Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2025, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (6): 256-275.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2025.10.50

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Crustal structure and chemical composition of the Yingpan-Jinding-Beiya-Panlong transect in southeastern Tibetan Plateau

ZHAO Zhidan1(), LEI Hangshan2, BAI Zhiming3, LIU Dong1, WANG Zhenzhen1, XU Bo4, MIAO Zhuang4, HOU Zengqian5, MO Xuanxue1   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, School of Earth Science and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
    2. CNOOC Research Institute Co. Ltd., Beijing 100028, China
    3. State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric and Environmental Coevolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
    4. State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, School of Gemmology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
    5. State Key Laboratory of Deep Earth and Mineral Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
  • Received:2025-10-10 Revised:2025-10-18 Online:2025-11-25 Published:2025-11-12

Abstract:

The structure, composition, and evolution of the continental crust represent one of the unique and defining characteristics of Earth, distinguishing it from other planets, and constitute one of the most significant scientific questions in modern Earth sciences. The continental crust plays an indispensable role in various spheres of the Earth system. It serves as a link that facilitates interactions between the lithosphere and surficial layers, and it represents a key site for studying geological processes such as crust-mantle material and energy exchange, magmatism, and mineralization. Research methods for investigating crustal structure, composition, and evolution primarily include probing the physical properties of deep crustal layers, studying deep-seated xenoliths brought to the surface by magmatic activities, analyzing ancient metamorphic basement rocks, and reconstructing magmatic processes. This study focuses on geological transect along a northwest-southeast trending crustal profile, extending from Yingpan in Lanping County, Yunnan Province, through Jinding in Lanping County and Beiya in Heqing County, to Panlong in Kunming, crossing the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and the western margin of the Yangtze Craton (referred to as the Yingpan-Panlong transect). Comprehensive research on the crustal structure and chemical composition has been conducted along a 50 km-wide transect and its adjacent areas. Structurally, the profile traverses the Lanping-Simao Block, passes through the Jinding and Beiya ore deposits, and extends eastward to the western margin of the Yangtze Craton. Using an existing geophysical depth profile, combined with geochemical and geochronological data from ancient metamorphic complexes, magmatic rocks, deep crustal xenoliths, and sedimentary cover rocks, this paper integrates data from geophysics, experimental petrology, and rock geochemistry. A crustal rock composition model for the geological units within the Yingpan-Panlong transect is proposed. The elemental and isotopic compositions of the upper, middle, and lower crust are estimated, with further discusses on the processes, crustal evolution, tectonic-magmatic activities, and mineralization in the Yingpan-Panlong transect and adjacent regions.

Key words: crustal structure, petrologic model, chemical composition, crustal evolution, western margin of the Yangtze Craton, southeastern Tibetan Plateau

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