Zhipeng Zhou, Hans Thybo, Irina M. Artemieva, Timothy Kusky, Chi-Chia Tang
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The thick crust of the southern Tibetan and central Andean plateaus includes high-conductivity, low-velocity zones ascribed to partial melt. The melt origin and effect on plateau uplift remain speculative, in particular if plateau uplift happens before continental collision. The East Anatolian Plateau (EAP) has experienced similar, more recent uplift but its structure is largely unknown. Here we present an 80 km deep geophysical model across EAP, constrained by seismic receiver functions integrated with interpretation of gravity data and seismic tomographic, magnetotelluric, geothermal, and geochemical models. The results indicate a 20 km thick lower crustal layer and a 10 km thick mid-crustal layer, which both contain pockets of partial melt. We explain plateau uplift by isostatic equilibration following magmatism associated with roll-back and break-off of the Neo-Tethys slab. Our results suggest that crustal thickening by felsic melt and mafic underplate are important for plateau uplift in the EAP, Andes and Tibet.
期刊介绍:
Nature Communications, an open-access journal, publishes high-quality research spanning all areas of the natural sciences. Papers featured in the journal showcase significant advances relevant to specialists in each respective field. With a 2-year impact factor of 16.6 (2022) and a median time of 8 days from submission to the first editorial decision, Nature Communications is committed to rapid dissemination of research findings. As a multidisciplinary journal, it welcomes contributions from biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences, aiming to highlight important breakthroughs within each domain.