3‐D seismic tomography of the lithosphere and its geodynamic implications beneath the northeast India region

Abstract

AbstractWe have evolved 3‐D seismic velocity structures in northeast India region and its adjoining areas to understand the geodynamic processes of Indian lithosphere that gently underthrusts under the Himalayas and steeply subducts below the Indo‐Burma Ranges. The region is tectonically buttressed between the Himalayan arc to the north and the Indo‐Burmese arc to the east. The tomographic image shows heterogeneous structure of lithosphere depicting different tectonic blocks. Though our results are limited to shallower depth (0–90 km), it matches well with the deeper continuation of lithospheric structure obtained in an earlier study. We observe low‐velocity structure all along the Eastern Himalayas down to ~70 km depth, which may be attributed to deeper roots/thicker crust developed by underthrusting of Indian plate. Parallel to this low‐velocity zone lies a high‐velocity zone in foredeep region, represents the Indian lithosphere. The underthrusting Indian lithosphere under the Himalayas as well as below the Indo‐Burma Ranges is well reflected as a high‐velocity dipping structure. The buckled up part of bending Indian plate in study region, the Shillong Plateau‐Mikir Hills tectonic block, is marked as a high‐velocity structure at shallower depth. The Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis, tectonic block where the two arcs meet, is identified as a high‐velocity structure. The Bengal Basin, tectonic block to the south of Shillong Plateau, shows low velocity due to its thicker sediments. Based on the tomographic image, a schematic model is presented to elucidate the structure and geodynamics of Indian lithosphere in study region.