Study of crustal structure and geological implications of southwestern margin of Northeast India

It is noticed that few geophysical studies have been carried out to decipher the crustal structure of southwestern part of the Northeast India comprising of Tripura fold belt and Bengal basin as compared to the Shillong plateau and the Brahmaputra basin. This region has a long history of seismicity that is still continuing. We have determined first-order crustal features in terms of Moho depths (H) and average V_P/V_S ratios (κ) using H-κ stacking technique. The inversion of receiver functions data yields near surface thick sedimentary layer in the Bengal basin, which is nearly absent in the Shillong plateau and Tripura fold belt. Our result suggests that the crust is thicker (38–45 km) in the Tripura fold belt region with higher shear-wave velocity in the lower crust than the Shillong plateau. The distribution of V_P/V_S ratio indicates heterogeneity throughout the whole region. While low to medium value of Poisson’s ratio (1.69–1.75) indicates the presence of felsic crust in the Shillong plateau of the extended Indian Archean crust. The medium to high values of V_P/V_S ratio (> 1.780) in the Bengal basin and the Tripura fold belt region represent mafic crust during the formation of the Bengal delta and the Tripura fold belt creation in the Precambrian to the Permian age. The depth of the sediments in the Bengal basin is up to 8 km on its eastern margin, which get shallower toward its northeastern and southeastern margins.     

Crustal thickness,VP/VS ratio,and shear wave velocity structures beneath Myanmar and their tectonic implications

The crustal structure in Myanmar can provide valuable information for the eastern margin of the ongoing Indo-Eurasian collision system. We successively performed H–k stacking of the receiver function and joint inversion of the receiver function and surface wave dispersion to invert the crustal thickness (H), shear wave velocity (V_S), and the V_P/V_S ratio (k) beneath nine permanent seismic stations in Myanmar. H was found to increase from 26 ?km in the south and east of the study area to 51 ?km in the north and west, and the V_P/V_S ratio was complex and high. Striking differences in the crust were observed for different tectonic areas. In the Indo-Burma Range, the thick crust (H ?～ ?51 ?km) and lower velocities may be related to the accretionary wedge from the Indian Plate. In the Central Myanmar Basin, the thin crust (H ?= ?26.9–35.5 ?km) and complex V_P/V_S ratio and V_S suggest extensional tectonics. In the Eastern Shan Plateau, the relatively thick crust and normal V_P/V_S ratio are consistent with its location along the western edge of the rigid Sunda Block.     

On the statistical distribution of seismic velocities in Earth's deep mantle

The existence of uncoupled shear (S) and compression (P) wave velocity variations in Earth's mantle is a characteristic that might only be explained by the presence of significant chemical and/or phase heterogeneity, with important implications for the dynamics and evolution of Earth's interior. While making a one-to-one comparison between tomographic models for P and S velocity (V_P and V_S) variations for a particular geographic region is ill-posed, their global statistical distributions reveal several robust characteristics indicative of the nature of uncoupled V_P and V_S in the deep mantle. We find that all of the V_P and V_S model distributions at a given depth are Gaussian-like throughout the lowermost mantle. However, a distinct low velocity feature is present in V_S distributions below ≈ 2200 km depth that is not present or is relatively weak in V_P models. The presence of anomalously low V_S material cannot be explained as an artifact, nor can the absence of a similarly strong feature in P models be ascribed to under-resolution. We propose that this feature can be partly explained by laterally variable occurrences of post-perovskite (pPv) lenses in the D″ layer, however, the persistence of significantly slow V_S regions at heights up to ≈ 700 km or more above the core–mantle boundary is likely to be incompatible with a pPv origin and might only be explained by the presence of a laterally discontinuous layer of chemically distinct material and/or some other kind of phase heterogeneity. There also exist significant discrepancies between tomographic models with respect to the width of the distributions as well as differences between the modeled peak values. We propose a scheme for comparison between different seismic models in which the widths of the dominant features in their statistical distributions is exploited.     

