An overview of the earth crust under China

We assess the results of a number of deep seismic soundings performed in China over the last few decades, and study the variations in crustal structure in 18 tectonic units comprised of three platforms and 15 fold systems. Thickness data on 344 Mesozoic–Cenozoic sedimentary basins, as well as data on Moho depth are collected in order to discuss the relationship between the thickness of the basins and the average thickness of the consolidated crust in each tectonic unit. The degree of mirror-image symmetry between Mesozoic–Cenozoic sedimentary basins and the uplifting topmost parts of the mantle is herein analyzed using deep geophysical data on sedimentary basins. By applying standard methods of least-squares analysis to both datasets, we have obtained both the average thickness of the consolidated crust and the mirror-image symmetry factor for every platform and tectonic fold system, thereby allowing us to explore the correlation between the depths of the bottom of the sedimentary basins and the top of the uplifting mantle. The thickness of the consolidated crust in China is found to be between 20 and 63 km, following a pattern of gradual thickening from east to west. Expressed in terms of spatial seismicity and the concentration of seismic energy, and according to the sharing-out of earthquake hypocenters in the top 80 km of the earth, the rheology of the area does not appear to suit the widely accepted “jelly–sandwich” model for the continents, which does not seem to be entirely valid in China. The findings on the mirror-image symmetry factor show that this parameter varies mainly in the range ? 0.5 to ? 1.8 compared with each other tectonic unit. Most of the tectonic systems in China appear to be isostatically compensated. Tibet is an exception, in that the symmetry factor is positive for the Gangdise–Nyainqentanglha (1.0) and Himalayan (0.1) fold systems, implying that these tectonic zones are far from being in the isostatic equilibrium of the other regions. We have also analyzed the zoning characteristics through the logarithmic relationship ln R = ln (h/|a|), using the average thickness of the consolidated crust and the absolute value of the symmetry factor. The key finding is that regardless of geographical location, all the values of R = h/|a| for those sedimentary basins in which oil/gas reservoirs have to date been found, fall into the narrow range of values between 19.38 and 37.40. There is some appeal in a possible relationship involving the ratio of crustal thickness to symmetry factor, more so when the results obtained appear to suggest a prognostic tool for exploratory practice in relation to oil/gas reservoirs.     

Seismic structure of the crust and uppermost mantle of South America and surrounding oceanic basins

We present a new set of contour maps of the seismic structure of South America and the surrounding ocean basins. These maps include new data, helping to constrain crustal thickness, whole-crustal average P-wave and S-wave velocity, and the seismic velocity of the uppermost mantle (P_n and S_n). We find that: (1) The weighted average thickness of the crust under South America is 38.17 km (standard deviation, s.d. ±8.7 km), which is ∼1 km thinner than the global average of 39.2 km (s.d. ±8.5 km) for continental crust. (2) Histograms of whole-crustal P-wave velocities for the South American crust are bi-modal, with the lower peak occurring for crust that appears to be missing a high-velocity (6.9–7.3 km/s) lower crustal layer. (3) The average P-wave velocity of the crystalline crust (P_cc) is 6.47 km/s (s.d. ±0.25 km/s). This is essentially identical to the global average of 6.45 km/s. (4) The average P_n velocity beneath South America is 8.00 km/s (s.d. ±0.23 km/s), slightly lower than the global average of 8.07 km/s. (5) A region across northern Chile and northeast Argentina has anomalously low P- and S-wave velocities in the crust. Geographically, this corresponds to the shallowly-subducted portion of the Nazca plate (the Pampean flat slab first described by Isacks et al., 1968), which is also a region of crustal extension. (6) The thick crust of the Brazilian craton appears to extend into Venezuela and Colombia. (7) The crust in the Amazon basin and along the western edge of the Brazilian craton may be thinned by extension. (8) The average crustal P-wave velocity under the eastern Pacific seafloor is higher than under the western Atlantic seafloor, most likely due to the thicker sediment layer on the older Atlantic seafloor.     

