Seismic waves convey lithospheric delamination mechanism in South China

A research team led by Prof. Zhang Haijiang from the University of Science and Technology of China of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Prof. Hou Zengqian from Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, revealed the seismically imaged lithospheric delamination and its controls on the Mesozoic Magmatic Province in South China by using a new joint seismic inversion algorithm. Based on the latest developed seismic joint inversion algorithm, the researchers made use of the seismic body wave travel time, surface wave dispersion data and receiver function to determine the high-resolution shear wave velocity model of the South China lithosphere. Subsequently, lithosphere extended and overlaying crust melted, forming magmatic province in South China. This study proposed a new understanding of the formation mechanism of Mesozoic magma Province in South China, which help to deeply understand the kinetics of the Paleo-Pacific plate and that of the large-scale mineralization during late Mesozoic in South China. More information: Haijiang Zhang et al, Seismically imaged lithospheric delamination and its controls on the Mesozoic Magmatic Province in South China, Nature Communications. Provided by University of Science and Technology of China. Citation: Seismic waves convey lithospheric delamination mechanism in South China retrieved 10 June 2023 from https://phys. org/news/2023-06-seismic-convey-lithospheric-delamination-mechanism.