Correlation between electrical conductivity and other geophysical parameters

Anomalies of electrical conductivity are considered in relation to other geophysical parameters, such as seismic wave velocity, attenuation, seismicity and density, and to tectonic features. In the case of active subduction zones there appears to be a good correlation between low conductivity and the seismic quality factor Q. Beneath western North America, a conductive zone in the uppermost mantle apparently is controlled by the thickness and severity of the low-velocity layer. Anomalies in conductivity beneath rift valleys can be related to regions of intermediate seismic P-wave velocity, typically about 7.0 km/sec, which is suggestive of partial melting of mantle material. Within the continental crust, anomalies in conductivity are not, in general, thermally controlled, but they can show correlations with seismicity, and may indicate intra-plate boundaries.     

Shear velocity structure of crust and uppermost mantle in China from surface wave tomography using ambient noise and earthquake data

We present a 3D model of shear velocity of crust and upper mantle in China and surrounding regions from surface wave tomography.We combine dispersion measurements from ambient noise correlation and traditional earthquake data.The stations include the China National Seismic Network,global networks,and all the available PASSCAL stations in the region over the years.The combined data sets provide excellent data coverage of the region for surface wave measurements from 8 to 120 s,which are used to invert for 3D shear wave velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle down to about150 km.We also derive new models of the study region for crustal thickness and averaged S velocities for upper,mid,and lower crust and the uppermost mantle.The models provide a fundamental data set for understanding continental dynamics and evolution.The tomography results reveal significant features of crust and upper mantle structure,including major basins,Moho depth variation,mantle velocity contrast between eastern and western North China Craton,widespread low-velocity zone in midcrust in much of the Tibetan Plateau,and clear velocity contrasts of the mantle lithosphere between north and southern Tibet with significant E–W variations.The low velocity structure in the upper mantle under north and eastern TP correlates with surface geological boundaries.A patch of high velocity anomaly is found under the eastern part of the TP,which may indicate intact mantle lithosphere.Mantle lithosphere shows striking systematic change from the western to eastern North China Craton.The Tanlu Fault appears to be a major lithosphere boundary.     

A procedure for detecting lateral variations of P-wave attenuation in the lower mantle

P-wave attenuation anomalies in the lower mantle can be delineated by assuming that body-wave magnitude residuals, derived from teleseismic data, are due to structure near the mid-points of the rays. Many rays traversing a given region are used to minimise random errors in the data, after correction for source and receiver effects. Published data for North Atlantic ray paths are used to outline significant anomalies with scale lengths of the order of 500 km, giving magnitude residuals up to 0.1 m_b unit. To achieve the observed residuals, the mean value of Q for short-period P-waves probably does not greatly exceed 1000 in the lower mantle under the North Atlantic.     

鄂尔多斯地块深部岩石圈电性结构研究

近年来新的研究成果反应出鄂尔多斯地块岩石圈并不是一个具有深根的完整的刚性块体,尤其在鄂尔多斯北部以及河套地堑发现有大范围的下地壳-上地幔低速低阻物质,如果这一情况属实,那么人们对鄂尔多斯地块的认识将发生大的变化.为此,我们在华北克拉通西部布设了一条穿过鄂尔多斯地块、河套地堑和阴山造山带的南北向大地电磁剖面,试图通过深部电性结构的探测提供更多信息.该剖面全长约850 km,共布设54个宽频测点和17个长周期测点.二维和三维反演结果均表明:鄂尔多斯地块内部以38°N为界,南部和北部电性结构存在明显差异.鄂尔多斯地块南部地壳至上地幔150 km深度范围内整体表现为高阻,具有刚性克拉通的特征;鄂尔多斯地块北部到河套地堑之间下地壳出现低阻层,特别是鄂尔多斯北端与河套地堑接壤地段,深部存在一个规模较大的下地壳-上地幔低阻异常体,该异常体从河套地堑开始,横向上向南延伸到鄂尔多斯地块内部约200 km,纵向上从下地壳向下延伸到上地幔(约100 km深度).根据该异常体的空间特征,参考该区地震波低速异常体的分布,我们认为鄂尔多斯北部及河套地堑中下地壳到上地幔存在热物质,其原因与深部的构造活动有关(软流圈热物质上涌、侧向流动等),这一情况可能反映出鄂尔多斯地块北部岩石圈深部正处于被改造(或者破坏)阶段,这对进一步认识青藏高原东北缘与华北克拉通之间的深部关系具有一定的启示作用.     

