New Early Cretaceous paleomagnetic results from Qilian orogenic belt and its tectonic implications

Lower Cretaceous red sedimentary rocks from the depositional basin of East Qilian fold belt have been collected for a paleomagnetic study. Stepwise thermal demagnetization reveals two or three components of magnetization from dark red sandstones. Low-temperature magnetic component is consistent with the present Earth Field direction in geographic coordinates. High-temperature magnetic components are mainly carried by hematite. The mean pole of 19 sites for high-temperature magnetic components after tilt-correction is λ=62.2°N, φ=193.4°E, A95=3.2°, and it passes fold tests at 99% confidence level and reversal tests at 95% confidence level. The paleopole is insignificantly different from that of Halim et al. (1998) from the same sampling area at the 95% confidence level. Compared with paleomagnetic results for North China, South China, and Eurasia, our results suggest that no significant relative latitudinal displacement has taken place between Lanzhou region and these blocks since Cretaceous time. Remarkably, the pole of Lanzhou shows a 20° clockwise rotation with respect to those of North China, South China, and Eurasia. Geological information indicates that the crustal shortening in the western part of Qilian is greater than that in eastern part. In this case, the clockwise rotation of sampling area was related to India/Eurasia collision, and this collision resulted in a left-lateral strike-slip motion of the Altun fault in north Tibetan Plateau after the Cretaceous.     

Paleomagnetism of the Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks of the Shimaoshan Group in Yongtai County, Fujian Province

It has been debated whether there was southward movement of the South China Block (SCB) during the Cretaceous. In this study, a paleomagnetic investigation was carried out on the Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks (~88 Ma) of the Shimaoshan Group in Yongtai County, Fujian Province. Rock magnetic experiments showed that magnetite in pseudo-single-domain and multi-domain grain and hematite were predominant magnetic phases. Stepwise thermal demagnetization successfully isolated characteristic directional components at high-temperature interval (>500°C) from 383 specimens in 19 sites, which yielded a paleomagnetic pole for the studied section at 83.1°N, 152.6°E (N=19, A 95=3.9°), and the scatter S B=9.0. The Fisher distribution of virtual geomagnetic poles (VGPs) and the consistence of S B with the expected value at the 95% confidence level indicate that the yielded paleomagnetic pole is free of paleomagnetic secular variation influence. The new pole, which is well consistent with that from the Eurasian apparent polar wander path (APWP) curve, suggests no obvious southward movement of the sampling site during the Cretaceous.     

Paleomagnetic data from the Late Carboniferous-Late Permian rocks in eastern Tibet and their implications for tectonic evolution of the northern Qiangtang-Qamdo block

We report paleomagnetic results from the Late Carboniferous-Late Permian strata in eastern Tibet (China), and aim to clarify the tectonic and paleogeographic evolution of the northern Qiangtang-Qamdo block, which is the key to the study of plate boundary between the Gondwanaland and the Eurasia during the late Paleozoic. Two hundred and nineteen samples-including limestone, muddy siltstone, basalt, lava, and tuff-were collected at 24 sites in the Upper Carboniferous and Middle-Upper Permian successions. A systematic study of rock magnetism and paleomagnetism yields three reliable paleomagnetic pole positions. Both hematite and magnetite occurred in the Late Carboniferous limestone samples. The demagnetization curve shows a characteristic double-component, with the remanent magnetization (ChRM) exhibiting a positive polarity (negative inclination). In the Late Permian limestone, tuff, and basalt, magnetic information were recorded primarily in magnetite, although a small fraction of them was found in hematite in basalt. The demagnetization curve illustrates a double or single component, with the ChRM showing a negative polarity (positive inclination), which has passed the classic fold test successfully. The single polarity features of the ChRM directions of the Late Carboniferous and Middle-Late Permian rocks are respectively related to the Kiaman positive and reversed polarities under the stratigraphic coordinates. This, in turn, indicates that both ChRMs directions represent the original remanence directions. By comparison with the previously published paleomagnetic results from the late Paleozoic rocks in the northern Qiangtang Range, we suggest that: (1) Qamdo and northern Qiangtang block were independent of each other during the Late Carboniferous to the Early Permian periods. The north Lancangjiang ocean basin between the two blocks may have closed before the Middle Permian and been involved in the continent-continent collision stage in the Late Permian-Early Triassic periods. (2) The northern Qiangtang-Qamdo Block paleogeographically was situated at low to intermediate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere in the Late Carboniferous-Late Permian periods, and began to displace northward in the Early Triassic, with an amount of more than 5000 km northward transport from its current location.     