Density profile and modern crustal and uppermost mantle geotherm of the Voronezh crystalline massif

A density profile and a modern temperature distribution in the lithosphere of the Voronezh crystalline massif (VCM) are derived through the use of the V_P(z), V_S(z) seismic velocity models, petrological data, measurements of V_P, V_S, density (ρ) and mean atomic weight ($\text{m}$) for several groups of rocks and minerals of different composition and genesis, as well as from pressure and temperature derivatives for different thermodynamic regimes.     

Seismogenic environment and mechanism of the Yangbi MS6.4 earthquake in Yunnan,China

The Yangbi M_S6.4 earthquake occurred on May 21, 2021 in western Yunnan, China, where moderate earthquakes strike frequently. It exhibited a typical “foreshock-mainshock-aftershock” sequence and did not occur on a pre-existing active fault. The seismogenic environment and mechanism of this earthquake have aroused considerable research attention. In this study, we obtain the three-dimensional v_P, v_S and v_P/v_S images using the v_P/v_S consistency-constrained double-difference tomography method, which improves the accuracy of v_P/v_S models. We focus on characteristics of v_P/v_S images in areas with a lateral resolution of 0.1°, and reveal the seismogenic environment of the Yangbi M_S6.4 earthquake. The conclusions are as follows: (1) Low velocity and high-v_P/v_S anomalies are revealed at different depths around the northern segment of the Red River fault. v_S and v_P/v_S images along the Weixi-Qiaohou-Weishan fault and the buried faults on its west show obviously segmented feature. (2) The source region of the Yangbi M_S6.4 earthquake is located in a low-v_P/v_S zone implying high medium strength. High-v_P/v_S anomalies in its NW direction indicate cracks development and the existence of fluids or partial melts, which are unfavorable for stress accumulation and triggering large earthquakes. Such conditions have also prevented the earthquake sequence from extending northwestward. (3) With the southeastward extrusion of materials from the Tibetan Plateau, fluid migration was blocked by the low-v_P/v_S body in the source region. The high-v_P/v_S anomaly beneath the source region may implies that the fluids or partial melts in the middle and lower crust gradually weakened medium strength at the bottom of the seismogenic layer, and preparing the largest foreshock in the transition zone of high to low v_P/v_S. Meanwhile, tectonic stress incessantly accumulated in the brittle upper crust, eventually led to the M_S6.4 earthquake occurrence.     

Constraining the crustal structure under the central and western Tian Shan based on teleseismic receiver functions and gravity anomalies

The Tian Shan is a vast range that spans several countries in Asia. Understanding its evolutionary history may provide valuable insights into intracontinental orogenic dynamics. In this study, we explored the crustal characteristics of the Tian Shan and their relationships to the tectonic evolution of the region. A new H-stacking method that combines the P receiver function and gravity anomalies was used to estimate the thickness and ratio of P- to S-wave velocities (v_P/v_S) for 91 broadband seismic stations in the central and western Tian Shan. Our results revealed significant lateral variations in crustal thickness and v_P/v_S. A ~45-km-thick crust and an intermediate-high v_P/v_S (~1.74–1.84) were found in the Kazakh Shield and Tarim Basin, which we interpreted to indicate a mafic crystalline basement and lower crust. The central Tian Shan varied greatly in crustal thickness (40–64 km) and v_P/v_S ratio (1.65–2.00), which may be due to crustal shortening, mafic underplating, and crustal melting. In contrast, we observed a relatively thin crust (42–50 km) with an intermediate v_P/v_S ratio (~1.78) in the western Tian Shan. The differences in the crustal structures between the western and central Tian Shan imply that the Talas-Fergana Fault may be trans-lithospheric.     