Searching for Regional Crustal Velocity-Density Relations with the Use of 2-D Gravity Modelling – Central Europe Case

In this paper we search for a reference relation between seismic P-wave velocity V and density ρ _ref for the continental crust. Based on the results of modern seismic experiments, we compiled 2-D seismic models into a network of four, each about 1100–1400 km long, continental-scale seismic transects cutting all main tectonic units in Central Europe. The Moho depth (about 52 km beneath the TESZ in SE Poland, to about 25 km beneath the Pannonian Basin) and the crustal structure of this area are characterised by a large variation. This structural variation provides an interesting basis for gravity studies and especially for analysing the difference of the density structure between two major tectonic provinces of distinctive age difference: Precambrian and Phanerozoic. The 2-D gravity modelling applied for crustal cross-sections representing the regional structure, based on a unified gravity anomaly map of the area, allows for a stable determination of some general features of the regional reference velocity-density relation for the continental crust. In general three major seismo-petrological types of rocks can be distinguished: sediments, crystalline crust and mantle. In compacted sediments the reference velocity-density relation is well described by the Gardner or Nafe-Drake model. Calculated gravity anomalies, using unified velocity-density relation for the whole crystalline crust, well describe observed anomalies, with an average difference of 14 mGal. However, calculated gravity anomalies, using separated velocity-density relations for the crystalline crust of Precambrian and Phanerozoic Europe, describe observed anomalies better than for the entire crust, with an average difference 12 mGal. The most important feature of these relations is the large differentiation of the derivative dρ _ref /dV in the crystalline crust, being about 0.3 g s/m⁴ for Precambrian, and about 0.1 g s/m⁴ for the Phanerozoic crystalline crust. The modelling suggests a very small density value in the uppermost mantle ρ = 3.11 g/cm³ below the younger area, while for the older area it is ρ = 3.3 g/cm³.     

Isostatic status in North China (1) Method and local compensation

Following Airy and Pratt principles, five kinds of local-compensation models are analysed and a rapid 3-D gravity formula is utilized to calculate isostatic anomalies for 66 models with different parameters. It is noted that isostatic gravity maps appear nearly identical in their main patterns and features. The optimum compensation model in North China is one of modified Airy models in which the different density distribution in the surface, upper crust and lower crust is taken into account and the standard crustal thickness is about 50km. The position of the complete compensation interface is located in the upper mantle. The North China platform as a whole is under sub-isostatic equilibrium status with an isostatic anomaly of about 18·10⁻⁵ m/s² on an average. The distribution of isostatic gravity anomaly shows an obvious blockwise pattern. Most positive anomaly areas occur over the eastern part, the Jiao-Liao Block, Mt. Yan block and northern margin of the Hebei-Shandong block, whereas a negative area occurs in the Shanxi graben. The comparison of models indicates that the Moho discontinuity is not suitable to be taken as a compensation interface, and the compensation effects in Airy model are better than that in Pratt model, which is consistent with the feature of dominant layered structure and less lateral inhomogeneity in crust. Some results about composite compensation, the basic characteristics of isostatic anomaly and deep stucture will be published later in the second part of this paper. Wang Bowen took part in some work in this paper.     

