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Influence of mantle convection to the crustal movement pattern in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau based on numerical simulation

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Abstract

Based on the recent observations about the movement and rheological structure of the lithosphere and deformation pattern of the crust, we developed a three-dimensional finite element model for the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The model considered the impacts of both external and internal conditions, including mantle convection, gravitational potential energy and block interactions. We compared the simulated surface movement rates to the observed GPS velocities, and the results revealed that crustal movement gradually decreased toward the edge of the plateau. The factors controlling this pattern are the interactions of adjacent blocks, gravitational potential energy of the plateau, and also mantle convection as well. Additionally, according to the observation that there was an apparent difference between the horizontal movement rate of the lithosphere and convective velocity of the underlying mantle, and also based on the results of seismic anisotropy studies that suggest different strengths and deformation regimes of the lithosphere in different tectonic blocks, we proposed that the impact of mantle convection on the lithosphere may have varied in space, and introduced a parameter named mantle convection intensity factor in numerical simulations. Our simulation results show consistent surface movement rates with GPS observations, which further supports the viewpoint of seismic anisotropy studies, i.e., the degree of coupling between the crust and mantle varies significantly among different blocks.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Professors Xiong Xiong, Yuan Daoyang, Tang Fangtou, and Chang Lijun, three anonymous reviewers, and the chief editor for their useful suggestions. We used Moho depths data calculated by Dr. Wang Xingchen and Prof. Ding Zhifeng, the crustal structure data of Stolk (2013), and the P and S wave velocity data of Li Yonghua (2013). We express our sincere thanks to the providers of these data. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41504079), and the China National Special Fund for Earthquake Scientific Research in Public Interest (Grant No. 201308011).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, 100081, China

    Aiyu Zhu, Dongning Zhang, Tao Zhu & Yingxing Guo

  2. Key Laboratory of Seismic Observation and Geophysical Imaging, Institute of Geophysics, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, 100081, China

    Dongning Zhang

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  1. Aiyu Zhu
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Correspondence to Dongning Zhang.

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Zhu, A., Zhang, D., Zhu, T. et al. Influence of mantle convection to the crustal movement pattern in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau based on numerical simulation. Sci. China Earth Sci. 61, 1644–1658 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-017-9236-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-017-9236-7

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