Radial anisotropy beneath northeast T ibet, implications for lithosphere deformation at a restraining bend in the K unlun fault and its vicinity

Abstract

Three-dimensional shear wave velocity and radial anisotropy models of the crust and upper mantle beneath the NE Tibetan plateau are constructed from new measurements of Love wave dispersions (20–77s) and previously obtained Rayleigh wave dispersions (20–87s) using a two-plane-wave method. The mid-lower crust is characterized with positive anisotropy (VSH > VSV) with large strength beneath the Qinling and Qilian Mountains and small values beneath the Anyemaqen Mountain. The large positive anisotropy can be explained by horizontal alignment of anisotropic minerals in the mid-lower crust due to crustal flow. The mantle lithosphere above 90 km is largely isotropic while weak positive anisotropy appears beneath 90 km, which probably marks the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB). A low shear wave velocity anomaly and relatively negative radial anisotropy are imaged in the entire lithosphere beneath the restraining bend in the eastern Kunlun fault, consistent with a weak lithosphere experiencing vertical thickening under horizontal compression. The asthenosphere at the restraining bend is characterized by significant low velocity and positive radial anisotropy, reflecting that the asthenosphere here is probably hotter, has more melts, and deforms more easily than the surrounding region. We propose that the lithosphere at the restraining bend was vertically thickened and subsequently delaminated locally, and induced asthenosphere upwelling. This model explains the observations of velocity and anisotropy anomalies in the lithosphere and asthenosphere as well as geological observations of rapid rock uplift at the restraining bend of the Kunlun fault.