日本海沟俯冲带热结构与深源地震

本文利用有限差分方法,计算了全地幔对流模式和双层地幔对流模式下日本海沟俯冲带热结构、浮力及P波速度异常分布,基于亚稳态橄榄石相变模型推测亚稳态橄榄石的存在范围,同时分析了热传导系数、热膨胀系数和热源对俯冲带热结构的影响,以及俯冲带所受浮力与俯冲带形态的关系.结果表明,双层地幔对流模式下模拟的P波速度异常分布与层析成像结果更为相符,也与深源地震的分布有较好的相关性.板块内部亚稳态橄榄石的存在范围随热传导系数和热膨胀系数的减小而增大,同时忽略相变潜热和剪切生热的影响也会造成模型所预测的亚稳态橄榄石范围偏大.俯冲带所受负浮力在400 km深度附近达到最大值,亚稳态橄榄石的存在使负浮力逐渐减小,甚至在板块内部产生正浮力,不利于俯冲带穿透660 km相变界面.     

俯冲带热结构的动力学模型研究

俯冲板块在俯冲过程中与周围地幔不断发生热交换,该热演化过程主要由热传导和平流物质交换两种作用构成.俯冲带热结构的演化是控制俯冲过程中物理化学性质转变的决定性因素之一,直接影响我们对矿物脱水、岩石部分熔融、岛弧火山喷发以及俯冲带地震等关键地质现象的理解.对俯冲带热结构的动力学模型研究主要分为解析方法和数值方法两种.解析模型能够从物理上给出对热结构具有最重要影响的控制因素,比如俯冲板块的年龄、速度和角度、剪切应力以及热传导系数等.数值模型能够进一步给出解析模型难以处理的各种复杂因素的影响,比如地幔楔的黏性变化、俯冲板块与周围地幔的耦合过程、与矿物岩石学的结合等.将模型结果实际应用于各俯冲带时由于各种影响因素很多,因此对俯冲带热结构的限定是一个非常复杂的过程.随着地球物理与地球化学各种定量观测手段的进步,将能够给出更多对俯冲带热结构的约束条件,进而更合理的解释与俯冲带相关的地质现象.     

汤加地区地幔结构及俯冲演化的地球动力学研究

汤加的俯冲板块结构复杂,板块形态的起因和形成机制不是很清晰.为了探索其演化,我们借助于板块运动学、海底年龄和关键的大地构造特征,用地球动力学模型模拟了本区域40 Ma之后的俯冲历史.通过研究我们发现,沿着海沟的分布位置,不同的黏度、流体的吸力与浮力比特征控制着板块的力学强度,从而影响着板块的俯冲角度和形态.我们的模型显示在俯冲板块形成前,研究区表面西侧的黏度剖面形成的弱化带为水平低黏度区,它对俯冲的发生有一定的引导作用,高黏度的上覆板块的存在和俯冲导致的地幔流体的吸力降低了俯冲板块的倾角,15°S附近的俯冲板块的分离发生在16-8 Ma之间.最后我们通过匹配实际的构造特征,包括贝尼奥夫带和波速结构剖面,用所得的相关性最佳的模型对本区的地幔结构随时间演化提供探索.     

上地幔俯冲板块的动力学过程:数值模拟

大洋板块俯冲到地幔转换带,进而可形成不同的形态:板块可以停滞在660km不连续面,抑或穿过地幔转换带进入下地幔.这些不同的俯冲模式可进一步影响到海沟的运动.为更好地理解上地幔中俯冲板片的变形行为以及俯冲过程与海沟运动之间的关系,本文通过建立一系列高精度二维热-力学自由俯冲的数值模型,揭示了俯冲板块在上地幔中的变形方式及其与地幔转换带之间的相互作用过程.模拟结果显示,在俯冲板块与地幔转换带的相互作用过程中,其动力学过程可以分为以海沟后撤主导、海沟前进主导以及稳定型海沟等三种主要动力学类型.对于年龄较老,厚度较大的俯冲板块容易形成海沟后撤型俯冲,俯冲板块停滞在660km不连续面.相反,年龄较小,塑性强度较小的板块容易形成海沟前进型俯冲,俯冲板块穿越660km不连续面.     