Isostatic status in North China (1)

Following Airy and Pratt principles, five kinds of local-compensation models are analysed and a rapid 3-D gravity formula is utilized to calculate isostatic anomalies for 66 models with different parameters. It is noted that isostatic gravity maps appear nearly identical in their main patterns and features. The optimum compensation model in North China is one of modified Airy models in which the different density distribution in the surface, upper crust and lower crust is taken into account and the standard crustal thickness is about 50km. The position of the complete compensation interface is located in the upper mantle. The North China platform as a whole is under sub-isostatic equilibrium status with an isostatic anomaly of about 18·10^?5 m/s² on an average. The distribution of isostatic gravity anomaly shows an obvious blockwise pattern. Most positive anomaly areas occur over the eastern part, the Jiao-Liao Block, Mt. Yan block and northern margin of the Hebei-Shandong block, whereas a negative area occurs in the Shanxi graben. The comparison of models indicates that the Moho discontinuity is not suitable to be taken as a compensation interface, and the compensation effects in Airy model are better than that in Pratt model, which is consistent with the feature of dominant layered structure and less lateral inhomogeneity in crust. Some results about composite compensation, the basic characteristics of isostatic anomaly and deep stucture will be published later in the second part of this paper.     

中国东北地区地壳、上地幔速度结构及其对矿产能源形成的控制作用

中国东北地区处于古亚洲洋和滨太平洋构造域叠合部位,地质构造极其复杂.利用东北及华北地区部分台网所接收的近震及远震走时资料获得东北地区地壳与上地幔三维P波速度结构,成像分辨率在80 km左右.成像结果表明东北地区地壳与上地幔具有较强的横向不均匀性.P波速度异常走向大体呈北东向,与该区地表构造走向一致.5 km深度的速度异...     

应用远震有限频率层析成像反演首都圈上地幔速度结构

本文选用首都圈数字地震台网2003年9月~2005年12月记录的300多个远震事件的波形资料,采用分频带多道互相关方法得到三个不同频段的P波相对走时数据共18499个,计算了每个频段的走时灵敏度核,应用有限频率层析成像反演得到首都圈地区的上地幔三维P波速度结构模型.利用检测板估计了反演结果的分辨率,并与射线层析成像方法的结果进行了比较,说明了反演结果的可靠性.研究结果表明,各构造单元具有明显不同的速度结构特征,其差异可到150 km深:燕山隆起区表现高速;太行山隆起区整体以低速为主并存在小范围高速块体;华北盆地、渤海湾下浅层上地幔中存在大范围的强低速异常,其顶面在50~70 km,可视为软流圈顶面的埋深,这一结果说明华北盆地、渤海湾下岩石圈明显减薄;张家口-蓬莱断裂带是上地幔浅部速度结构的变异带,也是岩石圈减薄的边界带,区内大部分强震都发生在该构造带上,由此看来该带上强震的发生不仅与地壳结构的不均匀性有关,还可能有较深的构造背景.     

环渤海地区的地震层析成像与地壳上地幔结构

利用环渤海地区的天然地震P波到时资料,采用纬度和经度方向分别为05°×06°的网格划分,反演了该地区地壳上地幔的三维P波速度结构.初步结果表明,环渤海地区地壳上地幔的速度结构具有明显的横向不均匀性：京津唐地区地壳中上部的速度异常反映了浅表层的地质构造特征,造山带和隆起区对应于高速异常,坳陷区和沉积盆地对应于低速异常;地壳下部出现大规模的低速异常与华北地区广泛存在的高导层相对应,估计与壳内的滑脱层和局部熔融、岩浆活动有关;莫霍面附近的速度异常反映了地壳厚度的变化及壳幔边界附近热状态的差异;上地幔顶部大范围的低速异常可能是上地幔软流层热物质大规模上涌所致.     

A possible crust-mantle configuration near Trivandrum deduced from Indian geomagnetic data

Anomalies in H and Z, primarily attributable to subsurface features, were obtained from the annual mean values at five Indian magnetic stations for the period 1965–1973, after correcting for the secular and normal variations. When the average anomaly at each station over the nine years chosen, after projecting on to a reference longitude (78°E), was plotted against its geographic latitude, the resulting ΔZ and ΔH latitudinal profiles were found to reach their maximum values near Trivandrum (TRV). This rise in anomaly near TRV has been interpreted in terms of a probable plutonic dyke-like structure, superposed on the general upwarp of the mantle known to be associated with a land-to-ocean transition. A Bouguer gravity profile along the same reference longitude, supporting this inference, is also presented. A sample calculation has been done with assumed parameters for the model and the theoretical and observed anomalies are compared.     

