Crustal structure of Gondwana- and Yangtze-typed blocks: An example by wide-angle seismic profile from Menglian to Malong in western Yunnan

Abstract

The wide-angle seismic profile between Menglian and Malong crosses the Baoshan block (Gondwana-typed), and Simao and southwestern Yangtze blocks (Yangtze-typed). By interpreting the wide-angle seismic data, we obtained the seismic crust/upper mantle structure of P-wave velocities together with the seismic reflections of these three blocks, Changning-Menglian and Mojiang suture zones among the mentioned three blocks. Our interpreting results demonstrate that the P-wave crustal velocity of Simao block is slower than that of Baoshan and southwestern Yangtze block and the crustal thickness gradually thickens from the Baoshan block, Simao to southwestern Yangtze block. Crustal reflection patterns of these three blocks have distinct differences too. For the Gondwana-typed blocks, seismic reflections in the upper crust are well developed while in middle-lower crust they are very weak. The crustal reflections in the Yangtze block are very well developed. The crustal reflection patterns in Simao and southwestern Yangtze blocks are distinguishable. The average thickness of the crust in the studied area is about 40 km. And we make some discussions on the crustal thickening model of the three blocks in western Yunnan and tectonic setting of seismic developing and interaction of Gondwana and Yangtze blocks