Generalized Rydelek-Sacks test for distinguishing between periodic and random patterns in seismicity

For distinguishing the periodicity of strong earthquakes on the time scale of decades, we generalized the Rydelek-Sacks test (Rydelek, Sacks, 1989) to explore whether a time series is modulated by a periodic process or not. The test is conducted by comparing the total phasor of seismicity with that produced by a random Brownian motion. The phase angle is defined by the origin time of earthquakes relative to a reference time scale. Using this method we tested two hypotheses in geodynamics and earthquake prediction study. One is the hypothesis of Romanowicz (1993) who proposed that the great earthquakes alternate in a predictable fashion between strike-slip and thrusting mechanisms on a 20-30 years cycle. The other hypothesis is that the strong earthquakes in and around China have an active period of about ten years. The test obtains a negative conclusion for the former hypothesis and a positive conclusion for the latter at the 95% confidence level.     

Rock magnetic properties and palaeomagnetic results of sediments from a stone implement layer in the Bose Basin,Guangxi

Directional samples were taken to study rock magnetism and palaeomagnetic records from the Dong- sheng profile, which is 5 m thick and on the northwest edge of the Bose Basin. Mineralogy and rock magnetism of typical samples indicate that coarse granular titanomagnetite, and fine-grained hematite, superparamagnetic maghemite formed by pedogenesis are in the sediment, which has undergone many transformative processes during different stages of pedogenesis. Parallel samples were taken for thermal demagnetization (TH) (0 to 680℃) and alternating field (AF) demagnetization (0 to 80 mT) respectively. Experimental results of these two kinds of demagnetization illustrate that there are two or more magnetic components in the samples. Intensity of NRM decreases by almost 60% to 90% rapidly when the temperature ranges from 100℃ to 350℃, with a steady magnetic component. It is impossible to analyze the magnetic components at high temperature because those fluctuate widely when the temperature is higher than 400℃. Steady magnetic components from 100℃ to 350℃ indicate that the remanence was mainly carried by fine-grained hematite formed by pedogenesis, reflecting a change in the geomagnetic field while the magnetite was being oxidized into hematite by chemical weathering after deposition. The formative age of the sediments cannot be obtained by magnetic methods in this profile.     

Magnetic properties related to thermal treatment of pyrite

Detailed rock magnetic experiments were conducted on high-purity natural crystalline pyrite and its products of thermal treatments in both argon and air atmospheres. In argon atmosphere (reducing environment), the pyrite is altered by heating to magnetite and pyrrhotite; the latter is stable in argon atmosphere, and has coercive force and coercivity of remanence of ～20 and ～30 mT, respectively. Whereas in air, the pyrite is ultimately oxidized to hematite. First order reversal curve (FORC) diagram of the end product shows that the remanence coercivity of hematite is up to ～1400 mT. The corresponding thermal transformation process of pyrite in air can be simply summarized as pyrite→ pyrrhotite→magnetite→hematite. These results are helpful for understanding of sedimentary magnetism, secondary chemical remanence and meteorolite magnetic properties.     

Rock-magnetic properties of Neogene sediments, northern flank of Tianshan Mountains

Analyses of rock-magnetic properties of Neogene sediments of the Taxihe section, northern Tianshan Mountains, show that the section can be classified into three categories including lacustrine facies, fluvial facies and alluvial facies, which correspond to the lower, middle and upper of the Taxihe section respectively. The magnetic minerals of the lacustrine facies may be affected by the process of weath- ering, lithogenesis and biolithogenesis besides the source of the sediments. The natural remanence intensities are between 10-3 A/m and 10-2 A/m. The minerals are dominated by magnetite and the high coercive magnetic mineral may be goethite. The magnetic grains are the mixture of PSD SD or SD SP. The natural remanence intensities of the strata of fluvial facies are between 10-2 A/m and 10-1 A/m, about ten times that of the lacustrine facies. The magnetic minerals are mainly magnetite and hematite, and the magnetic grains are mainly PSD. The characteristic remanence (ChRM) carriers are magnetites. In the alluvial facies, the natural remanence intensities are mostly less than 1×10-2 A/m. The magnetic minerals of the series are dominated by magnetite and hematite, almost the same as the fluvial facies. But the difference is that most of the stepwise demagnetization can reveal two components and the ChRM carriers are hematites. The magnetic grains are PSD in terms of the hysteresis parameters.     