S-wave velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle under southeastern China by surface wave dispersion analysis

Group velocity dispersion data of fundamental-mode Rayleigh and Love waves for 12 wave paths within southeastern China have been measured by applying the multiple-filter technique to the properly rotated three-component digital seismograms from two Seismic Research Observatory stations, TATO and CHTO. The generalized surface wave inversion technique was applied to these group velocity dispersion data to determine the S-wave velocity structures of the crust and upper mantle for various regions of southeastern China. The results clearly demonstrate that the crust and upper mantle under southeastern China are laterally heterogeneous. The southern China region south of 25°N and the eastern China region both have a crustal thickness of 30 km. The eastern Tibet plateau along the 100°E meridian has a crustal thickness of 60 km. Central China, consisting mainly of the Yangtze and Sino-Korean platforms, has a crustal thickness of 40 km. A distinct S-wave low-velocity layer at 10–20 km depth in the middle crust was found under wave paths in southeastern China. On the other hand, no such crustal low-velocity layer is evident under the eastern Tibet plateau. This low-velocity layer in the middle crust appears to reflect the presence of a sialic low-velocity layer perhaps consisting of intruded granitic laccoliths, or possibly the remnant of the source zone of widespread magmatic activities known to have taken place in these regions since the late Carboniferous.     

Seismic model of Iceland's crust

The data of the two long seismic profiles crossing Iceland (Nasp 1972 andRrisp 1977) have revealed its deeper structure and its relation to the Reykjanes and the Faeroe-Iceland Ridge. All deep velocity levels dip down from the ocean towards Iceland. The maximum velocity found on Iceland does not exceed 7.6–7.7 km/s. The 7.0 km/s velocity level is of complex shape. Due to a disagreement of first arrivals at the crosspoint of the two profiles crustal velocity anisotropy may exist.Two different models can be derived from the seismic cross sections. The first model contains a thin oceanic crust being 10–15 km thick. This layer is followed directly by the asthenosphere with velocities near 7.0–7.4 km/s. The top of this diapir-like asthenosphere should be in a partly molten stage. The other version, favoured by the authors, suggests a crust of 30 km thickness which is underlain by mantle material with velocities of 7.5–7.7 km/s. The top of the asthenosphere is assumed to exist in a depth of about 50 km. In the upper crust at 10–15 km depth there occurs a local zone of rocks being in a partly molten stage, as evidenced by the reduced shear wave velocity and the high electrical conductivity. Due to this configuration Iceland forms combined structure with the Faeroe-Iceland Ridge. Despite of its great thickness the crust of Iceland must be regarded as belonging to the oceanic type because of its basic rock composition, thus it is classified as suboceanic.

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Zusammenfassung Die Daten der beiden seismischen Langprofile auf Island (Nasp 1972 undRrisp 1977) erlauben Aussagen über die tiefere Struktur Islands und deren Zusammenhang mit dem Reykjanes und dem Faeroe-Island-Rücken. Alle tieferen Geschwindigkeitshorizonte fallen vom Ozean her unter Island ein. Die größte unter Island beobachtete Geschwindigkeit beträgt 7.6–7.7 km/s. Einen komplizierten Verlauf zeigt die 7.0 km/s Geschwindigkeitslinie. Andererseits kann auch Anisotrophie nicht ausgeschlossen werden.Die berechneten seismischen Profile erlauben zwei Interpretationen für die Krustenstruktur Islands. Die erste Deutung geht von einer dünnen (10–15 km mächtigen) ozeanischen Kruste aus, die direkt von der domartig aufdringenden Asthenosphere unterlagert wird. Der oberste Bereich der Asthenosphäre ist partiell geschmolzen und zeigt Geschwindigkeiten von über 7.0–7.4 km/s. Die andere, von den Autoren vertretene Deutung, geht von einer etwa 30 km mächtigen Kruste aus, die auf Mantelmaterial mit Geschwindigkeiten von 7.5–7.7 km/s liegt. Die Asthenosphäre folgt erst in 50 km Tiefe. Innerhalb der Kruste ist in 10–15 km Tiefe eine begrenzte Zone mit partiell geschmolzenem Gestein eingelagert, die sich durch eine verringerte Geschwindigkeit der Scherwellen und eine hohe elektrische Leitfähigkeit zu erkennen gibt. Die Kruste Islands bildet mit der Faeroe-Island-Rückens eine Einheit. Ungeachtet der Krustendicke von 30 km gehört die Kruste Islands aufgrund der basischen Zusammensetzung zum ozeanischen Typ und nicht zum kontinentalen.

