Skip to main content
Log in

Multi-Scale Scratch Analysis in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its Geological Implications

  • Published:
Pure and Applied Geophysics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Multi-scale scratch analysis on a regional gravity field is a new data processing system for depicting three-dimensional density structures and tectonic features. It comprises four modules including the spectral analysis of potential fields, multi-scale wavelet analysis, density distribution inversion, and scratch analysis. The multi-scale scratch analysis method was applied to regional gravity data to extract information about the deformation belts in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which can help reveal variations of the deformation belts and plane distribution features from the upper crust to the lower crust, provide evidence for the study of three-dimensional crustal structures, and define distribution of deformation belts and mass movement. Results show the variation of deformation belts from the upper crust to the lower crust. The deformation belts vary from dense and thin in the upper crust to coarse and thick in the lower crust, demonstrating that vertical distribution of deformation belts resembles a tree with a coarse and thick trunk in the lower part and dense and thin branches at the top. The dense and thin deformation areas in the upper crust correspond to crustal shortening areas, while the thick and continuous deformation belts in the lower crust indicate the structural framework of the plateau. Additionally, the lower crustal deformation belts recognized by the multi-scale scratch analysis coincide approximately with the crustal deformation belts recognized using single-scale scratch analysis. However, deformation belts recognized by the latter are somewhat rough while multi-scale scratch analysis can provide more detailed and accurate results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bhimasankakam, V.L.S., Nagendra, and Seshagiri, R., (1977), Interpretation of gravity anomalies due to finite inclined dikes using Fourier transformation, Geophysics 42(1), 51–59.

  • Cheng, Y.Q. (Ed.), Introduction to Regional Geology of China (in Chinese) (Geological pub. House, Beijing 1994).

  • Feng, J., and Xu, H.Z., (1997), Three-dimensional lithospheric density structure beneath Qinghai-Tibet and its adjacent area (in Chinese), Chinese J. Geophys. 40(5), 660–666.

  • Helene, L.C., and Peter, M., (1983), Constraints on the structure of the Himalaya from an analysis of gravity and a flexural model of the lithosphere, J. Geophys. Res. 88(B10), 8171–8191.

  • Hou, Z.Z., and Yang, W.C., (1997), Wavelet transform and multiscale analysis of gravity field in China (in Chinese), Chinese J. Geophys. 40(1), 85–95.

  • Hou, Z.Z., and Yang, W.C., (2011), Multi-scale inversion of density structure from gravity anomalies in Tarim Basin, Science China Earth Science 54(3), 399–409.

  • Hou, Z.Z., Yang, W.C. and Liu, J.Q., (1998), Multi-scale inversion of Density contrast within the crust of China, Chinese J. Geophys. 41(5), 651–656.

  • Huang, Y.Y., (1984), The Characterization of Three-dimensional Random Surface Topography (in Chinese), Journal of Zhejiang University 2, 138–148.

  • Huang, Y.Y., (1985), Geometrical Interpretation and Graphical Solution of Second Order Spectrum Moments and Statistical Invariants for Random Surface Characterization (in Chinese), Journal of Zhejiang University 6, 143–153.

  • James, D.E. (ed.), Encyclopedia of solid Earth geophysics (Van Nostrand Reinhold Com., New York 1989).

  • Jolivet, L., and Hataf H-C, Geodynamics (A. A. Balkema Pub, Lisse 2001).

  • Ke, X.P., Wang, Y., Xu, H.Z., Ou, J.K., and Sun, R.M., (2009), The three-dimensional crustal density structure of the Tibetan plateau from gravity inversion, Progress in Geophys. 24(2), 448–455.

  • Kind, R., Yuan, X., Saul, J., Nelson, D., Sobolev, S.V., Mechie, J., Zhao, W., Kosarev, G., Ni, J., Achauer, U., and Jiang, M., (2002), Seismic images of crust and upper mantle beneath Tibet: Evidence for Eurasian plate subduction, Science 298, 1219–1221.

  • Kirby, S.H., and Kronenbegr, A.K., (1987), Rheology of the Lithosphere: selected topics, Rev. Geophys. 25, 1219–1224.