Regional long-term trend of ground solar radiation in China over the past 50 years

Based on global solar radiation and related meteorological data from 57 stations in China between 1961 and 2009, we analyze the variation of surface global solar radiation (G) and its relationship to meteorological elements using linear-trend estimation, wavelet analysis, and the Mann-Kendall test. The results show that of the 33 stations with time series longer than 45 years, G is significant at the 95% confidence level. G has a decreasing trend at many stations, but results vary across different areas. The decadal departure percentage of G increased from the 1960s to 1970s, declined gradually after the 1970s, and decreased significantly in the 1980s. In the 1990s, the trend at a few sites slightly increased. The trend of cumulative variance is of four types, i.e. rise-fall, rise-fall-slight rise, rise-fall-rise, and not obvious. For changes within a year, the most obvious decline was in winter, and the rest of the year had a slight decrease. The major cycles of annual G were 6-9, 10-13, and 29-33 a. The inflection points were mostly in the 1970s. The reasons for greater changes were complex. Relevant meteorological elements were selected and analyzed by statistical methods. Trends in climatic parameters, such as annual average percentage of sunshine, annual average wind speed, and annual average of low cloud cover, were closely related to G. Thus, this indicated the potential causes of the observed trends in G. The long-term trend for annual G in some regions was also influenced by anthro- pogenic activities. Annual average percentage of sunshine and annual average wind speed were positively correlated with annual G, respectively.     

Global frequency distributions of pulsations driven by sharp decrease of solar wind dynamic pressure

On 24 August 2005, an impulse of solar wind dynamic pressure(Psw) hit the magnetosphere. Using the high resolution geomagnetic field data from 15 ground stations and the data from Geotail and TC-1, we studied the geomagnetic pulsations at auroral latitudes driven by the sharp decrease of Psw at the trailing edge of the impulse. The results show that the sharp decrease of Psw can excite a global pulsation in the frequency range 4.3–11.6 m Hz. The pulsation has a reversal of polarization between two auroral latitude stations, a larger power spectral density(PSD) close to resonant latitude and increasing frequency with decreasing latitude. All these features indicate that the pulsations are associated with field line resonance(FLR). The fundamental resonant frequency(the peak frequency of PSD between 4.3 and 5.8 m Hz) is dependent on magnetic local time and is largest around magnetic local noon. This feature is due to the fact that the size of magnetospheric cavity is dependent on local time and smallest at noon. A second harmonic wave at about 10 m Hz is also observed, which is strongest in the daytime sector, and becomes heavily attenuated in the night sector. The comparison of the PSDs of the pulsations driven by sharp increase and sharp decrease of Psw shows that the frequency of pulsations is negatively proportional to the size of magnetopause. Since the FLR is excited by compressional cavity/waveguide waves, the above results indicate that the resonant frequency in the magnetospheric cavity/waveguide is controlled not only by solar wind parameters but also by magnetic local time of observation point.     

新疆喀什-乌恰交汇区地震活动潮汐触发的统计检验

A statistical analysis on earthquake activity in the Kashi-Wuqia intersection area triggered by earth tide is done by Schuster＇s test and the Permutation test on daily and monthly scales. The north-south, east-west component of the tidal force and tidal body stress are chosen as the tidal curve in the daily scale. The results show that most of the earthquakes occurred near the maximum 0° of the three kinds of tidal curves, the predominant tidal phases of the earthquake are - 5. 86°, 6. 60° and - 15. 52°, and the frequency of the earthquakes increases with the increase of the tide; with three kinds of tidal curves （the north-south, east-west component of the tidal force and tidal body stress ）, the Ps of Schuster＇s test for all the earthquakes is 10. 52 %, 2. 40 % and 2. 06 %, and the pp of the Permutation test is 10. 90%, 2. 40% and 2. 06%, and the results ofps andpp based on the east-west component of the tidal force and tidal body stress are below the threshold of 0. 05 that tidal triggering of earthquakes. In the monthly scale, both the Ps and pp are very low （ close to 0 ）, far below the threshold of 0. 05 of tidal triggering of earthquakes, and the predominant tidal phase for earthquake triggering is - 18. 95°, close to the maximum 0° （ new moon and full moon） of the earth tide in monthly scale. Regarding the statistical test result of tidal triggering of earthquakes, a preliminary explanation is given as to why the trigger effect in the east-west direction is greater than that in north-south direction.     