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Résumé Les données sur les deux longs profils sismiques en Islande (Nasp 1972 etRrisp 1977) permettent de déterminer la structure profonde et la relation avec le Seuil de Reykanes et des ïles Färoe. Tous les horizons à vitesse faible viennent du côté de l'Océan sous l'Islande. La vitesse la plus élevée observée sous l'Islande est de 7.6 à 7.7 km/sec. La courbe des vitesses montre une allure compliquée. D'autre part l'anisotropie ne peut être exclue. Les profils sismiques permettent deux interprétations de la structure de la croûte sous l'Islande. La première est celle d'un croûte mince (10–15 km) océanique, placée directement au-dessus de l'asthénosphère qui y pénétre à la manière d'un arceau. La couche supérieure de l'asthénosphère est partiellement fondue et montre des vitesses de plus de 7.0–7.4 km/sec. L'autre interprétation, d'après les auteurs, part d'une croûte de presque 30 km. au-dessus d'une espèce de manteau où la vitesse irait de 7.5 à 7.7 km/sec. L'asthénosphère se trouverait à 50 km. de profondeur. A l'intérieur de la croûte, à une profondeur de 10–15 km. se trouverait une zone restreinte, partiellement fondue, que revèle une vitesse réduite des ondes de cisaillement et sa haute conductibilité. La croûte d'Islands et celle du Seuil des Iles Färoe ne forment qu'une seule unité. Malgré la valeur de 30 km. la croûte d'Islande appartient au type oc"anique, et non pas au type continental à cause de sa constitution basique.

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(—1972 —1977) - . , 7,7 /. . . 10–15 , 7,0–7,4 /. . , , 30 7,5–7,7 /. 50 . 12–18 , . , .

     

Seismic imaging of the transitional crust across the northeastern margin of the South China Sea

Crustal structure across the passive continental margin of the northeastern South China Sea (SCS) is presented based on a deep seismic survey cooperated between Taiwan and China in August 2001. Reflection data collected from a 48-hydrophone streamer and the vertical component of refraction/reflection data recorded at 11 ocean-bottom seismometers along a NW–SE profile are integrated to image the upper (1.6–2.4 km/s), lower (2.5–2.9 km/s), and compacted (3–4.5 km/s) sediment, the upper (4.5–5.5 km/s), middle (5.5–6.5 km/s) and lower (6.5–7.5 km/s) crystalline crust successively. The velocity model shows that the thickness (0.5–3 km) and the basement of the compacted sediment are strongly varied due to intrusion of the magma and igneous rocks after seafloor spreading of the SCS. Furthermore, several volcanoes and igneous rocks in the upper/middle crust (7–10 km thick) and a high velocity layer (0–5 km thick) in the lower crust of the model are identified as the ocean–continent transition (OCT) below the lower slope in the northeastern margin of the SCS. A thin continent NW of the OCT and a thick oceanic crust SE of the OCT in the continental margin of the northeastern SCS are also imaged, but these transitional crusts cannot be classified as the OCT due to their crustal thickness and the limited amount of the volcano, the magma and the high velocity layer. The extended continent, next to the gravity low and a sag zone extended from the SW Taiwan Basin, may have resulted from subduction of the Eurasian Plate beneath the Manila Trench whereas the thick oceanic crust may have been due to the excess volcanism and the late magmatic underplating in the oceanic crust after seafloor spreading of the SCS.     