地幔热动力学模型

地幔,特别是下地幔,远比人们先前的设想活跃.地球物理学、地质学和地球动力学的观测和地球热动力学模拟表明:(1)地幔底部与地核交界处有一厚度为200km 左右的D″层,这是一个非常活跃的区域,它的运动和变化直接与地核的行为有关,仅仅将其看成全地幔对流的以热传导为主体的热边界层是不够的,小尺度的热对流或许主导这一层内部的物质运动,它加热地幔同时又通过热柱将其部分热量输运到地球外层;(2)地幔热柱有可能源于地球初期不均匀的残存堆积,其存储的热量不断地或穿透整个地幔形成热点或消失在软流层中与该层中的次一级对流相耦合;(3)上地幔在670km 深度范围内广泛存在次一级对流体系。其尺度为500—700km 这一对流体系决定了岩石层板块内部的构造和动力活动,其活动周期远比全球规模的板块运动活动周期小得多;(4)全球规模的大尺度全地幔对流与板块构造动力学密切相关。它以不到10亿年左右的时间完成一个周期,它不断地更新地球表层,也搅拌着地幔,同时还输运地球内部的热能向外层空间散发;(5)地幔局部地区层状相互耦合的对流结构在地震层析剖面上有明显的显示,它表明了地幔对流结构的复杂性,仅管我们对此相知甚少,但它或许是无法避免的;(6)岩石层是人类熟知的赖以生存的方舟,它的运动和构造反映了上述所有运动信息,仅仅将其视为一对流体系的热边界层是不够的,它自身作为一个独立的力学单元影响了整个地幔的热动力学过程.因此,面对如此活跃的、复杂的地幔,用一个单一的模型去描述它是不合适的.上述各种热动力学单元及其运动均有自身的力学特征及运行机制和规律,但它们又是相互作用和影响而构成地幔整体,这就是一个真实的但又模糊不清的地幔热动力学模型.为了完善这一模型,需要更多的、细致的地球物理和地球动力学的观测资料以及需要我们更深刻地理解和更认真地解释这些资料的地幔热动力学背景.     

使用数值模型研究俯冲板块动力学的进展

板块构造理论的核心是俯冲板块的动力学问题,可以通过地震学、矿物物理和岩石地球化学、地质构造和沉积学以及数值模拟对其进行多学科综合研究.其中数值模拟通过建立理论模型并使用数值方法模拟俯冲板块的动力学效应,直观地给出了定量化的俯冲板块的演化过程和地表响应,并用以解释其他学科研究所得到的观测和实验结果.因此使用数值模型进行定量化模拟是研究俯冲板块动力学的最重要的手段之一.文章综述了使用数值模型研究俯冲板块动力学多个方面在近期取得的进展,包括板块构造的起源和俯冲板块的启动过程,俯冲板块的热结构,以及俯冲板块在上地幔、地幔过渡带和下地幔的主要动力学表现.使用数值模型得到的结果是基于质量、动量和能量守恒方程的理论结果,必须综合使用其他各学科的研究成果对模拟结果进行比对和验证,以最终理解俯冲板块的动力学过程.随着计算能力的大幅提升和模拟方法的不断进步,数值模拟方法将为研究包括俯冲板块动力学在内的地球科学前沿问题提供更为准确和高效的手段.     

俯冲板片形貌特征和活动大陆边缘演化体制的关系

当大洋板块向大陆板块下俯冲时,上覆板块的边缘可以以沟—弧—盆体制发育,也可以不发育弧后拉伸盆地．为什么同属上覆板块边缘但可以这二种完全不同的体制演化是现代地球科学研究的一个热点．本文在查阅大量最新文献的基础上认为造成这二种不同演化体制除了与俯冲作用的年代学特征有关外还可能主要与俯冲板片的形貌不同所导致局部地幔对流方式不一有关．由于俯冲的倾角,俯冲达到的最大深度以及俯冲板片在６７０ｋｍ上下地幔过渡带处保存的形态等因素不同,造成仰冲板块边缘之下软流圈对流方式不一．从而,造成弧体近陆一侧是否将发生岩石圈拉伸的动力学过程．     

西太平洋板块向我国东北地区深部俯冲的数值模拟

本文采用依赖温度的黏度结构以及考虑海洋板块和大陆板块厚度差异等特征,以太平洋板块向欧亚板块会聚速率作为板块速度的主要约束,通过变化海沟后撤速度模型,数值模拟西太平洋板块向中国东北的俯冲过程.结果表明,要产生类似于中国东北之下低角度的板片俯冲,海沟后撤是重要条件;而上下地幔黏度的较大差异是决定俯冲板片不穿透660 km相变面的决定因素;西太平洋板块向欧亚板块的俯冲应早于70 Ma B.P.,海沟后撤速度可能小于一些地质学家估计的45 mm/a, 而且可能是分阶段变化的;速度场表明运动学模型的反过程：大陆岩石圈之下物质的不断水平向东的流动和推挤可能成为海沟后撤的力源之一,地幔物质的这种东向流动可能与印度板块挤压碰撞欧亚板块有关,沿欧亚板块东缘的扩张构造可能是太平洋-欧亚板块运动和印度-欧亚板块运动的综合效应.     