Two pedogenic models for paleoclimatic records of magnetic susceptibility from Chinese and Siberian loess

The magnetic susceptibility (MS) of Chinese loess showing a general proportional relationship to pedogenic grade has been widely recognized and used for reconstruction of paleoclimate by Quaternary scientists. The in-situ pedogenic enhancement of ferrimagnetic content is normally believed to be the main reason for the increase of susceptibility in soil units. However, this pattern of high magnetic susceptibility in palaeosols, and low values in loess, are not replicated in some loess deposits. Siberian loess deposits display a completely opposite susceptibility behavior: high values in loess and low values in palaeosols. This inverse relationship has been explained by the idea that magnetic susceptibility is reflecting the magnitude of an aeolian ferrimagnetic component of consistent mineralogy, the grain size of which is related to average wind velocity. Our magnetic study of Siberian samples in this paper suggests that there are notable differences in magnetic properties between Siberian loess and developed palaeosols, not only in magnetic grain-size and concentration but also in magnetic mineralogy. This evidence is difficult to explain fully through variation in wind strength alone, but implies that the low magnetic susceptibility values in the Siberian paleosol units are a reflection, at least in part, of the alteration of the ferrimagnetic content by post-depositional processes. The Loess Plateau is a very arid area where potential evaporation is always higher than precipitation; pedogenesis occurs under dry oxidising conditions. The Siberian Kurtak region is located on the edge of the tundra where it is always wet and saturation during interglacials will lead to a reducing pedogenic environment. Ferrimagnetic minerals under this condition will be destroyed, resulting in lower magnetic susceptibility. Therefore, great care should be taken when using susceptibility values for paleoclimatic reconstruction.     

Magnetic Field Feedback Circuit for Geomagnetic Field Compensation Control

In the current state of geomagnetic instrument testing, some aspects of geomagnetic instrument performance are difficult to test in the laboratory. If laboratory test results are inadequate, the instrument will have multiple problems while operating in the field, where a geomagnetic instrumentation test platform with a stable natural magnetic field is critical. Here, the magnetic field feedback circuit for geomagnetic field compensation control is studied in detail. That is, the magnetic field measured by the feedback magnetic sensor and the required working magnetic field are compared as input to the system, and the electric signal is transmitted to the feedback coil through an analog circuit to form a closed loop control, which provides compensation to control the magnetic field. Compared with the existing magnetic shielding method, the analog control circuit can achieve the realization of any working magnetic field, and it is not limited to a null magnetic field. The experimental result shows that the system compensates the earth''s magnetic field of 10,000nT with an average error of 10.6nT and average compensation error of 0.106%, providing a high compensation accuracy. The system also shows high sensitivity and excellent stability. The feedback circuit has achieved effective compensation control for the earth''s magnetic field.     

ULF electric and magnetic anomalies accompanying the cracking of rock sample

The anomalies of electric-magnetic field and self-potential before earthquakes are important precursory phenom-ena.A simulating experiment study on the variations in ultra-low frequency(ULF)magnetic field and self-poten-tial during rock cracking was carried out in a magnetic field-free space.The results revealing in detail the whole process of the occurrences of electric and magnetic anomalises are significant for understanding the microscopic mechanism of ULF electric and magnetic signals.The experiment indicated that at the initial stage the slow changes in strain.self-potential and magnetic field with small amounts appeared firstly near the source of initial cracking,and then extended as the crack developed on.In the time domain,the self-potential anomaly emerged first and ULF magnetic field changes arose then.The shape of the ULF electric and magnetic anomaly varied ob-viously in early-,mid-and late-term of the test.The authors attributed the pulse-like changes of self-potential to the generationj and movement of the accumulated electric charges during the cracking caused by charge separation on the crack tips within the sample.While the magnetic pulses of shorter-period at the last stage of the test,may be induced by instantaneous electric current of the accumulated charege during the cracking acceleration.The technical method and the observational results of this experiment are given in detail and the microscopic mechanism of elec-tric and magnetic precursors before earthquake are discussd in the present paper as well.     

