南北构造带天水、武都强震区地壳和上地幔顶部结构

利用两条相互垂直的高分辨地震折射/宽角反射剖面和相应的非纵观测的多个扇形剖面取得的人工地震资料, 研究天水和武都8级大震区的地壳和上地幔顶部结构和构造.二维剖面结果显示, 地壳沿垂向可分为上地壳和下地壳两大层.上地壳中部存在低速层, 层内介质速度比背景值低0.3~0.5km/s.莫霍面深度大约为46~48km.NE向的天水-武都剖面下地壳速度在横向上变化剧烈, NW向的成县-武山剖面, 在礼县以西, Moho面和C界面有被上涌物质改造过的迹象.三维速度成像显示, 在105°E附近, 从7至11km的深度范围内, 存在一条近NS向的断裂带, 在该带的两侧速度结构有明显的差异, 西侧为低速异常, 而东侧为高速异常, 这一近NS向的断裂带与二维剖面的下地壳深断裂在位置上很接近.该地区的几个8级大震均发生在105°E附近, 并且呈一近NS条带.      

中国西部大型盆地的深部结构及对盆地形成和演化的意义

地震层析成像是研究地球深部结构和动力过程的重要手段。文章简单介绍了岩石圈地震层析成像的几种基本方法。相对于人工震源地震勘探,基于天然震源的地震层析成像是提供盆地基底和周边深部背景的有效和极其经济的手段。笔者最近得到了中国大陆岩石圈高分辨率表面波层析成像的三维S波速度模型,该模型结合了地震和噪声互相关的数据,大大提高了射线覆盖,结果显示了中国西部与青藏高原接壤的三大盆地(塔里木、柴达木和四川盆地)共同特征:(1)盆地上地壳速度很低,反映了盆地沉积层很厚;(2)相对于周边山系,盆地中、下地壳的S波速度较快,上地幔顶部尤其明显;(3)盆地的地壳厚度比相邻的山脉区薄,同时莫霍深度在盆山结合带变化大。盆地内地壳和岩石圈地幔存在明显的横向结构,尤其是塔里木盆地和四川盆地。塔里木盆基底东西向中央古缝合带在地壳和岩石圈地幔的速度、莫霍面深度图中有清楚显示。笔者推测区域构造挤压的影响很可能涉及盆地的整个岩石圈,进而提出了一个简单的盆地形成的机械模型,即挤压隆升沉降模型,认为在挤压环境下,较弱的周边山系的岩石圈增厚和隆升,高强度的盆地块体在重力均衡下整体沉降,形成陆内叠合盆地。挤压应力可能导致巨大的塔里木和四川盆地产生岩石圈范围的褶皱变形。在西部盆地漫长的地质历史中,新生代的印藏碰撞和新元古代以来的多次构造运动产生的岩石圈挤压对西部盆地的形成和演化可能起了决定性的作用。     

苏鲁大别造山带岩石圈三维P波速度结构特征

本文全面收集整理并解析了地学断面、地震测深、体波和面波层析成像资料,得到了苏鲁大别造山带及其邻区岩石圈1°×1°三维P波速度数据体。研究结果表明,苏鲁与大别造山带高压、超高压变质带的岩石圈速度结构具有上地壳明显高速且上凸;中地壳增厚;下地壳埋藏较深且下凹等相似的基本特征。苏鲁和大别超高压变质带下的莫霍面比其周围深2～4 km,深度分别达到32～33 km和34～38 km。在大别造山带,有地壳低速体从南向北俯冲到上地幔的迹象,可能显示了扬子地块地壳物质向华北地块俯冲,坠入上地幔的残留体。超高压变质带岩石圈底部的地幔,往往有明显高速层或高速体存在。苏鲁与大别地区的岩石圈速度结构不同特征及其成因在于苏鲁地区上地壳P波速度更高,但是,下地壳下凹没有大别地区明显,而且区域构造较为均一。这可能是受到郯庐断层左行平移的主控影响所致。郯庐断裂带的上、中地壳和上地幔表现为相对低速异常,郯庐断裂及其地下延伸部分将岩石圈地幔浅部低速层和深部高速层切为两段,其影响深达岩石圈底部约90 km处。     