A damage model for the continuum rheology of the upper continental crust

In orogenic zones it is often considered appropriate to use a continuum rheology to model the deformation of the upper continental crust. In this paper we derive an applicable rheology utilizing fiber-bundle and continuum-damage models. We show that the results are identical and yield a power relation between stress σ and strain rate of the form σ= ^ρ−1. We constrain the applicable values of ρ utilizing Omori's law for the decay of aftershocks and conclude that ρ−1 is in the range of 5–15. With this strong nonlinear viscous rheology the behavior of the deforming upper crust approaches that of a perfect-plastic material.     

Crustal structure of mainland China from deep seismic sounding data

Since 1958, about ninety seismic refraction/wide angle reflection profiles, with a cumulative length of more than sixty thousand kilometers, have been completed in mainland China. We summarize the results in the form of (1) a new contour map of crustal thickness, (2) fourteen representative crustal seismic velocity–depth columns for various tectonic units, and, (3) a Pn velocity map. We found a north–south-trending belt with a strong lateral gradient in crustal thickness in central China. This belt divides China into an eastern region, with a crustal thickness of 30–45 km, and a western region, with a thickness of 45–75 km. The crust in these two regions has experienced different evolutionary processes, and currently lies within distinct tectonic stress fields. Our compilation finds that there is a high-velocity (7.1–7.4 km/s) layer in the lower crust of the stable Tarim basin and Ordos plateau. However, in young orogenic belts, including parts of eastern China, the Tianshan and the Tibetan plateau, this layer is often absent. One exception is southern Tibet, where the presence of a high-velocity layer is related to the northward injection of the cold Indian plate. This high-velocity layer is absent in northern Tibet. In orogenic belts, there usually is a low-velocity layer (LVL) in the crust, but in stable regions this layer seldom exists. The Pn velocities in eastern China generally range from 7.9 to 8.1 km/s and tend to be isotropic. Pn velocities in western China are more variable, ranging from 7.7 to 8.2 km/s, and may display azimuthal anisotropy.     

Seismic velocity structure of a large mafic intrusion in the crust of central Denmark from project ESTRID

The origin of regional sedimentary basins is being investigated by the ESTRID project (Explosion Seismic Transects around a Rift In Denmark). This project investigates the mechanisms of the formation of wide, regional basins and their interrelation to previous rifting processes in the Danish–Norwegian Basin in the North Sea region. In May 2004 a 143 km long refraction seismic profile was acquired along the strike direction of a suspected major mafic intrusion in the crust in central Denmark. The data confirms the presence of a body with high seismic velocity (> 6.5 km/s) extending from a depth of  10–12 km depth into the lower crust. There is a remarkable Moho relief between 27 and 34 km depth along this new along-strike profile as based on ray-tracing modelling of PmP reflections. The lack of PmP reflections at a zone of very high velocity in the lowest crust (7.3–7.5 km/s) suggests a possible location of a feeder channel to the batholith. The presence of volcanic rocks of Carboniferous–Permian age above the intrusion (mafic batholith) suggests a similar age of the intrusion. An older obliquely crossing profile and two new fan profiles deployed perpendicular to the main ESTRID profile, show that the batholith is about 30–40 km wide. The existence of this large mafic batholith supports the hypothesis that the origin of the Danish–Norwegian Basin is related to cooling and contraction after intrusion of large amounts of mafic melts into the crust during the late Carboniferous and early Permian. The data and interpretations from project ESTRID will form the basis for subsidence modelling. Tentatively, we interpret the formation of the Danish–Norwegian Basin as a thermal subsidence basin, which developed after widespread rifting of the region.     

3-D P-wave velocity structure of the crust beneath the Loess Plateau and surrounding regions of China

The crustal P-wave velocity structure beneath the Loess Plateau and surrounding regions, which is a transition zone between the Tibetan Plateau and the Huabei and Huanan Blocks of China, was tomographically imaged for the first time down to the depth of 80 km. The seismic sources comprised both local and regional earthquakes and the reconstruction was accomplished using a newly developed simultaneous inversion procedure, which solves for both the earthquake hypocentres and the 3-D velocity field. Special features of the procedure include a modified shortest path algorithm for the bent ray tracing, an analytic Jacobian matrix for solution updating, and a damped, minimum norm, constrained non-linear solver based on a CG approach. The velocity structure obtained is more complex than previously thought. The lateral velocity variations are consistent with the U-shaped seismic ring structure but the vertical variations along the Fenwei seismic belt are consistent with the mechanism of the Mountain-Basin generalized system formation. The velocity images of Loess Plateau, the transition zone may help to build a geodynamic mechanism for inland China, to explain the formation of ground fissures so prevalent in the Loess Plateau.     