华北克拉通及东邻西太平洋活动大陆边缘地区的P波速度结构：对岩石圈减薄动力学过程的探讨

本文通过地震层析成像研究获得了华北克拉通及其东邻地区（30°N-50°N,95°E -145°E）1°×1°的P波速度扰动图像.结果显示,在西太平洋俯冲带地区,上地幔中西倾的板片状高速异常体与其上方的低速异常区构成俯冲带与上覆地幔楔的典型速度结构式样.俯冲板片高速体在约300~400 km深度范围内被低速物质充填,暗示俯冲板片可能发生了断离.在华北克拉通地区的上地幔中发现三个东倾排列的高速异常带.在此基础上,本文构建了华北克拉通及其东邻西太平洋活动大陆边缘地区的上地幔速度结构模式图,并据此探讨克拉通岩石圈减薄与西太平洋活动大陆边缘的深部动力学联系.本文认为,太平洋板片的俯冲（断离）,触发热地幔物质上涌并在上覆地幔楔中形成对流,使克拉通岩石圈受到改造（底侵与弱化）.随着俯冲板片后撤,地幔楔中的对流场以及对岩石圈改造的影响范围均随之东移,最终导致华北克拉通岩石圈自下而上、从西向东分三个阶段依次拆沉减薄.这一模式能很好地解释现今克拉通岩石圈自西向东呈台阶状减薄的深部现象.     

区域重力异常和上地幔小尺度对流相关方程及对流拖曳力场

建立了区域重力均衡异常的物理模型，假定区域重力均衡异常源于上地幔密度分布横向不均匀以及由上地幔小尺度对流产生的边界形变．导出了区域重力均衡异常和上地幔小尺度对流之间的相关方程，讨论了该方程在地球动力学研究中的应用．应用几种模型计算上地幔小尺度对流产生的作用于岩石层底部的拖曳力场．结果表明，将这一相关方程用于利用区域重力均衡异常研究地壳及上地幔应力状态，将有广阔的前景．     

Middle Mantle Seismic Structure of the African Superplume

I present the results of statistical hypothesis testing of Grand’s (2002) global tomography model of three-dimensional shear velocity variations for the middle mantle underneath eastern and southern Africa. I apply an F test to evaluate the validity of a model where a tilted, slow-velocity anomaly in the deepest mantle under southern Africa, known as the African superplume, is continuous with a slow-velocity anomaly in the upper mantle under eastern Africa. This null hypothesis is tested against alternative hypotheses, in which various “obstruction volumes” in the middle mantle are constrained to zero perturbation from the one-dimensional reference velocity during the tomographic inversion. I find that there is an equal probability of accepting an alternative hypothesis with a thin “obstruction volume” at 850–1,000 km depth, whereas volumes at other depths are rejected. But the alternative hypothesis, where a connection is forced at 850–1,000 km depth, is rejected. I conclude that the African superplume rises to at least 1,150 km depth, and that the upper mantle slow-velocity anomaly continues from the surface to below the mantle transition zone. I interpret the “obstruction volume” as a weakening of the superplume in the middle mantle.     

The upper mantle flow beneath the North China Platform

In this paper we establish an upper mantle convection model which is constrained by regional isostatic gravity anomalies. Comparing the computed convection patterns with the tectonic features of the North China Platform we find that there are two positive anomaly centers connected with upward flows. These anomalies belong to the tectonic units of the Shan-Xi geoanticline and the Lu-Xi geoanticline. The centers of downward flows are connected with the tectonic units of the Liao-Ji geosyncline. It is reasonable to suggest that the upward mantle flows push the lithosphere upward and generate the observed positive isostatic gravity anomaly. The downward mantle flows pull the lithosphere down and generate the negative anomaly. However, the use of simple analysis makes it difficult to explain the complex lithospheric dynamics of this region. In order to understand lithospheric structures and tectonic features we must investigate the mechanical properties of the lithosphere and the relationship between the lithosphere and the mantle. These problems are discussed in the last section of this paper.     