青藏高原岩石圈演化与地球动力学过程——亚东—格尔木—额济纳旗地学断面的启示

笔者等完成的亚东—格尔木和格尔木—额济纳旗地学大断面揭示出青藏高原岩石圈的基本结构、组成、演化和地球动力学过程,发现了印度板块在南缘向喜马拉雅山下俯冲、阿拉善地块在北缘向高原下楔入的证据,它们构成了使高原隆升的主要驱动力。多学科研究表明,青藏高原是一个由8个地体拼合的大陆。高原内部地壳20～30km深度附近普遍发育低速高导层,它是构造应力去偶层,其上地壳脆性变形,逆冲叠覆,缩短增厚;其下地壳结构横向变化大,韧性变形。藏南下地壳(50～70km)速度发生逆转;而藏北下地壳速度增高并呈梯度变化,具有双莫霍面特征。高原莫霍面起伏变化大,南北边缘山脉山根特征明显,在高原内部缝合带两侧莫霍面多有断错。虽然高原地壳巨厚,但是岩石圈地幔并没有增厚。高原隆升经历了俯冲碰撞(K_2—E_2)、会聚挤压(E_3—N_1)、及均衡凋整(N_2—Q)3个阶段。青藏高原岩石圈现今处于双向挤压的动力学环境,莫霍面的不稳定变化,岩石圈地幔下沉等因素引起的壳幔之间和岩石圈与软流圈之间的相互作用,地壳的走滑与拉伸作用,是维持高原现今高度和范围的主要动力学因素。     

广西地区岩石圈表层与深部构造之关联性:源于岩石圈密度与磁性结构的解读

广西地处华南地块、印支地块与西太平洋板块的汇合部位,因特殊的构造部位,广西区内大地构造单元归属、构造单元边界等许多基础地质问题一直存在争议.自新生代以来的板块构造运动对岩石圈的改造,广西地壳与上地幔在地震波速度及温度结构方面具有显著差异.应用卫星重、磁异常数据以及区域重力和航磁资料对广西地区岩石圈密度和磁化率结构及其与上地壳构造的关系开展了研究,结果显示广西地区地壳密度和上地壳磁性结构与现今地表构造较为契合,但下地壳密度结构与上地幔存在不连续现象;此外,岩石圈磁化率结构指示中下地壳存在不同范围和程度的解耦.对广西岩石圈密度与磁性结构的解读认为,在中生代以来岩石圈被大规模改造的背景下,幔源物质上侵至上地壳的规模和范围都有限,这可能是整个广西地区上地幔结构与地壳构造不对应的主要原因.      

中国大陆和南海卫星磁异常的初步解释

中国境内存在6个明显的卫星磁异常,其中4个分布在大陆,2个分布在南海.塔里木、四川、松辽和南海曾母盆地地区磁性层的下界面在莫霍面之下,上地幔顶部约10 km厚的一层呈强磁性,磁化强度约为2 A/m;西藏高原地壳呈弱磁性,磁性层厚度小于30 km,磁化强度约为0.66 A/m,而该区莫霍面深度约为60～70 km.因此,Wasilewski等提出的"莫霍面是一个磁性界面"的论断,不能普遍成立.     

渤海湾盆地中—新生代岩石圈热结构与热-流变学演化

文章主要利用中—新生代热史、地壳分层结构以及流变学参数,模拟计算渤海湾盆地中—新生代岩石圈热结构和热-流变结构演化特征。结果表明,盆地由三叠纪—侏罗纪时期的"冷幔热壳"型岩石圈热结构转变为白垩纪至今的"热幔冷壳"型岩石圈热结构。从济阳坳陷岩石圈热-流变结构演化特征来看,中生代早期上地壳上部、中地壳上部及上地幔顶部表现为厚的脆性层;早白垩世初期中地壳上部及上地幔顶部的脆性层完全转变为韧性层;晚白垩世开始,中地壳上部出现薄层的脆性层;古近纪早期中地壳上部脆性层变薄变浅;现今则除了发育上地壳上部、中地壳上部脆性层外,上地幔顶部开始在浅部发育薄的脆性层。中—新生代岩石圈总强度演化表明在早白垩世晚期和古近纪早期经历了两期减弱,中生代早期岩石圈总强度远大于中侏罗世之后的岩石圈总强度。岩石圈热-流变结构和强度演化与华北克拉通破坏过程中岩石圈厚度的变化具有良好的对应关系,从侧面反映太平洋板块俯冲和回撤导致华北克拉通东部破坏的地球动力学过程。因此,岩石圈热-流变结构可以为盆地形成、大陆边缘和造山带等的动力学演化过程研究提供科学依据。     