华南大陆东部地壳上地幔S波速度结构研究

正华南大陆东部地区地处欧亚板块和太平洋板块的交汇区域,长期受到印度洋板块、太平洋板块和菲律宾海板块的俯冲影响,是欧亚大陆东部边缘构造框架极其重要的一部分,也是研究板块相互作用的天然实验室。已有的大尺度全国地震体波和面波成像结果可以很好的分辨出主要的盆地和块体分布,但体波成像的射线在地壳和上地幔顶部覆盖     

中国大陆及邻区岩石圈地壳三维结构与动力学型式

通过中国大陆及邻区地震测深剖面的系统构造解析,建立起中国大陆岩石圈地壳厚度与速度结构模型。本文根据地壳厚度与速度结构模型、地壳变形结构样式、地壳地质结构与构造演化、地壳运动学与动力学等四方面标志,将中国大陆岩石圈地壳划分为3类6种地壳结构-动力学型式:克拉通型褶推式结构-挤压动力学型式、克拉通型地垒结构-拉伸动力学型式、增厚型高原扇形结构-碰撞楔入动力学型式、增厚型造山带楔状结构-俯冲楔入动力学型式、减薄型盆岭结构-块体伸展动力学型式和减薄型铲状结构-整体伸展动力学型式。笔者探讨了克拉通型地壳、增厚型地壳和减薄型地壳的基本特征、相互关系及其地质意义。     

体波走时层析成像方法及其在中国壳幔结构研究中的应用评述

文中对地震体波走时层析成像技术近30年的发展进行回顾和评述,并对该方法所存在的问题进行了分析和探讨以及给出应对策略。在壳幔速度结构的横向不均匀性、强震发生的深部构造环境、活火山区的深部结构和起源,以及造山带、板块碰撞带区域深部结构等4个方面对应用地震层析成像技术所取得的主要成果做了分类总结和探讨。研究证明,利用地震层析成像技术所获得的高分辨率地球内部结构为探索岩石圈的演化和板块运动规律及地震、火山活动发生的深部构造环境等提供了十分重要的科学依据。     

Thermal structure of the crust and upper mantle of Romania

A synthesis of the heat-flow data for Romania enabled a study of the thermal regime of the crust and upper mantle to be made. This showed lateral thermal differences between various tectonic units. The thermal structure of the crust and upper mantle appears to be mainly the result of mantle convection and plate interaction in the studied area.     

孔兹岩系事件与太古宙地壳构造演化

孔兹岩系是太古宙高级变质岩区中较为常见的变质沉积岩石地层单位 ,它以富铝(含墨 )的矽线榴云片麻岩为特征 ,伴有石英岩、钙硅酸盐岩及富镁大理岩等组合而成的一套岩石地层。内蒙古大青山地区近年来研究工作的重要进展之一 ,是对发育在该区的孔兹岩系进行了系统构造地层学研究 ,提出了由下至上三个岩层单位组成的地层序列 :即榴云片麻岩岩组、含黑榴云片麻岩岩组及大理岩岩组或透辉片麻岩岩组 ,下与兴和岩群的麻粒岩系 ,上与浅变质的古元古代美岱召岩群呈不整合接触。根据侵入孔兹岩系中的单斜辉石斜长角闪岩的Sm Nd同位素年龄 2 80 0Ma(杨振升等 ,另文发表 ) ,确定孔兹岩系时代应属中太古代 ,按区域太古宙地层构造格架 ,在大青山—乌拉山及色尔腾山地区孔兹岩系应位于新太古代色尔腾山群之下。大青山地区所建立的孔兹岩地层层序及其在太古宙地层系统中的位置 ,无疑对相邻地区高级变质区的岩石地层研究有重要借鉴意义。联系到全球太古宙高级变质区中相当于孔兹岩系的组成分布的广泛性与其惊人的相似性 ,作者建议使用孔兹岩系事件一词来表达 350 0～ 2 80 0Ma时期地壳上曾经存在超洲际规模的克拉通大陆 ,这规模巨大的克拉通的富铝 (含黑 )碎屑岩—石英岩—碳酸盐岩 (钙硅酸盐 )的沉积事件 ,即孔兹岩系事     

