The Crust-Mantle Interaction of the Qiangtang Terrane: New evidence from the Effective Elastic Thickness of the Lithosphere

Abstract

The crust-mantle interaction in the Qiangtang terrane is significant to study continental rheology and evolution. Its mechanism remains a subject of considerable debate for the reason of lack of sufficient geophysical evidence. The effective elastic thickness (T_e) of the lithosphere can provide important constraints on this issue because it is sensitive to the state of mechanical coupling between the crust and the lithospheric mantle. We present new high-resolution T_e of the Qiangtang terrane by using the multitaper admittance method with fusion of different window, based on satellite gravity and topographical data. Thus, a detailed study of the lithosphere is conducted, for the first time to utilize the spatial variations of T_e and associated parameters, including thermal structures of the lithosphere, uppermost mantle seismic Pn-velocity, and crustal deformation. The results indicate that crust-mantle interaction in the Qiangtang terrane primarily occurs in the middle Qiangtang terrane (87°E ∼ 95°E, 32°N ∼ 34°N), where Te values are lower. In the eastern and western Qiangtang terrane, T_e values are higher, implying weaker late-stage modification. Due to Rayleigh-Taylor instability, lithospheric delamination occurred beneath the south Qiangtang terrane. Based on the extent of these low T_e values (T_e < 50 km), we conclude that the delaminated lithospheric slab sinking into the mantle is ∼400 km in length and elongated in shape. The delamination induces the upwelling of mantle material, upward stress, volcanic activity, extensional faults, and hot springs in the Qiangtang terrane.