新生代柴达木盆地与周缘造山带的构造耦合

新生代以来,中国西部的一系列古老造山带和盆地在印-亚板块汇聚作用下重新复活,在青藏高原外围形成了现今全球最大的陆内挤压构造域,被称为环青藏高原盆山体系,其形成过程与机制对深入认识陆-陆碰撞如何影响大陆内部变形有重要意义。柴达木盆地是中国西部重要的新生代沉积盆地,四周均被巨型造山带所围限,共同构成了环青藏高原盆山体系北东段的主体。本文利用最新的石油地震勘探数据、地表地质和已发表的深反射地震数据,将上地壳变形与岩石圈深部变形有机结合,系统刻画了柴达木盆地与周缘三大造山带之间岩石圈尺度的构造耦合关系,在此基础上探讨环青藏高原盆山体系北东段的盆山汇聚过程与机制。柴达木盆地与南侧祁曼塔格—东昆仑山、北东侧南祁连山之间在上地壳尺度发育一系列倾向造山带的基底卷入高角度逆断裂体系,自新生代早期就开始活动,以垂直的基底抬升为主,水平缩短量有限;在下地壳和岩石圈地幔深度则发育倾向盆地一侧的深大断裂,使得柴达木盆地与周缘造山带之间发生截然的莫霍面错断。这些变形特征揭示柴达木盆地与南侧祁曼塔格—东昆仑山、北东侧南祁连山之间发育岩石圈尺度的构造楔,即盆地的岩石圈楔入至增厚的造山带下地壳,其发育主要受盆地与造山带...     

塔里木盆地地震波速扰动及泊松比成像

大型克拉通盆地地壳上地幔组构有什么特征？其内部结构有何变化？这是目前备受关注的科学问题之一。在新世纪体波地震层析成像的研究进入区域地壳上地幔探测的视野,这个问题可通过体波地震层析成像来研究。文中结合塔里木盆地内的宽频地震记录以及新疆地震台网、中国数字地震台网资料对塔里木地区进行了同台同源的P波和S波地震层析成像, 重点研究区域分辨率横向达到0.5°×0.5°,纵向达到10 km间隔。通过体波到时地震层析成像反演,得到了研究区域精细地壳P波和S波速度结构。根据P波和S波速度扰动和泊松比三维图像,分析了塔里木盆地内部岩石圈波速和泊松比内部结构的信息,通过上中地壳的地震层析成像,地壳波速与泊松比结构反映了满加尔的基底、流体活动性和地温结构利于油气的成熟和保存。一般情况下莫霍面上下方波速及泊松比异常分布模式有明显区别,但塔里木盆地中央顺托果勒呈现穿透莫霍面的异常模式,解释为二叠纪岩石圈火山作用留下的“指纹”。这些信息对油气远景区定位有一定意义。     

南黄海盆地地层生热率及岩石圈热结构

岩石圈热结构的研究不仅可以了解岩石圈深部动力学演化机制,也是含油气区油气资源评价的重要组成部分.由于南黄海盆地生热率数据的匮乏,阻碍了岩石圈热结构的研究进展.本文通过GR（伽马值）-A（岩石生热率）的经验关系,计算了南黄海盆地沉积地层的生热率;在大地热流、地层生热率、南北向贯穿盆地的二维多道地震剖面及OBS2013地壳速度结构剖面的约束下,建立了南黄海盆地地壳生热模型,计算了盆地的岩石圈热结构.岩石圈热结构计算结果表明：（1）南黄海盆地北部坳陷、中部隆起及南部坳陷3个次级单元的平均莫霍面温度依次为602.2±15.25℃、592.7±2.56℃、650.6±20.24℃;（2）平均热岩石圈厚度依次为99.7±2.20 km、101.7±0.51 km、88.2±2.49 km;(3)壳幔热流比分别为0.76±0.02、0.88±0.01、0.71±0.15,具有“冷壳热幔”的特征.研究结果表明,南黄海盆地现今具有与全球新生代拉张构造区相似的较高热流,处于构造活动区向构造稳定区转换的过渡阶段.此外,现今南黄海盆地3个次级单元展现的不同岩石圈热结构特征,可能与印支期至早燕山期扬子块体与华北...     

