Deep seismic probing of continental crust in the lower Yangtze region, eastern China

Abstract

In China, Seismic probing of continental crust started several years ago, associated with the recording of regional Seismic lines for petroleum exploration. During a survey for Palaeozoic oil prospects in the Lower Yangtze reg on, we extended the Seismic record length to 16 seconds to obtain deep crustal data. Several Cenozoic basins with different subsidence histories have been transected by this deep Seismic profile. Beneath these basins, the Palaeozoic basement has been deformed by a system of thrust faults which splay from a common detachment surface in a style similar to foreland basins.A restite reflection signature below the Suzhou granite batholith suggests it was formed by crustal remelting. The structural history of the Tangchen-Lujiang fault involved thrust and subsequent strike-slip movement. The Yangtze Block was underthrust beneath the North China or Dabei Block. The structure of the Moho suggests it reformed recently and was influenced by the Cenozoic movements.