华南陆缘高热流区的壳幔温度结构与动力学背景

华南陆缘是我国重要的矿产、地热资源区.晚中生代以来,在太平洋板块西向俯冲,地幔热对流活动共同作用下,该区出现多期岩浆-热事件和大规模爆发式成矿作用.在前人研究基础上,本文利用地表热流观测资料、地震剪切波资料、重力位球谐系数,计算了壳-幔温度结构,分析了动力学背景.计算结果表明：华南陆缘东南沿海地带,地壳10 km以浅温度达200℃以上,居里点温度475℃,莫霍面平均温度550℃.地壳浅层较热,花岗岩中放射性元素衰变放热是地壳浅层地下水热活动的重要热源,但地壳总体温度不高,为"冷壳热幔"型热结构.地幔中,90 km深度,温度950~1250℃;120 km深度,温度1050~1400℃;150 km深度,温度1200~1450℃;220 km深度,温度1500~1700℃."热"岩石圈底界深度在110~150 km之间,西深东浅.岩石圈内,地幔应力场为挤压-伸展相间格局;岩石圈之下,地幔应力场为一个以南昌为中心、长轴NE-SW向的椭圆.分析认为,晚中生代以来,太平洋板块的西向俯冲,导致华南陆缘在区域性SE向地幔对流背景上叠加局域性不稳定热扰动,在175~85Ma期间,上地幔物质向上流动,形成不同的岩浆活动高峰期.同时,岩石圈地幔受俯冲洋壳流体的影响,含水量高,黏度小,在地幔流切向应力场作用下,岩石圈底界由西向东"波浪"状减薄.现今岩石圈之下仍具备地幔小尺度热对流温度条件,但除地表浅层外,地壳整体温度不高,岩石圈构造稳定.     

地幔热导率的选取对动力学数值模拟的影响——以岩石圈张裂过程为例

目前存在有多种地幔热导率模型,不同模型在数值和随温压变化的特征上有明显的差异.为探究不同热导率模型对动力学数值模拟结果的影响,本文对不同模型下的岩石圈张裂过程进行模拟研究,探讨地幔热导率对岩石圈热传输、变形和熔融过程的影响及其作用机理.结果显示,不同热导率模型下,岩石圈的变形和熔融特征表现出明显差异.高热导率模型下,岩石圈破裂较晚,形成陆缘较为宽阔,地壳熔融强烈而地幔熔融较弱;低热导率模型下,岩石圈破裂较早,形成陆缘较为狭窄,地幔熔融强烈而地壳熔融较弱.这种差异源于不同地幔热导率下岩石圈和地幔热状态的变化及相应力学性质的改变.高热导率下,热传导的增温效应显著,岩石圈呈现较热的状态,其强度整体较低,壳幔耦合减弱;而低热导率下,热对流的增温效应显著,岩石圈呈较冷的状态,其强度整体较高,壳幔耦合增强.基于模拟结果,本文认为地幔热导率的选取对动力学模拟的结果有着较为显著的影响,相对于随温压的变化,热导率数值的差异对动力学数值模拟的结果影响更大,尤其是对于地幔熔融过程的影响.     

Geodynamic modeling of thermal structure of subduction zones

During subduction processes, slabs continuously have heat exchange with the ambient mantle, including both conduction and advection effects. The evolution of slab thermal structure is one of the dominant factors in controlling physical and chemical property changes in subduction zones. It also affects our understanding of many key geological processes, such as mineral dehydration, rock partial melting, arc volcanism, and seismic activities in subduction zones. There are mainly two ways for studying thermal structure of subduction zones with geodynamic models: analytical model and numerical model. Analytical model provides insights into the most dominant controlling physical parameters on the thermal structure, such as slab age, velocity and dip angle, shear stress and thermal conductivity, etc. Numerical model can further deal with more complicated environments, such as viscosity change in the mantle wedge, coupling process between slabs and the ambient mantle, and incorporation of petrology and mineralogy. When applying geodynamic modeling results to specific subduction zones on the Earth, there are many factors which may complicate the process, therefore it is difficult to precisely constrain the thermal structure of subduction zones. With the development of new quantitative methods in geophysics and geochemistry, we may obtain more observational constraints for thermal structure of subduction zones, thus providing more reasonable explanations for geological processes related to subduction zones.     

