic environments, but is broadly consistent between analogous but widely separated tectonic environments. A comparatively shallow conducting region is found beneath the ocean lithosphere. The depth of this region is dependent on lithospheric age. Many of the more shallow conducting regions in both continental and oceanic environments are associated with high heat flow values and seismic low velocity zones. These highly conducting regions may be zones of partial melt.     

新马德里地震带的岩石圈强度与板内形变

提出一个简单的假说来解释为什么在相对稳定的板块内部地区会存在高地震活动区与高构造形变区．首先,对于大多数板内地区而言,特别是大陆地盾地区与老的海洋盆地,下地壳与上地幔的温度相当低,那里的岩石相对坚硬在这些地区不可能发生明显的岩石圈变形,因为岩石图累积强度大大超过板块驱动力．相反,如果下地壳与上地幔温度相对较高,板块驱动力则主要由上地壳承受,因为下地壳与上地幔相对软弱在这种地区,由于岩石圈累积强度与板块驱动力大小相当,构造形变相对较快．本文将这种假说应用在位于美国中部的新马德里地震带与周围地区．地震带内部热流密度值约为60mw／m2,略高于本区背景热流密度值45mW／m2．计算得到的地温梯度与实验室结果所揭示的延性流动定律表明,在地震带内下地壳与上地幔相当软弱,板内应力主要由上地壳传递．那里的形变速率相对较高．与此相反,在周围地区热流值相对较低,岩石四累积强度大大超过板块驱动力,构造应力由地壳与上地幔共同承受热流值的大小和下地壳上地幔的受力状态是决定地震活动性在地震带内与周围地区强烈对比的主要因素．     

CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC PREFERRED ORIENTATION(CPO) OF ANISOTROPIC MINERALS IN THE LITHOSPHERE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO THE STUDY OFLITHOSPHERE DYNAMICS

Seismic anisotropy has been widely used to constrain deformation and mantle flow within the upper mantle of the Earth's interior, and is mainly affected by crystallographic preferred orientation(CPO)of anisotropic mineral in lithosphere. Anisotropy of peridotites caused by deformation is the main source of seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle. Olivine is the most abundant and easily deformed mineral to form CPO in peridotite, thus the CPO of olivine controls seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle. Based on simple shear experiments and studies of natural peridotites deformation, several CPO types of olivine have been identified, including A, B, C, D, E and AG-type. Studies on the deformation of olivine have shown that the CPO of olivine is mainly related to stress, water content, temperature, pressure, partial melting and melt/fluid percolation. Most of the seismic anisotropy has been explained by the A-type olivine CPO in the upper mantle, which is commonly found in upper-mantle peridotites and produced by the simple shear in dry conditions. Previous studies showed that anisotropy was attributed to the CPO of mica and amphibole in the middle-lower crust. The comparison between mantle anisotropy calculated from mineral CPO and regional anisotropy deduced from geophysical methods is therefore particularly useful for interpreting the deformation mechanisms and geodynamic processes which affect the upper mantle in different tectonic units such as subduction system, continental rift and continental collision zone in the world. The paper summarizes the characteristics of CPO and anisotropy of major anisotropic minerals in the upper mantle. Taking the lithosphere mantle xenoliths in the southeastern Tibetan plateau as an example, we perform detailed studies on the microstructures and seismic anisotropy to better understand the deformation mechanisms and upper mantle anisotropy in this region. Results show that the CPO of olivine in peridotite xenoliths in southeastern Tibetan plateau are A-type and AG-type. The mechanisms proposed for the formation of AG-type are different from that for the A-type. Therefore, the occurrence of AG-type olivine CPO pattern suggests that this CPO may record a change in deformation mechanism and tectonic environment of the lithosphere in southeastern Tibetan plateau. Provided that the strong SKS(shear wave splitting)observed in southeastern Tibetan plateau results from lithosphere mantle, the lithosphere mantle in this region is expected to be at least 130km thick and characterized by vertical foliation. Considering that the thickness of lithosphere in southeastern Tibetan plateau is much less than 130km and the lithosphere mantle cannot explain the anisotropy measured by SKS, other anisotropy sources should be considered, such as anisotropy in the asthenosphere and the oriented melt pockets(MPO)in the upper mantle. Therefore, detailed study of CPO of anisotropic mineral is essential for constraining geophysical measurements and analyzing the dynamic process of the lithosphere reasonably.