Elasticity of antigorite,seismic detection of serpentinites,and anisotropy in subduction zones

Serpentinization of the mantle wedge is an important process that influences the seismic and mechanical properties in subduction zones. Seismic detection of serpentines relies on the knowledge of elastic properties of serpentinites, which thus far has not been possible in the absence of single-crystal elastic properties of antigorite. The elastic constants of antigorite, the dominant serpentine at high-pressure in subduction zones, were measured using Brillouin spectroscopy under ambient conditions. In addition, antigorite lattice preferred orientations (LPO) were determined using an electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD) technique. Isotropic aggregate velocities are significantly lower than those of peridotites to allow seismic detection of serpentinites from tomography. The isotropic V_P/V_S ratio is 1.76 in the Voigt–Reuss–Hill average, not very different from that of 1.73 in peridotite, but may vary between 1.70 and 1.86 between the Voigt and Reuss bonds. Antigorite and deformed serpentinites have a very high seismic anisotropy and remarkably low velocities along particular directions. V_P varies between 8.9 km s^? 1 and 5.6 km s^? 1 (46% anisotropy), and 8.3 km s^? 1 and 5.8 km s^? 1 (37%), and V_S between 5.1 km s^? 1 and 2.5 km s^? 1 (66%), and 4.7 km s^? 1 and 2.9 km s^? 1 (50%) for the single-crystal and aggregate, respectively. The V_P/V_S ratio and shear wave splitting also vary with orientation between 1.2 and 3.4, and 1.3 and 2.8 for the single-crystal and aggregate, respectively. Thus deformed serpentinites can present seismic velocities similar to peridotites for wave propagation parallel to the foliation or lower than crustal rocks for wave propagation perpendicular to the foliation. These properties can be used to detect serpentinite, quantify the amount of serpentinization, and to discuss relationships between seismic anisotropy and deformation in the mantle wedge. Regions of high V_P/V_S ratios and extremely low velocities in the mantle wedge of subduction zones (down to about 6 and 3 km.s^?1 for V_P and V_S, respectively) are difficult to explain without strong preferred orientation of serpentine. Local variations of anisotropy may result from kilometer-scale folding of serpentinites. Shear wave splittings up to 1–1.5 s can be explained with moderately thick (10–20 km) serpentinite bodies.     

Three-Dimensional V P and V P /V S Structure in the Longtan Reservoir Area by Local Earthquake Tomography

High-resolution three-dimensional V _P and V _P /V _S images in the Longtan reservoir area were obtained from local earthquake data by using 3,178 events with total 24,153 P-wave and 23,987 S-wave arrivals collected from 23 seismic stations. The tomographic images show that significant V _P heterogeneities can be seen at layers of different depth in the Longtan reservoir area. Low-V _P anomalies both beneath and around the main rivers in the reservoir area may be related to the composition of rocks which are mainly deposit carbonate and arenaceous shale, which contributes to water saturation. We deduced that the high porosity rocks beneath the main rivers may be fully saturated with water. The phenomenon that V _P is relatively high in the area which is 10–20?km away from the rivers indicates that horizontal saturation of water is limited within a small range of area that is about 10–20?km from the main rivers. The characteristic is significant that seismicity in the Longtan reservoir area is coincident with the distribution of the low-V _P area. V _P /V _S tomographic images show that V _P /V _S ranges from 1.8 to 2.05 in shallow layers above 4?km depth beneath the Longtan reservoir, suggesting the properties of the rocks are limestone and shale. At the depth of 7?km, the distribution of V _P /V _S image varies quite remarkably, especially in the dam area. This demonstrates that the range of influence by the saturation of water in the media below the reservoir surface can reach 4–7?km depth in the dam area.     