A study on 3-D velocity structure of crust and upper mantle in Sichuan-Yunan region, China

Based on the first arrival P and S data of 4 625 regional earthquakes recorded at 174 stations dispersed in the Yunnan and Sichuan Provinces, the 3-D velocity structure of crust and upper mantle in the region is determined, incorporating with previous deep geophysical data. In the upper crust, a positive anomaly velocity zone exists in the Sichuan basin, whereas a negative anomaly velocity zone exists in the western Sichuan plateau. The boundary between the positive and negative anomaly zones is the Longmenshan fault zone. The images of lower crust and upper mantle in the Longmenshan fault, Xianshuihe fault, Honghe fault and others show the characteristic of tectonic boundary, indicating that the faults likely penetrate the Moho discontinuity. The negative velocity anomalies at the depth of 50 km in the Tengchong volcanic area and the Panxi tectonic zone appear to be associated with the temperature and composition variations in the upper mantle. The overall features of the crustal and the upper mantle structures in the Sichuan-Yunnan region are the lower average velocity in both crust and uppermost mantle, the large crustal thickness variations, and the existence of high conductivity layer in the crust or/and upper mantle, and higher geothermal value. All these features are closely related to the collision between the India and the Asia plates. The crustal velocity in the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block generally shows normal value or positive anomaly, while the negative anomaly exists in the area along the large strike-slip faults as the block boundary. It is conducive to the crustal block side-pressing out along the faults. In the major seismic zones, the seismicity is relative to the negative anomaly velocity. Most strong earthquakes occurred in the upper-mid crust with positive anomaly or normal velocity, where the negative anomaly zone generally exists below. Foundation item: National Scientific and Technological Development Program (95-973-02-02), the Climb Program (95-S-05-01) of National Scientific and Technological Ministry of China, and the State Natural Sciences Foundation of China (49874021). Contribution No. 02FE2004, Institute of Geophysics, China Seismological Bureau.     

Global P-wave tomography: On the effect of various mantle and core phases

In this work, many global tomographic inversions and resolution tests are carried out to investigate the influence of various mantle and core phase data from the International Seismological Center (ISC) data set on the determination of 3D velocity structure of the Earth's interior. Our results show that, when only the direct P data are used, the resolution is good for most of the mantle except for the oceanic regions down to about 1000 km depth and for most of the D″ layer, and PP rays can provide a better constraint on the structure down to the middle mantle, in particular for the upper mantle under the oceans. PcP can enhance the ray sampling of the middle and lower mantle around the Pacific rim and Europe, while Pdiff can help improve the spatial resolution in the lowermost mantle. The outer core phases (PKP, PKiKP and PKKP) can improve the resolution in the lowermost mantle of the southern hemisphere and under oceanic regions. When finer blocks or grid nodes are adopted to determine a high-resolution model, pP data are very useful for improving the upper mantle structure. The resulting model inferred from all phases not only displays the general features contained in the previous global tomographic models, but also reveals some new features. For example, the image of the Hawaiian mantle plume is improved notably over the previous studies. It is imaged as a continuous low velocity anomaly beneath the Hawaiian hotspot from the core-mantle boundary (CMB) to the surface, implying that the Hawaiian mantle plume indeed originates from the CMB. Low-velocity anomalies along some mid-oceanic ridges extend down to about 600 km depth. Our results suggested that later seismic phases are of great importance in better understanding the structure and dynamics of the Earth's interior.     

藏北高原地壳及上地幔导电性结构——超宽频带大地电磁测深研究结果

为了研究西藏中、北部壳、幔导电性结构,讨论高原中、北部岩石圈热状态,1998年和1999年（INDEPTH（Ⅲ） MT）在西藏中、北部完成了德庆—龙尾错（500线）和那曲—格尔木（600线）超宽频带大地电磁深探测剖面的研究.研究结果表明,西藏中、北部以昆仑山断裂为界,其南北壳、幔电性结构有很大差异.昆仑山断裂以北地壳和上地幔为高阻区.而昆仑山以南,地壳和上地幔的导电性有明显的分层结构：地壳上部以不连续的高阻体为主,夹有局部低阻异常体,沿南北方向上地壳的电性结构复杂,具有不连续、分块的特点;但中、下地壳为大范围的高导异常区,区内发育有大规模、不相连续、产状各异的高导体,其电阻率均小于4Ωm;在班公—怒江和金沙江缝合带之下,壳内高导体都具有向上地幔延伸的趋势,存在连通壳、幔的低阻通道.根据西藏高原中、北部壳、幔电性结构的研究推断：如同藏南一样,这里也普遍存在部分熔融体和热流体,它们的成因主要与班公—怒江和金沙江缝合带的壳-幔热交换、热活动有关,这是两期形成的壳-幔热交换通道.其中,班公—怒江缝合带的壳-幔热交换通道形成时间比金沙江缝合带早.因此,研究区壳、幔的热活动是从南边和西边开始,向北、向东扩展,导致现今西藏中、北部地壳和上地幔的热流分布由西向东、由南向北增大.     

