Lithospheric structure and transformation of the Songnen and Jiamusi blocks in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt revealed by 3D magnetotelluric inversion

Abstract

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is the largest accretionary orogenic belt in the world. The Songnen and Jiamusi blocks, which are located along the eastern segment of the CAOB, form a complex structure influenced by the Mudanjiang ocean closure and the Paleo-Pacific plate subduction. Constraints on the deep structure of the Songnen and Jiamusi blocks are critical for studying the evolution, transformation and current activity of the CAOB. This study presents an analysis and interpretation of a 450-km-long magnetotelluric profile that imaged the deep lithospheric structure of these two blocks. The best-fit three-dimensional resistivity model, based on the nonlinear conjugate gradient algorithm, highlights the key lithospheric structures. The results show that the lithosphere beneath the Lesser Xing'an Range in the Songnen block is characterized by a high-resistivity structure, which is mainly related to the granite formed in multiple stages. The crust forming the Sanjiang basin in the Jiamusi block possesses a high–low–high resistivity structure in the transverse direction, corresponding well to the tectonic units. The low-resistivity structure of the Fujin uplift extends to the mantle, which represents mantle material that intruded the crust. There is a low-resistivity structure beneath the suture zone of the two blocks that is homologous with the large-scale low-resistivity anomaly beneath the basin and is related to the subducted Paleo-Pacific plate. Strong dehydration at the inflection point of the plate reduces the solidus temperature of the mantle material, resulting in melt and upwelling of mantle material. The Jiamusi block can be divided into southern and northern parts, possessing different structures. The southern part represents an original part of either the Gondwana continent or Tarim craton. The Sanjiang basin, in the northern part, has been heavily influenced by the subducted Paleo-Pacific plate, and is a region of strong activity.