Wadati method as a simple tool to study seismically active fault zones: a case study from the West-Bohemia/Vogtland region,central Europe

The ratio of P- to S-wave velocities, V_P/V_S, is an important parameter characterizing rock composition and fluid saturation. We have studied properties of the ratio in the West-Bohemian seismically active region, using data from the earthquake swarm which occurred here in 2008. The earthquake swarm was well recorded by 23 seismic stations from epicentral distances less than 25 km. We selected a subset of 158 events with local magnitudes between 1.5 and 3.8. Applying the Wadati method to the measured arrival times of P and S waves, we arrived at an average value of V_P/V_S =1.68 ± 0.01. This differs a little from the value of V_P/V_S = 1.70, which is routinely used for earthquake locations in the region at present. Moreover, it was recognized that the points in the Wadati graphs for some stations were systematically deviated from the mean straight lines. In particular, the stations with the largest positive deviations (above the mean straight lines) are situated close to the Mariánské Lázně Fault and to some intensive mofettes. Further analyses revealed reduced P- and S-wave velocities along the seismic rays toward these anomalous stations. In our opinion, the seismic waves arriving at the anomalous stations probably propagated along a fault or another zone of weakness. In this way, our results support the hypothesis that the Mariánské Lázně Fault is a deep-seated fault continuing down to the seismically active zone of local earthquakes. From a general point of view, this study demonstrates that even some narrow structural anomalies in the crust, such as fault zones, can be recognized by the simple Wadati method if data from a dense seismic network are available.     

GOCE, Satellite Gravimetry and Antarctic Mass Transports

In 2009 the European Space Agency satellite mission GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer) was launched. Its objectives are the precise and detailed determination of the Earth’s gravity field and geoid. Its core instrument, a three axis gravitational gradiometer, measures the gravity gradient components V _xx , V _yy , V _zz and V _xz (second-order derivatives of the gravity potential V) with high precision and V _xy , V _yz with low precision, all in the instrument reference frame. The long wavelength gravity field is recovered from the orbit, measured by GPS (Global Positioning System). Characteristic elements of the mission are precise star tracking, a Sun-synchronous and very low (260 km) orbit, angular control by magnetic torquing and an extremely stiff and thermally stable instrument environment. GOCE is complementary to GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment), another satellite gravity mission, launched in 2002. While GRACE is designed to measure temporal gravity variations, albeit with limited spatial resolution, GOCE is aiming at maximum spatial resolution, at the expense of accuracy at large spatial scales. Thus, GOCE will not provide temporal variations but is tailored to the recovery of the fine scales of the stationary field. GRACE is very successful in delivering time series of large-scale mass changes of the Antarctic ice sheet, among other things. Currently, emphasis of respective GRACE analyses is on regional refinement and on changes of temporal trends. One of the challenges is the separation of ice mass changes from glacial isostatic adjustment. Already from a few months of GOCE data, detailed gravity gradients can be recovered. They are presented here for the area of Antarctica. As one application, GOCE gravity gradients are an important addition to the sparse gravity data of Antarctica. They will help studies of the crustal and lithospheric field. A second area of application is ocean circulation. The geoid surface from the gravity field model GOCO01S allows us now to generate rather detailed maps of the mean dynamic ocean topography and of geostrophic flow velocities in the region of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.     

Receiver function structures beneath the Haiyuan fault on the northeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau

We performed a receiver function analysis on teleseismic data recorded along two dense seismic profiles and from 4 broadband regional seismic stations across the northeastern Tibetan plateau. The crustal thickness and v_P/v_S ratio were measured by the H-κ domain search algorithm. The Moho discontinuity across the Haiyuan arc fault zone was also revealed by common conversion point (CCP) imaging. Our study results show that the crustal thickness and the v_P/v_S ratio were 42–56 km and 1.60–1.88, respectively. The crustal thickening on the northeastern margin indicates that the crust is shortening or that there was a superimposition of crusts during the collision of the Tibetan plateau with Eurasian block. Our results suggest that Haiyuan fault likely resulted from the interactions of high temperature and pressure conditions during the collision of the Indian and Asian continents. The Moho beneath the Haiyuan tectonic region exhibits an obvious offset and a vague discontinuity according to CCP imaging. This study suggests that the Haiyuan arc fault zone is a trans-crustal fault that cuts through the Moho in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Moreover, there are indications of strong deformation in the intensive crustal extrusion from the interior of the Tibetan Plateau to its northeastern margin.     