长江中下游成矿带及邻区地壳速度结构：来自利辛-宜兴宽角地震资料的约束

为了理解长江中下游地区在中生代成矿的深部动力学过程,Sinoprobe-03-02项目于2011年9月至10月,在跨宁芜矿集区和郯庐断裂带实施了从安徽利辛至江苏宜兴450km长的宽角反射/折射地震剖面。速度剖面结果显示,Moho面深度和地壳速度结构在郯庐断裂两侧东西方向存在明显的差异:(1)在东部扬子块体内部,地壳覆盖层厚3~5km,西部的合肥盆地下方,则达到4~7km。(2)剖面平均Moho面深度为30~32km左右,在郯庐断裂下方,Moho面深度在35km左右;在宁芜矿集区下方,Moho面整体深度偏浅,达30~31km左右,但局部范围内,Moho面深度至34km左右。(3)剖面的下地壳平均速度在6.5~6.6km/s左右,在宁芜矿集区下方,下地壳速度偏低,为6.4~6.5km/s左右。剖面上地幔顶部的速度结构平均在8.0~8.2km/s。在宁芜矿集区下方,速度偏低,为7.9~8.1km/s左右。(4)郯庐断裂带的下方,从地表开始,还存在20多千米长的低速异常带,一直延伸到Moho面附近。剖面的宁芜矿集区下方Moho面上隆、下地壳及上地幔的低速异常等壳幔结构特征,预示下地壳不以榴辉岩残体为主,支持燕山期地幔岩浆的上涌和侵入并成矿,是热上涌物质的源地。     

Seismic investigations along the European Geotraverse and its surroundings in Central Europe

Since 1975 several high-resolution seismic-refraction and reflection surveys have been carried out in western Germany to investigate the structure of the Earth's crust and uppermost mantle. The investigation culminated in the seismic-refraction survey along the 825 km long central part of the European Geotraverse (EGT) in 1986. This contribution summarizes the main results of the more recent crustal investigations along and around the EGT. The internal crustal structure throughout the area of the Variscides is very complex and changes laterally considerably. Distinct crustal blocks differing in their internal structure can be assigned to geologically defined units of the Variscan and Caledonian orogeny. In spite of local deviations, in general a more or less transparent and low-velocity upper crust contrasts with a highly reflective lower crust. A subdivision of upper and lower crust by a well-defined boundary (Conrad discontinuity) is not always seen. Towards the Alps the average velocity of the lower crust is as low as 6.2 km s^?1, in contrast to the area north of the Swabian Jura where the velocities above Moho vary between 6.8 and 7.2 km s^?1. In Northern Germany, the Elbe line separates the lower crust into two regions with 6.4 km s^?1 average velocity in the south and 6.9 km s^?1 in the north. The total crustal thickness under the Variscan part of Germany is fairly constant between 28 and 30 km, except under the Rhine Graben area with 25–26 km and beneath the central part of the Rhenish Massif where an anomalous crustal thickening to 37 km is observed. Under northern Germany the Moho rises to about 26 km depth and the data indicate at least one fault-like step of 1 km before the crust thickens toward the Ringkobing-Fyn basement high. The synthesis of seismic velocity structure and petrological information from xenolith studies allows us to propose a mafic composition for the deeper levels of the crust and uppermost mantle which may be valid at least for the central part of the Variscan crust along the European Geotraverse in Central Europe.     