  • Li, C.G., Dong, S., and Zhang, G.X., (2000), Evaluation of the anisotropy of machined 3D surface Tomography, J. Wear 237, 211–216.

  • Longuet-Higgins, M.S., (1957), The Statistical analysis of a random, moving surface, Philosophical transactions of the royal society of London, Series A 249 (966), 321–387.

  • Meissner, R., and Mooney, W., (1998), Weakness of the lower continental crust: a condition for delamination, uplift, and escape, Tectonophysics 296, 47–60.

  • Nayak, P.R., (1973), Rough process model of surface roughness measurement, Wear 26, 165–174.

  • Rogers, J.W., Continents and Supercontinents (Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford 2004).

  • Sun, Y.Y., and Yang, W.C., (2014), Recognizing and extracting the information of crustal deformation belts from the gravity field (in Chinese), Chinese J. Geophys. 57(5), 1578–1587.

  • Thomas, T.R., Rough surfaces (Longman, London 1982).

  • Wan, T.F., The Tectonics of China: Data, Maps and Evolution (Springer and High Education Press, London and New York 2011).

  • Xu, Z.Q., Zhang, J.X., Xu, H.F., et al. Ductile shear zones in the main continental mountain chains and their dynamics (Geological pub. House, Beijing 1997).

  • Yanagi, K., Hara, S. and Endoh, T., (2001), Summit identification of anisotropic surface texture and directionality assessment based on asperity tip geometry, International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture 41(13),1863–1871.

  • Yang, S.Z., Wu, Y., and Xuan, J.P., Time series analysis in engineering application (in Chinese) (Huazhong University of Science & Technology Press, Wuhan 2007).

  • Yang, W.C., (1985), The power spectrum analysis of the field data (A) (in Chinese), Technol. Geophys. Geochem. Prospect 7(3), 188–196.

  • Yang, W.C., (1987), Generalized inversion applying in field data calculation (in Chinese), Acta Geophys Sin. 30(3), 283–291.

  • Yang, W.C., (1993a), Nonlinear chaotic inversion of seismic traces (I), Chinese J. Geophys. 36(2), 222–232.

  • Yang, W.C., (1993b), Nonlinear chaotic inversion of seismic traces (II), Chinese J. Geophys. 36(2), 376–387.

  • Yang, W.C., Theory and Methods in Geophysical Inversion (in Chinese) (Geological Publishing House, Beijing 1997).

  • Yang, W.C., Tectonophysics of Paleo-Tethys Domain (in Chinese) (Petroleum industry press, Beijing 2009).

  • Yang, W.C., and Du, J.Y., (1993), Approaches to solve nonlinear problems of seismic tomography, Acoustic Imaging 20, 591–604.

  • Yang, W.C., Guo, A.Y., Xie, Y.Q., Zhao, J.X., and Zhao, H.Z., (1979), Interpretation of gravity anomalies in frequency domain (A) (in Chinese), Computing Techniques for Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration 79(1), 1–16.

  • Yang, W.C., Shi, Z.Q., and Hou, Z.Z., (2001), Discrete wavelet transform for multiple decomposition of gravity anomalies, Chinese J. Geophys. 44(4), 534–541.

  • Yang, W.C., Sun, Y.Y., Yu, C.Q., and Hou, Z.Z., (2015a), The Multi-Scale Scratch Analysis Method for Quantitative Interpretation of Regional Gravity Field, Chinese J. Geophysics, 58(1): 41–53.

  • Yang, W.C., Yu, C.Q., and Hou, Z.Z., (2015b), The three dimensional density structures of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and crustal mass movement (in Chinese), Chinese J. Geophysics, in press.

  • Zhang, Z.J., Teng, J.W., Li, Y.K., Klemperer, S., and Yang, L.Q., (2004), Crustal structure of seismic velocity in southern Tibet and east-westward escape of the crustal material-An example by wide-angle seismic profile form peiguTso to PmoyongTso, Science in China (Series D) 47(6), 500–506.

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by funds from the Geological Survey Program (Grant No. 12120113093800).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wencai Yang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sun, Y., Yang, W. & Yu, C. Multi-Scale Scratch Analysis in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and its Geological Implications. Pure Appl. Geophys. 173, 1197–1210 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-015-1153-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-015-1153-3

Keywords

Navigation