Velocity and density contrasts across the Moho interface of Guangdong province in south China constrained by receiver functions*

The P receiver function includes P-to-SV converted phases and multiple reverberations of the discontinuities in the crust and mantle. The time of these phases is related to the crustal thickness and v_P/v_S ratio, and the amplitude of these phases is mainly controlled by the velocity and density contrast of interfaces. By using H-κ stacking method, this work estimated the crustal thickness and v_P/v_S ratio beneath the stations in the Guangdong province of South China. The velocity and density contrast (δβ-δρ) scanning stacking algorithm of the receiver function is applied to constrain the velocity and density contrast of the Moho in Guangdong province. This work analyzed the results of the crustal thickness, v_P/v_S ratio, and the velocity and density contrasts of Moho. The results indicate that the velocity contrast is higher beneath Yangjiang area in western Guangdong province and Nanao area in eastern Guangdong, which has a strong correlation with the distribution of geothermal springs in local areas and the characteristics of high heat flow. The velocity contrast of Moho has also a good correlation with the v_P/v_S ratio and the crustal thickness, which indicates that there is a strong material composition contrasts of the Moho in the study area. Velocity and density contrasts of Moho in some local area (such as western Guangdong) are somewhat consistent with the seismic activities.     

Migration of seismic activity during the 1998 volcanic unrest at Iwate volcano,northeastern Japan,with reference to P and S wave velocity anomaly and crustal deformation

We describe the seismicity at Iwate volcano, northeastern Japan, during the volcanic unrest of 1998 with reference to a three-dimensional P and S wave velocity model from tomographic analysis. The abnormal seismic activity beneath Iwate volcano started under the caldera in February, 1998 and migrated westward in the period February to August, 1998. Previous geodetic modeling [Sato and Hamaguchi, Chikyu Monthly 21 (1999) 312–317] suggested the growth of a dike in the time of the seismic activity. Comparing the seismicity and dike extension with the tomographic images of the P and S wave velocity structure, we find that the trace of the growing dike coincides with the region of the high V_p and high V_p/V_s ratio beneath the volcano. The seismic and geodetic data are consistent with an intrusion of magma or other fluid under the caldera in 1998. Another pressure source causing the predominant crustal deformation at Iwate volcano was detected from geodetic data, which was located in the region with high V_p/V_s ratio under the western end of the volcano through the period from February to August. It is suggested that the activation of the point pressure source probably associated with the inflation of a hot fluid reservoir relate to a geothermal region adjacent to the western edge of the volcano.     

S-wave velocity structure in Tangshan earthquake region and its adjacent areas from joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave dispersion*

Using the seismic records of 83 temporary and 17 permanent broadband seismic stations deployed in Tangshan earthquake region and its adjacent areas (39°N–41.5°N, 115.5°E–119.5°E), we conducted a nonlinear joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave dispersion. We obtained some detailed information about the Tangshan earthquake region and its adjacent areas, including sedimentary thickness, Moho depth, and crustal and upper mantle S-wave velocity. Meanwhile, we also obtained the v_P/v_S structure along two sections across the Tangshan region. The results show that: (1) the Moho depth ranges from 30 km to 38 km, and it becomes shallower from Yanshan uplift area to North China basin; (2) the thickness of sedimentary layer ranges from 0 km to 3 km, and it thickens from Yanshan uplift region to North China basin; (3) the S-wave velocity structure shows that the velocity distribution of the upper crust has obvious correlation with the surface geological structure, while the velocity characteristics of the middle and lower crust are opposite to that of the upper crust. Compared with the upper crust, the heterogeneity of the middle and lower crust is more obvious; (4) the discontinuity of Moho on the two sides of Tangshan fault suggests that Tangshan fault cut the whole crust, and the low v_S and high v_P/v_S beneath the Tangshan earthquake region may reflect the invasion of mantle thermal material through Tangshan fault.     