Thermodynamic properties of calcium ferrite-type MgAl2O4: A first principles study

The diamond anvil cell experiments have revealed that the calcium ferrite(CF)-type aluminous phase is probably an important component of subducted mid-oceanic ridge basalt(MORB) in the lower mantle. In this study, we have performed first principles lattice dynamics calculations for the Mg Al_2O_4 end-member of the aluminous phase based on density functional perturbation theory using two functionals within the local density approximation(LDA) and generalized gradient approximation(GGA) for bracketing the calculated properties at their lower and upper limits, respectively. A simple empirical pressure correction at zero temperature has been applied to both LDA and GGA. The results of room-temperature equation of state(EOS) and zero-pressure thermal expansion calculated by GGA with pressure correction have shown the best agreement with available experimental data. The high-pressure and temperature thermodynamic properties have been obtained using the GGA with correction method. The pressure-volume relations are fitted with a third-order high-temperature Birch-Murnaghan EOS. The isobaric heat capacity, the coefficient of thermal expansion and isothermal bulk modulus are fitted with polynomials and their coefficients are reported in the range of 0–40 GPa and 300–2000 K. The density profile of MORB estimated using the computational thermo-elastic constants supports the hypothesis that the subducted oceanic slabs could gain enough downwelling forces into the lower mantle.     

Using lightning locating system based on time-of-arrival technique to study three-dimensional lightning discharge processes

A time-of-arrival(TOA) system based on GPS technology for locating VHF radiation sources from lightning has been developed and used in observation sites in the northern Shandong Province,China.The 3D images of the lightning progression have been obtained successfully for the first time in China.The 3D-channel evolutions of typical negative CG,positive CG and IC lightning flashes have been discussed together with the data of fast electric field change.It was found that significant differences existed between the negative and positive CG lightning flashes in terms of the initiation and propagation of the radiation sources.The preliminary breakdown of a negative CG lightning flash propagated at a speed about 5.2×104 m/s.The stepped leader of negative CG lightning flashes was trigged by negative initial breakdown.Thereafter,it propagated downward at a speed of 1.3×105 m/s.The initial process of the positive CG lightning flashes was also a propagation process of negative streamer.These streamers propagated dominantly horizontally in the positive charge region and accumulated positive charges at the origin of the lightning,and as a consequence,initiated downward positive streamers.A new type of lightning discharge that was triggered by a narrow bipolar pulse(NBP) is discussed in this study.The NBP was originated at altitude of about 10.5 km in the upper positive charge region.As a distinct difference from normal IC flash,its channels extended horizontally all around and produced a lot of radiation sources.The source power of the NBP could approach 16.7 kW,which is much greater than that of normal lightning discharge ranging between 100 mW and 500 W.The 3D propagation of this new type of lightning discharge was observed and obtained for the first time in China.The possible initiation mechanism of this new type of light-ning is discussed here.     

Environmental magnetic comparisons between distal and proximal sediments of Huangqihai Lake,Inner Mongolia,China

Spatial variations in lake sediments are a product of their depositional heterogeneities.To better correlate synchronous strata in Huangqihai Lake,two sections were excavated from the lake-center and the lake-shore.The study involved detailed lithology,mineralogy,and rock magnetic analysis.The results show that the frequency-dependent susceptibility,which is related to the content of super-paramagnetic minerals,is relatively easy to contrast between the two sections.However,mass susceptibility and saturation isothermal remanence,which are related to the content of total magnetic minerals,are difficult to contrast.A possible reason for this difference is that small-particle super-paramagnetic minerals are formed mainly during pedogenic processes,which correlates well with climate change and avoids the effects of local factors when corrections are made at the whole-lake scale.Both sections can be divided into three stages,which appear to be well correlated with previous results obtained through other environmental proxies.     

A study on variations of non-dipole magnetic field over Chinese mainland during 2000 BC to 1990 AD

We calculated and analyzed variation of the non-dipole(ND)magnetic field at the millennium scale over the Chinese mainland during 2000 BC–1900 AD using the newest global geomagnetic model,CALS3K.4(3K.4).The newest-generation IGRF(IGRF11)was used to verify the results.Taking component Z for example,we calculated and analyzed the distribution and annual change rates of the ND field during 1900–1990 AD every 5 yr,using two models.To thoroughly analyze the contributions of field sources,quadrupole and octupole fields,and others within the ND field at the surface and core-mantle boundary(CMB)were investigated.Results show that there were three main variation phases of the field during the period 2000BC–1900 AD.The mean amplitude roughly reflected the ND field because of the distribution and variation of that field,corresponding somewhat to the mean amplitude change.A magnetic anomaly of the ND field over East Asia(EA)first emerged in 1682 AD,and its extreme intensity had increased a total of 15276.95 nT by 1900 AD.Its location moved continuously southeastward after 1690 AD.The asymmetry between location and intensity of extreme points over EA,particularly during1740–1760 AD,indicates irregularity of fluid motion inside the outer core.Mean annual changes of Z are generally divided into four phases,which first oscillated between 2000 and 800 BC,then increased,decreased and increased in the periods 800BC–300 AD,300–900 AD and 900–1900 AD,respectively.The intensity of mean annual change increased a total of 22.87nT/yr.Anomaly extreme locations based on 3K.4 and IGRF11 over EA centered around 44°N and 103°E for degree(n)greater than 5,and intensities continuously increased with n.During 2000 BC–1990 AD,ND energy of Z at the surface and CMB had decreased in total by 18.29%and 23.23%,respectively.The field source of 26–210 pole fields are more or less affected by the lithospheric field.Energies of higher degree at the surface attenuate by almost 99%compared with CMB,but mean attenuation speeds of the low-degree ND field are faster than high-degree,which implies that the low-degree ND field has a deeper source.     

