Seismic multi-arch structures in East China

Abstract

In previous papers (Wencai, 2002, 2003), the author has analyzed the deep seismic reflection profiles along some of the Mesozoic plutons in East China, and has pointed out that the crustal structures around these intrusions usually correlate with a special seismic fabric called the seismic multi-arch structure. This paper will continue to show main characteristics of the seismic multi-arch structures and discuss their relationship with mantle-origin magmatism and the lithospheric thinning process. Calibration of seismic reflectors in Chinese continental drilling sites shows that small-scale arch-like reflectors can be generated by fractured eclogites or other plutons, they do not belong to the multi-arch structure specially discussed in the paper. The multi-arch structure is characterized by several arch-like reflectors distributed in both the upper and lower crust with granitoid plutons or stocks exposed on the surface, which do not have obvious negative Europium anomalies. Based on the distribution pattern of arch reflectors, the multi-arch magmatic structures can be divided into three main types, namely the simple vertical combination type, the spread arch magmatic structure and the arch-bouquet structure. All of them correlate to mantle-origin magmatism, but occur in different places. The spread arch magmatic structures occur within a Mesozoic/Cenozoic rift zone with very thin and hot lithosphere. The vertical combination type of the multi-arch structures occurred near the rift zones where lithosphere was thin and hot. The arch-bouquet magmatic structures occur far from the rift zones where the lithosphere is not hot. The continental rifting acted as the late episode of the lithospheric thinning process seeing that the rift zones usually coincide with the thinnest parts of the lithosphere in East China. In different locations within the lithospheric thinning areas, mantle-origin magmatic activities have different characteristics, which might generate different types of crustal structures revealed by the different types of the multi-arch magmatic structures. Therefore, high-quality deep seismic reflection profiles can be used indirectly to identify the pattern and scale of Mesozoic/Cenozoic lithospheric thinning processes and characteristics of the corresponding man-tle-origin magmatic activities.