Crustal seismic tomography in the Calabrian Arc region, south Italy

27,646 P- and 15,025 S-wave readings obtained from 2238 earthquakes and 84 artificial sources were used to perform tomographic inversion of P velocity and V_P/V_S ratio in the crust of Calabrian Arc by Thurber’s inversion algorithm. For this investigation a seismic database with more than twelve-thousand events was built, including all local earthquake data recorded between 1978 and 2001 at all stations of the national and local networks in south Italy. Spread Function computations and checkerboard and restore tests proved higher accuracy of velocity estimates in the upper 40 km beneath Calabrian Arc compared to previous investigations in the same area. The obtained three-dimensional velocity model furnished remarkable improvement of hypocenter locations of the global earthquake dataset (RMS reduction of 38% respect to 1D locations) and greater accuracy in the definition of microplates and tectonic units in the study region. Velocity domains evidenced by our tomography correspond to tectonic units locally identified with geological methods by previous investigators and allow us to better detail their shape and geometry at depth. In particular, at a depth of about 20 km beneath Calabria we detected the deep contact between the overthrusting Tyrrhenian crust and the subducting Ionian slab, improving the accuracy of the current subduction model of the Calabrian Arc region.     

A worldwide comparison of predicted S-wave delays from a three-dimensional upper mantle model with P-wave station corrections

This paper is a comparison, on a worldwide scale, between P-station corrections deduced from ISC residuals (Dziewonski and Anderson) and synthetic S-station corrections computed using a three-dimensional upper mantle model obtained from mantle wave data (Woodhouse and Dziewonski). The upper mantle S-velocity model is described by a spherical harmonic expansion up to degree 8; the P-station corrections are smoothed using a similar expansion, in order that the two data sets can be compared.Correlations between P-station corrections, δt_P, and synthetic S-station corrections, δt_S relevant to various depths of integration indicate that a station correction contains information about structures down to at least 670 km. For this depth of integration, the correlation coefficient of the two data sets is 0.59; the slope ‘a’ of the relation δt_S = aδt_P + b, obtained for the worldwide distribution of stations, is in good agreement with results of previous regional studies using direct readings of P and S arrival times (a = 3.61 ± 0.13).An analysis of regional variations of the relation δt_S = aδt_P + b is carried out on the basis of two published global tectonic patterns (Okal; Jodan). Results for oceanic regions are not reliable, due to the lack of data. On continental areas, a significant difference appears between mountains (a = 2.7 ± 0.3) and shields (a = 4.5 ± 0.4 for Okal's pattern, a = 5.7 ± 1.5 for Jordan's pattern). The largest a-value for shields rules out an explanation by partial melting, as proposed in previous studies. Thermal heterogeneities lead to low a-values; undulations of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary appear to be the most feasible explanation of the high slope beneath shields; they are also able to explain the range of variation of the station corrections; the lowest values of the station corrections correspond to a total vanishing of the low velocity zone beneath the oldest shields. For mountains, the mean values of the station corrections as well as the low a-value can be accounted for by a slight increase of Poisson's ratio together with a significant density increase.     

Stepwise joint inversion of surface wave dispersion,Rayleigh wave ZH ratio,and receiver function data for 1D crustal shear wave velocity structure

Accurate determination of seismic velocity of the crust is important for understanding regional tectonics and crustal evolution of the Earth. We propose a stepwise joint linearized inversion method using surface wave dispersion, Rayleigh wave ZH ratio (i.e., ellipticity), and receiver function data to better resolve 1D crustal shear wave velocity (v _S) structure. Surface wave dispersion and Rayleigh wave ZH ratio data are more sensitive to absolute variations of shear wave speed at depths, but their sensitivity kernels to shear wave speeds are different and complimentary. However, receiver function data are more sensitive to sharp velocity contrast (e.g., due to the existence of crustal interfaces) and v _P/v _S ratios. The stepwise inversion method takes advantages of the complementary sensitivities of each dataset to better constrain the v _S model in the crust. We firstly invert surface wave dispersion and ZH ratio data to obtain a 1D smooth absolute v _S model and then incorporate receiver function data in the joint inversion to obtain a finer v _S model with better constraints on interface structures. Through synthetic tests, Monte Carlo error analyses, and application to real data, we demonstrate that the proposed joint inversion method can resolve robust crustal v _S structures and with little initial model dependency.     

