Arc Tectonic Elements and Upper Mantle Structure of Central and Southeast Asia: Seismic Tomography and Seismicity Data

Abstract

Analysis of the upper mantle plumes spatial distribution in the inner part of the Sunda arc shows a number of plume bodies interrupting the stagnant slab framed from the south by the sinking slab of the Sunda arc. Possible mechanisms resulting in this structure of the mantle are (i) W-E-trending toroidal mantle flow through a gap in a flat slab and (ii) rollback capable of forming a gap in a flat slab and launching upper mantle plumes in it without deep (>1000 km) roots. The space above the top of the slab consists of local hot mantle bodies, which are considered secondary plumes and often form local rift segments. The 3D visualization of velocity variations δV_p in the Tibet and Central Asia region demonstrates structural patterns similar to those in the Sunda arc area. One can observe a region of subhorizontal slab fragments and a gap, which is recorded by plume anomalies of deep and secondary origin. The motion vectors of the rock mass along the fault planes of the Sunda arc, detected from seismic events, are directed outward from its center of curvature, in which secondary upper mantle plumes are concentrated. This indicates the development of thrust processes at the arc front unassociated with the subducting plate. The arc thrusting is accompanied by a small number of displacements along antithetic thrust faults. The displacement azimuths along the Himalayas are fan-shaped, oriented toward Hindustan. This shows that the main indicator of tectonic activity (seismic events) has a direction of rock mass displacement to the south from the extensional back-arc basin within Tibet with the development of thrust deformations during movements along the detachment planes. Two directions of seismic movements are distinguished in the Himalayan arc, as well as in the Sunda arc. The first direction follows the Indian Plate subduction model. The second direction includes variable azimuth rock mass movements along the thrust planes onto the Indian Plate.