Shear velocity and Vp/Vs ratio structure of the crust beneath the southern margin of South China continent

We here present the results of the inverse modeling of crustal S-phases recorded from a 400-km-long seismic profile, with azimuth nearly N30W, from Lianxian, near Hunan Province, to Gangkou Island, near Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, in the southern margin of South China continent. The finding in this case is that many shot gathers provided by this wide-angle seismic experiment show relatively strong reflected and refracted S-phases, in particular some crustal refractions (Sg waves) and Moho reflections (SmS waves or simply Sm waves). The P-wave velocity structure of the crust and uppermost mantle was already obtained through the interpretation of vertical-component shot gathers. Now, with constraints introduced by the P-wave velocity architecture and after picking up S-wave traveltime data on the seismograms, we have obtained the S-velocity model of the crust by adjusting these traveltimes but keeping the geometry of the crustal reflectors. Our results demonstrate: (1) the average crustal S-velocity is about 3.64 km/s to the northwest of the Wuchuan-Sihui fault, and 3.62 km/s to the southeast of this fault; (2) relatively constant S-velocity of about 3.42 km/s for the upper crust, 3.55 km/s for the middle crust and laterally varying shear velocity around 3.82 km/s for the lower crust; (3) correspondingly, Vp/Vs ratio is 1.73 for the upper crust, 1.71 for the middle crust and 1.74 for the lower crust. Both shear velocities and Vp/Vs ratio correlate well with the major active faults that break the study area, and show significant changes especially in the upper crust. High Poisson’s ratio (1.8) is observed at shallow depth beneath the Minzhong depression to the southeast of the Wuchuan-Sihui fault and the Huiyuan depression in the southern margin of South China continent. In contrast, a very low Vp/Vs ratio (1.68) is observed between 8 and 14 km depth beneath Huiyuan. At deeper depth, a high Vp/Vs ratio (1.76) is observed in the lower crust beneath the Minzhong depression.     

Seismic anisotropy of the crystalline crust: what does it tell us?

The study of the directional dependence of seismic velocities (seismic anisotropy) promises more refined insight into mineral composition and physical properties of the crystalline crust than conventional deep seismic refraction or reflection profiles providing average values of P-and S-wave velocities. The alignment of specific minerals by ductile rock deformation, for instance, causes specific types of seismic anisotropy which can be identified by appropriate field measurements.
Vice versa , the determination of anisotropy can help to discriminate between different rock candidates in the deep crust. Seismic field measurements at the Continental Deep Drilling Site (KTB, S Germany) are shown as an example that anisotropy has to be considered in crustal studies. At the KTB, the dependence of seismic velocity on the direction of wave propagation in situ was found to be compatible with the texture, composition and fracture density of drilled crustal rocks.     

Electrical structure of the crust in South Eastern Tibet

As part of the Sino-French earth science programme in Tibet, magnetotelluric and geomagnetic soundings were carried out in the southwestern part of Tibet. Eight magnetotelluric sounding sites and nineteen geomagnetic stations were occupied along roughly north-south profiles. The magnetotelluric profile runs from Lhozag to the south of Yangbajain to the north. The geomagnetic profile runs from Lang Kartse to Gulu. These experiments indicate a conductive layer at about 25 km in depth. This layer corresponds to the isotherm 1100°C. Shallow conductive structures related to the presence of significant partial melting were evidenced to the south of the Zangbo suture. A conductive structure was also evidenced at about 15 km in depth below the Nyainquentanglha range. This structure may correspond to partial melting due to the presence of fluids at the dipping plane between two overthrusting crustal blocks.