中国境内天山地壳上地幔结构的地震层析成像

根据横跨中国境内天山的库车—奎屯宽频带流动地震台阵和区域地震台网记录的近震和远震P波走时数据,利用地震层析成像方法重建了沿该地震台阵剖面下方400 km深度范围内地壳上地幔的P波速度结构.结果表明：沿新疆库车—奎屯剖面,天山地壳具有明显的横向分块结构,且南、北天山地壳显示了较为强烈的横向变形特征,表明塔里木地块对天山地壳具有强烈的侧向挤压作用;在塔里木和准噶尔地块上地幔顶部有厚度约60～90 km的高速异常体,塔里木—南天山下方的高速异常体产生了较为明显的弯曲变形,而准噶尔—北天山下方的高速异常体向南一直俯冲到中天山南侧边界下方300 km的深度,两者形成了不对称对冲构造;在塔里木和准噶尔地块下方150～400 km深度存在上地幔低速体,其中塔里木地块一侧的上地幔低速物质上涌到南天山地块的下方;在塔里木—南天山200～300 km深度范围的上地幔存在高速异常体,它可能是地幔热物质向上迁移过程融断的塔里木岩石圈的拆离体. 上述结果表明,塔里木地块的俯冲可能涉及整个岩石圈深度,但其前缘仅限于南天山的北缘;青藏高原隆升的远程效应可能不但驱动塔里木岩石圈向北俯冲,同时还造成天山造山带南侧上地幔物质的涌入;天山造山带上地幔广泛存在的低速异常有助于其上地幔的变形,而上地幔物质的强烈非均匀性应有助于推动天山造山带上地幔小尺度地幔对流的形成;根据研究区地壳上地幔速度结构特征推断,新近纪以来天山快速隆升的主要力源来自青藏高原快速隆升的远程效应,相对软弱的上地幔为加速天山造山带的变形和隆升创造了必要条件.     

Crust and mantle of the Tien Shan from data of the receiver function tomography

A 3-D velocity model of the Tien Shan crust and upper mantle is constructed through the inversion of the receiver functions of P and S waves together with teleseismic traveltime anomalies at nearly 40 local seismic stations. It is found that in the vast central region, where no strong earthquakes have been known over the past century, the S wave velocity at depths of 10–35 km is lower than in adjacent regions by up to 10%. These data are evidence for mechanical weakness of the crust preventing the accumulation of elastic energy. Apparently, the lower velocity and the weakness of the crust are due to the presence of water. The weakness of the crust is one of the possible reasons for the strain localization responsible for the formation of the present Tien Shan but can also be due in part to the young orogenesis. The crustal thickness is largest (about 60 km) in the Tarim-Tien Shan junction zone. The crust-mantle boundary in this region descends by a jump as a result of an increase in the lower crust thickness. This is probably due to the underthrusting of the Tien Shan by the Tarim lithosphere. This causes the mechanically weak lower crust of the Tarim to delaminate and accumulate in nearly the same way as an accretionary prism during the subduction of oceanic lithosphere. In the upper mantle, the analysis has revealed a low velocity anomaly, apparently related to basaltic outflows of the Upper Cretaceous-Early Paleogene. The Cenozoic Bachu uplift in the northern Tarim depression is also associated with the low velocity anomaly. The Naryn depression is characterized by a high velocity in the upper mantle and can be interpreted as a fragment of an ancient platform.