Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2023, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (5): 314-333.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2023.6.35

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Deep structure and dynamics of the eastern segment of the Qilian orogenic belt in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau

CHENG Yongzhi1(), GAO Rui1,2,*(), LU Zhanwu1, LI Wenhui1, WANG Guangwen1, CHEN Si1, WU Guowei1, CAI Yuguo1   

  1. 1. SinoProbe Laboratory of Ministry of Natural Resources, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
    2. School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
  • Received:2023-06-06 Revised:2023-06-20 Online:2023-09-25 Published:2023-10-20
  • Contact: GAO Rui

Abstract:

The eastern segment of the Qilian orogenic belt is located in the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It comprises the Linxia and Longzhong blocks. The regional tectonic framework is complex due to the influence of multiple tectonic events, including the closure of the Qilian Ocean, the convergence of the North China block and Qilian terrane, and the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. To investigate the geological evolution of the region and the location of suture between the blocks, we analyzed seismic data collected from 33 portable ChinArray II broadband stations over a 3-year period (2013-2016) and obtained crustal structure, Poisson’s ratio, and Moho morphology at seismic stations by teleseismic P-wave receiver function, H-κ stacking, and Common Conversion Point (CCP) stacking methods. Our results show that the Maxianshan fault is an important boundary fault dividing the Linxia and Longzhong blocks. The fault zone, shown as a continuous west-dipping negative seismic phase in the CCP section, cuts through the Earth’s crust and is the suture line between the Linxia and Longzhong blocks. The Linxia block has obvious layered crust, with Japanese island arc characteristics, while low-velocity anomalies in the middle/lower crust likely indicate saline fluids. The Longzhong block has layered upper crust and slightly layered middle/lower crust, with weak low-velocity and ocean island basaltic crust characteristics, and may originate from the Mariana island arc. The insignificant Conrad interface and lateral variation of Moho depth in the southwestern margin of the Ordos block is consistent with stable craton characteristics. Meanwhile, beneath the Liupanshan tectonic belt, the upward thrust of the middle/upper crust towards the southwestern margin of the Ordos block provide the deep structural evidence for the Cenozoic uplift of the Liupanshan structural belt.

Key words: northeastern Tibetan Plateau, receiver function, crustal thickness, average crustal vP/vS ratio, crustal deformation mechanism, suture boundary, Maxianshan fault

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