2D model of the crust and uppermost mantle along rift profile, Siberian craton

A two-dimensional model of the crust and uppermost mantle for the western Siberian craton and the adjoining areas of the Pur-Gedan basin to the north and Baikal Rift zone to the south is determined from travel time data from recordings of 30 chemical explosions and three nuclear explosions along the RIFT deep seismic sounding profile. This velocity model shows strong lateral variations in the crust and sub-Moho structure both within the craton and between the craton and the surrounding region. The Pur-Gedan basin has a 15-km thick, low-velocity sediment layer overlying a 25-km thick, high-velocity crystalline crustal layer. A paleo-rift zone with a graben-like structure in the basement and a high-velocity crustal intrusion or mantle upward exists beneath the southern part of the Pur-Gedan basin. The sedimentary layer is thin or non-existent and there is a velocity reversal in the upper crust beneath the Yenisey Zone. The Siberian craton has nearly uniform crustal thickness of 40–43 km but the average velocity in the lower crust in the north is higher (6.8–6.9 km/s) than in the south (6.6 km/s). The crust beneath the Baikal Rift zone is 35 km thick and has an average crustal velocity similar to that observed beneath the southern part of craton. The uppermost mantle velocity varies from 8.0 to 8.1 km/s beneath the young West Siberian platform and Baikal Rift zone to 8.1–8.5 km/s beneath the Siberian craton. Anomalous high Pn velocities (8.4–8.5 km/s) are observed beneath the western Tunguss basin in the northern part of the craton and beneath the southern part of the Siberian craton, but lower Pn velocities (8.1 km/s) are observed beneath the Low Angara basin in the central part of the craton. At about 100 km depth beneath the craton, there is a velocity inversion with a strong reflecting interface at its base. Some reflectors are also distinguished within the upper mantle at depth between 230 and 350 km.     

Thermal and rheological structures of the Xisha Trough, South China Sea

The Xisha Trough, located in the northwest of the South China Sea (SCS) mainly rifted 30 Ma ago, has been a failed rift since the cessation of the seafloor spreading of the NW subbasin. Based on the velocity–depth model along Profile OBH-4 across the Xisha Trough, a seven-layer density–depth model is used to estimate density structure for the profile. The relationship between seismic velocity and radiogenic heat production is used to estimate the vertical distribution of heat sources in the lower crust. The 2-D temperature field is calculated by applying a 2-D numerical solution of the heat conduction equation and the thermal lithosphere thickness is obtained from the basalt dry solidus (BDS). The rheology of the profile is estimated on the basis of frictional failure in the brittle regime and power-law steady-state creep in the ductile regime. Rheological model is constructed for a three-layer model involving a granitic upper crust, a quartz diorite lower crust and an olivine upper mantle. Gravity modeling supports basically the velocity–depth model. The Moho along Profile OBH-4 is of relatively high heat flow ranging from 46 to 60 mW/m² and the Moho heat flow is higher in the trough than on the flanks. The depth of the “thermal” lithospheric lower boundary is about 54 km in the center, deepens toward two sides, and is about 75 km at the northern slope area and about 70 km at the southern Xisha–Zhongsha Block. Rheological calculation indicates that the two thinnest ductile layers in the crust and the thickest brittle layer in the uppermost mantle lie in the central region, showing that the Xisha Trough has been rheologically strengthened, which are mainly due to later thermal relaxation. In addition, the strengthening in rheology during rifting was not the main factor in hampering the breakup of the Xisha Trough.     

Europrobe seismic reflection profiling across the eastern Middle Urals and West Siberian Basin

New deep seismic reflection data provide images of the crust and uppermost mantle underlying the eastern Middle Urals and adjacent West Siberian Basin. Distinct truncations of reflections delineate the late-orogenic strike-slip Sisert Fault extending vertically to ∼28 km depth, and two gently E-dipping reflection zones, traceable to 15–18 km depth, probably represent normal faults associated with the opening of the West Siberian Basin. A possible remnant Palaeozoic subduction zone in the lower crust under the West Siberian Basin is visible as a gently SW-dipping zone of pronounced reflectivity truncated by the Moho. Continuity of shallow to intermediate-depth reflections suggest that Palaeozoic accreted island-arc terranes and overlying molasse sequences exposed in the hinterland of the Urals form the basement for Triassic and younger deposits in the West Siberian Basin. A highly reflective lower crust overlies a transparent mantle at about 43 km depth along the entire 100 km long seismic reflection section, suggesting that the lower crust and Moho below the eastern Middle Urals and West Siberian Basin have the same origin.     

柴达木盆地成因分析

对柴达木盆地新生代沉降机制存在不同的观点。一个合理的模型必须解释柴达木盆地的两个基本问题： 1）为什么柴达木盆地新生代沉积中心主要位于盆地中部; 2）是什么动力学过程导致盆地发生最大幅度超过15 km的基底沉降。通过对柴达木盆地主要地质特征的分析和对已有盆地模型的评述,本文发展了地壳褶皱模型,认为青藏高原北部上部地壳发生纵弯褶皱是柴达木盆地形成的主要原因。该模型不仅解释了盆地沉积中心的位置,而且揭示了柴达木盆地与周缘其它构造单元的关系。上部地壳发生强烈褶皱与下地壳侧向流动和岩石圈地幔向南俯冲的过程有关。     