Inversion of breakout data from inclined bore-holes for stress state of the upper crust in Jizhong depression

The forward and inverse problems of studying crustal stress state from breakout data of inclined boreholes are concisely stated. Direction of the maximum horizontal principal stress (compressive) and relative magnitudes of the horizontal stresses to the vertical stress in the upper crust in two regions of the Jizhong depression, the North of China, are obtained by analyzing the breakout data of 6 inclined wells. To get stable results in the analysis we searched for the unknown parameters both forwardly and inversely. The results show that the maximum azimuths of the horizontal principal compressive stresses in the central and southern part of the Jizhong depression are N86°E and N77°E, respectively, while the relative magnitudes of the three principal stresses in the upper crust (about 1000–4000 m) of the depression are variable. In the central part of the Jizhong depression we have foundS _H :S _V :S _h =1.38:1.00:0.57, whereS _H ,S _V andS _h are the maximum horizontal, vertical and minimum horizontal stress, respectively. This indicates that the present stress regime in this area is of strike-slip faulting type. In the southern part of the depression we have obtainedS _H :S _V :S _h =0.80:1.00:0.62, indicating a normal faulting stress regime in the shallow part of the crust.     

Crustal structure beneath the central and western North China from receiver function analysis

The North China Craton (NCC) is one of the oldest cratons on earth. Several important tectonic transformations of Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic regime led to the destruction of the North China craton. The knowledge of crustal structure can provide important constraints for the formation and evolution of cratons. New maps of sediment thickness, crustal thickness (H) and v_P/v_S (κ) in the central and western NCC were obtained using sequential H-κ stacking. P-wave receiver functions are calculated using teleseismic waveform data recorded by 405 stations from ChinArray project. Benefiting from the densely distribution of temporary seismic stations, our results reveal details of the crustal structure in the study area. The thickness of sedimentary layer in North China ranges from 0–6.4 km, and the thickest sedimentary layer is in Ordos block and its surroundings (about 2.8–6 km); The thickness of sedimentary layer in the Mongolia fold belt and Yinshan orogenic belt is relatively thin (less than 1 km). The crustal thickness of the study area varies between 27–48 km, of which the crust of the North China Plain is about 30–33 km, the central NCC is about 33–40 km, and the Ordos block is 40–48 km thick. The average v_P/v_S ratios in the study area is mostly between 1.66 and 1.90, and that in the Yanshan-Taihang mountain fold belt is between 1.70 and 1.85, and that in the Ordos block is between 1.65 and 1.90, with an average value of 1.77, indicating the absence of a thick basaltic lower crust. The obvious negative correlation between crustal thickness and average v_P/v_S ratio within Ordos and Central Asia orogenic belt may be related to magmatic underplating during the crustal formation. There is no significant correlation between the crustal thickness and the v_P/v_S ratio in the Lüliang-Taihang mountain fold belt, which may be related to the multiple geological processes such as underplating and crustal extension and thinning in this area. The lack of correlation between crust thickness and topography in the central orogenic belt and the North China Basin indicates the topography of these areas are controlled not only by crustal isostatic adjustment but also by the lithospheric mantle processes.     

Shear and dilatational wave velocities for unsaturated soils

The primary objective of this study is for presenting some simple-to-use expressions relating the shear and dilatational wave velocities (V_S and V_P) to some physical and constitutive parameters of unsaturated soils. To this purpose, a simplified formulation is developed using the theory of linear poroelasticity in conjunction with some constitutive parameters widely used in geotechnical engineering. The derived expressions are of practical interest in view of the fact that they could be employed for evaluating the involved soil parameters from V_S and V_P measurements by in-situ or laboratory geophysical tests.