Is the Asian lithosphere underthrusting beneath northeastern Tibetan Plateau? Insights from seismic receiver functions

Abstract

Whether or not the Asian lithosphere has underthrusted beneath the Tibetan Plateau is important for understanding the mechanisms of the plateau's growth. Using data from the permanent seismic stations in northeastern Tibetan Plateau, we studied seismic structures of the lithosphere and upper mantle across the plateau's northeastern margin using P and S receiver functions. The migrated P- and S-receiver function images reveal a thick crust and a diffuse lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) beneath the Tibetan Plateau, contrasting sharply with the relatively thin crust and clear, sharp LAB under the bounding Asian blocks. The well-defined LAB under the Asian blocks tilts toward but does not extend significantly under the Tibetan Plateau; this is inconsistent with the model of Asian mantle lithosphere underthrusting beneath the Tibet Plateau. Instead, our results indicate limited, passive deformation of the bounding Asian lithosphere as it encounters the growing Tibetan Plateau.