The lithosphere effective elastic thickness with its anisotropy of the North China Craton

The North China Craton (NCC) is one of the oldest cratons in the world. It is important to understand the mechanism of NCC destruction. The lithosphere effective elastic thickness ($T_e$) with its anisotropy can provide new insights into those mechanisms, as the spatial distribution patterns of $T_e$ and its anisotropy serve as distinctive indicators of past tectonic processes that are difficult to characterize through conventional approaches. The $T_e$ and load ratio ($F$) around the NCC region are estimated using a joint inversion method that integrated both admittance and coherence techniques. The $T_e$ anisotropy is estimated using fan wavelet coherence method. The derived $T_e$ and $F$ are used to compute flexural isostatic anomalies (FIA) using the theoretical Bouguer admittance method. We find the $T_e$, $F$, $T_e$ anisotropy, and FIA vary a lot from east to west in the NCC area. The Ordos Basin in the western North China Craton (WNCC) has high $T_e$, low $F$, and weak $T_e$ anisotropy, suggesting that the lithosphere of Ordos Basin have high strength and in a state of stable. The Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) is located in transition zone of $T_e$, $F$, $T_e$ anisotropy, and FIA, indicating that the TNCO could be the front of collision between Eurasia Plate and western Pacific Plate. The eastern North China Craton (ENCC) lithosphere has been largely modified by the deep tectonic activities due to the subduction of western Pacific Plate.