Progress in deep lithospheric exploration of the continental China: A review of the SinoProbe

Abstract

The SinoProbe, deep exploration in China, is a multidisciplinary earth science research program that aims at revealing the composition, structure and evolution of the continental lithosphere in China. The SinoProbe (2008–2012) has successfully conducted research and field experiments on determining the crustal and mantle structures using new deep seismic and magnetotelluric (MT) exploration. This has allowed the accumulation of new exciting data that have significantly accelerated China's development on deep lithospheric exploration. The new data also led to new understandings on the Mesozoic and Cenozoic geological evolution of the continental China. The main results of the SinoProbe so far include (1) a collection of ca.6000 km long seismic reflection profile data, (2) a nation-wide geochemical baseline, (3) a nation-wide 4° × 4° MT array and regional 1° × 1° MT arrays in the North China and the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, (4) three dimensional (3-D) exploration of ore districts in the eastern China, (5) several continental scientific drilling holes, (6) regional in-situ stress monitoring networks, (7) geodynamic modeling of the lithosphere underneath the continental China, and (8) instrumentation development for deep exploration in China, etc. For the first time, the SinoProbe has obtained deep seismic reflection evidence for the Moho surface below the thick crust of the central Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. It also reveals dipping fabrics in the lithospheric mantle beneath the northeastern China. The preliminary results from MT array observation of the SinoProbe show an abnormal electric-conductivity structure of the lithosphere beneath the Ordos basin, providing important evidence for the evolution mechanism of the North China craton (NCC). Generally, the SinoProbe has conducted successfully during its initial phase (2008–2012), which has settled a foundation for the next phase of the SinoProbe in the future. • We summary achievement and development carried out by SinoProbe in 2008 to 2012. • SinoProbe is a major program on deep exploration in continental China. • SinoProbe helps to reveal structure and composition of China's lithosphere. • SinoProbe has significantly accelerated China's development on deep exploration.