地幔对流的实验研究:非立柱状幔柱和地幔涡旋

地幔对流的物理模拟实验结果表明 ,在地幔介质和温度非均匀分布的复杂条件下 ,热卷流 (地幔柱 )往往由立柱状转变为非立柱状 (含斜柱状、涡旋状等 )。在忽略科里奥利力的情况下 ,板块的下插和滞积下沉、岩石圈根的存在以及地幔介质粘度的非均匀分布等都可能构成不同形状的障碍 -导流体 ,导致地幔的涡旋运动。软流圈中的水平涡旋环带属于对数螺线型 ,环带旋转半径及线速度逐渐减小 ,最终在旋转中心处下沉 ,而旋转角速度大致保持恒定     

Geological,tomographic, kinematic and geodynamic constraints on the dynamics of sinking slabs

We use geodynamic models with imposed plate velocities to test the forward-modeled history of subduction based on a particular plate motion model against alternative seismic tomography models. We utilize three alternative published reference frames: a hybrid moving hotspot-palaeomagnetic, a hybrid moving hotspot-true polar wander corrected-palaeomagnetic, and a Subduction Reference Frame, a plate model including longitudinal shifts of subduction zones by matching subduction volumes imaged by P-wave tomography, to assess which model best predicts present day mantle structure compared with seismic tomography and volumetrically derived subduction history. Geodynamic modeling suggests paleo-longitudinal corrections applied to the Subduction Reference Frame result in lower mantle slab material beneath North America and East Asia accumulating up to 10–15° westward of that imaged by tomography, whereas the hybrid models develop material offset by 2–9°. However, the Subduction Reference Frame geodynamic model produces slab material beneath the Tethyan Domain coinciding with slab volumes imaged by tomography, whereas the hybrid reference frame models do not, suggesting regional paleo-longitudinal corrections are required to constrain slab locations. We use our models to test inferred slab sinking rates in the mantle focusing on well-constrained regions. We derive a globally averaged slab-sinking rate of 13 ± 3 mm/yr by combining the ages of onset and cessation of subduction from geological data and kinematic reconstructions with images of subducted slabs in the mantle. Our global average slab-sinking rate overlaps with the 15–20 mm/yr rate implied by mantle convection models using a lower mantle viscosity 100 times higher than the upper mantle.     

How valid are dynamic models of subduction and convection when plate motions are prescribed?

A detailed comparison between fully dynamic and kinematic plate formulations has been made in models of mantle convection. Plate velocity is computed self-consistently from fully dynamic plate models with temperature- and stress-dependent viscosity and preexisting mobile faults. In fully dynamic models, the flow is driven solely by internal buoyancy, while in kinematic models the flow is driven by a combination of the prescribed surface velocity and internal buoyancy. Only a temperature-dependent viscosity, close to the effective viscosity determined from the fully dynamic models, is used in the kinematic models. The two types of models give very similar temperature structures and slab evolutionary histories when the effective viscosity and surface velocity are nearly identical. In kinematic plate models, the additional work introduced by the prescribed velocity boundary condition is apparently dissipated within the lithosphere and has little influence on the convection under the lithosphere. In models with periodic lateral boundary conditions, slabs sink into the lower mantle at an oblique angle and this contrasts with the vertical sinking which occurs with reflecting boundary conditions. Models show that we can simulate fully dynamic models with kinematic models under either periodic boundary conditions or reflecting boundary conditions.     

Dynamics of thinning and destruction of the continental cratonic lithosphere: Numerical modeling

