Crust and Upper Mantle Density Structures beneath the Eastern Tianshan Region and Its Tectonic Implications

Abstract

The deformation mechanisms of the Tianshan orogenic belt (TOB) are one of the most important unresolved issues in the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. To better understand the lithospheric deformation of the eastern Tianshan orogenic belt, we combined the S-wave tomography and gravity data to develop a three-dimensional (3D) density model of the crust and upper mantle beneath the eastern Tianshan area. Results show that the crust of the eastern Tianshan is mainly characterized by positive density anomalies, revealing widespread subduction-related magmatism during the Paleozoic. We however have also observed extensive low-density anomalies beneath the eastern Tianshan at depths deeper than ∼100 km, which is likely linked to a relatively hot mantle. The most fundamental differences of the lithosphere within the eastern Tianshan occur in the uppermost mantle. The uppermost mantle layers in the Bogda Shan and Harlik Shan are relatively dense. This is likely associated with an eclogite body in the uppermost mantle. The most significant negative anomaly of the uppermost mantle is however found in the Jueluotage tectonic belt and the central Tianshan Block and is possibly associated with depleted mantle material. We suggest that these differences related to compositional changes may control the strength of the lithospheric mantle and have affected the uplift of the northern and southern segments of the eastern Tianshan after the Permian.