The legacy of the NE German Basin — reactivation by compressional buckling

In contrast to previously published models for the area, the seismic reflection Moho is essentially flat beneath the NE German Basin along the DEKORP deep seismic profile Basin'96. This raises the question, whether the present structure of the crust and flat Moho reflect the initial formation of the basin or modification by more recent processes. A 2D flexural model, developed for a thin elastic plate, is presented together with lithospheric strength profiles calculated along the BASIN 9601 reflection seismic line. The analysis shows a southward decrease of lithospheric strength below the Basin, with a lithospheric decoupling between the crust and the mantle. The modelling supports the hypothesis that the present Moho topography is caused by flexural buckling which caused subsidence of the NE German Basin during the Upper Cretaceous–Early Cenozoic inversion event. This suggests that the basin is in isostatic disequilibrium, and that compressive stresses are required to keep the present basin geometry.     

东昆仑大地震的深部构造背景

本文以深地震测深剖面资料揭示的地壳结构形态为切入点 ,探讨东昆仑 8.1级大地震的深部构造背景。沱沱河—小柴旦长 5 0 0km的剖面范围内发现两处大的莫霍面错断 ,分别位于东昆仑 柴达木结合带之下和金沙江断裂之下。青藏高原北部的地壳厚度 6 1～ 75km :莫霍面具有一致南倾 ,逐步加深的产状及弱反射性特征 ;下地壳明显增厚 ,但速度未见明显降低 ;上地壳发育逆冲、走滑断裂 ;地壳中部存在低速层。北邻的柴达木盆地地壳相对刚性 ,厚 5 2± 2km。东昆仑及邻区的壳幔结构有利于强地震孕育。在印度板块向北推挤和柴达木地块的向南插入的区域挤压应力场中 ,青藏高原北部较弱的下地壳缩短增厚 ,变形过程中的蠕滑引起地壳浅部的应力放大。但NE向主压应力的作用不是大地震形成的唯一要素 ,与青藏高原北部各地体侧向运动有关。侧向运动速率和幅度的差异使应力在各地体的边界断裂积累并使其复活。而低速层对形成孕育大地震需要的“立交桥式”的局部应力环境是必不可少的条件。     

Structure of the crust and uppermost mantle of the Yanshan Belt and adjacent regions at the northeastern boundary of the North China Craton from Rayleigh Wave Dispersion Analysis

We have used Rayleigh wave dispersion analysis and inversion to produce a high resolution S-wave velocity imaging profile of the crust and uppermost mantle structure beneath the northeastern boundary regions of the North China Craton (NCC). Using waveform data from 45 broadband NCISP stations, Rayleigh wave phase velocities were measured at periods from 10 to 48 s and utilized in subsequent inversions to solve for the S-wave velocity structure from 15 km down to 120 km depth. The inverted lower crust and uppermost mantle velocities, about 3.75 km/s and 4.3 km/s on average, are low compared with the global average. The Moho was constrained in the depth range of 30–40 km, indicating a typical crustal thickness along the profile. However, a thin lithosphere of no more than 100 km was imaged under a large part of the profile, decreasing to only ~ 60 km under the Inner Mongolian Axis (IMA) where an abnormally slow anomaly was observed below 60 km depth. The overall structural features of the study region resemble those of typical continental rift zones and are probably associated with the lithospheric reactivation and tectonic extension widespread in the eastern NCC during Mesozoic–Cenozoic time. Distinctly high velocities, up to ~ 4.6 km/s, were found immediately to the south of the IMA beneath the northern Yanshan Belt (YSB), extending down to > 100-km depth. The anomalous velocities are interpreted as the cratonic lithospheric lid of the region, which may have not been affected by the Mesozoic–Cenozoic deformation process as strongly as other regions in the eastern NCC. Based on our S-wave velocity structural image and other geophysical observations, we propose a possible lithosphere–asthenosphere interaction scenario at the northeastern boundary of the NCC. We speculate that significant undulations of the base of the lithosphere, which might have resulted from the uneven Mesozoic–Cenozoic lithospheric thinning, may induce mantle flows concentrating beneath the weak IMA zone. The relatively thick lithospheric lid in the northern YSB may serve as a tectonic barrier separating the on-craton and off-craton regions into different upper mantle convection systems at the present time.