Thinning of the cratonic lithosphere is common in nature, but its destruction is not. In either case, the mechanisms for both thinning and destruction are still widely under debate. In this study, we have made a review on the processes and mechanisms of thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere according to previous studies of geological/geophysical observations and numerical simulations, with specific application to the North China Craton (NCC). Two main models are suggested for the thinning and destruction of the NCC, both of which are related to subduction of the oceanic lithosphere. One is the “bottom-up” model, in which the deeply subducting slab perturbs and induces upwelling from the hydrous mantle transition zone (MTZ). The upwelling produces mantle convection and erodes the bottom of the overriding lithosphere by the fluid-melt-peridotite reaction. Mineral compositions and rheological properties of the overriding lithospheric mantle are changed, allowing downward dripping of lithospheric components into the asthenosphere. Consequently, lithospheric thinning or even destruction occurs. The other is the “top-down” model, characterized by the flat subduction of oceanic slab beneath the overriding cratonic lithosphere. Dehydration reactions from the subducting slab would significantly hydrate the lithospheric mantle and decrease its rheological strength. Then the subduction angle may be changed from shallow to steep, inducing lateral upwelling of the asthenosphere. This upwelling would heat and weaken the overriding lithospheric mantle, which led to the weakened lithospheric mantle dripping into the asthenosphere. These two models have some similarities, in that both take the subducting oceanic slab and relevant fluid migration as the major driving mechanism for thinning or destruction of the overriding cratonic lithosphere. The key difference between the two models is the effective depth of the subducting oceanic slab. One is stagnation and flattening in the MTZ, whereas the other is flat subduction at the bottom of the cratonic lithosphere. In the NCC, the eastern lithosphere was likely affected by subduction of the Izanagi slab during the Mesozoic, which would have perturbed the asthenosphere and the MTZ, and induced fluid migration beneath the NCC lithosphere. The upwelling fluid may largely have controlled the reworking of the NCC lithosphere. In order to discuss and analyze these two models further, it is crucial to understand the role of fluids in the subduction zone and the MTZ. Here, we systematically discuss phase transformations of hydrous minerals and the transport processes of water in the subduction system. Furthermore, we analyze possible modes of fluid activity and the problems to explore the applied feasibility of each model. In order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms for thinning and destruction of cratonic lithosphere, we also consider four additional possible dynamic models: extension-induced lithospheric thinning, compression-induced lithospheric thickening and delamination, large-scale mantle convection and thermal erosion, and mantle plume erosion. Compared to the subduction-related models presented here, these four models are primarily controlled by the relatively simple and single process and mechanism (extension, compression, convection, and mantle plume, respectively), which could be the secondary driving mechanisms for the thinning and destruction of lithosphere.     

基于重力数据特征的东北地区深部动力机制解析

中国东北地区处于古亚洲构造域、蒙古—鄂霍茨克构造域和环太平洋构造域叠加作用最为显著的地区,是地学研究的热点区域.为了探析欧亚大陆下西太平洋板片的俯冲形态以及揭示该区域深部地球动力学机制,利用卫星重力数据通过预处理共轭梯度快速密度反演算法获得了包含东北地区、华北部分地区及日本海海域在内的研究区域上地幔三维密度结构,结合天然地震三维层析成像结果共同揭示太平洋板片的俯冲形态和深部动力机制.俯冲的太平洋板片在日本海沟处呈高密度异常,向西横向持续扩张,深度方向上有逐渐增加趋势.不连续的高密度体俯冲至地幔转换带(410～660km)后继续水平西向俯冲,部分滞留板片可能进入下地幔;在大兴安岭断裂带下面转换带中同样发现水平分布的高密度体,推断是大兴安岭断裂带下方地幔岩石圈拆沉的结果,横向不均匀分布的俯冲板片边缘已抵至大兴安岭造山带附近,这对于研究东北地区深部动力学机制具有重要的意义.     

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.     

Modelling Gravitational Instabilities: Slab Break–off and Rayleigh–Taylor Diapirism

A non-standard new code to solve multiphase viscous thermo–mechanical problems applied to geophysics is presented. Two numerical methodologies employed in the code are described: A level set technique to track the position of the materials and an enrichment of the solution to allow the strain rate to be discontinuous across the interface. These techniques have low computational cost and can be used in standard desktop PCs. Examples of phase tracking with level set are presented in two and three dimensions to study slab detachment in subduction processes and Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities, respectively. The modelling of slab detachment processes includes realistic rheology with viscosity depending on temperature, pressure and strain rate; shear and adiabatic heating mechanisms; density including mineral phase changes and varying thermal conductivity. Detachment models show a first prolonged period of thermal diffusion until a fast necking of the subducting slab results in the break–off. The influence of several numerical and physical parameters on the detachment process is analyzed: The shear heating exerts a major influence accelerating the detachment process, reducing the onset time to one half and lubricating the sinking of the detached slab. The adiabatic heating term acts as a thermal stabilizer. If the mantle temperature follows an adiabatic gradient, neglecting this heating term must be included, otherwise all temperature contrasts are overestimated. As expected, the phase change at 410 km depth (olivine–spinel transition) facilitates the detachment process due to the increase in negative buoyancy. Finally, simple plume simulations are used to show how the presented numerical methodologies can be extended to three dimensions.