A high resolution lithospheric magnetic field model over China

CHAMP satellite data and ground-based magnetic observations are used and combined to map the lithospheric magnetic field over China by means of the revised spherical cap harmonic analysis(R-SHCA)modeling technique.The magnetic field is described to a spatial resolution of 150 km at the mean Earth’s radius,which represents a good compromise between the resolutions afforded by surface and satellite data.We compare the magnetic anomalies modeled at the regional scale with composite regions containing large-scale of tectonic structures.These regions,including the Tarim Basin and the Tibetan Plateau,are correlated with regional magnetic anomalies at satellite altitude but contain a significant number of small-scale and complex magnetic structures at the mean Earth’s radius.These magnetic anomalies are globally consistent with the known geological features in China but also offer a way to delineate the contours of the geological blocks and to discuss the connection between magnetic anomalies and the heat flow distribution in this region.     

CPO-induced seismic anisotropy in UHP eclogites

Ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) eclogites often show strong plastic deformation and anisotropy of seismic properties. We report in this paper the seismic velocity and anisotropy of eclogite calculated from the crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs) of constituent minerals (garnet, omphacite, quartz and rutile) and single crystal elastic properties. We also compared the calculated results with the measured results in similar eclogites. Our results suggest that (1) Except that garnet is a seismically quasi-isotropic mineral, omphacite, quartz, coesite and rutile all have strong seismic anisotropies (AVp = 23.0%―40.9%, Max. AVs = 18.5%―47.1%). They are the major sources for anisotropy in eclogite. The average seismic velocities are fast in garnet and rutile, moderate in omphacite and coesite, and slow in quartz. (2) The deformed eclogites have the maximum Vp (8.33―8.75 km/s) approximately parallel to foliation and lineation, the minimum Vp (8.25―8.62 km/s) approximately normal to foliation and lineation and the Vp anisotropies of 1.0―1.7%. Their Vs are 4.93―4.97 km/s. The corresponding maximum anisotropies (0.73%―1.78%) of Vs are at 45° to both foliation and lineation and the minimum anisotropies at positions normal to lineation on the foliation plane. The Vs1 polarization planes are approximately parallel to foliation. The mean Vp and Vs of eclogite under UHP peak metamorphism conditions (P = 3―5 GPa, T = 900―1100℃) are estimated to be 3.4%―7.2% and 6.3%―12.1% higher than those at ambient pressure and temperature conditions, respectively. (3) Omphacite component dominates the anisotropy of eclogite while garnet component reduces the anisotropy and increases the seismic velocities. Quartz component has a small effect on the anisotropy but reduces the seismic velocities of eclogite. The effect of rutile component is negligible on seismic properties of eclogite due to its trivial volume fraction. (4) The increase of volume fraction of omphacite in eclogite will reduce the seismic velocities and increase the anisotropy. Omphacitite has seismic velocities reduced by 6%―8% and anisotropies increased to 3%―4% compared to those of garnetite. Our results suggest that the seismic properties calculated with single crystal elastic properties and CPOs are equivalent to those measured in laboratory. Moreover, it provides insights into the mineral physical interpretations of eclogite seismic properties.     

MECHANISM FOR CRUSTAL THICKENING IN TIBET: A PALEOMAGNETIC VIEW

The mid-Gretaceous paleomagnetic pole for the Lhasa Terrane (69.8°N 292.9°E, A95 = 5.1°) is in strong discordance with that for the stable Eurasia (69.5°N 167.4°E, A95 = 8.7°), which suggests that the Lhasa Terrane has moved 2400±800 km NNEward and rotated 31.4±9.2 counterclockwise with respect to the stable Eurasia. The relative motion started at the time when the Indian plate began to collide with the Eurasian plate (or maybe started a little earlier), and was accomplished through th